tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22933992420928737842024-03-18T16:02:26.884-04:00Stitching DreamsCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-89547458962348738952024-03-15T23:52:00.000-04:002024-03-15T23:52:08.757-04:00Bunnies and Birds in Blue and Pink<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, my stitching friends! I hope March is treating you well?</b> We've had some beautiful spring weather here and our daffodils just burst into bloom this week. Such a treat to see their golden yellow heads bobbing in the breeze--they sure do brighten up the landscape this time of year! With my grandson (and his mom and dad) coming for Easter, I've made sure to decorate my house for their visit and it sure is lovely to see all the little bunnies and birds popping up both in and outside my home. When I went to retrieve them from the dresser drawer where they're stored, I was a bit shocked to see just how many Easter/Spring smalls I've created through the years! I can't seem to stop making them either--in fact I'm working on <b>six </b>new ones that I hope to have finished by the end of March. For today, I'll just share some of my past finishes and how I've displayed them for the season. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I like to group my Easter decorations by color for some reason.</b> You all know my favorite color is blue so it's no surprise that the majority of my Easter/Spring stitching features that color. This year, I used my two-tiered white metal basket (which I purchased at HomeGoods a few years ago) to anchor the display on the sideboard in my kitchen. I just <b>love</b> how it turned out!</span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO85L4GqHNJo57x5-_Cub33iTz9UyPqhj5DFo1s3O7wfkkZ1jBwz0RlGXx3x_D3YzWSV2vuBDW3UQZ6PI58YnMrO4jwFo53ZKCIdtnupQ1dhcaREV2PPB_5sWfJBmm2A7F79MDdatJQERnQS2yyMMct6lYAzANLUn9HzzE9Ajey8iJ0VzQBLwgmbpopjl/s800/IMG_5484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO85L4GqHNJo57x5-_Cub33iTz9UyPqhj5DFo1s3O7wfkkZ1jBwz0RlGXx3x_D3YzWSV2vuBDW3UQZ6PI58YnMrO4jwFo53ZKCIdtnupQ1dhcaREV2PPB_5sWfJBmm2A7F79MDdatJQERnQS2yyMMct6lYAzANLUn9HzzE9Ajey8iJ0VzQBLwgmbpopjl/w400-h400/IMG_5484.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bunnies and birds in blue!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here are some close-ups</b> for you--if you'd like more information on each finish, just click on the name of it to be taken to my original post on that particular item...</span></span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtXdQoPD0IFtKA-RtjVodxIZNntTrspT9NzaU0vXLQXnFRIsh2xbROuFrf7kWpPb0gXSPah-JVCgOJ8U0ILBys0QYLgsp8Hqqmn0UMcMPYiWuBAdHs7zKaSR5iUDTIPFGHWynS4hQXtAATe2fc920crLIkNu-cc5wRDSf9gykRmYEfMGgR6Vvbt7Ljmkr/s800/IMG_5479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtXdQoPD0IFtKA-RtjVodxIZNntTrspT9NzaU0vXLQXnFRIsh2xbROuFrf7kWpPb0gXSPah-JVCgOJ8U0ILBys0QYLgsp8Hqqmn0UMcMPYiWuBAdHs7zKaSR5iUDTIPFGHWynS4hQXtAATe2fc920crLIkNu-cc5wRDSf9gykRmYEfMGgR6Vvbt7Ljmkr/w400-h400/IMG_5479.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the top basket (left to right):<b> <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2016/04/baskets-of-blues-and-browns.html" target="_blank">"Spring Greeting</a><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2016/04/baskets-of-blues-and-browns.html" target="_blank">s</a><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2016/04/baskets-of-blues-and-browns.html" target="_blank"> Bouquet" </a></b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2016/04/baskets-of-blues-and-browns.html" target="_blank">by With Thy Needle and Thread</a>,<b> "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2019/03/finishes-florida-and-flu.html" target="_blank">Hello Spring" </a></b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2019/03/finishes-florida-and-flu.html" target="_blank">by Plum Street Samplers</a>, a freebie called <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-blooms.html" target="_blank">"Nest Under the Flowers" by Le Chalet des Perelles</a></b>, and in the front is the Spring portion of <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2014/06/farewell-to-spring.html" target="_blank">"Four Seasons Band Sampler"</a></b> from the March/April 2011 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine. That adorable gingham dressed bunny on the right was a gift from my sweet daughter-in-law.</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJsnGywBOKgftzqBxoR9nTYrpveY34xm-cQZob_MknLhU9GleK74k0MAzpwHsizvMc8aQ4E06wYrDAweSlPN7yKQFwXAUqegDzPZ5fJMxrSVd74Aep8O4bLuU8PTstwl_0WJZcRwzjycxoZNT3VkEBQmSOTum0MqXggjKh8g5A1mD5bmVemrTrnjxKRS8/s800/IMG_5480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJsnGywBOKgftzqBxoR9nTYrpveY34xm-cQZob_MknLhU9GleK74k0MAzpwHsizvMc8aQ4E06wYrDAweSlPN7yKQFwXAUqegDzPZ5fJMxrSVd74Aep8O4bLuU8PTstwl_0WJZcRwzjycxoZNT3VkEBQmSOTum0MqXggjKh8g5A1mD5bmVemrTrnjxKRS8/w400-h400/IMG_5480.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pictured in the above photo are (from left to right): a bunny from<b> </b>Prairie Schooler Book No. 163 <b>"<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/04/bowl-full-of-bunnies.html" target="_blank">Signs of Spring,</a>" </b>robin from the<b> </b>Spring 2020 issue of Punch Needle and Primitive Stitching Magazine by Subrosa Designs called<b> "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-end-of-month-like-no-other.html" target="_blank">Bless Our Nest</a></b>," "<b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2016/04/baskets-of-blues-and-browns.html" target="_blank">Paques</a></b>" from Les Chalet des Perelles, a portion of <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/04/hopping-into-april.html" target="_blank">"Welcome Spring</a></b>" by With Thy Needle and Thread, and in front rests a freebie from The Snowflower Diaries called "<b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-stitching-in-snow.html" target="_blank">Tulips with Bunny</a></b>." The little bunny figurines in the front left are ones I've collected over the years and the blue and white rabbit plate is from TJ Maxx from a few years ago.</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYnfRss710irYC3box-V9765pRJYr7hXmiiEUOdHxvMdE-u5R36yqqJ93-9KU8iTV7nwzNR7d7_AHSz8ppt0ZQya15LQuGFiZhFxbPqv8LbklvXFFcK-CAlNOSn1B7_dd9p8giy3l-zVyMsUmwH8-dw3CTm-_G6Nwlzu5DCnShNWlEx4x9QLgHjhr9EiW/s800/IMG_5481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYnfRss710irYC3box-V9765pRJYr7hXmiiEUOdHxvMdE-u5R36yqqJ93-9KU8iTV7nwzNR7d7_AHSz8ppt0ZQya15LQuGFiZhFxbPqv8LbklvXFFcK-CAlNOSn1B7_dd9p8giy3l-zVyMsUmwH8-dw3CTm-_G6Nwlzu5DCnShNWlEx4x9QLgHjhr9EiW/w400-h400/IMG_5481.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Featured here are the other half of<b> "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/04/hopping-into-april.html" target="_blank">Welcome Spring</a>" </b>(on the left) and<b> "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/04/bunny-stitching-as-days-slowly-pass.html" target="_blank">Holiday Hoopla: Easter</a></b>" both by With Thy Needle and Thread. Isn't that ceramic Peter Rabbit head darling? He belonged to my mother-in-law and I brought him home from Florida after my husband's family home in Naples was flooded by Hurricane Ian in 2022. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeod3JDr2HWP5mZveROSjPLXr1o_lAq77FztCz1j316On2T3yHWjpI20bxUQNv58VzH-ZNvRsVqbXFByvePn2SYx2gaHIxE0vKLiN6bTM5I8DHFkhCdt0ER2214NiMrWJSUiYlgfUNbDnUvny5BRmU0l1oqrD-AugvUzVJPZgZKLHQn0KM7w1WRi9Iz_BW/s800/IMG_5483-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeod3JDr2HWP5mZveROSjPLXr1o_lAq77FztCz1j316On2T3yHWjpI20bxUQNv58VzH-ZNvRsVqbXFByvePn2SYx2gaHIxE0vKLiN6bTM5I8DHFkhCdt0ER2214NiMrWJSUiYlgfUNbDnUvny5BRmU0l1oqrD-AugvUzVJPZgZKLHQn0KM7w1WRi9Iz_BW/w400-h400/IMG_5483-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The one piece of stitching featured here is by Tiny Modernist and is called<b> "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/04/bunny-stitching-as-days-slowly-pass.html" target="_blank">Easter Wreath</a>." </b>It is sitting on that darling rabbit chair that I found at a thrift shop in Florida for only $5.00--one of my favorite finds ever! You can read about the little chair<b> <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2019/04/three-birds-two-bunnies-and-one.html" target="_blank">in this post</a></b>.</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, there you have it--my blue Easter display.<b> Do you have a favorite? </b>I think mine is the sweet "Welcome Spring" pillow shown below that I stitched last year. It simply makes me smile :)</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpmhPwl1aIWrp2SLYyRufT6XmgsUS5gyMJCLje5pqgPuvtWHXbOXVYEgRV8-XLnvQhUjS30I90MhrGbqGTJVJxvoY7Dzo7PimZyb1NAQnz3QuDn6A0kc_VcBrygxaGcBBvKeoYgRnyRUewQxdixEy5rIfZ8EbQ00nQqo-U6vn1tm36hQUlsFvvWUZcW1r/s640/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpmhPwl1aIWrp2SLYyRufT6XmgsUS5gyMJCLje5pqgPuvtWHXbOXVYEgRV8-XLnvQhUjS30I90MhrGbqGTJVJxvoY7Dzo7PimZyb1NAQnz3QuDn6A0kc_VcBrygxaGcBBvKeoYgRnyRUewQxdixEy5rIfZ8EbQ00nQqo-U6vn1tm36hQUlsFvvWUZcW1r/w400-h400/IMG_0744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/04/hopping-into-april.html" target="_blank">Welcome Spring</a>"--my favorite spring finish from 2023</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My pink Easter finishes </b>are displayed in my grandmother's old dough bowl and sit in the center of our kitchen table. Again... if you would like more information on each finish, just click on the names in the caption below the photo. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEnuK6YgXcWfSZs6VHOC1K-Qf651mvmLmkyWytOyxlIqjaVlNfk7XBn0G3OOPTj-j4l28fKGpBcu6HR08t_B9oUn9R8z7TlSCuzdR9bqCRHyVDRB5By9niYGhy51Em2ecSV4bCUQ-4Qv6sv4plGxEIHD9foN55KUTeS1QxDT9hhcD94WbrMpoyVbvJ7S3/s800/IMG_5456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEnuK6YgXcWfSZs6VHOC1K-Qf651mvmLmkyWytOyxlIqjaVlNfk7XBn0G3OOPTj-j4l28fKGpBcu6HR08t_B9oUn9R8z7TlSCuzdR9bqCRHyVDRB5By9niYGhy51Em2ecSV4bCUQ-4Qv6sv4plGxEIHD9foN55KUTeS1QxDT9hhcD94WbrMpoyVbvJ7S3/w400-h400/IMG_5456.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the back row on the left is a design by Patrick's Woods called<b> "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2019/04/three-birds-two-bunnies-and-one.html" target="_blank">The Heart's Chase,</a>" </b>in the back middle is a Prairie Schooler Bunny from <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2011/04/you-know-what-they-say-about-rabbits.html" target="_blank">"A Prairie Year (Book No. 13)</a></b>," and that sweet pair on the right is from The Snowflower Diaries and is a freebie called "<b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-stitching-in-snow.html" target="_blank">Spring Bunny Love</a></b>." In front of the rabbit couple on the right is another Prairie Schooler design from the <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2017/03/bunny-stitching-and-big-blog-honor-all.html" target="_blank">PS Mini Card Set F</a></b>. The one on the left stitched on black is a <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/04/bowl-full-of-bunnies.html" target="_blank">freebie from the Kissy-Cross blog</a></b>, and the tiny pillow in the very front is by Just Nan from the<b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2011/04/you-know-what-they-say-about-rabbits.html" target="_blank"> "Hummingbead Heaven" </a></b>chart. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And how about a favorite among the pink pieces? </b>Mine is that sweet "Spring Bunny Love" couple that I stitched way back in 2013.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usdGF2FeU8NdR7Rq1NKb2g6Lpq1SuJBjvqTSZv9h7Ji1Wx6t8Q1sv_dG8vBPA6otsuEeQdgUEXHnpZOlk7W_nGB5yv_z2BqlQ3mOo9bmun9TYIm2noJTm4e5DiSAW1QS8XFz85Z001KarLFxIod7BvDYvHs4rDL2LmsvTsh2qHm_vnxPXRLKR58WDD7W/s800/IMG_5559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="572" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usdGF2FeU8NdR7Rq1NKb2g6Lpq1SuJBjvqTSZv9h7Ji1Wx6t8Q1sv_dG8vBPA6otsuEeQdgUEXHnpZOlk7W_nGB5yv_z2BqlQ3mOo9bmun9TYIm2noJTm4e5DiSAW1QS8XFz85Z001KarLFxIod7BvDYvHs4rDL2LmsvTsh2qHm_vnxPXRLKR58WDD7W/w286-h400/IMG_5559.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">My favorite of the pink smalls: "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-stitching-in-snow.html" target="_blank">Spring Bunny Love</a>," a freebie from The Snowflower Diaries</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Whew! Posts like this (where I link to past finishes) take a lot of time to put together! </b>It's <b>really </b>hard to remember and track down the posts for some of the older pieces--and as my brain ages, it's not getting any easier! <b>Anyway, I've had so many folks, both here and on Instagram, tell me how much they appreciate my efforts--and that it makes it worth all the effort.</b> I've made <b>many</b> more Easter/Spring smalls in green and yellow hues, but I've run out of energy to post them today! However, if you scroll through my March and April posts from any given year, you're sure to find even more Easter and Spring stitching inspiration. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, I'd love to hear about your plans for Easter... Will you be having visitors? What do you serve for Easter dinner?</b> <b>Do you have any special family traditions? </b>I can hardly wait to spend Easter with 3 1/2 year old (Yes! How on earth did he get so old?!?) Mister B as he is<b> so enthusiastic </b>about <b>all</b> the traditions that accompany celebrations and holidays. Dyeing eggs, hunting for his Easter basket, making a bunny cake, etc. will all be part of our weekend with him. And while preparing for my visitors, I <b>truly</b> hope to squeeze in the finishing of the six small Easter finishes that I mentioned earlier in the post. We'll see...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the meantime, I look forward to seeing <b>your </b>spring stitching and hearing about <b>your </b>plans for this very special Easter weekend coming up in just two weeks! <b>Thank you all for stopping in today--I always love to read your comments and hear about what you're up to! And just a reminder...if you have a question for me, please make sure to include your email address so I can get back to you. Bye for now...</b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-33007826895784530172024-02-29T21:01:00.000-05:002024-02-29T21:01:40.988-05:00Christmas stitching as Spring approaches<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Greetings on what was a sunny (but quite chilly!) last day of February!</b> I always love having this "extra" day every four years, don't you? And to those of you born on February 29th--I bet you <b>especially</b> love it! Can you believe March begins tomorrow? February was a good month here--I felt we got <b>a lot </b>accomplished around the house. So many projects that we've procrastinated about for years are done--the main one being the wallpaper removal in our bedroom. My husband painted our bedroom last weekend and it's <b>so </b>wonderful to have the old wallpaper and chair rail gone and the room looking brighter and refreshed. It really gives me a lift when projects like this are finished. Next up? The dining room! I've been saying that for <b>at least</b> five years now, but that red paint in there <b>has</b> to go. I need something lighter and airier in my life right now rather than the red walls that were so popular for kitchens and dining rooms twenty years ago.</span></span> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Unfortunately, due to all of the house projects, my stitching time has been limited.</b> I did manage to get my two ornaments finished for February and March, though. My taste in ornaments is very eclectic--have you noticed that? Last month, I stitched that elegant wreath with the cardinals and the two I have to show you today are just plain fun and whimsical. For February, I stitched yet another <span>Crocette a Gogò d</span><span>esign--the little gingerbread boy from the "Christmas Green Chic" pattern. I had a small scrap of a mystery sage green 40 ct. linen left and thought he would look perfect on it. I used most of the suggested DMC colors, but changed the gingerbread boy himself to DMC 167 and chose to use DMC 816 for all of the reds. A simple sage green cording and a row of rusty bells sewn to the bottom finishes him off quite nicely. He is very small--the finished pillow is just 3 inches square!</span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzaR78g5qJ1Nz78PQbhQz6W5coHG64h6SWx9gwh01GTkWBN2-c1z4UJwDLO8zA7CSJDwQirVzS683GLM4HUfkzEOlYFdNbNO22-8rhMh33wSaLXdmMXP6mTKQTQUyeINaZglMdfoQnIkevV3VG7bxJkXNZDisW77eo00YgJQOlwNdidSkrqx6liZk2seV/s640/IMG_5346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzaR78g5qJ1Nz78PQbhQz6W5coHG64h6SWx9gwh01GTkWBN2-c1z4UJwDLO8zA7CSJDwQirVzS683GLM4HUfkzEOlYFdNbNO22-8rhMh33wSaLXdmMXP6mTKQTQUyeINaZglMdfoQnIkevV3VG7bxJkXNZDisW77eo00YgJQOlwNdidSkrqx6liZk2seV/w400-h400/IMG_5346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Too cute to eat! A new gingerbread boy ornament for February.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>March's ornament </b>is a bit larger even though I stitched it "over one" on 25 ct. vintage country mocha Lugana. This is "First Snow" by Annie Beez Folk Art and I actually used<b> all</b> of the suggested DMC colors (for a change!). I just love that little snowman head she used to represent the letter "O" in the word SNOW. The ornament is surrounded by cording in the same green I used for the pine needles (DMC 580) and the fabric you see on the larger circle is wool felt. I thought the green and cream checkered bow topped it off nicely. I did move around/add some snowflakes to achieve the round ornament I desired. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh1lDyJ4Frtcd6b8ZM_nqTvO4bd2E6nEMRl5TRIj_xemjeQpkpaB_AiE-RXJGWa1DRZnD2hDyT1i0InFI_CtBCEVEE8wPi76vAB8Kh1bNLKMb6iRla1x6s81VdmuMb3oAG2UTOYiK2bqrjQ3IVZcxvy56L2bmJ5aY-u633Pq7ievjKVo4B2U9c7Yn4xng/s640/IMG_5358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh1lDyJ4Frtcd6b8ZM_nqTvO4bd2E6nEMRl5TRIj_xemjeQpkpaB_AiE-RXJGWa1DRZnD2hDyT1i0InFI_CtBCEVEE8wPi76vAB8Kh1bNLKMb6iRla1x6s81VdmuMb3oAG2UTOYiK2bqrjQ3IVZcxvy56L2bmJ5aY-u633Pq7ievjKVo4B2U9c7Yn4xng/w400-h400/IMG_5358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My finish of "First Snow" by Annie Beez Folk Art</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've had questions as to how I finish the back of this type of round ornament... Very simple! I just cut out a round piece of wool felt (in a coordinating color) to cover the area and use some spray glue to carefully press it in place (spray the piece of felt with the glue--<b>not</b> the ornament back). Below is what it ends up looking like. I do this to save both time and money on supplies. I'm not fond of bulky ornaments which happens when you add yet another covered fabric round to the back.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcSwabIdfZm1UXMAsWR4bCqvTXAJUu6RW6DslVMJwHrhp-UTeF6tfdD6QAZsRYMyKRmTGCaAS-5DCH074vOEimMRUkQHug9InWMO58NcHncCe1_xKe5grjx75q-vy8WHIkGj2QYlhtVqKLBNvI2-VHoAg6xDuh1UOxMseaxpX-53qpzlybokCf-bWSMHC/s480/IMG_5385-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcSwabIdfZm1UXMAsWR4bCqvTXAJUu6RW6DslVMJwHrhp-UTeF6tfdD6QAZsRYMyKRmTGCaAS-5DCH074vOEimMRUkQHug9InWMO58NcHncCe1_xKe5grjx75q-vy8WHIkGj2QYlhtVqKLBNvI2-VHoAg6xDuh1UOxMseaxpX-53qpzlybokCf-bWSMHC/w400-h400/IMG_5385-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The felt covered back on my round ornament finish. Simple, but effective!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>One additional ornament</b> was sent out as a gift to a special friend who has a family member dealing with a very rare health issue. I just wanted to bring a smile to her face as she and her family deal with a very scary and worrisome situation. This is one you've seen before--a small motif from Madame Chantilly's "Celebrate Winter." It's stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle with some added snowflakes to shape it into an oval ornament. I love the little polka-dot bow and brass bell and so did the recipient. Thinking of you, my sweet friend--and sending caring hugs and prayers your way!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWIyRQHKRuGFEbZgppcrWHXdyNNG5qxy4dqzz-vOrsP7NY6M5DjVe4U96RDa56wweVqXcD0e9EZrBd_upRv5L-aZV2i8yYrORxbkNdqG7tohMdNDtH8eR5qdn9o9Bpe15l9QZ61baTUtk-mP6VSBV6haygK1cxSQLJiYdBcaxBbxozIQqbBHE94M3rr9d/s640/IMG_5125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWIyRQHKRuGFEbZgppcrWHXdyNNG5qxy4dqzz-vOrsP7NY6M5DjVe4U96RDa56wweVqXcD0e9EZrBd_upRv5L-aZV2i8yYrORxbkNdqG7tohMdNDtH8eR5qdn9o9Bpe15l9QZ61baTUtk-mP6VSBV6haygK1cxSQLJiYdBcaxBbxozIQqbBHE94M3rr9d/w400-h400/IMG_5125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love this motif of the sweet bird perched on the white house and have now stitched it four times!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The only other new things I "made" this month, were some tasty mini-Bundt cakes for my middle son's girlfriend's birthday on Monday. I didn't know what to bake, but decided on these cute little chocolate cakes using the recipe found<b> <a href="https://www.thebakingchocolatess.com/mini-decadent-chocolate-bundt-cakes/" target="_blank">right here</a>. </b>They were <b>very </b>rich and I could only eat half of mine! I used sour cream in this recipe, but I'll use buttermilk the next time as they were a bit dry for my taste. The recipe made 12, but I halved it for the four of us. Of course, whipped cream and fresh raspberries hopped on to the plate, too! Doesn't this little Bundt cake look pretty? </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9XSMkJIVkQgd7vgKtdac2FyxhQIV93Scgds2g2sE-yuilnolVi-Gu_OjwbBEoWYIm4nkLV1XUbABxe5r1xec799oOccgfoUB9DmFAWg4HWD4vWIhPgTG7QwECKipvovQmLYX28C5qURc2rXEOPY9ZxePZ-LDWoW_GdwgcSqzhysbL2hsmaV8fDg-tUGR/s640/IMG_5329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9XSMkJIVkQgd7vgKtdac2FyxhQIV93Scgds2g2sE-yuilnolVi-Gu_OjwbBEoWYIm4nkLV1XUbABxe5r1xec799oOccgfoUB9DmFAWg4HWD4vWIhPgTG7QwECKipvovQmLYX28C5qURc2rXEOPY9ZxePZ-LDWoW_GdwgcSqzhysbL2hsmaV8fDg-tUGR/w400-h400/IMG_5329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes for a birthday celebration</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhYmYUe-AVM_xgCQD2CuQ8XR5pgeASg0z-pGrfUMJRklzeS6fV1FUzwM7IrbFwzFJYFw6lIH4NBW08OqhyVjhUaGcdl_ey4Q9e7sSdBrwRRwqDbLLmOC0mEfvgpHh6c_eJP0RX5LYkSsO7zde7KYDeYpfqU7bR241mUK0yrMFLfVeyCGhzjPfVHxl9oG-/s640/IMG_5380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhYmYUe-AVM_xgCQD2CuQ8XR5pgeASg0z-pGrfUMJRklzeS6fV1FUzwM7IrbFwzFJYFw6lIH4NBW08OqhyVjhUaGcdl_ey4Q9e7sSdBrwRRwqDbLLmOC0mEfvgpHh6c_eJP0RX5LYkSsO7zde7KYDeYpfqU7bR241mUK0yrMFLfVeyCGhzjPfVHxl9oG-/w200-h200/IMG_5380.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I had a wonderful trip down memory lane this past weekend.</b> We were invited by friends to attend a musical tribute to Fiddler on the Roof on Saturday. I thought it was just going to be a selection of some of the musical numbers, but it turned out to be <b>almost</b> the entire play, dialogue and all! As soon as the orchestra began to play the first few notes, I was immediately transported back to my high school auditorium where our drama club performed Fiddler on the Roof to standing ovations in March of 1972. Imagine that... over fifty years ago and I could <b>still</b> remember (almost) every word to every song. I was one of the "villagers" in the play--no speaking part (heavens, I was <b>way </b>to shy even back then!). The villagers sang as a chorus, did a few (very minor) dance steps, and simply "created magic" as our director wrote in a letter to each of us after our play was over. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I smiled wistfully throughout most of the production on Saturday night as I remembered my high school friends who acted in the play with me and all the fun we had during those rehearsals so many years ago. I also got a bit teary-eyed during the very sad parts as the villagers are forced from their homes in the little town of Anatevka by the Russians (the very same thing that is happening in Ukraine today). Anyway, it was a night I'll never forget...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'm thrilled to report</b> that my youngest son and his girlfriend returned safely from their vacation in Oman with glowing reviews. He said one of the best things was that where they were staying was within a two-hour drive of the mountains, the beach, or the desert. In fact, they even spent a night in the desert at a remote camp. I have since learned that Oman is considered the "Switzerland of the Middle East" due to it's neutrality so I guess I had nothing to worry about concerning their safety after all, did I? But, a mother <b>always</b> worries--even when her "baby" is 35 years old!<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-SNERvzQbiEMbNegj_OhmEmsz-jPEWD8iBL93qY1N_14V9q03ZV1BAoAoHqy0hUwNfTuQbILb_34kSbwG8piOh2fFMP_6kY79T9tIw8f-f9WrSzNzwZHJ9GEFIzAMisWag7vzhHFRV9-HDqhgC-9EBoLA42ksoToXuunvDQlmJIwjF0ZpQYephd8Flro/s1024/5ed4a7fb-f872-4e97-9538-f34b94624cd4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-SNERvzQbiEMbNegj_OhmEmsz-jPEWD8iBL93qY1N_14V9q03ZV1BAoAoHqy0hUwNfTuQbILb_34kSbwG8piOh2fFMP_6kY79T9tIw8f-f9WrSzNzwZHJ9GEFIzAMisWag7vzhHFRV9-HDqhgC-9EBoLA42ksoToXuunvDQlmJIwjF0ZpQYephd8Flro/w400-h400/5ed4a7fb-f872-4e97-9538-f34b94624cd4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A beautiful view of the sun over the sand dunes in Oman sent by my youngest son</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>We've had a couple of huge rainstorms this past month </b>and when that happens, we get what we call "the second pond," in our back yard. Oh, the deer just love to come visit it to get a drink of water and romp and splash through the giant puddle. Here they are with white tails flashing danger after they spotted me walking toward them... There were actually <b>nine </b>deer in the yard at that time, but the rest are out of the photo frame. I think that's the most we've ever seen at one time! Now, do you understand why growing flowers or vegetables outside of a fenced in area is impossible in this area?<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8Cwp-YWjbRXr5ZT1_BI1fjpFehOYK2t2hl9t7HQ_obfYYXjAE9btryUC3ZwyT3aomwc6qsWoMBifys2X8nuOX1OeluUQs-vK_LL-diV57CxdgZ2o00nnkzbGeKCH4uIWn4-V43LWLw4ilgNn5F6v2kgXCvwhk_G-4Je97FaNLCJQYjgtSsohxLk1eDZM/s800/IMG_4972-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8Cwp-YWjbRXr5ZT1_BI1fjpFehOYK2t2hl9t7HQ_obfYYXjAE9btryUC3ZwyT3aomwc6qsWoMBifys2X8nuOX1OeluUQs-vK_LL-diV57CxdgZ2o00nnkzbGeKCH4uIWn4-V43LWLw4ilgNn5F6v2kgXCvwhk_G-4Je97FaNLCJQYjgtSsohxLk1eDZM/w400-h400/IMG_4972-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The deer romping through the water in our "second pond" that forms after heavy rains.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And I saw my first robin of Spring last week</b>--always such a joyous and welcome sight! Although this hasn't been a hard winter here, I still look forward to the beauty of spring--the longer daylight hours, the pretty pastel flowers, the smell of the fresh air wafting through open windows. Ahhh... I spotted these two new With Thy Needle and Thread designs last week (when I was buying some overdyed threads online) and I just couldn't resist them. <b>How about you, are you buying/stitching anything fun for Spring? </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1erpqZR9S7VMtYv2AEGbA2oNq14HkAUxYKzDhy76pkfdOkHMzGTG2McmOeOquA-6746cHZpz1tsejxBgI6JJYqKU6C-4b45oUyvavuTxNwjwAXEMU1Y4eiYyjl6xFv2Fy7NYpj3XQRFWBvgcblHJI_xkDd4H5Ax-F00-pjKaOfb2alQl2yepvgwqfqFo/s640/IMG_5382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1erpqZR9S7VMtYv2AEGbA2oNq14HkAUxYKzDhy76pkfdOkHMzGTG2McmOeOquA-6746cHZpz1tsejxBgI6JJYqKU6C-4b45oUyvavuTxNwjwAXEMU1Y4eiYyjl6xFv2Fy7NYpj3XQRFWBvgcblHJI_xkDd4H5Ax-F00-pjKaOfb2alQl2yepvgwqfqFo/w400-h400/IMG_5382.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Two new additions to my Spring stitching line-up!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I</b></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> want to thank you for your visit today! I'm so glad when I see your comments pop up letting me know who has stopped by... Thank you, each and every one, for your very kind emails and your words in the comment section. I do appreciate each of you--I hope you know that! Wishing you a wonderful March ahead filled with warmer days and lots of sunshine. Bye for now... </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUgnfGm6oEexc4DEFGlIicD01v0ZietpbZxEGMbDZOE2mMbf1RW1uDfJXaRIWeS7xq2ePBvkg2JjAFkkDi6n15Hflyk03vC_4WNVSuj9OMQNnlmdCTwq3vBMKrWkNleKsKYbBvvSqWoKBs4QgeXo_2HKWousSjHppjrFMwFn_QWRqN0LhyphenhyphenMMAaHDInKyT/s640/March.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUgnfGm6oEexc4DEFGlIicD01v0ZietpbZxEGMbDZOE2mMbf1RW1uDfJXaRIWeS7xq2ePBvkg2JjAFkkDi6n15Hflyk03vC_4WNVSuj9OMQNnlmdCTwq3vBMKrWkNleKsKYbBvvSqWoKBs4QgeXo_2HKWousSjHppjrFMwFn_QWRqN0LhyphenhyphenMMAaHDInKyT/w273-h400/March.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Welcome, March!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-75632953669261437012024-02-14T00:16:00.002-05:002024-02-14T09:57:23.523-05:00Two new Valentine finishes and an unwanted visitor<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Valentine's Day, my friends!</b> Half-way through February already--how can that be? For a short month, it's already been a busy one here. I've been stitching away on a couple of sweet Valentine's pieces and just finished the second one yesterday. I try to add at least one piece to my Valentine's collection each year and was very pleased to get two finished this year. Now, looking at these, you might think I'm a pink, lace, pastel type of girl... Nope--not in the least, but, for some reason, I do enjoy making these sweet little treasures when February rolls around each year. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My first pretty-in-pink finish</b> is by Erin Elizabeth Designs and is called "Valentine Tier." Just look at this adorable tiered tray! There is<b> so </b>much detail in this one and it took me longer to finish it than I expected (even though the final stitched piece only measures 3 inches by 4.25 inches)! It's stitched on 40 ct. burch Newcastle using the suggested DMC colors. But, I didn't always use the colors <b>where</b> they were suggested... For instance, I stitched a gray roof rather than the suggested brown. </span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5P6VidhdczXADronkuWzDOdcZsrwwECzW5NSiGkIZw8P3QYdbIJBG7gBkROrR2hcRBE9r4U0l_a18j5MjVq8cW4PGvRX8c2NxNqQUw3AmL0m7YUrH18IQSJmVREZYQkCqzK7N9RSy9016IW_FGsZ0LIYjTgCTERlqsATlec0MI9FBaikm8Od_H0RvJR4/s640/IMG_5158.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5P6VidhdczXADronkuWzDOdcZsrwwECzW5NSiGkIZw8P3QYdbIJBG7gBkROrR2hcRBE9r4U0l_a18j5MjVq8cW4PGvRX8c2NxNqQUw3AmL0m7YUrH18IQSJmVREZYQkCqzK7N9RSy9016IW_FGsZ0LIYjTgCTERlqsATlec0MI9FBaikm8Od_H0RvJR4/w400-h400/IMG_5158.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Valentine Tier" by Erin Elizabeth Designs</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The main change I made was to the flower centers.</b> I had the entire thing
stitched with the suggested black flower centers, took a good look at
it, and ripped them all out! They just looked too dark to me for a sweet
Valentine's design. So, I replaced the black centers with the palest pink color.
I also used Smyrna stitches for the birds' eyes, the doorknob, and the
sprinkles on the cookie and on the whipped cream topping on the mug of cocoa. My final change was to add straight stitches for the birds' long skinny legs rather than the charted cross stitches. What do you think? It just makes me smile each time I walk by it!</span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELZcnpLR5UBhaGjFB8aOt0R9FuN1lN8DG_aIfvk3L5kS_Snz9YK1Gtd64WnA5UjqpSQ6vKBuXDLxSCaFIqZQhGn64w8aWUOipndDSmF8B6jWZHjx3LiycraAPfs9iaTs3r_4eTal1RbZXZlB3DiODEsidAhbo7cm3jB4n73Cjpc-2-Dk8AY5btJc_UVKD/s480/IMG_5127.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELZcnpLR5UBhaGjFB8aOt0R9FuN1lN8DG_aIfvk3L5kS_Snz9YK1Gtd64WnA5UjqpSQ6vKBuXDLxSCaFIqZQhGn64w8aWUOipndDSmF8B6jWZHjx3LiycraAPfs9iaTs3r_4eTal1RbZXZlB3DiODEsidAhbo7cm3jB4n73Cjpc-2-Dk8AY5btJc_UVKD/w400-h400/IMG_5127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I changed all of the flower centers to pale pink.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My second February finish</b> is a wonderful freebie by The Drawn Thread called "All You Need is Love." You can find the chart <b><a href="https://www.drawnthread.com/free_charts.html" target="_blank">right here</a></b> along with a number of other great free designs! It's stitched on 32 ct. white Belfast linen, but I chose my own colors as I didn't have any of the suggested Gloriana Silks in my stash. I went with Dinky Dyes silks instead and used the following colors: Dandenong, Wild Cherry, and Raspberry Ripple (using the light pink for some of the hearts and the darker pink for others). And for the light green leaves, I used Needle Necessities 142 (the lighter portion of the thread only). </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ91ohaxmgvtg2pnn9ENjdro2D5AaXA3yglaj47dbj0pPZ6HwP-_dAEP1rthTcKWjZdXA296HALd6VRWc8EhY-Ol_-Dqjh0SR3_v8KZGOmIS4UYYSgmJzM3s4U6eXlLENVfXHIsiPsSQpNwD7YlSi3ifw0gczqRhQVODgYdvPK0BrFBXSxDMguyUALOThyphenhyphen/s640/IMG_5160.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ91ohaxmgvtg2pnn9ENjdro2D5AaXA3yglaj47dbj0pPZ6HwP-_dAEP1rthTcKWjZdXA296HALd6VRWc8EhY-Ol_-Dqjh0SR3_v8KZGOmIS4UYYSgmJzM3s4U6eXlLENVfXHIsiPsSQpNwD7YlSi3ifw0gczqRhQVODgYdvPK0BrFBXSxDMguyUALOThyphenhyphen/w400-h400/IMG_5160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"All You Need is Love" by The Drawn Thread</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What I loved most about this piece were the specialty stitches; on this small design there are <b>at least</b> a dozen specialty stitches! Below is a close-up so you can see them a bit better. Rather than my usual corded edging, I chose to do a beaded edge with the palest pink beads. I find beaded edges to be so lovely, but, for me, they take <b>so</b> long to complete! My go-to tutorial can be found <b><a href="http://snippetsandstash.blogspot.com/2009/11/about-those-edgings.html" target="_blank">right here</a></b> on "Snippets and Stash" blog. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOexwbLSsjZcB08hx5uaewItsGXRXP5dG-Q148ZmiSeqZLgP00GpRPkBPVRIEe7SAQSV94ElfYl-m2rO1r95u9y04o-D2OdCql4GXUMxu9eEpCzK7bPJdo6ab5RMQiNHs3vZNV_6Uf7FxFN0WsOF7ScH8Rybn7ykA2ag7gyTjWFFk5YAanKCv8rC17yQGR/s480/IMG_0061.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOexwbLSsjZcB08hx5uaewItsGXRXP5dG-Q148ZmiSeqZLgP00GpRPkBPVRIEe7SAQSV94ElfYl-m2rO1r95u9y04o-D2OdCql4GXUMxu9eEpCzK7bPJdo6ab5RMQiNHs3vZNV_6Uf7FxFN0WsOF7ScH8Rybn7ykA2ag7gyTjWFFk5YAanKCv8rC17yQGR/w400-h400/IMG_0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the specialty stitches!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, I've been so busy this month, I never did get any of my other Valentine's stitching out on display! <b>Shame on me.</b>.. All those hours of making little pink and red x's through the years and I left them sitting in the drawer. Oh, well--I'll be sure to get them out next February. At least I have these two new pieces to brighten up the day!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZLO1nV9ry_B2KdWBykOscnShyphenhyphenBQa-BiWmVv-i7L7Y3fzK8m2iPHQljKf3ynGq6QxQOW5jEsEhcP_V9lLjzekPTJxTkUVTsMN2br-3Gu3saZ25F1SAJxjGA4VGY6RjwOO_T0401b0iS51MZBgduvw3QR0yWzmr_nkFT4zYeYjtODFb6903RRR7eYM1vMh/s640/IMG_5159-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZLO1nV9ry_B2KdWBykOscnShyphenhyphenBQa-BiWmVv-i7L7Y3fzK8m2iPHQljKf3ynGq6QxQOW5jEsEhcP_V9lLjzekPTJxTkUVTsMN2br-3Gu3saZ25F1SAJxjGA4VGY6RjwOO_T0401b0iS51MZBgduvw3QR0yWzmr_nkFT4zYeYjtODFb6903RRR7eYM1vMh/w400-h400/IMG_5159-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So many shades of pink...</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I also stitched a card</b> for a friend who is going through some health issues. This is called "Buttercup" by Nickyscreations and can be found in the April 2017 issue of Just Cross Stitch. I used 40 ct. platinum Newcastle with the suggested DMC thread (although I changed the birds' legs to DMC 420 and the centers of the flowers to DMC 832). I sure hope it brings a little sunshine into my friend's day!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuEQP0I7FrUCfGSN-iadaOTK-TfUMhAyJB49ey4cdkHtQWAgkNDl-i2lI2tNOuxEHpkxM3lxkDVwSh_zGMSFjvGVLso0srsYXCsRljCFcvJthblxo07pv3UEglJz1Nnk0VK97kA7ZG0AvrqgFZp1_fbkDcgBA8ZLvNXrhnv7Iwil05lV7NrQYaMkHv3bA/s640/IMG_5091-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuEQP0I7FrUCfGSN-iadaOTK-TfUMhAyJB49ey4cdkHtQWAgkNDl-i2lI2tNOuxEHpkxM3lxkDVwSh_zGMSFjvGVLso0srsYXCsRljCFcvJthblxo07pv3UEglJz1Nnk0VK97kA7ZG0AvrqgFZp1_fbkDcgBA8ZLvNXrhnv7Iwil05lV7NrQYaMkHv3bA/w400-h400/IMG_5091-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A cheerful card for a friend </b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-Sip7pEdkYWF09mvULccp0uc5t-ICOUxbpYR4KJfWvDd0EeUgRPqDOKPBU3Jj7e_pVQjHrYyGsCCHSDe2NA8LLpKrSpIwBjsxj3DZlp1SyA7gNK7PQ4l-9-ZG1Iw5TzuUqiDJUuJ1d1kIZbQ5iCrdNzLPdPM9QsE-Jg8b9L9PueJ7LghbQ4zm5yldtQE/s420/Coronavirus-CDC-768x432.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="420" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-Sip7pEdkYWF09mvULccp0uc5t-ICOUxbpYR4KJfWvDd0EeUgRPqDOKPBU3Jj7e_pVQjHrYyGsCCHSDe2NA8LLpKrSpIwBjsxj3DZlp1SyA7gNK7PQ4l-9-ZG1Iw5TzuUqiDJUuJ1d1kIZbQ5iCrdNzLPdPM9QsE-Jg8b9L9PueJ7LghbQ4zm5yldtQE/w200-h200/Coronavirus-CDC-768x432.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, I mentioned an "unwanted visitor"</b> in the title of this post. I'll bet most of you can guess what it was, can't you? Yes, Mr. Covid reared his ugly head and visited my husband on February 2nd. He's quite sure he got it on the plane ride home from Florida at the end of January because he tested positive just five days later. Thankfully, it was a mild case and he only felt bad for a few days.<b> And, even better--I avoided getting it!</b> We slept in separate bedrooms, used different bathrooms, and pretty much stayed on opposite sides of the house during the daytime. This was the second time he had it--and I escaped contracting it <b>both</b> times. I'm sure I'll end up with it at some point, but so far, I've been very lucky! How about you? Have you had Covid yet?<br /></span></span></p><p> </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiok0932kIgGZCg5XA-Y4DHG4Z9LFplVD3qQhouAPH9lZuwEtSUxD3NF-RK6sFxU7seO1XTOnp5AZ_qrGUxSeZQ9EGaxPlxOj0tf7hWBKHuEJefREuXc7Xz9fFT0MjHMcZdOwHdA1TbuGgculUeKBgSga1h6uvJi_ueHcU4DgWDGat5qu-hXY7FWUOydEb/s480/IMG_5169.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="343" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiok0932kIgGZCg5XA-Y4DHG4Z9LFplVD3qQhouAPH9lZuwEtSUxD3NF-RK6sFxU7seO1XTOnp5AZ_qrGUxSeZQ9EGaxPlxOj0tf7hWBKHuEJefREuXc7Xz9fFT0MjHMcZdOwHdA1TbuGgculUeKBgSga1h6uvJi_ueHcU4DgWDGat5qu-hXY7FWUOydEb/w229-h320/IMG_5169.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My uncle playing Santa </b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My last remaining uncle by marriage (he was married to my dad's sister), passed away last week at the incredible age of 101. What a life he led--definitely part of "The Greatest Generation!" He survived the Battle of the Bulge during World War II (during which 90,000 Allied soldiers were killed) and was the last remaining WWII veteran in the southwestern New York county where he lived his entire life. I grew up in the same small town as all of my dad's siblings and their spouses and this particular uncle was the one tasked with playing Santa each Christmas Eve for my Grandparents' 21 grandchildren! Down the stairs he would come, sleigh bells jingling, with a big sack of gifts--one for each of us. Even in my late teens, I still looked forward to that annual tradition. My siblings and I still get a big laugh about the hilarious (somewhat scary, truth be told!) Santa costume he wore each year. <b>So, here's to my uncle and all the other brave veterans out there! Thank you all for your service...<br /></b></span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My youngest son </b>and his girlfriend, otherwise known as the "world travelers" of our family are visiting Oman for ten days. Oman?! I had to look it up on a map to know exactly where it is. I knew it was in the Middle East and, of course, immediately went into "worried mother mode," but my son assured me it is one of the safest countries in that part of the world. He's been treating us to some breathtaking photos and I think you'll agree, the scenery is stunning. I'm sure I'll never travel there, or to many of the places they've visited over the past three years, but it sure is fun traveling vicariously through them! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMmSwey9sb8ZcEdJ5D2cIMD5DbfiPyoKKgQch6p88NuC-9cAN6BN9bsxRWu77PS712kEnD7UHowDZmSGTHu7Bn-sLipCL8F4lYiikoumGY6e9Dq2_nIUs0snfHSMN93XVffJa7Wv6xoXCkddF9RuR-I_8eQd-jvCjNzcLAUy1ZqnzsgGW37CB1xXa4cG0/s800/IMG_5155.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMmSwey9sb8ZcEdJ5D2cIMD5DbfiPyoKKgQch6p88NuC-9cAN6BN9bsxRWu77PS712kEnD7UHowDZmSGTHu7Bn-sLipCL8F4lYiikoumGY6e9Dq2_nIUs0snfHSMN93XVffJa7Wv6xoXCkddF9RuR-I_8eQd-jvCjNzcLAUy1ZqnzsgGW37CB1xXa4cG0/w400-h400/IMG_5155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just a few of the stunning photos my son has sent from Oman</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A</span></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>nd my little grandson did a bit of traveling of his own as well</b>... he and his mom and dad went to Disney World for a few days. I thought he was a bit young to be going, but he did pretty well. He <b>was </b>scared of The Haunted Mansion and the interactive "It's Tough to be a Bug." But, he <b>adored </b>the roller coasters and the costumed characters. Here he is getting acquainted with Goofy at an Animal Kingdom breakfast (my daughter-in-law reported that it was the most expensive meal the three of them had <b>ever </b>had together!). Next time they go, we hope to go with them!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlPYWNr7i4LAoAbug_jzU5DnqUXIovWjkmEsZDow7-Df-2pmqPxLeBUlns1B4eHT6EGYcgV5ckffc9HVPpx1R-xbUdAlMq8xMO4JW9L33I6kwQmipderp0tSSzXkW2BBAZOU3PaeWRM3UKaa3gvVNMOvEg1j-xOLhXG-hWNSKdTrrU0b3H4jxpT2LItF7/s640/f8effe1d-e5e4-46ed-84a7-99c743eb0263.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlPYWNr7i4LAoAbug_jzU5DnqUXIovWjkmEsZDow7-Df-2pmqPxLeBUlns1B4eHT6EGYcgV5ckffc9HVPpx1R-xbUdAlMq8xMO4JW9L33I6kwQmipderp0tSSzXkW2BBAZOU3PaeWRM3UKaa3gvVNMOvEg1j-xOLhXG-hWNSKdTrrU0b3H4jxpT2LItF7/w400-h400/f8effe1d-e5e4-46ed-84a7-99c743eb0263.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B meets Goofy!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjankc2LDOwsKFbGwvJF2lYa38KMlsRq5_xWAwY3_2OKTepnmBreYjWyVosF-xeG2UxZ9BFSELpkzO2nTAUacm5mrjLwPz-haORERwOTteX6a-HunyNdRV5LKg5hXzV7r6Qb5LQF0E0M94HCkhOn_NzdMGOi-0LSo7W2tRGNSrx4LsAFZplrzzmXdmaK4oN/s480/how-often-should-a-landlord-redecorate-a-rental-property.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjankc2LDOwsKFbGwvJF2lYa38KMlsRq5_xWAwY3_2OKTepnmBreYjWyVosF-xeG2UxZ9BFSELpkzO2nTAUacm5mrjLwPz-haORERwOTteX6a-HunyNdRV5LKg5hXzV7r6Qb5LQF0E0M94HCkhOn_NzdMGOi-0LSo7W2tRGNSrx4LsAFZplrzzmXdmaK4oN/w200-h200/how-often-should-a-landlord-redecorate-a-rental-property.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>So, what has been keeping me so busy this month? </b>I've been working on redecorating two bedrooms! And the large one (ours) involves removing wallpaper. <b>Ugh! Never, ever am I going to put up wallpaper again!</b> We hadn't done<b> anything</b> to update our bedroom in over 25 years so it was <b>definitely</b> past time. So far, we've removed the wallpaper border and some of the wallpaper below the chair rail. We also decided to purchase a king-size bed so we've been shuffling beds around as well as other furniture. The new mattress arrived and we love it! Right now, it's just placed on the floor as our new king-size bed frame hasn't arrived. Hopefully, soon! There have been <b>a lot</b> of trips to various stores, searching online, returning things that didn't work out, etc.<b> But, it will be so nice to have things updated when we're all done. </b>We're in no hurry--I haven't even picked out paint colors or linens yet. But, we'd like to have it mostly finished by the time spring rolls around. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hope each of you has a wonderful Valentine's Day! I'm hoping for some chocolate later on--hint, hint to my dear husband. Maybe I'll make a special dessert, too. Thanks for stopping by today--and a special thank you to those of you who take the time to leave a comment. I truly appreciate your support! Bye for now...</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgApQd_0UsKJ9GNryZwC-XYt8i2wCflOlT3t5RGTgEAo8NgqgtlqOvq9p_Ro0JitXnKyLxgVbzc7zOVY-tO3eTseJyf_ycACJGQq4ZmE0FenDXlhjOc4BkbwF-87IageDOzePjbRheu1tSGgViGxWntvccg4IC05ACpyUpr4M2ZaSjeO54pj9hbjGy3NQM/s640/IMG_5163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgApQd_0UsKJ9GNryZwC-XYt8i2wCflOlT3t5RGTgEAo8NgqgtlqOvq9p_Ro0JitXnKyLxgVbzc7zOVY-tO3eTseJyf_ycACJGQq4ZmE0FenDXlhjOc4BkbwF-87IageDOzePjbRheu1tSGgViGxWntvccg4IC05ACpyUpr4M2ZaSjeO54pj9hbjGy3NQM/w268-h400/IMG_5163.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">♥♥♥ Happy Valentine's Day ♥♥♥</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-90814246511611449932024-01-31T00:09:00.000-05:002024-01-31T00:09:25.822-05:00So... much... rain!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, everybody! We've reached the end of January and I couldn't be happier.</b> Rain and gloomy skies have shrouded the month in darkness far too often over the past 31 days. On the rare occasion the sun does peek through the clouds, boy, does my energy level skyrocket and my mood improve. For all of you who live in climates with abundant sunshine--I hope you appreciate each and every day. Will February be any different? Probably not, but at least it's a bit shorter than January... Thank goodness we have this wonderful hobby of making thousands of tiny x's in fabric to help us through the long winters in these northern climates!</span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Those of you on Instagram </b> may know that I began a monthly ornament stitch along (SAL) back in 2021. It's proven to be very popular and I've met some great new stitching friends through it. If you'd care to join in on the fun, just use the <b>#12in24ornamentstitchalong </b>when you post a new ornament on Instagram and I'll be sure to see it. And if you'd like to follow my account on IG, you can click <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/caroling55/?hl=en" target="_blank">here</a></b> and hit the follow button. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, would you like to see my very first ornament of 2024?</b> As soon as I saw this design, I <b>instantly</b> knew I wanted to stitch it on black! This is called "Christmas Card" and is by Crocette a Gogò. I also knew I wanted it to be on the small side so I stitched it "over one" on 25 ct. black Lugana. Most of the suggested threads were used, although I did change the lettering to black.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34lpxFli7jmIRzYCPtzYOxUKSy7P0Q1bMcmozfyUnmItlISW3csWxu60gZxQ0MPRO_wHuAr9gxTisAtrKCvjywaygi61Hw2dNFX2ktvxeQDqn0xTAVS96uEbuXli88FmLX9tsDd8sxT5rukapuAhnpukH0elotFjzg68jLCBewvmvBfvAblatgt09QLZ4/s640/IMG_4939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34lpxFli7jmIRzYCPtzYOxUKSy7P0Q1bMcmozfyUnmItlISW3csWxu60gZxQ0MPRO_wHuAr9gxTisAtrKCvjywaygi61Hw2dNFX2ktvxeQDqn0xTAVS96uEbuXli88FmLX9tsDd8sxT5rukapuAhnpukH0elotFjzg68jLCBewvmvBfvAblatgt09QLZ4/w400-h400/IMG_4939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas Card by</span></span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crocette a Gogò</span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's just such a happy ornament with that pair of cardinals, the red and white poinsettias, and the tiny Christmas trees and berries. I love it! I wanted to show you a close-up of the topper I added to the gingham bow. I simply cut little leaves (from the back) of one of my dried boxwood wreaths, glued them on to the ribbon individually (using Aleene's Original Tacky Glue), and then glued on the red and white beads. <b>I am not a hot glue gun lover</b>--I find it dries too quickly and leaves a mess. The Aleene's glue allows me more time</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> to adjust the placement of tiny things like the beads and simply leaves a cleaner look, in my opinion.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvCTv5TkOT-PrO4F68QiHu96hyphenhyphenlZPlWiWRg5MekU_UXgJoVY-uwKN5PZL6u-MMuaJgGJ9eindkiQctV3cwK8QyUUFOonIcr8MZtnLxtJTq95tOIrOrRstRIwDiqeuAf9icSx1l6nvXm6RHbUg0ZZBOVVbGEuCu3MTp_AuDGzaIm6A7R_8jWpHciOdtBYu/s640/IMG_4940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvCTv5TkOT-PrO4F68QiHu96hyphenhyphenlZPlWiWRg5MekU_UXgJoVY-uwKN5PZL6u-MMuaJgGJ9eindkiQctV3cwK8QyUUFOonIcr8MZtnLxtJTq95tOIrOrRstRIwDiqeuAf9icSx1l6nvXm6RHbUg0ZZBOVVbGEuCu3MTp_AuDGzaIm6A7R_8jWpHciOdtBYu/w400-h400/IMG_4940.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's the little details that make ornament finishing really special!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My next finish was a long time coming!</b> Honestly, I have <b>no</b> idea when I actually stitched this, but I'm guessing it was at least 20 years ago because it is stitched on Aida and I haven't used Aida in many, many years. This is one of a series of cute cat designs by Calico Crossroads and is called "Meooow.com." I found it buried in a drawer of old "unfinished finishes" and decided it would be a perfect birthday gift for my middle son who has a black cat (well, his cat, Spike, does have <b>some</b> white on his tummy and paws) and whose job involves a great deal of computer work. My son loved the old-fashioned computer and that mischievous cat trying to capture the mouse. And look at the calendar in the upper right--there's even a lounging black cat pictured on it! Such a charming little piece... I framed it in a Dollar Store frame--not a perfect fit, but definitely fine for a fun little piece like this! (There is a shadow on the upper part of the frame making it look a little off-center, but in real life, it looks much better).</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0NIkTAqOYOHrX2-mwH9wxzK6eUF9azjSpt0-A7fsBVfOGPBO5cclv56W6C0yvyv-rFkLiNC1GcJvhiGQeFbn76nWK-c-zQ4YR1_JYt7wR2mTzwJwC4cE7H3TJbn6YGuPcQ6MyTOZe-9k30QWOZOpU_po6v6ieZ0ac-AjpGmG_OU3zTYNwcUC51gkIo7p/s800/IMG_4024-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0NIkTAqOYOHrX2-mwH9wxzK6eUF9azjSpt0-A7fsBVfOGPBO5cclv56W6C0yvyv-rFkLiNC1GcJvhiGQeFbn76nWK-c-zQ4YR1_JYt7wR2mTzwJwC4cE7H3TJbn6YGuPcQ6MyTOZe-9k30QWOZOpU_po6v6ieZ0ac-AjpGmG_OU3zTYNwcUC51gkIo7p/w400-h400/IMG_4024-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A long overdue finish of "Meooow.com" by Calico Crossroads</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've also been working on a couple of larger Christmas pieces as I decided I wanted some bigger things to display at Christmas time in addition to all of my ornaments. Hope to have those ready to show you next month! A small Valentine's day piece will be in the mix, too--I try to stitch at least one new one each year. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I know I've mentioned many times how much I appreciate the kind emails and comments that I receive each time I post.</b> Every now and then I also receive gifts from sweet friends who surprise me totally out of the blue. One of these gifts arrived earlier this month from my Instagram friend Theresa B. (tbornsewterry on Instagram) who wanted to thank me for my blog and the inspiration she's received from it. Oh, my! I was speechless as I opened her package which contained two lovely ornament charts, two packs of needles, and eight beautiful overdyed threads--all in Christmas colors. I am still shaking my head in wonder at this gift--it truly touched my heart. <b>Thank you so very much, Theresa!</b></span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc9wbEk1tB9ImcemQJePB2CIXo8kKYvLFeVisuuddfbJO5Z7h-DffnZKaLv573af__yBpTUStk3nACfPP4lzKGutwqoC8EBKBm9ydUXlKaz7pClNBFQ4Pguw2p3hQf49y4at-6y_XPnyfQGOgGzgKPSu5XgOe9apDzRatBxgP0BlNXmTBfmSWbFwQ116S/s640/IMG_4646.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc9wbEk1tB9ImcemQJePB2CIXo8kKYvLFeVisuuddfbJO5Z7h-DffnZKaLv573af__yBpTUStk3nACfPP4lzKGutwqoC8EBKBm9ydUXlKaz7pClNBFQ4Pguw2p3hQf49y4at-6y_XPnyfQGOgGzgKPSu5XgOe9apDzRatBxgP0BlNXmTBfmSWbFwQ116S/w400-h400/IMG_4646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Surprise gifts from Theresa B.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And from another Instagram friend</b>, Claire, came a very special package filled with the most lovely wool felt in all shades of the rainbow! Claire (blackberryhill1 on Instagram) makes gorgeous wool strawberries each month and I knew she would be the person to ask about felt for a new endeavor I'm taking on. She not only gave me great advice, but offered to send me some of her wool felt scraps to use! <b>So</b> very generous and kind... Another gift that truly touched my heart. <b>Thank you so very much, Claire!</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLske8SReqIUD5WBMQH8i4RpmRW28UtdLxwPYR_eBtuWSEoK98mprdZVrWjuyXGzrI_OabgHsAe6gsQqABzFY8bcaeYp3gZ-IKY3T0_UVMLj56kWRQsfhArY5kDpKlkVTallM2-brL_o2sY6c2SeKsYHcvfzkqHzOv1IxnFM1Zf8tOpdCIBcsjRlFiXWX/s640/IMG_4931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLske8SReqIUD5WBMQH8i4RpmRW28UtdLxwPYR_eBtuWSEoK98mprdZVrWjuyXGzrI_OabgHsAe6gsQqABzFY8bcaeYp3gZ-IKY3T0_UVMLj56kWRQsfhArY5kDpKlkVTallM2-brL_o2sY6c2SeKsYHcvfzkqHzOv1IxnFM1Zf8tOpdCIBcsjRlFiXWX/w400-h400/IMG_4931.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A beautiful lot of wool felt from Claire B.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A new endeavor... </b>So, why was I inquiring about felt? Well, last December, I became thoroughly enchanted by the darling felt Advent calendar creations on Instagram by "What a Curly Life." You can see them <b><a href="https://www.whatacurlylife.com/" target="_blank">right here on her website</a></b>, too--and they're free to download (just click on PDF patterns and tutorials)! On Instagram, she also offered video tutorials for each one, too, which will be so helpful. I plan to make this little penguin first. So far, I've only cut out the pieces. I hope to make all of the animals to give to my grandson next Christmas to hang on his tree. He adores animals so I think they'll be a big hit, if I can manage the sewing of them :) Wish me luck!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4K_FlGX-bX0DKpZTb58p9d3NkmsThXPhyphenhyphenPE-8B4bxverbDRw4FSkbc0-1ElLPwa9yUgt0G8anIS-KU0ig6yJmE-I9mtv99Ua3xYmVrmJwPk4TnT6EzOnGzjuBZeFO8DZqn7OQxvDBjsFFFwkdwwmC3eafAsOUxheVtTElkoJ_3W6VSFRai4J6T18O9z6/s640/IMG_4943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4K_FlGX-bX0DKpZTb58p9d3NkmsThXPhyphenhyphenPE-8B4bxverbDRw4FSkbc0-1ElLPwa9yUgt0G8anIS-KU0ig6yJmE-I9mtv99Ua3xYmVrmJwPk4TnT6EzOnGzjuBZeFO8DZqn7OQxvDBjsFFFwkdwwmC3eafAsOUxheVtTElkoJ_3W6VSFRai4J6T18O9z6/w400-h400/IMG_4943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A little penguin ready to be sewn together!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejB9iZqn0ZEPZ75H9gEmQzY37awgfn5LosrB1E0QCH6XdcyET3sHA7MlBNLOjBJpTaZ-XEhdPRh80-ZpvkowmSprDlgjwhLqUYHmWLPYiY9dtq-KRiNcCuWnghn5Tp42VwURGVbUN1UX8q-m5Y9le8d5LlaG8rxIiCDk36eZJVEmrWP0TEoZn7YAnw_Dj/s640/IMG_4946-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejB9iZqn0ZEPZ75H9gEmQzY37awgfn5LosrB1E0QCH6XdcyET3sHA7MlBNLOjBJpTaZ-XEhdPRh80-ZpvkowmSprDlgjwhLqUYHmWLPYiY9dtq-KRiNcCuWnghn5Tp42VwURGVbUN1UX8q-m5Y9le8d5LlaG8rxIiCDk36eZJVEmrWP0TEoZn7YAnw_Dj/w311-h400/IMG_4946-001.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With any luck, my penguin will look as cute as this little guy created by Anabella at "<a href="https://www.whatacurlylife.com/" target="_blank">What a Curly Life</a>"! Thank you, so very much for your darling patterns, Anabella!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I also won a giveaway! </b>Shelly over at "<b><a href="http://shelly-anarizonastitcher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">An Arizona Stitcher" </a></b>was having a giveaway for the chart below called "A Christmas Sampler." It was one I had never seen so I threw my name into the hat and was the lucky winner! I <b>do</b> plan on having a giveaway for this chart after I've stitched it, so please keep an eye out for it. <b>Thank you so very much, Shelly!<br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOS327okazuwkQVZkwQDvuC5lcPbnI6vFhuSDXSzpM3nMA6ktdM1vi1Kpa9jaV_CcubdDjhx3AvgGFLxnM-U8oNQr2PHgvWliNqJFswuTXW87DfLEXJWCfyUGzkCBIDQ8Z_HkT1Tj17W6E09EXel73EGjDeJnEj3WOgqKFfmsiCAJh9y8_cQRRe094C9r/s640/IMG_5011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOS327okazuwkQVZkwQDvuC5lcPbnI6vFhuSDXSzpM3nMA6ktdM1vi1Kpa9jaV_CcubdDjhx3AvgGFLxnM-U8oNQr2PHgvWliNqJFswuTXW87DfLEXJWCfyUGzkCBIDQ8Z_HkT1Tj17W6E09EXel73EGjDeJnEj3WOgqKFfmsiCAJh9y8_cQRRe094C9r/w400-h400/IMG_5011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I was the lucky winner of this cute sampler last month!</b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Birthdays--for me and my blog!</b> Well, I'm proud to say that this little blog of mine, "Stitching Dreams," celebrated its 15th birthday on January 24th. <b>Can you believe it?</b> I sure can't... What started out as a simple way to document my stitching has turned into a true feeling of belonging in the most wonderful online community! I had <b>no</b> idea, when I began blogging that cold January day back in 2009 that it would lead to the amazing friendships, exchanges, inspiration, and fun that I've experienced over the past fifteen years. <b>Thank you all for visiting me all these years. You've touched my heart in countless ways and I truly appreciate each and every one of you!</b></span></span> <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And my own birthday </b>on the 16th, although extremely quiet this year, was quite nice. It was <b>so very cold</b> that day that I didn't even want to leave the house, so my husband picked up a wonderful dinner from a local restaurant along with some tasty cupcakes and we had a simple birthday celebration--just the two of us. After dinner, my husband surprised me with a little "Zoom" party with all of the kids in attendance. That was fun and a good way to have all of us together across the miles. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I want to thank some sweet blogging friends for their kind birthday gifts and cards...</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuoNdWP0GfhDrcGMMaaVWyf_hNE_SSsblwpekHw-1fUdw_PaENLhxKuicimsnQvaNDuIkykXk9q529nNbOFuBn9_34tm89PMpHH74kM3yzvhtYkxdLZz9wePjLu2zahRYkzk2FjquwdJ_Pj6OYP2KI-buZkVRXd72iO5AsH7w4VjUTmt1xY94UVsF4Zxb/s640/IMG_4863.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuoNdWP0GfhDrcGMMaaVWyf_hNE_SSsblwpekHw-1fUdw_PaENLhxKuicimsnQvaNDuIkykXk9q529nNbOFuBn9_34tm89PMpHH74kM3yzvhtYkxdLZz9wePjLu2zahRYkzk2FjquwdJ_Pj6OYP2KI-buZkVRXd72iO5AsH7w4VjUTmt1xY94UVsF4Zxb/w400-h400/IMG_4863.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a cute stitched snowman card from Gabi in Germany! Thank you so much, Gabi!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK6x0k5vokAk5MyGOo4nbONs1TZRCSoCHT48UB668UpbQLYXYXwIAS7vzHuZ52KlFZPYOKE3OHvMpHH9zs6w8zX2-lqypn7xL6I8vtvga72YNLBG2u1aztIFdEMuFa-vfKZ9_LvfXsjTmkdT6hSRR3BxpHCWoXFoqT9AFJ-L4cGuTjWE6X2NZMkqRefg4/s640/IMG_4859-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK6x0k5vokAk5MyGOo4nbONs1TZRCSoCHT48UB668UpbQLYXYXwIAS7vzHuZ52KlFZPYOKE3OHvMpHH9zs6w8zX2-lqypn7xL6I8vtvga72YNLBG2u1aztIFdEMuFa-vfKZ9_LvfXsjTmkdT6hSRR3BxpHCWoXFoqT9AFJ-L4cGuTjWE6X2NZMkqRefg4/w400-h400/IMG_4859-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vickie at "<a href="http://astitchersstory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Stitcher's Story</a>" made the prettiest set of beaded pins for me. I know they'll look great on summery finishes! Thank you so much, Vickie!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5MPsuPmev0d0DGpN0aO_oiDl02Y8kYPAqZPLgOAPg06h26v2PUirPgNrdOOCW-MoKlFWEqXQC86TvCL5Y_xk8lnjrbOjWWYpXsKmdE1CtvDzgsWwnA0t6knRR5dCGVg1bYf9xLIWIgRe42AI1WneU04GMw8O1khmcp_lRtUXzShFfNT1Y6VyHNq89SHB/s640/IMG_4860.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5MPsuPmev0d0DGpN0aO_oiDl02Y8kYPAqZPLgOAPg06h26v2PUirPgNrdOOCW-MoKlFWEqXQC86TvCL5Y_xk8lnjrbOjWWYpXsKmdE1CtvDzgsWwnA0t6knRR5dCGVg1bYf9xLIWIgRe42AI1WneU04GMw8O1khmcp_lRtUXzShFfNT1Y6VyHNq89SHB/w400-h400/IMG_4860.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Robin in Virginia included a sweet set of cross-stitch themed stickers in her card. Thank you so much, Robin!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gplkel4npHNWlJE8dY3WJoRnFwjzelkQXXUeAtYrV7xhWDEkkURB5o8K1NYbKKEf_2YRjaBdWcIMZZ7A9Jn8iISM_-IlrSy9JI7Ob2sKQHKvpgV8sRSeXsW3vNU12fv6UJN0BwuA54qJLq36tYP6fAZx2HorjVxFiUEOTPlD1flIILauKMCi9F1tqGjj/s640/IMG_4862.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gplkel4npHNWlJE8dY3WJoRnFwjzelkQXXUeAtYrV7xhWDEkkURB5o8K1NYbKKEf_2YRjaBdWcIMZZ7A9Jn8iISM_-IlrSy9JI7Ob2sKQHKvpgV8sRSeXsW3vNU12fv6UJN0BwuA54qJLq36tYP6fAZx2HorjVxFiUEOTPlD1flIILauKMCi9F1tqGjj/w400-h400/IMG_4862.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And from June over at <a href="https://butterfly-butterflywings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"Butterfly Wings"</a> came a lovely stitched card in my favorite color, some flower buttons and summery beach charts, a notebook adorned with birds, and a little pouch from her home in Devon, England. Thank you so much, June!</span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, January comes to an end... And with that, I'll be changing out the corner cupboard in my kitchen to February's red and pink and white. Another year is flying by already, isn't it? Hope each of you has a wonderful month ahead. As always, thank you for visiting and taking the time to say "hello!" I owe a few of you emails and I'll do my best to get back to you this week. As always, if you have a question for me, please be sure to leave your email in your comment so I can respond! Bye for now... <br /></b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66cwLiWuvdOTQgfTWKvUbr9Il5qwdRPoksgE9CqQNeDad6VQOv-jbaPwQ2MyyBhtaIvQmGLbnpNusG5Xza_xxSbB2cEfQKKN6zMpycVFgRUWrHFgKROXgHxQg_9M39GWxV0Jk5l5IL4fHr1JynER7ePTn2QUj6oJJo924aVH95djUOYh0QvBtX5rJLFQh/s800/IMG_4958.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66cwLiWuvdOTQgfTWKvUbr9Il5qwdRPoksgE9CqQNeDad6VQOv-jbaPwQ2MyyBhtaIvQmGLbnpNusG5Xza_xxSbB2cEfQKKN6zMpycVFgRUWrHFgKROXgHxQg_9M39GWxV0Jk5l5IL4fHr1JynER7ePTn2QUj6oJJo924aVH95djUOYh0QvBtX5rJLFQh/w400-h400/IMG_4958.