Week Thirty: Scene in the Dunes

In honor of our annual vacation in North Carolina's Outer Banks I've stitched this summery looking ornament from the Wishful Thinking website. "Scene in the Dunes," stitched on 28-count Monaco using DMC threads, is a free chart available right here. Doesn't this make you feel like you're right on the beach listening to the waves and feeling the warmth of the sun on your face?

This week my husband's entire side of the family (there were 23 of us in one huge beach house) gathered to spend the week in Corolla, NC. It was our first visit to this part of the Outer Banks--we usually vacation farther south in the Nags Head area. Each area has its pros and cons, but the most important thing was we took 23 family members from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Connecticut ranging in age from 5 to 81 and spent a laughter-filled week in (mostly) sunny North Carolina. We have some great memories to add to out previous 24 years of family get-togethers in the Outer Banks...

Week Twenty-Nine: Snow Mitten

We've had an unusually cool summer so far in western Pennsylvania so this snowman might feel right at home (just kidding--it hasn't been that cold, but today's high temperature was only 67 degrees and that is the coldest mid-July day I ever remember!). I'm not complaining...the older I get the more the heat bothers me. I don't think I'll be one of those older people who retire to Florida. I think the mountains of North Carolina are more my cup of tea--at least in the spring, summer, and fall. I've never been there, but from pictures it looks so peaceful and relaxing.

This little snow mitten, stitched on 18-count hunter green Aida with DMC floss, is from The Cricket Collection's "Woolen Mittens" pattern. I also used black Mill Hill beads for his buttons, mouth, and eyes. In case you're wondering why I tend to stitch so many snowmen, it's because I have a Christmas tree devoted entirely to snowmen that I decorate for the holidays (and sometimes don't take down until February!). It is a small tree--only 4 feet tall and, to be honest, there is not much room left on it for any more snowmen, but I'll find a special place for this chubby, little guy.

Week Twenty-Eight: Summer Basket

Oh, what a busy week we've had here! I only had time to stitch this tiny, but cute, summer basket motif from Sue Hillis's "Seasonal Baskets" pattern. You all know how I dislike stitching with brown floss, but this basket came together fairly painlessly. I love how the backstitching makes the flag, the slice of watermelon, the red and white napkins, and the loaf of bread (crusty and French I presume!) really pop. I used DMC threads and 28-count Summer Khaki Lugana for this design and plan on finishing it into a little pillow. I saw the cutest basket filled with little stitched summery pillows on another blog that would be fun to put together.

My youngest son turned 21 on Thursday--like every mother I find it hard to believe the years have passed so quickly. I always say he was born with a smile on his face--he has that positive attitude and enthusiasm for life that I wish we all had more of... I still remember when he was a newborn and he had his days and nights mixed up. After one particularly exhausting night I sat there on the edge of the bed with him in my arms, desperately tired and weepy, and looked down to see the biggest toothless smile appear on his week-old face. I know, I know babies aren't supposed to be able to truly smile until they are six weeks old or so, but, honestly, he smiled at me that morning and I just knew everything was going to be all right...for him and for me.

Week Twenty-Seven: Land That I Love

HAPPY 4th of JULY! I couldn't resist stitching this Lizzie Kate design, "Land that I Love," to celebrate Independence Day. Don't you love the tiny gray sheep grazing in the field? I stitched this ornament on 32-count flax Belfast linen using Weeks Dye Works threads and a tiny star charm. The charm was originally a brass color, but I decided to paint it a pewter color to blend in better with the gray of the windows.








I also want to share another patriotic finish by Little House Needleworks called "America." I used 16 ct. Natural Heatherfield and DMC floss for this one and I would have to say that it's one of my favorite finishes. I've had this piece stitched for a while, but just got around to framing it this week. Hope you enjoy it and that you all have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend...