Jun 10th Monday Update

Fred has this week off so I have no idea what day it is. But according to my phone it's Monday so here's a Monday update haha. Let's see what I worked on last week.

Monday I worked on Patriotic Gnome Littles by Waxing Moon Designs. Finished the one I was working on Balloon Girl and started Celebrate Gnome the bottom middle guy...

Tuesday was spent on Christmas Celebration Sampler from Frosted Pumpkin. I started and finished the T block and added more to the right side border...

Wednesday I got the 300 needed for Halloween Potions by Les Petites Croix De Lucie for the month...

After I finished that I pulled out Beer Dragon by Paine Free Crafts. I wanted to add 500 for the month. Thursday I completed those stitches. I'm Day 98 into this beauty now...

Friday I worked on Taurus Mill Hill Kit. Added 400 for my monthly goal. Close to a finish now...

Saturday I got out All American by Primrose Cottage. Time to finish it off. Maybe today. After 814 Saturday and 624 Sunday this is all I have left...

The bottom part from the WHITE square is all what I added. It really goes quickly. I enjoy this one a lot and definitely have a love for Primrose designs after this beauty.

Saturday Fred took me up to Fort Wayne to the LNS (local needlework store). A friend has a stitch day from 9:30 till 12:30. I think there was 10 or 11 of us. I really enjoyed my time visiting with the girls. Fred runs off to do some of his own things in case you were wondering haha. Then we came back and Fred mowed here so that helped me get lots of stitching time Saturday. 

Sunday we were doing some work here with my dad. Spike has been doing really well off leash for short times so I let him off. He ran to the pond and then darted into the woods right by us. Several minutes went by and he didn't pop out to see where I was like normal. So I started calling for him. Nothing. We all started looking for him after 20 minutes. I was one worried dog mom. Then I saw a deer pop out of the woods by the pond. Yep Spike was hunting that darn deer. So thankfully after about 30 minutes he popped back to get a drink from the pond and tell me how much fun he was having. I grabbed him and told him he scared me to death. Least he came back sooner than later. 

So the band we have every year is coming this Saturday the 15th. Lots of do. So that's why Fred took off work. Then since he's off I got some appointments scheduled and now we have a crazy full week haha. But today the chores are done so I need to get off here and STITCH. 

Have a great week. Love yourself. Smile!

May 20th Monday Update

Howdy all. It's hot out today. So AC running and all chores done as soon as possible. Let's see what I stitched on last week...

Monday was my 45th birthday. So I decided to spin a new start. Jeremiah spun Luck of the Irish by Primrose Cottage Stitches on the Tiny Decision wheel. I added 327 on Monday and 667 on Tuesday so a total of 994 this time...

I'm using 32ct Platinum Lugana and the suggested DMC which is only 3 colors. Another chart I got when I was at Always in Stitches before retreat this year. My needles were flying. Do you think it's the Irish in me? Haha.

Wednesday was time for another new start. This time the wheel picked Lady Liberty by Keslyn's. I added 476 stitches...

I'm using 32ct White Jobelan and Gloriana Silks Crimson and Pacific Dark Blue. I was getting ready to start and thought wow this fabric is HUGE. I realized that I forgot to tell the lady when I ordered the fabric I was planning on stitching it over one. Oops but I'll cut it and use the fabric for something else. No crisis with being too big now being too small would have been a different story all together haha. So here are my little tiny stitches...

If you can't tell I started on the upper left wing. This will help the thread last longer as well since I can use just one thread. 

Wednesday and Thursday I spun Halloween Potions by Les Petites Croix De Lucie. I wanted to add 500 to it this month. Ended with 513...

This one seems to go really slow because a lot of color changes. But it sure looks cute when stitched. Reminder I'm stitching it on 32ct Light Mint Lugana with suggested DMC.

Friday after I finished up my stitches on Halloween Potions I switched to another acrostic spin. Taurus Mill Hill kit came up. The prompt for this one was To the Party and since Taurus is my birthday zodiac I thought it was a good fit...

I had started this one Sept 26th, 2023 for a stitching challenge. So I had one day into it...

I added 159 Friday, 341 Saturday and 144 Sunday. I finished the main dark green symbol finally haha...

It was a great one to work on in between projects this weekend since it was IHSW but we had a lot of outdoor stuff to get done.

Sunday after I finished up the symbol I got back out Thanks to the Brave by Erica Michaels. I wanted to add 200 this month for the acrostic Letter E...

 

Added 243 stitches to the background fill in. That part definitely takes the longest. But helps the letters POP. So it's worth it. 

So I happily got a lot of stitching done all week. I have two new starts left on the two Wednesday's left in May. Irish Blessing Bell Pull and The Mandalorian. Can't wait to see what he spins first. Both I'm excited to work on so not really a bad choice between them.

I have to share the lovely Faith a dear blog friend of mine gifted me a GC to 123stitch for my birthday. So I happily went shopping. I got fabric for a project that I will probably be starting next month...

I think this will look like a stormy night and really help the snowman pop bright. I also got a big piece of 32ct Vintage Country Mocha and some replacement Q-Snap snaps. I had one break on me the other day. It's barely sticking together. Thanks Faith!!!

I also got a beautiful Petunia from Campground family. Then Fred brought me a few Spider plant babies from work...

So evidently 45 let me reach the I want a plant phase of my life haha. We are looking forward to Memorial Day and then Bev and Dad have decided to take Jeremiah to a casino for the night. He hasn't had a night with them since last August so he is very excited to take a trip with them again. Bev sure deserves it. They have 4 friends meeting them and staying too so it will be a lot of laughs. They are going on my Dad's Birthday the 29th. Okay I'm off to read some email and get off this computer so I can stitch. 

Have a lovely week. Stay safe in the weather. Smile. Love yourself.

Apr 8th Monday Update

 Hello all. Here we are again another Monday update. Let's see what stitching I did last week...

Monday I worked on the Winter 2024 SAL from Stitchonomy. I did see a photo of the whole 6 part SAL now...

Got 128 added after computer time. I might work on this 1 day a week till finished. Haven't decided. So many pieces are screaming at me haha. 

 

Tuesday I added 783 to Spring Line Up by The Trilogy...

Wednesday it was time for my monthly Halloween Potions by Les Petites Croix De Lucie. Added 310 this time...

Thursday I started my monthly pick for new starts. This time it was Dragon Biscornu by Tiny Modernist. I added 602 for Day 1...

One of the little dragons is all stitched up. Love the way he turned out!!!

 

Friday I picked Grow Together by HAED. Added 259 for Day 24 on it...

Saturday All American by Primrose Cottage was yelling for attention. I added 459 and it got a little more quiet. I just might have to finish this one up soon...

It's fun to stitch on the 25ct Vintage Country Mocha Lugana fabric. Seems to go quickly.

Saturday we went up to Fort Wayne to Shipshewana on the Road. It's a large indoor flea market and we had a really nice time shopping. We ate at a favorite restaurant on the way out of town a hibachi place. Sunday my Grandma had a little lunch gathering. We went over and had a lovely time. Got to see Dad and Bev too. It was a nice visit. Bev has started physical therapy and is doing well. They haven't done any treatments trying to give her time to recover more. This week we will find out more about what their plans are for next treatments. I just hope she can continue to feel better. 

Today was the eclipse. Right here in Wabash we were 96% I think so it was a great view right out in our yard. Fred had to work but was able to see it up there. Honestly I'm glad it's over it's all they've been talking about on TV haha. 

Okay I have to get some things done so I can stitch. I hear so many loud screams from my tote. I wonder what will win this week. Have a wonderful week. Love yourself. Find any reason you can to smile as often as possible.

Mar 25th Monday Update -- After Retreat

I had a fantastic Spring Hoosier Retreat but first let me see what I did before leaving Thursday...

 

Monday and Tuesday I got my 500 in on Halloween Potions...

After hitting my goal for the month I started Spring Line Up by The Trilogy in honor of the first day of Spring...

I decided to start on the bottom for this one. 

Wednesday I worked on Thanks to the Brave a bit more in between packing...

