More Progress

Hello again! I have made more progress on Splish Splash. I really am enjoying this piece so much. I really think Nick will like it and Chase will when he gets a little older.

Chase has had a rough week. Michelle (my niece, his mother), was planning on bringing him up to Michigan this week and Scott and Nick were going to go camping. Chase got really sick and spent a few days in the hospital. They think his adenoids need to come out. They were taking him to a specialist today. Because he is only 13 months old Doctors hate to take out his tonsils and adenoids. He's home now on oxygen when he takes his naps and at night. He hates it so Michelle and Scott wait until he is sleeping good to put it on then they switch off as far as watching him during the night to make sure he doesn't wake up or strangle himself on the oxygen cord. Poor baby. Doctor told Michelle she couldn't travel with Chase so their trip to Michigan to see us got called off. She's going to try later in the fall.

Well the first week of the Olympics is over. The best of the two weeks, the track and field doesn't interest me completely. Some of it does but not all of it.


August seems to be a pretty busy month. Every Saturnday we have something going on, plus next week my sister will be here 2 1/2 days we have a bridal shower to go to next Tuesday, and Wed. hopefully we'll do some shopping. Sounds vain but I want to get some new shoes to go with the outfit I bought for Christina's wedding. Maybe even a purse. We'll see I hate spending money onb shoes and purses. My idea of shopping for shoes and purses is selecting the shoes and purse that my sister or mom have that they don't wear or use anymore. I'm not big on shopping anyway unless I have something specific in mind.

Wel.....until next time happy stitching!

Hello again. I am so pleased with how fast and how well this piece is going. It is such a fun stitch I may be stitching it again after the first of the year maybe for Scott, Connor and Emma this time. Emma isn't born yet but will be in August. I My youngest niece, Christina is getting married Sept. 8. So tomorrow her mother is taking me shopping for shower and wedding gifts. Her bridal shower is Aug. 14, on my birthday. Anyone else enjoying the Olympics? I am....I've enjoyed the gymnastic and swimming, & diving events especially. Some disappointments but more victories really. Well....until next time Happy Stitching.

Start of Splish Splash

I have finally started Splish Splash by Imaginating. This piece has to be the cutest one I've ever done and is such an enjoyable stitch. It is fun seeing it come to life. It will be going to 2 of my great nephews that live in Colorado. Nick will be 3 in Sept. and Chase is 13 months.

I first saw this piece at 123 stitch someone else was working on it and showing their progress in the WIP Friday thread. Several of us loved it and I did buy it with my gift certificate. This piece has the elephant as the main character but there is a monkey on the right side and frog on left, and under the tub is a turtle holding the towels for them. I can't wait to get further along on this.

Well, the Olympics are now underway. I am enjoying them so far. I just watch the women's volley ball and the men's volley ball both teams won the first round, several more to go. Go USA! Now rowing is on. I did see the Opening Ceremonies last night. I wasn't impressed with the first part and fell asleep, woke back up as the teams were marching in saw most of them and enjoyed the rest of it. I loved the way they lit the torch that was creative.

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

Lighthouse # 2 is Finished

Hello! How is everyone this cloudy rainish afternoon?
I finished the second lighthouse last night. It was so much fun to stitch but in end a challenge as someone literally ripped the pattern to shreads. Fortunately I had enough done in the areas and was able to figure it out by following the picture. Now to get it to my friend in a couple weeks. Sunday her and her husband and leaving for MO with some of our young people from church to work at CEF headquarters for a few days.

I have started Splish Splash and I love it. It is so cute and so much fun to do. I may do two of them in time. It seems to be moving fast too. I'll probably show a picture of it tomorrow.

Well...until next time Happy Stitching!

Progress on Lighthouse 2

I have stitched quite a bit on this the last few days. I do have a small problem though. In the morning I have a little helper and attention getter and he is shredding the poor pattern! I guess he wants my attention and doesn't want me to stitch!


I am looking forward to the Olympics starting Friday night. I love the swimming, gymnastics and some track and field events. I like horsejumping too. I'm thinking about signing up to get them on my computer only problem is I haven't figured out how to get sound on the computer but I can at least see them when I want. I'm not sure how much coverage NBC will have.

