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I've got lots of progress to share this weekend.   In part because of the sitting in an airport to and from Atlanta last week; also a day off Friday spent stitching day with friends and then yesterday, one of the most beautiful days in like forever, sitting on the deck and stitching the afternoon away.   Awww.

So, compared to others, it may not seem like a lot but for little old me who seems to spend more time in driving a car somewhere then I do stitching, I am pleased with my multi-project progress.

First,  I finished my EGA Christmas Tree from the December 2017 NeedleArts Magazine.   This was done as a guild project.   A great way to introduce canvas work to those of us who haven't done it before

 It was supposed to have a different star but I put it in such a safe place that I now can't find it.  Maybe I'll do a little recon before finishing this.  I think I want to finish as an easel finish.  Just need an uninterrupted evening to do it.

I managed to finish the witch's dress and add a bit of her flaming red hair.   I've had lunch meetings and lunch dates this week and since this it is my lunchtime stitch, not much time has been devoted to her.  Hopefully, this week I can finish her up and (maybe) start the fourth of the series.

 Lastly, this is Hands On Design Block Party "Mend"   This is what I took with me to Atlanta.   I managed to get a boatload of the tape measure done since there was no thought or counting involved. Five stitches up, five stitches down.  I am including this in my EGA Rotation Challenge that starts in October.    Since the projects can be WIP's or new it doesn't matter that I started it.   It is going really fast.

I passed on working on the tomato pin cushion as it would need a little more counting and concentrating than the airport setting allowed.

Now while in Atlanta area of course I needed to find a fabric store.   The Scarlet Thread in McDonough GA was awesome!    Here's (some of) my haul.    Got fabric and a pattern for a quilt.

 I am drawn to civil war era prints.   I laid it out above, from the top down the binding, the outing border, inner border, then background.  The fat quarters were prepackaged and there were about 20 different Cutie Patterns to choose from.   You then select your complementary fabric.  This store was so big that while shopping my sister and I were separated.   Only at the cutting table did we realize we both picked the same pattern and same bundle of fat quarters.   She chose a different background and borders and binding so we are going to look very different.   I am sure she will be done within the next year, mine, however......date unknown!  Too many started and half finished quilt tops already!

 Got fun fabric for pillow cases for my grandson.  Pattern looks so simple.   I bet I could whip up two in an evening with no problem even doing the french seams....or do I pull out the serger?  Just need to find that evening to dedicate the time to them.

Got some fun little wool kits to do.   Love the strawberries.   When finished, the piece is above 3 inches  by 7 inches and I already have the stand it hangs from.  

So that's it for me.   This week the suitcase is coming out again for me to start packing.   I am heading to Ocean City MD Thursday morning for my semi-annual guild retreat.  It is always fun, good times, good friends, good food, adult beverages and being at the beach.  Hopefully, I will not be 'the winner' AGAIN! with my tally of purchases from Salty Yarns.   For now, today is the second day of absolutely gorgeous weather here on the east coast.   I am heading outside to deadhead some plants, pull out other plants and get the yard ready for winter.

Thanks for stopping by and.....keep on stitching!

*Update*  hmmm, that safe place I believed I put the star for the Christmas tree.....uncovered.

I don't know if I will take off what I put on originally or not.   I like the shiny gold start but I don't know if the size of it is the right proportion.  There's time to decide.   Finishing is not on my list this week.  

EGA Challenge

We have a 2018-2019 Challenge starting next month at my EGA Guild.   We are to pick four projects to focus on.   They can be WIPs or new starts.   Well little old me is always looking for an excuse to start a new project.  

The 'challenge' is to select four projects.  We number them one to four.   Each meeting a number is called and the associated project becomes our focus piece for the next month.  If we finished a project, we get to add another to replace it and round out the foursome.

Project bags all filled and ready to go.

First up, from Hands-on Design, Block Party Mend.   I am missing one floss, so it is on my list for Salty Yarns in two weeks.  I changed the fabric from Dusty Miller to Cappachino.

Second, another Hands-on Design, Stitch Every Day.   Both of these have been in my stash for a couple of years.   I didn't dare start them because of all my other WIPs but now I feel like I have permission.  I changed the fabric from the suggested WDW Chickpea to Garden Slate Java.   I might have to change the green floss because of the green fabric.  hmmmm.

Pieces three and four, are WIPs.   The best of both worlds...something new and something old.

Third is Halloween Quaker from Lila's Studio.   Heck, I'd better get going on this one if I want it for this Halloween.   Was going like gangbusters and got derailed.   Time to get back on it!

Fourth is another Hands-on Design limited edition My Stitcher's Heart.   This is an exclusive pattern in association with Elegant Stitch.   It is a box and with smalls.  I fell in love with the colors.   Can you tell I like Cathy Habermann's designs.

I've finished two of the three smalls and will be working on the top and the third small.. 

So wish me luck that I get some of these stitched, finished and I'm able to roll some additional projects in the mix.   Could be a good way to get a WIP of two moved to the completed column!

Thanks fo stopping by and keep on stitching.

New start

My EGA is having a canvas work SAL.    I only have worked on canvas once before and never finished the project so this is an interesting challenge.  Our assignment for next month is to complete Blocks 1 to 8.   I already have Blocks 1 to 6 completed since Thursday.   This may be a project where I am the over-achiever and have all 16 completed by next meeting.

I am enjoying the process and progress with this.    I may even have to pull out my previous meager attempt at canvas work.

