Sept 15th Monday Update

 Hey blogworld. Here is what I've been working on since my last update...

 ABCingo is going strong so working on those every day.

Monday was A so Yggdrasil came out because Anne Stokes is the artist. Only 100 added but progress is progress...

Tuesday K was called so I gave Jeremiah my picks to pick from. First up was Mushroom Gnome a Jim Shore Mill Hill... 

Wohoo it's a finish!!! After finishing him up I still had time so worked on Hanging with Santa a Janlynn kit...

Wednesday was Q so Canine Quotes by The Scarlett House came out. I added 218 for Wednesday... 

C was picked for Thursday so since I was so closed Jeremiah said Finish that one...

113 more and it was done. Rest of the day I worked on Christmas Truck by Vervaco and added 330 to it... 

Friday was an easy pick for Jeremiah because it was M so The Mandalorian came out from Forbidden Fiber Co...

314 added on Friday. Then U was picked for Saturday so kept it out and added 230 more...

 Sunday N was called so Summer Time by New York Dreamer was picked...

 400 was added. It won't be done by Fall but that's fine. Least I'm making progress on it.

Jan 13th Monday Update

 Brr it's cold outside. Stitching inside and huddling under warm blankets is the way to go. Let's see what I worked on last week.

Monday and Tuesday I worked on Along the Nesting Boxes. I wanted to finish up the part I sectioned for January. Looks like each part will be basically two fence boards and whatever extra fits in that space to break this pattern down into monthly sections for the year. After 1,436 stitches I finally finished the first part...

It's a fun stitch. This section took 5 days so that's doable for the monthly parts. I look forward to each new section now. This worked for the Monthly Magazine Brringo prompts too. Monday needed a bird and Tuesday was something that Intimidates you. I admit I'm worried I won't keep up but I'm sure going to enjoy trying. 

Wednesday the 2nd part of the Peppermint Purple SAL was released so I stitched up Part 1 and 2...

I'm glad I joined this. I really enjoy blackwork. So relaxing. I decided to do just the blackwork. She has two options one with little touches of cross stitch thrown in. I personally like just the blackwork. I think I will try to do these two weeks at a time. We'll see haha. I know I'm already excited to see what Wednesday's release looks like haha.

After getting that done I had time to work on the Brringo prompt Something that makes you want to bundle up. Faith and I both grabbed same WIP haha. Winter SAL 2024 from Stitchonomy...

The outline of COLD and the little start for Fuzzy sweaters was done.

Thursday the prompt was Something with a border. So Irish Blessing came out to play...

I reached the bottom of the border so the end is very near for this one. Love it! I'm nervous about trying to make my first bell pull but I really love the idea of learning how to do it.

Friday the prompt was More Than 10 Colors. So Mason Jar Lineup came out. I keep it out Saturday as well...

The first two jars are finished and I moved on to the next flower.

Saturday's prompt was Something I was Inspired to Stitch. Sunday's was Something with words. So these worked perfect for The Mandalorian. Janet from Janet Jabber floss tube had done The Mandalorian and Jeremiah said Oh that's cute...which translates to Will you stitch that haha. Plus the words on it. I had a wonderful 600 stitch day since it was a cold lazy Sunday...

The words are finished now and I am working on the outline of Mando. Another close finish. Maybe February will be a finishing frenzy haha.

Life: Last week our second little electric heater started making a lot of extra noise. Fred tried to take it all apart but the fan part was starting to lock into place. So he stopped Friday to get a replacement. We looked into it and we replaced it 2 years ago so really that's not bad for a little $100 electric heater than runs all winter haha. Works great for our tiny home. The first one we got at the beginning of building our cabin is still running like a champ but we keep it lower and let the 2nd one do the most work since it's not a digital display so hard to know what temp we have it set to. Good thing we got the replacement listening to the weather. This week we won't go above freezing temps till Friday. Next week we have 3 days with single digits and possible below zero lows.

Thursday or some day (they all run into each other) I came down with the plague. Horrible coughing. Whole body pain. Jeremiah caught it Friday evening and spent two days in one spot being miserable. We are both slowly getting better. I think Fred said this morning when he was getting ready for work he has it now. Fun. 

So I will hide from the world with my stitching haha. Love yourself. Find all the reasons to smile. STITCH ALL THE THINGS haha.

Sept 30th Monday Update - Sept and Oct Goals

 Last week of September so wrapping up Sept challenges. Let's see what I worked on...

Monday ABCingo in Monthly Magazine Challenge FB group was still going for 3 more calls. Letter R was picked for Monday. I had just started Autumn Line Up by The Trilogy and Sunday and it was still really calling me. So I stretched the R.....I am Really Ready for Fall to be here.....works haha.

Added 405 and was really happy with my progress for the day and it could go away for a bit.

Tuesday Letter T was picked so I pulled out The Mandalorian by Forbidden Fiber Co again. Got a wonderful 689 because the letters go fast since it's just one thread color...

Wednesday the last letter called was L which worked great because the last acrostic goal I had was Luck of the Irish. So two goals one project...