Tomorrow we are suppose to get showers and thunderstorms. We need the rain.

Well...until next time happy stitching!

Lighthouse #2 Under way

Hi Everyone! I started the second Lighthouse last Friday. It is going quite well and stitching up fast. It's been a busy and fun week.
My sister made it into the campground last Friday afternoon so from Sat.-Wed. was pretty much spent at the campground. Sat. her daughter, son-in-law and their two children and dog were there. They went home that night but Heather and the children came back on Monday and stayed through Wed. night. Addie and Nolan are so cute. Addie was a lot of fun as she is 4 and she loves camping. Nolan being barely a year we had to watch carefully but he's a pretty good baby. Tuesday, we went to my sister's brother-in-laws pool it was so nice and warm. Addie was a little fish. Monday we swam in Lake Michigan and the water really was warm for being the Lake. There again Addie was fearless. She loves swimming and for being only 4 can hold her own at swimming. One day my niece, Melissa and her husband, John came out with their 2 children, Johnny 5, and Katelyn 2. Katelyn just gravatated to Addie she was her little pal. Johnny is starting school this fall, Melissa is homeschooling him. Like I said it was a great fun week.

Also our church had Bible School this past week but because of my sister and everyone being in town I didn't work at it this week. They said it went real well.

I got my package from 123 stitch earlier this week. The friend I made the Poppy Pair for 2 or 3 months ago gave me a $50.00 gift card to use on line. Of course I bought patterns and some floss with it. I got 7 patterns and 18 skeins of floss I got a good deal. I can't wait to get started on some of them. Especially Splish Splash by Imaginating but I have 2 or 3 other pieces I have to do first.

Thank you for reading my blog. I appreciate all comments.


Well...until next time Happy Stitching.

Lighthouse Finish

I finished this earlier today. Now I've started the second lighthouse and I'll give the two to Sherry, She'll make them into a kleenix box or something. I gave her the instructions from the book. It's summer time I love doing beach scenes.

Today my sister was going to come into town and camp at a State Park a few miles from here but she isn't feeling well so hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow and come. Disappointing but no one is more disappointed then her 4 year old grand daughter Addie, who was waiting for Grandma since early this morning. They are at the camp ground too. Kay will be there through next Thursday, I'm not sure how long Heather, and Brian and the kids will be there. They have been there since Sunday when Kay and Ken came in to set the camper up.

It's a good week for Kay to be camping as it will be 90's again. Really warm for us. I love Lake Michigan and look forward to being out there during the day time. I can't after dark because all the campfire smoke gets to me. I especially loved going down and watching the lighthouse when going down to Lake Michigan. I see that lake and I am so relaxed. As kids we use to love riding the waves and also diving in to them.

I got a gift card for $50 and I had so much fun spending it at 123 stitch the other day. I got 8 new patterns and 17 skeins of floss. Best is the gift card covered it all and it doesn't go against me in the 50 challenge since it is a gift. This was piece 27 towards the 50 challenge.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching!

Progress on Lighthouse

Slowly but surely I am getting further on this. But I have made progress. Just the part I'm doing now is slowing me do a lot. In these hot days, doing water scenes makes me cool down. Plus staying inside in the airconditioning helps a lot too.

It's suppose to be 90's all week very unusual for Michigan. And we don't like it too well! But we don't have it as warm as other places in the country!

I can tell the Fourth of July is getting close. This year Firecrackers became legal in Michigan and the last few days some of the neighbors have been setting them off. Very annoying as they are doing it in the court yard right outside my patio and they are loud!. Not only that this is an apartment complex and what if one misfired and hit one of the roofs or started a grass growing. Friday night I was really agitated as they did it about 2 am and when they left they honked their cars, and the one car kept honking and honking. How could any of us sleep. None of us around here were happy. I almost called the office this morning to complain but chickened out. Fortunately Sat. and Sunday nights were not as bad. They were done by 10:30 pm.

I hope all of you have a good 4th of July. Until next time Happy Stitching!

