Hopping into April!

One quarter of the year 2023 is already over?! Can you believe it? I hope April finds you all doing well... It's been quite a year for wild weather so far, hasn't it? Even here in normally calm western Pennsylvania we've experienced some of those crazy high wind storms that have swept across the United States. My heart breaks when I see the television coverage of the remains of communities hit by the tornadoes. All those memories and possessions just obliterated... I can't imagine and, to tell you the truth, would be (very) scared to live in a state where tornadoes are common. How many of you have experienced  a tornado? 

My stitching has been a calming force in my life with the many worries whirling around in the outside world. I know all of you stitchers can relate! As soon as I settle into my comfy blue stitching chair and pick up my latest project, I can feel the anxiety slowly seeping out of me. I can't imagine life without some sort of "escape" whether it be reading, taking a hike in nature, riding a bike, knitting, quilting, painting, photography. It's such a blessing to have those passions to turn to, isn't it?

My first finish is by one of my very favorite designers, Brenda Gervais at "With Thy Needle and Thread." It is called "Welcome Spring" and is stitched on 40 ct. flax Newcastle with overdyed and DMC threads. I actually stitched the eggs with one shade of blue and ended up ripping them out and re-stitching them with Dinky Dyes "Aquamarine" silk. I wanted the color to be a bit more like our robin's eggs (although our robin's eggs do not have brown spots!). 

"Welcome Spring" by With Thy Needle and Thread

I can't even tell you how many times I went back and forth on how to finish this one! I definitely was suffering from a case of "analysis paralysis" here... Originally, I had planned to frame it, but after many debates within my head, I went for a sweet pillow finish. I do love my pillow finishes and they are incredibly easy to display on a shelf or in a basket or bowl. 

A sweet new pillow for my spring displays!

The aqua and white checked fabric is used as the backing and I bordered the pillow with cording made from DMC 598--a simple finish for a detailed design. Here is a close-up of the little blue bell and thread bow that I added to the sheep's neck. I just happened to have the perfect blue bell in my stash and I made the ribbon from the same overdyed thread I used for the sheep's collar. 

Look how darling the little bow and bell are! And that satin stitched ear... ♥

My other finish is my March ornament for the #12in23ornamentstitchalong over on Instagram. It will look familiar to many of you as this is the third and final Prairie Schooler angel and I finished each one the same way. The "Angel of Plenty" is stitched 'over one' on 28 ct. black Monaco with the suggested threads. I did alter the lines in her face to make her look a bit less severe. Don't you love the beautiful lacy pattern in her wings? And, of course, I liked the touch of blue (grapes? blueberries?) falling from her cornucopia.

My final Prairie Schooler angel is finished!

Here are all three together--do you have a favorite? I like the one with the red flower--I just think those colors appeal to me the most. And her halo--oh, my! So lovely! I think the pale yellow trim and ribbon add an unexpected, but charming, touch. It's wonderful to have the trio completed and I look forward to hanging them together on my Christmas tree in December.

Do you have a favorite of the trio?

 

I've moved on to stitching a larger summer-themed piece and I'm loving it! I have very few true summer finishes in my collection--most of my summer pieces are patriotic themed. So this is a nice change and one I hope to finish before summer actually starts in June. 

My mailbox was full of gifts and stitchy goodies over the past few weeks! These came from Gabi and Martina in Germany, Charlene in Arizona, and Pat in Wisconsin. I was truly touched by their generosity and each of them taking the time to send me such thoughtful gifts. ♥Thank you all so very much!♥

Two sweet handmade cards hopped over from Germany. The stitched bunny came from Gabi and the crocheted bunny from Martina. Aren't they adorable? Thank you both so much, Gabi and Martina!

From my friend, Charlene, came a plethora of card blanks--I think I'm supplied for many years! And she included this cute ornament book which has many sweet ideas. Thank you so much, Charlene!

From my Instagram friend, Pat, came two beautifully made project pouches. Don't you love that fabric she used? Their smaller size is perfect for my ornament stitching. She also included two wonderful pieces of black fabric which she knows will be put to good use. Thank you so much, Pat!

Giveaway time... I found this lovely chart in an old magazine called "Celebrations" (from Spring 1993) that I thought would make a perfect giveaway for Easter. It is the "John 3:16 Sampler." Would anyone like to stitch it? If so, please follow the guidelines below. (I will be folding the pages and mailing them in a legal-sized envelope to save money on shipping). I'll announce the winner on my next blog post later this month.

I'm giving away this "John 3:16 Sampler" chart. To enter the giveaway, just follow the guidelines below...

To be included in the drawing for this chart, please...

1) Specifically mention that you would like to win the chart in your comment 

2) Be a follower in my blog's sidebar (to the right)

3) Make sure to leave your email address in your comment

4) Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below. 

Getting to Know You! Well, it's been a while since I asked one of these questions, hasn't it? Today, I'm wondering if your tastes as to what you enjoy stitching have changed through the years? For instance, when I first began stitching in the early 1980s, I wouldn't have given the Prairie Schooler angels above a second glance, but here I am over 40 years later, very attracted to them. When I first began stitching, everything was very "country." Do you remember those years? Everything was slate blue and mauve and geese, teddy bears, and country quilts were common. The abundance of charts and fabrics and threads that we are blessed with today was just not there! So, you stitched with what was available. Luckily, all three of my sons were born in the 1980s so stitching little teddy bears and such for their bedrooms fit right in! Today, I prefer small, cute, but not "cutesy" themes; more classic designs that will stand the test of time. I've never been drawn to samplers, but I still admire those that others stitch. I'm not into fairies and Mirabilia designs, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate and enjoy others' finishes of those things. That is the best thing about our stitching community, isn't it? Even if someone stitches something we would never be interested in, we all know the time and patience and love that goes into stitching (even a tiny square) and we cheer on and applaud each other. So, has what you enjoy stitching changed over time?

Do you have special plans for Easter weekend? Ours will be quiet as we are staying home a while longer so my husband's new shoulder (which is doing very well!) can heal and strengthen. I worry that being around my 2 1/2-year-old grandson might  not be the best thing for his shoulder right now so we're planning on going down for a visit in a month or so. My middle son and his girlfriend will come for Easter dinner, but no traditional ham or lamb for us. I'll probably make this Lentil Shepherd's Pie as he doesn't eat meat and is allergic to soy. (I do leave the mushrooms out as I just detest them!) I've made this dish before and it is very tasty--a nice "comfort food" to enjoy at any time of year.

I'll leave you with this sweet Easter postcard which is now over 100 years old! It belonged to my husband's grandfather and was sent to him in the year 1915. It is part of a collection of vintage postcards that I happened to bring back from my husband's family house in Naples, Florida. Yes, the same house that was flooded in September by Hurricane Ian. Thankfully, I had brought these postcards home on a previous trip--I'm so glad they were spared! Anyway, I wish you a Happy Easter and a wonderful April! Thank you for visiting me today and, as always, thank you for your kind comments and friendship. Bye for now...

Hopping in with an Easter wish--may your Easter weekend be filled with many blessings (and perhaps a chocolate bunny or two)!