October Follies

First and foremost, two more WIPGO finishes!   Woot! Woot!   The 2025 Collector’s Heart from Heart in Hand.   

I was going to find a nice rectangular frame but decided to make a pillow after I saw how A Kiwi Stitching finished the same piece.    See her September 2nd post.  

Second finish is the lovely Jeweled Baubles from Shannon Christine.   This is one that has to be seen in person to be able to catch all the glittering and sparkles.  

This piece is NOT up there with my top 5 favorite to stitch.   It was OK up to the beading.  You know, the fussiness of the beads, the beading thread tangling,  beads being dropped and the kreinik coming unthreaded and fraying.   

I took these little cuties to work on during my travels to Colorado.   From Penny Lane Primitives, these were with pre-cut felt!    They were easy to work on.   No need to follow a chart.  

Yes, I traveled to Denver.   A first-time visit for me.   There were 6 of us that met there for a long weekend.  It was so nice to see other, relax, chat, stitch and just generally catch up.  Beautiful city, beautiful scenery.      On our first afternoon, we visited the Latimer section of Denver  for a wonderful lunch and some shopping before checking into our hotel.    Spent one night in Denver before making our way to Loveland where the 6 of us were meeting up.    

Yes, we went to the Colorado Cross Stitch store.  I had one chart and two skeins of floss on my list……..suffice it to say, there was more than those three items in my bag when I left.     After closing the store, Sheri met us for dinner.  What a lovely person she is.   I hope she enjoyed getting together with us as much as we did with her.   We welcome her into our homes each month and feel like you know her.   She is just as sweet and down-to-earth in person as she is on Floss-Tube.    

I laugh that I made a list prior and thought I could/would stick to it.     

Sunday morning, two of the girls had to head home and three of us went to Rocky Mountain National Park.  (If you are counting, that’s 5 - one stayed at the AB&B and read)   We drove through Estees Park with the intention of walking through the town and shops after our drive through the National Park.  The drive through the park was spectacular.   The views unbelieveable.   The Rockies are very different than the Appalachian Mountains which I am familiar with.   Back in Estees Park, the sidewalks looked like shopping on Black Friday and we all voted to just head back home.   I wish we had taken the time to stop and tour the Stanley Hotel - famous haunted hotel - but we got a late start on the day.  Then with all  the twists, turns, altitude climbing some needed to just go home.   The “check engine light” on the rental car, solidified the decision to head back to our AB&B.     

Monday morning, we checked out of the AB&B.   Two of the girls heading back to Nebraska and my travel partner, Vicki and I, headed back to Denver for two more days.   As if we didn’t have enough cross stitch shopping, we were lured to a hidden gem of a store.   The only place that could have more fibers or beads  would be a fiber factory and a bead factory.   A Stitching Store in Denver.  Damage was done to be sure.   We meet Michelle of Needle & Moss.   I had to buy her pumpkin pattern and the fabric to go with it.   Geez!  I have no self control. The owner said they only have 15,000 items on their website and it best to call if you want something because they have over 90,000 items in inventory! I have never seen a more organized store.   Very different from Colorado Cross Stitch store but just as awesome in a different way.   Charts were in crates, alpha by designer and then alpha by chart name or in numerical order by chart number.    Whoever came up with this method must have been an archivist in a former life.  

Tuesday we visited the Garden of the Gods. Again, spectacular views.    Then it was on to Manitou Springs. 

Next, it was off to the Cog Railway up to the top of Pike’s Peak.   

We are tossing out ideas between the six of us for our next get together.   Cleveland, Ohio; Williamsburg/Virginia Beach, VA; Branson, Missouri; London Ontario, Canada; Hawaii!! 

Other stitching progress for October.  As of today, it is like 90% stitched only because I ran out of WDW Seagull.   It has been ordered and soon this will move from the WIPGO basket to the FFO basket.   (Look at the date you can barely see - not cut off intentionally - 2014.   My oldest WIP, IDK, maybe!