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My January corner cupboard all ready for its February makeover!</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-24796788376179410642024-01-13T07:46:00.001-05:002024-01-13T07:46:12.970-05:00And a new year begins!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>First of all--Happy New Year!</b> I hope 2024 is treating you well so far? I tend to have a love-hate relationship with the month of January--how about you? I love the fact that it brings such a sense of peace after the hustle-bustle of the holiday; I love having extra stitching time by cozy fires; I love it when it snows (which seems to be rarer and rarer these days!); and I (kind of) love turning a year older with my mid-month birthday on the 16th. <b>But</b>, January seems to drag on forever, it is gray and dull most of the time (I think I've only seen the sun twice since Christmas!), and the month just doesn't provide much inspiration, does it? My mother used to say that "If you can just make it through long, cold January, you're good to go for the year." I tend to agree! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I have lots of finishes to share with you today!</b> These were<b> all</b> gifts that I stitched for friends and family for Christmas. In addition to my monthly ornaments in 2023, I also stitched 14 pieces for either ornaments or cards last year. The clue to stitching little gifts to send out during the busy month of December is to work ahead--I start my gift stitching in January and continue it all year. The other thing I do to make it easier, is to stitch pieces that I've done before--that way I don't have to think about the colors or finishes and everything comes together more quickly. I'm sure you'll recognize many of the following gifts as ones I've stitched before in one form or another. I would <b>love</b> to be able to send something to each one of you, but, of course, that is impossible. <b>So, just know how much I appreciate you reading my blog, leaving such kind comments, and sending those wonderful emails. I truly appreciate each of you!</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This Madame Chantilly design</b> is just a small portion of the "Celebrate Winter" chart. I stitched it on 40 ct. stormy night Newcastle with DMC threads. I made an oval ornament by adding additional snowflakes, topping it with a gauzy white bow and handmade cording, and sewing on a tiny silver bell. Isn't it sweet? </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQw3gTkmJWYKFRkc4_O2-yZO8DFfZz2gSheRtaXKsHZToSMhXR4kX6uZdShYc410zbg7eLjWVR2lBTUM_IMOlLhFt1WRk882cGPhqli7C1cjH1RIW4mrFQN41igm5tpzaHlkujEXftWw-_iTNnb4bQNmrKFcwHbw0w-EuCkrW-Tgae0wUhwIJAkxRvgPm/s640/IMG_4164-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQw3gTkmJWYKFRkc4_O2-yZO8DFfZz2gSheRtaXKsHZToSMhXR4kX6uZdShYc410zbg7eLjWVR2lBTUM_IMOlLhFt1WRk882cGPhqli7C1cjH1RIW4mrFQN41igm5tpzaHlkujEXftWw-_iTNnb4bQNmrKFcwHbw0w-EuCkrW-Tgae0wUhwIJAkxRvgPm/w400-h400/IMG_4164-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A small motif from "Celebrate Winter" by Madame Chantilly</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I also stitched the next ornament, "Red Bird Globe"</b> by Bent Creek, for myself back in 2020 (<b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/02/sending-little-love-on-valentines-day.html" target="_blank">in this post</a></b>). I used 32 ct. Wichelt Twilight Blue fabric and finished it exactly like the one I made for myself, except I changed the type of white hanger and added a scrap of flannel tied to the side. The "snowflakes" are simply white beads scattered about. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaSwrrmJO_07MWF9699N2b9Gc_gx78A1VbH0Omt4_bb1165U7JI3GSHkDvxVvxG3pp-p8xSztDn1i74Wx0JeermbblXOk_Ew8wBosHjRpNrkirttARsUti3nBqaKwrUCbySHDpc7UydnYC5BmKRDbfOYnGGDwE44v9uQwigXXOlsppqOYGCvG299gZGUM/s640/IMG_4173.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaSwrrmJO_07MWF9699N2b9Gc_gx78A1VbH0Omt4_bb1165U7JI3GSHkDvxVvxG3pp-p8xSztDn1i74Wx0JeermbblXOk_Ew8wBosHjRpNrkirttARsUti3nBqaKwrUCbySHDpc7UydnYC5BmKRDbfOYnGGDwE44v9uQwigXXOlsppqOYGCvG299gZGUM/w400-h400/IMG_4173.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bent Creek's "Red Bird Globe"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>This sweet snowflake </b>was stitched from a chart in the book </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> "<span>A Rainbow of Stitches" by </span><span><span>Agnès Delage-Calvet</span>. I used 40 ct. white Newcastle linen along with Aurifloss 4140 floss. Love the patterned ribbon and the tiny snowflake charm dangling from the bottom middle! The blue in the snowflake print on the ribbon just happened to match the shade of blue in the floss perfectly.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOFfkXhk2irvDXHGdWUeel3-LdH0UuFC8xuWm-naaDJMByqVS8SdfbqQD_JLr91oc3XyBE4WGS9Rn8EhndHi3VmMF-MPQUxET_tX4gcV5W6VXfsgSuFWuJ9UTZY4csoIaLYmLPTEFP072l-YnsUT5vaasNfOsPFLtu_04u4Cgz6Bl3fYPQZDpGsve5pBE/s640/IMG_3780-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOFfkXhk2irvDXHGdWUeel3-LdH0UuFC8xuWm-naaDJMByqVS8SdfbqQD_JLr91oc3XyBE4WGS9Rn8EhndHi3VmMF-MPQUxET_tX4gcV5W6VXfsgSuFWuJ9UTZY4csoIaLYmLPTEFP072l-YnsUT5vaasNfOsPFLtu_04u4Cgz6Bl3fYPQZDpGsve5pBE/w400-h400/IMG_3780-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A single snowflake from </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"<span>A Rainbow of Stitches" by </span><span><span>Agnès Delage-Calvet</span></span></span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm sure you will all recognize this round Prairie Schooler ornament--it's one of my favorites and one I've often given as a gift! This is from PS Book No. 51, "Christmas Past." It is stitched "over one" on 28 ct. black Monaco using the suggested DMC threads. I'm sure I'll be stitching this one again and again! It's always well received.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFVxCQyYLEh0Lfb0oXBi4WiIeft4ihszjE0U78MA2yYgzXEUwdKEUIKfDI1UfMGmQtOZWpHlFgnlwpRCMQdbx2i8hx3k0y6MRT1C3Zmyiey8xUEfjhh2Ng7itX6Jta393_zrobhfqdtrrnaLYExNxPwfzTKp6JtMWAlNTGlYvxsAnWXgkHkeUc8_BX7m9/s640/IMG_4174-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFVxCQyYLEh0Lfb0oXBi4WiIeft4ihszjE0U78MA2yYgzXEUwdKEUIKfDI1UfMGmQtOZWpHlFgnlwpRCMQdbx2i8hx3k0y6MRT1C3Zmyiey8xUEfjhh2Ng7itX6Jta393_zrobhfqdtrrnaLYExNxPwfzTKp6JtMWAlNTGlYvxsAnWXgkHkeUc8_BX7m9/w400-h400/IMG_4174-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of my favorite Santas from Prairie Schooler's "Christmas Past" Book No. 51</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>This freebie design</b> is an oldie, but goodie. You can find the chart <b><a href="http://storage.canalblog.com/36/73/415826/32073925.pdf" target="_blank">right here</a></b> if you would like to stitch it for yourself. This was stitched on 40 ct. white Newcastle using DMC 115. I added a tiny brass reindeer charm along with a little red bell on the checkered bow for interest. Love the classic beauty of this one!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJSq_p0InYytZ5Tp8wBr92MS9_A7jvLB8x1fzLinTlhUxWoAAjDfRxfuI_xh4JOuvmwLdZ2q0b24UmWTGADo4AAlj7SXktvU0QtBzvD_WZ_ISVW7CZMj3XiuikJUmVm8kCLS-SnpbZS14TZA8UVuE2_JwRo22oRaFhlB1ZT3rHeTc4U3PaWHWDFTRZUC/s640/IMG_4163-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJSq_p0InYytZ5Tp8wBr92MS9_A7jvLB8x1fzLinTlhUxWoAAjDfRxfuI_xh4JOuvmwLdZ2q0b24UmWTGADo4AAlj7SXktvU0QtBzvD_WZ_ISVW7CZMj3XiuikJUmVm8kCLS-SnpbZS14TZA8UVuE2_JwRo22oRaFhlB1ZT3rHeTc4U3PaWHWDFTRZUC/w400-h400/IMG_4163-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Noel" freebie in DMC 115</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Once again, I turned to Madame Chantilly's "Celebrate Winter"</b> chart to stitch this sweet bird perched on a white house. This one is stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle with DMC threads. I added a few snowflakes to shape it into a round ornament. Love the little pop the polka dot bow adds to the final finish!<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmNvnLVyxxw0R_8iIVHJk8-u2K6KsQI5GNmNLu1Jt33iwRM_360C3sxu08-mdvFq5SJC4A7g4E9fZervm30fsW3TgqAL_dH4sze_e6yKvVPzUqJ5KY4qZuvw9uJeHEvCxyv54873KegIBa53uXyQ7PIRFRTDugqQoo4_Ubw8IeOfgLkt_d2JieH5ngCtW/s640/IMG_3786-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmNvnLVyxxw0R_8iIVHJk8-u2K6KsQI5GNmNLu1Jt33iwRM_360C3sxu08-mdvFq5SJC4A7g4E9fZervm30fsW3TgqAL_dH4sze_e6yKvVPzUqJ5KY4qZuvw9uJeHEvCxyv54873KegIBa53uXyQ7PIRFRTDugqQoo4_Ubw8IeOfgLkt_d2JieH5ngCtW/w400-h400/IMG_3786-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A small motif from "Celebrate Winter" by Madame Chantilly</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>For a couple of sweet babies born in 2023</b>, I stitched this ornament from Brooke's Books called "Remy Rabbit" (twice). This is a free design which you can find <b><a href="http://www.brookesbooks.com/CrossStitchFreebies2.html" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. I forgot to take a photo of one of them before I mailed it, but it's exactly like the ornament shown below except with a different name. This one is for my niece's brand new daughter who was named after my dear mother. <b>Yes, I cried a bit as I stitched her name... I hope little Elinor treasures it as she grows older. </b>For this one, I used 40 ct. water green Newcastle linen with my own selection of DMC threads. Again, I added snowflakes to shape it into an oval ornament. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLkEbYzra-EgedJtR02tfx7rrMIX8FSq3o5CxoBkV_QNnYRou23Nb8EXPEK-HtN7HlqSbrPiK659aPITYtHkJ2k1-AbOmodDpm2GMJjhA2fpvZjl3z_sM6oa_cRMLw16OJsBlLgMIyzLG1RizlDCC9w3Cu6p5-pxNjGwH0nOxK1eCeP0PFUXYhEqJe6lP/s640/IMG_4531.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLkEbYzra-EgedJtR02tfx7rrMIX8FSq3o5CxoBkV_QNnYRou23Nb8EXPEK-HtN7HlqSbrPiK659aPITYtHkJ2k1-AbOmodDpm2GMJjhA2fpvZjl3z_sM6oa_cRMLw16OJsBlLgMIyzLG1RizlDCC9w3Cu6p5-pxNjGwH0nOxK1eCeP0PFUXYhEqJe6lP/w400-h400/IMG_4531.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A baby ornament </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">for my dear mother's namesake by Brooke's Books called "Remy Rabbit"</span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>The following cards were also stitched and sent around the world...</b></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsxYmSWXIFB8hR6BNxrBDHtHKssyAKFwhzgurzt4tYTuuYdsfWRUYlDovFTGnoj1A3UFHySW9bgABwV5AVsOlYKe7cMUiE5OJ1KoPOtBf_Ks56ejNRzxE3-fjgYDjoUkSLVZVQACMFfZUL2E2cr4xz7jaioREuoiiDXVDlXjGwqSPMr1rjboF_l0ej_Cf/s640/IMG_4213-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsxYmSWXIFB8hR6BNxrBDHtHKssyAKFwhzgurzt4tYTuuYdsfWRUYlDovFTGnoj1A3UFHySW9bgABwV5AVsOlYKe7cMUiE5OJ1KoPOtBf_Ks56ejNRzxE3-fjgYDjoUkSLVZVQACMFfZUL2E2cr4xz7jaioREuoiiDXVDlXjGwqSPMr1rjboF_l0ej_Cf/w400-h400/IMG_4213-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A sweet motif from "Good Tidings to You" by The Sampler Girl (found in the 2011 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine)</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-5j3rpHYp_WKIj8gRYlXlFI1iplagdgHiZRuc8GlLWK1wJsiV1C-AvhmnbNcULRdyoQoGu4clO0wtOcdC2H1aaIacBSN19lFiVkGXuyzLsMHQMp4tLvFDPyULzJTLDAZ3T34MRNorulFPs5nCrdPq3IYjAy7cEPXE2NxhBCkcukK_DfcTsdmdjHY0KW7/s640/IMG_4001-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-5j3rpHYp_WKIj8gRYlXlFI1iplagdgHiZRuc8GlLWK1wJsiV1C-AvhmnbNcULRdyoQoGu4clO0wtOcdC2H1aaIacBSN19lFiVkGXuyzLsMHQMp4tLvFDPyULzJTLDAZ3T34MRNorulFPs5nCrdPq3IYjAy7cEPXE2NxhBCkcukK_DfcTsdmdjHY0KW7/w400-h400/IMG_4001-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Birds of a Feather "Love" angel stitched on 40 ct. white Newcastle. I changed her hair color from blonde to brunette. </span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgxJM_9cqiowBnOielEkc5fBcdvxzHkWwLR53V3CMmhiCXM_3lPgbJuOLP7dTDK4HEJSoLDY8xrGGCkZCCIL04WOdGKwF4GTAAU5fsil1G_Dv-O7fppQiOmpfvom1UFV5kvL4CoDl8pcqwFEuHvAAtxvUNltk5inXIDqFJy27M-C78SXwsDIMSxD5-FBK/s640/IMG_3990-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgxJM_9cqiowBnOielEkc5fBcdvxzHkWwLR53V3CMmhiCXM_3lPgbJuOLP7dTDK4HEJSoLDY8xrGGCkZCCIL04WOdGKwF4GTAAU5fsil1G_Dv-O7fppQiOmpfvom1UFV5kvL4CoDl8pcqwFEuHvAAtxvUNltk5inXIDqFJy27M-C78SXwsDIMSxD5-FBK/w400-h400/IMG_3990-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A trio of Prairie Schooler skating Santa cards from the booklet "A Merry Mini Surprise" (Book No. 215) stitched on 40 ct. woodland brown Newcastle</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And last, but certainly not least</b>, I stitched a cute snowman ornament for my grandson, Mister B. I just <b>had </b>to stitch this in honor of the snowman that he and my husband created when we were visiting him in early December. Overnight, enough snow fell to build a small snowman and for him to go sledding down the little hill in their side lawn in Maryland. Oh, what fun he had! Here is the snowman the two of them made...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindAWvFJnHWhPMsXMoMms3wRdPAJuU-gv1Yy8ljlfA0EMc4kZTnHd8NVJ5diCtwc_Y7_Z3QwrzMuxphBQMTZ-BhkS9DWOsvn2im4z5oR0PlPRd3eUMzIbCgeq0ww64n6T2EGu-qaBabIghQa8muC9_Lvz7_kFrVO1sdMd_LhfrZNfdJnjJZkenZcx-ELDL/s800/IMG_4113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindAWvFJnHWhPMsXMoMms3wRdPAJuU-gv1Yy8ljlfA0EMc4kZTnHd8NVJ5diCtwc_Y7_Z3QwrzMuxphBQMTZ-BhkS9DWOsvn2im4z5oR0PlPRd3eUMzIbCgeq0ww64n6T2EGu-qaBabIghQa8muC9_Lvz7_kFrVO1sdMd_LhfrZNfdJnjJZkenZcx-ELDL/w400-h400/IMG_4113.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B carefully explaining exactly where the snowman's "buttons" should be placed</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>And here is the snowman ornament I stitched for Mister B. </b>It is by Stitching With the Housewives and is called "Let It Snow." I thought I was stitching it on 40 ct. black, but it turned out to be 32 ct. and for that reason, the coverage isn't the best (since I only used one thread). I stitched my grandson's name instead of the words "Let It Snow" on the mug (have blurred it out for privacy in the photo). Mister B got such a big grin on his face when he unwrapped it on Christmas morning! He now has yet another "Stitched With Love by Nonna" ornament for his tree. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPfEe1mwYynvz4hetS9c2N5-heGO7p2u3eJkpT7in1uxdSscc6nNuhEboAYeaawkQCCJhF4Qe0yylhoUcssXfs7fv8dbFr8pK-QiHcwFarIUpbCmF6LdeCBPdmyR0VrTlALuCaFOaYssSV1PYUX3FbTRZi2Yxfx9LUK-ZdTHa6JnVe5vpxTupDqDCtslE/s640/IMG_4346-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPfEe1mwYynvz4hetS9c2N5-heGO7p2u3eJkpT7in1uxdSscc6nNuhEboAYeaawkQCCJhF4Qe0yylhoUcssXfs7fv8dbFr8pK-QiHcwFarIUpbCmF6LdeCBPdmyR0VrTlALuCaFOaYssSV1PYUX3FbTRZi2Yxfx9LUK-ZdTHa6JnVe5vpxTupDqDCtslE/w400-h400/IMG_4346-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Whew! That is a lot of stitching for one post... Hope you enjoyed it and, perhaps, gained some inspiration for stitching your very own gifts for next Christmas!</b><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Would you believe I still have my Christmas tree up? Am I the only one? </b>I've <b>never</b> left it up this long, but I have to admit I'm truly enjoying the warm glow each evening when I turn it on. I had <b>fully</b> planned to take it down last weekend, <b>but then this happened... </b></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06GOrG1raEN103KcT5RVLczXcce1ympxGXACP6VSY8UF4HNaEVGQ4Ibg889kPT0lQROcRxIyM2q8hbFxmp7KB7wSFftdfx1yeAr7H6uzmrvOtcINMFtbV_09IYAPSi3ZIK6_Cy9kn39jEifgdrlDZJFxkawJDZG7cpZsegyrdZqVPe95h3G6IhbkC4E51/s800/IMG_4685.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06GOrG1raEN103KcT5RVLczXcce1ympxGXACP6VSY8UF4HNaEVGQ4Ibg889kPT0lQROcRxIyM2q8hbFxmp7KB7wSFftdfx1yeAr7H6uzmrvOtcINMFtbV_09IYAPSi3ZIK6_Cy9kn39jEifgdrlDZJFxkawJDZG7cpZsegyrdZqVPe95h3G6IhbkC4E51/w400-h400/IMG_4685.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The view of our back yard and pond: January 7, 2024</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FBouzwxuPqvS5lBKoCnwfHu6yZUMk9PdTVMXY3777YymxX0eHc8PYLCB9CVdKj7GFi9kyGL5lpuGLJYs4S3-6-VXC-xK5gilr1YNuvxWdBI71cbfuyw75scjhEaVhDHq2hEgsSth5QE9gTaUQKRiNFJ0Hlb52wYwmAetYslSFHQ1H6aRtpRp0Cw7PsGU/s800/IMG_4662.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FBouzwxuPqvS5lBKoCnwfHu6yZUMk9PdTVMXY3777YymxX0eHc8PYLCB9CVdKj7GFi9kyGL5lpuGLJYs4S3-6-VXC-xK5gilr1YNuvxWdBI71cbfuyw75scjhEaVhDHq2hEgsSth5QE9gTaUQKRiNFJ0Hlb52wYwmAetYslSFHQ1H6aRtpRp0Cw7PsGU/w400-h400/IMG_4662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Can you spot the red cardinal snuggled in the rhododendron bush?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXJ_qgvLlGS1YedOKQL-jgEuAPyz0qrUIhtN1EakE5BaadPa2l-kXH0rfiud7v6xBMOxCFs-8ynyPuvMySo_RMQswSXc_0sgFmAU-lXhgeBBHjeLnE2wk5potUkHAnmXfelIMGFphoVkRk3EEUHfHD_d3oLtll1a6gNR8vLQYKulwAv6OPG8X5nfHAkB3/s800/IMG_4670.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXJ_qgvLlGS1YedOKQL-jgEuAPyz0qrUIhtN1EakE5BaadPa2l-kXH0rfiud7v6xBMOxCFs-8ynyPuvMySo_RMQswSXc_0sgFmAU-lXhgeBBHjeLnE2wk5potUkHAnmXfelIMGFphoVkRk3EEUHfHD_d3oLtll1a6gNR8vLQYKulwAv6OPG8X5nfHAkB3/w400-h400/IMG_4670.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The snow gently falls as this sweet deer wanders into the woods</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>YES! We finally got snow</b>--and I just <b>had</b> to leave the tree up a while longer :)<b> I make no apologies--it just seemed right! </b>But, the snow has now melted and I'm sure (well, pretty sure!) that I'll take it down this weekend. All the other Christmas things are boxed and put away in the attic so the tree shouldn't take long. I <b>do</b> hate saying goodbye to the ornaments for another 11 months, but, at the same time I know I'll love having my home back in order. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I <b>did</b> take the Prairie Schooler ornaments off the tree and out of the Pottery Barn cubby for their very own photo-shoot last week. Just wanted to document what I've stitched through the years because at my "advanced age," I have to admit, I have trouble remembering which ones I've previously stitched. <b>I'll be 69 years old on Tuesday... How can that be?!?! </b> I hope this final year in my 60s is a memorable one--and memorable for the right reasons!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1fxjZMGaOJ01YMBEkbbk4L3xoaMPBjp-gi2TGEHgk9hv45f2rXLaG7bsXJlAoKmiDznzHoLr_7_IxN-9UnbQFCMIwUU4LIA_jxfTPBpTn0bnaZtmZTgT9xCL1iFxRncoR3mo4TsuNATDyirHV_7QY4eXM5JJ0dvXrIuIyp9HXmsAnLvZt4cZ7F8DWoWP/s800/IMG_4674.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1fxjZMGaOJ01YMBEkbbk4L3xoaMPBjp-gi2TGEHgk9hv45f2rXLaG7bsXJlAoKmiDznzHoLr_7_IxN-9UnbQFCMIwUU4LIA_jxfTPBpTn0bnaZtmZTgT9xCL1iFxRncoR3mo4TsuNATDyirHV_7QY4eXM5JJ0dvXrIuIyp9HXmsAnLvZt4cZ7F8DWoWP/w400-h400/IMG_4674.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A plethora of Prairie Schooler Santas!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you all have a relaxing weekend ahead with lots of stitching time. I'll be back later in the month with some new stitching--fingers crossed! Bye for now...</span></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-46357391051751860152023-12-29T22:30:00.000-05:002023-12-29T22:30:16.029-05:00Winding down the year<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The final days of each year seem to signal the end of yet another chapter in one's life history... </b>It's always <b>so</b> hard to believe that another year has flown by so quickly, isn't it? We end the year on <b>such </b>a busy note with the preparation for Thanksgiving in late November right into the excitement and bustling days of the Christmas season. <b>I have to admit, I'm truly looking forward to the peace and quiet that a new year brings--how about you?</b> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our Christmas was nice, but not quite the "whole family together" time that I had pictured. My middle son came down with some sort of stomach flu and neither he nor his girlfriend were here on Christmas morning. The hardest part of his illness for him? Having to miss out on our traditional once-a-year homemade cinnamon rolls (you can find the recipe <b><a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7176/soft-moist-and-gooey-cinnamon-buns/" target="_blank">right here</a></b>)! Oh, we saved a couple for him, but it wasn't quite the same as sitting down for Christmas brunch with the whole family. We also saved his presents and the ones he had given all of us and opened them two days later when he felt well enough to come over again. Unbelievably, not a single one of the rest of us got sick!<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Another odd thing about Christmas this year was the weather...</b> it was <b>such</b> a warm and rainy week! We did get a bit of sunshine on Christmas Day itself, but that was it. And the temperature... it was 60° here in western Pennsylvania--the eighth warmest Christmas on record! I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually missing snow right now.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As the end of this year draws near, I have a number of folks I'd like to thank</b>--there are just so many kind and caring fellow stitchers out there! I enjoyed opening each gift and card so much and want to share what I received for Christmas this year...</span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXksNMJVHVSmZHS8WvcOeEP70XVau4_GxyyjfClu4deTyJQCH-J3ZJPKXMNG2NP_Dq4OLpIaZi4DZbJVyRa5pFuSzxMy0kDIm-3JLr0BYa0AhMlAyo_x5gULAdFwRrXLKxuwH10u6i7Lr9HCGPKDTrmJeSFi5zb3aStOQe56dadBizBNVmw88bxSCuEs4X/s640/IMG_3953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXksNMJVHVSmZHS8WvcOeEP70XVau4_GxyyjfClu4deTyJQCH-J3ZJPKXMNG2NP_Dq4OLpIaZi4DZbJVyRa5pFuSzxMy0kDIm-3JLr0BYa0AhMlAyo_x5gULAdFwRrXLKxuwH10u6i7Lr9HCGPKDTrmJeSFi5zb3aStOQe56dadBizBNVmw88bxSCuEs4X/w400-h400/IMG_3953.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From<a href="https://butterfly-butterflywings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> June </a>in England: a beautifully stitched card, a sweet Tralala chart, some finishing accessories and a Christmas towel. Thank you, my friend!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UJoR-MzuOH7Hcfv5aKMOIY6dXw1zfYBwRVOPxOL8Kb_9aRETjFMq6DCJDozzzmSqBZJYkCSIdkrDN2DTMvTdLrVWaePNesO4aOautTmCi0F7NuFTAjWJ_6lAcrCUS0fWAxlq13s8ri45kyY9mbb3V0VfY0YMzZJOgjElrdYfKSiLpFeAzP0XZXJ_ykdY/s640/IMG_4520.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UJoR-MzuOH7Hcfv5aKMOIY6dXw1zfYBwRVOPxOL8Kb_9aRETjFMq6DCJDozzzmSqBZJYkCSIdkrDN2DTMvTdLrVWaePNesO4aOautTmCi0F7NuFTAjWJ_6lAcrCUS0fWAxlq13s8ri45kyY9mbb3V0VfY0YMzZJOgjElrdYfKSiLpFeAzP0XZXJ_ykdY/w400-h400/IMG_4520.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Manuela in Germany: the cutest little snowman card, a pretty-in-pink hexie mug rug, and two floss tags. Thank you, my friend!</span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwK_SKXThVg3uQNo2WmBw9JIALvE4X8Ju7fwNTrakMnHNidsXpHeqtB7UZoC8D34NWLNQNwXgKkYw5xaaDWqAb999QzMxgVlsR6nP4E53zp9Ie_bfgvJ8vr83Aff73Udkd7s4jwxGBo9y0x8LbWjONIEq_4UmqiTW7V9OKhE0uaMo1uMYaOdyqGfwPnoU/s640/IMG_3952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwK_SKXThVg3uQNo2WmBw9JIALvE4X8Ju7fwNTrakMnHNidsXpHeqtB7UZoC8D34NWLNQNwXgKkYw5xaaDWqAb999QzMxgVlsR6nP4E53zp9Ie_bfgvJ8vr83Aff73Udkd7s4jwxGBo9y0x8LbWjONIEq_4UmqiTW7V9OKhE0uaMo1uMYaOdyqGfwPnoU/w400-h400/IMG_3952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Cindy C. (cindycstitches on Instagram): a beautifully stitched ornament featuring Santa and his deer. Thank you, my friend!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGte1KZuJsCSpEjthsmIQKu8OqSWD_tC6Slgi2UY1zs7CVvkEj_rKKAa3R63PDJOk3RlltBl2sQRth-lvdsXq_AhBRIWrI5-KB3HDtBfR_jiBNz6Hpj-e77fjZw_nPAqHuptqJpPH-A90SWivZQjFB4nS5gQotDXLMpmtjNMl06yXVWfphXaxadLE0oV_B/s640/IMG_4205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGte1KZuJsCSpEjthsmIQKu8OqSWD_tC6Slgi2UY1zs7CVvkEj_rKKAa3R63PDJOk3RlltBl2sQRth-lvdsXq_AhBRIWrI5-KB3HDtBfR_jiBNz6Hpj-e77fjZw_nPAqHuptqJpPH-A90SWivZQjFB4nS5gQotDXLMpmtjNMl06yXVWfphXaxadLE0oV_B/w400-h400/IMG_4205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From <a href="https://beemusedandbeestitching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stasi</a> in Virginia: an adorable (and very appropriately named!) ornament. This is a design by Mani di Donna. Thank you, my friend! </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTksLMYDGjGnhgdfOsp_uY-I6pwdB9Q0Wy3JH0vS4LKPluPgMhmg5r_hcGn5djN6AWQx-Cj3zWOWZoDrFv1Y3tRq5Xc9xbxTe-w87-P6tcqoi8pMk_F7fmgwifioTUvw68tcPu844d9w9yu9fP_h9RpuC9nBgBlmFj_tm2GBN4dMgD3UvN1_WC1Nmr6hV/s640/IMG_4150.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTksLMYDGjGnhgdfOsp_uY-I6pwdB9Q0Wy3JH0vS4LKPluPgMhmg5r_hcGn5djN6AWQx-Cj3zWOWZoDrFv1Y3tRq5Xc9xbxTe-w87-P6tcqoi8pMk_F7fmgwifioTUvw68tcPu844d9w9yu9fP_h9RpuC9nBgBlmFj_tm2GBN4dMgD3UvN1_WC1Nmr6hV/w400-h400/IMG_4150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From <a href="http://astitchersstory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vickie</a> in Wisconsin: a charming little star ornament. Thank you, my friend!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRM8Jfd6hgrXMc_HcN1qoIVIX4lQqU9Kcjq6FjvX2fzmSgAuzWWYD4aYKNn0Ndwe82D9YTIkeA0HONpYBPMgG1LtyovEVo72STKwUA43FcUuHKk0F8Yq7GIxdU5Is9sncfUwXQjHPXaDUuJMy6vLcr_2Rp43Mr7l26kgI-On03yjPZdDIj_aE8R9Wken_/s640/IMG_4152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRM8Jfd6hgrXMc_HcN1qoIVIX4lQqU9Kcjq6FjvX2fzmSgAuzWWYD4aYKNn0Ndwe82D9YTIkeA0HONpYBPMgG1LtyovEVo72STKwUA43FcUuHKk0F8Yq7GIxdU5Is9sncfUwXQjHPXaDUuJMy6vLcr_2Rp43Mr7l26kgI-On03yjPZdDIj_aE8R9Wken_/w400-h400/IMG_4152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Claire in Canada (blackberryhill1 on Instagram): The most darling woolen strawberry adorned with a sweet angel and a Santa Claus floss holder. Thank you, my friend!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r2AtrB_UkFIu1PbCz98Omz2Al33T1q7BjvR5Cnj5_fiAM8sbdf5JZctrJvZEmNlKyuJu_2W7DCl6P7tTxbrnVX1W_QblRXL98iW3wFJy_9Coen_25xYO1EgboCyuTfMvnfTCnyhwVJwfAVrRnfjEeKTCr5ZvSUxxGzRL7SVFcWomZG-MCGTSidr2L-mi/s640/IMG_4153-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r2AtrB_UkFIu1PbCz98Omz2Al33T1q7BjvR5Cnj5_fiAM8sbdf5JZctrJvZEmNlKyuJu_2W7DCl6P7tTxbrnVX1W_QblRXL98iW3wFJy_9Coen_25xYO1EgboCyuTfMvnfTCnyhwVJwfAVrRnfjEeKTCr5ZvSUxxGzRL7SVFcWomZG-MCGTSidr2L-mi/w400-h400/IMG_4153-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Robin in Virginia: a beautifully stitched Silver Bells ornament. Thank you, my friend!</span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemZEY3z0o6_qSXwwVbLWlsQZWgygfThtN04QkqYY8uZdHT53JeQ1CFh1iXiwCm7GcfaAAJNgOFyEkAehj6mcBx99KjUB4zJDxfWtIHjBRVw5r7fHTbFpy0sOJH90xLyjn4UvDFdCsfVgreaZbTuEC6bDP60ELphzZH_0EP0isaXlBlIO9aViApn2wl9Ec/s640/IMG_4057.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemZEY3z0o6_qSXwwVbLWlsQZWgygfThtN04QkqYY8uZdHT53JeQ1CFh1iXiwCm7GcfaAAJNgOFyEkAehj6mcBx99KjUB4zJDxfWtIHjBRVw5r7fHTbFpy0sOJH90xLyjn4UvDFdCsfVgreaZbTuEC6bDP60ELphzZH_0EP0isaXlBlIO9aViApn2wl9Ec/w400-h400/IMG_4057.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Cindy in Tennessee (cindyderosa on Instagram): a lovely blue bird ornament. Thank you, my friend! </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2riJP_S6Sv2aKy2JASUOQpi8PWoU598yX9-W-Qlo7A8E97uXBlFWUFV42xBDVmmLswmGl2KxpC3Pao6sa10E3WxAbFQH_D_Oo8ISQ4njNy9RsmZ_VJsjJIiAeiUObOfY2_jkcyXeXIJrQK9_ZWE6ZhfsArc321ffHlcX2UZBpTPKbnJ9j9aTXiyl6sXu/s640/IMG_4519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2riJP_S6Sv2aKy2JASUOQpi8PWoU598yX9-W-Qlo7A8E97uXBlFWUFV42xBDVmmLswmGl2KxpC3Pao6sa10E3WxAbFQH_D_Oo8ISQ4njNy9RsmZ_VJsjJIiAeiUObOfY2_jkcyXeXIJrQK9_ZWE6ZhfsArc321ffHlcX2UZBpTPKbnJ9j9aTXiyl6sXu/w400-h400/IMG_4519.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From <a href="https://mein-allerlei-hobby.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Martina</a> and Gabi in Germany: sweetly stitched cards which I plan on making into ornaments. Thank you, my friends!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIydV_9iIO5vgzi5CprCcrr8bcaHAlfjnBLQ0DiHIf73XFPP4o_QMxTFO0AEXlxtZuH9fxsLC5gGy64_3x08SPgYx5K4_gUsaxshNgZpe6KJcdfElXmwviZJxm4jhttUZpw5DwjJf2PmSE171Gt05LsmvRzAMQeF55tj8n6MGW0EMB0WWdhm7X-dKx16v/s640/IMG_4512-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIydV_9iIO5vgzi5CprCcrr8bcaHAlfjnBLQ0DiHIf73XFPP4o_QMxTFO0AEXlxtZuH9fxsLC5gGy64_3x08SPgYx5K4_gUsaxshNgZpe6KJcdfElXmwviZJxm4jhttUZpw5DwjJf2PmSE171Gt05LsmvRzAMQeF55tj8n6MGW0EMB0WWdhm7X-dKx16v/w400-h400/IMG_4512-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From Nathalie in France: some pretty pastel ribbons, lip balm, and incense. Thank you, my friend!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What a lucky stitcher I am, wouldn't you agree?</b> And thank you, too, for the lovely Christmas cards I received from many of you... Sandy P., Marilyn, Tricia, Barb R., Karen Y., Lee, and Kim H. I do love receiving a real Christmas card in my mailbox even though that tradition seems to be fading away these days. Just call me old-fashioned! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As Christmas draws closer,</b> I move my newest dozen ornaments from the garland going up my stairs to our tree and replace them with stitched ornaments I've received from so many of you throughout the years. These will stay up until the new year. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2IaSgHjap7bF0BWhSGFZJ3LYSjJpI1azKX9LGm6_mfjQm6LCKcZUo-bpqsXwX3C70aSdq410DAy9rnPAhf68qMTm7GuhxmA_Hc2I6dwWGv1_WCfWyD5h06UYJJPWrblaCWq_vQXAW7_IH4SG3KfAkAluZ8CGbmTgsri9j9acBzPV0Uhu2m1Q3ZiUvZbj/s800/IMG_4513-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2IaSgHjap7bF0BWhSGFZJ3LYSjJpI1azKX9LGm6_mfjQm6LCKcZUo-bpqsXwX3C70aSdq410DAy9rnPAhf68qMTm7GuhxmA_Hc2I6dwWGv1_WCfWyD5h06UYJJPWrblaCWq_vQXAW7_IH4SG3KfAkAluZ8CGbmTgsri9j9acBzPV0Uhu2m1Q3ZiUvZbj/w400-h400/IMG_4513-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My garland now bears many, many ornaments sent from stitching friends over the years.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpDS0-tvOWOsnw1EmFNhvfIMFBDfRQAHcE69K0h9EyyRdKyRkg_lF_G8i9hFfMC0xJib8qkBbkHoG1yQKilWiQ_0n_F5_MJDppUV1g_ACOp0oaAPkAVQa-IVvnulPpVDazqPQSU2qpZstRJOf_3U_LA0nsS1zTgesN7R9TkM7ibgtw6S5arqea4k5eDsw/s800/IMG_4514-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpDS0-tvOWOsnw1EmFNhvfIMFBDfRQAHcE69K0h9EyyRdKyRkg_lF_G8i9hFfMC0xJib8qkBbkHoG1yQKilWiQ_0n_F5_MJDppUV1g_ACOp0oaAPkAVQa-IVvnulPpVDazqPQSU2qpZstRJOf_3U_LA0nsS1zTgesN7R9TkM7ibgtw6S5arqea4k5eDsw/w400-h400/IMG_4514-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both sides are covered with so many wonderful gifts!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Ghc3pYx_hLPLh3vsrgNq1AOmMfDN4KdwR__UhbIKHM4A0gs3Ao18ghVCef7_-E0cGrydX2iVomGtjvMi-Zl7f5RXowMEIOs8ZfZrSe5EwOu6oJsBa7TUFoZIl30kKp-0-FbqnOuW-QRMC1YH8XqyUB86Pj4NLGQ5u2BWKZayct-Fqvcxr8lYmYsn3Fc/s800/IMG_4515-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Ghc3pYx_hLPLh3vsrgNq1AOmMfDN4KdwR__UhbIKHM4A0gs3Ao18ghVCef7_-E0cGrydX2iVomGtjvMi-Zl7f5RXowMEIOs8ZfZrSe5EwOu6oJsBa7TUFoZIl30kKp-0-FbqnOuW-QRMC1YH8XqyUB86Pj4NLGQ5u2BWKZayct-Fqvcxr8lYmYsn3Fc/w400-h400/IMG_4515-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are the six lovely new ornaments I received this year.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The saga of Mister B and the elf...</b> Do you all remember the photo of the little mechanized elf I showed you in my last post? For those of you who missed it, here is the impish fellow once again..