June Bugging

I have just been ‘bugging’ myself to remain true to my word of the year: diligent. I saw someone post that they review where they are on their stitching goals at the end of June and then decide what the rest of their stitching year will be.   Sounds good to me.   Whenever I set a list of projects, surely unexpected ones always filter in.   See a new chart,  see someone else’s finish and Bam! the squirrel in me comes out.

So far for WIPGO, I am batting 1000!   Each month’s assignment has been completed.  Only two WIPs completely stitched so far.  I am thinking, come fall there will be more finishes after some come up for the third time in the rotation.  

I have also managed to stay on top of the HOD Patreon Ornaments and fully finished as well.  How’s that for a bit of diligence!  This would  be finished except I ran out of #937.   It has been ordered and is on its way from Floss & Flame. 










I have been very diligent on other fronts.   I had a ‘gap’  last year with my yard work.  I really lost my mojo and thought I was just over gardening.   But new year and new energy and I have again fallen in love with it.   I think I stayed out of the yard as the heat built up last year and then when I started to work outside it was too oppressive.   I have been outside as much as possible so far this season.  I am so enjoying the fruits of my labors over many (many!! many!!!) years.  I am at a point with my gardens that I only need to maintain and tweek here and there.   Deadhead, weeding and trimming is about it.    Good thing, because gone are the days from sun up to sundown doing yard work.  It is more like I work  2 to 3 hours, rest an hour and (a.) decide to continue another hour; or (b) decide to shower and quit for the day!  

My yard work  includes working on what I call my Back 40 Project.  So what is this so called Back 40 that I speak of?   Our back yard backs up to 100 feet  deep of undergrowth and trees between us and the Senior Citizens Complex.   (Boo hiss!  Not on the Seniors as I am one).  For the first 30 years we lived here it was an empty 10 acre parcel where we flew kites, pulled sleds, climbed trees, built forts and had golf cart trails and paths.   And then came the complex.     I digress.    For years I would  throw extra plants, extra bulbs and cuttings -  Hostas, Daffodils, Black Eyed Susan’s, Iris, Coral Belles, Lilies.  You name it, if  I had too many, toss them I did.   So in the summer of 2020, I had this brilliant idea of creating a nature path type garden on this landlocked piece of property that would never be developed.  I had years earlier cleared about 25 feet by 100 across the entire back property line making my back yard larger.   It is all nicely planted with grass, there is a gravel area with a fire pit,    In 2020 I choose to clear about another 40 feet back.   This time only about 40 feet wide and not the 100 foot width of my lot.    This vision came about when the big oak tree was felled from high winds.    My neighbor thought it was a good idea to bring over his  chain saw over and cut the massive oak into pieces.   At first I thought well that was nice but now what?   Then the fantasy started.   It took all of the Summer of 2020 and some of 2021 to clear the ivy, saplings, sticker vines and debris.   The only rule I have is that I put no money into it because technically it is not my property.  Although I guess I have eminent domain at this point.   

I laid a path of reclaimed bricks, stone, and the odd extra pavers.  I love the burst of color I see from my deck and not just from the flowers but the butterflies and birds as well.  I do have a bit more sweat equity to put in it.   I did  break my rule this summer and bought some stone to finish the pathway.   I need about 12 more  bags to be completely done.     

 Here is a product of my “tossing”.   Rose Campions, a favorite of mine.   I love their deep magenta flowers contrasting with their silvery gray foliage.   These would not grow where they were planted in my garden and got tossed back here some time ago.   Of course they decide to pop up between scrap ends of trex decking that I used to make up a section of the path.  

I have transplanted them and I think they are going to make it.   With luck, next summer there will be a good showing of their flowers and foliage.

Here is the same pathway AFTER the rose campion was moved and the trex was reset and stone added.

This whole thing  is my folly.  It is just whimsy.  Mr. W just shakes his head and asks me how I just seem to create jobs where there are none to be had.   I guess I am just a putzer that likes my hands in the dirt.  

The neighbor’s cat and I take turns sitting on this discarded bench.   It is always in the shade and gives a good place for a brief respite.