Let’s not get excited at my stitching prowess.   This is not a testament to my stitching ability but rather the documentation of the number of WIP’s I have/had.   I don’t know why I get to within days/weeks of a finish and a drop project to fall headlong into a new one.   Sidetrack Robin for sure.  

I have started running through ideas for my 2027 Blessing Sampler and toying with my approach to WIPGO in 2027.    All in all, life is good.

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay positive, believe in random acts of kindness and keep on getting those WIP’s done.  Just keep in stitching on whatever is your pleasure.  

A fully finish and a nearly finish.

 

Not too much going on with me this month.   I had hoped to deadhead and straighten the flower beds.   So much rain here on the east coast that gardening didn’t happen.   When we did have a nice day, my time was booked elsewhere.  At least I took pleasure in watching the Monarchs flit about while eating lunches on the deck.    

I do need repot my Christmas cacti before bringing them in.   I put them outside for the summer and they really did fabulous.    The cactus doubled in size.    I read that they are from THE Amazon and although a cactus, they like more water than I have been giving them.   I also bought myself an orchid.   I had orchids for a while and really enjoyed them.   The last two I had were never blooming and I just said “the end” to them.   But a few years have passed and I ready to try again.   Two ice cubes every Friday and fertilize the first Friday of the month.   We shall see.   I also need to repot my asparagus fern/s before bringing them in from their summer outside.  I am going to try placing one in the bathroom to see if the humidity in there helps.

I found a bit of stuff that I had not purged……what!?!   We had a roof leak.  Unfortunately it turned out it was a flashing issue on a dormer here , a seal issue on a vent pipe there, a seal on a roof vent in another place and multiple nail pops.   Wait and see and monitor/new roof in my immediate future?   The initial frenzy was “find the prior roof installation paperwork”  and “find the solar panel installation paperwork”.   This lead me done the path of sorting the file cabinet of all our paperwork.   I hate to admit there was a box tucked under my desk where I threw “things to be filed”……yikes!   I used to pride myself on how perfectly I kept my files until I turned the bill paying over to Mr. W about 25 years ago. At the time I was working in a school business office dealing with paperwork and filing and then changed jobs with my of my responsibilities being the Company archives and retention…..filing was the last thing I wanted to do at home.  No need to keep receipts from 1993.  Sales slips from furniture we no longer own.   Owner’s manuals from long gone appliances. Tax returns well over ten years old.   You get the picture.   Two boxes of shredding later and all paperwork now neat and orderly!  And I mean to keep it that way.   Ha!

I did stitch and finish this potty humor for my sister.   She has built-ins with nothing but blue and white dishes.   This will look perfect.    Poor lighting, it is Michael’s Navy from WDW on white linen.  Benjamin Franklin Quotes from  Plum Street’s Platitude from 2026 Needlework Market. 

I almost finished Jeweled Baubles!  I ordered the bead kit when I got the pattern.  When I started putting the beads on I used the called for Mill Hill seed beads provided.  Then I came across even smaller seed beads that were in the packet.    I removed the Mill Hill and used the smaller seed beads and am happy with the result.   It was more the color than the size. And see how I sabotage myself…..almost done stitching and I have to jump to the beading!  I have one ornament to finish the stitching on but I couldn’t wait to see how the beads changed the appearance.   I only wish the camera could catch how pretty this is.    I have two more days in September, one can hope.   I will push on until completed.   Yippee! Another WIPGO soon to be off my list.  This pattern is a pdf from Shannon Christine.

For finishing, I prepped what I could so I could hand sew while visiting my sister.   Jeannette Douglas Designs.  Not only am I getting things stitched, I am getting things fully finished.   