</span></span>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjFPTYejMuqjrIQbpQOALS5v3xpQz0xEChg9KvzLvWVRoOdMWPDR03e9IpcCcdRTSWXaLuIf4i3LZjmBOULlmyjmNIEYCtnXWOlhR6oxf8luQmiPCWXyvNP5OqN3gyz5AZauwNdJro2p7carJBh7zi_A-BsHUVRjojxXERLorhxX4XO6F3EB8gGQsLSXK/s800/IMG_4297.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjFPTYejMuqjrIQbpQOALS5v3xpQz0xEChg9KvzLvWVRoOdMWPDR03e9IpcCcdRTSWXaLuIf4i3LZjmBOULlmyjmNIEYCtnXWOlhR6oxf8luQmiPCWXyvNP5OqN3gyz5AZauwNdJro2p7carJBh7zi_A-BsHUVRjojxXERLorhxX4XO6F3EB8gGQsLSXK/w400-h400/IMG_4297.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The little elf was met with a lot of suspicion by Mister B!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I was sure that my 3-year-old grandson would love him.</b> Wrong! He was quite wary of him and simply stared at him with wide-eyes for quite a while. At first he refused to go near him, telling me, "he looks dangerous!" He slowly got up his nerve to draw closer and proudly told me, "I touched his hat!" And, after being told many times that the elf's saw wasn't going to hurt him (that it was actually made of wood), he finally got up his nerve to touch it. Watching the whole scenario develop over a few days time was so cute. He was <b>very</b> proud when he and the elf finally became "friends!" </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwFotmzoNm3SkozKVfvzIPzHZDUhhHTaIcXO8nSIirjKdKD8wQUVs94KPmjXlXrDG8cZsHqe1zUoMPEcQxtbuRG5O1qni-50FTtF7IEi2gqN0WYKEoyk9OMYqq7KAzptl1o0v69UmWnsf8Hhi_UNb5NDez4SQ97HkdoIZJIc8kpuNfqOKjA4iLXZ9J1xW/s640/IMG_4455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwFotmzoNm3SkozKVfvzIPzHZDUhhHTaIcXO8nSIirjKdKD8wQUVs94KPmjXlXrDG8cZsHqe1zUoMPEcQxtbuRG5O1qni-50FTtF7IEi2gqN0WYKEoyk9OMYqq7KAzptl1o0v69UmWnsf8Hhi_UNb5NDez4SQ97HkdoIZJIc8kpuNfqOKjA4iLXZ9J1xW/w400-h400/IMG_4455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B's not quite sure if that elf is to be trusted or not!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was such fun watching Mister B discover each one of my Christmas decorations--the Nativity Set, the little tree on my kitchen table, the Christmas lights shining around the house and in our neighborhood...</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXVBW1RpO7EfsuZevf6ENJr-_ntF77st2zFyw2F3yKKz50kHVrIcKQlm-0IJssnXTdfZG4RMtg7SE9eaoHsa8-FIXr6-mEDdG5_t4m1G9PO1sSsds1zWIo9P1iGaRAxoD_tHHzT3aAltoEBxy7QkiAPB79AuItfm9FPYodZM9u_WlmW0IWEjsFFq1QJPZ/s640/IMG_4387-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXVBW1RpO7EfsuZevf6ENJr-_ntF77st2zFyw2F3yKKz50kHVrIcKQlm-0IJssnXTdfZG4RMtg7SE9eaoHsa8-FIXr6-mEDdG5_t4m1G9PO1sSsds1zWIo9P1iGaRAxoD_tHHzT3aAltoEBxy7QkiAPB79AuItfm9FPYodZM9u_WlmW0IWEjsFFq1QJPZ/w400-h400/IMG_4387-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Helping to rearrange Nonna's little Christmas village</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As always food (well... sweets to be exact!) was a big part of our holiday. I ended up making my grandmother's homemade caramels, slowly stirring them for nearly 2 1/2 hours. Oh, they were delicious--so smooth and buttery! My husband nicely wrapped each one in wax paper--the part of making these goodies that I really don't enjoy.</span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnveH7tggHKm-pQ1LBrjyDpf4Rn1CDqCzgfJTbfeNKGggVg0HfsAlW65p3Y_7tcg0WEldUKjag8QIJO3zGcSivhyphenhyphentMqmM__UcbXiPmClHLltgHdvMcBQjqSyjmVqJgNtslk_xreXvaeDMK8LF77canwNzVVsaJ3Ht7VxQfg28n31Yqu2G90aTTsI0fCuA/s640/IMG_4227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnveH7tggHKm-pQ1LBrjyDpf4Rn1CDqCzgfJTbfeNKGggVg0HfsAlW65p3Y_7tcg0WEldUKjag8QIJO3zGcSivhyphenhyphentMqmM__UcbXiPmClHLltgHdvMcBQjqSyjmVqJgNtslk_xreXvaeDMK8LF77canwNzVVsaJ3Ht7VxQfg28n31Yqu2G90aTTsI0fCuA/w400-h400/IMG_4227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gram B's yummy homemade caramels--a Christmas tradition</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've been asked for this recipe many times, so I thought some of you might like to try making them for yourself. Just make sure to have a good candy thermometer and <b>lots</b> of patience!</span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcn_BOaGXXxS6BkATgqKCWJ6ML4u6e-mzZRKtNSzr30cs-cI2RYCCymNQKfqt1j4jy8_pTbd24dAAUqzz0aK4g5beeOoT_MDARMaHIlfdKeEHW22elcA4k3ms6vc_L_i2XSi38bcKtbgfgFDESL55cTwBQgflF2UxfPVhR95bmm4FFRH-vhaoVVgT3dW2/s640/IMG_4527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcn_BOaGXXxS6BkATgqKCWJ6ML4u6e-mzZRKtNSzr30cs-cI2RYCCymNQKfqt1j4jy8_pTbd24dAAUqzz0aK4g5beeOoT_MDARMaHIlfdKeEHW22elcA4k3ms6vc_L_i2XSi38bcKtbgfgFDESL55cTwBQgflF2UxfPVhR95bmm4FFRH-vhaoVVgT3dW2/w400-h400/IMG_4527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A very special family recipe</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, Christmas cookies were also on hand and below are some of our favorites. </span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrNUfoiGTr3Zb-wXlM8mW6j5GSW30UalTnYxqV_cuKUPc-BIputyyC8HfYaHV8TfsybO8aIaIN-2o9crFXWsJVetePLIbOMZff-wgEgSSLfmSv1IuQ8LKgiUTFnPoJMqI_PxS_NYpsTR2qgi5EuR99EFtX27EETFkic34ikocC2oSw2vyAj45qv5AbdyR/s640/IMG_4323-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrNUfoiGTr3Zb-wXlM8mW6j5GSW30UalTnYxqV_cuKUPc-BIputyyC8HfYaHV8TfsybO8aIaIN-2o9crFXWsJVetePLIbOMZff-wgEgSSLfmSv1IuQ8LKgiUTFnPoJMqI_PxS_NYpsTR2qgi5EuR99EFtX27EETFkic34ikocC2oSw2vyAj45qv5AbdyR/w400-h400/IMG_4323-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I sure went through a lot of butter in my baking this year!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We spent an afternoon decorating gingerbread cookies a few days after Christmas. What fun to watch my grandson with some of his "creative" decorating style (read that: dumping <b>a lot</b> of sprinkles on to each and every cookie!). And, of course, those were his favorite ones to eat, too!</span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG6-ph1bc4OXgI5fILvRhMUvqbyINfRXn_OD4x4UDI8E_Bwi1KKEunzrh8z_Sye4DovIeOV7m__c26UE-ijczYPVZ4JA2vso6yozTzdsmeXj_-tNwcqxNXxeL2JPmatRobBBJpk4OWislrilS4iuYtbH2J9uB7Ad6_xMxJc2KZdaHo1nVJv_437spXX_9/s640/IMG_4501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG6-ph1bc4OXgI5fILvRhMUvqbyINfRXn_OD4x4UDI8E_Bwi1KKEunzrh8z_Sye4DovIeOV7m__c26UE-ijczYPVZ4JA2vso6yozTzdsmeXj_-tNwcqxNXxeL2JPmatRobBBJpk4OWislrilS4iuYtbH2J9uB7Ad6_xMxJc2KZdaHo1nVJv_437spXX_9/w400-h400/IMG_4501.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The more sprinkles, the better!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I could go on and on posting photos of our Christmas, but I'll leave you with this last one.</span></span></b><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxHHA3IkseJ5D_JF1RUZQ6mekIDhjJbXhqTtwH7_eGu1bbajskLtBVY_fm0I_r-xRnpEbc2fHT0LpQByVR51orFM1RfZWRSPPKR857NplZnh2L1ui6zdv-7-6wNozIzGxaVs1MrkgDvXDUSEVhd45jNeoyzW8MEKNbkdiOKxjg_DqtNomiwsfSsaqBVPS/s640/IMG_4417.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxHHA3IkseJ5D_JF1RUZQ6mekIDhjJbXhqTtwH7_eGu1bbajskLtBVY_fm0I_r-xRnpEbc2fHT0LpQByVR51orFM1RfZWRSPPKR857NplZnh2L1ui6zdv-7-6wNozIzGxaVs1MrkgDvXDUSEVhd45jNeoyzW8MEKNbkdiOKxjg_DqtNomiwsfSsaqBVPS/w400-h400/IMG_4417.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas morning with Mister B!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, that's a wrap on 2023... it was a quiet year for us. I have to say I'm relieved after the ups and downs of the previous few years. We do hope to travel more in the coming year... We realize we aren't getting any younger and know that, one of these days, traveling will be out of the question. Do you have any plans for your coming year? Whatever they may be, I hope your new year is filled with much love and laughter, good health, and happy days. Try to enjoy the simple things in life... often they bring the most joy, don't you agree? Thank you, one and all for taking the time to read my little blog, leave a friendly word or two, and inspire me with all of your stitching. I'll see you next year! Bye for now...</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrBXdxLkz_9JXvbMhHj9XA-F8fJ5qgJwEudGKJ2yEqZRS5Ag_EHk3ixmEYqNrBSKHDsB5EHDN8TQiOnmHJc2mFarBxK4M52Y59bmQO_KQubuDULa04hzXL71KbeUfN-rmbP35PCmtRwCMVAVS_WzM-VbKHh2xkT9xaSToxipZc5sexbi1G9nhxtB9wMj2/s504/3a8c829e97c1eb97ed946040182ee467-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="361" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrBXdxLkz_9JXvbMhHj9XA-F8fJ5qgJwEudGKJ2yEqZRS5Ag_EHk3ixmEYqNrBSKHDsB5EHDN8TQiOnmHJc2mFarBxK4M52Y59bmQO_KQubuDULa04hzXL71KbeUfN-rmbP35PCmtRwCMVAVS_WzM-VbKHh2xkT9xaSToxipZc5sexbi1G9nhxtB9wMj2/w286-h400/3a8c829e97c1eb97ed946040182ee467-001.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all the best life has to offer in the New Year!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></b></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-56641766233743635282023-12-21T23:28:00.000-05:002023-12-21T23:28:31.736-05:00200 and counting!<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Ornaments, that is! </b>Yes, this year, I reached a milestone as I passed the 200 mark (203 to be exact) with my stitched ornaments. There are actually only 181 on this tree, though, because 22 of them are displayed in my Pottery Barn cubby. My tree is up and the presents are patiently resting underneath just waiting to be opened on Christmas morning. In keeping with tradition, we'll let my grandson open one present on Christmas Eve and I bet I know exactly which one he'll choose--the largest one! <b>Do you have any traditions when it comes to your tree or gift opening? </b>We try to open our gifts one by one, but with nine people this Christmas morning, that may take a bit too long. We'll see what happens! I'm <b>so</b> looking forward to this entire weekend and the following week--family time with all nine of us present is so rare these days. I'm going to treasure each moment... (well, maybe <b>not</b> all of the cooking :) </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JicEiGrovkrFSL4n_BwOtwkylof8pWOLwWYtWN3IUnsWFCCBYUCT-aU5CCeNEYBBBi42oc08zVSWNiJQ0sPqFR3H3-Ec-vwDT2P1NpF7XFiMJvdKo-DpAJ3TPoL0asylGk4Y9sBw14QRN6joXgNJtr3vVl-TgNeX8HUtcxvIVgwCazzF5ekc3wNK9KiN/s800/IMG_4300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JicEiGrovkrFSL4n_BwOtwkylof8pWOLwWYtWN3IUnsWFCCBYUCT-aU5CCeNEYBBBi42oc08zVSWNiJQ0sPqFR3H3-Ec-vwDT2P1NpF7XFiMJvdKo-DpAJ3TPoL0asylGk4Y9sBw14QRN6joXgNJtr3vVl-TgNeX8HUtcxvIVgwCazzF5ekc3wNK9KiN/w400-h400/IMG_4300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My cross-stitch Christmas tree: 2023</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are a few close-ups for you from top to bottom...<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPn5D0qg6ZUeN4IIWAaiYhUNBu5M5kXM6aAkntJELyS2xPf5Yu6kfjk9pl-mTfxbvRYJHHd3cyI9NfFpWpApdRxBFVpc-DtJQTQ_BxkIME61UOPzbUPMrl6nfI0x3FKLYRbRDr6cLQc8wL7g1Cm03i3IVhfMj8Y1l0diRFg7h30-iqG4nSslRSnKkmtTG/s800/IMG_4325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPn5D0qg6ZUeN4IIWAaiYhUNBu5M5kXM6aAkntJELyS2xPf5Yu6kfjk9pl-mTfxbvRYJHHd3cyI9NfFpWpApdRxBFVpc-DtJQTQ_BxkIME61UOPzbUPMrl6nfI0x3FKLYRbRDr6cLQc8wL7g1Cm03i3IVhfMj8Y1l0diRFg7h30-iqG4nSslRSnKkmtTG/w400-h400/IMG_4325.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP5BISRTwMRDhBtvM7Llqr8BH9IDj6cDTwGGfwvSN6RLxYLW_-E1LXS6GDZ01XiQBHu16WciqcJRf7fYaLbwVmLnlifv8L_2rNTbqTVoYaCg1w6dRN_ueiIiwwya-uZZm088rW0tqKeKbfNV-LgbtwdarxpwgHeVka1FaXolQwwLEeho1wcm3p1It398u/s800/IMG_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP5BISRTwMRDhBtvM7Llqr8BH9IDj6cDTwGGfwvSN6RLxYLW_-E1LXS6GDZ01XiQBHu16WciqcJRf7fYaLbwVmLnlifv8L_2rNTbqTVoYaCg1w6dRN_ueiIiwwya-uZZm088rW0tqKeKbfNV-LgbtwdarxpwgHeVka1FaXolQwwLEeho1wcm3p1It398u/w400-h400/IMG_4262.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DJ5ewUl1k6IGBCwFMRIgFS57prvSjRFpns65AHQb5Tbrecjyx_wfqt4vfr_4EV3ZR8q8YmyiqVtvuxkky2bu_DsNfYkkZUWlKspp2Un6p7bd_XzsiHatkbe2DBwPz61uLpiPeEra8E37RjWTy6UL39RDbVUyEAOdnkjnKOtj1D6N9EtFP1qQaCVT9wPs/s800/IMG_4304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DJ5ewUl1k6IGBCwFMRIgFS57prvSjRFpns65AHQb5Tbrecjyx_wfqt4vfr_4EV3ZR8q8YmyiqVtvuxkky2bu_DsNfYkkZUWlKspp2Un6p7bd_XzsiHatkbe2DBwPz61uLpiPeEra8E37RjWTy6UL39RDbVUyEAOdnkjnKOtj1D6N9EtFP1qQaCVT9wPs/w400-h400/IMG_4304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAaPL8_o4RRZvqvf0bEEvyd-RgwDCQQJ7Rx2XPqkbfxApq7ufFFcYRfiMigzyDmqDYd2l8N9lsmbYDUycM9Ot92eMS0EAz6nfzQlxlzcL7Bl1VlXrl1xzmFyER0hSkQA3rdiJFVeC6ojSdSROE3F9DqZkVzzRBUSKetsWw-f3LlM7qlEp7Qsi8QYDqzFp/s800/IMG_4259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAaPL8_o4RRZvqvf0bEEvyd-RgwDCQQJ7Rx2XPqkbfxApq7ufFFcYRfiMigzyDmqDYd2l8N9lsmbYDUycM9Ot92eMS0EAz6nfzQlxlzcL7Bl1VlXrl1xzmFyER0hSkQA3rdiJFVeC6ojSdSROE3F9DqZkVzzRBUSKetsWw-f3LlM7qlEp7Qsi8QYDqzFp/w400-h400/IMG_4259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love the trio of Prairie Schooler angels</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaaMkoDDO11CMjiJvcutkoxm5qFxipqijusE3wLOcrfXW3Mc20vCB-sYgov2UONRx3nTSZOmRBvne9jWMGdhdCgwg7hhR2G6-hVZ8x-bf4ivhrk1DqwLwTlWvdlR-86IXtr9YhY5-LusGbE5_RLYTaogLIq2xOqJAcxIG76V0gTedZaj96oE96nsQl1Ls/s800/IMG_4295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaaMkoDDO11CMjiJvcutkoxm5qFxipqijusE3wLOcrfXW3Mc20vCB-sYgov2UONRx3nTSZOmRBvne9jWMGdhdCgwg7hhR2G6-hVZ8x-bf4ivhrk1DqwLwTlWvdlR-86IXtr9YhY5-LusGbE5_RLYTaogLIq2xOqJAcxIG76V0gTedZaj96oE96nsQl1Ls/w400-h400/IMG_4295.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And here is the view from my sunroom into the family room where I have another tiny tree on my bookshelf. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuU1XO9nTYm-MrH86Vhi6lm6m9mLZ73VO9K_iiy8p8Jn-tVO0dwzC87fULrTQuq8abG01t_fDvGtAsSyGVb2ghNhJFecClvS2avp7e6NVQ3NPE8az_wOiG5VWNd6e4yEx8g1CttE5h4aQALNDNHThbulr6jMkBqpFOA0renMKsXVWePgLgOocrfeeL-ej/s800/IMG_4294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuU1XO9nTYm-MrH86Vhi6lm6m9mLZ73VO9K_iiy8p8Jn-tVO0dwzC87fULrTQuq8abG01t_fDvGtAsSyGVb2ghNhJFecClvS2avp7e6NVQ3NPE8az_wOiG5VWNd6e4yEx8g1CttE5h4aQALNDNHThbulr6jMkBqpFOA0renMKsXVWePgLgOocrfeeL-ej/w400-h400/IMG_4294.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The little tree on the bookshelf on the right is just two feet high and has a mixture of gingerbread ornaments and snowflakes.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Did you happen to notice the tiny elf </b>peeking out at you in the first photo on the left? He is making an appearance after many years of being boxed up in the attic because my grandson will be here this year and I know he'll love him! This elf was a constant Christmas companion when my sons were growing up. When he is turned on, his arm moves back and forth as if he were sawing wood. (It actually looks like he's about to cut his own arm off, but... ) I can't wait to see my grandson's reaction when he first sees him. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-msX71qlkLoOWGIy45zy_PnzA6oEzLjziTxhJTVZlNTUW7pi0gvyD9jKNhWVMdvshTSfgL7zRlzNf7gOGwdhsbAboiK0GfO3pzKNTYhbgf0-9s-qiS4D2zwVzPhj8Lox49XG3LlCjEaNlhiBrn0WqPlHnQ5Q7LSD0AY7EvGNj7DOdK63sdQ7QxqPRzDf0/s800/IMG_4297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-msX71qlkLoOWGIy45zy_PnzA6oEzLjziTxhJTVZlNTUW7pi0gvyD9jKNhWVMdvshTSfgL7zRlzNf7gOGwdhsbAboiK0GfO3pzKNTYhbgf0-9s-qiS4D2zwVzPhj8Lox49XG3LlCjEaNlhiBrn0WqPlHnQ5Q7LSD0AY7EvGNj7DOdK63sdQ7QxqPRzDf0/w400-h400/IMG_4297.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm sure 3-year-old "Mister B" will be enchanted by this 21-inch elf!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Love the view at night, too</b>--my sunroom is filled with windows, skylights, and doors and the reflection of the tree lights is almost magical.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6gwURUBEZMuNOth53dzs52xgKe9AWjGOozRKINO9ftqj2QV_4vL8eI28cpn3Gfc7IR4qm4yPK9HUp-zF4OmR_haQGyHCVSZsHg-65JBkc0WoKVuvREJbnfQr3_2mKnCmXbF__Fc1iUji85JNuwhEkQ5g5zafQRkdYkvU4ZCFEzytfBeW9ZbbcmHiI76a/s800/IMG_4329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6gwURUBEZMuNOth53dzs52xgKe9AWjGOozRKINO9ftqj2QV_4vL8eI28cpn3Gfc7IR4qm4yPK9HUp-zF4OmR_haQGyHCVSZsHg-65JBkc0WoKVuvREJbnfQr3_2mKnCmXbF__Fc1iUji85JNuwhEkQ5g5zafQRkdYkvU4ZCFEzytfBeW9ZbbcmHiI76a/w400-h400/IMG_4329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"Blue Christmas"...</b> I mentioned earlier that 22 of my ornaments are not on my tree, but are displayed in my Pottery Barn cubby this year. I chose to pull many of the blue-themed ornaments and display them in the cubby in my family room. If you look closely, you'll see that most of them are snowmen or Santas, but there are a few houses and a pretty bird, as well. You probably know by this time that my favorite color is blue so this display certainly makes me smile each time I walk by!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKAPJw4WU6dWXCHm7va7W6Z_M3r8TTmyZotvyOev26Gs5UEp91aIUgAFtTd9xfX4XqhM9mIVDyX9EdMTbfgetlh4l5AHCNCxiLcR8yoJ6KtZA_dKqaG4wsH3MO3FW-hf3cgxUQR8mJVmq6JzCBUIiq3gLhy51w0V8b7WfAAehcp-R6wkRk0mzB9hRbgXa/s800/IMG_4045-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKAPJw4WU6dWXCHm7va7W6Z_M3r8TTmyZotvyOev26Gs5UEp91aIUgAFtTd9xfX4XqhM9mIVDyX9EdMTbfgetlh4l5AHCNCxiLcR8yoJ6KtZA_dKqaG4wsH3MO3FW-hf3cgxUQR8mJVmq6JzCBUIiq3gLhy51w0V8b7WfAAehcp-R6wkRk0mzB9hRbgXa/w400-h400/IMG_4045-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My "Blue Christmas" cubby</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are some close-ups. I'm sorry, I don't have time right now to identify each ornament in this post, but if you have a question about a particular one, just email me (make sure to include your email address, too!), and I'll get back to you with an answer.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5D6Qh1vD8fxexp4OC-wwMJVX08Q5KpJ-roBfZxBqr8evH52gGk8hwtJjtwiqm5832IUHXLqcxjxuULYoAVF-zAJWirh9tMTHtXz-jEK4CA11ttACuOKyivPEF_iDRuhKEuQl4exexk0F8pdttYfa7i_lELB17YdsZayEBfUD3M5kz86zb3hxSBviIC2M/s800/IMG_4046-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5D6Qh1vD8fxexp4OC-wwMJVX08Q5KpJ-roBfZxBqr8evH52gGk8hwtJjtwiqm5832IUHXLqcxjxuULYoAVF-zAJWirh9tMTHtXz-jEK4CA11ttACuOKyivPEF_iDRuhKEuQl4exexk0F8pdttYfa7i_lELB17YdsZayEBfUD3M5kz86zb3hxSBviIC2M/w400-h400/IMG_4046-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S3yfwgFHPJFXnNPE5Ycbh9e2k0AxYrzF6_V9e3FTg7iZPishFg0DY677-HUxKHuz6Vn6QsrGy2g9nKDlBTo75Fh_0FwmG9ixnFXWdktb8CDB2I8VRd_Rr3xJSkv_2-IN_dpLfPU0b8eYTDMg67zIWSRTehILymx6bDrKtE1Q1KpHuHiWit8Z6u-8J2vg/s800/IMG_4047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S3yfwgFHPJFXnNPE5Ycbh9e2k0AxYrzF6_V9e3FTg7iZPishFg0DY677-HUxKHuz6Vn6QsrGy2g9nKDlBTo75Fh_0FwmG9ixnFXWdktb8CDB2I8VRd_Rr3xJSkv_2-IN_dpLfPU0b8eYTDMg67zIWSRTehILymx6bDrKtE1Q1KpHuHiWit8Z6u-8J2vg/w400-h400/IMG_4047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPisPURmADRXhKyA0L1zhn4sFcFaZFCRqIzwDY-yZkxKCbmZ_2z0lLZ3x1xdSrGGCp1XbHTlR_Z_mqKs2kncarR6iEjwb4DCMmDgFxU0fKFfdJTL4b7ARZNzeqAERW35lXJKd3iCj-c2ZE2_7QWPGI4pECpfJ3NBktRlGBk7vTs1yB-mOsN0pFR8nbxDnN/s800/IMG_4049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPisPURmADRXhKyA0L1zhn4sFcFaZFCRqIzwDY-yZkxKCbmZ_2z0lLZ3x1xdSrGGCp1XbHTlR_Z_mqKs2kncarR6iEjwb4DCMmDgFxU0fKFfdJTL4b7ARZNzeqAERW35lXJKd3iCj-c2ZE2_7QWPGI4pECpfJ3NBktRlGBk7vTs1yB-mOsN0pFR8nbxDnN/w400-h400/IMG_4049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu_YuOKmHSIP0tA66vSVkfay_s3l_BlcOqCGz1d2YaDz0OBXpMvcfp3uboxeTrCFcmzYvJrf1ZfulMD6_UyTm766dTue11W0Jf6JNbVU5Eo0rMzNcZetCD2mhbBfxsytRQvUgU_PgtCKpLZhGNrSxqT2-akHZFYLq_HDFXyA6k5Y05rHzV9ROqnZdV-lp/s800/IMG_4048-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu_YuOKmHSIP0tA66vSVkfay_s3l_BlcOqCGz1d2YaDz0OBXpMvcfp3uboxeTrCFcmzYvJrf1ZfulMD6_UyTm766dTue11W0Jf6JNbVU5Eo0rMzNcZetCD2mhbBfxsytRQvUgU_PgtCKpLZhGNrSxqT2-akHZFYLq_HDFXyA6k5Y05rHzV9ROqnZdV-lp/w400-h400/IMG_4048-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What do you think? Do you have a favorite?</b> I think mine is the crescent-shaped Prairie Schooler Santa in the lower left space. And you know what one of the best things is about this display? I can simply replace the Santas with other snow-themed finishes and leave it up all winter! </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkxpJW3R6kWatl0WS0nsEfnjZeGEK-nDaikSKGGPTKiYQozmcaw0aKkVWu0GsQTcKzB5ZIg_mYJqQ6jiudIW6GpOuFeuuTpbDwGB2c0A3XYzAvYH73ppvzqRaPY_lW-I6Udq2B4yTnNPCwDNUgPPQSA-3jI8-5ufjbynpm_1b-rR1sS5NNk0TUGkKUY5N/s800/IMG_4051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkxpJW3R6kWatl0WS0nsEfnjZeGEK-nDaikSKGGPTKiYQozmcaw0aKkVWu0GsQTcKzB5ZIg_mYJqQ6jiudIW6GpOuFeuuTpbDwGB2c0A3XYzAvYH73ppvzqRaPY_lW-I6Udq2B4yTnNPCwDNUgPPQSA-3jI8-5ufjbynpm_1b-rR1sS5NNk0TUGkKUY5N/w400-h400/IMG_4051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">♥ And in the very center, as always, is the silhouette of my dear mother ♥</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiply2QRBS1_XqGWmjsnenpDD2bYAUywqOOrw9XrIdI5cHthhuc-2e_cJO7xYH5v983ddLPd9XmFM50gUKrJIOeDM7Bw1qLGnMfrlJyPTVe60TbVzpWwFBCcEj_CXZAb8ZC_4qKBzSkRJFgEFKk2K5oyzrCsrbtIRJNS5vSXLXTjhcPByLN9a4NsOx_Kc7m/s1280/Winter-Solstice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiply2QRBS1_XqGWmjsnenpDD2bYAUywqOOrw9XrIdI5cHthhuc-2e_cJO7xYH5v983ddLPd9XmFM50gUKrJIOeDM7Bw1qLGnMfrlJyPTVe60TbVzpWwFBCcEj_CXZAb8ZC_4qKBzSkRJFgEFKk2K5oyzrCsrbtIRJNS5vSXLXTjhcPByLN9a4NsOx_Kc7m/w200-h133/Winter-Solstice.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></b></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This is actually one of my favorite days of the year! </b>Why, you may ask? Well, it's simply because, after today, the days will start getting longer again. I relish the extra light in the evenings, even though it may not be noticeable for a while yet. I still remember, very vividly, a moment with my second son who was born in early December 1985. Like any young mother, I was exhausted and a bit depressed. One January evening, while I sat in his bedroom singing to him as we rocked back and forth in the creaky wooden rocking chair, I happened to glance out the window. My eyes widened and my tired face brightened as I realized it was <b>still</b> light out--even at almost 6 PM! Somehow, that fact soothed me and I <b>knew</b> brighter days were coming. From that moment on, I always associated the Winter Solstice with the start of lighter, brighter days...</span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In four days another Christmas will dawn. I hope it's a very special one for each of you. I'll have my entire family with me this year so I'm sure it will be for me. But, I know some of you are far from your families or dealing with serious illnesses or worries. I'm sure it's hard to be "merry" under those circumstances. So, my wish for you is a peaceful Christmas, my friends. Take care now and I'll see you soon.</span></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bye for now...</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5f4UeVPY8Q4J33v1kZe_BWdWiDaj48DAK3E_KuBVLFhuYKOcTz-b6lcQbQHPaIUgAve1tc-ru3THhDU-_3HwlS0tSzq1mrm6ifpESJlEEkJVQb_erWxZ39pTm1daz5YKJCX2AN9MnXG95HCrSFN4byQVjoBu09g9k5QCfuWB-duHRkSLW4CUB737MaqX/s800/IMG_3226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5f4UeVPY8Q4J33v1kZe_BWdWiDaj48DAK3E_KuBVLFhuYKOcTz-b6lcQbQHPaIUgAve1tc-ru3THhDU-_3HwlS0tSzq1mrm6ifpESJlEEkJVQb_erWxZ39pTm1daz5YKJCX2AN9MnXG95HCrSFN4byQVjoBu09g9k5QCfuWB-duHRkSLW4CUB737MaqX/w400-h400/IMG_3226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you a peaceful Christmas</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></b></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-9269431405918629782023-12-09T07:24:00.000-05:002023-12-09T07:24:43.612-05:002023 Parade of Ornaments<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Greetings! And a warm welcome to the Stitching Dreams annual parade of ornaments!</b> Can you believe this is the 14th year of the parade? Every year when I share my twelve newest little creations with you, I am so proud to have accomplished this. To be honest, as I get older my stitching has slowed down--I noticed that this year in the little notebook where I record my finishes. But, for some reason, I still get a little thrill with each ornament finish... Amazing at how something that small can be so rewarding. It's helped that I have so many wonderful stitchers who are now stitching an ornament a month with me over on Instagram (#12in23ornamentstitchalong). Is anyone in for 2024? I'm not going anywhere and still plan on stitching a little treasure each month. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, who's ready for the parade?</b> It's a cloudy December day here for parade watching, but I'm hoping the dozen entries into the 2023 parade will brighten all of our days. So relax, sit back, and enjoy. And as you watch, keep track of your favorite ornament--I'd love to know which one you like best in the comments!</span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I2cDthqTob4Zfwh9_c6Q1NqfyXvHg6UyF3gEbhLQxG6ayVLOCZccCtYQXvK1xLCVCEcHdFyregsSrw3GFPJRhnhV50088iMC0ugzCw7ha6_6qLoFdpW4PMbN2IVcWRH2Ytur6zhIAkTUXI00xWqorhQtgIEHjWeqmKHuz85VDOP3AZ_lTydGIisNrvsb/s800/IMG_3975.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I2cDthqTob4Zfwh9_c6Q1NqfyXvHg6UyF3gEbhLQxG6ayVLOCZccCtYQXvK1xLCVCEcHdFyregsSrw3GFPJRhnhV50088iMC0ugzCw7ha6_6qLoFdpW4PMbN2IVcWRH2Ytur6zhIAkTUXI00xWqorhQtgIEHjWeqmKHuz85VDOP3AZ_lTydGIisNrvsb/w400-h400/IMG_3975.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2023 "Parade of Ornaments"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And yes... I still have that red dining room!</b> How many years have I been talking about painting it? Although I love the color this time of year, it makes the room very dark and the older I get the more I crave light and bright. So perhaps, next year, there will be a new backdrop for the parade? I've actually purchased the paint so that's a step in the right direction. Now to get to work and get it painted after Christmas is over! That cute red and white snowflake rug was purchased on sale at Target this year for less than $10! I love it--it's just so cheery!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll zoom in on the parade for you as I know the above photo is a bit small. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU8pr551BBL94P2ZlWAtFqpc6rA9hoiaGpFtOf6nrmWU9Jv31B0DxlS2YJB6jwG7ht0YBVE4ZV90wiDZyKEtXopXTjz99uF02KrVukCAxyON-vM7LqK-KIkuY6xcfqV7lgT9ekX9531-Ebp5YbaLdquVo1hgFWOf6Mda0vdDqOcbdD8Jh-6ZMUHKx7Ngj/s640/IMG_3961-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU8pr551BBL94P2ZlWAtFqpc6rA9hoiaGpFtOf6nrmWU9Jv31B0DxlS2YJB6jwG7ht0YBVE4ZV90wiDZyKEtXopXTjz99uF02KrVukCAxyON-vM7LqK-KIkuY6xcfqV7lgT9ekX9531-Ebp5YbaLdquVo1hgFWOf6Mda0vdDqOcbdD8Jh-6ZMUHKx7Ngj/w400-h400/IMG_3961-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">January ~ March 2023</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzemRGDgwCFANSRIeVOloK5f2-8TooYUxerFon6Xe3SNi28JS0sgrLes7HAA74xwxhamU0aqxchyquKVEWoZVbz3vH0ryVONGmYjNqUTqFhIHfIs6CcBH1I16Pk25qbariRznKBeHZZQkF5UbTKmx7Nb1YOygoxTXjlzU64Z-IVujBq5GVA7L3ok8GIGb/s640/IMG_3962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzemRGDgwCFANSRIeVOloK5f2-8TooYUxerFon6Xe3SNi28JS0sgrLes7HAA74xwxhamU0aqxchyquKVEWoZVbz3vH0ryVONGmYjNqUTqFhIHfIs6CcBH1I16Pk25qbariRznKBeHZZQkF5UbTKmx7Nb1YOygoxTXjlzU64Z-IVujBq5GVA7L3ok8GIGb/w400-h400/IMG_3962.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">April ~ June 2023</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCUOk0-Vitl87Bw1k88QrWVtax8Z187UKYEm72begIdRh_eOKFN3lCjdoVFpRo-AuozJO9OPu8v21h21NIqdwfNW68gQJtZixzr_h_T62BEarogEB40K3HU_F2hfWzyMjqk8zKi64ut82NlHMY8Y7XjmgDrhYb7DUVpJaaeOYWM1iL5E27C92GIeOvS0K/s640/IMG_3967.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCUOk0-Vitl87Bw1k88QrWVtax8Z187UKYEm72begIdRh_eOKFN3lCjdoVFpRo-AuozJO9OPu8v21h21NIqdwfNW68gQJtZixzr_h_T62BEarogEB40K3HU_F2hfWzyMjqk8zKi64ut82NlHMY8Y7XjmgDrhYb7DUVpJaaeOYWM1iL5E27C92GIeOvS0K/w400-h400/IMG_3967.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">July ~ September 2023</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw52nDqZzencet7iIh1zxQ_v05Km6uBrBcUfQwU9rTLI0DSz3StMHwqDY96Ggpg7bi1hsBHfr2N_E_BE4UCW1y0HgRHG2UJaoZg_Zkqii3IS7XTggNCXb0Wa8vnMmmCYlFCXclNY619V-qXzfmyv1mJcyctyQTrx3-YTC_8s3NjWNTcvDkg2md5akfvGoQ/s640/IMG_3964.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw52nDqZzencet7iIh1zxQ_v05Km6uBrBcUfQwU9rTLI0DSz3StMHwqDY96Ggpg7bi1hsBHfr2N_E_BE4UCW1y0HgRHG2UJaoZg_Zkqii3IS7XTggNCXb0Wa8vnMmmCYlFCXclNY619V-qXzfmyv1mJcyctyQTrx3-YTC_8s3NjWNTcvDkg2md5akfvGoQ/w400-h400/IMG_3964.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">October ~ December 2023</span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's funny, I didn't think I had stitched many Prairie Schooler designs this year, but it turns out that five out of the twelve are PS: February, March, April, November, and December.<b> As always, I'd love to hear what your favorite is. </b>For me, it's a tie between my December ornament and my May ornament. <b>What's that you say--you'd like a closer look at each</b> <b>so you can really decide?</b> Well, here you go...</span></span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(You can click on the name of the ornament under each month to be taken to the post containing more information on each one). </span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">JANUARY</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlmFrdxhoZu917ekC35KLhNpg_HO-Nwj9HAnUCz5WsygLNknn5b2hNHRUEa_SLdHLUKEga2VoabGiMSIBkgI6Ye4YMz0WqKVlLGLw_Pjw4jSbSoKXTibtoqygLY8piq46IgREu3CW-G7sy64esCxORnJ13gEWn0oUTZ8buUAtieUHQbAzDcBecdmf-1O2/s640/IMG_9775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlmFrdxhoZu917ekC35KLhNpg_HO-Nwj9HAnUCz5WsygLNknn5b2hNHRUEa_SLdHLUKEga2VoabGiMSIBkgI6Ye4YMz0WqKVlLGLw_Pjw4jSbSoKXTibtoqygLY8piq46IgREu3CW-G7sy64esCxORnJ13gEWn0oUTZ8buUAtieUHQbAzDcBecdmf-1O2/w400-h400/IMG_9775.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/01/my-first-two-ornaments-and-bit-of-snow.html" target="_blank">With Thy Needle and Thread: "Rudolph & Friends"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">FEBRUARY</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhJ1Au3qZ7Wv1K80h85xjrv_Ivr5NWFNRlejShRFdpfsV_I_7x0pQ0HmbkuC3Qn_uqs8AmToB14t7SMNDznlUhfYk6yOlTgQ7c19OdG_t4Q6whucB9W_PuBIkcy1uH7t3ixA4a_u_yLaZeko3vfikIZbHxJQIc8xAa3i_UTQSXTUY6AABOjHv3A7-UR4o/s640/IMG_9772.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhJ1Au3qZ7Wv1K80h85xjrv_Ivr5NWFNRlejShRFdpfsV_I_7x0pQ0HmbkuC3Qn_uqs8AmToB14t7SMNDznlUhfYk6yOlTgQ7c19OdG_t4Q6whucB9W_PuBIkcy1uH7t3ixA4a_u_yLaZeko3vfikIZbHxJQIc8xAa3i_UTQSXTUY6AABOjHv3A7-UR4o/w400-h400/IMG_9772.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/01/my-first-two-ornaments-and-bit-of-snow.html" target="_blank">Prairie Schooler: "A Merry Mini Surprise" Skating Santa</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">MARCH</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7U64bifQboCnYke-gIVcODk4oS6pe_Lb6h5zj6LPP5qfsU0-kRN4_oX6rNdnJe_1TH9VIh_sav0T89PDF19mdER-WjV5i2s4zF7kc0VddOJ48JrWvfk4xWlT1xQs1u7Ym-CJPY6C5EmQiiP2ioFGi86y_1FuufCRZL8xYK4t2lNoi9Rhuayya0UkYzco/s640/IMG_0698.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7U64bifQboCnYke-gIVcODk4oS6pe_Lb6h5zj6LPP5qfsU0-kRN4_oX6rNdnJe_1TH9VIh_sav0T89PDF19mdER-WjV5i2s4zF7kc0VddOJ48JrWvfk4xWlT1xQs1u7Ym-CJPY6C5EmQiiP2ioFGi86y_1FuufCRZL8xYK4t2lNoi9Rhuayya0UkYzco/w400-h400/IMG_0698.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/04/hopping-into-april.html" target="_blank">Prairie Schooler: "Angels" Angel of Plenty</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>APRIL</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixh0FcChP8D5bo9IP7ex3VhJ6aUrylSdgCPm9Uqa3IS-qdC5HnST6Ithv0DAbJXNl9ebFrsHCfhLb7veTRizzBHY3eAGtcXWDAecSuq8FDvyq9DhetyrKCHBcdNxWrQlB-kJihhLD8R08ycvNTvPnqJhVIFzWPFPT_VuoOdTiwz_NZFGfeV3daI9UUNJTE/s640/IMG_0688-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixh0FcChP8D5bo9IP7ex3VhJ6aUrylSdgCPm9Uqa3IS-qdC5HnST6Ithv0DAbJXNl9ebFrsHCfhLb7veTRizzBHY3eAGtcXWDAecSuq8FDvyq9DhetyrKCHBcdNxWrQlB-kJihhLD8R08ycvNTvPnqJhVIFzWPFPT_VuoOdTiwz_NZFGfeV3daI9UUNJTE/w400-h400/IMG_0688-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/04/a-rollercoaster-of-month.html" target="_blank">Prairie Schooler: "Old World Santas"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">MAY</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQBIxoHrEgRJLREkoRbhMVnPFj0v9LrO-o_kExI-nYn7wouMtxuzPRNk_HhuykSA1BeOzRIshc9-VT88jrPuH91YBz2O1gtwJM8xrDH7hpNpJftiw65EPEEPwm58qY8lbc97UNq2RPp3MbANUZFtwyDVnKGnK3-WHqABJ97v0SJK7Awtt9BDty-WGewow/s640/IMG_1341.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQBIxoHrEgRJLREkoRbhMVnPFj0v9LrO-o_kExI-nYn7wouMtxuzPRNk_HhuykSA1BeOzRIshc9-VT88jrPuH91YBz2O1gtwJM8xrDH7hpNpJftiw65EPEEPwm58qY8lbc97UNq2RPp3MbANUZFtwyDVnKGnK3-WHqABJ97v0SJK7Awtt9BDty-WGewow/w400-h400/IMG_1341.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/05/slowly-getting-back-to-normal.html" target="_blank">TraLaLa: "Christmas Day"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">JUNE</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uCogPTzZRrUiV83DK-F3zQwCw-m7HsiSGnIqHZUmlfDDmZxGTyV4KMp2mR014g_SKO3UJivkjcJoRKZNW7itFyWuXcLYv0URBWo40vJ4I4QkKOXUTuihALYOAb-QJhZ_EApgZAqEadDeTkfznRXEo6WWMn8o6_wf2y23Wp__L3mD94GLTghsGmfdKr3y/s800/IMG_1789-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uCogPTzZRrUiV83DK-F3zQwCw-m7HsiSGnIqHZUmlfDDmZxGTyV4KMp2mR014g_SKO3UJivkjcJoRKZNW7itFyWuXcLYv0URBWo40vJ4I4QkKOXUTuihALYOAb-QJhZ_EApgZAqEadDeTkfznRXEo6WWMn8o6_wf2y23Wp__L3mD94GLTghsGmfdKr3y/w400-h400/IMG_1789-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/06/six-months-down-six-to-go.html" target="_blank">Jeannette Douglas: "Noel Stamp"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">JULY</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrTzgqUKuwvJt7w55-iXMiYgZsO7w-U5I30EUP0YL605AF9ivsAYn9XnGDzJpXueiwPPLl4CJslLmIdkLyUlZako_rzDHl_VvMwJyn1Qm0POAOVEoJJH3W5hXUcnCdTJPcOjMOfmgNvfiCVN_TeTMlQvr0JVDHMSACpUZZ_JIUZfWku013EV6kCmLgC5z/s640/IMG_2198.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrTzgqUKuwvJt7w55-iXMiYgZsO7w-U5I30EUP0YL605AF9ivsAYn9XnGDzJpXueiwPPLl4CJslLmIdkLyUlZako_rzDHl_VvMwJyn1Qm0POAOVEoJJH3W5hXUcnCdTJPcOjMOfmgNvfiCVN_TeTMlQvr0JVDHMSACpUZZ_JIUZfWku013EV6kCmLgC5z/w400-h400/IMG_2198.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/07/sunny-days-and-snowy-stitching.html" target="_blank">Heart In Hand: "A Very Merry Christmas"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">AUGUST</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Phv85vfJeskoZOmlY1Gd16AQxhAe0SFH_xn4TFb8_ppUzmYmgMk6PvbHYqLfxDLE8hg-k4bfSISMpYjvOEPkAOgqzAlI10htu0gP0x0PklRRN_oOzT-49rum0mXd4ECLB_JxC-lbD6OrDhTK390UCtZFEzANE1ggnITw2SHIbopwJ9BR_Xv4onnocVR2/s640/IMG_2195.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Phv85vfJeskoZOmlY1Gd16AQxhAe0SFH_xn4TFb8_ppUzmYmgMk6PvbHYqLfxDLE8hg-k4bfSISMpYjvOEPkAOgqzAlI10htu0gP0x0PklRRN_oOzT-49rum0mXd4ECLB_JxC-lbD6OrDhTK390UCtZFEzANE1ggnITw2SHIbopwJ9BR_Xv4onnocVR2/w400-h400/IMG_2195.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/04/a-rollercoaster-of-month.html" target="_blank">Lila's Studio: "Spirit of Christmas, Set 2"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SEPTEMBER</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIplxjgLJZDg05YhVRNNyPW1qiocVPzb_f0uFvK7slw7085S43hy9aobdOrelDI1jA9xOe2MznXezP7fsMtLmH8v7zbekfijCLIWo0elVZbPiREnqB5sqnI1nSXt6Ab5nb8mUll2_rvXFglKZBOf-f5eFqmMHJujr2h0eK9PzJq6iBT6Xkwwb_WA0p7cm/s640/IMG_3731-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIplxjgLJZDg05YhVRNNyPW1qiocVPzb_f0uFvK7slw7085S43hy9aobdOrelDI1jA9xOe2MznXezP7fsMtLmH8v7zbekfijCLIWo0elVZbPiREnqB5sqnI1nSXt6Ab5nb8mUll2_rvXFglKZBOf-f5eFqmMHJujr2h0eK9PzJq6iBT6Xkwwb_WA0p7cm/w400-h400/IMG_3731-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/11/thankful-for-lifes-simple-things.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Victoria Sampler: "Merry Christmas 2012"</span><br /></a></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">OCTOBER</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgm5u04Ile5bBrrVg0LpK-PHWurJNV_2RM9vJHeuUkLK2yKWs6ifpnYylrKPvurBiUoQZe7mTdsq0QSD_6y7Nfcn4HE04_0hVC3h6tdK1fPq7bIfVnnUmpQQsKbt2BiJs2XiY7Hbva4egtuPGpcUBdpFZPryLEo7eIIUJxhsThv1IIYj-MD5GmtF61H3a/s640/IMG_3733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgm5u04Ile5bBrrVg0LpK-PHWurJNV_2RM9vJHeuUkLK2yKWs6ifpnYylrKPvurBiUoQZe7mTdsq0QSD_6y7Nfcn4HE04_0hVC3h6tdK1fPq7bIfVnnUmpQQsKbt2BiJs2XiY7Hbva4egtuPGpcUBdpFZPryLEo7eIIUJxhsThv1IIYj-MD5GmtF61H3a/w400-h400/IMG_3733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/11/thankful-for-lifes-simple-things.html" target="_blank">The Trilogy: "Secret Snowdrift"</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">NOVEMBER</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHWPqx7sm1t19u6W3BYdC-ptwUEujSE4Gn6M4OgV9oDv5WgZbZA7qJvs3mBSOh2JUpIeLyckJuR8Q4StrS-jojrrHROvtqP_btKI7JyLP-cjwmz45XKlsoEWBTawGvHfckkpA5ywDIT5rq_Dt01yVTUUnmGZIAB3f6CtrYn_gGWd0TPxelOvkcDblupdg/s640/IMG_3940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHWPqx7sm1t19u6W3BYdC-ptwUEujSE4Gn6M4OgV9oDv5WgZbZA7qJvs3mBSOh2JUpIeLyckJuR8Q4StrS-jojrrHROvtqP_btKI7JyLP-cjwmz45XKlsoEWBTawGvHfckkpA5ywDIT5rq_Dt01yVTUUnmGZIAB3f6CtrYn_gGWd0TPxelOvkcDblupdg/w400-h400/IMG_3940.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/12/finishes-and-florida.html" target="_blank">Prairie Schooler: 2012 Annual Santa</a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">DECEMBER</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5nrcb_UTXaDTyPzpyrsc0p9P8b_ZhEwU2q4VQ4-uoKOuvN_czb5I0pk-R4Tf1_s6xJ2g_TJOH27yHN_XXzaekgKInNgal5b6Q8Nzb9JeTCNNfkfqJ-vAzFkXvHtYT6zpYszbmzP2v7aQ2Arudx4uaU_rfJwyhCuRa4Eu6ruvjZdHfR8sdrN_Kz3zXPxE/s640/IMG_3951.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5nrcb_UTXaDTyPzpyrsc0p9P8b_ZhEwU2q4VQ4-uoKOuvN_czb5I0pk-R4Tf1_s6xJ2g_TJOH27yHN_XXzaekgKInNgal5b6Q8Nzb9JeTCNNfkfqJ-vAzFkXvHtYT6zpYszbmzP2v7aQ2Arudx4uaU_rfJwyhCuRa4Eu6ruvjZdHfR8sdrN_Kz3zXPxE/w400-h400/IMG_3951.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2023/12/finishes-and-florida.html" target="_blank">Prairie Schooler: "O Christmas Tree" </a></span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, which one do you like the most? </b>As you can see, my taste is quite eclectic. I love the little pillow finishes the most, but round and oval finishes are also among my favorites. I'm honored that so many of you have told me that my ornaments have inspired you--both here on my blog and on Instagram. I hope that you'll take the time to browse through my past parades and, perhaps, find even more inspiration! You can simply click on each year and be taken directly to the post that has information on that year. If you count them all up, including this years, that is 168 different ornaments. Of course I've stitched more over the years, but these are the ones featured in my parades since 2011. Enjoy! <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2022/12/2022-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2022</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2021/12/2021-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2021</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/12/2020-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2020</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2019/12/2019-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2019</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2018/12/2018-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2018</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2017/12/2017-parade-or-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2017</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2016/12/2016-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2016</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2015/12/2015-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2015</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2014</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2013/12/2013-parade-of-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2013</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-christmas-ornament-finishes.html" target="_blank">2012</a>, <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-christmas-ornaments-and-crazy-for.html" target="_blank">2011</a>, and <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2010/12/final-2010-ornaments.html" target="_blank">2010</a>. </b>I also stitched an ornament-sized piece a week (not all Christmas themed, though) in 2009 when I began blogging. If you'd like to browse through that year, you can click right here:<b> <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2009/" target="_blank">2009</a></b></span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My little red and white Santa </b>keeps guard over my parade again this year. I'm curious to see how this little display holds up when my 3-year-old grandson visits over Christmas ;-)<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuO1vDFmo9hbQTOvcSWBXNJOvXhAjTsIUupW4B-RrXGH4mehsTz-w2_xkKav7IS41frEh6qr3I0gdjHgmlPTKq7W8dHRDysm1R2DNHTAFkmH5eLoo4Bn4MXK-ilG0qDAzu_vHz9lcgysfb5m7vjb57gSLj98MWtvV-x5QAvgCn6sLTIJgobwASfGKdMmj/s800/IMG_3973.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuO1vDFmo9hbQTOvcSWBXNJOvXhAjTsIUupW4B-RrXGH4mehsTz-w2_xkKav7IS41frEh6qr3I0gdjHgmlPTKq7W8dHRDysm1R2DNHTAFkmH5eLoo4Bn4MXK-ilG0qDAzu_vHz9lcgysfb5m7vjb57gSLj98MWtvV-x5QAvgCn6sLTIJgobwASfGKdMmj/w400-h400/IMG_3973.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This little Santa watches over the parade each year.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here is one last look at the 2023 ornament collection...</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e-MqUmv3dDyBjk-_QIg65MGlXxn9VfRuzt0z-DGBy_mZ5oy6sPKwCjt1Li0f4dQCEYcxXb7Ct6jh80RTKB30nh5poebYP3oblMq5eoeHsY1U8XdN8S47GS1hvg5pVFnD5MT7hREYHJe0qMUGBUD0xBcVGKzm61tQkxukZSGvzMKToMHUlkJ4HT1_fCwT/s800/IMG_4030-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e-MqUmv3dDyBjk-_QIg65MGlXxn9VfRuzt0z-DGBy_mZ5oy6sPKwCjt1Li0f4dQCEYcxXb7Ct6jh80RTKB30nh5poebYP3oblMq5eoeHsY1U8XdN8S47GS1hvg5pVFnD5MT7hREYHJe0qMUGBUD0xBcVGKzm61tQkxukZSGvzMKToMHUlkJ4HT1_fCwT/w400-h400/IMG_4030-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A final look at my 2023 dozen</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'll be transferring these new ornaments to my Christmas tree</b> <b>very soon</b> and replacing them on my stair garland with ornaments received from friends over the years. Friends from all over the world will be represented and I love seeing their special gifts each year. It always reminds me of our special friendship and of the wonderful online stitching community we are blessed with. A special thank you to all who have sent me ornaments over the years--I treasure each one. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I hope everyone is enjoying the countdown to Christmas--just a bit more than two weeks until the big day! I still need to get my cards sent out and some presents purchased. I'm also excited to start my baking next week although I won't be baking as much as normal because everyone seems to be on some sort of diet or other these days. Not me--my motto is everything in moderation year-round! Enjoy your weekend everyone! Bye for now... <br /></b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-16143832639567856282023-12-01T23:56:00.000-05:002023-12-01T23:56:28.222-05:00Finishes and Florida<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, hello!</b> I fully intended to post again in November, but we were away (more about that later) and I simply ran out of time. So... <b>Happy December</b>! Can you believe it? I know I say this every year, but where on earth has this year gone? It makes me sad that, as I get older, the years seem to be flying by faster than ever. Does anyone else feel that way? </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The last two weeks have been busy ones</b>, but I <b>did</b> manage to finish my final two ornaments for 2023. Yay! I turned to my favorite comfort stitching for my November and December ornaments: good old Prairie Schooler. I just find such peace each time I sit down to stitch one of those designs. I think it may be the classic themes and the fact that they are charted for DMC threads. The finished product looks just like the photo on the front of the charts and that isn't always the case, as we all know!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>For my November ornament</b>, I chose the 2012 annual Santa, in this case "Postman Santa." (Here's a little known secret for you--probably one my family doesn't even know... When I was a young girl, I used to want to work in a post office and deliver the mail. I guess I liked the idea of sorting and packing up the letters and then making sure they arrived at the correct house. So now you know a funny little fact about my childhood!). I used 40 ct. vintage country mocha Newcastle with all of the suggested threads, although I always use DMC 520 for the green on these annual PS Santas (rather than the suggested DMC 501). Isn't he cute? I just love all the details in this one. He even has a letter in his hand that says: "Dear Santa, I was good." And on the list that is peeking out from behind, some little boy or girl is asking for a doll and a drum. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG6ajz5UU4ppHQChka5Oo2KzW2iG__1Rknu6QLq9FOQWIe_yXOVfQi9dwN9Xm-crtVtl5fofs1Xyrzet1uCwq8i6O5meXaGm-7oVxzZNUB7s2ldxeKinzjrohu6qdA-PYZQutfkMx6N548faTKcz0ZJevH2VMjZrQ_72orLEgbOc0fglUB3mq7uGxeUIL/s640/IMG_3940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG6ajz5UU4ppHQChka5Oo2KzW2iG__1Rknu6QLq9FOQWIe_yXOVfQi9dwN9Xm-crtVtl5fofs1Xyrzet1uCwq8i6O5meXaGm-7oVxzZNUB7s2ldxeKinzjrohu6qdA-PYZQutfkMx6N548faTKcz0ZJevH2VMjZrQ_72orLEgbOc0fglUB3mq7uGxeUIL/w400-h400/IMG_3940.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2012 Prairie Schooler Santa finish</span><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>December's ornament </b>is one I've intended to stitch for years. The thing is, I knew that border would take forever! Finally, I just decided it was now or never and dove in... I stitched this ornament 'over one' on 25 ct. moss green Lugana with most of the suggested threads except for the red (I used DMC 221--the <b>classic</b> Prairie Schooler red) and the green (I used DMC 936). </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEima6Obfhd-pcPX_3qw0hSNuzD46JhY6DcA4RsBN4ARhS8zDHp1FcEyj_LfqoyN5cGpWTdpLzOnAKb9EeuX6Is1r_Y7NWbH8qP7G7-8BEA3kk2BmErdYY6NBQ8W0dVeqrU4ZcYKIsb4jfDDbsTvMyOHWd7btEqVdL9q-lA1Tvb3pomAHHMN1eZVf4BlTZKU/s480/IMG_3661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEima6Obfhd-pcPX_3qw0hSNuzD46JhY6DcA4RsBN4ARhS8zDHp1FcEyj_LfqoyN5cGpWTdpLzOnAKb9EeuX6Is1r_Y7NWbH8qP7G7-8BEA3kk2BmErdYY6NBQ8W0dVeqrU4ZcYKIsb4jfDDbsTvMyOHWd7btEqVdL9q-lA1Tvb3pomAHHMN1eZVf4BlTZKU/w400-h400/IMG_3661.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love that border, but it sure took a while!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This design can be found in Prairie Schooler's "O Christmas Tree" (Book No. 82). At five inches square, my finish ended up a bit larger than I like my ornaments to be, but I still love it! The little topper of greenery was cut from a wreath, hot-glued to the top of the ornament and then I snipped "berries" off a garland and glued each one in place. Simple, but pretty, don't you think?</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTZG4Sa75xxb4Vz6snEafIwLsGMq4KvryKbQNAEckl-AG4-5z5RYQZsPZ_XEBHBUtXOEUYUj3hNIbL-lUgEj7ifICfXGzUXT_UL5VpUug2Fhc8E5SLCxZv3urg3uZv1ViLbHDZQEkMcoCI2SDQGpMdhlQinprfag9emCVVnMRasUJqrHG5-414y9ipAFU/s640/IMG_3951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTZG4Sa75xxb4Vz6snEafIwLsGMq4KvryKbQNAEckl-AG4-5z5RYQZsPZ_XEBHBUtXOEUYUj3hNIbL-lUgEj7ifICfXGzUXT_UL5VpUug2Fhc8E5SLCxZv3urg3uZv1ViLbHDZQEkMcoCI2SDQGpMdhlQinprfag9emCVVnMRasUJqrHG5-414y9ipAFU/w400-h400/IMG_3951.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O Christmas Tree finish for my December ornament</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, for all my long-time readers--you know what comes next now that I've finished all twelve ornaments, don't you? Yes! The next post will bring my annual "Parade of Ornaments"--hope you will all drop by.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Life catch-up... </b>Thanksgiving was a bit different this year with none of our sons coming home so we decided to spend it in Florida! My husband wanted to check on his family home in Naples (the one badly flooded from the effects of Hurricane Ian in September 2022--you can read about it in <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2022/10/mud-sweat-and-tears.html" target="_blank">this post</a></b>). So we decided to spend six days in the little apartment above the garage which was not damaged. We got lucky and were invited to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my husband's younger brother and family who were also visiting their condo in Naples. It was delicious and so good to catch up everyone</span></span>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirQjhsiC8ZCx4Jn1WVBPR1rKrlB8U6IhsDYEJx6gWY2X0jPZVklj1eugxY8nKizzcQ4eDqGB3MIYhw_Ht17Oc2vhZeEwYo4bJTYjgoWbtgkrDSLBD_PSB50wdNAB-zNvY4YIXafNkfuk__sWzRR8pZS_vGJ3U7cq8kjRSVDkOCbeDWT5Nn5E9YgC0o2Tm/s400/Ear-Pain-on-a-Plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="400" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirQjhsiC8ZCx4Jn1WVBPR1rKrlB8U6IhsDYEJx6gWY2X0jPZVklj1eugxY8nKizzcQ4eDqGB3MIYhw_Ht17Oc2vhZeEwYo4bJTYjgoWbtgkrDSLBD_PSB50wdNAB-zNvY4YIXafNkfuk__sWzRR8pZS_vGJ3U7cq8kjRSVDkOCbeDWT5Nn5E9YgC0o2Tm/w200-h127/Ear-Pain-on-a-Plane.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Unfortunately, I had ear problems the entire time we were in Florida.</b> I'd had a sore throat the previous week and then when we flew down on the airplane, my right ear gave me all sorts of problems. No matter what I tried, it wouldn't "pop" all week! My hearing was significantly reduced in that ear and everything sounded as though I was underwater. The official name of this condition is "ear barotrauma" and boy, was it annoying (and quite painful every now and then). Ironically, when I flew home on Wednesday, my ear finally "popped" and I could hear again! I was still having pain off and on, so I did go see the doctor on Thursday morning. Sure enough, I have an ear infection. I can't even remember the last time I had one--<b>or </b>the last time I took antibiotics. So, that's what I'm on now--hope it clears up completely and that is the end of this saga. <b>If any of you have preventative measures I can take for the next time I fly, I'd love to hear them.</b> This is a chronic problem for me, but it's never been this bad before.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Even though I wasn't feeling my best</b>, I felt a bit better just being in the sun and warm weather. Naples, Florida is <b>truly </b>one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and I thought you might enjoy these photos (especially those of you who live in the north like I do and are <b>definitely</b> feeling the cold of winter moving in). </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Dc49tC3EO_7snJ1_bsNcUzf-sFYOyPksKvp8PocEdHj-6Q0EQOM58SvCt8hYkMmXhj74hAESL4RJyG6BzLFi5tXTJGKhsiSzRrEHz8mlaIHeyhwsN4KjGFGEATWiq4T-HfHDWsYcSUZ-uIORqk0GgZL98V8uTXaIc6921HW3pG4QY2p_wBLlDnmZM0fL/s800/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Dc49tC3EO_7snJ1_bsNcUzf-sFYOyPksKvp8PocEdHj-6Q0EQOM58SvCt8hYkMmXhj74hAESL4RJyG6BzLFi5tXTJGKhsiSzRrEHz8mlaIHeyhwsN4KjGFGEATWiq4T-HfHDWsYcSUZ-uIORqk0GgZL98V8uTXaIc6921HW3pG4QY2p_wBLlDnmZM0fL/w400-h400/IMG_3875.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Naples Beach on the Gulf of Mexico</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbF6wkeccmhjU4nB1DY4Xw053384aiPJZo2r5cqfADxM4rm1V7AeIw1fPAQtAF5S2BxNAjj6OeTPxJQStflE3UnZoUvsmKvG2HLPp51xshUVCGrHlyYXrVnfi8zjsB3w8pUAPwb8sNTrgx3sBxdCcGvoo6IBTSqimT_xwOYawyghANf3OfbG55ykGfmWj/s800/IMG_3838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbF6wkeccmhjU4nB1DY4Xw053384aiPJZo2r5cqfADxM4rm1V7AeIw1fPAQtAF5S2BxNAjj6OeTPxJQStflE3UnZoUvsmKvG2HLPp51xshUVCGrHlyYXrVnfi8zjsB3w8pUAPwb8sNTrgx3sBxdCcGvoo6IBTSqimT_xwOYawyghANf3OfbG55ykGfmWj/w400-h400/IMG_3838.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So many pretty flowers were in bloom!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oZtn_J-xoXnnKQK4hTKvKUp_-knJmJ10HZqqZWpFKVvslmwr7IlH8UjXb2R8MLg-A7wYJ4gKbUqUnhd9DdD0CQd5WonP1NM-mLjrPUv7YWVKTM1LU_9y3yTcdqbqxUvFO7vEhxyXc1Y8Dt1sB9vl2hkj0zLELKH-XlcnOKuat5BVoC4TT9t3eiJONp_3/s1024/IMG_3879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oZtn_J-xoXnnKQK4hTKvKUp_-knJmJ10HZqqZWpFKVvslmwr7IlH8UjXb2R8MLg-A7wYJ4gKbUqUnhd9DdD0CQd5WonP1NM-mLjrPUv7YWVKTM1LU_9y3yTcdqbqxUvFO7vEhxyXc1Y8Dt1sB9vl2hkj0zLELKH-XlcnOKuat5BVoC4TT9t3eiJONp_3/w400-h400/IMG_3879.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the yellow feet on this pair of Snowy Egrets</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU_IZtOeszK0lDfZEmSJF91-XgScK44BJ1aL2OG1s30A2joW3vqxc1q8KdiXf-0Sz8am0ejKEKC_Fn6y5WgF72b6UWa0fJCPccm9FGd5jTqVuk8zRRjg4yweY6eM5bePTEyHVaZe6L6O-seizh-UiYBecaoiJMnIpPZ6fpJ3M2hk52BaweZ09tF-Y2b0c/s800/IMG_3843-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU_IZtOeszK0lDfZEmSJF91-XgScK44BJ1aL2OG1s30A2joW3vqxc1q8KdiXf-0Sz8am0ejKEKC_Fn6y5WgF72b6UWa0fJCPccm9FGd5jTqVuk8zRRjg4yweY6eM5bePTEyHVaZe6L6O-seizh-UiYBecaoiJMnIpPZ6fpJ3M2hk52BaweZ09tF-Y2b0c/w400-h400/IMG_3843-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On one of our walks we passed this giant metal sculpture in front of a garage. If you look closely, you'll see it is little figurines joined by their hands and feet.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsYkMsdq3R0StJ9-EjS9hFjcljXsuhyphenhyphenD4Gbt2XYDVGJICCCi6Nc-WKmswzQZP_8mGTsfKFYUasibnGbtV4EFZ9EsCBhx45__phWOpSv2yhbr_N_ue8kKbTfxaUDmSQhkJ8ERRtrnWk_-6HX-vPFp3UTbFECrJaE2FR4jgdSbOuVJIBEYSqBw-kTlXkMYg/s1024/IMG_3890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsYkMsdq3R0StJ9-EjS9hFjcljXsuhyphenhyphenD4Gbt2XYDVGJICCCi6Nc-WKmswzQZP_8mGTsfKFYUasibnGbtV4EFZ9EsCBhx45__phWOpSv2yhbr_N_ue8kKbTfxaUDmSQhkJ8ERRtrnWk_-6HX-vPFp3UTbFECrJaE2FR4jgdSbOuVJIBEYSqBw-kTlXkMYg/w400-h400/IMG_3890.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, that blue, blue sky--so nice when you've flown in from the wintry northern states!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdCzmggNq7_DRlI95ttDzg-9MSBC67qK3AsOfA1jgYh3abRzt0SVUb2YAGCC2Q4-ualV9lpg-eBZfK4QRkcsWuzuoSWO_un0pHt0Gm30TxX5JmfyoskWRgn2TjC6jD5pqLy7kz4aUQ86T76h0Rs8hJm2H9UEGZlCgaJbqRlSDbD9RIh3FJ4GihjB6NZ1C/s1024/IMG_3909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdCzmggNq7_DRlI95ttDzg-9MSBC67qK3AsOfA1jgYh3abRzt0SVUb2YAGCC2Q4-ualV9lpg-eBZfK4QRkcsWuzuoSWO_un0pHt0Gm30TxX5JmfyoskWRgn2TjC6jD5pqLy7kz4aUQ86T76h0Rs8hJm2H9UEGZlCgaJbqRlSDbD9RIh3FJ4GihjB6NZ1C/w400-h400/IMG_3909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love the layers in this sunset photo I took on Monday evening.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Sadly, everything wasn't picture perfect...</b> When you walk around Naples, there are still <b>many</b> of the smaller ranch-style houses (like my in-laws' place) that are sitting there vacant and unlivable since the hurricane. Once the estate is settled, my husband's family house will be sold--they won't be rebuilding. I can't imagine going through the worries that potential hurricanes bring year after year. We <b>did </b>go inside and it's not only heartbreaking, but rather creepy. The rust is taking over anything metal as you can see on the top of the dryer in the lower left. The mold has gotten worse, the few remaining pieces of furniture have started to warp and curl. I cried as I wandered from room to room--it's just beyond sad that this was once a home. I'm so glad my husband's parents never had to see their home in this condition...</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhtVGafepw3npYdEwjPaCwlnvJWuma1cqOCBemiBAgu5ZDf66wWKuMceTp9IFLG3lBG-MUZtl0rCfS9Y7Do02qvTtX-UPr51SCYNwZHQismCBM776zE4e3a42gkIAbneOXNGAfYpucgsRFYHSLhxtKEOFenHHVjzwZpdWjkiyb-c-IawDFRNJo_PQCmCk/s800/IMG_3954-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhtVGafepw3npYdEwjPaCwlnvJWuma1cqOCBemiBAgu5ZDf66wWKuMceTp9IFLG3lBG-MUZtl0rCfS9Y7Do02qvTtX-UPr51SCYNwZHQismCBM776zE4e3a42gkIAbneOXNGAfYpucgsRFYHSLhxtKEOFenHHVjzwZpdWjkiyb-c-IawDFRNJo_PQCmCk/w400-h400/IMG_3954-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The sad state of affairs a year after Hurricane Ian hit my in-laws' family home</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I hate to leave you on that depressing note </b>so I'll share one last photo that always brings me a smile this time of year. This little pair of Santas making a gingerbread house has been a part of my Christmas decorating for many years. In a previous post I mentioned that one of my sons' favorite antics was to take one of the little striped candy canes on the table and put it in Santa's mouth to make him look like he was smoking. I guarantee you that when all three are here for Christmas, I will glance over and notice that one of them has done that again. Just one of those funny family "traditions" that happen each year. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b-NpW_-GEafJBREqehez4qy686CgMkU5Z_roah7t453vvC6lHLBQc4E1cdqZtwVpPEVtsp7k5ziW0wsgSDYiB00DYPQxTpoiW9LIBpACoIJbqyYcVT7deW1_BYTW06eYqySSMVYS5FWHBmGsN5arGwZJTJo1v19S9TUal5Bp_90CJfOvoBSnZY6RQnbp/s800/IMG_3747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b-NpW_-GEafJBREqehez4qy686CgMkU5Z_roah7t453vvC6lHLBQc4E1cdqZtwVpPEVtsp7k5ziW0wsgSDYiB00DYPQxTpoiW9LIBpACoIJbqyYcVT7deW1_BYTW06eYqySSMVYS5FWHBmGsN5arGwZJTJo1v19S9TUal5Bp_90CJfOvoBSnZY6RQnbp/w400-h400/IMG_3747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This cheery scene in my kitchen always makes me smile. I just bought that cute set of towels at HomeGoods.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hope your December is off to a great start.. I'm way behind on my blog reading/commenting since I was away for those six days, but I'll do my best to catch up this weekend. I know that some of my stitching friends are dealing with serious problems or illnesses and I want to send a big hug out to each of you. You know who you are... and I hope you know my thoughts are with you. Thank you for visiting today and be sure to stop by for my annual "Parade of Ornaments" in my next post. Wishing you a wonderful weekend--hope you are relaxing and enjoying preparing for Christmas. I know I am! Bye for now...</span></b></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-63285088621472825152023-11-18T23:51:00.000-05:002023-11-18T23:51:29.250-05:00Thankful for life's simple things<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Thanksgiving week to all of my friends here in the United States! </b>I'm sure those of you who are hosting the feast on Thursday are busy shopping for ingredients, prepping what you can in advance, cleaning the house, and crossing things off your to-do list. I have to admit that I've relished the extra time I've had this year without <b>any</b> obligations at all for Thanksgiving. I've spent time bringing Christmas decorations down from the attic, organizing card lists, planning menus, and even buying a few presents. I'm hoping that by the time December rolls around, I'll be able to just sit back and enjoy the beauty of this special season. Without a doubt, this is the earliest I've begun preparing for Christmas. <b>How about you?</b> Are you holding off until after Thanksgiving (as I usually do) or have you begun checking things off your list of holiday tasks? Or are you one of those rare people who have <b>everything</b> already done?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Before I get to my stitching, I just want to take a few moments to thank all of you who left supportive comments or took the time to send an email urging me to keep on blogging.</b> Some of your comments left me a bit teary-eyed and <b>all </b>touched my heart. It wasn't just that one horrid comment that I received that has me thinking about signing off... there are many things that have been bothering me over the past year. January 2024 will mark 15 years of blogging for me--pretty good I'd say, as I've seen <b>many </b>blogs come and go during that time. But, I'm tired of adjusting to the changes to the Blogger format, fed-up with how difficult they've made it to comment on certain blogs (including mine I'm told!), and just kind of worn out. I'm getting older--I begin my last year in my 60's in two months. For now, I'll keep going, but there <b>will</b> come a time when I'll say adieu and I promise--<b>absolutely promise</b>--that I will let you know and say a proper goodbye. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've <b>never </b>been this far behind in my monthly Christmas ornament challenge! But, I'm almost caught up and I thought you'd enjoy seeing my two latest cuties. For September (yes! I'm that far behind!), I stitched "Merry Christmas 2012" by The Victoria Sampler. This is one of the charts that can be found in the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue (on page 71). It is stitched on 28 ct. dove gray Monaco with DMC threads. Although there wasn't a ton of stitching involved, this one was <b>not</b> my favorite to stitch... Do you see all those tiny reindeer and the sled carrying Santa? All are stitched over one. I love the final effect, though, and the sweet snowy town that they are flying over. To make it an oval finish, I added many more snowflakes. I like the blue checked backing fabric--it's nice to have an ornament now and then that doesn't scream red or green, don't you think? </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97233D3QuBXiQoYWVWw0Bw-PVVdHQbz6erR0JwJV0gQ-5tUAn_knS7om4v6XpLJBf6_YxwFwx_sokPI2CPVzQ4jXGZd2OGqHj6FcLl41I7bdep9MzuSFCo6qaqv7NcTKclIXKTOKWxq24vEhDh2awkyxLhwjXrTU6Lx0i6NyI-MI98WFHhs5_MRACTWzx/s640/IMG_3731-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97233D3QuBXiQoYWVWw0Bw-PVVdHQbz6erR0JwJV0gQ-5tUAn_knS7om4v6XpLJBf6_YxwFwx_sokPI2CPVzQ4jXGZd2OGqHj6FcLl41I7bdep9MzuSFCo6qaqv7NcTKclIXKTOKWxq24vEhDh2awkyxLhwjXrTU6Lx0i6NyI-MI98WFHhs5_MRACTWzx/w400-h400/IMG_3731-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Merry Christmas 2012" from the 2012 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October brought yet another blue ornament </b>and one I've wanted to stitch for many years. Just recently, a friend lent me her chart so I was <b>finally</b> able to check that one off my list. This is an older design by The Trilogy called "Secret Snowdrift." It's stitched on 40ct. woodland brown Newcastle using a variety of overdyed threads and DMC. I just love the six snowmen being blown about by the swirling snow--and check out those two little penguins peeking out! Adorable! This originally came out in kit form and I believe you can still purchase it. There is a lot going on in this piece so I kept the finish simple--the back is a blue flannel material from one of my son's old shirts and the blue cording is tied in a simple bow at the top. I also added a silver snowflake charm for a bit of sparkle. What do you think?