Song Birds are Finished

I finally finished this piece. Boy if it could talk, it would have a story to tell about all that went on while stitching it.

Today we celebrated my mom's birthday at my brothers. Their two daughters and 2 grandchildren were there. Johnny and Katelyn stole the show. They bought Johnny a Police Car to drive when he is at their house so he and Katelyn rode in that a while. Plus Johnny played 3 songs for us on what I forgot what you call the instrument. You put the music on it and then pluck the strings it tells you too. For only be 5 he did real well we could easily tell what the songs were.

Saturn and I are getting to know each other pretty well. He kicks me out of my chair when he wants it. He also likes to tear kleenix apart just like Buffy use to. He is bringing so many memories of her back. Yet he is cuddly like Whiskers, so he has the best traits of both those cats.

Finally it is starting to warm up again. Unfortunately the tulips in Holland MI bloomed way to early and now almost all gone and the tulip festival doesn't start until later this week. But it's great to be getting the warmer weather back and see the sun again.

Well until next time....Happy Stitching

Song Birds Update

Well...... I didn't get as much stitching done this week as I had planned but that's okay. I forgot how hard it was to stitch with a kitten around. They like to "help". LOL. But the last couple of days I did get some stitching in to see the progress. Hopefully it will be done early next week and I'll find something else to stitch then. Or may go back to the Wedding Bells.

Saturn has adjusted very nicely. He settled right down after the first 24 hours. He reminds me a lot of both of his predecessors. He likes to help me make my bed like Buffy did, he purrs a lot like Buffy did and gives hugs and kisses like she did Yet he will get on my lap like Whiskers did, and jumps like Whiskers did. He is definiately more people friendly then either Buffy or Whiskers. He likes to greet anyone who comes through the door and make them his friend where is Whiskers hid, and Buffy if she liked you she greeted you, if she didn't she attacked you or hid. I'll never forget when I lived in GR the city inspector came by for their annual inspection with the housemanager. I was at work....Buffy was alone. They went out on to the deck and Buffy would not let them come back in. They had to flag down another tenant from the building who was going to their car, throw him the keys and have him unlock my door to distract Buffy. The manager was laughing when she told me about it. She said the Inspector laughed so hard about it and had never had a cat do that before. He said I was safe anyway from burglers or anyone breaking in. He is a bigger eater than Whiskers was. We are getting along just fine. Like on Whiskers he lets me know when it's time to get off the computer, only he pushes me out of my chair, whereas Whiskers rubbed across my feet. Saturn seems to have a nicer personality, my family just loves him. He is about the size of Buffy and while Buffy was obviously a gray tiger, Saturn is orange and probly some tiger in him by some of his markings. Well enough on my 3 cats.

Tuesday Addie turns 4 years old. They are having a birthday party for her next Sat. At her request it is a pajama party. My mom and I are going, my dad passed. They also just got their new puppy last Saturday. Heather says Addie and Cheerio immediately became best friends. However, Cheerio seems to think 10 month old Nolan is a toy for him, so she has to watch them constantly or Cheerio is grabbing onto Nolan's shirt, or pants and trying to drag him off. Nolan is needless to say afraid of the puppy. Give him a couple of months, he'll fight back.

Well....until next time. Happy Stitching!

Finally an update

Good morning! It's been a while since I have posted. A few things have happened since I last posted to my blog. Plus Untill two or three days ago I didn't stitch a whole lot. Here is a picture of Song Birds and what is done on it. It's progressing quite a bit now.

I had to put my precious Whiskers to sleep on Monday. After about a week of eating very litttle and just not being himself I took him to the Vet prepared to have to put him down. While he still was fairly active and used his kitty litter a little he just wasn't himself. The Vet said it was kidney failure. He could have done a couple of tests to make sure and some IV's but how long would that have lasted and I did not want him to suffer. But it broke my heart.

I had to get another cat right away so we went to Pet Smart and this cute little orange and white kitten was making himself known even when I at first chose another cat that was 2 years old but when we got her out she really didn't respond to me. Saturn responded right away rubbing himself against me, playing and wanting my attention so I applied for him and got him on Wed. He is orange and white, short hair, looks like by his tail and other markings he may have some tiger cat in him and is 9 or 10 months old. The Humane Society (where Pet Smart got him from) said he was a stray and brought in to them last Oct. They put his birthday down as July 8 but neutered him in Feb saying he was 8 months at the time so I'm thinking he's 10 months old. He is adjusting very well and has definitely made this his home. He's already discovered if he wants me off the computer he jumps unto the back of the chair and slowly gets in my chair and nudges me off which he is doing right now. He also is a bigger eater than what Whiskers was, I feed him twice a day and both times his dish was empty. He weighs 9 lbs 7 oz. Whiskers at max weighed 7 1/2 lbs so he is a bigger cat. He is definitely creating his own spot in my heart.

Well....until next time. Happy Stitching!

Start of Song Birds

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. We did. We went to my niece Christina's house. They have such a cute house. We thought it was just us and my brother and sister in law, but they invited Jared's family and some friends who were not from around here and had no family around here. The friends had the cutest and sweetest baby. I don't think we heard him cry at all the whole time we were there. We had a nice time, a little noisy but fun.

I don't know if I told you but my niece, Heather, and her husband had to put their 13 year old Lab down a couple of weeks. She just got so she wouldn't eat and had a hard time moving. As hard as it was for them as Triscuit was a beautiful and nice dog. Their two children could pull her tail and she would just walk away. They went looking for another Golden Lab right away, and found one. Addie (their almost 4 year old daughter) named her Cheerio. They get to bring her home April 21.

I started this piece the other day. It's called Song Birds by Diane Arthurs. I love working on this piece. The first bird is almost done. I hit a snag so I'll lay it down for tonight and tomorrow correct the error or improvise. I have to figure out where the error is. So far I haven't figured it out.