My goal was 200 so after adding 203 I put it away. Just added some background for the banner this time around. There was a popup bonus for a birthday. We were supposed to talk about a favorite WIP and explain why we liked it. You got points for stitching 250 stitches on it by the deadline Friday. If she picked yours as one of the top 3 WIPs you got extra points. I was really happy to see she picked mine as one of her favorites so I got max points for my team. I'm not surprised though because I used Yggdrasil from Paine Free Crafts and she has very similar tastes to me when it comes to these types of designs.

Finally finally getting close to finished with that upper left corner block...

I added 284 this time for Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday I decided to pick up my monthly planned new start Mini Block Freedom by Hinzeit. I only had the first 3 outlines done and I had the goal of finishing before the end of the month. Last night I put the last stitches in...

I put in 421 Friday and 326 Sunday. I didn't attach the charms yet because I want to get some invisible thread for that. I attached the last ones with white and don't like the way it looks. I would love to finish these two up sometime. I'm hoping to drag my sewing machine stuff all here for a few days and finish a bunch of stuff. Maybe in November. 

I also have some haul to report. There is a FB lady who buys lots of charts from stitching stores and resells them at a discount. She has a FB group called The Vintage Stitcher Shop Destash. She also has a flosstube. Anyway she had some charts available I couldn't pass up...

3 new to me Erica Michael patriotic charts and the Bee Different I fell in love with. When I looked at it after receiving I was surprised to see it's stitched on a Fabric Flair that has the beehive design on it. So that will be fun to stitch up. I just love the Bee Different idea. We sure believe in that motto.

Saturday we had a busy day so no stitching. Visited with family here and planted a new tree in Grandpa's honor that family friends gifted us. Then we went to a larger nearby town to do some errands. First we wanted to eat out a nice meal to celebrate 1 year since turning in the keys to our old house. Crazy to think it's been a year already. We ate at Olive Garden one of mom's favorite restaurants. Then we went shopping. We are attending a fancy wedding in October....I'm actually doing the officiating. So this Walmart girl needed a nice outfit. We found Jeremiah a nice undershirt and button up shirt at Burlington. Then we ran into the mall to check out Torrid. I love Torrid always have but WOW the prices always stopped me. There was a girl working and I said Please help me. She was so sweet and had a blast picking things out for me. She even one time screamed okay I love you because I was willing to try anything to look nice. They had a spot for the boys to sit. I put an outfit on and walked out laughing. Nope. I put another outfit on and honestly felt pretty. Everyone complimented me even others shopping. I tried on some other stuff with quick nopes even tried on a dress haha. Nope! So I went back to the outfit we all like and Fred said you could just tell it made me happy. I held myself high. Then she picked out a pair of shoes with a HUGE heel. HAHA nope!! But she got a lower heal and I tried it. They made me stand tall. So I grumbled at the prices and bought the outfit. It was worth it to feel extra pretty for that day. When I done checking out I asked the lady for a hug and we both started crying. I don't do pretty and boy she knew just what to do to help me out. I would definitely shop with them again. Well when I can afford it haha.

September goals were all met...

October starts tomorrow. My favorite month. My decorations are already out I just couldn't wait any longer. Spooky shows and movies galore. I joined a million challenges again haha...

I decided to do 100 a day for a fun challenge on this one...

Halloween Sampler by Les Petites Croix De Lucie. I'm doing it on 40ct White. 1 thread over 2 I think. I'll find out tomorrow haha.

Then I have a 2nd acrostic again. This new to me group Fun with Cross Stitch has a Scattergories challenge too I'm checking out. The acrostics this year are all US Capitals looks like and they also have a Aussie Capital Cities acrostic. I didn't think I needed another one though haha. I do love the acrostic type of challenges. I've stepped away from a few though. I don't want too much. Just enough to drive me crazy is enough haha. My monthly planned start for October is another Erica Michaels...

Heart & Compass is the name of this one. I have really enjoyed getting some of these charts that have long set in my stash started and I really think I will make sure to start at least one a month next year as well. What I need.....more WIPs hahaha. 

Anyway I'm off to get stuff done. Thanks for reading my rambling.

Aug 19th Monday Update - 2 Finishes

Well Hello to the few readers left in blogworld haha. That's okay I'll still be here. Let's see what I worked on last week.

Monday Dashgo call Sunday was WIP with Hands so got more stitching on The Mandalorian by Forbidden Fiber Arts. Grogu has hands so I worked on it again. Finished up Grogu and moved to the words after 320 stitches...

I admit I don't like the way they did the colors in his head but it's okay. I wouldn't try to change it myself. 

Tuesday new Dashgo call WIP with a horse. None for me. So I pulled out Summer Line Up by The Trilogy since I wanted it done by Sept 1st. Added 676...

Wednesday I added 375 more...

Thursday Dashgo call was WIP with Strawberries. Wohoo I have one. Gathering Berries by Luminous Fiber Arts. Added 443 Thursday and 420 Friday and finished it off...