Lighthouse Start

Good Afternoon! I started this piece a couple of days ago and it's really stitching up fast. I love working on it. I love doing beach scenes, especially Lighthouses. So where my friend Sherry saw the pattern of these two lighthouses I jumped at the chance to do them. This is the first one of the two. They are in the same book as the beach chairs were in . This piece will be finish 27 towards the 50 challenge and the next lighthouse 28. I'm getting closer and closer to the 50 mark! I've made it further this time than any previous attempt so I think I'll make it to the end this time.

Today we had a pork barbeque after church. I had every in tension of going but I got no sleep last night. For some reason things seemed awfully noisy around here. So I slept until 9 and didn't even get out of my pajamas until after 11. I just had no energy. So for lunch I made my own barbeque and pretended I was there. For some reason I don't make the best barbeque. Not too great at chicken either.

Tuesday night we are having our Secret Sister exchange. I made a piece a few years ago and framed it and it still looks very nice so I'll give that to my SS as her gift. It is a design by Britter Cup called Believe in the Lord.

Thank you for your comments to my posts. I love getting them. I love reading everyone's blogs too.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching!

Beach Chairs finished

I just finished these about an hour ago. They were a quick stitch when I worked on them. I have kitted up my next piece. A friend of mine saw 2 lighthouses in the same book as this that she liked so I said I would do them for her. I love doing Lighthouses anyway. I remember as kids we would go down to Lake Michigan and walk the pier. I can remember the lighthouse was always a calming site.

I have a prayer request. The 15 year old daughter of some friends of mine ran off with her 18 year old boyfriend who is not a good influence on her and is known by the police. Pray for her safe return. The police are looking for the couple.

As much as I loved Buffy and Whiskers, Saturn is turning out to be the cat I always wanted. He is so loving, and yes getting spoiled. The other day we had a really bad storm in the morning. He was so funny, he has this tall piece of furniture, he jumped up on it and every time he heard the thunder he would reach up and try to grab it. It was so funny.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching!

A New Start

This is a different sort of piece for me. Not because it's a beach scene but because of the bright colors. I just wanted to do something easy and cheery, and something pertaining to beach. My next two pieces will be from same book. A friend of mine asked me to do a couple of lighthouses from it. I love doing Lighthouses and they look average, not hard, not real easy so I'm going to do them.

Yesterday I got a nice little surprise, I was going up to the rental office to make arrangements for them to just take rent out of my check once a month and I ran into my sister-in-law and her dog Sam and her mother. Beth's mother lives in same apartments I do for now. She has Alzheimers so they are moving her to assisted living when there is an opening. So I went for a walk with them.

I've cut down to 2 cans of Pepsi a day and it really hasn't been that hard. I'm loosing weight at it too so that's a plus.

Well....until next time Happy Stitching! Someone is pushing me out of my computer chair....any guesses who?

Well I know this is short but I'm going to have to go. So until next time Happy Stitching

A Quick Finish

I decided to find some easy sea life pieces to do and that way get closer to the 50 mark I'm almost half way through now. I think this is piece 23 or 24. Next I think I'm doing a couple of chairs on the beach that says Wish you were here underneath them.

It's summertime and when I was young basically the summer was spent on the beach. And every summer I want to do beach scenes in honor of those days. I remember we had so much fun on Lake Michigan and there are so many other lakes around here, we were always at some lake swimming.

Last Sunday we went to my brother's house. Because he's out of town this weekend he wanted to have us over for Father's Day. This time it was just my parents and brother and sister in law and I it was nice.

This weekend I offered to help my niece with her garage sale but since I don't drive, she'd have to pick me up and it's about 40 minutes away I doubt it. Besides I'm sure Addie would have other plans for me.

Oh did I tell you our Food Pantry got $1,000 donated it by our Women's Chamber of Congress. They had a Dancing with the Stars event and the proceeds went to area food pantries. Last year we got $500 so this was a surprise to get that much. We also got a lot of food for the US Postal Service Food Drive. Yet it seems like we always need food. Somehow I need to go shopping again.

I discovered I was loosing weight without trying so I decided to start trying and by cutting down to two cans of Pepsi a day. Except I haven't lost any more weight since I started that last week. Maybe in time. I do do exercises too but may increase them. If it weren't so hot out I would go for walks but it's too hot.