</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIhDkVVDyiDht6xasvUFR00_rf7rSVdpz6E3qrSiyXvzl0rY8UNHDDQqqE6ZmIb8qSKUaGdXXDk94YXpyx1uU4b41OC4uyUdYo42tO1ScVdIQvPbmU6PAYZ0R-TNHwopHVDYLW4jC3IATR-eQgdYkQBM-Uye57R3nirnyY6h2wLnbbCl3KiedErVP7-G1/s640/IMG_3733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIhDkVVDyiDht6xasvUFR00_rf7rSVdpz6E3qrSiyXvzl0rY8UNHDDQqqE6ZmIb8qSKUaGdXXDk94YXpyx1uU4b41OC4uyUdYo42tO1ScVdIQvPbmU6PAYZ0R-TNHwopHVDYLW4jC3IATR-eQgdYkQBM-Uye57R3nirnyY6h2wLnbbCl3KiedErVP7-G1/w400-h400/IMG_3733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My finish of "Secret Snowdrift" by The Trilogy</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are my September and October ornaments all ready for my tree... Just two more to go--can I finish by December? <b>Yes... I... Can!</b> </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgdO2vGPJtBJgoTSd6P781dgm7MHC4lLU0LQmFEckhSgTYqmY5N52nY3Ay1aQTt4qs5-fvprSYxwqKiAUfUA2jnoz3ocCpOMc1vLcfcDsRhD6YneVkmDoBxdJ5r6zT_7yeggX-SYPcMdY6TBFJL1NQRCIfk04i5jfXyA1oH439872eOlkbwnXDU9N5_Gq/s800/IMG_3737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgdO2vGPJtBJgoTSd6P781dgm7MHC4lLU0LQmFEckhSgTYqmY5N52nY3Ay1aQTt4qs5-fvprSYxwqKiAUfUA2jnoz3ocCpOMc1vLcfcDsRhD6YneVkmDoBxdJ5r6zT_7yeggX-SYPcMdY6TBFJL1NQRCIfk04i5jfXyA1oH439872eOlkbwnXDU9N5_Gq/w400-h400/IMG_3737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">September and October ornaments for 2023</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since we aren't hosting Thanksgiving this year, I only put out a portion of my Thanksgiving stitching for a small display. The sideboard next to my kitchen table is perfect as we get to enjoy these pieces while eating our meals. I already posted these next photos on Instagram and some were surprised that this was just a "portion" of my Thanksgiving stitching. Yes, I only put out the easily accessed pieces this year--the ones I keep in an old dresser drawer in one of my guest bedrooms. The others are in boxes piled high in a closet and I was simply to lazy to get them out this month :)<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pJa6RX-bOwbZYlc2mIKlXU0Xc6z4mxK42to1pQa0SEkivaMMAZjN5JBQpEwWNa52jtxt20NRAnykVVAxZUyvyTOQyfTd39-pwPU-qQHGwDRTHSXn9NB1t8aDYzwfk0G2cSrjUnvfuipYquoPBM01a4trQpvf2W01H4mxBIw8-HGTmtcSNQL8urAgn8Sr/s640/IMG_3701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pJa6RX-bOwbZYlc2mIKlXU0Xc6z4mxK42to1pQa0SEkivaMMAZjN5JBQpEwWNa52jtxt20NRAnykVVAxZUyvyTOQyfTd39-pwPU-qQHGwDRTHSXn9NB1t8aDYzwfk0G2cSrjUnvfuipYquoPBM01a4trQpvf2W01H4mxBIw8-HGTmtcSNQL8urAgn8Sr/w400-h400/IMG_3701.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanksgiving display for 2023</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How about some close-ups? If you have any questions as to what the names of certain designs are, you can go to <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2022/11/in-everything-give-thanks.html" target="_blank"><b>this post </b></a>last year where I named all of my Thanksgiving pieces. Links are provided to each finish so you can learn more details. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDI1rO2B8OshGq5MeMUWWlUNBH2BCGmo6gFD6wD5RhfbHkTAq0cCVg3fbs4p51He3c2L2tLsggpduAsfNB4GnnW1UwbDEBd7C8iw-K3BTFBuIuuaczO9V4msaeSu5IOyhb8zt_4QQAFHAmAxZuvW65zTHEnAKe645f8nvYzR-5GjuQhsPy4VueNaYwCbe/s800/IMG_3694.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDI1rO2B8OshGq5MeMUWWlUNBH2BCGmo6gFD6wD5RhfbHkTAq0cCVg3fbs4p51He3c2L2tLsggpduAsfNB4GnnW1UwbDEBd7C8iw-K3BTFBuIuuaczO9V4msaeSu5IOyhb8zt_4QQAFHAmAxZuvW65zTHEnAKe645f8nvYzR-5GjuQhsPy4VueNaYwCbe/w400-h400/IMG_3694.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZekaU_jYImD2t7rLuWsIQR4vNzk5KIq1yHMV6hYGNmn7_qraHmjNsGjyF39OHDlulolnLRqFCkNqdkRmS7a2vgV85TjgpiZQeZ85QWCNd_RKmpKImq7q33B8RYHWT8UfBdzm8NmYPoqXQXb3uDQ8gHRtFr4G9_6bGCiPZIatKL3aSCnnvIyWuCM8-u3Rz/s800/IMG_3691.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZekaU_jYImD2t7rLuWsIQR4vNzk5KIq1yHMV6hYGNmn7_qraHmjNsGjyF39OHDlulolnLRqFCkNqdkRmS7a2vgV85TjgpiZQeZ85QWCNd_RKmpKImq7q33B8RYHWT8UfBdzm8NmYPoqXQXb3uDQ8gHRtFr4G9_6bGCiPZIatKL3aSCnnvIyWuCM8-u3Rz/w400-h400/IMG_3691.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIunMQhGDy9lJqBfA4O1K6TIR_B_MfapHK0ND4dSy4wLRt8cleqFvAbm3DRxrUZ9adqMA9PW7sYt_xodsnl0nJNmqXmxD3QuGRQK-LopYieSFDvtAzB92KMOyhCv59ZoWmPeV49ns72X5pLXEVtpBprj7LvuqCtP_Rh9OoppFGQx9Ko_epM9C3zEbabq4/s800/IMG_3689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIunMQhGDy9lJqBfA4O1K6TIR_B_MfapHK0ND4dSy4wLRt8cleqFvAbm3DRxrUZ9adqMA9PW7sYt_xodsnl0nJNmqXmxD3QuGRQK-LopYieSFDvtAzB92KMOyhCv59ZoWmPeV49ns72X5pLXEVtpBprj7LvuqCtP_Rh9OoppFGQx9Ko_epM9C3zEbabq4/w400-h400/IMG_3689.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My favorite piece is the large Prairie Schooler turkey in the brown frame.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, tell me... do you have a favorite?</b> Mine is that classic Prairie Schooler turkey surrounded by the fall leaves the last photo. I just love him! But, that tiny pouch stitched on black is a close second. Do you stitch for Thanksgiving? I try to do a piece or two each year, but, unfortunately, wasn't able to add to my collection this year.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Although we aren't hosting Thanksgiving, my husband and I were both craving pumpkin pie! </b>That is a must-have for the two of us each year--along with pecan pie. But, I'll let you in on a little secret--<b>I hate pie crust</b>! I hate the taste of it and hate making it even more! I've never had a pie crust that I like and often leave most of it on my plate and only eat the inside of a pie. But, I've found a perfect solution--a crustless pumpkin pie! And a delicious one at that... It was so easy and saved so much time (and aggravation!) when compared to rolling out and transferring a tender pie crust into the baking tin. I found the recipe on the site "Cupcakes & Kale Chips" <b><a href="https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/crustless-pumpkin-pie/" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. I know this will become my new go-to for holiday desserts; in fact, I plan on making it again for Christmas! Give it a try and let me know what you think...</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vq3_hL1RBy5BV78C2Yz7kc3YikJF-boBUcflMqfvTDzySW4ejmI9GU1gkbJx_xbcvuuy3-2-6y4Z5poNCdW1j3Sp-ExK7oba_KAoqzovI5ht77EaIsXO50G9Jbi0aCY6sCUYgMG1iV8-p6DJFNzqSee-D0MBU4TuF3vt6peKEPGC90iGvaZW0lSzt_Sj/s640/IMG_3684.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vq3_hL1RBy5BV78C2Yz7kc3YikJF-boBUcflMqfvTDzySW4ejmI9GU1gkbJx_xbcvuuy3-2-6y4Z5poNCdW1j3Sp-ExK7oba_KAoqzovI5ht77EaIsXO50G9Jbi0aCY6sCUYgMG1iV8-p6DJFNzqSee-D0MBU4TuF3vt6peKEPGC90iGvaZW0lSzt_Sj/w400-h400/IMG_3684.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A yummy crustless pumpkin pie and an older (2005!) fall finish: Bent Creek's "Leaf"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I think you know by now that it's the simple things in life that I treasure... </b>time with my dear family, a good book, the way the sunlight plays in autumn, a piece of music that moves me to tears, the smell of something yummy baking in the oven, the feel of the fabric as my needle and thread weave tiny x's while I sit quietly stitching. When we visited my little grandson earlier this month, I enjoyed another of life's simple things--something I hadn't done in many, many years: jumping in a big pile of freshly raked leaves. I think you can tell from the smiles on our faces how much joy this simple act brought us all. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwF5Sovd8R1_1YAA6TjW380WqbRbVnOtV42ZyVF5sYCSkfXZFJ9xrL-Lln0zH1-2nWCPx_2zbk9FaogotfTWCmCuIXYYbeCaBSNoZcLwmMejqXoa8mXytTd-lnDdHtSSdcXuKgfjYGupJ9QT9eHTOPTyBNTxHFQylDLmj4V3BGPrTXsvjf2G4c5JgdpykS/s640/ba4941bd-642c-4a2b-8645-2e15c4d26d79.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwF5Sovd8R1_1YAA6TjW380WqbRbVnOtV42ZyVF5sYCSkfXZFJ9xrL-Lln0zH1-2nWCPx_2zbk9FaogotfTWCmCuIXYYbeCaBSNoZcLwmMejqXoa8mXytTd-lnDdHtSSdcXuKgfjYGupJ9QT9eHTOPTyBNTxHFQylDLmj4V3BGPrTXsvjf2G4c5JgdpykS/w400-h400/ba4941bd-642c-4a2b-8645-2e15c4d26d79.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of life's simple pleasures: jumping in the leaves with my sweet grandson</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, look for the simple things in life--they're all around you and bound to bring a smile to your day. I wish each of my U.S. friends a blessed Thanksgiving with friends and family. Through all the discord and disasters and discontent that the world has experienced lately, we still have much to be grateful for right here in our own back yards. And, as always, I'm so very thankful for the friendship of my fellow stitchers over the years. Whether a new reader or one of my oldest friends, I appreciate each of you. Bye for now...</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyllp93gtH3_oSuWBBt9YVUFGbUnBDGgFvPKcOkSrhpmm6wm-lgx_clvGsdPhux9Il2-7nWvPqoU0Y2GpvsytFooS9ehobI2uE0TuODtT4bUd4qZ4Uxp6Lf1llcV52zuBo7XchPhBZnlHpE4LqyxOBE6j8-0-NBm65GXrNQx9OnFQLBw5e1RkNmIaxmJDr/s800/f1fe609e-4d62-4956-8ba6-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyllp93gtH3_oSuWBBt9YVUFGbUnBDGgFvPKcOkSrhpmm6wm-lgx_clvGsdPhux9Il2-7nWvPqoU0Y2GpvsytFooS9ehobI2uE0TuODtT4bUd4qZ4Uxp6Lf1llcV52zuBo7XchPhBZnlHpE4LqyxOBE6j8-0-NBm65GXrNQx9OnFQLBw5e1RkNmIaxmJDr/w400-h250/f1fe609e-4d62-4956-8ba6-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B (that tiny speck in blue in the lower left corner!) flying a kite on a beautiful autumn afternoon in Maryland</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-77679282905959592612023-10-29T14:39:00.000-04:002023-10-29T14:39:02.867-04:00A cute Halloween finish<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It's a cool, dreary, rainy afternoon here in western Pennsylvania... </b>The perfect kind of day for stitching, but before I settle down in my stitching chair, I thought I'd drop in and say "hello!" Our weather has gone from sunny, summer-like weather just five days ago to today's more typical late October/early November gloom. But, I have an upcoming visit with my grandson to look forward to, so that helps keep me going through all the sad news and events that the world is dealing with on a daily basis. It's been an extremely difficult and sad month, that's for sure...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>But, how about a cute Halloween finish to bring a smile?</b> This sweet design by Luminous Fiber Arts is called "All Hallows' Eve" and is stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle linen. I did make a few color changes--mainly to the moon. I wanted more of a golden moon so I used DMC 729 and 680. I also added a few leaves in the same 729 color (at the bottom of the design) to the charted orange ones. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbP1uiv_p6vUzymRHGBz3XhgYWHCcTuuc4hnwRAB8zKhJA_u_gMU2s_jnj1scZIkvzNZMxqz9tPhjXi1ameHNObxXgByOvJi_FDcdD4idIFGT_TfyPeTE0RWeTfLhKWxKCkM8NpNliFsirnZ13RGgTRLPmYUel4QaUYyg07dOaWi93GfQepQ_I4pdgYrcA/s640/IMG_3488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbP1uiv_p6vUzymRHGBz3XhgYWHCcTuuc4hnwRAB8zKhJA_u_gMU2s_jnj1scZIkvzNZMxqz9tPhjXi1ameHNObxXgByOvJi_FDcdD4idIFGT_TfyPeTE0RWeTfLhKWxKCkM8NpNliFsirnZ13RGgTRLPmYUel4QaUYyg07dOaWi93GfQepQ_I4pdgYrcA/w400-h400/IMG_3488.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My finish of "All Hallows' Eve" by Luminous Fiber Arts</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I filled in the eyes of the bird and cat using DMC 729 and added gray (WDW Porpoise) and a bit of white to fill in the moon's eye. You can see the eyes better in the photo below.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW3f_ghd0YBuRyp3Zfl6NJCyNKOFhgec49VIMLkcpQJH3oq2YYUFWx5uJe4IQyCpdN4tkqCQSt-5yDu-B7mbe4fRynmAsmBiHe6H25KoMbGxf-lqgXpPh0JB6OO_iKlL7s_DDp_RNdMz0_OfV6YD3A9a_xR4RqzYWq41VWWOJmsSgBHF0YOSnx_-kvGJQ/s640/IMG_3490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW3f_ghd0YBuRyp3Zfl6NJCyNKOFhgec49VIMLkcpQJH3oq2YYUFWx5uJe4IQyCpdN4tkqCQSt-5yDu-B7mbe4fRynmAsmBiHe6H25KoMbGxf-lqgXpPh0JB6OO_iKlL7s_DDp_RNdMz0_OfV6YD3A9a_xR4RqzYWq41VWWOJmsSgBHF0YOSnx_-kvGJQ/w400-h400/IMG_3490.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Isn't that mischievous black cat the cutest thing? </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That stack of grinning pumpkins just makes me smile! I am <b>definitely</b> in the "cute Halloween" camp--anything scary or gory is <b>not </b>my idea of fun. How about you? I know some of you don't stitch Halloween themed pieces at all and I've definitely slowed down since my dad passed away on Halloween in 2014, but I still like to stitch at least one design each October. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZs5GzjHXdyqn3H39TY0kVfAK4mX98BNhKLSAaXn3_TjuWEGnNU3LYz0GgSkFcnaMV41Xwzap9lvC1JNBTmlV2kA4WAxuetx5CWER7EKU15ow1ARoOI-sCwHsYp41vfnf9EBuiaQ-ud58EehTDMYfLqeI_aTK7tC9isVRX2DA7nLcpQAjea9FBHiVwYug/s640/IMG_3493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZs5GzjHXdyqn3H39TY0kVfAK4mX98BNhKLSAaXn3_TjuWEGnNU3LYz0GgSkFcnaMV41Xwzap9lvC1JNBTmlV2kA4WAxuetx5CWER7EKU15ow1ARoOI-sCwHsYp41vfnf9EBuiaQ-ud58EehTDMYfLqeI_aTK7tC9isVRX2DA7nLcpQAjea9FBHiVwYug/w400-h400/IMG_3493.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These adorable cat scissors were a gift from a long-ago blogging friend.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I framed the piece in a simple black frame found at Goodwill for only $2.00. Well, it didn't start out as black or as the right size for this design! My dear husband cut it down to fit perfectly and I painted it a matte black and there you have it. This will be a gift for my three-year-old grandson who loves both kitties and pumpkins and is <b>so excited</b> to be going trick-or-treating in just two days.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptC6Z07QGG0r7KGq89ReGDkXB7LnvFbaMh6LEfQZ986e1Zu0_oY9FwBmAhapcdahzro9f11lcxSY4ZeL0nbFuzUWZDVINZq9sW5zlWBoQSV0-3UmK7Z8yGuSeMDX1AGCqdbMOraxwiJmveTxXKFl6ePlFrmakWn7ivOjH6Q42YESLywwj5GMS44id7u2g/s640/IMG_3526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptC6Z07QGG0r7KGq89ReGDkXB7LnvFbaMh6LEfQZ986e1Zu0_oY9FwBmAhapcdahzro9f11lcxSY4ZeL0nbFuzUWZDVINZq9sW5zlWBoQSV0-3UmK7Z8yGuSeMDX1AGCqdbMOraxwiJmveTxXKFl6ePlFrmakWn7ivOjH6Q42YESLywwj5GMS44id7u2g/w400-h400/IMG_3526.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love it when I can find a thrift shop frame to use in my finishing. Thank you so much to my husband for resizing it for me!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is a closer look at the frame. Notice our stunning Japanese maple with its leaves turning the most beautiful crimson color in the background outside the window. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa_uqZsc7IfF9vOQ756JsaTb6kCL8PAZ7dscDNas3v2wyvmCCFW-TNm2qJvjktt0EmVBjf5gXHybLbPlgF6ag7tyiVsiDIYzPpcY6S4CmbtpJnjVjUQIBSqj1Cojd_GOZqprXMOh4KI4eeQiDDYJ8MX6kKnZoWkASInXKuuMV0JOn3eB2O4HMdw6Bev0U/s640/IMG_3527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa_uqZsc7IfF9vOQ756JsaTb6kCL8PAZ7dscDNas3v2wyvmCCFW-TNm2qJvjktt0EmVBjf5gXHybLbPlgF6ag7tyiVsiDIYzPpcY6S4CmbtpJnjVjUQIBSqj1Cojd_GOZqprXMOh4KI4eeQiDDYJ8MX6kKnZoWkASInXKuuMV0JOn3eB2O4HMdw6Bev0U/w400-h400/IMG_3527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm <b>almost</b> caught up with the finishing on my ornaments for September, October, and November so I'll share those with you next time. I need to get busy and finish up some Christmas gifts and, perhaps, start a Christmas sampler next month. I feel like I'll have some extra time this year since we're not hosting Thanksgiving. I'll miss seeing our sons, but it's their year to spend Thanksgiving with their significant others' families. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I only had a few entries for the monthly kitty chart...</b> I was surprised there were so few, but I know people just aren't reading blogs as much as they used to. <b>My readership statistics are way down and it does make me question why I keep writing my blog. </b>Of course, I love having a record of my work, but I can also do that in a private blog and not put myself out there for the world to see. I actually got a horrible comment on an older post last week that was just filled with the word "DIE" repeated in capital letters over and over. I mean, what's the point of that?<b> Honestly, it hurts and things like that definitely have me questioning the future of Stitching Dreams...</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Anyway, the winner of the kitty monthly chart is...</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://dragonsluver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> KATIE</a> in Indiana!</span></b></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yzo4wpjjavRjcG5Nz2KVFZr3p2iUYDk_gHqNzGIHw4EI0bqAszJvnQbO5HYK_wuLYM94qz1LUPphPsgpuimOmTfR8HPVN3cwsDOOAqyU0M0N8slFwyTB2duk1TdfvDA9c7mmPD9OUJJH-MUQF1EPeMW7kZk1fyeaHGUQynvVmA90a6GPp848308MnHES/s800/IMG_3330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yzo4wpjjavRjcG5Nz2KVFZr3p2iUYDk_gHqNzGIHw4EI0bqAszJvnQbO5HYK_wuLYM94qz1LUPphPsgpuimOmTfR8HPVN3cwsDOOAqyU0M0N8slFwyTB2duk1TdfvDA9c7mmPD9OUJJH-MUQF1EPeMW7kZk1fyeaHGUQynvVmA90a6GPp848308MnHES/w400-h400/IMG_3330.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Katie--you are the winner of this cute chart! Please contact me with your mailing address and I'll pop it in the mail this week. Hope you enjoy stitching these kitties!</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With a frost forecast in our area last week, I made sure to run out to the garden and cut some of the last remaining blooms. Just look at these gorgeous hydrangeas and pretty lavender colored dahlias. Not exactly the colors of fall, but I sure have enjoyed the brightness and cheer they brought into my home last week. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8hVtlXig7cwM-Xg8C_37qdh3pkNk-6GAMj9k5qMwaOD0JDOxF4GPqhq_FisQ1N8nalxaBrMudl6g25nzrzBKFvtD8z89qSTCQyx5QW1Sf8WmJ6ez_f2ReVWOe9foRWNWpu_g84dM7GK2rPyOIwRUeGpUObKsisvVz_X7-OLCnT8BlSvgQ9xfX_cjjPr8/s640/IMG_3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8hVtlXig7cwM-Xg8C_37qdh3pkNk-6GAMj9k5qMwaOD0JDOxF4GPqhq_FisQ1N8nalxaBrMudl6g25nzrzBKFvtD8z89qSTCQyx5QW1Sf8WmJ6ez_f2ReVWOe9foRWNWpu_g84dM7GK2rPyOIwRUeGpUObKsisvVz_X7-OLCnT8BlSvgQ9xfX_cjjPr8/w400-h400/IMG_3445.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite flowers!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQFCbk82B3Rn3UGksrBvnUVhZ0w3rCiD3jdKG7o6t4t7rIo78ULrX9kGZdmkczSjEl4pmZ0c2K8NEjhx2a9vyQjZszkvZ18_bokk6x-6lr_1L5A_I3VE9pUkobZZ8D9umKP88QUMXhzxflZDog86Dstz6ZDGD468U2SDbxyppJOHXvrU0HzhPwgyy-3lf/s640/IMG_3162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQFCbk82B3Rn3UGksrBvnUVhZ0w3rCiD3jdKG7o6t4t7rIo78ULrX9kGZdmkczSjEl4pmZ0c2K8NEjhx2a9vyQjZszkvZ18_bokk6x-6lr_1L5A_I3VE9pUkobZZ8D9umKP88QUMXhzxflZDog86Dstz6ZDGD468U2SDbxyppJOHXvrU0HzhPwgyy-3lf/w400-h400/IMG_3162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These pale lavender zinnias are so delightful! I photographed them looking down on my white kitchen counter and love the effect.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My middle son found another old crock at Goodwill and surprised me with it when he visited a couple weeks ago. He gave me the large one on the left last year, the front middle one with the cow is from my mom, and his latest find is on the right. I love how they look grouped together holding some of my houseplants.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQloFjENLGkjFm2gtb37rSjXFLa2JVIRRRVc09NirrngfVU7rtrS3Xlwnj8n6f43hFQX0RiU7VTFy21KRqaRqmyG6MYgzsXJM3YFM9bGEtmG0uQOmd-1CaiyjXeGGI_1VuhyphenhyphenpeMQ13cvaP3P1-VmTxnUmbD4l95gY2cCXO-1onKajiuLkAuDHlJPSNpKc2/s640/IMG_3529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQloFjENLGkjFm2gtb37rSjXFLa2JVIRRRVc09NirrngfVU7rtrS3Xlwnj8n6f43hFQX0RiU7VTFy21KRqaRqmyG6MYgzsXJM3YFM9bGEtmG0uQOmd-1CaiyjXeGGI_1VuhyphenhyphenpeMQ13cvaP3P1-VmTxnUmbD4l95gY2cCXO-1onKajiuLkAuDHlJPSNpKc2/w400-h400/IMG_3529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My trio of crocks--all gifts!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And here is one last photo to showcase the beauty of fall </b>(which has now almost disappeared with the rain and wind we've had today!). I went out to retrieve the mail from our mailbox on Thursday and as I looked back toward the house, this was the sight... Isn't it a pretty scene with the fluffy fronds of the perennial grasses and the bright orange leaves adorning our maple tree? </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7n307Er4rXRwVomvL1ooM-zlrBG_RpmLag9lC__LmdaRQNSI_BuZ9mQuEiJrceDEO9vXCithVBfc_JqdTFrSoduAhoc8FK4vyo8RsaP3zJ6OkIuEtCU4vN0epes3KVvSLvixhONhMFfHqjfdeYupy0vC0jYfNjlHeRBWRgIQKhyLWAqcCdOrNqBrjgpj/s640/IMG_3515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="640" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7n307Er4rXRwVomvL1ooM-zlrBG_RpmLag9lC__LmdaRQNSI_BuZ9mQuEiJrceDEO9vXCithVBfc_JqdTFrSoduAhoc8FK4vyo8RsaP3zJ6OkIuEtCU4vN0epes3KVvSLvixhONhMFfHqjfdeYupy0vC0jYfNjlHeRBWRgIQKhyLWAqcCdOrNqBrjgpj/w400-h286/IMG_3515.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Home sweet home!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It's hard to believe there are only two months left in 2023, isn't it? How I wish time would slow down.</b> The older I get, the quicker the days pass and I often seem to have wasted the day away. Does anyone else do that? I honestly felt that I was much more productive when I worked! I really need to examine my usage of time--maybe 2024 will be the year to remedy that. <b>Thank you so much for your visit today--I truly hope November is a kinder month for all. Bye for now...</b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-43768274401397522442023-10-17T14:31:00.002-04:002023-10-17T14:31:47.380-04:00Cooler days and a sweet fall finish<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>October is definitely here as evidenced by the much cooler temperatures and the rainier days this past week.</b> I've been a bit laid up with a cold so staying inside and nesting was perfect for me, though. My whole family visited last weekend and I'm <b>sure</b> I caught one of their colds. But, it was worth it--it's always fun to spend precious time with my sweet grandson. It's been a week since I got sick now and I'm almost feeling "normal" again. I just seem to get more tired after doing chores like laundry or cleaning. Anyway... I have <b>nothing </b>to complain about in light of all the horrific things going on in the world. It's all just so very sad...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I have a very cute fall finish to share with you today...</b> As soon as I saw this chart, I ran to Etsy downloaded it, printed it off, and began stitching! This is called "Pumpkins" and is from a Polish designer. You can find the chart <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/642766149/pumpkins-cross-stitch-pattern-autumn?ref=yr_purchases" target="_blank"><b>right here </b></a>in her "Cross With Me" Etsy shop if you are interested. I used the suggested colors and stitched it on 40 ct. vintage country mocha Newcastle linen. I did have to outline the upper left pumpkin in a darker tan color as it just wasn't showing on the fabric. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4crTXY2lKywT4x9MPFK6XZXuE_eQEz64h3EURh7f-hlCBwcWYpd6t8mqb5PF-v60LP9tvZwTwUZn18e1IxEd9eMs2sAibeLuXabS0wfny7QYAw-xgPftLOKUEpuZyr3KkUtrVxczE5B0vO2TnOHpmLiI2ImR1ph0SyQDpE4j01EdMEZIcB_a2kMqWd3TK/s640/IMG_3284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4crTXY2lKywT4x9MPFK6XZXuE_eQEz64h3EURh7f-hlCBwcWYpd6t8mqb5PF-v60LP9tvZwTwUZn18e1IxEd9eMs2sAibeLuXabS0wfny7QYAw-xgPftLOKUEpuZyr3KkUtrVxczE5B0vO2TnOHpmLiI2ImR1ph0SyQDpE4j01EdMEZIcB_a2kMqWd3TK/w400-h400/IMG_3284.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a pretty fall piece</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the simple beauty of this piece and it will be nice to have it on display from September through November, don't you think? I had a barnwood-look frame in my stash that my daughter-in-law had given me and it was just perfect. A very simple finish, but I love it! The trio of pumpkins shown on the sides came from a local pumpkin farm that we visited with my grandson last weekend. He loved the tiny pumpkins the most and picked out four of his own to take home with him. And while at the farm, he <b>insisted</b> on pulling the big wagon (complete with his four mini pumpkins) all by himself. I wish I'd taken a photo of him, but I bet you can picture it! I'm sure his mom and dad will be buying a bigger pumpkin to carve for Halloween in a couple weeks, too. He is <b>so excited</b> and already has his costume--he's going trick-or-treating as <b><a href="https://pawpatrolandfriends.com/pages/chase" target="_blank">"Chase"</a></b> one of the Paw Patrol pups that are so popular with toddlers. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsISaLCRoAkbgvxlHu7h1QIeHVHwZRDK1Z75DJHNUtS-hJG2lDQljiUqSnfUN-ps6xM-lmcp925sFWa29PqB7amSo3aQ7X9Wc3FmzZYMPdLkGh7qeEP4owf_KYjFCVrcW2BMF_Jr5kgB8z-abVpSyd7wbn2oWeGpnQA4CPKIGt_LOYikO0X3oBnFSobG9/s640/IMG_3313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsISaLCRoAkbgvxlHu7h1QIeHVHwZRDK1Z75DJHNUtS-hJG2lDQljiUqSnfUN-ps6xM-lmcp925sFWa29PqB7amSo3aQ7X9Wc3FmzZYMPdLkGh7qeEP4owf_KYjFCVrcW2BMF_Jr5kgB8z-abVpSyd7wbn2oWeGpnQA4CPKIGt_LOYikO0X3oBnFSobG9/w400-h400/IMG_3313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My finish of "Pumpkins" from the Cross With Me Etsy shop</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I am not a fan of the evening darkness that is creeping in</b>, and I know it will get much worse when we change the clocks on November 5th... But, we've been having dinner by candlelight each evening to combat the darkness. I put together this cozy looking display for our kitchen table. (I already shared this photo on Instagram and one of the comments was that it "looks like autumn on a tray!" I love that!). The front piece of stitching is from an old Just Cross Stitch magazine (I'm not sure of the exact date, but think it was in 2006 or so). I stitched it "over one" on 28 ct. black Monaco way back in 2015. You can read more about my finish <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2015/09/finally-fall.html" target="_blank">in this post</a></b>. And the "Season of Plenty" piece in the back is by Little House Needleworks and was stitched way back in 2009--the year I began my blog! <b>Have any of you been with me since that first year?</b> It seems like such a long time ago... If you'd like to read about that LHN finish, check out<b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2009/11/week-forty-six-little-house-needleworks.html" target="_blank"> this post</a></b>. How about you, do you light candles for dinnertime in these darker months? What's in the center of your dining table? </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV6qtnBOi8qpYoN0tdFy07xnWMo_25njQQQqXVgoa04TYqSPMRWvvUpt02MCuaGWcWZzJDAlqTH881M7HNVg7zmu28kom0wp9IdIbff4HiqNXnHjMcoJ3ruyQb6-QncyfwERsf6jhdymeqdpXySekHA6W6s14M1Fv9NeMv1hBu5o2LbvIeKuU7JxfZimm/s640/IMG_3196-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV6qtnBOi8qpYoN0tdFy07xnWMo_25njQQQqXVgoa04TYqSPMRWvvUpt02MCuaGWcWZzJDAlqTH881M7HNVg7zmu28kom0wp9IdIbff4HiqNXnHjMcoJ3ruyQb6-QncyfwERsf6jhdymeqdpXySekHA6W6s14M1Fv9NeMv1hBu5o2LbvIeKuU7JxfZimm/w400-h400/IMG_3196-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love having dinner by candlelight in the fall and winter</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway time... </b>Today's offering is perfect for all of you cat lovers out there! Or for those of you who enjoy monthly designs. It is from an old Leisure Arts magazine (I'm sorry, I do not know which issue) and is called "Purr-fect" Holiday Wreath. A cute kitty is featured in twelve small monthly designs that you can make into little pillows or simply frame and change out the piece each month. <b>Would any of you like to enter this giveaway? If so, please follow the guidelines below and I'll announce the winner in my next post. </b>(<b>Please note: </b>The three pages are torn from a magazine and will be folded and mailed in a legal sized envelope to save money).</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrWV0AwO2MA2luA5UvcOJTUQf_dNyMSUfu89UsC0BkBTQOfK44rddE3462949UzufGGXkj8YQyD3UFChu7OiNt1sXLYFJGpDvFFDcBYFEiOoF4RjYi0zSwuUaEWEGFKp1tcbfndxON5gpTJHOH8dZLOp5oE2_kJI_4Tx2gChuNMtpuiaGVQH3AuXFhsdE/s800/IMG_3330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrWV0AwO2MA2luA5UvcOJTUQf_dNyMSUfu89UsC0BkBTQOfK44rddE3462949UzufGGXkj8YQyD3UFChu7OiNt1sXLYFJGpDvFFDcBYFEiOoF4RjYi0zSwuUaEWEGFKp1tcbfndxON5gpTJHOH8dZLOp5oE2_kJI_4Tx2gChuNMtpuiaGVQH3AuXFhsdE/w400-h400/IMG_3330.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm having a giveaway for this chart of 12 monthly cat designs</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>To be included in the drawing for the monthly kitty charts shown above, please... </b></span></span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>1) Specifically mention that you would
like to win it in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>2) Be a follower of Stitching Dreams (in my blog's sidebar on the right)</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>3)
Make
sure to leave your email address in your comment if I don't already have it<br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>4)
Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below.</b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b> <br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra2YNavqexBjyXAkTGqiLJlYVg1IfJB9f2zY0C_sImhMKrlfWBg9fDTYvUeXgYBASzkjwBOlv6CNnE70uQAfhQpo6G84LSWxmOd4lXmuPELCKo_H33HW9YRswaBB7tVmnpLmhp0TcFme7TYhmiJtC1ja8joU_wPCl8HrW4-W_sXqHU2LlZnQqfhOZBAA8/s800/IMG_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra2YNavqexBjyXAkTGqiLJlYVg1IfJB9f2zY0C_sImhMKrlfWBg9fDTYvUeXgYBASzkjwBOlv6CNnE70uQAfhQpo6G84LSWxmOd4lXmuPELCKo_H33HW9YRswaBB7tVmnpLmhp0TcFme7TYhmiJtC1ja8joU_wPCl8HrW4-W_sXqHU2LlZnQqfhOZBAA8/w138-h200/IMG_4155.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Getting to Know You... </b>Since Halloween is nearing and that usually means spooky and scary stuff, today's question is:<b> "What is one of the scariest things you have ever done or experienced?"</b> For me, that's an easy one... It was the hike in the jungle that my family did when we visited Panama in 2018. Honestly, I thought we were going to die--I still get anxious just thinking about that trek. Looking back on the photos in the piece I posted about that horrible experience brings back all sorts of feelings--none of them good! If you are new to my blog and would like to read about my "hike from hell," check out <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2018/09/a-bowl-of-buzzing-bees-and-my-big.html" target="_blank">this post</a></b>. <b>Now it's your turn--what is the scariest thing you have done or experienced? I'd love to get to know you better!</b></span></span></p><p><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RvSAlROJqVKfY1mESJBGbK_Hy7NwL8TG8fpzz9i29D8PBpIoWcV6uhB1D5xybQI17B4JWl_78oHUqTeXQV-Kgla_b4ejeCWwzpw-gkOytgwjMZa6XZOIEwoG1uceaFvNJMTKdfGRd7Mn9Wcs0ola8PMJ0K9icVkvy6xW3S4o34R76Xdl51tKmh9Stuhq/s640/IMG_2533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RvSAlROJqVKfY1mESJBGbK_Hy7NwL8TG8fpzz9i29D8PBpIoWcV6uhB1D5xybQI17B4JWl_78oHUqTeXQV-Kgla_b4ejeCWwzpw-gkOytgwjMZa6XZOIEwoG1uceaFvNJMTKdfGRd7Mn9Wcs0ola8PMJ0K9icVkvy6xW3S4o34R76Xdl51tKmh9Stuhq/w200-h200/IMG_2533.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I
have some welcome news</b> for our stitching community, too. Do you all remember
the pretty patriotic finish I shared back in August called "Land of the Free?"
Well, the designer of the chart, Willow Hill Samplings, has reopened her Etsy
shop--you can find that chart again <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillowHillSamplings1" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. Go check it out--there are so many cute designs available!</span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Blog commenting problems... and a possible solution? </b>Recently I've had trouble commenting on certain blogs. Not all, maybe three or four of the ones listed in my sidebar. Interestingly, I've discovered that I have <b>no trouble </b>at all if I use a different browser. I normally use Firefox, but, for some reason, it refuses to let me comment on those few blogs. I've had others tell me that they've had trouble commenting on my blog as well. <b>So, give another browser a try--I used Chrome the other day and had no trouble at all leaving a comment on those certain blogs!</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It's SUCH a gloomy day here so I think I'll just post this and go sit and stitch the rest of the day away. Hope your second half of October is going well so far. Honestly, this year is just speeding by way too quickly for me! Thank you, each and every one, for visiting me today and for your kind comments and emails. I appreciate them ever so much! Bye for now... </b> </span></span><br /></p><p></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-27728424409312816862023-09-29T23:44:00.000-04:002023-09-29T23:44:46.657-04:00Four days that turned into two weeks...<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, once again, I've only managed to produce <b>one</b> meager blog post for an entire month! I do have a good excuse, though... My trip to help my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson with their move to their newly renovated home in mid-September ended up being "just a bit" longer than I expected--<b>ten days longer, in fact!</b> I'll get into more details later in this post, but I know many of you are only here for the stitching so let's get to that first...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Before I left to help with the move,</b> I was able to stitch this darling squirrel couple, but only got to the finishing today. "Autumn's Acorn Gathering" by With Thy Needle and Thread is stitched on 40 ct. summer khaki Newcastle linen with a mix of overdyed threads and DMC. I did change a few colors--primarily the blue of Mrs. Squirrel's frock and the pinstripes of Mr. Squirrel's britches where I used GAST Dungarees.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVgugwexRbbV15wEzoOPXhwYMtBBhnLwhPlAevDyvuu3uj3jrvBniD55IhzVl1HKWvjytGXczrwZ_czmEQBIDuB1e2zjSg97OchIHqkjC7sLcGSeoomRT1Z5xWmhaeYNpOf8uOlMF_fcZ67geRlXECncakLX8_7iFOp7fEd3m39O_zFHd1HBRojXQqD_n/w400-h400/IMG_3135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a charming couple!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVgugwexRbbV15wEzoOPXhwYMtBBhnLwhPlAevDyvuu3uj3jrvBniD55IhzVl1HKWvjytGXczrwZ_czmEQBIDuB1e2zjSg97OchIHqkjC7sLcGSeoomRT1Z5xWmhaeYNpOf8uOlMF_fcZ67geRlXECncakLX8_7iFOp7fEd3m39O_zFHd1HBRojXQqD_n/s640/IMG_3135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I finished each one as a simple pillow with handmade cording in DMC 3033 which coordinated with the apron and the shirt. <b>Tip:</b> to get the ends of the cording to look nice, I iron the ends, sort of "comb through" them with the tip of my scissors, and then iron again. Then I carefully cut the edges as straight as possible with <b>very</b> sharp scissors. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VGHZwieF-smy9vb5gSf8lrAIZtcUH5QiVf96G1OcLvx2k6k19tFXf2c7WJewL7STP-nvgNyzibz4qPIKoVVYvfAW-00dJkzaai_mWCYOwFWPDkw1tN1h3h4zbyrV0fgUmLhvaJJ6_d0kTAXlKDjuCLC2NaBXklcJxOKoAB55riAvrBHJ2MGEpn-k05bm/s640/IMG_3137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VGHZwieF-smy9vb5gSf8lrAIZtcUH5QiVf96G1OcLvx2k6k19tFXf2c7WJewL7STP-nvgNyzibz4qPIKoVVYvfAW-00dJkzaai_mWCYOwFWPDkw1tN1h3h4zbyrV0fgUmLhvaJJ6_d0kTAXlKDjuCLC2NaBXklcJxOKoAB55riAvrBHJ2MGEpn-k05bm/w400-h400/IMG_3137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I left off the jack-o-lantern face on the pumpkin basket--just wanted it to be more fall themed than Halloween. I also omitted the thread bow on her dress.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is some satin stitching on the acorns and on the wings of the crow. I love these special touches that Brenda Gervais adds to her always charming designs!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8weZZcld9Zr9XXZDN0g0iVEe4sT75Wyf535h_sOXp4jhmkZYHqefTh46vCk9ufhYCdoC-ewvGOIXzqJoK2USe62ouGFscpKj9WvoWxqZ0FL8ChuwIp5FGrpDrTEygGMRGq-sMn22E7jou3gGmKtsxBJ6IFXVimTsnF4MBPUqJBHnUexIRqwInoUbTXpP/s640/IMG_3138-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8weZZcld9Zr9XXZDN0g0iVEe4sT75Wyf535h_sOXp4jhmkZYHqefTh46vCk9ufhYCdoC-ewvGOIXzqJoK2USe62ouGFscpKj9WvoWxqZ0FL8ChuwIp5FGrpDrTEygGMRGq-sMn22E7jou3gGmKtsxBJ6IFXVimTsnF4MBPUqJBHnUexIRqwInoUbTXpP/w400-h400/IMG_3138-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Aren't his little suspenders the cutest? And how about that spiffy orange striped tie!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't had a chance to do much fall decorating yet, but I did manage to set up this little display in a corner of my sunroom. I'm hoping to do more fall decorating next week. The brown carved wooden squirrels (on the right) belonged to my maternal grandmother and I collected the tiny acorns last week when we took my grandson to a local park for an afternoon.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_Y8jYiMA7J_yARyZAulHrUBO4O19YNnXCmVWGM6wy-FaEsZT-I5zRU7EMTGuM3f2qEUMTv8hYqB8_rk0iBf7UCu7N7EimuZPDsnupGWxoEufEoouETXtDcWP66iIYBCVIB0J4-gFfyfl_evoVORe-H-XN2veoXWk-y31l3cSlLL5EwK8lIaejm-6-jhY/s640/IMG_3148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_Y8jYiMA7J_yARyZAulHrUBO4O19YNnXCmVWGM6wy-FaEsZT-I5zRU7EMTGuM3f2qEUMTv8hYqB8_rk0iBf7UCu7N7EimuZPDsnupGWxoEufEoouETXtDcWP66iIYBCVIB0J4-gFfyfl_evoVORe-H-XN2veoXWk-y31l3cSlLL5EwK8lIaejm-6-jhY/w400-h400/IMG_3148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The extent of my fall decorating so far!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, there you have it--the extent of my September stitching! </b>I didn't even manage to get my monthly Christmas ornament finished (although it <b>is </b>stitched). Hopefully, October will be a bit more productive in terms of stitching...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As I mentioned in my last post,</b> my husband's extended family gathered for a memorial service for his parents on September 9th. Two of my nieces planned a truly special day for 40 of us that included the graveside interment of ashes, lunch afterward at a botanical garden, and a wonderful dinner (filled with lots of family stories) at a nearby restaurant. We saw relatives we hadn't seen in ten years so it was a very special celebration of my in-laws' lives. In between lunch and dinner we all took a walk in the woods near my in-laws' old home to spread some of their remaining ashes. It was a cloudy, cool day, but just as my brother-in-law released the ashes near a beautiful old tree, the sun came shining through the clouds illuminating the remains as they drifted through the air. I drew a sharp breath and turned to my niece saying, "Did you see that?" "Yes," she replied with a smile and glistening eyes. I <b>do</b> believe in signs from our loved ones who have gone before us and this was definitely one.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdWFL7b7C7HtE61wWjJRT1fREZpLIclgEGcxfSD5cd661bavGYYu4Hb4nuNzx3rnwHKrNElzesdjH3oDdPLNpubYKgIfjjShJx07-Svz9yzvdNP6rTF2hl9Q3pFjvpu0UE6dkZ5npyoJfU_AX_qMAiY-D0N-eeVNF3rVHSAuQdA3cSCTT1VAehSQGLwgU/s800/IMG_3155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdWFL7b7C7HtE61wWjJRT1fREZpLIclgEGcxfSD5cd661bavGYYu4Hb4nuNzx3rnwHKrNElzesdjH3oDdPLNpubYKgIfjjShJx07-Svz9yzvdNP6rTF2hl9Q3pFjvpu0UE6dkZ5npyoJfU_AX_qMAiY-D0N-eeVNF3rVHSAuQdA3cSCTT1VAehSQGLwgU/w400-h400/IMG_3155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The woods where my in-laws' ashes were scattered is so pretty and peaceful.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On Sunday, the day after the memorial service, we hopped into the car for the four hour drive to Maryland to help with my oldest son's move to his newly remodeled home. We cleaned out cupboards and closets, packed boxes, and gave the house one last cleaning. We worked from dawn to dusk on Monday as the movers were coming on Tuesday--there was so, so much to be done! Thankfully, their new home was just around the corner from the home they had been renting for the past two years so the movers didn't have far to go. After the truck was unloaded, we quickly realized that there was <b>no way</b> we could sleep in their new home due to the overwhelming odor of polyurethane on the newly refinished floors so we headed to a hotel. It was nice to just take a shower and relax in a calm, dust-free environment for a night. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next morning we were back at it, unpacking and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning (dust was <b>everywhere</b> as the entire home has hardwood floors that had been sanded). <b>And... all while the workmen who have been doing the remodeling for the past five months were still there! </b>We soon realized that four days was not long enough to make even a dent in the unpacking/cleaning/organizing/setting up a working home so I decided to stay longer while my husband left for home. He had to take care of a home improvement project that was scheduled at our own house that Monday. My son and daughter-in-law were <b>extremely</b> thankful for me extending my visit and said they couldn't have managed without me--I was so glad I was able to be there for them. </span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlXL7TYILrrinqUoOPmyw6PWcZG7eApMd7JcFDdetbmVbcJR12-A_orYGVpnXOsKXtRoIxBDAW4ehF02Hfkflx8m1WN3mgNGmW372Eh9vyRxyx5UxCRqeBdy7aL03vcuvX_e15G-kH787RYY2onCHTczJli44UqJ0Fl_M9xScA79ZUX4J079yBJKWHH3Y/s640/IMG_2873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlXL7TYILrrinqUoOPmyw6PWcZG7eApMd7JcFDdetbmVbcJR12-A_orYGVpnXOsKXtRoIxBDAW4ehF02Hfkflx8m1WN3mgNGmW372Eh9vyRxyx5UxCRqeBdy7aL03vcuvX_e15G-kH787RYY2onCHTczJli44UqJ0Fl_M9xScA79ZUX4J079yBJKWHH3Y/w400-h400/IMG_2873.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Packing up the kitchen for the move. My son and daughter-in-law will definitely not miss that galley kitchen in their rental home!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>All did not go without a hitch, though...</b> the toilet for their primary bathroom arrived cracked, the dryer was delivered with big dents on both sides, the existing vent isn't large enough for the new stove, light fixtures were installed in the wrong location, etc., etc. <b>Worst of all, they have no heat! </b>The plumber who was <b>supposed</b> to call the gas company about connecting the gas line neglected to do so and it can take months. The previous home owner had oil heat, but my son had the oil tank removed never dreaming that it would take this long to connect to gas. <b>But, I have faith that eventually they will have a lovely home.</b> It may be a while until they can purchase furniture, but they'll get there!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The outside of the house is looking great</b> as a landscaper and his crew gave the home a quick makeover (it only took a day plus a few hours!). This is their new home--isn't it pretty? It's big, but they need all that space as my son and daughter-in-law work from home so they both need offices. And, of course, they need a guest room for us :) All of those big overgrown shrubs were removed and the sidewalk was replaced. The whole look is much cleaner and tidier, and best of all-- none of these plantings require much maintenance. We were all <b>very</b> pleased and the neighbor across the street liked it so much, he came over and asked the landscaper to do the exact same thing at his house! </span></span><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VAnkqObGLh3LalsSjfzgXUT1McTDqFBPaMK2AobU_HoOSg6z4XW3AXH04GLRYti2tsh55hwLmUttc7_55jY9kjMrSks85zen1inTtlAsWTNmSUZVCqNcfqJybkTpdx9z1LvOzkTe_ci83FfT06BBQy4as0U9moYujMOsoCgxLZeyMj52fHUEnHPc34O-/s640/IMG_2963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VAnkqObGLh3LalsSjfzgXUT1McTDqFBPaMK2AobU_HoOSg6z4XW3AXH04GLRYti2tsh55hwLmUttc7_55jY9kjMrSks85zen1inTtlAsWTNmSUZVCqNcfqJybkTpdx9z1LvOzkTe_ci83FfT06BBQy4as0U9moYujMOsoCgxLZeyMj52fHUEnHPc34O-/w400-h400/IMG_2963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My little grandson is, unfortunately, having a bit of trouble adjusting to the move. The house is much bigger than their rental home and I think Mister B is feeling a bit lost in it. He was <b>very </b>clingy--only wanted mommy or daddy and wouldn't even let me or my husband care for him. He did let us pick him up from pre-school one day and take him for an outing at a local park for a few hours. It was so nice to just relax away from the workmen and the chaos and stress of the move for a few hours.<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49riSYMb51gke7wIrAsggvjguHWMtzmLxeLAMSC_mi0t0upc2ia2g90HvPMRQ6abYKPBTmediK7pTcAL8c0v35Hh-W4yAreToqAf0Ege3OnWFGD4dDOmlUO0vdV6QSy_Fw_cFmLZoiLFr5BguhbtvKcMLwseuv6QvJ0lfkEXXbefDw9Dz6mXTC3wbYGLl/s640/IMG_2612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49riSYMb51gke7wIrAsggvjguHWMtzmLxeLAMSC_mi0t0upc2ia2g90HvPMRQ6abYKPBTmediK7pTcAL8c0v35Hh-W4yAreToqAf0Ege3OnWFGD4dDOmlUO0vdV6QSy_Fw_cFmLZoiLFr5BguhbtvKcMLwseuv6QvJ0lfkEXXbefDw9Dz6mXTC3wbYGLl/w400-h400/IMG_2612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B loves to check for mail each day at his new house!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My husband drove back down to pick me up, stayed a few extra days, and we finally got home last weekend, tired, but fulfilled. We both enjoy doing projects that make a difference and that have a beginning and end. We put up curtain rods and hung curtains, replaced light switches, hung a new light fixture, did a mini-makeover on the guest bathroom with my daughter-in-law, hung pictures, etc. <b>And since returning home--guess what?! </b>That insomnia that I wrote about in my last post has just about disappeared. <b>I so appreciate all of your suggestions on how to deal with it. </b>I think, for me, I just needed to make sure that their move was over and they were safely in their home and then I could relax and not stay up half the night worrying about them! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My husband and I took a drive yesterday</b> and discovered a wonderful walking path at a nearby park. It was so peaceful strolling through the woods as the sun drifted through the slowly-turning leaves.</span></span></p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYdFeHOllg05YPSoF3wQ8RZ9vVucXpsQ7TOgTWlM547Z6Rsv3pCSN-gvMmd1yg8ZFI14kp1oCeHBYV5HF5YxGy3SrIxMrgBXGYz9zfesaWxJb7GtTVLxqJuDVZujRD-9gw9Qzaf5LbTwKSHBE-kX5pPm3Atd5NiE87v-8cLPGdphR_gGtFX6BidyYioeZ/s800/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYdFeHOllg05YPSoF3wQ8RZ9vVucXpsQ7TOgTWlM547Z6Rsv3pCSN-gvMmd1yg8ZFI14kp1oCeHBYV5HF5YxGy3SrIxMrgBXGYz9zfesaWxJb7GtTVLxqJuDVZujRD-9gw9Qzaf5LbTwKSHBE-kX5pPm3Atd5NiE87v-8cLPGdphR_gGtFX6BidyYioeZ/w400-h400/IMG_3121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A beautiful fall day for a walk in the woods</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>More signs...</b> As we walked, my husband spied some round things on the ground, "Look at those walnuts." I didn't think they were big enough to be walnuts so we stomped on a few and cracked them open. They were hickory nuts--something I <b>should</b> have recognized as my childhood home had two huge hickory trees in the front yard. Each fall, my mom would settle all of us kids at the kitchen table cracking the nuts to make her once-a-year hickory nut cake. It took forever as there is very little nutmeat in each one, but the result was worth all the effort! </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPfWomqyu6Ksv9lweDoaAFc-Jd4ZF3vXlh-1svXJfCCxFiuguE-dxR5ItZzboNGUg1JfCuQaqwS4F2eQ626ot5o1xm4qtytSU2ojLIog69pxQ3QIaBubMIE0Y6hA0GiFI9aokLDRnhjlsvWpXAGTThBGrfUmF4aznID15Rl1fYf2JxPjI_6Uwsz0AGfaE/s640/IMG_3151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPfWomqyu6Ksv9lweDoaAFc-Jd4ZF3vXlh-1svXJfCCxFiuguE-dxR5ItZzboNGUg1JfCuQaqwS4F2eQ626ot5o1xm4qtytSU2ojLIog69pxQ3QIaBubMIE0Y6hA0GiFI9aokLDRnhjlsvWpXAGTThBGrfUmF4aznID15Rl1fYf2JxPjI_6Uwsz0AGfaE/w400-h400/IMG_3151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hickory nuts and maple leaves--memories of mom.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'd been really missing my mom lately</b> and just know that those hickory nuts were a sign from her. And if that wasn't enough proof, as I walked back to the car after our walk (hickory nuts safely stuffed in my pocket), I heard a mother calling to her little girl on the playground, "Way to go, Elinor!" Again, I smiled to myself--Elinor was my mother's name. </span></span><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you, mom--I love that you are still here watching over me when I most need you</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">. How about you? Do you believe in signs from beyond? </span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>That was a long post!</b> Yikes... I hope <b>some </b>of you are still reading along. We are expecting one last week of summer weather ahead (with temperatures in the high 70s) and I'm <b>so</b> happy. I dread the cooler, darker days that are coming. Hopefully, I'll be back a couple of times in October--that is always my goal--to blog twice a month--but sometimes, life interferes. That's okay--I wouldn't have traded those two weeks helping my son's family for anything. But, it sure did feel good to plop down in my stitching chair once we returned! <b>I broke the cardinal rule of stitching: ABC (Always Bring Cross stitch!) when I went to help them move. I never dreamed I would be gone for so long and I think that is the longest period I've gone without stitching in 20 years! Remember that when you travel somewhere: ABC! Happy October, my friends--hope it is a good month for each of you. Bye for now...</b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-27011548023296135842023-08-31T16:25:00.000-04:002023-08-31T16:25:11.330-04:00One last summer finish...<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And suddenly... summer is drawing to an end. </b>I know, I know, summer doesn't<b> technically</b> end until September 22nd, but, to me, it ends today--August 31st. The way the light filters into the house is changing, there is a nip in the air in the mornings, the sounds of the school buses fill the air, and darkness falls earlier and earlier with each passing day. Oh, how I'll miss the summer season... But, I know many, many of you are counting the days until you have much cooler, less rainy weather. We've had a beautiful summer here in western Pennsylvania with more sunshine and less rain that usual--and <b>much</b> less humidity which is always a win-win in my book! The older I get, the less I can tolerate the humidity. It's been such a nice summer here that we've only used our air conditioning maybe five or six days! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It's been a while since my last post</b> (a whole month to be exact!), but I assure you, I <b>have </b>been stitching. In fact I have one last large summer finish which I've been working on for almost two months. This patriotic piece "Land of the Free" is by Willow Hill Samplings and is stitched on 40 ct. vintage country mocha Newcastle linen. I did change some of the colors: the blue house is stitched with GAST "Old Blue Paint," the red house is done in GAST "Old Red Paint with a roof in CC "Baking Tin," the white house is WDW "Light Khaki" and the greenish/gray house is painted in the called for colors of GAST "Old Hickory" and "Chamomile." I changed a few of the doors and windows here and there--I felt like a little girl with my crayons and coloring book at times!<br /></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GyBZh2kGJA0FuqUhOPmTANquj8R12I1bbrjcObWcQwYn8TkHGo9T4meAaeZgSTgXrBGx5sjpY8Odmc9HlRTLYFf5rL8vexLSnVqlrk47Ssbg0LtftdjwcHbAHwTNxM7DDjZZPnTnq3Ffl9abEFERIzTJsy2B485LExwekX6UxQ4fkF2fDBYJs3fiNnDC/s640/IMG_2533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GyBZh2kGJA0FuqUhOPmTANquj8R12I1bbrjcObWcQwYn8TkHGo9T4meAaeZgSTgXrBGx5sjpY8Odmc9HlRTLYFf5rL8vexLSnVqlrk47Ssbg0LtftdjwcHbAHwTNxM7DDjZZPnTnq3Ffl9abEFERIzTJsy2B485LExwekX6UxQ4fkF2fDBYJs3fiNnDC/w400-h400/IMG_2533.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A beautiful late summer finish</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This is such an endearing design, don't you think? </b>My favorite motifs are the charming little couples--a young woman saying farewell to her sweetheart in scenes from four different eras. Below, you can see the long blue gown, lace cap, and tricorn hat of the Revolutionary War couple on the left. And then next to the red house are the Civil War garbed man and woman. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0eoXooK-sb-XEVQQMeMF_hUK92hMU3b85Y9z6xo1kHxDBO0Sj7hnL7RoXfnQWQ-II05hdPiAH3eUqrN1SkJyK6eUEPJ2Y9yQfCRGFxx6SnoujQUebBQmw1E0OSajQWJzoEJ1gCpVmHlu6guG1jHLVoXshJdnk7XjDxWsxE83-Ft7FgPuIPAMWoAxjvGr/s640/IMG_2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0eoXooK-sb-XEVQQMeMF_hUK92hMU3b85Y9z6xo1kHxDBO0Sj7hnL7RoXfnQWQ-II05hdPiAH3eUqrN1SkJyK6eUEPJ2Y9yQfCRGFxx6SnoujQUebBQmw1E0OSajQWJzoEJ1gCpVmHlu6guG1jHLVoXshJdnk7XjDxWsxE83-Ft7FgPuIPAMWoAxjvGr/w400-h400/IMG_2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Aren't those little people the cutest?!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And in the photo below are the couples from World War I next to the white house and World War II on the far right. I just think they add so much to the entire piece!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjln0LrPQIKoHvuRxNjetF8KXgolCCZqXXv7mPyI4wvA07u74qgWmxp1PL0iv0Ol-xI5cSSQCyu5-gNS9XEYCHthaYgjt12Hc0iom7lwIWuNcoeZ66-G646kER0EPaxkMzCKHk3-MguUVwp1119kPa-s9v3c_TgkhTSogatPYDab6p_zFKXezGc1Md0n0/s640/IMG_2530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjln0LrPQIKoHvuRxNjetF8KXgolCCZqXXv7mPyI4wvA07u74qgWmxp1PL0iv0Ol-xI5cSSQCyu5-gNS9XEYCHthaYgjt12Hc0iom7lwIWuNcoeZ66-G646kER0EPaxkMzCKHk3-MguUVwp1119kPa-s9v3c_TgkhTSogatPYDab6p_zFKXezGc1Md0n0/w400-h400/IMG_2530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a pretty border, don't you think?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And, of course, I love the sentiment: "The land of the free because of the brave." </b>Now, let me tell you one thing (or a lot of things to be exact!) that I<b> did not </b>love: those tiny little leaves about drove me crazy! Yikes! But, I persevered and got them done and I'm so pleased with the final look...</span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RbB5KkWi4Mw2_8jXOlwsjm3gVbSk7G_45kK5-RBHNODo6soQY2BBgWMpF7D_cAEGqiz1pSRukYtKqWhlHZCKU9Y8s7QDt3rfOR5PEHKtNNW9AHzqdb_ZUnfl649Xw__pDNGVY1eCaj-68oXhttZ1eD4_1OGrBv1sE9cVRicNHIol29d9lLFX48IDoCAM/s640/IMG_2531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RbB5KkWi4Mw2_8jXOlwsjm3gVbSk7G_45kK5-RBHNODo6soQY2BBgWMpF7D_cAEGqiz1pSRukYtKqWhlHZCKU9Y8s7QDt3rfOR5PEHKtNNW9AHzqdb_ZUnfl649Xw__pDNGVY1eCaj-68oXhttZ1eD4_1OGrBv1sE9cVRicNHIol29d9lLFX48IDoCAM/w400-h400/IMG_2531.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which house is your favorite? You know me--I love the blue one!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I purchased "Land of the Free" from <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillowHillSamplings" target="_blank"> this Etsy shop</a></b>, but sadly, it appears that the designer has closed her shop as she recently lost her husband. I hope Kim and her family are healing and that she'll reopen her Etsy shop at some point--she is <b>such</b> a talented designer.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BgUEM2ouQb7Kuyj43wX_bN70AGXmsqrGEfgJ-sqHoVxbfAI9g7vCG6dV0cTf_9Icf7_yEitXOSyl92fOmgy1la48eYSJaKsDED6AJ2rQrQh3raDoIg63Gz3UoA7HS_rzZIZsaVCuaNbNw7pJ0homo_0bMpkrV28SiF9Sj634Ygabje2mAq7OIsrt10X5/s640/IMG_2528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BgUEM2ouQb7Kuyj43wX_bN70AGXmsqrGEfgJ-sqHoVxbfAI9g7vCG6dV0cTf_9Icf7_yEitXOSyl92fOmgy1la48eYSJaKsDED6AJ2rQrQh3raDoIg63Gz3UoA7HS_rzZIZsaVCuaNbNw7pJ0homo_0bMpkrV28SiF9Sj634Ygabje2mAq7OIsrt10X5/w400-h400/IMG_2528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The land of the free because of the brave</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever noticed that sometimes little surprises come into your life when you most need them? </b>To be honest, I've been feeling a bit "down" this entire summer. All of the horrible natural disasters going on in the world have really affected me. Growing older has affected me. Lack of sleep has affected me. I just haven't felt quite like myself. Well, imagine my smile when I opened this wonderful package from my sweet friend in Arizona? She sent me three wooden frames that she thought I would like along with a wonderful ceramic cardinal frame which she said reminded her of me. Won't it be perfect for a photo of my dad? She also sent a collection of the cutest little floss tags--they are all dairy-themed which bring back memories of my childhood. I grew up in a very small town with many dairy farms in the countryside that surrounded it. A visit to one of the local dairy farms was <b>always </b>a staple for class field trips during my elementary school years.<b> I want to thank my friend so very much for her random act of kindness--it really came at the perfect time! </b></span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJzDSqvKsk5-IxyV_5xPigHPguMw2kSLnavUPVkevBzxzHMkXbRiVenN2MENYCH5_9K_DiktkS1rRdD0_tyjXmup5-9Dz4YQzhCe0QLSAO1NOjUUac0BEDOSCkKZM9lQSlT1T6pf0kfAIY1ildHfs8IuoSiHLCQjQdzB78PArJ0bDdxgBwMauwS4WlgRZ/s800/IMG_2667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJzDSqvKsk5-IxyV_5xPigHPguMw2kSLnavUPVkevBzxzHMkXbRiVenN2MENYCH5_9K_DiktkS1rRdD0_tyjXmup5-9Dz4YQzhCe0QLSAO1NOjUUac0BEDOSCkKZM9lQSlT1T6pf0kfAIY1ildHfs8IuoSiHLCQjQdzB78PArJ0bDdxgBwMauwS4WlgRZ/w400-h400/IMG_2667.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A surprise package of goodies from my sweet friend in Arizona!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway winner... </b>Way back at the end of July, I offered this cute Lizzie Kate kit as a giveaway. I enjoyed reading everyone's answers to the "Getting To Know You" question about one thing that instantly makes your day better. Thank you to all who participated! I had quite a few entries, but the name drawn from the hat is... </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barbara from Wolverine Lake, MI</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltB3kcP2VkBcuw61R5IGR9QUIp83cDAX1eSde8hYG6Por04YuhrvBeoaXJZIpWhAtTdZ9kN-sw5LSU5y7wxPOXc8ben5cjUm7JpIdTowv7rW-G-Bb-asQzBgOOLFbxlfUzleUJ-jNV92SxNZV-W09imBCC3nMhGXLHt9sH035OzcSkJSc-osAtcKHrlT4/s800/IMG_2239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltB3kcP2VkBcuw61R5IGR9QUIp83cDAX1eSde8hYG6Por04YuhrvBeoaXJZIpWhAtTdZ9kN-sw5LSU5y7wxPOXc8ben5cjUm7JpIdTowv7rW-G-Bb-asQzBgOOLFbxlfUzleUJ-jNV92SxNZV-W09imBCC3nMhGXLHt9sH035OzcSkJSc-osAtcKHrlT4/w400-h400/IMG_2239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Barbara from Lake Wolverine--you are the winner!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations, Barbara!</span></span></b> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>You are the winner </b>of
this sweet Lizzie Kate kit. I hope you enjoy stitching it! Please send me your mailing address (my email is in my sidebar under
"View My Complete Profile") and I'll pop the chart in the mail to you
early next week. And for those of you who didn't win this time, please check future posts as I'll have more things to pass on.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Any advice on... insomnia?</b> Oh, it's gotten bad this year. I can usually fall asleep just fine, but I wake up around 3 AM and can't fall back to sleep for hours--sometimes not at all. This is really taking a toll on me. My mind just won't shut off and I worry about everything under the sun. Does anyone have any advice? I have taken those little melatonin gummies from time to time and they seem to help a bit, but I don't want to become reliant on them. Reading does help sometimes as it distracts my mind for at least a little while. But, it's a real problem that seems to be getting worse. <b>I hope someone can tell me what has helped them.</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'll leave you with a few photos of my end-of-summer flowers to brighten your day...</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbk_acJLFA9SYZ-bg79zJ3tE1CExGb9RYUjKap-cn4io3mu5snCralyB34xjgQ09JU4zipWc-YPvjO9qy2VubzoUHnGTPgfCdV2sTe-WvoTfEmLZ8B55MILuBR0kSJWA28ueCxrqYT_iK5mnpxL9BSf04tLGj_FIVEIvamt-FqiVlf1GPJMa9NwHO_oIky/s800/IMG_2668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbk_acJLFA9SYZ-bg79zJ3tE1CExGb9RYUjKap-cn4io3mu5snCralyB34xjgQ09JU4zipWc-YPvjO9qy2VubzoUHnGTPgfCdV2sTe-WvoTfEmLZ8B55MILuBR0kSJWA28ueCxrqYT_iK5mnpxL9BSf04tLGj_FIVEIvamt-FqiVlf1GPJMa9NwHO_oIky/w400-h400/IMG_2668.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Amazingly, now that summer is almost over--my hydrangeas have decided to bloom!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19z5LNb5t_DAMMVFwBD9BtGFhfYqGu8HdhdOoBwNPM8lY9xityS-0_b_Wg4h7qBgsg3WraTd-lcRchQ0gF0DAzM3herWk29W2_wDzggjclejwY5grkfRazx2xFjsb_KfirPp2Novke5ACfy59D6yQccYUAL2KyUbKgTNqTCy8B78Yp_FDNosMg25z8-Sl/s800/IMG_2677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19z5LNb5t_DAMMVFwBD9BtGFhfYqGu8HdhdOoBwNPM8lY9xityS-0_b_Wg4h7qBgsg3WraTd-lcRchQ0gF0DAzM3herWk29W2_wDzggjclejwY5grkfRazx2xFjsb_KfirPp2Novke5ACfy59D6yQccYUAL2KyUbKgTNqTCy8B78Yp_FDNosMg25z8-Sl/w400-h400/IMG_2677.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Some pretty phlox also made an appearance. It had been hiding behind some ferns for years and when we removed some of them, this beauty made its appearance!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XKYPKXpVsf9_oVzQmnjodiP9ermN-1N6oYAobGkK3dCMPFvSAEOdg9Q4XpHAa-Lk22Xsf8UNRYESsoDYL4uikvv_T9QZczq9StsK5YOWqwDDWBF0qinMzAojU5I7eGEkCmD5tf-xFFrjzmIbh7EPqHTFIDqj58_K1HwHIC_raiXoy9MDqHZXHpo2h9Ct/s800/IMG_2682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XKYPKXpVsf9_oVzQmnjodiP9ermN-1N6oYAobGkK3dCMPFvSAEOdg9Q4XpHAa-Lk22Xsf8UNRYESsoDYL4uikvv_T9QZczq9StsK5YOWqwDDWBF0qinMzAojU5I7eGEkCmD5tf-xFFrjzmIbh7EPqHTFIDqj58_K1HwHIC_raiXoy9MDqHZXHpo2h9Ct/w400-h400/IMG_2682.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure what these are. Does anyone know? They look like some sort of petunia and they've really put on a show in the window box on our garden shed.<br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbxsHtE04FBORQ5of1bYP8PFUBcud39-vJojQaUWmd1KQDE9uBOZBtPwr0XiqOLJLqihNNBOcytByf-0rPkygRPp4WXx7yBFk6ETxGgR_b4JzRoq6f199dtXKsii_T4ElogjBaS9Vt40gUnLjaT9CY20U_JCNnArzv69QaJuEsU9SVcV3H4g4u5YZw454/s800/IMG_2697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbxsHtE04FBORQ5of1bYP8PFUBcud39-vJojQaUWmd1KQDE9uBOZBtPwr0XiqOLJLqihNNBOcytByf-0rPkygRPp4WXx7yBFk6ETxGgR_b4JzRoq6f199dtXKsii_T4ElogjBaS9Vt40gUnLjaT9CY20U_JCNnArzv69QaJuEsU9SVcV3H4g4u5YZw454/w400-h400/IMG_2697.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A busy little bee gathering pollen from one of the few remaining sunflowers.</b><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>On to September! </b>It's going to be a busy month for my family... Believe it or not my little grandson is going to be starting pre-school next Tuesday! I know... how can that be? He's going to be attending just two mornings a week, but it will be a <b>big </b>change for him. He and his mom and dad (my oldest son) will also be moving into their newly renovated home the following week so that will make for <b>lots</b> of changes at the same time for one little 3-year-old. Luckily, the new house is just around the corner from the house they were renting so at least his neighborhood and friends will remain the same. Next weekend my entire family will be home for a few days and we'll then be traveling to Ohio for a memorial service for my in-laws. It will be nice to see some relatives that I haven't seen in many years. But, it will be a sad time, too. Hard to believe my mother-in-law has been gone almost a year now... <b>What's on your calendar for the new month?</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I didn't get a chance to thank each of you personally for your sweet comments on my last post, so I want to do that now. Thank you so very much--each and every one of you! I do appreciate the time to you take in commenting (or "trying" to comment as I know Blogger can often be temperamental in even allowing some of you to comment!). Take care everyone! I hope you have a wonderful month ahead! Bye for now...</b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-41285087584513480832023-07-30T23:47:00.000-04:002023-07-30T23:47:48.964-04:00Sunny days and snowy stitching<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello, all! I hope this post finds you doing well?</b> Thankfully, the second half of July has been much, much quieter than the first and I've had some much-needed "me" time. As an introvert, I relish my alone time and <b>truly need it</b> to "recharge" after a lot of social activities like I had in the first two weeks of July. I know that sounds strange to you extroverts who thrive on parties and get-togethers, doesn't it? But, my fellow introverts understand, don't you? So, how did I spend my quiet time? Well by stitching and reading and puttering around the house, of course! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I actually stitched up three new ornaments</b>, but I'm only going to share two of them with you today. The third isn't fully finished so I'll wait a bit to show you that one. These are my monthly ornaments for the stitch along that I host <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/caroling55/?hl=en" target="_blank">on Instagram</a></b> otherwise known as the #12in23ornamentstitchalong. My July ornament is this little cutie by Heart In Hand called "A Very Merry Christmas." It's stitched on 40 ct. woodland brown Newcastle linen and I changed all of the colors except for the white and the light pink due to the darkness of my fabric. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kS8uY097Dm-z7sBb4Vg1jC9Pcji983KfgfQBIaTMqGZA4gRH9Pm2d_RTe6eipF8vvjX6xYEvfCvXmOH2tXDIHeSwtht74VJ1orrJ_gvo_0WGQAApxfwanfvazxK1JDqakkcmkSNNhkMILQS56crdbgMyBfZw07OeR_UlilJm8sBAHAP6G9vVSsd2_EA/s640/IMG_2144.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kS8uY097Dm-z7sBb4Vg1jC9Pcji983KfgfQBIaTMqGZA4gRH9Pm2d_RTe6eipF8vvjX6xYEvfCvXmOH2tXDIHeSwtht74VJ1orrJ_gvo_0WGQAApxfwanfvazxK1JDqakkcmkSNNhkMILQS56crdbgMyBfZw07OeR_UlilJm8sBAHAP6G9vVSsd2_EA/w400-h400/IMG_2144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My July ornament: Heart In Hand's "A Very Merry Christmas"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did make a small change in the design--I left off the stocking that was charted on the right and replaced it with two of the smaller light green trees. I wanted this to resemble a cozy looking Christmas house in the middle of a forest of trees and I love the final result! For the finish, I sewed on a narrow strip of red and white striped fabric bordered by some cheery black fabric with white polka dots. Add a white button, little red ribbon, and some white cording--and there you have it... my July ornament all ready for the Christmas tree!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SpMBAqBLmrFP9-EIxO6lv01iMcOffsG8NVZ_JMn32EjFSJNEaQebEMFOvrwB8YBSsz9WF_vsL26vSk40zWlCJCX9gQ1sT3cgcxYP_1dpascVNxJe75N_ogKdgGcYw11A9SSD1fbgpWp4g_7JViX7PRuFQUcLdcwxyqmNvXq0nxeKX1EdwhhgiaQDW5ie/s640/IMG_2198.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SpMBAqBLmrFP9-EIxO6lv01iMcOffsG8NVZ_JMn32EjFSJNEaQebEMFOvrwB8YBSsz9WF_vsL26vSk40zWlCJCX9gQ1sT3cgcxYP_1dpascVNxJe75N_ogKdgGcYw11A9SSD1fbgpWp4g_7JViX7PRuFQUcLdcwxyqmNvXq0nxeKX1EdwhhgiaQDW5ie/w400-h400/IMG_2198.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This one just makes me happy!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>August's ornament</b> uses basically the same colors so it was easy to just dive right in and begin stitching. This design is by Lila's Studios and is part of her "Spirit of Christmas, Set 2" chart. Isn't that the prettiest shade of red in the bird? I used the suggested GAST color: "Schoolhouse Red" and, once again, chose to stitch it on 40 ct. woodland brown Newcastle. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love how well white shows up on this pretty shade of brown linen. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The green I chose for this piece is CC "Steamed Broccoli." </span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWQuu_CbDiU9aNzt5EN6nGWVcl4hG68OmkRvsbGkDCRApPJrAprohoI9-93Tfyl5LgKgWceedj5CoMUu-Ylt2r-DIJnHBpwIBw8Mtbb0Ut0QK1nXAk5p9j9chmGEr68ogafx9ev8Ep9x_MjwIoWl7oFjCyNR_RkYhAfITfF2AgUjFm24j0nz7RDmM9pOc/s640/IMG_2170.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWQuu_CbDiU9aNzt5EN6nGWVcl4hG68OmkRvsbGkDCRApPJrAprohoI9-93Tfyl5LgKgWceedj5CoMUu-Ylt2r-DIJnHBpwIBw8Mtbb0Ut0QK1nXAk5p9j9chmGEr68ogafx9ev8Ep9x_MjwIoWl7oFjCyNR_RkYhAfITfF2AgUjFm24j0nz7RDmM9pOc/w400-h400/IMG_2170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Spirit of Christmas, Set 2" by Lila's Studio is my ornament choice for August</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The only design change I made was to add three small snowflakes underneath the word "Noel." I just thought it needed "a little something" in that vacant space. I changed the bird's legs to DMC 3021 from the suggested black, too. The finish was easy--just surrounded the entire thing with handmade cording and topped it with a gingham bow, red bell, and some greenery. What do you think? Such a cheery little piece!</span></span><br /></div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3gLPgmDSfDgs7RupnISINH3-UEDSq93ctrkgQUgDZNaVmGjvpyff2MA3n7rnJ10VThm64I-deavTyWQQBY_jqREZAr1RfPLwuzvgEk6sQv7mVwmutxnMj-hhJHLlRN2yuDZcVFN6ajRQ2QEBt8_adGLmPvFwihmcUbL_TP13NOQqSekFQWhSsECiIeUb/s640/IMG_2195.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3gLPgmDSfDgs7RupnISINH3-UEDSq93ctrkgQUgDZNaVmGjvpyff2MA3n7rnJ10VThm64I-deavTyWQQBY_jqREZAr1RfPLwuzvgEk6sQv7mVwmutxnMj-hhJHLlRN2yuDZcVFN6ajRQ2QEBt8_adGLmPvFwihmcUbL_TP13NOQqSekFQWhSsECiIeUb/w400-h400/IMG_2195.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">August's ornament </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It's nice to be a bit ahead in my ornament stitching!</b> Hard to believe there are only five more months left in 2023, isn't it? I'm already looking forward to seeing my Christmas tree all decked out in December!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLo-TxNUvEED2W1lNCztdCYYOS-tnfx9brpUGMfqI6T0b8Crmn5iHt274juUnBclFve8QQIqw8YZ2wYCKDe8KObZDccBrzvQnlo0STkBxU2J66ifjp1-cL2oWoW0JlAw6k6sSU_AJiw9R9u0KCFQb2Ou345tL8EyhD4guP5E1zBIOWO60VePT4Clk4sBZ/s640/IMG_2194.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLo-TxNUvEED2W1lNCztdCYYOS-tnfx9brpUGMfqI6T0b8Crmn5iHt274juUnBclFve8QQIqw8YZ2wYCKDe8KObZDccBrzvQnlo0STkBxU2J66ifjp1-cL2oWoW0JlAw6k6sSU_AJiw9R9u0KCFQb2Ou345tL8EyhD4guP5E1zBIOWO60VePT4Clk4sBZ/w400-h400/IMG_2194.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My July and August 2023 ornament finishes</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Giveaway... </b>So, in keeping with the spirit of Christmas, how about the chance to win a little gift today? I have a very sweet one passed on to me from Janet in Texas (thank you so much again, Janet) who sent me many, many charts to use in my giveaways. This is actually an entire kit from Lizzie Kate which includes the chart, a piece of the suggested fabric, and two tiny accent buttons as shown in the photo below. Would anyone like to enter the giveaway? <span><span><b>If