Finish 23 August 16th

Gathering Berries 

By Luminous Fiber Arts

Fabric 32ct Vintage Country Mocha Lugana

Thread Classic Colorworks Belle Soie Cranberry

Started May 8th. Took 5 Days. 

2,550 Total Stitches 

Friday after finishing I added 95 more stitches to Summer Line Up before bed. Saturday was a busy day so no stitching. Sunday afternoon I added 508 and finished Summer Line Up...

Finish 24 August 18th

Summer Line Up

by The Trilogy

Fabric 32ct Lambswool Jobelan

Threads Suggested DMC

Started June 20th. Took 10 Days.

3,652 Total Stitches.

Saturday we had a busy day. Spike had a vet appointment in the morning. He did fantastic. All clear and all medicated for another year. We got home just in time to help with doing up corn for the freezer. We did up 60 bags and the family all split it. 

It was a great time. We had a lot of family and friends.

Bev got out of rehab on Tuesday. She got the all clear. She is walking with a walker some but slowly getting her strength back. They are kidnapping Jeremiah to go gambling again tomorrow. So she is really happy to be able to do that again. Now we just wait and see what's next. I just hope she stays well for awhile now. My dad and her deserve the break.

Plans. More Dashgo this week. Today they new call was Something so heavy you can't life over your head. So I'm going to work on Yggdrasil. Laundry tonight but I should be able to stitch a lot after Jeremiah leaves tomorrow on his fun night away. New calls Wed, Fri and Sun. I have some stitching friends coming over to camp this weekend so that should be a lot of fun. We might just take a trip to a stitching store which is exactly what I don't need hahaha. Plus probably more corn on Saturday. Have a wonderful week. Love yourself. Find reasons to smile!

Aug 12th Monday Update

 Another fun challenge week with lots of different projects seeing progress. Let's look back...

Monday Olympics Prompt Favorite Designer. Fandom also had a monthly prompt for Iconic. Dashgo new draw was 2 people and I have no WIPs that count for that. So I absolutely love Erica Michaels and her Silk Gauze pieces so perfect time to start my August monthly pick...

I added 540 tiny little stitches. I'm using the suggested Weeks Dye Works threads.

Tuesday Olympics prompt was Something with an animal. I pulled out Gathering Berries by Luminous Fiber Arts. 

I added a wonderful 851 stitches on the 32ct Vintage Country Mocha with the beautiful silk thread Selle Soie Cranberry.

Wednesday Olympic prompt was Recommend by another stitcher. The Dashgo was Koren designer but no WIP in my tote to use. So I picked up The Mandalorian by Forbidden Fiber Co because Janet showed me this design and Jeremiah fell in love with it...

401 added to the 40ct White Evenweave. Using one strand of the suggested Forbidden Fibers. 

Thursday Olympic prompt was for the weightlifting something you couldn't "weight" to work on. So Yggdrasil came back out because I just want to make progress on this one so bad...

I can't wait to make it past that corner block section haha. Getting closer every X. Day 9 still there haha. 

Friday Dashgo call 8 was a new start. Olympics was stitch to your gooooaaal on a project. So I picked a project I've been wanting to do forever...

Enchanted Pumpkin a Mill Hill kit. I added 711 black stitches. It's on perforated paper. 

Saturday Olympics prompt was part of a series and we had a busy day. So I just worked on that pick which was Autumn Time by New York Dreamer...

Added 301 to the 32ct Vintage Country Mocha and finished the left page. So now on the right side. 

Sunday Dashgo was Something with Hands and the Olympic prompt was something you want to finish in 2024 for the final. I worked on The Mandalorian again which worked because Grogu's little hands...

547 stitches added. Finished Grogu and worked on the This is the The way at the bottom. I really don't like the way they did the colors in Grogu but it's fine. You can tell it's probably computer done and I think a solid color or better shading would have suited it better but oh well. 

I definitely got a lot done on a lot of stuff again. I definitely enjoy the challenges. I finished the Olympics challenge. I did have to make up the day I was out of town but I will accept that because life has to be lived.

The numbers are the stitches I added on the project every day.

Dashgo is going okay. I had 3 in a row I didn't have a WIP for but I'm really proud I didn't start something only for Dashgo...

I still have some options for Bingo but we'll see. No pressure just fun.

Life update. Bev got to move to rehab on Tuesday. She is doing great and hopefully we will be going home soon. She is walking fine with a walker and can get herself to the bathroom when needed. She has a doc appointment tomorrow. So we'll see what his suggests for future plans. I think right now it's just blood work and building up her immune system better.

Saturday we ended up having a small ceremony for my Grandpa. We gathered at the gravestone to put his ashes to rest. The funeral home guy knew about my Grandpa's Navy years so he told the people in charge and he got the full military salute. So beautiful. Tears were definitely shed during taps. Such a beautiful song. Then we went to my Grandparents home and told stories. My Grandma is doing great really. She didn't want him to suffer any more and his last few years he was in a lot of pain and ready to be at peace. So she seems strong and learning to be herself without taking care of him all the time. Big change.

I'm off to stitch. Have a great week. Love yourself. Smile as often as possible. We deserve it!