This is a hard to believe story but it's true and it will be a happy life for the animals involved. After talking to some people off and on about their dogs Humane Society and Animal Control decided to take what they thought would be 60 dogs from these people. They were originally dog breeders but things got out of control somehow. Anyway all the dogs plus 12 cats and 2 birds and the couple lived in a small 2 bedroom house. Animal control got there took what they thought were all the animals, the owners said there were more in this room, then more in that room. Anyway there turned out to be 350 dogs. (Pomarainians and Shit Zhus for the most part). All the animals were well fed, almost all of them were healthy, only one needs on going treatment but will be fine. Needless to say though the dogs were filthy and matted, and were filthy. They got volunteers together and all dogs were given baths and brushed, given hair cuts. They are all expected to be up for adoption in a few days. People are already calling about them. The cats and birds will also be adopted. So it will be a happy life for them all. As far as charges being brought against the couple, they are deciding. The couple loved the animals, fed them and did try to take care of them. They may just be charged with having too many animals I don't know.

Two or 3 weeks ago our church found out Jim had cancer. Jim was a janitor at our church and a real character. No matter where he went there was laughter plus you were on your toes as you never knew what Jim would say or pull next. Last Thurs. Last week Jim and Jackie went to the Dr. to see about his options. They were told in 3 weeks he could start chemo and radiation. Thursday at our Board meeting Pastor told us Hospice was called, not because it was the end but just for comfort measures and to give Jackie some help. Sunday Pastor told the church Jim had 24-48 hours to live and he was at a Hospice House. About two hours ago Jim died. We feel so bad for Jackie, Jim was her rock. Jim and Jackie lost their only son to cancer about 10 years ago, plus several of Jackie's sisters died one right after the other 3 or 4 years ago. Jackie isn't in the best of health herself, Jim was the healthy one. So our prayers are going out to Jackie and her daughter and son-in-law, and children and their daughter-in-law and her two sons. Everything happened so fast for them.

Today it actually snowed outside! I thought we were done with that. But it didn't last. Freeze warnings are out through tomorrow morning. Too bad as it's been so nice the trees, and flowers are budding. The tulips in Holland are already out. They stored some away so they might be able to save a few of the tulips.

Thank you for reading my blog and the comments. I really appreciate everyone. I love reading all your blogs and their are so many great stitchers out there.

Well, until next time.....Happy Stitching!

Poppy Pair is Finished

I finished them earlier this afternoon. They will go out in the mail next week to my friend and she'll frame them for her daughter. I hope they like them. The flowers are the colors they asked for but the greens are not bright. I really don't think there is bright green floss out there. I'm sure Karin will make the flowers out though. She is legally blind.

I started my next piece, Song Birds by Imaginating. I'm also wanting to start a Thonmas Kinkaid piece. I have a few of his patterns. I was sad to hear on the news he died a day or two ago. He was a good painter. I loved his paintings.

Anyone have plans for Easter. We are going to my niece, Christina's house. It'll be the first time we've been there.

Hope everyone has a happy Easter. Until next time Happy Stitching!

Almost to the Finish Line

This week I haven't stitched quite as much as usual as I've been majoring on getting the apartment clean. A room a day but some rooms will take more than one morning. My asthsma and vertigo don't let me spend much more than 2 hours a day cleaning but it's enough to see the difference. Plus I have a cat who when he decides I need to get in my chair and hold him, really lets me know. I'll use any excuse to get out of cleaning won't I? But Whiskers is 19 1/2 and I know the reality is I won't have him that much longer so he gets whatever he wants while I have him.

The Easter Egg Hunt was a success. We had so many kids turn out the eggs were all gathered in 10 minutes I think.

My niece and her husband had to put their sweet dog Triscuit down last week. Brian got her before he even met Heather so it was especially hard for him. She was the sweetest dog, they have a 3 year old girl and a 9 month old baby boy and she never even growled at them, if they got too rough, she just walked away and try to go to the garage or basement to get away from the kids. They are looking for a new Golden Lab puppy who Addie has already named Kerrio. Where she came up with that name we don't know, but we like the name. (That name is better than some of the names she came up with for her baby brother.)

Our weather has cooled down quite abit, more seasonal for this time of year, but at least no snow!

Well----until next time Happy Stitching!

Lots more Progress

I love how this is coming together. For being a Dimensions Kit it is so easy and fast moving and so much fun. I didn't think I would enjoy it so much because it is so bright but I am. I am hoping Karin will be able to make it out. (She is legally blind and multi-handicapped).

Tomorrow is our Easter Egg Roll at church. I'm hoping my brother and sister-in-law bring Johnny and Katelyn. Since their parents have been on a cruise the last week I'm sure they are really missing them, and Kevin and Beth will need to keep them busy. There parents will be home in a couple of days though. Melissa earned the cruise by selling so much Jewlery.

Once we get through today it will start warming up again. I think it's safe to say winter is over. Monday I'll start my spring cleaning. Each day I'll tacle a different room. I'll start with the kitchen since I started tackling the stove this morning.

Well...until next time Happy Stitching!

Poppy Pair

I think for sure this one will go to my friend. The last piece wasn't quite bright enough. And while this one doesn't have the bright greens (which I am wondering if bright green floss even exists) I think this one meets the other colors she requested. It really is a lot of fun to stitch and much easier than I expected it to be for being a Dimensions Kit. I am just hoping the floss will hold out. I think it will, but not sure. They really don't allow much room for errors or other problems when giving out the floss. Nor does any kit ever give you big enough piece of material, so I just cut my own and use the piece they sent for something else.

This Saturday we are having an Easter Egg Roll for the neighborhood children at church. It should be a lot of fun. We just hope there is enough candy for the eggs. I'm sure the people will come through. We'll have the hunt which will last about 15 minutes, and give away some prizes. Then in the end Pastor Dale will tell the Easter Story. It'll be a fun morning. I'm looking forward to it. We are just praying for no rain as hiding inside the church will not be as much fun as there are only certain areas the kids can go into. And really no real hiding place in those two areas.

Thank you for reading my blog and for your comments. I really appreciate them.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching!

Well until next time....Happy Stitching

Finish no. 20

I finished A New Song earlier this morning. I loved doing it.

Now I've started a floral piece for a friend's handicapped daughter. I did an earlier piece but it wasn't bright enough so found this (The girl can only see a little so the brighter the better.) Problem is it's hard to find bright flowers Poppy Pair was about the brightest I could find. It does have the colors she requested except the greens are not bright.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching!

Back to the Song Birds

I picked this piece back up yesterday afternoon and it really took off. In the day in a half I finished up both the birds that were underway (the one was only half done, the other 3/4 done.) I managed to also put in A Song, the bars on the left side, and got the final bird well underway. It's going much faster then it did before I laid it down. It's been a fun piece to do, and is so cute! It will probably go to either Cole's Quilts or Love Quilts whichever one has a music quilt come up first.

My aunt's funeral was Tuesday. It was a nice one. The funeral home had put together Jean's life story. There was a picture of her and my mom, and their other sister (who died a few years ago) along with their parents. They also had a 5 generation picture. My great-great grandparents (who I never knew), my great grandparents, (I knew my great grandmother), then our grandparents and Aunt Jean, Uncle Kayle and Judy. There was 20 years between each generation. Anyway a lot of the pictures brought back so many memories. There were a lot with our grandparents in them and they've been gone for 30 plus years. Also the gospel was clearly given and three songs (In the Garden, Ivory Palaces, and We Shall Behold Him) were sang. We shall Behold Him was done beautifully!

We are still enjoying unseasonably warm weather. I finally gave in and turned my air conditioning on yesterday. It's suppose to cool down somewhat but still well above average. In fact we broke records of over a hundred years ago as far as how warm it's been. Winter can't come back now, the flowers are starting to bud, the fruit is starting to grow, it would be devastating if winter came now. Besides, winter 2012 you had your chance to come, you didn't so you can't come now! That is what we are all saying!

Well....until next time.....Happy Stitching!

And another finish!

I'm pushing toward the 50 mark. I think this might be 18, 19, 20, in that range anyway. This was my kind of a piece, small and detailed. I love those kind of designs. Probably one of the easier Stoney Creek pieces I've done. This will go to Quilts for Seniors. Now I'll go back to Find a Song tomorrow.

Well....really not much has happened since my last post. So until next time------Happy Stitching!

Tulips are finished

As detailed as this was I loved doing it. I love doing small, detailed pieces. This will go to a lady at Quilts for Seniors. We are doing it at Quilts for Older Children for them. Now I'll go to my doe and fawn piece also for Quilts for Seniors by way of QFOC).

I got my new glasses earlier this week and I love them. I can actually see the holes rather than feel for them, and can see the pattern much clearer. Also got my hair cut yesterday. It looks so much better I don't feel like a shaggy dog anymore and the bangs are no longer in my eyes!

My aunt died Thursday morning so her funeral will be Tuesday. She really hung in there a long time. Now she's in heaven and no longer suffering. We half expect my uncle to move back down to Florida now. He loved it down there, she hated it. They have a son that lives down there so someone will be near by for him.

Well....until next time.....Happy Stitching!

Another New Start

I got tired of Find a Song so thought I would do a small, easy project. Yea right. It's very small but it's not easy but I really enjoy doing it. It's detailed enough to hold my interest. This piece will go to Quilts for Seniors when it's done.

Spring is here! We hope winter is gone. I know it's only middle of March but we are in a period of 60 or 70 degree weather, end of 7 day period near 80 even! Unreal for March for us. We're usually covered with snow with Spring sneaking in! But this winter really never came. And the way I see it....it had it's chance, it best not come now! LOL!
They say after the 8 day period we may have more normal temperatures so we'll see what that brings.

Tomorrow I get my new glasses! I can't wait. I'll see clearer! I do have cataracts but was told I could wait five years even and have no problem. Wait 20 years there might be a problem. So I just went with new glasses for this time and maybe in a couple of years have the cataracts removed.

I also will be getting my hair cut possibly Friday. So I'm going to have a new look. Now just dye my hair blond and people will really not know me! (I always wanted blond hair but had pure black). I wasn't even born with blonde hair like my brothers and sisters were and their hair didn't get as dark as mine either. I have some blond nieces and nephews and even more blonde great nieces and nephews. I'm jealous of them!

Started Find a Song

This will go to a Music or Bird Quilt. This was one of the 8 new pattern books I bought. It's a little harder than I thought it would be but as long as I concentrate it goes fine. When the piece is finished there will be 3 singing birds.

My sister is on her way into town. This afternoon she'll take me to get my eyes checked. After 6 years it's about time I get new glasses. Maybe my stitching will be neater and I can see the patterns clearer. Maybe I'll even get to stitch on evenweave again!

Tomorrow we'll have a Jewelery Party. Our niece is sells Primier Jewelery. She seems to be doing well at it.

My aunt is still alive. We are really surprised. She hasn't been responsive for a week now. I guess it's true, the body fights to survive.

Well....until next time.....Happy Stitching!

FAITH is Finished

I finished this piece earlier today. This is no. 17 towards the 50 challenge. I know I said last one was 13....but I can't count, it was actually #16. I loved doing this piece....it was a nice easy finish. It will go to the first charity that has Religious/Inspirational as theme of the quilt.

I am hoping my order from 123 stitch comes in today so I can kit up the next piece and start it tomorrow. I am so excited to see the patterns. An no I did not fall off the wagon. Only thing I did was I was going to wait until I did 25 pieces and then order patterns for charity or other people, but since my Income Tax came in now I ordered them now, I just won't order any more at 25. Today my mom said she went into the store right down the street from me but on opposite side of the highway and saw a whole bunch of cross stitch books. My mom and I tried to tell my dad I needed him to come right now it was an emergency, but when she told him the emergency he refused. LOL. My family definitely feels I have too many books. True.....

There is no news on my aunt....she's still hanging in there barely.

We got hit by the winter storms over the weekend but not nearly as bad as other parts of the country, or other areas of the state even.

Well....until next time.....Happy Stitching

Faith Started

I actually started two new pieces but the one isn't going too well and I made the discovery I may have started way too far down so don't know if I can send it to the charity I had planned on. I may just choose another piece altogether as that one has proved to be much more difficult than I expected and am having trouble making out the color key too many symbols too similiar. Why do designers do that. Anyway this one is FAITH and much easier. I love working on this one. Because it will go to charity I chose to use DMC 931. I love that color.

Our weather has turned on us for a few days! We got lots of snow and today was nasty. Tuesday it is suppose to be 50's. That's this winter but I have loved this winter.

It looks like my mom's sister will not be around much longer. She has been on hospice for several months now and is now unresponsive. My uncle has been taking care of her 24-7. My mom and dad went to see her today. It was hard for my mom and it's hard for my aunt's family to see her like this but they all know she'll soon be in heaven and they will see her again.

I have finally made an eye appointment to get new glasses. It's been 5 or 6 years. Maybe I'll be able to see clearer now. It's just as well as after I made the apointment I started having eye pain. I think a skin tag near my eye tore and is causing a lot of drainage. Plus my eye itches so I'm trying hard not to itch it but it's hard not to.

Well...until next time....Happy Stitching!

Butterflies in Flight is Finished

I wanted my Feb. 29 finished and here it is. I finished it early today. Yesterday I really doubted it would be done. I loved doing this piece and it will go to either Love Quilts or Coles Quilts. Now to kit up my next piece.

I got my Income Tax money back so I ordered 8 pattern books, all to stitch either for charity or for a friend. I can't wait to get the books. I was going to wait until 25 pieces were done to even get a pattern for charity but I jumped a little ahead. I just won't order when I have 25 pieces done. Which right now I have 13 pieces done I think. I didn't use my charge card either, I paid with a check so I'm still on the wagon since they weren't for me to do for myself. I want to order a couple of pattern books to do for myself but I can wait until 50 are done, and hopefully that will be in about a year. I've been doing smaller pieces so that helps me get through to 50.

Well...until next time Happy Stitching!

Happy Dance

Apple of Your Eye is Finished!!!! For being a small piece and being by Imaginating it was a very difficult piece for me to do. Usually I breeze through pieces by Imaginating. Oh well....this pattern has been officially retired. It threw my sticks and stones and frogs and everything else it could. I've kitted up my next piece, it's called Butterflies in Flight by Sam Hawkins. It's from an old book and I've done several pieces from it. We got hit by the winter storm last night. I was surprised though by all the snow we got and it looked nasty out, no schools in our city were cancelled. South and north were but not our city. Well....I'm anxious to get started on my next piece so until next time Happy Stitching!

Apple of My Eye

Last Fall I started this piece and laid it down. For it being by Imaginating it is a more detailed and harder piece to stitch. The butterfly and flower especially. The butterfly is getting there finally but it took a while. The progress shown is as of yesterday. I had a lot of problems with Blogger and couldn't post until now. I They kept saying Blogger no longer supported my browser so I had to change browsers. Not sure I like this browser though but oh well. It doesn't let me have my bookmarks which I don't like. I like my bookmarks Although my dad has nothing bookmarked and manages well. It's just hard with the Yahoo groups I'm in to get to them. There really isn't a whole lot going on. I was really worried about my cat over the weekend. He wouldn't eat, he wouldn't let me hold him, he just laid around. He didn't even get on my bed to wake me up in the mornings or sleep on it in the afternoon. Of course he is 19. But still......he's my baby. Anyway, Sunday he started rallying and is back to himself. I know there will be good days and bad days for him. I really want him to make it to be 20 and as long as he's healthy he will. Well until next time, Happy Stitching!

Victorian Hearts Finished

I was surprised to be able to finish this today. It went so much quicker than I thought it would. It really was a fun and easy stitch.
Now I have gotten out a piece I started last fall that said
Keep me the Apple of Your Eye. By Imaginating. For an Imaginating piece it is a little more difficult and detailed but it's a pretty piece. I hope to finish it up Feb. 29. I am bound and determined to have a piece finished on Feb. 29 because it comes but once every four years.

I can't believe how fast Feb. is going by. What am I saying? This year is going by so fast. I guess it is true what they say, the older you get the faster time goes.

Well...until next time....Happy Stitching!

Three Hearts

I like to do something with Hearts in February. A heart quilt came up at Quilts for Older Children so I signed up for it. Only I lost the pattern I wanted to do. (I seem to be good at that). So I got out this pattern. I did it the first time 10 years ago. It is a quick pattern. I'm already over half done and only put in about 5 or 6 hours on it. So it should be done Monday.

We celebrated Katelyn's Birthday today. There were 22 people in their house, yet it's so big while noisy wasn't crowded. The children played either in the basement or the playroom. We don't think Katelyn totally understood what was going on. And poor little Isaiah who will be 2 next week didn't understand why he didn't get any gifts. His party is tomorrow so he'll get his gifts then.

Since I just blogged yesterday there isn't much to say. So until next time Happy Stitching!

Finally Finished

I finally finished this today! I never thought it would get done. Now I'm working on a Heart piece with some pretty soft colors and much easier to stitch.

Tomorrow we are celebrating Katelyn's 2nd birthday. It's actually March 1 but they are having the party a couple weeks early. Sounds like a lot of people will be there. I love seeing Johnny and Katelyn and they do have some cute cousins.

Well....I really want to get back to stitching so until next time Happy Stitching!

Progress on The Red Barn

I have been stitching and hopefully will finish this piece mid week.
I will be so happy to get it done.

My sinuses are really acting up. They have been for months but the past week they are having a field day! I had to miss a Talent Show at our church Sat. and missed church yesterday. I also couldn't go to a birthday celebration yesterday for my brother but we are having one for Katelyn who will be 2 March 1 this Sat. so I'll see the same family then.

This winter has been the mildest winter for us that I can remember. When we've had snow we've had it, but otherwise it's been nice. I can't believe this is already middle of Feb.

Oh by the way Happy Valentines Day everyone. Hope you enjoy it.

Until next time happy stitching!

Start on red barn

Hello! This past week I started The Old Red Barn for a little boy at Love Quilts who chose Ranch as theme of his quilt. This will be an interesting quilt. Not too many kids choose ranch for their quilts. So far it has 2 or 3 barns, a couple of horses, and cattle. I can't wait to see this quilt.

I finally had a tooth pulled this past week that was causing all kinds of sinus problems. Now I will be able to make the appointment to get my partials. Since I didn't do it today, I'll do it Monday. There is one tooth that needs to be pulled only because it did not come in all the way. Since it's barely there it will be a surgical procedure so I'm waiting until the tooth really acts up. It hasn't so far hopefully it never will.

This Sunday we are having a potluck at church and annual business meeting. We also elect new Board Members. I'm up for Evangelism Department. I was on it for 3 years then because I was a Board Member for 6 years had to take a year off. Really I was ready too. I really liked being on that board it was a lot of work but that's what I liked about it. Plus I like the Outreach end of it.

We had a lot of snow fall last week and this week it has all melted. They say it may come back next week. This has been a very mild winter for us. I don't remember it being so mild. I've enjoyed it. I also love the fact the days are getting longer.

Finish #12

Five finishes in January That is a record for me. I think my next two pieces will go fairly quickly too. But not sure.

I did this piece for the daughter of a friend of mine. She asked me to do a flower for her daughter's room. The girl is severely handicapped so she wanted bright colors. Now I've barely started a barn piece for a Ranch Theme quilt at Love Quilts. Now that will be an interesting quilt to see all done up.

There isn't much happening right now so until next time Happy Stitching!

My Needle is Smoking!

Four finishes in January and I might even finish the Swamp Rose Mallow by the end of the month. That would be an all time high for me 5 finishes in one month. That rate I will make it through the 50 challenge. Which I changed to 25. If I make it through 25 in a reasonable time then I will try for 50. My credit card would really appreciate that! I am trying so hard to reduce it. So far I'm doing great on the one card, not so great on the other one.

I loved doing this piece. It was a nice break from the flower. It was easy and went quickly. I did it as a Lizzie Kate SAL at Every Stitch Counts.

We had a lot of snow fall this past week. Now tonight they are calling for thunderstorms south of us. This week will be a warm up by the looks of it. I hope the rest of the winter stays this mild.

Well...I have to go get ready for church. Until next time...Happy Stitching!

Another new start

I laid the Swamp Rose Mallow down to start this Lizzie Kate piece I am doing as a Stitch Along at Every Stitch Counts. (A Yahoo Group I belong to.) It's taking a little longer than I expected but the hardest part of it is done now so the rest should be smooth stitching.

Until next time.....Happy Stitching

Progress on Rose

I made quite a bit of progress the last few days on the Swamp Rose Mallow, so I thought I would post it.

My sister and brother came to town for a few hours on Sat. We went to a steak house and I don't like steak at all but everything else was delicious. We had a nice visit. For some reason they didn't want to stay at our parents house. Something about 2 little grandchildren they have about 45 minutes away from here, so they went to stay with their daughter and son in law and spoil the grandkids some more. Addie is adorable and Nolan is just starting to crawl now so he's getting more fun for them too.

However weather conditions were not the best. On the news they said our county got 16 inches of snow between Sat, and Sun. morning. It must have fallen closer to the Lake and north of here as while we got a lot we did not get 16 inches. Everything looks beautiful outside, even the snow on the trees. Because of the weather we didn't have too many in church yesterday. But we have a lot of Senior Citizens and it was icy and risky for them to go out in. Today is calm but more snow is expected tomorrow. Hey...it is January and this is Michigan. We knew the no snow would not last long.

Well, until next time Happy Stitching!

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Swamp Rose Mallow

Hello! Everyone getting a lot of stitching time in? I am. We finally got hit by winter weather, I'm staying inside today. We didn't get hit as bad as areas north and south. We usually get the milder ends of the storms but we still had about 3 inches fall since yesterday. So that's not bad. The ground is very nicely covered and it is pretty out there.
I decided to start stitching this flower I found in an old book. I still say there are a lot of good patterns in those older books. And with my resolve to make it through 50 patterns without buying a pattern, use the books I have well so far this is no. 11 so far so good. But it's usually when I get to 22 or 23 I usually blow the challenge. This time I am not going to. Remember that okay? Remind me if I blog that I want to buy a book.

Anyway a long time friend of mine has a severely handicapped daughter and she asked me to do a flower for her to put on her room. She really wanted bright geens, pink, purple. So I found this bright pink piece in Wildflowers Galore by Canterbury Designs. I hope she will like it.

Tomorrow my sister and brother-in-law are coming in to town for the day. They were going to come today but the weather isn't going to allow it. Not so bad here, but getting from their place to here would be a problem for them.

Well, until next time....Happy Stitching!

Flamingo is finished

This was such a fun and quick piece to do. I loved doing him. It will go to a little boy at Love Quilts who chose Sea Life as theme of his quilt. Now I think I will kit up the barn or will I do a Wild Animal or will I do flowers or a Lizzie Kate piece or the Sewing Maching? Decisions decisions I'll know this afternoon, guess you'll know when I update next.

Today is my dad's birthday so I better call him and say Happy Birthday. He is 83 today but you would never know it. He's still very active.

They say winter will come in a couple of days. Good for Lake Michigan, I was starting to think we would soon be able to walk over to Wisconsin or Illinois if we didn't start getting some snow.

Well until next time Happy Stitching!

A New Start

Hi again. I started this piece yesterday and have worked on it less than 10 hours and is already almost half done. I love doing this Flamingo and it's moving quick. Refreshing after the Puppy. This piece will go to a child at Love Quilts who chose Sea Life as theme of quilt. Also I rescanned the Cocker Spaniel and this one turned out much better.

Until next time Happy Stitching

Cocker Spaniel finished

I finally finished this guy today. I used my better scanner but boy did it scan darker colors than what it is. Not sure what is with that. Maybe both my scanners are dying on me. Now to kit up the Flamingo.

This has been a very mild winter so far. We are about 30 inches of snow behind average. But winter is not over the rest may collect big time or next year we will pay. So I'm enjoying this while I can.

Not much has happened since I last wrote so until next time Happy Stitching.