Finished Butterfly

I finished this butterfly yesterday. It was more detailed than I thought and took longer than I thought it would but it was a fun stitch. I now have a smaller piece Seahorses by Stoney Creek going. It's from Seaside Fantasies. It seems to be going rather quickly.

Later this afternoon I'm going to my brother's. We're going to celebrate Father's Day today I guess. Although I don't have a card or anything for him, I'll get it this week.

Anyone else watch Food Star or Design Star? I like those kind of reality shows. I also like Amazing Race. I haven't really liked any of the others. I think I have my favorites picked but it's still early in the program on Design Star and Food Star is probably almost half done.


Well...someone is kicking me out of my chair so guess I will have to go. Until next time Happy Stitching

Progress on Butterfly

I'm almost done with this piece. It would be nice if I finished it tomorrow but it may be Monday. Not sure I will work on it much on Sunday. If anyone knows who the designer of this piece is I'd love to know. It was sent to me to do for a special quilt and the person did not know who designer was. She didn't know if it came from a blog or where. I thought it came from a foreign magazine as it said Septembre 2010 on it and the way September was spelled made me think it was a foreign designer.

This is going to be one warm weekend. I keep seeing these posts on Face Book "Welcome Back summer....." I think we're happy to have summer around here. My sister is going to be camping here in July so I hope it's a nice week and we can spend a lot of time down by the Lake. I can remember spending hours at the Lake with our friends. So many great memories.

Boy I wish I could think of something to chat about but I can't so until next time Happy Stitching

Presenting Saturn

I finally got some pictures of my sweet little Saturn. So I just have to show him off. He looks larger than what he is although he is 11 pounds. The Vet says for his built he is a perfect weight though. He was so easy to fall in love with, he is such a sweet natured cat.

Oh I have to tell you a cute story about my great niece Addie. Yesterday my sister (her grandma) told her that Great Grandma had only one leg, the other one was wooden. So she went to Day Care today and told her teacher "My Great Grandma has a wooden leg." When the teacher asked how that happened she said "She got an infection in her leg and they had to take it off." So her teacher thought she would ask one more question to see how Addie would respond. So she asked "Where is the leg now?" Addie says "Jesus needed it so it's in heaven with Him!" Too cute. Out of the mouths of babes.

Well....I'll post a picture of the butterfly progress probably on Friday so until then....Happy Stitching

Another new start

I actually started two pieces since I last posted. The one, Magnolia Wreath will take a while so I'll wait to post that one, but this butterfly is being stitched for Quilts for older childer. It's monochromatic and a nice break from the pony and the magnolias. I chose to use DMC 209 for color choice and I love it. It's so pretty.

Our weather has cooled down a lot. They said we would reach 68 today, I'll be surprised if we reached 58! Although it seems to have warmed up the last couple of hours. The rest of the week is suppose to be beautiful!

Saturn has adjusted very well and is getting spoiled. Some day I'll get pictures of him to post. I can't find the battery charger to my camera, my sister took a few pictures but has to mail them to me yet maybe next week. He sure is a sweetheart. He's the best of both Buffy and Whiskers. He isn't interested in human food at all so it's nice to have a cat who isn't right there begging. Although the last few weeks of Whiskers life he didn't beg, he just got on the chair and looked at my food but didn't really want it. I really miss Whiskers though it's hard to get over loosing him after 19 1/2 years, but Saturn has created his own special spot in my heart. I just wish I could get him declawed but because he is al
most 11 months and is 11 pounds my Vet won't do it. She says it would be too hard on him so I'm not forcing the issue.

Speaking of Saturn he is kicking me off the computer. I guess he wants the chair back...he's had the chair all afternoon!

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

Brown Pony Start

I started this piece a couple of days ago. Now that the head is finished, it is going faster. This piece has a lot of browns in it but it's fun to do. This will go to a little boy at Love Quilts who chose Farm Animals as theme of his quilt.

I can't believe how fast this year is going. It's already coming up to Memorial Day Weekend. Anyone have special plans for it? At this point I don't. But anything can pop up. Hope everyone has a happy and safe Holiday Weekend. It's going to be a warm one too. Good weekend for those going camping.

