Crazy January Challege Day 7

Back to the stitches......Day 7 I stitched a pattern called Framed Bricks.  I like it, and can see lots of applications for handpainted canvases, but since I don't do those, I will just admire this little stitch.

Crazy January Challenge Day 6

Last March, Handblessings Designs released a series of Gingerbread Houses, three every three months.  I stitched the first nine, but the last three weren't released until just now, so of course I had to stitch this little guy right away!

Crazy January Challenge Day 5

The next stitch is Greek Key #2  This one was a bit more enjoyable that the last one. 

Crazy Jnauary Challenge Day 4

Our ANG guild issued a challenge, to stitch twelve different stitches from a booklet that we received.  I did one right away last spring shown here and the second was the peppermint pine, shown here.

The rest of the stitches are being put into a binder.  This is the first of the remaining 10, it is called Greek Key #1.  Not really that much fun to stitch, but it is done.

Crazy January Challenge Day 3

On Day 3 I started Grand Hotel.  This little kit was purchased by a friend when she was visiting Mackinac Island last summer, and she asked me to stitch it for her.  I switched out the fabric in the kit (Hate working on aida!)

Crazy January Challenge Day 2

On Day 2 I started this cute little bag by Shepherd's Bush.  I didn't quite get it finished on Day 2 but finished it on Day 3.

Crazy January Challenge, Day 1

A number of years ago, there was a group that issued a "Crazy January Challenge" where you started a new piece every day for the first 15 days of January, and then committed to finishing them during the calendar year. I don't know if anyone still does this, but I do!  I mostly plan small pieces and ornaments so that I can be sure and get them done quickly (a huge number of works in progress make me nervous).

On the first day of the challenge, I started and finished this cute little piece by Handblessings Designs, called Peppermint Pine.  It was a gift to us at our ANG holiday party.  It was a quick and enjoyable stitch.  I am not sure how it will be finished yet, I will keep you posted. 

December Progress, January Goals

Well, December was not very productive as far as stitching goes, the issue with the pressure in my eyes is mostly to blame, but then there is the German School Christmas program, getting ready and hosting Christmas day, as well as taking care of mom (and dad), and that left little time for stitching.  January will be better!

As far a s the year goes, I had 81 finishes, and 1135 hours of stitching for the year.  I ended the year with 8 works in progress. 

December 2017

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking  worked on it
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Mini checkered tree  finished
Plaid Spider #4
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 
 


January 2018
WISPS:

10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking 
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Crazy January Starts
11 stitches for ANG
Peppermint Pine
Plaid Spider #4
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Grand Hotel
Forrest Snowfall
Scissors case

Future New starts

Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
               Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

 

 

 

 

 

One more finish for the year!

I finished this in the wee hours this morning.   It is this month's EGA Stitch-a-long, and it was rather fun to stitch.  It will be ornamentified at a later date

WIP Wednesday

It's been awhile since I posted a WIP, but that is because there wasn't much progress.  I have been having some trouble with my eyes and the section I am stitching on has a lot of white on white, so that is the reason for the lack of progress.

I did go to see the eye doctor, and I have elevated pressure in my eyes, and he can't find a reason for it.  He ran lots of other tests and everything else is fine, so I have some drops I need to put in each night before bed and hope it takes care of the problem.

Ornaments

The ornaments have now been given and are hanging on the appropriate trees.  The original intention was to make the larger houses for my children and the smaller for my grandchildren.  I was stitching on them awhile ago, when my granddaughter asked what I was doing.  I responded that these were the ornaments they would receive at Christmas to which she replied:  I don't like it!  Well, the problem was that it wasn't pink, so I found a pattern for one with pink in it!  She was delighted!

Merry Christmas

Christmas through the eyes of children is the absolute best way to celebrate! 

4 Candles

Happy 4th Sunday of Advent

3 Candles

Happy 3rd Sunday of Advent

Some Baking....

I made this "Apple of Your Eye" cheesecake twice in the past few weeks.  One, I took to Thanksgiving at my son's house and the other for the German School staff this past weekend. 

Turned out great both times with no leftovers.

Two Candles

Happy First Sunday of Advent

November Progress, December Goals

November

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking  worked on it
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 
Gingerbread House #2 – 5  finished

Future New starts

Gingerbread House #1 – 3  finished
Gingerbread House #1 – 4  finished
Gingerbread House #1 – 5  finished
Easter House -2  finished
# 7 Halloween House  finished
# 8 Thanksgiving House  finished
# 9 Christmas House  finished
Plaid Spider #4
Plaid Light bulb ornament  finished
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
  

December

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 
 
In Progress
4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking  
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Plaid Spider #4
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

 

 

 

A Christmas Ornament Finish!

Awhile back we stitched some plaid spiders on the EGA Stitch-a-long group.  I stitched mine but haven't ornamentified them yet, so I haven't posted them here.

But...someone on that group made an ornament using the same plaid technique but in Christmas colors and did a mitten cookie cutter ornament.  I found this light bulb cookie cutter and thought it would make a good ornament.  It wasn't hard to 'ornamentify' at all! 

IHSW - the Results

I did get some stitching, although it is never enough for me.....

I worked on the top part of the Santa's Train Stocking, and I started and finished the plaid light bulb ornament. 

Internation Hermit and Stitch Weekend Returns!

It has been quite some time since I participated.  I hadn't seen any reminders and it just slipped my mind, but the 'challenge' has been resurrected and I am happy to participate this weekend.  I do have German School on Saturday, and a concert to attend on Sunday, but the rest of the time, I plan to stitch.....

WIP Wednesday November 15

I haven't been posting on WIP Wednesday for awhile, but here we are:  This is the Santa Train Stocking, getting close to a finish....must be done by Christmas!

Snowman Pillow

Our gift at the retreat was the kit for this snowman pillow.  Eileen Gurak of Handblessings Designs designed it and put it together for all the attendees.  I finished it right before I left for home on Sunday afternoon.

Elegent Holiday Tree

While on the retreat I was also able to start and finish the stitching on this lovely canvas project.  I will be teaching this at one of our guild meetings next year.  I think I will finish it into a flat fold someday.....

Ladybut, Ladybug, fly away home....

This ladybug pin was a recent EGA guild project, and while on our retreat I finally had a bit of time to sit down and stitch it.  I was able to complete it rather quickly and love the pin!

A Quick Get-a-Way with Stitching friends

 The last weekend of October was our annual Stitch Mania retreat, hosted by the lovely Eileen Gurak of Handblessings Designs and her side kick Bobby O'Brien. 








It was mostly gray and rainy outside, so not much walking on the beach. 

 There was a bit of sunshine, but it was still rather cold.

The venue is only about 45 minutes away from home, which in this case was good as I had to come back to Des Plaines on Saturday morning for German School, and then go back up for more stitching.  Even with that interruption, lots of stitching got done.

October Spider Stitching

Yes, I know, they don't look like much, but they will be spiders once they are finished-finished.  I plan on doing 4 total, and three are now stitched.  The fun part about this is the plaid.  It is fun to stitch and you can change colors to suit whatever you are doing. 

October Progress, November Goals

October was a busy month, with some home renovation projects going on, so not much stitching time.  Hope to find more time to stitch in November.  I need to finish the stocking I am working on and the ornaments for my children and grandchildren.  I see some late nights in the coming weeks......

October

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking worked on it
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Plaid Spider #1 finished
Plaid Spider #2 finished
Plaid Spider #3 finished
Plaid Spider #4
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin finished
Canvas Tree  finished
Snowman pillow  finished
Gingerbread House #1 -3  finished
Gingerbread House #2 – 3  finished
Gingerbread House #2 – 4  finished
Gingerbread House #2 – 5  worked on it
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

November

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 
 
In Progress
4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Plaid Spider #4
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Gingerbread House #2 – 5 
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 

 

 

Model Stitching

 I was asked to do some model stitching for Sue Hillis Designs last month.  Now that the design has been released, I can show you what I stitched.  I was at Sue's house while she was designing these and did have some input, but she really doesn't need any help in designing, she is so talented and really knows her market.  I stitched these six witches' hats on some lovely hand dyed fabrics and then sent them off to Sue for finishing.

 

 She finished them on these painted sleds.   Yes, I know the sleds are meant for Christmas ornaments, but she painted them black and orange and made them Halloween ornaments.

This is the finished design and it is available at your favorite shop! 

I am not really a fan of Halloween, but this is one that I would stitch!

September Progress, October Goals

Not as much stitching in September as I would have liked.  Travel, illness, home improvement projects and the start of German School took up way too much time and kept me from stitching.  I did make some good progress on the Santa Train Stocking, which remains my focus piece as I want it finished and gifted by Christmas (this year!).  I did have to stop and do some model stitching, and that was done and sent off to the designer. 

September

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress
4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking worked on it
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Witch hat 1 finished
Witch hat 2 finished
Witch hat 3 finished
Witch hat 4 finished
Witch hat 5 finished
Witch hat 6 finished
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 
October
WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Landon’s Stocking
Pacific Heart 
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

Plaid Spider #1
Plaid Spider #2
Plaid Spider #3
Candy Corn #2
Afternoon in New York
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Perpetual Calendar
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Ladybug pin
Candy Corn Heart
Gingerbread Heart
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
               Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge
 

 

 

 Before leaving Ohio, I stopped at the Craft Gallery in Findley Ohio. 

 What a great shop!  Look at all the fabric!  Such a great selection!

 Lots of charts and accessories.

 It was almost overwhelming!  Unfortunately I had spent all my money at Sue's warehouse, so I couldn't make a purchase, but will be sure and stop in there when I am in the area.

My reason for stopping in was to meet Sue and pick some fabric for a some models I will be stitching for her.  Check back to see what I will be stitching!

A Visit to Dayton, Ohio

Dayton has always been a special place for me, my oldest daughter attended the University of Dayton and I visited there often.  Some dear friends moved to Dayton a few years ago and bought a hobby farm, so I visited with them as promised.  I forgot to take pictures of their farm, but took one picture of the Carillon Brewery, where we had a yummy dinner.  Paul actually volunteers at the Brewery two days a week and was anxious to show it off. 

A Visit to the Fabric Shack

Sue and I also went to the Fabric Shack......

What a great quilt shop!  Remember, I don't quilt, but I managed to make a good sized purchase......

Sew Ezy Quilt Shop

 Right next door to Keepsakes, is this charming little quilt shop.  Sue and I stopped in because she needed some fabric.

All the fabrics were yummy, but I don't quilt......













But I did find this cute fox buttons.  I bought several packages for Miss Marguerite to turn into needle minders....our Needlepoint guild is the Fox chapter of ANG so anything with foxes is very popular

A Visit with Sue

 I had the pleasure of stay with Sue Hillis and her husband while I was in Cincinnati a few weeks ago.  This is the guest room.  I needed a ladder to get into bed!

 
 



Here is Miss Lucy, one of Sue's kitties.  She kept me company while I was stitching in Sue's studi0.

Sue and her husband mentioned that they couldn't get any good German food in the area, so I went shopping

And then made them dinner!

Labor Day Festivities

My reason for being in Cincinnati was to attend the National Donauschwaben gathering that takes place every Labor Day.  This is the first time it has ever rained on our parade! 

 Hard to get the entire group in to the picture, but there were lots of children, youth and adults in attendance.

 My favorite part is watching the children dance!