 

I got this fabulous piece of red fabric from Number 12 Stitch Company - several of us shared the order to cut down on the postage.   It is for  Tomato/Tomahto from Needle & Moss.   I only kind of liked the pattern until I saw it fully finished with green floss substituted for the white floss and I was immediately in love!    I really do want to start it but I am holding to at least one more WIPGO (after Jeweled Baubles) finished before I do.    Hmmm, what will it be?   Should I follow the calendar or pick the one closest to completion?  That would only make sense or is it better to stay the course?   My board, my rules……   Thanks Barb for coordinating the fabric purchase (in other words, enabling!)  I actually think I will hold off on a new start and plan ahead.   I have a large wool table runner I would love to prep and take with me to Tennessee in November.  So easy to sit and blanket stitch once everything is in place.   No chart to have to keep looking at.   Hmmm, it’s a thought circling in the back of my scattered brain.  We will all have to see what bubbles up!  Then again I may change my mind several times before that.

  

Coming up in October, I will be Colorado for 8 days.   It is a reunion with a group of girlfriends.   Excursion booked for Pike’s Peak,  entry passes for Rocky Mountain State Forrest secured, going to Colorado Cross Stitcher’s shop and also plan to see the Garden of the Gods.     One more state to cross off my list.   I think it makes 39 states I have visited.  Will I ever get to all 50?   Not likely.  I actually have no desire to go to Hawaii. I think it is the long flight.  For island paradise, Jamaica is much closer. 

As always, thank you so much for stopping by to read about my goings-on.   Remember kindness does matter.  Give a hug/get a hug!  And whatever comes your way, keep in stitching!

Summer winding down

 A couple of hectic weeks behind me and fall is approaching.   I am loving the windows open.  What better time of the year weather-wise.    I am now able to schedule the drop-off of all the boxed up items from my Purge of ‘26.    Next up to get rid of, a treadmill and a 10 speed bike.   Going to try marketplace for both of those.

My babysitting schedule has changed (yet again) to only Mondays after-school pick up.   My son’s schedule changed and they opted out for after-care, schedule changed again and now they are on the list to get back in to after-care.  So Damma to the rescue for one of the two days per week they need coverage.   My D-in-L will work from home on the other.    Any excuse to spend time with those two works for me.

An online group I belong to had a Finsihing Palooza over Labor Day weekend.    We all logged on as we could from 12 to 4 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.    I got 7 things fully finished.    I had prepped ahead of time with pressing, interfacing, choosing backing fabrics, trims, cutting mat board, batting all ready.  It was easy to sit and chat and get these fully finished!   

My first finish was Liberty Inn from Chessie & Me.

I painted the paper mache’ box and mounted the stitching on top.   

On the left, I lined the inside of the box with Civil War fabric.  Fully finished “Believe” as a Christmas ornament.   I don’t know the designer of this pattern.

Found a frame in my stash,  laced and mounted Winter Cometh from Summer House Stitch Workes.

I blanket stitched backing fabric to this wool appliqué piece.   Adding a ‘pocket’ on the back to hang it on the wrought iron stand.  

For this, from Hands on Design, I needed some advice and encouragement.   The stitchers online with me did not disappoint.   All pieces were stitched and fully finished but I was hesitant to paint and Mod Podge the box.   They talked me off the ledge and I got to it.

Of course with all the paints I had, I did not have the Folk Art Terra Cotta.    Not to be steered, I asked Google what to mix together to ‘create’ Terra Cotta and viola!   

I had a piece from Crossed Wings that I stitched in the 80’s. (Oy! The rat’s nest of threads on the back were a give away.)   I never finished it, didn’t even have the pattern any more but still could not part with what I had stitched.   I cut two 3-inch circles to create two bird Christmas ornaments.

Now I don’t feel that my stitching was for naught.  

I am working on finishing the stitching for the second of the three quilted gingers in the HOD Patreon.    I made the decision to drop out of the Patreon after this month.  I am enjoying it, I love the patterns, I love the tutorials, love everything about it but…….I feel like this is all I am stitching on each month.  I put pressure on myself to make them a priority and I find I am not stitching on anything else.   Having just gone through all my patterns (2x), there are so many I want to stitch that I just never seem to be able to get to.   Maybe I will rejoin in the future.   I have fingers crossed that I don’t get FOMO when I see my friends working on their monthly HOD pieces.   

