July 10th Monday Update

Hey Readers. Another Monday. Let's have a look back and see what I stitched last week.

Monday I put the sad last stitches into the Blackwork SAL...

(9) July 3rd

The Blackwork SAL

From Tangled Threads and Things

Stitched on 28ct DaVinci Lugana

Using DMC 550

Started Jan 4th 2023. Took 26 Days.

New Sections Released Every Monday

 

I had 2 times where I didn't finish the section released on the same Monday. Not bad at all. I loved the Monday release. I was always excited to see and stitch up each week. I loved watching everyone else stitch it the same time. So many different colors and combinations.

Monday I also got started on the July Season 2 Hands on Design Year of Celebrations pieces. Worked on it hard Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I was happily able to finish it up...

(10) July 5th
July - A Year of Celebrations Season 2
from Hands on Design
Stitched on 32ct Dark Cobblestone Lugana
Using Suggested Classic Colorworks Threads
Started July 3rd. Took 3 Days.

I really wanted it done. Our corn is growing but not bigger than the barn haha. It was a fun stitch as always. After that was finished I was looking at my WIPs and Ready for this....

Nothing was asking to be stitched. I asked Jeremiah to pick a number. He did. I seen the pick and was just like Nah I'm not feeling it. I hate feeling that way. Just nothing was calling for attention. I wanted to stitch. But nothing wanted stitched. Even my new Country Life pattern was like Nah I'll wait a bit. So I spent Thursday doing some surveys and reading emails. Joined a fun Facebook group called Full Coverage Fanatics. When I was thinking about my pieces that are full coverage I was giggling that I hadn't bought any in a long time. So I went on Paine Free Crafts website and was glancing around.

Oh my. A dragon reading. I was excited but look at the pages of background to get to the dragon. Again. I just got to Beer Dragon I should work on her. I love the colors in Rainbow Dragon I should work on her. But those blues.....but that adorable little happy reading dragon.....but I just started loving to read again.....but she would look cute framed too......Guess what I have the right size fabric right here.....Oh great. Purchased she was. Ready to go right away too. Thursday night the threads were all gathered but 17. Out of 80 that's not bad. We scheduled a shopping trip to the local Hobby Lobby which I have never been to Saturday. I wondered if I could start it Friday anyway....that top left corner...

Almost 900 stitches flew in. Wow!!!! My needles were in love. I had all the threads needed so far. Meant to be. Saturday we went to the local Hobby Lobby and I found the last threads I needed. Plus cute fabric for the Country Life project when it's ready to be stitches. Just a rustic Aida for that one. We did a few other things then came back to the campground to visit with family and friends. It was a lovely day no stitching time though. 

Sunday everyone left and I heard Hey Come on......

More beautiful blue progress. I did stitch this completely different. Normally I go across 20 stitches. This is all the way across the first page. 50 stitches across. Then working my way down. I enjoy it so far. I think I make more noticeable progress too. Don't know if there isn't as many color changes or if it really makes it go faster but progress is definitely happening. So we'll see.

This is why I never finish anything. I always start something new but....look up....two finishes. So it was deserved. Plus I'm in LOVE!!! I love being in love with a project. 

Have a fantastic week. Supposed to be hot and humid again with possible chances of rain. We did get a beautiful rain Saturday morning early but not nearly enough. Here's hoping this week's chances keep coming this way. Love yourself. Smile.

July 3rd Monday Update

 Monday I added Week 26 to the Blackwork SAL...

Just the one section left. I will miss getting the new section every Monday. 

After that I worked more on Rainbow Dragon and Tuesday she was back out. Here she is now...

All I can every say after working on Rainbow Dragon.....Those Colors!! So beautiful.

Wednesday I decided to bring out one of my Patriotic pieces...

This is where I was on it...

Last worked on Sept 12th and then for the NYE event just for a teeny bit. I got time Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...

It's so funny working on 25ct...it looks HUGE haha. It will make a beautiful pillow though to display eventually. 

One of my friends has a Flosstube Channel.  I'll be honest she is the only one I watch. I love her personality and we know one other in the real world. Anyway she does these wonderful giveaways and I was lucky enough to win....

When she posted the optional projects in it I spotted this one that I just think I have to do...

Doesn't it fit our new country life? Love it. 

