School Days, Rule Days

The real last stop on my way home from my August Traipse about the country was at an antique shop Zanesville, Ohio.   Just a quick stop, 30 minutes, to stretch our legs.   Oh, I should have known, that 30 minutes turned into 3 hours.  We needed to empty out the car so we could unbox our purchases and shoe horn them into the car.   

This view actually doesn’t look so bad and it looks like we could have added more!

Patrons and store owners alike were laughing at us.  No hard braking lest we be concussed by a purchase.  We need another trip to Missouri to see all the things along the way we didn’t have time to see.

So back home and enjoying the days as the temps have started to cool and the humidity has high tailed it out of here.   I have enjoyed being in the garden.    In late August we had our shed - actually my shed -  torn down and rebuilt. I have been having a grand time sorting and filling the new shelves and the peg board with my garden tools and such.   It is not a she-shed, it is a working garden shed where I keep my gardening tools, power washer, decking furniture out of season, yard stuff.    Mr. W has his own ‘barn’ where he has control over its domain.  I even managed to get some of the things out of my laundry room like my tub of birdseed.  

There is still a wall behind me with 3 sets of 36 by 72 high shelves yet to fill but all I have left to sort is the stuff in the yellow wagon.  I am sure the open space with on be filled with something else.   Isn’t that some law of nature?  

My husband also had the contractor put up a new fence around my vegetable garden .   Hopefully this will keep the rabbits AND the groundhogs out.   No hope for the tomato thieving squirrels.   The best part is the GATE!  With the old fence, there was no gate and I had to ever-so gracefully “NOT” swing one leg, then the other over it; definitely not a pretty site!

Well I broke the rules and started not one, not two, but three new projects!   I meet once a month with a group that works on class projects only.   First we eat dinner, then stitch and break for dessert and then stitch some more.  I had been working on a Betsy Morgan piece, the Christmas Etui.  It is all blackwork and I found out not the easiest piece to work on in a group setting.   So, justification out of the way  I picked up Dance of the Wildflowers, from 2022 Jamboree at Salty Yarns.  This is from Summer House Stitch Workes.

Since I was itching to start a sampler, I started And Heaven and Earth Sing from Kathy Barrick.   I had two others in the pile looking at me but I couldn’t make a decision.   Unfortunately I had to go to services for a fellow stitcher.  Her family had some of her needlework displayed at the viewing.   Heaven and Earth from Kathy Barrick was one of them and I took it as a sign.   It has been in my pile of possibilities for a while so it was easy to move it front and center.  I started it but wasn’t liking the fabric.   There was not enough variation in color between the fabric and some of the floss.   Fortunately my stash is not just charts and floss.  Oh no, I seem to have a bit of fabric as well.   Shopping my craft room I found a large piece of 40 ct Milk and Honey from Shakespeare’s Peddler.  Restarted but I don’t know if I am terribly happy with this fabric choice either.  So and start and stop.

And my third new start, Red Bird Sampler from WTNT.   All kitted up and waiting on the bench for me to call it into play.  Did I hear the coach call SUBSTITUTION?    Two weeks in and really enjoying it.   I absolutely love the colors.

  

So I did a fun thing.   I have been wanting a retreat mat but just couldn’t find one that I liked.   So I bought an apron and tea towel set from Hands Across the Sea/HATS.   I took the tea towel and folded up the bottom to create pockets.    I sewed channels to create pockets for pencils and scissors.

Perfect timing that I stitched up the mat today and today I got Happy Mail.  I am participating in a Secret Stitcher Pal and I got this lovely HATS bag from my Secret Stitchy Pal today.  Included was the nail file to put in my bag.  Great idea!   Between the mat and the bag I think I may need to change the  colors I choose for my jewelry box make over so I have a matching ensemble.   LOL

And before I forget……maybe everyone else knows about this but it is ‘new’ to me.   I have starting “replying” to your comments with my comments!   So much easier than going down the rabbit hole of looking at profiles, getting email addresses, going outside of blogger, logging into outlook - otherwise comments come from iCloud which I never use.  Anyway, so much easier for me.   I am far from the most technically proficient person.   You know you kind of loose that when you don’t work any more.  Now, if you leave a comment, I am sure to comment back now since it seems to be so much easier. For all I know this has been an option all along and I just found it.   

Something else I forgot to share.    The hair.   Ugh!  Why did I think I wanted long hair?    IDK.   In July, I got 3 inches cut off.   I was super happy when I left the salon.  Such a lift, a neat chin length bob.   About two weeks into it, it was the same thought when I looked in the mirror.   No style to it.  Next appointment, 2 more inches off and layers cut in.   Now I must pause here to say the hairdresser is giving me EXACTLY what I am asking for.   My ideal haircut would be a cut like Jamie Lee Curtis.   Let’s face it, I don’t have her body or bone structure so it is a no.  With this week’s cut, I think we got it this time.   Maybe it is time for a new profile pix.   The only thing I dislike more finding the right hair style is having my picture taken so it is unlikely.

On to WIPGO.  This month my task was to complete a motif on Land That I Love and to stitch and finish a patriotic ornament.   I wasn’t even able to pick Land That I Love up until mid-September.  I didn’t complete a  motif but I put a good amount in two different ones.   I’ve got a few more days til the end of the month so here’s hoping.   I want really would like to get this finished.  I hope to put in two or three lengths of thread two or three days a week.  Once I get closer to the finish line, I will make this a monogamous stitch.

Since I had 30 hours in the car to and from  Kansas City, MO, I decided to try my hand at stitching on perforated paper.   I pre-cut the paper, lined my stitch bag with two pieces of cardboard to keep the paper flat and stitch on I did!    I stitched up three patriotic ornaments from the Just Sew Emma Pattern Star Spangled Ornaments.

Got home and did a quick finish with felt and ribbon.  Another WIPGO assignment completed!  I have already make a list on the bag of this year’s WIPGO board for ideas for next year.   WIPGO has really helped me accomplish a lot this year.  

That brings me up to date with September.  Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.  

July - Coming in hot

and going out on one of the more beautiful days of summer.  Low humidity, temps in the low 80’s, wonderful breeze…..I’m staying outside ALL day.  I may go in and bring out some stitching this afternoon.   We so need this after weeks of oppressive heat and humidity.  

A quick flashback on my two weeks babysitting.   Some of the fun things I did with the kiddos.  We did underwear panting - keeps the clothes clean;  A trip to Chick-Fil-A  playground; rock painting for leaving along the trail on our next hike; Raegan helps me stitch; and, Damma does Twister!   And there was more.   I thoroughly enjoyed the time but my own bed did feel good after 13 days.

What’s about as exciting as watching paint dry?  Waiting for grass to grow.   So much of the seed washed away with the heavy heavy downpours we have had. After having the first spring in YEARS….and I say that because for the last decade it seems like we have gone from winter to summer in about 5 days time…..we were very fortunate with warming but yet cool and crispy days you expect in the shoulder seasons……now July is hot, hot, hot and I am missing having a pool to jump in more, more, more. I digress…..

  

The pavers were finished while I was at my son’s and I need to figure out how I want to ‘furnish’ the area.   A couple of years back I ordered some outdoor furniture from a company called POLYWOOD.    I love their quality and the fact that they are made from recycled plastic.  Although, quality does come at a price.  Mr. Wonderful picked out a large picnic table and has ordered it from POLYWOOD.  Umbrella ordered from Amazon.    I am in no rush to ‘outfit’ the area especially since stores are now sporting back to school and fall items.  Geez!    Mr. W. did paint my park bench a deep brown and my planters, a seaside blue that matches my existing chairs.  I did pick up a couple of bright orange Gaillardia to brighten up the area.   Choose them with the idea that come fall, I will plant them in the back 40.   

Ah, the Back 40……I am still working on the area.   Between being down with a summer cold for two weeks, then two weeks at my son’s, the Smokey skies and the heat, the Back 40 is suffering.  I spent 6 hours on the 4th tidying up all the flower beds.  And now that we are at the end of the month, it is time to do it again.    I try to bring stones home from my son’s each week.   All his flower beds are stone lined and they don’t want that look.   Hence, dump them in Mom’s Back 40 path!  As they say, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. When they lament over the long list of things they want to do in their house, I keep telling my son and D-in-L…..Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Heck, it wasn’t built in 42 years either since I still have projects at my house.  LOL

Since it is so hot I try to get outside around 7:30 a.m. and work until I’ve had enough of the heat and humidity.   I usually don’t last much after noon so come in, shower, eat and do whatever.   I find if I don’t shower and change, I am too tempted to go back out and putz about until sundown.   This gal is getting too old for all yard work and no play.  And worse, it leaves no time to stitch.  

Veggie garden was doing well.  Lots of cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and beans.   Seems I have ground hog that likes my garden too.   I came home to only the beans, rosemary and tomatoes left.  Mr. Wonderful mended the fence to keep the darned whistle pig out! 

As for being crafty, I managed to fully quilt and attach the binding to my hexagon quilt.  I am super happy with it!   One down and four WIP quilts and many more on the drawing board to go!  Ugh!    

  

 I forgot to share this finish from last month.    This is my June Summer Camp piece.   It is "Stitcher" by Luminous Fiber Arts.   Used WDW Turkish Red, mystery linen and a consignment store $4.50 frame! Winner winner - Chicken dinner!  As for July, I didn’t complete the project.   Hopefully I will in August.

WIPGO for July was part challenge/part month of progress.   The challenge for the month was to fully finish Betsy Morgan’s Pioneer School Girl.   Stitching has been done for three years.   I knew the smalls would be no problem but, the two hinged boxes on the left and right inside of the ‘book’ were scaring me - which is why the project has sat for three years.   So in that respect, it is a good thing it was called on my WIPGO board.  I’m not quite there yet and I knew I could do it but it was just taking that first step to start. 

Using that curved needle.   I’m getting there.

Using all the clips and had to resort to pulling out the cheaters for this one.

Assembly has not been hard, just fiddlily trying to wrap clumsy fingers around the pieces.  I am in the homestretch now.  I may have to dedicate an early August post to just the Pioneer School Girl when it is finished.

The second call for the month - Work on a WIP.   Liking the progress I have been making on Cornwall Cottage, I just kept at it.  With other things going on, I didn’t get as much time to stitch on this in July, but forward progress is forward progress.   

The sunshine’s shows the wrinkles; the shade dulls the colors……

For August WIPGO my assignment is to stitch and fully finish an Erica Michaels Strawberry and to fully finish two stitched pieces.   Let’s hope I don’t go down a rabbit hole when I am picking out a strawberry pattern or when I dig into the finishing basket which I have promised myself I WILL NOT do until I fully finish Pioneer School Girl finishing.  Here’ hoping.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching!

Summer Daze

So glad I put in the long hours of yard work in April and May.   I am now reaping the benefits of being able to enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of the summer.   Flowers blooming, branches swaying, birds chirping, leaves rustling, strawberry and honeysuckle scents are being enjoyed daily as I sit on the deck and stitch.

More than a few trips back and forth with the township on permitting but the contractor was finally able to get started albeit with changes.  We are not permitted to construct an extension to our deck.   Easiest way to explain is because we already cover too many square feet of surface area on our property.   But, we can put in pavers.   Huh?   Water runs threw a deck and is able to be absorbed below; pavers however are non-permeable.   Just my thoughts.   Pre-backfilling and leveling, I found myself following the sun’s path each day to see how the sun and shade would be hitting the additional paver space.   Why?   I don’t know.   It seemed I was conjuring up different scenarios of little vignettes I would be/could be creating for this otherwise square dance arena space.   Mr. W. Has had absolutely no say in anything in our house or property for the 40 plus years we have lived here.   He was not allowed to choose/didn’t choose paint colors, remodeling, siding, windows, decks, railings, furniture, garden and plant design but paid for it all.  So I decided just to let him roll with whatever he wanted - I just wanted cohesiveness.  Dimension and design were on him.  It was kind of nice….he is the contact with the contractor and one making all the decisions and calls.  Boy that need to control has gotten in the way for me over the years.  I am often such a slow learner.  However the job somehow grew in scope - imagine that - somehow even more footage was added to the proposed ‘helicopter landing zone’.  But alas, my job is only to sit and enjoy it once the work is done.     

June is ending with me in the midst of 12 days at my son’s while my daughter-in-law is traveling for work.  The kiddos have camp and pre-school 3 and 4 days respectively so that’s a break for part of the day.  It is a bit of running back and forth.  Since my son leaves for work at 1:15. he and I get to have time together.  I have got a couple of afternoon hours to sew or stitch before I make the return pick-up trip which of course are at opposite ends of the county.  There are lots  of giggles, splashing in the tub and reading stories to round out each day.  I must admit I am ready to drop off to sleep not much longer after getting them down.

Last week while the kids were at pre-school and camp, I was able to prep the back for my hexagon quilt and I hope to start on the quilting on Tuesday once everyone is where they are supposed to be.   I decided on a blue plaid flannel for the backing.   It is not like I could make it match with anything on the front.  LOL.      

Good thing my WIPGO assignments for June  were not too taxing.    My first assignment was to chart and stitch my name and initial to use to convert this perpetual calendar into a usable cross stitch display piece.   The charting and stitching was completed in  one day!  Finishing took another day.   I am super happy my vision actually materialized.   Nothing against Thomas Kincaid but I prefer my name on the calendar.  Now I just need to stitch the 8 remaining Year of Celebration monthly designs from Hands on Design.   

In addition to fully finishing the perpetual calendar, I pulled this stitched piece out and finished it.   It is from Hands On Design, called Autumn Skies, and was stitched last year.

I finished Over-Dyed Spools, an EGA Canvas piece.  It has been cut to fit on top of this box which I still need to paint and add trim to.   I do like like learning and doing different techniques that EGA offers but they can really cut in to my cross stitch time!

All these finishes I am racking up are nice but unfortunately none seem to be on my WIP/UFO list.   

My other June WIPGO was to start  “Barnwood Buttons” from Rosewood Manor.    It would be nice to be able to say I closer to finishing but I completed the assignment - to start the piece - and I am nearly to the half way point.  The fabric is a mystery linen that was bright blue; I coffee dyed it to be a color I preferred.   It is much bluer than it appears below.  I don’t think it was the coffee dying that did it but this fabric was a pain to stitch on.   The weave is really tight and I have had to revert back to using cheaters to work on it.  

Just a sucker for jumping on board to any old SAL.   I joined Colorado Cross Stitchers Summer Camp.   No worries, not necessary to pack my suitcase; it is all virtual.   Each month (June July August) she gives an assignment motif that you are to include in your work.  June’s assignment - stitch something with a bird.   I picked Luminous Fibers Arts - “Stitcher”, mystery linen with WDW Turkish Red.  Again, stitched in under a week.   I dug into my box ‘o flea market frames and painted this one red to fully finish this piece.    It will find a home next to my stitching area - notice, I say ‘area’ not chair as I tend to sprawl!

  As for my gardens, veggies are coming in and in the flower beds I have been eradicating the spiderwort.   Nothing I planted but something that keeps coming back and multiplying each year.   UGH.   It’s ok…i mean I can’t sit and stitch all day.  Early morning coolness is a great time to tackle the mess.  

I am trying to survive without a swimming pool.   It has been hard though.  I know it is the reason for my pre-June funk. This year, we actually had a springtime and didn’t jump right from cold weather to blistering heat.    I admit that I am missing the cooling off by jumping in or that leisurely evening floating with the music on and a wine glass in my hand.   

Thanks for stopping by, and keep on stitching. 

To the rear, March

Let’s see, that could mean that March is behind us, or that I am remembering HS Band drill, or perhaps I have returned to a project I let fall the wayside.   Bingo!  You win the prize.    I was so proud of how well I kept up with the 100 Blocks/100 Days quilt.   I was on target right up to Day 83.   Then came a week in New Hampshire, followed by a week at my son’s and then the holiday season was on us.   If you are not a machine sewer you don’t know that you have to be in the mood to drag out the machine and sew.  I think finishing my hexagon quilt gave me the push I needed to get the last 13 squares cut which I managed to do in short order.   Completing the quilt top is another story. My sister has been encouraging/nagging me.   I was the one that conned her into doing the quilt and she finished hers shortly after the deadline.  

First was to cut the remaining 13 blocks….

I just  needed a rainy day and nowhere to go.  OK, Robin, time to suck it up and git ‘er done.    As of this posting, I have only six left to assemble.   Then comes the making the 20 blocks into a column of ten rows and attaching it to the previously assemble four columns.    The weather is calling for a rain off and on for a couple of days so I am thinking I can get it done post haste!

Here is my second ornament fully finished that completed my March WIPGO assignment.  It is from Lila’s Studio.  

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My WIPGO items for April were to stitch and fully finish two bunny pillows and to start a wool appliqué project.  

   

And here’s my progress on these April WIPGO’s…..the pillows were EZ-PZ

Mission Accomplished.    One of the two pillows is fully finished but the other is soon to follow….the month isn’t over yet.      I am not sure how I will finish the Carrot Patch from Sue Gonzales Designs but my assignment was to only START a wool project.   I don’t know what I put off doing this for so long.   It was super easy and once all the pieces were prepped cut, it only took three days to stitch!   I see more of these in my future!!   The best thing is both pillows and the wool project were completed entirely from stash!   Yay me!

Last weekend I scored a long weekend in OCMD for the Grand Opening Celebration at Salty Yarns.   The store is lovely.  It was a great weekend of good friends, good food, good adult beverages and fun.   We are all so happy for Salty Yarns and their success of their move and the GIANT new store.   It was so nice to be able to have a beach weekend since I will be missing this year’s spring retreat.

Other yard news, we have a problem with our pool.   It is 23 years old so it doesn’t owe us anything.   On top of that it was the showroom model that was set up and filled with water and running at the pool store lot.  In above-ground pool years, it has had a long life.   There is a breach on one of the panels and NO ONE is willing to repair it.  We have gone back and forth on replacing it or taking it down.   I had various contractors come for estimates with both options.   Since I am the only one the uses the pool I don’t feel justified in spending all that money on me; the kids come but just odd weekend here and there; and since pools are not really a plus when selling a house,  it’s another reason to just plant grass and be done.   Decision made, one that I am not exactly pleased with, but it is coming down this weekend and will not be replaced.   I think in protest I will be getting a blow up pool to sit in!

The WIPGO for May resulted in two different samplers being called in the same month.   My assignment was to stitched 15 days on each.    My Board/My Rules.   I rearranged my board to make it a month on one sampler.   I chose Cornwall Cottage Garden by Rosewood Manor.   I hate to say how long ago I started this and how long it has sat in the basket of ignored projects.    I fell in love with everything about this pattern the first time I saw it.   The colors, the border, the basket.   I am stitching this with the called for floss and on 32 count Belfast linen.    WIPGO is really letting me see what can be accomplished in a month so here’s home I can make a big step forward on this sampler. 

All the flower beds have been prepped and mulch is on order.  Fair weather ahead and time to get that vegetable garden in, the patio furniture out and cleaned and do the necessary power washing.    Then it will be sit back and enjoy time for the rest of the season.  Thanks for stopping by and commenting-and keep on stitching!

Marching Along

 I am so punny!   LOL.   It has been another good month.  Daylight lasting longer and temps are edging up and I have been able to get my hands in the dirt!  I know yard work is not for everyone but it feeds my soul like stitching feeds so many of us.   I’ve ordered a bunch of bulbs from Breck’s for summer and fall flowers.     I am anxious to get them in the ground and FINISH up my work on the back 40.    I have been bringing home landscaping blocks and stones my son is removing from his yard to finish up my pathway.  

The first weekend of March I was treated to a mini get away at a friend Vicki’s home.  She is a two hour drive so naturally it was an overnight trip.   Her townhome was lovely and we all enjoyed seeing her stitching pieces as well as enjoyed the delicious food and stitching with friends.

My WIPGO goals for March were the best!   I have been lucky with manageable projects being called.   Being my first time doing WIPGO - I think?? - well at least in recent years.   This month, the assignment was to stitch and fully finish two Christmas ornaments and to work 15 days on my hexagon quilt.    I am finding how beneficial it is to be a monogamous stitcher!   Are changes coming to my habits?  

For my first ornament, I used an EGA pattern for this little wreath.   It was stitched  and finished, except for the ribbon trim and twisted cord hanger,  in a day!   My kind of instant gratification.

My second ornament was also just as easy although it took more than one day to stitch.   I am not quite finished but I have until Friday to do so.  This it from Lila's Studio.

As for my hexagon quilt I made even more progress than I had hoped for.   It just took about 18 days of working on it to get the quilt top finished.  As to when I  assemble the ‘quilt sandwich’ and get it going on my machine, well that's a different challenge.     Finishing this up in one month has left me with two blocks now open on my WIPGO board as I had working the Hexagon quilt on the board three times.

Beginning of the month, and end of the project.   It measures 4 foot by 6 foot.   I nice size to snuggle under while watching TV.

I fully finished all the pieces for the Violets & Verses To Emeline Shaker Sampler.

I did the hem stitched to finish off the sampler after I returned home from Tennessee.   

I stitched this up in not much more than a day when I was in Tennessee.  When I returned home, I fully  finished the July Birthstone Thimble box from Noteworthy Needle.

So here comes, by justifiable rational,  a promise quickly broken....    Earlier in the year I spent an afternoon updating my X-Stitch ap and much to my chagrin I found I had an embarrassing number of  FULLY KITTED projects.  I immediately vowed to ONLY stitch from stash.   Talking to fellow stitchers, so many of us are on the same page.  We all have that STABLE  (Stash Total Available Beyond Life Expectancy!)  supply of kits, floss and fabric.   But when in Tennessee, I finished the thimble box, I finished the stitching the Shaker Sampler, I stitched on my canvas piece until I was tired of it and found working on my Hexie quilt was not the easiest traveling piece.  And what to my wondering eyes did appear..... I found myself  in a small little cross stitch shop.   Am I the only one that feels you HAVE to buy something when you visit a new cross stitch store?    I think it was training from my mother.   She wasn’t a stitcher but always felt the need to buy a little trinket, etc. when visiting a little shop.  Oy!  I have already justified the purchase using the small-store-support-theory, using the memory of the trip excuse, blaming my guild because of the need to stitch a Plum Street this year and any other twisted reason so alas, I found a bag in my hand with a chart and fabric as I left the store.  I bought Goodbye Fall from Plum Street.   I DID use my X-Stitch ap to check what floss I already had - I should get a points for that.   Here is my progress.   

I am stitching this on 36-count parchment with the called for WDW and Crescent colors.   I using this as my Thursday morning stitched group project.     I count myself fully justified for the purchase but plan to return to my vow to stitch from stash for as long as I can!    Pretty good that I lasted 8 weeks into the year before I fell off.  Climbing back on the wagon.     I want to work on reducing my WIPs this year and also start working reducing the number of fully kitted projects I have.  It will likely be a several year process to make a dent.  Geez, imagine that, me, another list.  Shocking!

Starting in April,  my stitching will take a back seat to the yard.  The new WIPGO numbers have me starting a wool applique piece and to stitch and finish two bunny rabbit pillows.    I feel like even with being outside more, that I should be able to accomplish both.  

Thanks for stopping by.   I know commenting is not all that easy anymore.  I love reading them when they are posted.  I am checking all your posts and progress out as well but not always able to comment.   I got inventive and posted my comments on some bloggers instagram pages.  And sew it goes….. Keep on stitching…….

Speed Bump

Miss Raegan visits her brother post surgery 
and eats HIS snacks.

2023 started with a bit of a bump.   First, my grandson had an emergency appendectomy.  No worries, all is fine, kids are so resilient and CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) was beyond great.  Talk about resilience.  Admitted at 8 pm on a Saturday, scheduled for surgery at 9 am on Sunday and home by 3 pm Sunday.  It was more stressful for the adults than the child.

I attended Camp WannaStitch in OCMD for an annual EGA get together and came home not with purchases, but apparently picked up Covid.   Five years ago I would have thought nothing of it but a bad head cold.  However attendees were notified someone at the event tested positive upon returning.   Since I had what I thought was  head cold,  I tested.   And yes, I have had all my vaccines and boosters.  Thank goodness it seems that Covid is not as serious as it was when it first made the rounds three years ago.  I do have to say that when you don’t feel good that last thing you want to deal with is the difficulty of trying to remove the over-wrap on the cough syrup and then trying to open the child-proof top on it.  I'm not a violent person or one who slams drawers or doors but I could have launched that cough syrup into next week and not thought twice about it.

Even with a week of Covid isolation and no desire to stitch, I feel like I am keeping on track on several fronts so far in 2023.   But let’s not get too excited as we are not very far into the year. 

My first finish for 2023 was this bag I stitched for my sister’s birthday.   The bag is from “It’s Sew Emma” and the pattern is from Shepherds Bush stitched in perle cotton.   My kind of project…..started after lunch one day and done by dinner the next day.  

I have made the most wee amount of progress on The Eternal Flame from Jackie DuPlessis.   It is slow going and tedious due to some dry eye issues.   I am taking it painstaking slow on purpose being careful with this one.  

I am happy with progress on  a new start which was part of January WIPGO 2023.  One WIPCO task was to start the Shaker sampler,  To Emeline from Violets and Verses.   It was from my Shaker Retreat in Enfield last November.  I was breezing along until I hit the over one.   It is not too bad on this linen count though.

My other WIPGO project was also accomplished.   My task for the month was to chart the initials and make progress on  Our Lasting Friendship from Blackbird Designs. I met the challenge so I can also mark this as a success.  I am not stitching the entire sampler but rather I pulled out the center cartouche and have personalized it with the initials of some stitching buddies.  I would have like to have made more progress but other irons were in the fire.   

There are a few days left in January and maybe I can get in a few more stitches....maybe not.

My main focus for January was to complete  my Guild’s year long SAL.   The deadline for completion was to be completed in January and I made it with four days to spare.    I generally kept up until November when I put it aside because, well,  November and December are just too busy to be adding the stress of meeting a deadline to your life.   I’m happy this one is completed which will free up a lot of stitching time.  This is Garden of Stitches by Samplers Not Forgotten.   It is a pretty piece with a bunch of specialty stitchers.  

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.