Thursday it was finally time to leave. Jeremiah did great holding down the fort until Fred got off work. Fred did take Friday off to be here to let Spike out so that was really nice. I was picked up by 3 of my local friends. 2 I hadn't seen since my mom's funeral. 1 since probably 2019. We all got to talking and our last Hoosier Retreat was 2019!!! Boy we missed each other. On the way down we normally stop at a LNS in Bloomington Indiana but it closed. So I suggested stopping at one around Indianapolis called Always in Stitches that I haven't been to in YEARS. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Look at my haul...

I had been wanting to bite the bullet and get some of the Primrose Cottage ones. I have fallen in love with them. So one of my friends said they had the Autumn one I could have and I figured I might as well buy some of the others to go with it. Plus a few more haha. And a few more. In the 2nd photo the seasonal 4 and the Mandalorian chart came from another friend. The patriotic one in the top right I bought from someone at the retreat. The Pirate Snowman is just adorable....as are all the others haha. Now I just can't decide what I want to work on first haha. Like I needed more projects....now I have 21 more!!! OMG. But I smile so big flipping through these amazing patterns. I also bought some fabric both at the store and at the retreat. Black for some patterns in my stash and some linen from a lady selling at retreat. Also an arm full of beautiful project bags my friend was giving away.

 

We arrived safely at Camp Rivervale in Mitchell, Indiana and settled in for the weekend. It was wonderful...
 

A lady grabbed a picture of my tablemates.

We had 25 and two day visitors.

How to get 4 ladies worth of stuff there and home

My bed for the weekend

My setup. Ready to stitch away. I did get some stitching done...

I put in 1,225 stitches in total. I did more talking and catching up than stitching haha. I missed everyone!!! Plus had one big unload when I talked about everything going on with me in the 5 years. WOW! I tell you what though. I feel so much better. The support I got was exactly what I needed. Several had been through similar things and it helped so much to hear it's not just me and I'm not wrong for my feelings.

 

After retreats like this I always have major motivation and want to STITCH ALL THE THINGS! Boy do I ever now even more. Look at those beautiful new patterns!!! I want to start them all and NOW.  Plus Plus I want to work on what I have so I can happily start the new ones....but I want to stitch them all at the same time hahaha. See. Then I was so tired I slept for 2 hours when I got home. What a waste of time. Now I sit here on the computer typing. I don't have time for anything else but stitching for months. Then we leave again this Thursday for a weekend of Wrestling craziness. Jeremiah is going crazy and keeps saying Is it Time Yet?? LOL I can definitely tell you one thing I am a happy girl. Happy with my life. Happy with my stitching options that's for sure haha. Now to just breath and enjoy each and every little stitch. I sure will. No stress. Just fun and happiness.

Spike is making sure I never attend another retreat though. I have only been away from him one night before this. This was 3 long long nights he said...

Just as I got my stitching out (thankfully) Spike crawled in my bag and laid down. No mommy no more filling this bag you leave me too long. So adorable.

 

Have a wonderful week. I will be back next Monday. Love yourself. Smile. Hugs.

Feb 5th Monday Update

Hello my friends. Another Monday update. I guess that's what today is haha. Let's see what I worked on last week.

Monday and Tuesday was doctor appointment days for me. I already discussed my doctor appointment Monday. I called the OBGYN that my doc suggested for my skin tag and they had an opening Tuesday so I reluctantly made the appointment. I was just wishing they could just get it done. The lady was older and very set in her ways. She wasn't happy with a lot of my life choices and made sure to share with me. I just asked her to please take care of this problem. She definitely seen the issue and said Okay I will remove it today. I was excited until I thought about wait they need to numb me to remove this. Yep shots in a very sensitive spot like a dentist appointment injection...I came off the bed and was not happy but luckily it was numb and removed quickly. Then she did sutures and I said Wait literally with needle and thread...Yep. Weird. They dissolve which is very nice but I really wanted some pretty X's at least haha. She said no just a running stitch. It was finally over and taken care of. So no more worrying about that. Plus I don't have to return to see her. All testing was negative so no worries there. Just a weird thing that happened. She did say I could blame Jeremiah so I have a lot haha.