No stitching Saturday and Sunday. We had a fun relaxing movie watching weekend in the barn. It was a quiet weekend really. Since a lot of people had to work today it really felt like a normal weekend.

Plans for the week.....I need to get off this computer and finish up the Blackwork SAL. Then the July Hands on Design Season 2 needs done. Who knows after that haha. Have a wonderful week. Smile. Love Yourself!!!

June 26th Monday Update

Hello Readers. Hope you all had a lovely weekend. We did. It was HOT but we didn't do much so that was okay. Fred had a fun HAM radio thing right from our porch. I sat with him a bit Saturday and read my book a little bit. So far I'm really into this book. Yes Stephen King goes off on tangents but I'm hooked. Then a family friend visited for a bit. Then we relaxed in the AC. Sunday I got time to stitch wohoo. So let's see what all I worked on last week...

Monday and Tuesday I caught up on the Blackwork SAL since I missed a week...

2 parts left now. 

Tuesday I was on a mission to also finish the Spring Seasonal Gnome from Soda Stitch. Since the first day of Summer was Wednesday. No luck. But several friends said they would just delay the start of Summer for me haha. Thursday I finally got Spring finished!!!

(8) June 22nd

Hello Four Seasons (Spring Gnome)

(Stitched Individually)

From Soda Stitch

Stitched on 32ct Light Blue Lugana

Using Suggested DMC Threads

Started Mar 20th 2023. Took 13 Days.

 

Winter took me 13 days too. How neat. Friday I finally started the Summer Gnome (2 days late Shhh)...

Love the ocean blues and ocean theme to this one of course but I'm bored of Gnomes for now. So Sunday I picked up Rainbow Dragon. She hasn't been out since Feb 19th...

New week. We have some plans. Groceries. Laundry.  But stitching should be okay during the day. 4th of July weekend will be weird. Fred has to work Monday but then off Tuesday. So really will feel like a normal weekend around here I bet. Supposed to hot but maybe chances of rain. We are still under a major drought here. We had storms predicted yesterday so we put everything away and was being extra safe. We got 10 drops of rain and wind. Down by Indianapolis there was a bad tornado thought so I guess we lucked out. Rain sure would have been nice. There are spots coming now though so any drops will help. Crazy weather. So many are having floods. We would appreciate even a drop.

Have a wonderful week. Love yourself. Smile. I think Rainbow Dragon will be out for a few days at least.

June 19th Monday Update

Yes Yes I missed a week update. Fred had last week off work and I decided to enjoy time with him and not post on Monday. So here ya go a 2 week update.

June 5th Week....

Monday I added Week 23 to the Blackwork SAL...

Tuesday I finished up June...

(7) June 6th
June - A Year of Celebrations Season 2
from Hands on Design
Stitched on 32ct Dark Cobblestone Lugana
Using Suggested Classic Colorworks Threads
Started June 1st. Took 4 Days.

 

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday was more time on Simple Treasures...

Thursday I got happy mail...

I ordered 2 new Q-Snap Huggies (Grunge Guards) from CrabShackStitchery on Instagram. The shamrock one and the patriotic one. She threw in the compass rose one too. Love it! Fits perfect on my 8 inch Q-Snap. I love having new bling for my Q-Snaps.

Saturday we had a blast running around shopping. I got several new books. Found an adorable small second hand bookstore in a nearby town that I will definitely be going back to. I finally found Stephen King's Fairy Tale book in paperback. Been waiting forever for it to be released to paperback. Saturday night we went to watch Jeremiah's favorite band nearby. It was a long fun day.

Sunday I got the Spring Gnome back out of hiding. I was hoping to finish him up before Summer starts Wednesday.

Monday Fred has his first medical thing since 18 months old. He turned the lovely age of 45 and his doc suggested a colonoscopy. The prep wasn't too bad he said. Of course not fun. The procedure was Monday morning. So we relaxed after that. I worked on Spring Gnome instead of working on the Blackwork SAL part. Tuesday I worked on it too since we had another nice relaxing day. Here he is now...

He won't be done by Wednesday but boy he is close. I'm okay with that. I guess haha. The rest of the week we were busy busy busy. Saturday we had the band here at the campground so a lot of prep and getting things ready. We had a friend come from West Virginia and stay for a few nights. That was very nice. Lots of family and family I hadn't seen in a long time showed up. It was a lovely lovely night. I am exhausted haha. So worth it of course.

Plans....I need to add the 2 parts to the Blackwork SAL! I would love to finish that Spring Gnome. I also want to start the Summer Gnome. Of course now that pesky book is calling my name haha. I did finish a book on the 14th. First one in 6 years haha. I don't think it will be that long now though. I am definitely back in love with reading. Great another thing to find time for haha. 

Love yourself. Smile. Find time for things you love.

June 5th Monday Update

 Tuesday I got to work on the next installment of the Blackwork SAL...

Wednesday I got just a few stitches added to Simple Treasures.

Thursday was June 1st so I got started on June from Year of Celebrations. It was HOT so I got a great day of stitching Friday then Saturday we ended up doing just a few things and then called it a lazy day. So wohoo more stitching time...

Hopefully it won't take too much longer to finish up. Then I can get back to Simple Treasures.

Sunday we went and gathered groceries. No stitching time. 

Have a wonderful week. Another installment of the Blackwork SAL was just printed off. Smile. Love yourself.

May 30th Day Late Monday Update

Memorial Day weekend was a blast. We had several friends and family members over to camp and just had a blast. 2 days I didn't even carry my phone. What a nice break. We are all exhausted but it was fantastic. So I'm a day late. Trying to get back to normal after the fun holiday weekend.

Let's see what little stitching I did get done last week.

Monday I got Week 21 of the Blackwork SAL added...

Printing this week right now for when I get this posted. 

Tuesday and Wednesday I kept working on Simple Treasures...

Soooo loving it still. I think I will keep working on it till June 1st and then get June Year of Celebrations stitched up.

The rest of the week was a blur of getting things ready and having a blast. So thankful for this campground and all the memories we have made. When everyone was packing up and heading home Jeremiah was all smiles. Someone said I don't want to go home. Jeremiah said quickly I fixed that and made this home haha. Goofy kid. He just LOVES it here. I admit I do too. 

This week is supposed to be HOT HOT in the 90's almost everyday. So after I get my working out done I should be stitching time. Hopefully.

Have a great week. Love yourself. Find a reason to smile. Feels good!

May 22nd Monday Update

Hello Friends. I am behind on blog reading again haha. No surprise there. I hope to catch up soon.

Let's see what fun I had stitching last week...

Monday is the new release of the Blackwork SAL. Only 7 more *pout pout*...

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked on a finally finished the May Year of Celebrations Season 2 piece...

 (6) May 17th

May - A Year of Celebrations Season 2
from Hands on Design
Stitched on 32ct Dark Cobblestone Lugana
Using Suggested Classic Colorworks Threads
Started May 10th. Took 6 Days 

 

 I really really wanted to finish it so I could start one of my new kits from vacation...

Simple Treasures a Dimensions Kit

Like I said in one of my vacation posts. I found this at a tiny yarn shop in OBX North Carolina. I had wanted this one for years. Then with losing mom honestly I took it off my wishlist on 123stitch. I haven't worked on a beach themed one since losing her. But....seeing this in the store. After the sweet lady said I was the first customer of the day at 1:30 in the afternoon. I paid double the price from 123stitch. I had to have it. We do take time to enjoy life's simple treasures. We loved our trip. So I will stitch this in honor of all those wonderful times at the wonderful ocean. Thursday I got started. This weekend was IHSW so I made every excuse I could to stitch haha. Even after a busy busy day Saturday getting the campground ready for the season.

I had this piece of 36ct Fabric Flair Bahama Blue fabric in my stash. I love it. The 3rd photo shows a bit better how dark it is. I love it! It's a typical Dimensions kit. 1 strand here. 2 strands here. Half stitch. Cross Stitch. But when I look at it I love the way it looks. 

I'm off. Lots to do for this weekend's holiday time. We have several friends coming to enjoy our beautiful campground. Have a wonderful week. Love yourself. Smile. Enjoy the simple treasures.

May 15th Monday Update

A normal week update for me. Let's see what I've been up to this week...

Tuesday I did up Week 18 and 19 of the Blackwork SAL...