Well until next time Happy Stitching!

Music Speaks is Finished

I woke up way to early this morning so finished this piece off. It was a fun piece to do and probably will be framed next year and given to one of our Pastor's for Pastor's appreciation in Oct. 2013. All 4 pastors and their wives are good in music.

Now I'm doing a Brown Pony for a little boy at Love Quilts who chose Farm Animals as theme of his quilt. I'm getting a lot more stitching time in now that things have quieted down a little. Things are almost too quiet.

This Wed. is our last BSF meeting until fall so our group is having it's final fellowship. I hate to see this year end, it was a good group of ladies I was with this year. I've been in it 3 years nows. It's actually a 7 year Bible Study, then you are a graduate, but they are adding
Revelations to the study in 2015 not sure what book they will take out.
Revelations will be real interesting since there are so many different interpretations of the book.

Last week our Food Pantry at church received two large gifts. One was a money gift from Dancing with the Stars (our city's version of it) and the other was from a Food Drive the US Postal Service had. That one really helped a lot and the money from the Dancing with the stars will help a lot.

Speaking of Dancing with the Stars anyone else watch it? I'm not sure who I want to win. All 3 couples are so good and all 3 deserve the win. I am sort of pulling for Petra and Don only because Petra hasn't won the trophy yet where as Mark and Cheryl both have. I'll be happy whoever wins.

Well since I'm basically kicked out of my chair (I'm sitting on the very edge) I'll go do some stitching. Until next time....Happy Stitching!

Friday Progress Report

I had a little more time to stitch this week so I got quite a bit done on Music Speaks. There is a quite a bit of confetti stitching on it so that's why it's slow going but I am enjoying it.
It has been a relatively slow week this week so not much to report. Little things have come up but nothing to write about.

Today I am going to spend mostly stitching I haven't done that in a long time. Saturn is pushing me off the computer chair so guess I better go. Why does he want the chair when I get on it? Well until next time.....Happy Stitching.

Music Speaks-Progress

I haven't had much time to stitch on this this past week plus when I do stitch Saturn is making himself known by playing with the material or the thread. I forgot what a challenge it is to stitch with a young cat. Since he is 11 lbs I can't really call him a kitten. He turned 10 months this past week.

Last Saturday we went to Addie's 4th Birthday Party. She is such a little sweetheart. As soon as I got there she ran into my arms with a big hug. (I wish I could drive, I'd visit them a little more. Of course she had to make sure we had our pajamas with us and made us put them on immediately. She showed me her new puppy, Cheerio. What a bundle of energy she is. And I thought Saturn had energy! Not compared to Cheerio.
My nephew, Bryan and his wife and 17 month old son made it in from Chicago area. And of course baby Nolan was there and was just starting to walk. By the time I left he was walking across the room. He is one determined baby. We had fears Addie would be really making sure Nolan knew she was boss when he was born, but I don't know, Nolan gives her a run for her money. He determines to do something, he does it. He is so cute. Of course Addie's and Nolan's aunts, uncles, grandma and cousins on their dad's side was there and most of them were 5 or under so it was a noisy but fun afternoon.

I went to Kohl's this past week and going back there with my mom and brother today. I am so happy I dropped one size for sure maybe two. I like loosing weight! Now if I could just break this Pepsi habbit.

Well....I'll until next time.....Happy Stitching!

Another new start

This year I'm on a role, if I keep this pace up I will have about 40 finishes this year which will be a first. But we'll see if I reach that yet. I only had two finishes in April but it was not a good stitching month.

I started Music Speaks a couple of days ago. I am enjoying this piece. There is a lot of back stitching, but I think the piece is so pretty. When I'm further along you'll see it come to life more.

My sister is going to be in town tomorrow and part of Sat. I'm hoping to do some shopping tomorrow, but it depends on how or mom is feeling. Her heart is acting up again and she's not feeling real good.

Saturday my sister's grand daughter is having a birthday party. She turned 4 on Tuesday. Everyone has to wear pajamas! Wonder why my brother in law decided to let his Ass. have the day off and he work instead (LOL). Our dad isn't going either.

Well...there isn't much new so until next time Happy Stitching!

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!