 

All my test results from blood work and all other tests came back negative. So everything was fine except for blood pressure. My A1C (shows for diabetes) was even great. Which makes me very happy. So all clear for a go at being a healthy me. Just needed to heal from the removal of that annoying spot (finally feel mostly all better today it was sure sore). 

Tuesday I did get a few stitches into Rules for Life from Kincavel Krosses. Just 89 though.

Wednesday I kept Rules for Life out to give it the respect it deserved plus the February challenges hadn't started yet haha. I added 639...

Moving along on it and it will definitely be finished this year. I didn't add it to my February goals though. Completely forgot to fit it in.

Thursday it was finally the 1st and my brain was in overdrive on what to work on first. So Fred said 5th from bottom which was the Mermaid Biscornu from Tiny Modernist...

I'm stitching it on 18ct Vintage Country Mocha Aida. I bought 3 of these biscornu's while attending a retreat in 2019. Finally adding them into my WIP tote. I got the first of the 4 mermaids finished up which was 769 stitches...

The skin shows up better in person. Guess I didn't think about her skin when I picked out the fabric. I love the in person look though. Since I started upper left first one was upside down. Poor girl haha. 

Friday I realized I almost forgot to do my weekly progress on Winter Line Up by The Trilogy. This is a side effect of having no idea what day it is haha. I did up the progress I would like per week this month to least 200. I would love to finish this one by March 1st but we'll see. Helps I added 376 Friday for Day 8...

For the weekend I picked up Halloween Potions by Les Petites. I wanted 500 for one acrostic, 200 for another acrostic, and 400 for the Halloween group haha. So I added 711 to be safe haha...

I focused on adding the fun skeleton this time. The backstitching was a pain but I love the way he turned out. 4 Days into this one now. Slow but fun.

I joined the Stitchonomy Winter SAL which starts Feb 23rd. I splurged and bought complete kit which arrived safely from Germany last week. I'm looking forward to stitching that with several friends who have joined in as well. 

Yesterday was officially 2 months since Bev was home the last time. She is hopefully in the rehab for her last week though. She is doing fantastic. This week she has several doctor appointments one with a local oncology to find out her next steps but hopefully this stuff will be easier than the first round in the hospital. She should be able to be home with my dad while on it. They are both very very happy about that. My dad has left the house every day for 2 months and he is exhausted. Ready to have her home. He said they aren't doing anything other than sit and nap haha. Good for them. They sure deserve it.

Yesterday was had a frustrating thing happen. Fred, me, and Spike went to a local park for a walk. It was a slightly warmer day and sunny. We were really enjoying ourselves until I seen two off leash dogs. I was worried because I didn't see the owner anywhere. Of course here they came. I'm not judgy about breeds but honestly we know some dogs are more aggressive than others. When they got closer I realized they were pit bulls. The female was smaller and wanted to play but she wanted to play a lot harder then Spike did so he verbalized to get her to stay back. The larger male who was already watching Spike closer took that as excuse to bark and show teeth. Which irritated the female and Spike. It was a blur of teeth and barking and it was very very scary. Fred grabbed Spike to get him as high as he could. Our probably 40 pound plus dog. The two other dogs were jumping and barking and snapping. She kept jumping up a licking my nose which I was glad was at least a lick but still. It was scary because I was so worried any moment biting would start. Fred pretty much ran like a football player holding Spike to get to our van. We jumped in quickly at that point breathing very heavy....All of us. I was looking for a number to call to report the incident and the owner pulled in looking for her dogs. I seen online a lady had posted looking for the two on our local FB board. 

I took a deep breath (being arrested is expensive) also bottom line I care about animals and no one was hurt and stepped out of the van to show her where the dogs had ran off to. She sheepishly asked me if my dog or anyone was hurt. So in that she proved she knew they shouldn't be running loose. I said Thankfully no one was hurt. She apologized so many times. Her young son had let them outside while she was in the bathroom. She was able to get them into her vehicle and we headed home. Careful examination of Spike found a lot of slobber on his side so contact was made but luckily no bite marks on him or us. Frustrating end to a nice time that definitely could have been a totally different story. 

Today...It's a new week. Hopefully lots of stitching ahead. Love yourself. Have a wonderful week. Find lots of reasons to smile.