January House

Hello! How was everyone's New Year. Mine was very quiet. I didn't want to go anywhere just stayed home and watched the Nsw York ball drop then went to bed. I did go to my parents New Year's Day and had lunch with them and my nephew Andrew. Andrew was staying with them for a few days. He's 16 now, the youngest of my nieces and nephews. Boy that makes me feel old have the youngest be 16 and the oldest is 36 now. Time flies so fast.

I took a brief break from the Cocker Spaniel to do this piece as a Stitch Along at ESC. One of our members is designing 12 houses, we'll do one a month. This is the first of the twelve. Only I think my scanner is dying, it didn't scan too well. I do have another scanner though so next month I'll use that one. These houses are fun to do. I'll go back to the Puppy tomorrow and probably finish him up Sat. I don't have much more left on him to do.

This has been a quiet week after being so busy last week. Seems nice so I'm doing a lot of stitching.

Well...until next time Happy Stitching!

A weeks's prgoress

Hello Everyone! This will be my last post for 2011 so I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and stay safe. It's been a pretty good year. It's had it's down moments but over all a good year. We had 4 baby boys born into our family, early January, Wyatt, early Feb. Connor, then end of June Nolan was born and 5 days later Chase was born. Now we find out Connor and big brother Scott are going to have a baby brother or sister in Sept. (Although Amanda tends to go early so probably Aug. or even July given how early Connor was.) Amanda and Luke and the boys are getting ready to move from VA from AL where Luke will be working with the Coast Guard.

We are getting more seasonable weather now. It has snowed a little and melted but next week we are suppose to get substantial snow and winter will really be here then.

Later this morning my parents, nephew, Andrew, and I are going to my niece's. My sister and brother in law are there now, along with another niece and her family from CO and a nephew and his family will be in from IL. We will be meeting Wyatt and Chase for the first time so we are excited. We also will see Addie, Nicholas and Nolan again. It'll be an interesting couple of hours 5 little ones 3 and under! Think it will be noisy enough! Plus they have a big dog, who is the nicest and most gentle dog you'll ever meet. She's a very old dog but so sweet and gentle she's a beautiful brown labador retriever.

I made quite a bit of progress on Cocker Spaniel this week. His left foot has to go in plus the shoe.

Thank you for all the comments you have made this past year and thank you for reading my blog. I really appreciate it.

Until next time....Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!

Another quick Christmas finish

Hello everyone! This year I seem to be doing small Christmas pieces with the exception of finishing up Three Kings which is on it's way to my brother's now. That piece and Bethlehem went out there as my sister-in-law liked them. I wasn't going to do anything with them anyway so I was happy to send them out there.

I loved doing this quick Merry Christmas piece. It was a lot of fun to do. By doing these small pieces it gets me to the 50 challenge. Yes I had to start over, but now have about 7 or 8 pieces toward it so it's a good start. Maybe by doing these smaller peices I'll actually make it to 50 without buying anything. I've been trying for 5 years now and closest I came was 22.

It doesn't look like we will have a white Christmas! It doesn't seem like Christmas without snow. We got a little bit during the night but not much and they say it will be gone by Monday. Oh well....maybe we'll have a very mild winter, that would be nice.

I have found it best to add pieces at the bottom of the post. When I do it on top they don't seem to post.

Well....I'm going to go get my mail, do dishes and then pick another piece to start tomorrow. Until next time Happy Stitching!

Three Kings Finished

Hi again. Hopefully this time I can post Three Kings. It is completely done now. I've started a small Christmas piano piece. Not as small as the tiny candle but it's small by my standards.

Christmas on the Lakeshore was very successful. The singers and drama players did great. We also had about twice as many people come as we've had in the past. It's starting to take off now. Plans are already being made for next year.

We celebrated Johnny's birthday yesterday. He is so cute, of course he was all excited.

Well until next time Happy Stitching!

Tiny Christmas Candle

This was a tiny quick finish, but not the easiest. I'm not sure what I'm doing with it yet.

I got to asked to work at Christmas on the Lakeshore yesterday afternoon. So I went last night and it was really good. It's going to be fun seeing all three performances.

Another new start

I thought this would be a pretty piece to do.  I know it's definitely spring like but I really like it.  I'm not sure what I will do it,  It may possibly go to Love Quilts for a future religious quilt for a girl.
   
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoys all the food.   I'm going to my brother's for Thanksgiving dinner.   It'll be fairly quiet as the little ones will be at their other grandparents so we'll miss them.   But we'll see Kevin and Beth, and I think Jeremy and Christina and their other halves will be there so that will be nice.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching!

And Yet Another Finish! Two in one week 4 in 3 weeks.

November seems to be my month of finishes!   I don't think I've ever done 4 in a month let alone in the first 3 weeks of the month.
     
The Little Mermaid nearly didn't get finished.   Yesterday I was working on her in the Food Pantry as it was quiet and she went flying across the table and unto the floor, with my help.   The hair and face were so frustrating!   They took 4 days to finally finish.  That was this morning!  The rest of it was done in about 3 hours.   I still say if I decide to do a Disney Princess again I may go to a Psychiatrist first to see how sane I am!  The piece I'm doing now is fairly easy too.   It's a flower and butterfly by Imagination with Ps. 17:8.

Well....until next time---Happy Stitching!

And a third finish in November!

I am on a row.  Three finishes in November.  I haven't finished 3  within the first two weeks of a month in I don't know how long if ever.   I received this as a RAK from Sue V about 3 years ago and finally had time to do it.  I had to leave the bottom part off as I miscalculated and left too much on top.  I am not only finish deprived but center challenged as well!  Now to get out Arielle and hopefully finish that within a week.  Than that and the rooster can go get framed and be mailed out to Missouri for Christmas.

Well--until next time Happy Stitching!

Rooster is finished

Hi Everyone.    Two finishes in two weeks!  That's rare for me.   I finished this this morning and really enjoyed doing it.   Now to select my next project!