I lucked out with my WIPGO for September with both #24 and #25 being the same project.   It is Jeweled Baubles.   So far, I haven’t even put a stitch in it during September but I have 22 more days in the month. I really would like to get this completed in September  but we all know how well that worked for last  month’s plan.

 

I know me and plans.  Nothing is ever written in stone.   Plans are subject to change.  All in all, life is good at the home of the Stitch Witch.    As always, thank you for stopping by.  I love your comments and I am so bad at responding but know do I read and reread them.  Keep on stitching, keep being creative and enjoy the journey.

Back to reality

Summer is coming to an end but that does not mean the end to lovely days.   I love the change of seasons and though we are a more than a few weeks away from fall crispness, I look forward to it.

Our family vacation was everything I had hoped for and more.   Loads of laughs, loads of sun and fun, horseback riding, wave jumping, bogey boarding, loads of good food.  So much so we are already booking for the same time next year.  Made great memories for everyone, especially the little ones.

We got our bad luck out of the way on the ride down.  My son had a dead battery.  It would not even take a jump.    Dead dead dead.   AAA to the rescue. New battery ordered online and waiting for him at AutoZone in Nags Head and all was well.   So funny that we all left at different times and somehow three carfulls were at the Royal Farms just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at the same time.  

Stitching, was not so good.    I took  Tra la la project to finish it up.    Amazing how on the deck in the sunlight the fact that I used two different whites popped right off the linen.  All the cream was frogged and of course I did not have the bright white with me.  That was ok because I put the project away/in time out.  

Fun at the shopping area

 

Beautiful sunrises

Awesome rental house

Great table for family meals

Quick thunderstorm and rainbow

Drove up past Corolla which means you drive on the beach.   Saw the wild horses.

Someone was very excited with a surprise stop for ice cream.

 I ventured to Kitty Hawk to the Wright Brothers Memorial.   Imagine my surprise finding a Singer treadle machine as part of the exhibit.  Right?    It is the sewing machine of Mrs. Addie Tate.  Wilbur used her machine to sew the fabric for the wings.   Mrs. Tate used the extra fabric to make dresses for her daughters. 

One of the hangars where Orville and Wilbur worked.  

Actual tools from the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop that they used to work on their plane.

The designers of the monumental were from New York.  They were one of 37 companies that submitted drawings. Roasted & Poor were awarded the contract in 1930 with a bid of $10,000.  Rodgers & Poor decided on a geometric Art-Deco style.    Before construction could begin, the sands of Kill Devil Hills had to be stabilized.  Locals planted sea grass on the sand hill to stabilize the soil.  The granite tower is 61 feet tall and was dedicated in November 1932.   Approximately 1,000 people attending the decimation including Orville Wright.

Panoramic view from the top.   It was a climb but so worth the view.

In 1930, a boulder and plaqque make the take off point of the famed flights.  

Squeals of delight as my grand daughter mastered the bogey board.

Animal print face masks cooled sunburnt faces. 

Rich and William catch a sunrise.

  

Before we left, we took our annual first day of school picture which took some convincing.   I explained I doubted that would be any difference in their sizes in two days time.   

How else do you clean the brownie batter from the bowl?

Summertime stitching is so limited for me but that is AOK with me.    I’ve got a few days with some stitching friends coming up, perhaps I will get some stitching done there…..one can hope.   But oh no!   There is talk of us all starting a new sampler project!  Yikes.    I will be strong.  I have other plans I hope I can stick to. 

Thanks for stopping by to visit me and read about my adventures.    Keep on keeping on, …… and make someone’s day…..ask the cashier at the store how they are and tell them to have a great day and watch their frown turn to a smile because……kindness matters.   We are all together on this big blue marble…….