I actually fear where my yard energies will be focused when I complete this Back 40 project.   I worry Mr. W might hide my garden tools.   Yikes!

Part of  ‘applying’ diligence was to tackle tasks I kept putting off.  I keep delaying the finishing of  a scrapbook I started for my daughter’s 50th birthday last year.   This is not an uncommon thing for me - things take longer than my great idea is executed in my mind.  Anyway, I had the concept, I had the photos printed,  gave myself  two weeks and a good old college try.  Alas, I am not a college graduate.  I ran out of time with it only half done.   In my mind, I was going to finish it right away, then I told myself by Christmas, then I thought by Easter would be a good time……and now I vow a solemn promise to myself  to be done before her birthday comes around again in July.   Why do I do this to myself?   Ugh!  I know once I get started it will go well.   It is just that first step being the hardest.  

 Another long languishing project idea, a jewelry box sewing box.   I have long been wanting to make one of the jewelry box sewing kits.   Seeing all the lovely stitchy boxes at recent retreats, I was bound and determined to do mine.   I had the jewelry box.  I had the fabric picked out.  I had a boot (!) box full of trinkets and things to include.   That is where I got stymed.  First step was to sit down and sort the items.  I ripped the jewelry box apart and started to reassemble and decorate.  It took all of two days work to be done.   I then picked the perfect piece to stitch and put on the top.   That took more than two days.   But really, why did I put it off?  Cleaning up loose ends feels good.  I have enough doo-dads to make a travel themed box and a Red-White-Blue one but neither is on my agenda ….yet.

I treated myself to this list cutie at a recent antique shop stop.   Do you know what it is? 

It is a hair receiver.   It is from Victorian times from a lady’s dressing table.     Look what I am using it for.   Orts!    Part of my surround myself with pretty things movement.  I actually bought it thinking I could put it in my stitchy jewelry box and but that did not work.

OMGosh each month I pledge to attack the Civil War quilt…….no more progress to share right now.  Scrapbook to be finished, jewelry box redo done, and need to do some retreat gifts THEN  hopefully the civil war quilt comes back on my list.  

I did complete a second small wool project.   Not fully finished but I know what I will do.  And remember, fully finishing is a different hobby.   I need to either ‘beef’ up the eye or add a matte black bead for the eye.

Diligent with reading - with the earphones and yard work, I am going through some books.  Right now I have one audio book I am listening to, one electronic book I am reading and one hard cover book I am reading.   Good thing they are all completely different because if they were all the same time in history I would have the wrong people in the wrong countries with the wrong lovers and families in the wrong wars.    I set my reading goal in Goodreads’s at 30 books for the year and I am already at 27!!!

I did put some diligence into purging my cross stitch charts.  I think I eliminated 70 charts.   I pulled many I liked but admit I will never stitch.   I have several charts that were so similar that I could pass one on and keep one.   My Thursday stitch group will be happy to peruse my bag o’ charts!  The whole craft room is a major must do.   It is time to get rid of the stamping supplies that I will never use again.  Perhaps if I could task myself with this I may find that perfect place that I put my light box.  Hmm.

There you have it, my mid-year review.  I am feeling pretty good about my progress with a couple of exceptions.    I need to get back to working on the French Alphabet Sampler.   I think I should adopt that one thread a day method.  I know I will see progress.   I do enjoy seeing progress on this piece   Here’s to being more diligence the second half of 2026 on this.  .  

I had thought I might reward myself with a new start come July 1st but I am going to hold off.   I have a long range plan for when my WIPs are fewer and that is the carrot dangling in front of me.   More importantly, instead of a new cross stitch project, I need to concentrate on my Civil War Quilt.   I need to get the scrapbook off the list, and get the final stones in my Back 40……I laugh at myself!

Thanks for stopping by.   Keep you and yours safe.   Enjoy the journey and keep on stitching.  Happy Birthday America!  

Ohio, Part 3 - Retreat and Home Again, Home Again Jiggedy Jig

The Western Reserve Sampler Guild Retreat was wonderful.   So nice to meet in person the people I have been seeing on Zoom the last few years.    The stitchers were all as excited as I was to see each other.   We received several little gifts for attending as well as some great table gifts from fellow stitchers.   Like me, many made goodies for all attending not just their table.   Easy enough since there were only 39 attending.  

 Table and Retreat Gifts.   Oh boy!  I think I need to step mine up a bit.  At least for a retreat like this one.  I missed the ‘memo’ that it was a patriotic themed event.  I don’t know how since it was called “Stars and Stripes Forever”!

I won this door prize which  was kizmit!  I have been following Avelea Designs and the folk embroidery designs for about a year and I have wanted to place an order but I kept telling myself - you have too many projects ahead of yet another new one.  

She uses a 30 count European linen that I an anxious to try.   

Fortunately/Unfortunately, I am not putting this on my radar…yet.  

Sylvia Steckler, Running with Needles and Scissors, is a WRSG member.  She taught a class and had a pop-up shop.   I couldn’t resist these charts.   I really fell in love with the big old house.   Yikes!

There were some serious issues with the hotel but once in the stitching room no one could tell.  Renovations were in progress and elevators were out of order requiring many to make last minute hotel changes.  But as I said, once we were set up in our stitching room there was nary a problem or worry, just fun to be had.  

I did get a bit of stitching completed.   I worked on one of my WIPGO calls, 2025 Commemorative Heart/Heart in Hand.   My task was 5 hours of stitching and I am guessing I doubled that.     Before, left and after on the right - obviously!

I also did a wool appliqué piece.   Not a total rookie with this but definitely a novice.   I have done bits and pieces along the way but with little knowledge of what I was doing.   I sat with Barb and Monica when I was in Gettysburg earlier in May and was fascinated with their work and how this type of stitching is the easiest retreat work you can do.    I reached out to Barb and got hints from her before the weekend.   I was able to cut and iron all my pieces in place ahead of time.  It was EZ PZ to stitch the pieces in place that we already held in place using Heat and Bond.   No need to follow a pattern place.    I need to neaten up my stitches and try my hand at some variation of stitches.  I am on my way to attacking the dozen or so wool appliqué kits and patterns I have in stash.

So, not to have you bored, I had a crazy pit stop on the way home.   Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium in Orrtanna, PA.   I kid you not.  

There was a QR code on this mural that gave you the history of Mr. Ed and his elephant journey.   Someone gave he and his wife an elephant figurine as a wedding gift as it was to bring good luck.  The journey started there.  

The grounds and gardens were a lovely place to walk around.   Each corner turning up a different elephant or perhaps one of the 7 Dwarfs hiding in the undergrowth!

I think we all need a little bit of whimsy in our lives.  How about a flower bed full of bowling ball lady and other bugs?   Hmmmm….I have a couple of old bowling balls in the closet….

Just think, a long car ride with the kiddoes…..what a great place to stop and stretch your legs with them. 

There was a Tea Pot House filled with hundreds of teapots of every kind, even elephant teapots!

I was truly captivated by the over the top concept and execution of this entire place.  

And then we went inside!   There was part of candy store that was sectioned off as the museum.

Thousands and thousands of elephants on display!

By this point, I was elephanted-out and didn’t even take pictures of ALL the candy.   Tubs and tubs of penny (probably not a penny anymore) candy from root beer barrels to Mary Janes to Sugar Daddy’s.   Homemade fudge and of course, fresh roasted peanuts which I bought for Mr. W.    Dag nabbit!  This being on a diet is hard some days but I somehow made it out with only the peanuts.

All in all in it was a great trip.   Except for the long drive.   No issues at all along the way, it just makes for a loooonnnnggg day.   

Thanks for traveling along.   Remember take the road less traveled and you may come across an Elephant Museum.   Back to real life for me.

Keep on stitching……

Ohio, Part 2

 Day 2 started with a trip to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.   I was kind of ambivalent about going.  I don’t remember song lyrics, singer names, blah, blah blah.   I know I like what I hear as I am listening and my brain moves on.    I am so glad we went.  It was awesome.   At one point I was bopping with headphones on listening to Freddy Mercury.  

Anyway, enough of that visual…..We were in line in time for our 10 am timed admission.  The website says 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours for the tour.  The first floor we toured has a changing exhibit and also the history of R & R starting with its roots in church and gospel music.   It. took us almost two hours just for that floor alone!   It was overwhelming to say the least.  

The entrance was lined floor to ceiling with autographs.  

Saturday Night Live was the first exhibit.   I used to think I was really doing something if I stayed up to watch Saturday night live.   These days…..I am watching the inside of my eyelids when it is on the air.  It was really neat to see some of the skits and clothes from the shows.   Justin Timberlake’s leotard from his “All the Single Ladies” skit with Bobby Monihan and Andy Samberg.  Hilarious!  

Kenan Thompson’s jacket from his “What’s Up With That” skits as Diondre Cole

And so much more.  Many pix I took had too much glare and reflection.

After the SNL section, we wandered our way through the music that proceeded “Rock ‘n Roll”.  The gospel singers, the folk singers, Blues, Motown, Country, Memphis and so on.  

So in no particular order and with photos of musicians and bands forgotten.   The sounds, the pictures brought back many memories.  Music, like your sense of smell, can take you back to time long forgotten.    I made sure my kids were introduced to music through school instrument programs because, I cannot carry a tune in a bucket and birds fall from the sky if I do more than mouth the words in church!

Sister Rosetta, hailed one of the founders, from 1948. 

Mahalia Jackson

 

Hank Williams

Piano played by Jerry Lee Lewis showing how he wore the ivory right off the keys.

No introduction needed, just look at the white glove and know.

One of Michael Jackson’s Grammys

One of Lady Gaga’s outfits

Always a Beatles Fan….

From the original Ryman Auditorium Theater, a pew, c. 1895, Nashville.

Fats Domino

And his domino shirt!

No explanation needed.  Thank you, thank you very much.

Patchwork coat worn by Jimi Hendrix

I thought this was touching.   This poster of Rev. Franklin and his daughter, Aretha……

The Supremes, The Temptations, Berry Gordy, The Miracles……

Turquoise guitar, why?   I don’t even know who’s it was but it is my favorite color.  LOL

Harry Styles suit

“THE Blue Suede Shoes!

The final exhibit on the top floor was dedicated to Paul McCartney and Wings.   I can’t help but have the music “Live and Let Die” playing in my head.  

Original writing of  “Uncle Arthur”

And for my s-in-l, John Prine, one of his favorites.

You know me.  I’ve always have to get the scenery in.  A view from the 5th floor of the Hall of Fame out over Lake Erie.  

After the tour, we walked to the waterfront and had a relaxing lunch outdoors.   As you can see by the sky, the weather was beyond gorgeous.   My view was of the Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Looking out over the lake, a wee lighthouse in the distance.

You can’t be on a stitching retreat trip with going to a cross stitch store.   This trip had us visit the Crafty Ewe in Broadview Heights, Ohio.  It was a great store, super well stocked and a variety of charts from the common and popular ones to the not familiar ones.   Lots of models on display which is always a great thing.    I made a few purchases.    Like I need another strawberry…..but you can see I brought two!

Rose, one of the early, if not an original member, opened her house for a Meet and Greet the night before the event started.   So kind and generous of her.   There were about 15 of us that showed up.   To say her needlework in beautiful is an understatement.  Her needlework is museum worthy.   She is not only prolific she is also impeccable with her stitching.  Her gardens were beautiful and welcoming.  I found what would be my stitching spot very quickly.  

Look at this unique way she displayed her  REVERSIBLE piece.  Not the best pic.  It is hanging from the molding in an over-sized doorway so the back and be displayed.  

And to think, I am not even scratching the surface of all the framed pieces and the beautiful cabinet/s of smalls.   Just stunning and absolutely motivating!!!  How wonderful it must be to sit and stitch here and be surrounded by all your beautiful work.

And who knew!  That WRSG’s dear Rose was a designer herself.    Once at the Retreat, we were all gifted one of Rose’s own designs.   

 I have already ordered the beads from 123Stitch.   Not only that, I realized that I had done one of her pieces.   Not only that, I realized that I had already done one of her pieces.  

Thanks for traveling along with me……

Next up, the event and drive home