We had our first snow fall yesterday.  It snowed hard for a while and I really thought we would be covered, but fortunately the ground was too warm and it didn't last long.   Reality is though it will be here soon enough like it or not.  Oh don't get me wrong, winter is a pretty season, and when we were young I loved sledding and figure skagting etc.   Now I'm older, the older I get the more I dislike winter.  Oh well...this is Michigan and we do get the best of all 4 seasons so we are lucky.   About a month ago on ABC News they were saying the 5 safest weather places to live in USA and Michigan was one of them.   It surprised me that Alaska  and Hawaii were in the top 5 but they were.

We are making plans for Thanksgiving.   We are going to my brother's house.   So it'll be nice.  I don't know if all the kids will be there or not, probably 2 of them, but the one that's married may be with his family.  Nuts, I want to see Johnny and Katelyn.   But I will shortly afterwards as we'll get together for Johnny's  5th birthday in Dec.   Can't believe he's turning 5 already!  He is still a loveable character.

Well, until next time Happy Stitching!

A New Start well under way

This is from the same book the Pig and Bunny I did a  year ago were from.   Stoney Creek's Farm Babies.   I love doing the animals in this book and I'm sure I'll do more.   This rooster will go to my brother who collects roosters.   I love doing this piece.   The rooster is so much fun to do I decided to do the grass and sun before I finish him off.  
Well....until nexst time Happy Stitching!

Soccer Players Finished

 

Hello Everyone!   How was your Halloween Night.   Mine was a lot of fun.  We had Trunk or Treat at church and we had a lot of children show up.   They were so cute.   The highlight for me was my niece, Tabbi came with her 9 year old son , Ashton.   Unfortunately we were really busy when she came so I didn't get to talk to her much.  I really felt bad as  I didn't mean to ignore them.   Also my niece Melissa and her husband John, brought their two little ones over to the apartments to see her Grandmother and me.  Johnny was Captain America and Katelyn was a bunny.  They were so cute.   So it was a great night.

I finished the Scocer players about an hour ago.   I'm not sure why the different skin tones one leg one tone, the other another or the arm different too.   But that was the pattern.   It was a fun stitch but I'm glad to have it done. I have started a Rooster for my brother.   My next few pieces will be animals I think.  The rooster is from Stoney Creek's Barnyard Babies.  So far it's going well.

We are enjoying some nice weather but it is suppose to get colder.  It is that time of the year.

Well....Until next time  Happy Stitching!

Soccer Players

Once again it's been over 2 weeks since I've bloogged.  Truth is I almost lost my stitching mojo and for about a week just didn't even stitch.  I got so frustrated with that wedding piece I laid it down for a while.  Maybe after the first.   Blending filament is absolutely awful to stitch with.   I have the second bell almost done but just couldn't take it any longer.

   So I got this piece out to do for a girl at Love Quilts.   She likes the colors of lime and blue.   And also likes Soccer along with other things.   So I got this piece to do.  It is  going quickly.  It got me back into stitching.  I even have my next piece picked out.

   This past week our Landlords who live in another state and owe several Apartment Complexes decided to have all our hot water turned way down and would only have thenm turned up if everyone in each section would sign a waiver saying we would not sue if we got burned by hot water.   Totally ridiculous!  Our manager had all the water tanks turned down without telling us ahead.  Didn't even tell us we had to sign a waiver to get it turned back on until we called the office to complain!  We are so upset.  Long story short, all 4 of us in our unit did sign the waiver yesterday  I came right out and told them off and told them they should have warned us first and told us about signing the waiver ahead of time.  I never complain I have lived here a long time and never caused any trouble but I was angry.  I told them the least they could do is send out notes telling people about the waiver.  But they won't I know that.  I said I know you don't care about us and left.
Okay I spouted out they saw a side of me they never saw before.   I called today and apologized for my behavior they accepted it and told me I wasn't the only one upset. 

   My last post I mentioned I was going Apple Picking.   Well I went and it was fun.   We even got a hayride without the hay!   There was about 35 of us on that.   We were going to a couple's house for potluck dinner but there  were too many of us so we had the potluck at church.  It was so good  we had the best Barbeques.   I made my 7 layer bars  they liked those too.  I didn't take any home.  It was a beautiful day and it was fun.

     Monday we are having Trunk or Treat at church.  I'm doing the Apple Cider and donuts again.  Last year we didn't do it and people missed it so we are doing them again this year.   I'm looking forward to seeing the kids all dressed up. 

Well until next time Happy Stitching!

Still stitching on Wedding Bells

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted.   Mostly because I really hadn't had time to stitch that much on this plus working with metallic threads really slow you down.   The bells are completely done using blending filament with 1 strand of floss.  Not my favorite thing to do  Metallic thread is not easy to stitch with.  I have found using shorter threads does help. 
Tomorrow my sister is coming in to town for a couple of days.   Wed. we'll go do some shopping.  I'm hoping to go to Jo Anne's and get some floss  and also some 4 braid thread for my next project.   I'm doing a Halloween piece   a cat sitting on some pumpkins.  Also by Stoney Creek.   I must like Stoney Creek as I've done well over 50 of their patterns.

Saturday I'm going Apple picking with our SS class.   I've never done that before so am looking forward to it    Only it's suppose to be done in the 50's Sat.  Brrrr....after having 70's for a few days.

I don't get into sports too much but I really am happy the Detroit teams are tunrning things around.   After loosing so much the last few years, this year so far has been great.   Especially the Tigers and Lions.   So I'm rooting for them.

Well....untill next time Happy Stitching!

Still Plugging Away

Thank you for the comments to my last post.  It's coming slow but sure.   I did take a few days off to work on a baby elephant for Bryan and Chrissy's 8 month ol;d son, but I made a bad error in the beginning and didn't notice it until it was over half done so it went into the garbage.   I am completely convinced that I cannot do baby pieces.   I've made so many attempts and they've ended in the garbage.  It must be a mental block or something.   Out of 16 great nieces and nephews 2 of them have pieces and a 3rd one will get one when her grandma makes it into a pillow.  I've decided maybe by the time the kids are teenagers they'll have a piece maybe, just not a baby piece.  The picture doesn't show it well but the bells are done with metallic threads and also the blue ribbon has metalic thread with the pink in it.     I am still enjoying this piece..   It's over half done now.