I was glad to catch up. As always I loved both sections. Wednesday I got started on the Year of Celebrations May piece. I really really want to start the Simple Treasures kit but I know May should be done first so I don't get behind. So I try to stitch fast....of course it's crawling haha. Worked on it Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday...

Saturday was my 44th birthday. Sunday was Mother's Day. It was hard without mom but we rocked it. It was finally a warm weekend and we got a lot of stuff done. Unwintered stuff haha. Time to switch from the winter shower back to the normal one. Dad is already talking about what we will do different next year so I'm pretty sure everyone has accepted we are going nowhere haha. It was great to be so busy.

Sunday afternoon Fred kept asked me What I was thinking? Honestly nothing. I was enjoyed peace. I was happy about the new coming week. Happy about plans. Just happy. It's so different. Yes I miss my mom. Yes I wish I hadn't lost her. But she was unhappy and so unhealthy. Life is just different now. I feel guilty but I know she would want me to be happy. To be okay. So be okay I will. She is at peace.

Have a wonderful week. Love yourself. Smile.

Apr 24th Monday Update

Finally got over that fun cold. Sniffles and coughs galore. Jeremiah is all better too. Wohoo.

Monday I stitched up Week 16 on the Blackwork SAL...

Tuesday I finished up the April Hands on Design Year of Celebrations Season 2...

 (5) April 18th

April - A Year of Celebrations Season 2
from Hands on Design
Stitched on 32ct Dark Cobblestone Lugana
Using Suggested Classic Colorworks Threads
Started Apr 1st. Took 6 Days.

 

I just love the little bunnies. So cute. May will be delayed till we get back from vacation.

 

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Beer Dragon won and came back out to play...

Saturday we went out shopping. I needed some new vacation shorts and capri pants. Luckily I found some at Burlington for cheap and I was a very happy girl. We also went to Menards are got a new cabinet for outside to store our cooking stuff in. Then we met up with dear friends who are moving out of state. We will miss them just stopping by but they will still be up to visit. It was a long fun day.

Sunday we knew we wanted to take our outdoor tarps down. Even though this week the temperatures are crazy low haha. We wanted them down a put away before vacation. So we did that. Then my Grandpa called and asked us to come over. Fred is good with tech stuff and Grandpa needed him haha. So our relaxing ended up being going over there. Then we ran to town to take recycling and grabbed dinner. So needless to say no stitching Saturday or Sunday. It was a lovely weekend though.

 

Guess what?!?! Only 4 sleepies left until we leave!!! I can't wait!!! Is it time yet?!?! I will finally get to blog about traveling again. I miss it. Lots to do to get ready but that will help pass the time at least.

Have a wonderful week. Smile. Love yourself.

Apr 17th Monday Update

This is going to be a boring update...

Monday I put in the next part of the Blackwork SAL...

Love the celtic knot. Then Tuesday I woke up sick. It's very normal for me this time of year. No wonder why our temperatures go up and down. All the trees have bloomed. We hit 82 this weekend and turned on our AC. Today it's 30 degrees, snow, and 60 mph wind. Of course right after dragging out shorts for the weekend. I couldn't concentrate all week on stitching. So that's all you get haha.

This weekend we had our Easter festivities here with family. It was beautiful weather and we had delicious food. Spike took his first swim and was so happy to be back in the pond...

There is 11 days till we leave for vacation. I'm pretty sure I will go crazy by the time it gets here haha.

On a serious not today marks 6 months since my mom passed. How could it be 6 months? Seems like yesterday and yet so much has changed. I miss her laugh. I miss her hugs. I miss her. I know she is no longer in pain. I know she is with her parents again. I know we will be okay but Wow. 

Love yourself. Smile. Stay healthy. Now I'm off to stitch up the new Monday's part of the Blackwork SAL.

Apr 10th Monday Update

Wow what a weekend. First let's see what stitching I did last week.

Monday I did Week 14 of the 27 tiles for the Blackwork SAL...

After that and every day through Thursday I worked on Season 2 of Year of Celebrations...

Just across the bottom left but we had a busy busy weekend.

