Late summer finishes

Ten more days left until September... Where did our summer go? I heard the summer of 2015 described as "The Tale of Two Summers" yesterday on a local news program--a perfect description of the season here in western Pennsylvania. Until mid-July, we had nothing but rain, rain, rain--over 10 inches! But since that time we've had nothing but sun and humidity with just a bit over 2 inches of rain. Things are drying out quickly here and it's looking like late fall--the yards are all turning brown as many of the leaves are crinkling up and falling way before their time. The big tulip tree outside of our kitchen window has dropped so many leaves, we actually need to go find our rakes and get busy!

In many ways, I look at this as "our lost summer," due to my husband's broken neck and all the things that we never got to: the paint can that sits, unopened, in a bedroom we intended to renovate, the mulchless garden beds, the many weeds popping up in places I've never seen. But, thankfully, things will return to normal next summer as my husband's neck is healing beautifully. He still has to wear the neck brace when he drives and has the problem with numbness in his fingers, but he can deal with those issues... Thank you, again, for all your prayers and well-wishes--we will feel forever blessed that he had the outcome he did!

With the busyness of our family weddings and all the cookies I made, I have had little time to stitch, but I do have a few late summer finishes to share with you today. Of all the seasons, I have the fewest things stitched for summer, so, in an attempt to help remedy that, I stitched this peaceful harbor scene from Prairie Schooler's "Weather Wise" (Book No. 145). It is stitched on 40 ct. white Newcastle with the suggested DMC threads.

I found a perfect fabric which mimics the flying birds (or, I suppose, the design could be interpreted as waves) in a Moda charm pack that I had purchased called "Lakeside Gatherings." I just love purchasing charm packs to use in my finishing and this gray fabric didn't disappoint. The only bad thing about charm pack cuts is that they usually aren't big enough to cover the back of the pillow or ornament--I use them more for little accent pieces. Luckily, I came across this lighter gray fabric that has what look like bubbles on it and I am so pleased with how it turned out. I was inspired by my sister's wedding invitation, which had a nautical theme, to make a reef knot (commonly known as a square knot) for the front of the pillow and I was really excited to see that it "tied up" this finish quite nicely!

Drawn Thread is another of my favorite cross stitch designers due to, not only her beautiful designs, but also the use of specialty stitches which add so much to a finish. This one is "Free and Brave" and is stitched on 36 ct. summer khaki linen. I used the suggested overdyed threads, but substituted the suggested green with Needle Necessities 142. Isn't it pretty? I truly love everything about this one from the patriotic colors to the sweet birds to the winding vine.

I really struggled with the specialty-stitched red flowers! Yikes--I must have ripped them out three or four times before I got them to look acceptable. But they, along with the Rhodes heart and the satin-stitched leaves help make this design even more special. I plan on framing this one and am thinking a rustic looking black frame would be nice. Here is a closer look of the specialty stitches for you:

The Prairie Schooler Santa Sunday SAL that I had been doing with Melissa in Canada and Hilda in Austria has fallen by the wayside this summer. We just don't seem to have any free time on Sundays to stitch! I did finish up a fourth Santa, though, way back in May which I had forgotten to show you. This one is from Prairie Schooler's "Old World Santas" (Book No. 80) and is stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle.  

And here is a shot of the four I have stitched this year for February, March, April, and May. Melissa, Hilda, and I hope to get back on track and resume our Sunday Santa SAL this fall. I don't know when I'll have time to finish these guys into ornaments, but I'm determined to have them hanging on my Christmas tree in December! Which is your favorite?

I had admired a beautiful finish on Marie's blog and she kindly offered to send me the chart. I just love all the little motifs and I can't wait to stitch it. Just look at how beautifully Marie's finish turned out! Wow!! Thank you so much, my friend--I will certainly pass along the chart to another stitcher when I am done and keep the kindness going...

And all the way from France came a surprise package from my friend, Nathalie (no blog). She stitched me this darling patriotic ornament and included a lovely French cross stitch magazine along with some sweet treats. You spoiled me, Nathalie! Thank you so much for your beautiful package and your friendship...

I've been busy preparing my dinner for our upcoming trip to the beach in Corolla, NC. Each family takes one night to cook and I always make lasagna ahead of time. This time I made 2 1/2 large pans of it along with 3 dozen meatballs, and an assortment of cookies (yes, more cookies!!) to take down. I freeze everything and then by the time we arrive at the beach it is mostly thawed and ready to heat up for an easy dinner... just have to make a salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Everyone prepares such yummy meals--we eat very well on this trip, let me tell you! The hard part is juggling the timing and serving 24 people when I am only used to our small family. Wish me luck...

Changes... I have been in the same job as a librarian at the same library, for my entire career. I'm coming up on almost 28 years there (having taken 10 years off when my sons were young). But these days, it's rare to find a young person staying in the same job for his or her entire career. My youngest son recently made the decision to leave his job at the Department of Justice to go study abroad in Argentina. He leaves in September and will return to the U.S. in December. It was a hard decision as he truly loved (most parts!) of his job, but he, as part of his studies for his Master's Degree in International Affairs, wanted to better his Spanish speaking ability and decided that to be immersed in a Spanish-speaking culture and take classes at the The Universidad Torcuato Di Tella would be his best bet. I am, as a mother, both nervous and excited for him... Argentina is so, so far away. We are thinking of trying to visit him in late fall. Have any of you ever been there? I hope this new chapter of his life is fulfilling in every way...

Well, that's about it for today... I thank you for your kind comments and lovely emails as always and I hope what remains of the summer is enjoyable in every way! Thanks for visiting. Bye for now...