Also in EGA we are launching a challenge for 2018-2019.   Stitchers are to pick four projects to concentrate on.   They can be new or WIP's.  And oh, there are so many new ones I want to start...Do I dare?  We will stitch them in rotation dedicating a month at a time on each piece.   It is a good way to make some progress on a couple of projects that I have been lagging behind on.     I'll have to dig into the basket of shame and share what I decide to use for my challenge.  I think I want to split it between two WIP's and two new......hmmmm, got to think on it a while.

As for my other current stitching, I am almost done three of the four Halloween ornaments.  

For those who wanted to know the fabric color, I cannot find the label from when it was purchased.   I did pull out all my Weeks Dye Works, Sampler Threads, etc. to find a close match.   Best I could do was DMC 598.

For those stitching pals in North and South Carolina, sending prayers.   Stay safe my friends.  

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.

Maintaining is better than playing catch up.

Boy a little self-reflection and I have identified what is causing me to feel so overwhelmed lately.   Ever have something you need to do but don't want to do?   Does that thing (or things!) grow and keep overshadowing you?   Does it seem impossible to tackle so you just keep not addressing it.   And finally when you do, you realize that wasn't so bad and then you actually start to feel better.   Wow, I bet I am not alone.  I have been so overwhelmed with work on my brother's estate that I just keep putting everything on the corner of my desk. Couple that with all the paperwork my financial planner is asking for putting my finances in order for retirement and I just kind have been turning a blind eye and hibernating to avoid both of these tasks.

No more, as least estate-wise.  I had everything but it was just in a pile.  I put in the necessary hours this past week and got everything caught up, created several excel files to document everything, created folders for hard copy files of the receipts, correspondence, etc. and created my to-do list of letters and additional notifications I found need to make.   Whew.....feels good now that I did attack the mess and that invisible weight on my shoulders lifted.   It is far easier to maintain once everything is in order.   And I know this....this is always been my mantra.....I have eaten those words I used with my children about taking care of their rooms.   But enough of that.

 This was my view Wednesday night.   7:30 pm and 90 degrees

Today, sweats and raindrops on my pool (and camera lens)

We have gone from extreme, and I mean extreme,  heat and humidity in the mid-Atlantic region to rain-rain-rain.  This means my flower beds are suffering.   Already overgrown with crab-grass and now pouring rain for the next 6 days means they may never get groomed this season!   I so look forward to retirement and spending a half hour a day to maintain the beds instead of all weekend long playing catch up.   (311 days but who is counting)  I guess it is time to think about ordering some spring bulbs and getting them in now, between the rain.

So much rain, my pond is overflowing.

So for stitching, I finished the second of four Halloween ornaments and started the third.   I knew these would be quick if I just put the time in.   I need to get these stitched so I can figure out how I want to finish and then attack Halloween Quaker that is 80% done.   It's time to get back to that one.

I bet I can know her out this week.

OK, I am off to attack the day starting with to finish putting up the fall decorations and a good chance there will be some stitching while listening to the rainfall.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching!

End of Summer

Weather-wise it may not be the end of summer where you live and kind of may not where I live if you look at the heat and humidity coming our way.

For me, it has been a different summer.   I don't feel like I got to enjoy it.   A myriad of reasons not the least of which was the oppressive weather or the torrential rain.   But that is what I like about where I live.....when you have had it up to here with the weather, the season changes.  Looking forward to a nice cup of tea or glass of wine sitting on the deck in the coolness of fall.

I was treated to a second week-long visit with Sweet William.   We didn't do anything but play trains, go swimming, have family over and play in the sandbox, (pseudo sandbox) .....Dam-mom dumped two bags of play sand in the bag yard and he was thrilled.   He left and we raked it into the woods.  So not much stitching time but I wouldn't change little boy hugs and "play me dam-mom" time for needle and thread any day.

Will and pop-pop talking guy stuff

And to think, none of us are allowed on pop-pop's gator.....Will was even allowed to eat popsicles while "driving"

Of course, a trip to the custard stand and a big bowl of custard and Happy To's

The fall is now just around the corner.  My calendar is booked every weekend up until the middle of October!   Lots of fun things ahead.  I don't know if I feel like it but today I will take don't all the summer decor and summer flowers and summertime stitching and get out drag out the fall but I feel like I have no choice with the busy weekends coming up.   And I might just do only that, take down and drag out.   I will leave the packing away and the putting up to a couple of different evenings after work.

Now much stitching to share.  I finished the first and started the second of four little Halloween motifs.   They are so quick and easy that had it been wintertime I would have had all of them done.

I will be turning these into ornaments when I have all four finished....maybe not by this Halloween!

Not stitching but sewing just the same, I finished my Bionic Gear Bag from Craftsy.

 This will go to every sewing class/finishing class from now on.   It fact, it will just stay in my stitching bag.

 When it is unzipped, it forms a little tray in the front where you can corral pens, pencils, boo-boo sticks or even the matching Ort keeper I made....and it's a place to park some needles or clips on the side.

 Ever get to stitching night and forget your glasses or your scissors?   Not me anymore.   I will always have standbys ready for the times they are not in my project bag.  It will be like my toiletry bag for stitching......always packed and always filled with everything I need for a quick grab and go.  And so nice to have everything in one place.

Yes, ALL that came out of there.   I have but one disclaimer, although not difficult to make don't anyone get any ideas about adding one to their Christmas list from me.   A bit too much fussing and tugging and such to want to make another anytime soon.

A bunch of paperwork (estate work and paying bills) is looking at me from the other side of the table and I really NEED to tidy up some of my flower beds.   Between heat and rain the yard is so neglected!    Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching!