Like a tennis match

I am back from my weekend in OCMD.   It was great.   We all followed the rules - sanitizing, keeping our distance, wearing masks.   The long weekend was just what I needed after a summer of yard work.  

I made great progress on Coming to America.  There are many others way ahead of me but I am sailing at my own speed.  

Two birds left and I will be finished with the section with the ship.  I may stitch down the side and stitch the placement of other bands....and I may not.

I also had a new start.   I have a self-created rule......a new start at any Lankford visit.   This start has been planned since early summer.   My group of Jersey Girls and I are all stitching Theresa Kogut’s Land That I Love.    I didn’t get a whole lot stitched but I did make a start.   I am stitching on 35-count Aspen.   We each have different linens but are all using the called for threads.   It is always neat to see the different looks you get of the same pattern.   

For anyone stitching this, don't worry, I know the "A" was supposed to be blue.    I am not making the U, the S and the A in blue but rather I am stitching my initials in the blue.    I am doing a twist with doing the letters stitching as smyrna cross rather than just a plain old cross.  That's about as far as I will go with changing what the designer has charted.

I think I am a convert!   This is the second piece I have stitched on anything over 32 count.   Coming to America being the first.   I have always been fearful of using 40-count but it may be in my future.  I really like the look of things on 40-count but have always feared I wouldn’t be able to manage it.   I have a nice big piece of 40-count Navy Bean in my stash that is now calling me.  

For my stash, since I have been doing mail order all summer, I did not buy a lot.     I bought Heartstrings Samplery Berry Bowl Sampler.  I have liked this since I first saw this on The Attic's flosstube.   I choose one piece of doubloon rather then two pieces of linen that need to be joined.   I have done the fabric joining in the past but couldn’t find a suitable combination for my taste.   And, it’s 36 count!   

I also bought Harvest Time from Lila’s Studio.   I just fell in love with her plaid skirt.  I think I may have even have owned one like it back in the day.   I have plenty of Halloween stitching but I need more fall themed stitches.    I am sure I can stitch this using fabric and floss from stash.

For history making events, I was out on the boardwalk at 9:15 Saturday night to see the launch of the rocket ship from Wallops Island heading to the International Space Station.  It was very cool to see, not so easy to photograph with a phone.    I found these on FB and they pretty much show my view.

This one is using a little more photographer savy time-lapse finesse.  Thank you Ken Fullerton!

I am volleying back to the Salty Yarns and the Lankford again on Thursday.  I am attending Jamboree.  These classes were booked in March.  We have been on the edge of our seats all summer hoping Jamboree would not be canceled.  Some are attending via Zoom so the class sizes are much smaller.  And again all the Covid safety rules will be followed.   One of the classes is with Fern Ridge.   As you know they are famous for their peyote beading.......yikes!   I’ve never done peyote beading so I hope my table mates have patience with me.  Fortunately this is all part of my new mantra......move out of your comfort zone.   This class is spot on for that!

Thanks for stopping by, stay kind, stay safe and keep in stitching.

A Partial Finish, A Finish, An FFO, A Start

Just back from another week babysitting little William.   What fun we had.    Will enjoyed a milkshake when we went out to dinner just off the campus of Penn State.

 It was much colder than when I was out there in October so there was very little outside time.

 Using fruity Cherrios, we made Indian Corn, glued on with icing because I knew little hands would be grabbing those Cherrios.     We also made turkeys and caterpillars and a frosty the snowman gingerbread house but I didn't take pictures.



And one other thing that is coming together to William's house is.... William has little sister on the way.   She is due to make an appearance in February.   We are all very excited.

 We did take an afternoon to go to Bald Eagle Park.   It was cold and the snow fences are already up.

 We didn't last long in the brisk cold winds.

As for the renos at my house........old counter tops, appliance garage and breakfast bar

Part one consists of new appliances, new countertops, no breakfast bar, new lighting, crown molding,  and new backsplash.........

Part two will be me painting the cabinets next spring........one more job on my retirement to-do list.

And now to stitching, got a question.  Do you enjoy the last stitch as much as the first stitch of a new start?   I do!    I enjoy each part for a different reason.......the selection process of what I will work on......the beginning stitches when all is (so far) executed perfectly........the final stitched which adds another project to the completion pile!







This was an enjoyable and quick stitch.  I started it in October.   I used the called for threads except for one.   Since I changed the called for fabric to a soft gray, I had to change the lighter gray called for floss.   I was not particularly fond of the over one stitching of the words but I happy with how it came out.   I have plans for how I am going to finish it but........between now and January, that finish won't happen.

Stitch Every Day by Hands On Design

On my way to State College, I stopped in Strasburg, PA at Hodge Podge Cross Stitch Shop to pick up my Santa and the Santa of a friend.    I certainly am capable enough of a seamstress to finish my Santa but it was that all precious commodity of time that seems to always be lacking......

 Diane's is on the left, mine on the right.

 I added buttons instead of the called for cross stitch and added beads here and there.

I used whisper on his beard.

He was another quick stitch, starting him July 25th and finishing him September 25th.

For my new start, I pulled from my stash a class project from Betsy Morgan class, the Pioneer Girl's Book Etui.    I figured it was about time to work on this 2016 class piece!  Up to now, all I have completed is the pre-stitch and what we did in class.

 Near impossible to see but I now have all the back stitching in for the smalls to be completed and I ready to start the stitching.

 I don't know why class pieces scare me so much. Completing this project will give me further confidence in my stitching and finishing ability for sure!    I have an upcoming class with Betsy Morgan in the spring and it would nice to be done before then.  I am pretty sure I can make that deadline!

Thanks for stopping by.......Happy Thanksgiving all my American friends......keep on stitching.

Adventure Weekend

First up, I've got a William story to share.   Out of the mouths of babes.....You know how you try to tell young parents to be careful with what they say?  How little ones are parrots and repeat what they hear?  

Riding in the truck with his dad and mom....

Will - Daddy I want to go to the ice cream store. (Which is the Penn State Creamery on campus)

Dad - Willy, we have to go to Wegmans and get stuff for dinner.

Will - Mommy, I want to go to the ice cream store.

Mom - Willy, no, daddy said we have to go to Wegmans.  Maybe another day.

Will - (Silence)

Mom and Dad are satisfied he has accepted no ice cream store.

Willy - Daddy

Dad - Yes Willy

Will - Daddy, you guys are bitches.   

After dad and mom managed to stifle the laughter and dad managed not to drive off the rode......bad words were explained to a three year old.  Damma decided on her recent visit  to try as she might, to call everyone silly gooses hoping we can avoid washing any one's mouth out with soap (do parents still do that) and that we do not offend the bird lovers of PETA by calling geese silly.  

This trip to State College, I may have been the silly goose......it was move-in weekend at Penn State.   The tiny town of State College swells by 70,000 students and their parents.    The 4 hour drive took 5 hours.   There is a section of two lane road through the mountain that everyone has to pass through to get into Happy Valley.    I couldn't get my usual room at the Marriott and stayed with my son and D-in-L and I got to camp.

This is my bed!  I got to sleep in Mr. William's tent.  OMGosh, what Damma's will do for grand kids.

Always with my son and D-in-L we do something outside.   Friday, after I arrived and we picked up my D-in-L from work, swung by the creamery and bought 3 half-gallons of ice cream which we had packed in dry ice to save for later and we went hiking.    Not hiking as I think of hiking on a relatively  flat surface through a meadow.   No, we climbed Indian Overlook.   Narrow trails and an elevation of about 1,000 above our starting point.     The view was awesome once we made it to the top.    I readily admit to frequent rest stops along the way but I made it.    

 These were taken literally seconds apart from the same spot......I must have applied a filter to one.

After a nice dinner and several adult beverages for me at their favorite tavern, we were treated to a beautiful sunset across the valley on the ride home.

Of course boys will be boys and they had fun filling the kitchen with fog from the dry ice which of course got a 3 year old all wound up and squealing.

Saturday we awoke to a beautiful day and ANOTHER mountain to climb.   Mt. Nittany trail was only  an 800 feet in elevation climb but equally as challenging to me!  But again I made it.   And surprisingly I didn't awake either following morning with any soreness.   Especially surprising when the extent of my physicality is pulling weeds or rolling an office chair around the floor.  (Speaking of which, my boss is starting to warm up  the pressure for me to stay after January 10th.   He is not to the full court press yet, but I imagine by Thanksgiving, that will happen.)   

Mt. Nittany, looming ahead.

This is what my son classifies as not too steep and a nice trail.    Either he is off his rocker in concepts or I am for climbing!  I employed the use of a walking stick on both climbs which proved very helpful.

The view over the valley was beautiful.

Not long back in the car and the Willie Man was out for the count.

 One last trip up and down the road on his balance bike and Damma had to head home.

And if you have managed to stick with me through the family diary, there is some stitching albeit paltry.

As for stitching, I did not get much done this past week.   Also part of why I like to stay at the Marriott......some late night relaxing and stitching after returning to my room.    I am chugging along with my Santa.   He is really going fast......that is when I put needle and thread together.    I save work on the jacket for needlework night since I don't have to count which makes it easier with all the chatter between us.

I started this Snow Belle from Lizzie Kate for November class exchange piece.  The theme is winter ornament so the Snow Belle works and it is all from stash.   That is always a plus.  I am not sure how I will finish her but I have to get her stitched first!

Thanks for stopping by, next time, more stitching and less family to report on.    Keep on stitching.

Oy!

Well it is only the 4th day of the year and I need to put a disclaimer on my 2014 Stitching Goals.  I actually realized I had run amok when I did my annual New Year's Day new start which I didn't even technically wait until the 1st to start.  It's all relative - first of the year - again with the justification!    So my stitching path for the year has wild cards which include any guild projects or SAL's, any class projects, and my New Year's Day start will be EXEMPT from this silly concentrate-on-only-two-pieces-at-a-time mantra.

This is Penny America.  Ever have one of those brainless times?   I counted, calculated and even used my ICalc Stitching ap but just struggled with the starting point so disregard the upper left motif.  It is the first 2014 frogging needed.    I knew I would never have order fabric with only a one-inch to 1 1/2 selvage.    I re-started, as you can see, by finding the middle and working out.   Rather than proceed from the center out I just had to stitch over to the left side to validate I ordered a piece big enough.

Getting a new camera for Christmas and looking back I realized I took almost NO holiday pictures. Still too many bells and whistles I don't know how to use on the camera. This is my son, intent on directions to the Flex One I gave him.  

 Gavin looks happy with the afghan made in Penn State colors by Aunt Amy.

Yesterday I had a *snow* day from work.   After shoveling and clearing walkways, a bit of stitching and a bit of napping in the recliner with Buddy on my lap, I thought I needed to get in gear and take advantage of the bonus day at home.   I started the 'undressing' of the house.   Usually it looks bare but this year I am embracing the sleekness of the clean kitchen counter.  Almost everything is down except for the trees.   Small problem, the snow has drifted and blocked access to the door to the section of the garage when the storage tubs are.  Oops!

I moved upstairs with a mission in mind.    I ~Shopped~ My Stash.    I organized my charts and kits.    One small problem....I didn't know how to proceed.  How do you organize them:  by designer, by what is completely kitted, by desired stitching order??    I decided to order by theme:   Christmas together, Patriotic together, etc.  Don't know if it it right or wrong but it works for now.  

Here's my AFTER view of everything sorted and stored.   I got the nifty boxes from Ikea.   There is not enough height in my cabinet to stand the magazine files upright but they work just fine on their sides. 

All these finished pieces that even have the finishing fabrics chosen but I never returned to complete.   It's on the list for this year.  I moved them out of the box they were stored in and into a basket I will have to see every time I go into my sewing room.  Goal - one finish a month.  

If you have managed to stay with me this far, here's a treat.  On my mission to sort I did an honest evaluation of my stash.    I made a decision to get rid of those charts that even though I still love I realize I will never ever do in three lifetimes.   I love Ellen Chester but do I really need another Huswif or Necessary? That and tastes change, new charts come along, etc., etc.  I am offering these up in a PIF/Pay It Forward Give-A-Way.  

Rules
1.  Let's keep it simple.  No jumping through hoops.  One entry per person.  Enter by responding to this post only.
2.  You can share this with others, or not.
3.  The winner must agree to peruse the charts, keeping what they wish and passing on what they don't care to keep in a PIF Give-A-Way within 4 weeks of winning.
4.  The winner must agree to shop their stash and include charts, floss, trims, fat quarters, etc. they no longer wish to keep.
5.  Winner must have a blog.
6.  Sorry, USA and Canada entries only.
7.  Winner will be drawn on January 22rd.   I  will be away from the 24th of January until       February 2nd.   Winner will need to follow up via email or a comment during that time.  When I return from the sunny, warm, snowless, Caribbean I will send the package out.  No response by the winner by February 2nd, a new winner will be selected from existing entries.

Whoosh! And that is what I thought was keeping it simple!

Here's the some of the booty:   Mill Hill, JBW, Shepherd's Bush, Maureen Appleton, Milady's Needle, Ellen Chester, Rosewood Manor, Drawn Thread, Cindy Valentine and more.   Most are just the charts, some have embellishments, some have floss, some are complete kits.

That's quite a stack o' stuff.

As for me, I think I will be staying cozy and close to the fire today.   Yes, that is Buddy on the mantle.   After countless times of replacing everything back to its rightful place each evening, I resigned myself that this is where Buddy wants to sleep.   I am not a Cat Owner, I am rather  Owned by a cat!

Happy stitching all and a thank you for stopping by and your comments.   I don't always reply to your comments (life gets in the way sometimes doesn't it) but I do read (and re-read) and cherish that you took the time to visit and leave a note not to mention that I am inspired by your blogs, your stitching, your finishes and your generosity and friendship!