We had our second week of KIA Club last night  (Kids in Action).   We had 15 the first week 14 last night.  Down one but had several new ones and those that weren't there last night we knew they were out of town at least most of them.   We use to have 70-100 kids in Adventure Club several years ago but  when we changed leaders although the format was the same the kids stopped coming then we tried a new program for a couple of years that failed miserably.   So now we have something really good again and it's just going to take time to build

We are starting to get our fall colors.  I thought it was a little early but the middle of October is jsut a couple of weeks away and that's when they are suppose to peak.   I love seeing the fall colors.   I just don't like the season that follows.  I use to love winter but the older I get the less I like it.

Well, until next time....Happy Stitching!

Progress on Wedding Bells

Hello everyone!    Hope you had a great week.
    
I did get quite a bit done on Wedding Bells.   I'm glad I started it all over as it looks like it will come out right now.   I think I am going to take out Christiana's and Bryan's names and move it over a notch.   I didn't think I would have enough room to get booth their names on it but I had more room than I thought.  Do the letters B and C look alright.   I had to sort of wing it as I couldn't find those two letters anywhere in the book.   And of course they didn't have an alphabet guide.

It's been sort of a busy week.  I haven't been home much and today Whiskers is soaking up all the attention he can get.  I try to do something and he meows wants me to sit down  in the chair so he can get on my lap.   Right now he just jumped onto the computer desk and is rubbing me to get me off.  At almost 19 he pretty much gets what he wants.   He's been so good about letting me brush him lately.  It use to be he wouldn't let me and he got a few mats.   Slowly but surely they are coming out.

Earlier this week we went to Ludington State Park where my sister and brother in law were camping.   I can't believe the fall colors were really starting to show on our way up there and back.   It was a nice day cold but nice. 

I am going to be honest here.   I can't decide to keep blogging or not.  I enjoy it.   People do seem to read it but I get so few comments I'm thinking no one likes my pieces.   Only problem with that is if you will notice, the pieces I do always go to other people or to Love Quilts so I go with their tasttes and wants, not always what I would choose to do if I were stitching for myself.     I know I don't have a way with words like a lot of you do. Some of you are so gifted in writing.   I don't know, I'm just started to get discouraged.  The main thing is the receivers seem to like my pieces.

Our Food Pantry is growing in staff.   We now have 7 people working in it and another one started training today and another person may start training soon.   Plus a couple of people take me shopping and like being involved in the food pantry that way as they can't commit to one day a week.   We also like so many other food pantries are getting more people needing food and  having a hard time keeping the stock for it.   Fortunately next month we are having a food drive and the church usually comes through in a big way on them.  We've only had 2 other ones in the whole time we've been open which is about 4 years now.

Well.....until next time Happy Stitching and thanks for reading my blogs.

Twin Towers

Shortly after 9-11 my brother asked me to do a Twin Towers piece.   I found this one by Mystic Stitch and really did ennjoy stitching it.   Today it hangs on his walls.

Like everyone else I remember where I was and what I was doing the moment I found out.   Tim had called me and said a plane hit the Twin Towers.  So I turned on the news and shortly after saw the second plane hit.  I knew it was an act of terrorism that second plane didn't even try to miss the tower it headed right for it.   Like everyone I was almost glued to the TV.   I called our church office told the secretary so she turned on her radio.     After the other two planes sturck I wondered  what would become of us.

A few days later we found out a man in his 30's that had gone to our church mostly in the summer and was on the softball team was  working in Windows in the Twin Towers.   He did not get out.   I had seen him and his wife and daughter a few times but did not know them personally

My nephew was shot in Kuwait training for Iraq.   He lost complete use of his left hand.   He saw the bullet coming and ducked, putting his hand above his head.   At least it hit his hand not his head.  

Anyone alive that day will never forget and it changed America forever.  

Well until next time Happy Stitching.

Started all Over

I made a serious error on the original piece so I had to start this all over.  I was so mad!  But it was easier to start over than to frog it.   It's going good now.   A lot of what I had done on the first piece is done here only I took a little different approach for the right side as it's so much easier to work down then up.  I see the picture is a little crooked and I think I'll use my other scanner as it shows the piece clearer as the colors in this piece are so light.   It is a pretty piece.  I hope Bryan and Chrissy like it.

I have a dumb question   Can you make Meatloaf with eggs.   I ate my last two eggs this morning and I should have saved them for the meatloaf I had planned to make tonight.  I have to do something with the   hamburg I unthawed and I had wanted meat loaf.  

I won Last DMC Standing game at ESC a couple of weeks ago and received my package today.   A lot of floss!   It was nice.  I love that game but this was the first time I won it.

Well until next time Happy Stitching.   Have to figure out what I'm going to do with the Hamburg. 

Wedding Bells Started

Hello!   I hope everyone is having a good and safe Labor Day Weekend.   I can't believe the summer is over!   Usually I am looking forward to fall but not this year I so enjoyed the summer I hate to see it end.  Although I do like the fall colors and we can already see the trees starting to turn.  A large group from our church went up to Center Lake (our church camp) for Family Retreat.   Friday was nice but not sure about yesterday.   We had some big storms in our area then it cooled doown a lot and tomorrow is suppose to be cooler.   Hopefully the storms didn't hit them up there.   And as far as tomorrow, they probably won't swim anyway as they go home that day.

I promised my nephew and his wife a Wedding piece 3 years ago.   They were married in Feb. 09 and now have an 8 month old son so it's about time I got this done for them.   I started one for them three years ago but it just didn't take off, I kept making mistakes, didn't like the material I chose and the pattern just didn't click with me.   This is much different.  Though very detailed and tedious it is clicking with me and going okay.  But I love Stoney Creek patterns.  It isn't a large piece though so hopefully I can have it done by the end of the month get it to the framers and then hopefully give it to them at Christmas.   They live out of state and I'm hoping we'll see them at Christmas.   If not I'll give it to my sister and she can give it to them when she sees them.

Well until next time  Happy Stitching and have a Safe Weekend!