We attended our first ever wrestling convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

We got to meet 13 wrestlers. 10 signatures. 2 live event wrestling events. Countless memories. Our faces actually hurt from smiling. Spike did AMAZING on the trip!! It was just an amazing event. Jeremiah was so adorable. He said several times Wow this is just amazing. Then Sunday he sweetly said I'm serious top 5 favorite things I've done in my life. I never thought I would be able to say I met these people. Now I have. Can we please come back next year? So we agreed to make it our yearly Easter weekend tradition. He hasn't stopped talking about it yet haha. 

Wrestlers we met.....MJF(AEW), Health Slater and Ryno (WWE), Ruby Riot (Soho now AEW), Moxely (Dean Ambrose now AEW), Renee Young (now AEW), Jimmy Hart, Sgt Slaughter, Mick Foley (My Favorite....I was shaking....I got a hug!), Kevin Nash (WWE), Eric Rowan (WWE), Dan Hausen (AEW and lots of other stuff), Rikishi. We also seen the others in attendance just didn't work to meet them all. The lines were long for a lot of them. It was so worth it though.

We had a fantastic amazing unbelievable time. Now to try to rest up. It was long nights and lots of walking/standing. 

Plus 3 Friday's from now we leave on our big beach vacation. Can't wait!!! Especially with our little travel loving Spike now.

Apr 3rd Monday Update

 Here we are another Monday. Let's see what I was up to last week.

Monday I stitched up another cute section on the Blackwork SAL...

Several people said it looked like a garden fence. I've seen this week and it's a beauty. Little larger along the right side there. So I'm looking forward to getting to it.

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked on the Spring Gnome while Beer Dragon let me haha...

Thursday we went over to my Grandparents and had a nice visit. We went out to dinner and got groceries so no stitching. Friday I didn't stitch either. In the evening we battened down the hatches. They were predicting severe storms. Then I saw some photos that a tornado hit 15 miles away. Luckily we had nothing other than heavy rain and wind. No problems though. It's definitely Spring time. Have to be weather aware. 

Saturday our weather turned horrible cold. The boys went over to help a friend of the family install internet. I got a start on the April Year of Celebrations...

Sunday was warmer again haha. The boys went over to a family member to help with some damage from a different storm. Jeremiah had a blast both days helping the guys.

Beer Dragon demanded attention since he had been up all week...

Maybe I have him convinced one day is enough a week. We'll see.

 We have fun plans this coming weekend. We are attending our first wrestling convention. WWE, AEW, and several other companies is having wrestlers come. We got to meet them. They are also having vendors setup. Questions and Answer panels. Two big wrestling expo shows. Jeremiah is going to explode haha. He just can't wait. Fred has Friday off work so we can head down to Indianapolis and get there early. Spike gets to go too. 

Mar 27th Monday Update

I missed WIPocalypse again. I was going to add it to today but I want to get off this computer and stitch. So maybe later this week. Anyway here is my Monday update though.

Let's see what I did last week. Monday same as every other Monday I did the new section on the Blackwork SAL...

Using DMC 550 on 28ct Davinci Evenweave. Week 12 of 27 in now.

After that on Monday I started the Spring Gnome. Worked on it Tuesday and Wednesday too...

I wanted to be in love with the Spring Gnome but I couldn't get into it because Beer Dragon wouldn't stop yelling for more attention. Like he hasn't had enough lately? But he came back out Thursday and Sunday...

I just had to finish the column I was working on. Plus I see one of his beautiful wings now!! I would love to say it's over now but the next column is yelling for attention. I mean we'll get to see more of that wing!

Friday Jeremiah went over to visit my Dad and Bev for the night. I had an afternoon to myself. Instead of stitching I relaxed and watched shows. Fred and me had a nice evening alone. Saturday we picked up Jeremiah and went to a flea market that we go to every year. It was my mom's favorite winter flea market.

There was a gentleman setup that my mom LOVED their tee shirts. So much so that she requested to be wearing one for her funeral to me many many times. So I wanted to share with him about that. I made it through it with Jeremiah and Fred's support. Gave the guy goosebumps and he was honored to hear it. 

We had a great time and was happy to continue the tradition in mom's honor. 

Yesterday the weather was beautiful. We sat on the deck and enjoyed the sunshine. Today back to cold and windy haha. You can sure tell it's Spring. Up and Down Up and Down. Sometime soon though it will be time to be outdoors. Until then I need to stitch haha. So I'm off to do just that. 

Have a great week. Love Yourself. Smile.