you'd like to win the kit, please follow the guidelines below. </b>I'll announce the winner in my next blog post--good luck to all!</span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9pYL3ovGb-MskexC69PdKOfMeKlzIEmaqQ65zphO1W_xtdxhXO8jrdhWizxr65wuDw27vrgRfM70DHrLpdWXN9FTv3WlegFlBpSouVvdPdJeIsu-Spa0IkaN1gA7G6HJ0sXeerdw4nFrR7I40f1bDjn4dyaqTfVEJbWCzQOV0o8xTyo1vGrhkWAKFk6E/s800/IMG_2239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9pYL3ovGb-MskexC69PdKOfMeKlzIEmaqQ65zphO1W_xtdxhXO8jrdhWizxr65wuDw27vrgRfM70DHrLpdWXN9FTv3WlegFlBpSouVvdPdJeIsu-Spa0IkaN1gA7G6HJ0sXeerdw4nFrR7I40f1bDjn4dyaqTfVEJbWCzQOV0o8xTyo1vGrhkWAKFk6E/w400-h400/IMG_2239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm having a drawing for this Lizzie Kate kit. If you would like to enter, please follow the guidelines below:</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>To be included in the drawing for this Lizzie Kate kit, please... </b></span></span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>1) Specifically mention that you would
like to win the kit in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>2) Be a follower of Stitching Dreams (in my blog's sidebar on the right)</b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>3)
Make
sure to leave your email address in your comment if I don't already have it<br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>4)
Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below. </b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivn-AsG3gpXeTWY_j_PHpIwYPfPAXziXR0r_ep20QVAAFzR5H8-MDN8OAx64nKRIASFEyKcaIXkQozSmExlibVBCEg9hF-b4Y0iwe62cezCgcIM2oWwjoMJTjWRktYCZfMSCBsk8Elnbx3LpvEcHDLRCMfvg1hXmwwQGkNUQk1-I9EUfHlFMV2EtHGHWi/s800/IMG_4155.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivn-AsG3gpXeTWY_j_PHpIwYPfPAXziXR0r_ep20QVAAFzR5H8-MDN8OAx64nKRIASFEyKcaIXkQozSmExlibVBCEg9hF-b4Y0iwe62cezCgcIM2oWwjoMJTjWRktYCZfMSCBsk8Elnbx3LpvEcHDLRCMfvg1hXmwwQGkNUQk1-I9EUfHlFMV2EtHGHWi/w138-h200/IMG_4155.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Getting to Know You...</b> For those of you who are new to my blog, I like to pose these little questions from time to time so I can get to know my friends and fellow stitchers a bit better. After all, you know a fair amount about me from reading my blog, so I'd love to know more about you. Today's question is: <b>"What one thing can instantly make your day better?"</b> Hmmm... there are many things, but one that really stands out for me is the sound of laughter--especially from my grandson or my sons. I still love hearing all my "boys" (who are now grown men between the ages of 35 and 41!) laughing together as they tease and joke amongst themselves. Nothing warms my heart more than knowing my family is happy and enjoying their time with each other. And now that has spread to my little grandson--oh, how his laughter lights up my day! <b>How about you? I'd love to hear your answer to today's question!</b></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>46 years...</b> I did have <b>one</b> big event occur in the past couple of weeks and that was the celebration of 46 years of marriage! <b>What?! How can that be? </b>I met my husband as a teenager--we were just 19-years-old and beginning our second year of college. And then at the age of 22--just two months after our graduation, we were married in 1977. <b>That's almost unheard of in today's world, isn't it? </b>We kind of "grew up" together in a way. But, here we are--still smiling and laughing after all those years. No big party or trip this year--we're saving them for the "big one"--our 50th anniversary in four more years! We celebrated with a quiet dinner out with my middle son and his girlfriend at a local Mexican restaurant. Very simple and casual just the way we like things!</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b></b></span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfDrOd0PN9-zzBfhypltgWdQ3juQULHYEtVCHUaKTL8uHHkbozZDKOoc0JpgSj6eYTzqUysh30FLh4aVmG8HZtc5mCp52bF481xp3GsB7oTT8UKvYxNNCw8TM-qJaPe2IZ-HB5vMGLJx_ovBKKLq9FwXopYef4lJhZ6nUftvmDXpPg2izQ7C3qddfEaQD/s640/IMG_2152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfDrOd0PN9-zzBfhypltgWdQ3juQULHYEtVCHUaKTL8uHHkbozZDKOoc0JpgSj6eYTzqUysh30FLh4aVmG8HZtc5mCp52bF481xp3GsB7oTT8UKvYxNNCw8TM-qJaPe2IZ-HB5vMGLJx_ovBKKLq9FwXopYef4lJhZ6nUftvmDXpPg2izQ7C3qddfEaQD/w400-h400/IMG_2152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Still laughing together on our 46th wedding anniversary!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How is your garden doing this year?</b> Ours is bursting with flowers and tomatoes right now. They've been loving the sunny weather we've had this season. We feel very blessed to have escaped most of the horrible high temperatures that have swept over much of the U.S. and Europe this summer. In fact, many in our area are joking that people will be wanting to move to southwestern Pennsylvania for our climate! Haha! Anyway, we've been <b>very</b> lucky this summer and our garden seems happy.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWchPXTFjP1d_rlKJ7BEhy11-PXn9IcS2a9W0-kNX5S-uJ4qSILcfpYotBYFPX2nYyhOG_Elj-WvG8HnWXPmBjuuh1xiC_fYzYudlpNV5hg_bpxXsJlvNm6YO0_yHiMYVB6Bln4-xIi1nIF9ojfU5c-HcElzJvVU4S20vgo87cN-aobmHEt5pmuan7Cgas/s800/IMG_2245.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWchPXTFjP1d_rlKJ7BEhy11-PXn9IcS2a9W0-kNX5S-uJ4qSILcfpYotBYFPX2nYyhOG_Elj-WvG8HnWXPmBjuuh1xiC_fYzYudlpNV5hg_bpxXsJlvNm6YO0_yHiMYVB6Bln4-xIi1nIF9ojfU5c-HcElzJvVU4S20vgo87cN-aobmHEt5pmuan7Cgas/w400-h400/IMG_2245.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The bright and beautiful colors of summer</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin33TgecQ14ahsYzQ9fiNRi3D7UC4d4IxBUAW1BzosoKj673sXpHu7xdFFOWvRwWiZqh2SEegFujIVE-480ZwdGRjc3m05l4pcHYo_3bcD2vQh_9KhTFDmYmokqc0D2pfCKR0-A1_u7SWI9lfICyERmj7qlNfxvk4qp8vujDsQG7JEKT8xGom38ENXmvf3/s800/IMG_2022-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin33TgecQ14ahsYzQ9fiNRi3D7UC4d4IxBUAW1BzosoKj673sXpHu7xdFFOWvRwWiZqh2SEegFujIVE-480ZwdGRjc3m05l4pcHYo_3bcD2vQh_9KhTFDmYmokqc0D2pfCKR0-A1_u7SWI9lfICyERmj7qlNfxvk4qp8vujDsQG7JEKT8xGom38ENXmvf3/w400-h400/IMG_2022-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I like to place my zinnias in individual glass bottles on a little tray. Such a quick, fun arrangement!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLygndLBPEfCqxmHNxOt28Lax3CblQ-EMMdG0rU3BzMkLTeHH4JdOjf57kyy80E9pHm77CEnNN4bYxx9m6n1zy9SV6g50xNRLes9Ypxx6CFFgmgT3dUEfuHtUux-VgK2GoOgeb7JmSdD_7_-p4n0ybczXb5UtCSAJiHgqqbhZzsFiPwewIa2T0_jU_P-e/s800/09c4d9d6-de7d-4927-8458-7e967ccb86ed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLygndLBPEfCqxmHNxOt28Lax3CblQ-EMMdG0rU3BzMkLTeHH4JdOjf57kyy80E9pHm77CEnNN4bYxx9m6n1zy9SV6g50xNRLes9Ypxx6CFFgmgT3dUEfuHtUux-VgK2GoOgeb7JmSdD_7_-p4n0ybczXb5UtCSAJiHgqqbhZzsFiPwewIa2T0_jU_P-e/w400-h400/09c4d9d6-de7d-4927-8458-7e967ccb86ed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My husband wanted me to take a photo of him in the sunflower garden to share with his brothers. He titled it: "Too much fertilizer!"</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, that's about it for July! I hope each of you has a fabulous month of August... We don't have any special plans, but, of course, we hope to see our little grandson at some point. We try to get together at least once a month which isn't always easy given our four hour distance from him. But, it sure is easier than when he lived all the way across the country in San Diego and for that, we are thankful... <b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Speaking of thanks, I hope you know how much I appreciate each of your sweet comments. I can't always reply to each of you as many of you are "no-reply" commenters and I don't have your email address, but I hope you know I read and appreciate every single comment! Take good care, my friends! Bye for now...</b></span></span></p></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-33094902835254653862023-07-16T23:44:00.000-04:002023-07-16T23:44:19.956-04:00"B" is for...<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello there! The middle of July has passed and I'm just now posting...</b> July is one "<b>busy" </b>month (just one of the many "B" words you'll read about in this post!) for my family with lots of birthdays, our wedding anniversary, gardening, etc. It's interesting how some families seem to have "clumps" of celebrations in one month or another. Our busiest month is definitely July. We don't have a single birthday in June or August (since my dad passed away anyway). What are your "busy" months? </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for... Big finish!</b> I decided earlier this year that I just <b>had </b>to stitch more summer themed pieces. I have a ton of patriotic finishes which I love having out in July, but I wanted more simple summer finishes to decorate with in June or August. The adorable designs in the "Celebrate" series by Madame Chantilly caught my eye when they were released and I purchased every single one. I've stitched snippets of "Celebrate Winter" and "Celebrate 4th of July" as little ornaments, but "Celebrate Summer" is the only design I've stitched in its entirety. There was <b>a lot</b> of stitching in this piece--<b>much</b> more than I anticipated, but I love how it turned out!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI7133HXLE97qV0BwqhxiqhcTTFopLsXG66L2yJuUYL6F0__ZINiumfE-rTzFBb2xSP1iNd4s3dN8X-eCK3XAJtPiXveCzCTxjfgEVg9PlOx8X-IqHhXZvnuFQ9LB-teMh5GWY1J5JZ_VVLdu_yfweItqOIhcSQmGxswcspL1aDZHQ63BfHjKOWqNzj8H/s800/IMG_1387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI7133HXLE97qV0BwqhxiqhcTTFopLsXG66L2yJuUYL6F0__ZINiumfE-rTzFBb2xSP1iNd4s3dN8X-eCK3XAJtPiXveCzCTxjfgEVg9PlOx8X-IqHhXZvnuFQ9LB-teMh5GWY1J5JZ_VVLdu_yfweItqOIhcSQmGxswcspL1aDZHQ63BfHjKOWqNzj8H/w400-h400/IMG_1387.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Celebrate Summer" by Madame Chantilly</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I stitched this piece on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle linen using the suggested DMC colors. Stitching with DMC is so relaxing, isn't it? You never have to worry about the actual stitched piece not matching the photo on the chart like you do when using many overdyed threads. The reds, yellows, and blues are such perfect summer shades. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjADMTQmxtGphz0rIQQhBZ7Um5hichOu-noi-woxZOaRrU_gdWdyptAPzPEpo-oWjfrTbeKLPrgWzzmww2SFnrGUYA4-c1kmWXVw-BvY403CNIXIENOT5vm9SL6MKf5i7vTb1fOqf3ThJ9pbBK4nie_X25SkHQlGGSNhVt2TShGlbUs-rfkVTRBENSGLSA/s640/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjADMTQmxtGphz0rIQQhBZ7Um5hichOu-noi-woxZOaRrU_gdWdyptAPzPEpo-oWjfrTbeKLPrgWzzmww2SFnrGUYA4-c1kmWXVw-BvY403CNIXIENOT5vm9SL6MKf5i7vTb1fOqf3ThJ9pbBK4nie_X25SkHQlGGSNhVt2TShGlbUs-rfkVTRBENSGLSA/w400-h400/IMG_1388.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look at the cute mermaid--she even has tiny blue earrings!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did make one major change (in addition to leaving off the word "Summer" underneath the tray). I substituted "Hello Summer" for the charted "Hello Beach." We are not near a beach and rarely visit one so I just felt the "Hello Summer" phrase on the chalkboard was much more appropriate for my family. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l6SF3EqTrz4zSATc7AA-zo4ai7Fs07Y5p0p36xUssIfezoCrZJtCnwRsVePvlp5TOyRodZFxPEL0u9_KdwBELKsVGJkfkSzRGKOKfY5JjFUdcAeZcZla2WQVaUuhsPTih8OPlP7HtWWlLDkmd20VeSrKiEgHhfLCxneTJXXpt72D1OJjkza3TkXDUtr2/s640/IMG_1383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l6SF3EqTrz4zSATc7AA-zo4ai7Fs07Y5p0p36xUssIfezoCrZJtCnwRsVePvlp5TOyRodZFxPEL0u9_KdwBELKsVGJkfkSzRGKOKfY5JjFUdcAeZcZla2WQVaUuhsPTih8OPlP7HtWWlLDkmd20VeSrKiEgHhfLCxneTJXXpt72D1OJjkza3TkXDUtr2/w400-h400/IMG_1383.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a happy looking whale!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The little motifs are so charming aren't they? Why just look at that little pig-tailed girl in her old-fashioned bathing costume and parasol--adorable!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_UJC1AvsxPLe64JBM_nEC5fjDZyghkR8oN2PasubIlYOnqRlETbfSOWd5PPbmiygEbwzCJX80tKuwUMhR88Nwf_mOexjiO02eqiqH8dWIxq7X6c0n9kS1HE0RqXezcwLsRJJiTSBAPT1VhHCu3fcCiG559c-7QgwsG2Sv2mNdhKpMj1bz95KOdXDB_gL/s640/IMG_1385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_UJC1AvsxPLe64JBM_nEC5fjDZyghkR8oN2PasubIlYOnqRlETbfSOWd5PPbmiygEbwzCJX80tKuwUMhR88Nwf_mOexjiO02eqiqH8dWIxq7X6c0n9kS1HE0RqXezcwLsRJJiTSBAPT1VhHCu3fcCiG559c-7QgwsG2Sv2mNdhKpMj1bz95KOdXDB_gL/w400-h400/IMG_1385.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So many adorable motifs!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I enjoyed stitching this summer piece so much and I know I'll be doing more of the "Celebrate" series--I think the fall design may be next! Have any of you stitched one of these? </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD9GDzk32rlYEpuQRBJqaULpgw0kQ0g4HowUVSrCoJcV1a9eBC5DEVfN6TgZ49vtLMcki5S8CcrfoNlBEuw9878XelOU4NWRDYDY5K1EmBiUcYo-9_Z8bAe2NVHXeky6kc1oND1JbW6CeHPXWRAHD1RWT8UHJk5Wkre7Z0HOaU5PYIQKg5ZOQ_XR2rzhD/s640/IMG_1386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD9GDzk32rlYEpuQRBJqaULpgw0kQ0g4HowUVSrCoJcV1a9eBC5DEVfN6TgZ49vtLMcki5S8CcrfoNlBEuw9878XelOU4NWRDYDY5K1EmBiUcYo-9_Z8bAe2NVHXeky6kc1oND1JbW6CeHPXWRAHD1RWT8UHJk5Wkre7Z0HOaU5PYIQKg5ZOQ_XR2rzhD/w400-h400/IMG_1386.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope to frame this one soon!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for... Baking! </b>I got the chance to bake when we went to a little get-together with my husband's biking buddies and their wives a couple weeks ago. Since it was a hot, hot day, I went with two very quick and easy desserts that I've made before and shown you on my blog. But, with a number of new readers, I thought you might like the links to these recipes again. Shown below are a very decadent pair: Peanut Butter Pie and Flourless Chocolate Cake. Don't they look scrumptious? Believe me... a little slice of these goes a long way! The Peanut Butter pie recipe can be found<b><a href="https://www.jif.com/peanut-butter/recipes/decadent-peanut-butter-pie" target="_blank"> right here </a></b>on the Jif Peanut Butter website. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9LQ-sqGqwEEy5KaWaxkc9UTrWBa5BVF2LM8Y-FsU4XA3wbU-Mzmii4_fDQ7HXszcDa4kLFDAJlcJMAQf5QfpVAV1XUgWbvZ1TNY4N-_0vf2F6fYDLPY61WRd86NiRyCXHdTvG3zfMRjQvjcBNfO3EJA5EpeOWSALgW_L3-SQgnvCd7i8Z7LgYP0rXB4g/s800/IMG_1862-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9LQ-sqGqwEEy5KaWaxkc9UTrWBa5BVF2LM8Y-FsU4XA3wbU-Mzmii4_fDQ7HXszcDa4kLFDAJlcJMAQf5QfpVAV1XUgWbvZ1TNY4N-_0vf2F6fYDLPY61WRd86NiRyCXHdTvG3zfMRjQvjcBNfO3EJA5EpeOWSALgW_L3-SQgnvCd7i8Z7LgYP0rXB4g/w400-h400/IMG_1862-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">July baking</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The flourless cake looks quite elegant, but it is <b>so</b> simple! <b>Be sure to watch the video and follow the tips suggested for a perfect looking cake.</b> The white powdered sugar design is made by placing a large doily on top and sprinkling the sugar over it. Lift off the doily carefully and you have a lovely dessert. I used strawberries to decorate the center. If you'd like to surprise your family with a super fudgy treat, you can find the recipe on the Allrecipes website <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/52718/flourless-chocolate-cake-ii/" target="_blank"><b>right here</b></a>. The glaze I used for it can be <b><a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14976/hard-chocolate-glaze/" target="_blank">found here</a></b>. I only make a half-recipe of the glaze and it is plenty. (Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Premium Baking bars were used for both the cake and the glaze just in case you're wondering). Yum!!!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk1JzrEqJB-ycyc4XtQKj3BeFapLXGHh8d33ITrzDSL_gS0vgGB4q0Un5BD1AUsuf8CkCa4eMbm6UvoBUhiWGpwzgbw5AoXgpgDfJrXtAo6viGslAHyfX0oq0tBg6I7x8tbEB31TVP35lJYXsDr813a8VbeOICpDkt9Iw_DIF7CgHX2Jo5Z5RQvIHSF3X/s640/IMG_1860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk1JzrEqJB-ycyc4XtQKj3BeFapLXGHh8d33ITrzDSL_gS0vgGB4q0Un5BD1AUsuf8CkCa4eMbm6UvoBUhiWGpwzgbw5AoXgpgDfJrXtAo6viGslAHyfX0oq0tBg6I7x8tbEB31TVP35lJYXsDr813a8VbeOICpDkt9Iw_DIF7CgHX2Jo5Z5RQvIHSF3X/w400-h400/IMG_1860.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I dare you to eat just one bite!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for... Blueberries! </b>Two years ago my husband planted six or eight blueberry bushes and this year we had our first edible blueberries. (We had some last year, but you're not supposed to pick them that first year). Oh, my... they were fabulous! Sadly, we only got a few cups due to the birds helping themselves to them, too. We have the bushes under netting, but the birds <b>still </b>found a way to get underneath and devour them. If anyone has any tips on keeping birds away from blueberries, I'd love to know...</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdGzjjUjBLiwoMky76mBiz9VK1xEXDdh_0RuptsZi1-Tq2Kp5gPHDL_-EGhQNb8wjALsBzVnai_N-i6wg5dgeZ4aG36ZtWO76lCLLfAPqJ5DFK1UpR3bvo9yTUC04yh9GoeiMxk9VBsQyF16hhKGyXcoA4KLxzPtba4e24gwSWWXrSPyQ2Q5REc4xnUjS/s800/IMG_1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdGzjjUjBLiwoMky76mBiz9VK1xEXDdh_0RuptsZi1-Tq2Kp5gPHDL_-EGhQNb8wjALsBzVnai_N-i6wg5dgeZ4aG36ZtWO76lCLLfAPqJ5DFK1UpR3bvo9yTUC04yh9GoeiMxk9VBsQyF16hhKGyXcoA4KLxzPtba4e24gwSWWXrSPyQ2Q5REc4xnUjS/w400-h400/IMG_1997.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our first homegrown blueberries!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for... Blooms! </b>My husband went a bit crazy with the sunflower planting this year (well, actually, I went a bit overboard in buying so many seeds) and they've taken over his garden. I love seeing their big bright heads bobbing around outside our window. Such a happy flower!</span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcfhj66phUGRE-PSMrK39Zsqq6n2dheMFtP6QSH5Tw7lz1_8zhNF3_0O8kPi5fxwVJArkRtbrTXQWLJxJb1L6AE0UXd5ZozbheFAP--YaLwZBz5D9l90G6NcsscThXahcLtOQkT5bzgdIwJzVSjwxu8sq7lrj-EBF5otOMC7E8z7zDnBDvgJozVdVnmGo/s800/IMG_2069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcfhj66phUGRE-PSMrK39Zsqq6n2dheMFtP6QSH5Tw7lz1_8zhNF3_0O8kPi5fxwVJArkRtbrTXQWLJxJb1L6AE0UXd5ZozbheFAP--YaLwZBz5D9l90G6NcsscThXahcLtOQkT5bzgdIwJzVSjwxu8sq7lrj-EBF5otOMC7E8z7zDnBDvgJozVdVnmGo/w400-h400/IMG_2069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year we planted sunflowers of all heights--from 3 feet tall to over 12 feet!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4QjDkYDMyByk0NiFP29dnZklCFH_zVathFMN6rg5eYlmc7iOz3B1QmONaqSgi8IL5lThYNtgQGFr7vzMnKXlrvKFxt3l5IDoC--W2uSwUf7iYwn7t55stCD0glyuNzKL5PmhirqbH7kGxku3oS1Hw7UmzT9PfZi3EV-Yf4E_uoOCIXh6p9A2BPhrex6E/s800/IMG_2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4QjDkYDMyByk0NiFP29dnZklCFH_zVathFMN6rg5eYlmc7iOz3B1QmONaqSgi8IL5lThYNtgQGFr7vzMnKXlrvKFxt3l5IDoC--W2uSwUf7iYwn7t55stCD0glyuNzKL5PmhirqbH7kGxku3oS1Hw7UmzT9PfZi3EV-Yf4E_uoOCIXh6p9A2BPhrex6E/w400-h400/IMG_2021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A bouquet of sunshine</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for Babies!</b> No, not human babies--baby deer. They seem to be <b>everywhere</b> right now and I love seeing the tiny white-freckled creatures trotting along after their mothers. This photo was taken from my living room window the other day. Sadly, there used to be two babies, but one was hit by a car and my husband found its little body back in the woods by our pond. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PH1WzS5P6QCrykBwGO_cHEiE5a1XAq85wXJnkahu4nSrdr4X-cQ1DY7CQtpxoHwIYlBD8yHLHvu_hH0flVrz7cQH8MOUwYzAEhdDO85DSiuNxnIFfrkNwMvTm6pbkfptHwGw9wtuLPF7iyTHd2c5n-3Gy2Qfr3a2aMoGoVE_arirP6CVinELoP76UYuM/s800/IMG_2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PH1WzS5P6QCrykBwGO_cHEiE5a1XAq85wXJnkahu4nSrdr4X-cQ1DY7CQtpxoHwIYlBD8yHLHvu_hH0flVrz7cQH8MOUwYzAEhdDO85DSiuNxnIFfrkNwMvTm6pbkfptHwGw9wtuLPF7iyTHd2c5n-3Gy2Qfr3a2aMoGoVE_arirP6CVinELoP76UYuM/w400-h400/IMG_2024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A new little fawn exploring our yard</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My sweet grandson (whom we fondly refer to as the "deer whisperer" because he has this uncanny ability to spot a deer quicker than any of us) is shown below. Look closely and you'll see him pointing at the mother deer with her baby lying right next to the street in their suburban neighborhood. It looks like the baby deer was just born, doesn't it? </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyPSvaGetLMhuyvqtFR3djZMdBm7FrOWlU9FmS3yfKqPogIuCdIusZwoM7VeErdJ8b4ZDUF9UWlX7-IzS3LTVtVTFYfd3pLZ_d7srDD3NXFvzlF-6JLF7s4Ve38gK_Zt6R9bn_ZTyiTL4rIQA0c-_z2QajYQ4LOmfmAzUn9qDQJWbXDR6jnb0zYUEGyXX/s800/9d8229ee-b038-414f-8b33-69a78a2d746d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyPSvaGetLMhuyvqtFR3djZMdBm7FrOWlU9FmS3yfKqPogIuCdIusZwoM7VeErdJ8b4ZDUF9UWlX7-IzS3LTVtVTFYfd3pLZ_d7srDD3NXFvzlF-6JLF7s4Ve38gK_Zt6R9bn_ZTyiTL4rIQA0c-_z2QajYQ4LOmfmAzUn9qDQJWbXDR6jnb0zYUEGyXX/w400-h400/9d8229ee-b038-414f-8b33-69a78a2d746d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B loves animals of all kinds and was so excited to see the baby deer right in front of his house.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for... Birthday! </b>And finally, I saved the best "B" for last. <b>My little grandson, Mister B, turned three years old!</b> This was the first year he <b>really</b> understood what a birthday was about and his enthusiasm was contagious. For months he had been telling people he was going to be "three in July" and he would be getting "five presents." Well, he ended up with many more than that, trust me! He had a little party in the park down the street from his house with six little friends (all were girls!) and their parents, his uncles and aunts, a few neighbors, and a little pug dog. The highlight of his day was the Hot Wheels <span>piñata</span>--he kept asking over and over when he could "do the <span>piñata</span>!" </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu2tPJtr1EeQfVyybSOQxRoPYQxHzs1mj5N0teKVzp4ZyyYUVGSyC9A2uo7tjRTe4KeyukbohvCXTWLkZPqTzfyzgrpgIs-rzSaPOl7XGXpPz_lUv1sCK6Pojl7iiYTyMgqrnnLVt9DMIdoA2HinKIzvLGJl3SafZC9LP6dJKyYAhNffut9bffP8BH0--/s800/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu2tPJtr1EeQfVyybSOQxRoPYQxHzs1mj5N0teKVzp4ZyyYUVGSyC9A2uo7tjRTe4KeyukbohvCXTWLkZPqTzfyzgrpgIs-rzSaPOl7XGXpPz_lUv1sCK6Pojl7iiYTyMgqrnnLVt9DMIdoA2HinKIzvLGJl3SafZC9LP6dJKyYAhNffut9bffP8BH0--/w400-h400/IMG_2066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Clockwise from top left: time for birthday cupcakes,</span></span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>piñata time, a walk with Nonna, Mister B with Nonna and Pompa, my oldest son with the birthday boy, my son and daughter-in-law with their newly minted 3-year-old<br /></span></span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We tried to keep our gift giving reasonable and got him a new sandbox, some clothes (which he barely glanced at, of course!), some books, the Curious George zippered pouch I had made for him earlier this year, and his favorite toy--this UPS truck! I bought it online from a neighbor and he absolutely loves it. Do you see all those tiny boxes in the back? I found a file on Etsy for $2.00, downloaded it, and my sweet husband constructed the little UPS "packages" for him. I swear--you can find just about anything on Etsy!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvnlBhNrlyRk3d2MQovYD-BfBH_beb_dkrRHxqLqSnYf28XQlhWeosdEPTXcgnlj4UnWZW2E-b67iobOUOHyEHYRg_drN9t-fGQ9S4PGmTHFOfz4oxE_O-bXUbITnaib6vTFEj2xLD5iAH5lpzlC7vStPDmMo1ytugckDFQ6B3UZDRyS5KpHQo36bnxi/s800/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVvnlBhNrlyRk3d2MQovYD-BfBH_beb_dkrRHxqLqSnYf28XQlhWeosdEPTXcgnlj4UnWZW2E-b67iobOUOHyEHYRg_drN9t-fGQ9S4PGmTHFOfz4oxE_O-bXUbITnaib6vTFEj2xLD5iAH5lpzlC7vStPDmMo1ytugckDFQ6B3UZDRyS5KpHQo36bnxi/w400-h400/IMG_1897.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of his favorite presents--a UPS truck complete with teeny packages. Unfortunately, I don't have the driver for it, but hope to find one. This truck is made by Bruder in Germany--love the quality!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for... more birthdays! </b>Yes, a trio of birthdays happens within a six-day span in our family in mid-July. My grandson was up first, then a day later my youngest son turned 35, and five days after that, my husband celebrated his 68th (or, as I always like to say: he caught up with me!). We were lucky enough to be together in the DC area again this year so my youngest son's girlfriend has us all over for a delicious birthday brunch and a tasty oreo cake to celebrate. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_GUjYTomzVF8YEUKioYN9jQ812rbXbWE2pLL7S3zXxuCAA_M0uWRZnExdRzxRNsnxoKGaocyNEKOXRWRr8Pv1fE07fnJWOTNAdLm7bzPYtt9QlHtdBD4Jgjh5dQqWUl8t0Or-BEv2zXyn542eAKiCIbon3j8ehMaoFxrf0S7GbonSzbu_iusp4DFJ9Yp/s800/IMG_1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_GUjYTomzVF8YEUKioYN9jQ812rbXbWE2pLL7S3zXxuCAA_M0uWRZnExdRzxRNsnxoKGaocyNEKOXRWRr8Pv1fE07fnJWOTNAdLm7bzPYtt9QlHtdBD4Jgjh5dQqWUl8t0Or-BEv2zXyn542eAKiCIbon3j8ehMaoFxrf0S7GbonSzbu_iusp4DFJ9Yp/w400-h400/IMG_1981.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just look at those smiles on the three birthday boys! </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"B" is for Brand New Car! </b>If you read my last post, you know that my 2010 Honda CRV was recalled due to a serious rust issue and was deemed too dangerous to drive. <b>It has now been a month since that happened and we still have not heard about the settlement offer from Honda.</b> Very discouraging indeed. But... all is not lost. Two weeks ago a new Subaru Forester was delivered to the dealership, we went and test-drove it, and purchased it that very day. Would you believe I've only driven it once since? That is how little I drive these days, but so far, I love it. I felt comfortable in it immediately, but, have a long way to go to learn all the ins and outs of the technology. Yikes! I'm too old for this! It is a pretty "Silver Ice" color and we feel very lucky to have found it given the low inventory of cars these days. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd_Gs9enUXLnpI856aupCyjqW1OyndNBotZFQdGAg1pifSZD8Xmsgbf55XTnr2lB51p6bYUXF45BZmhl5vuJhkV5wco9fNghVWSFI7R2DMqerInLnfMYBa2eHrf_w0FNt-l4bxS5b-sLstpSHHr9kY-GmeVOxqqhmy0JTARx9nwXc_PncRL5ygMVdPhsH/s800/IMG_1844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="800" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd_Gs9enUXLnpI856aupCyjqW1OyndNBotZFQdGAg1pifSZD8Xmsgbf55XTnr2lB51p6bYUXF45BZmhl5vuJhkV5wco9fNghVWSFI7R2DMqerInLnfMYBa2eHrf_w0FNt-l4bxS5b-sLstpSHHr9kY-GmeVOxqqhmy0JTARx9nwXc_PncRL5ygMVdPhsH/w400-h288/IMG_1844.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Assuming I can learn all of its technology, I think my new Subaru Forester is going to be a great car!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That was a lot of "B" words, wasn't it? Funny how that happens... I hope you enjoyed today's post! It was a fun one to put together. To leave you with a few more "B" thoughts--I hope you have a bright, beautiful, blissful, blessed rest of July. Thank you for those wonderful emails and comments--I so appreciate each and every one. Bye for now!</span></b></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-22412992605287021592023-06-30T07:42:00.001-04:002023-06-30T07:42:32.582-04:00Six months down, six to go!<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And just like that... the year's half over!</b> Can you believe it? Tomorrow marks the first day of July and the beginning of the second half of 2023. I really can't say much good about the first half of the year so here's hoping the second is better! Anyway, it's been one busy, busy month. As always there has been some good and some bad happenings in my world. Both, have led to very little stitching time, though, and I only have one teeny-tiny finish to share with you today which is my Christmas ornament for July. If it looks familiar--yes, I've stitched it before. But, it was stitched way back in 2011 and given away as a Christmas gift. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'd never forgotten that sweet Jeannette Douglas design (from the 2011 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue) and decided this busy month would be the perfect time to stitch it for myself. It measures a mere 2 inches by 3 1/2 inches and will be perfect for hanging near the top of my Christmas tree where I like to place the smallest ornaments. This only took me one day to stitch up and the following day, the purple beads were added and I made it into a little pillow. The fabric wasn't my favorite--a mystery 32 ct. gray linen that was very floppy. I prefer my linen to be stiffer. There was some 'over one' stitching including the word "Noel" and the tiny chickadee in the upper right corner. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakieRRW3eAvbM5NmQKURX5aoJ8BPE7GcoPeRB2LFX11dmQcUMJ_zQnO51priD71CW9PYOc2U45Crjq6ZwRFUvGZNp_ZH9AkYzWu3bgdXhg_0FJGMkRQloiJ0d3MndFUOGKw5LCqY222uPRWvUfNA6SblhJpo1zR5yj6bCasGLBRjvj4sdGUO0MCcMERYa/s800/IMG_1789-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakieRRW3eAvbM5NmQKURX5aoJ8BPE7GcoPeRB2LFX11dmQcUMJ_zQnO51priD71CW9PYOc2U45Crjq6ZwRFUvGZNp_ZH9AkYzWu3bgdXhg_0FJGMkRQloiJ0d3MndFUOGKw5LCqY222uPRWvUfNA6SblhJpo1zR5yj6bCasGLBRjvj4sdGUO0MCcMERYa/w400-h400/IMG_1789-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Noel Stamp" ornament finish for June</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is a closer look at the cute chickadee and some of the purple Mill Hill beads. I finished this one very simply with some purple cording in DMC 3740 and then added a bit of black and white checked ribbon in the left corner. I was going to go with purple ribbon, but decided I liked the way the black and white picked up the colors of the bird.</span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgresFDCLmN9cBI586MlrW7_a2n8Uzihex1XrGd43xGpREIAWkm6n1Zic6nD6iTVT0MSnvK5sJCDStiO8emj_giQk8PYRFKUE7VdkMj8pJNjwT_Pa3HyGBdAxmHXuvjblgd5fIg6pWch6AVHxWOU8YRTzhjhlyMv-sO9D7ojKRPXKdObqOKZavJsZJxYxgd/s800/IMG_1790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgresFDCLmN9cBI586MlrW7_a2n8Uzihex1XrGd43xGpREIAWkm6n1Zic6nD6iTVT0MSnvK5sJCDStiO8emj_giQk8PYRFKUE7VdkMj8pJNjwT_Pa3HyGBdAxmHXuvjblgd5fIg6pWch6AVHxWOU8YRTzhjhlyMv-sO9D7ojKRPXKdObqOKZavJsZJxYxgd/w400-h400/IMG_1790.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look how adorable that tiny chickadee is!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, there you have it--six months of ornaments down, six to go! Time to look through my ornament charts and pick out my next design. I have an entire folder full of smaller Christmas charts that I'd like to stitch as ornaments one day, so it makes it easy.<br /></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What else kept me busy this month? Who knows what this stack is?</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmdt3OBUENXO_Xa4MrJan1io45t66IatSVKYiGeP9Ns__WOVCXOAmqZsrqM40R2H8wL1Nx9hzlcmI8AL0VLDWBmhCKCEZ75xb9zuUnUfjpsuhL8XeKnvHQleawUibJFVecersPQJFotKh_Iy__GvM6vbRPqWgQy8fumNqBYIOIFMiLOtRj6KJeAOBzWjn/s800/IMG_1785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmdt3OBUENXO_Xa4MrJan1io45t66IatSVKYiGeP9Ns__WOVCXOAmqZsrqM40R2H8wL1Nx9hzlcmI8AL0VLDWBmhCKCEZ75xb9zuUnUfjpsuhL8XeKnvHQleawUibJFVecersPQJFotKh_Iy__GvM6vbRPqWgQy8fumNqBYIOIFMiLOtRj6KJeAOBzWjn/w400-h400/IMG_1785.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm going to be busy with framing!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I've been framed! </b>I<b> finally</b> took the time to measure some of my finishes and order frames for them. I've gotten a bit more confident with my framing through the years and have decided to tackle more of my framing myself. Oh, I'll still send out the <b>most</b> special pieces for professional framing, but many I'll be attempting to do myself. I've ordered this bunch of frames from <b><a href="https://frankenframes.com/" target="_blank">Franken Frames</a></b> online and I'm <b>very</b> happy with what I received. Each one was precisely made to my exact measurements (within 1/16th of an inch!) and the whole turn around time took under took two weeks. Franken Frames has some great sales and this one was for 30% off the frames plus half price shipping. They also send out free samples (1-2" lengths) upon request making it easy to decide what frame will do justice to your finished stitching. For these <b>seven</b> custom-made frames I paid just $70 plus $24 shipping. Isn't that great? </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkK56MqcTqQPdFR8Q-1nGeUCT4pOrt5D_OcV2a47Up91aGgjXTg1FnQnjstsyRMdj2SLdgv3hd6LKq6wiLNJRrTsj1PeyuAEI0tKQmYdZMn3cyso9sSJlA6e9Zh8QaQ4ms2dhfK6TK8_DBDw1EWzqzcKbPp6N7O8MONJQwEC1oDfPM4MIJBLFOcAwYB7x/s800/IMG_1806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkK56MqcTqQPdFR8Q-1nGeUCT4pOrt5D_OcV2a47Up91aGgjXTg1FnQnjstsyRMdj2SLdgv3hd6LKq6wiLNJRrTsj1PeyuAEI0tKQmYdZMn3cyso9sSJlA6e9Zh8QaQ4ms2dhfK6TK8_DBDw1EWzqzcKbPp6N7O8MONJQwEC1oDfPM4MIJBLFOcAwYB7x/w400-h400/IMG_1806.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Seven new custom-made frames just waiting for my cross stitch.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can tell I really liked this particular style as I ordered three frames in various sizes. It is <b>such</b> a pretty moulding and I think some of the fall Prairie Schooler pieces that I've stitched will look perfect in them. No, I'm <b>not</b> being compensated by Franken Frames in the least--I just think a good company deserves recognition and I love that they're made right here in the U.S.A. Their communications and customer service were both excellent. I will definitely be ordering again... Check them out if you need any new frames!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKsr-BAfxuiMgtT4GTN2hiVJ3p9__8emaCfLrXtmwRWx2pRwcGEMxxE_x24LX-7zj0l6B78rm6Pk05eAQwi6xKDcoNr0w5OnMH8-_meJQdA5PKH6WAk7depTj3GCF1FBjqX5-NNO5sN6LqC74S4ddVFR6B7-3wcLrAQ78siFEZ2bquqP4F0m5lNh173eE/s800/IMG_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKsr-BAfxuiMgtT4GTN2hiVJ3p9__8emaCfLrXtmwRWx2pRwcGEMxxE_x24LX-7zj0l6B78rm6Pk05eAQwi6xKDcoNr0w5OnMH8-_meJQdA5PKH6WAk7depTj3GCF1FBjqX5-NNO5sN6LqC74S4ddVFR6B7-3wcLrAQ78siFEZ2bquqP4F0m5lNh173eE/w400-h400/IMG_1807.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Won't these be lovely filled with autumn-themed stitching?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And do you see the silvery frame on the right front corner in the picture of all seven frames? It's already been matched with a piece of stitching from last year. I stitched "All American" by Primrose Cottage Stitchers last summer with the best of intentions of framing it and giving it to my oldest son and his family for the Fourth of July 2022. But... you know how that goes! So, I was thrilled when I noticed that this frame fit that piece of stitching perfectly. You see, I had actually ordered that particular frame for another piece, but it was just too heavy looking for the delicate stitching in that one. Thankfully, this worked out just fine and I can't wait to give it to my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson next week! If you'd like to read about the details of this patriotic piece, please check out <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-patriotic-pottery-barn-cubby.html" target="_blank"><b>my post from July 2, 2022 </b></a>because I did make a few changes.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMdOv1e97zLzV5v6pDDap2snQKRN6Wsygmh5uJJeMgPSFMuTadK5rPPjipZ6JVND5yaDV-nrMBK9kh4G3N4MBG1g4CmbChgs-nLdKFnTCtRXzzAYJGL3qPt60IEA2qDxMdFpDjJSwg2IaIh448bOtkt-_G27o14mbZp17DVoFQ9EH7FdCHtzY4li9mcAt/s640/IMG_1819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMdOv1e97zLzV5v6pDDap2snQKRN6Wsygmh5uJJeMgPSFMuTadK5rPPjipZ6JVND5yaDV-nrMBK9kh4G3N4MBG1g4CmbChgs-nLdKFnTCtRXzzAYJGL3qPt60IEA2qDxMdFpDjJSwg2IaIh448bOtkt-_G27o14mbZp17DVoFQ9EH7FdCHtzY4li9mcAt/w400-h400/IMG_1819.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I framed "All American" yesterday and it will be going to its new home next week.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I stitch framed pieces and give them as gifts, I like to cover the back of the frame with a pretty scrapbook paper. I then add little tags that I've created online to the back to make the gift even more special. (This one has July 2022 as the date because that is when I actually stitched it).</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OocJkwzQHTTxbQCVMf3gpi9jvCv7_ATZvQoqqB8M_NJ46d5SFqewM_Zhds8OWPaaPdwb6-6yLVxCKmSsaDYXMKFI4EGBSdH4jdbkSniVWMCBq-gkmqb93J-VSnF5weOxA4A6ctJsabR7KIz3mTJAeSFRhbtx25DqUq-Y7NhzsZVluRRbCigujR1JL4KH/s640/IMG_1824-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OocJkwzQHTTxbQCVMf3gpi9jvCv7_ATZvQoqqB8M_NJ46d5SFqewM_Zhds8OWPaaPdwb6-6yLVxCKmSsaDYXMKFI4EGBSdH4jdbkSniVWMCBq-gkmqb93J-VSnF5weOxA4A6ctJsabR7KIz3mTJAeSFRhbtx25DqUq-Y7NhzsZVluRRbCigujR1JL4KH/w400-h400/IMG_1824-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The little label that I made for the back of "All American"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway winner... </b>my last bit of stitching news is to announce the winner of the Patriotic Angel chart which I offered last time. Thank you to all who entered and answered the "Getting To Know You" question--it was fun reading about your favorite foods (and I applaud many of you who seem to be much healthier eaters than I)! The winner's name pulled from the hat this time is...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://diamondc-diamondc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Catherine</a></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsTqImAVh9qWebtkGNhW4IAed-LaFjDs4mDyy6v_A9W6-lGOlDxhWa3Ehr9YCh3cJX1BtarlpXm_qFE_ZM9lNXtPDwpK9H0JXXR0jNiNuhf_Zx8R_HnAMPfEGvSmk6XDWTyL77WV9I_4AmAvFTMwFsqKX9eYsbLiEYRNpQZrguFxYYwz0tL3iwWn5cPd-/s800/IMG_1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsTqImAVh9qWebtkGNhW4IAed-LaFjDs4mDyy6v_A9W6-lGOlDxhWa3Ehr9YCh3cJX1BtarlpXm_qFE_ZM9lNXtPDwpK9H0JXXR0jNiNuhf_Zx8R_HnAMPfEGvSmk6XDWTyL77WV9I_4AmAvFTMwFsqKX9eYsbLiEYRNpQZrguFxYYwz0tL3iwWn5cPd-/w400-h400/IMG_1537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations to Catherine--you are the winner of "Patriotic Angel"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Congratulations, Catherine! You are the winner </b>of this beautiful angel chart--can't wait to see her all stitched up. Please send me your mailing address (my email is in my sidebar under "View My Complete Profile") and I'll pop the chart in the mail to you early next week! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbXvCmDaNaFneFBk4kcS-ygT5IdtiTh_U7xHOGgv5DaTQMQJd3XTO2bydkOD5HXhBzd8pBF78nYRqvXWOHVbTWd_MEqCF6SK8KT8PEOaYbQLOASrLP-fJHiiCoCbctvmhwfkv78Q95qzsHNPDzhriw4jhku5SU26DAxsjxxsl_Jp67pDQ10NQr7qU1tO9/s640/IMG_1676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbXvCmDaNaFneFBk4kcS-ygT5IdtiTh_U7xHOGgv5DaTQMQJd3XTO2bydkOD5HXhBzd8pBF78nYRqvXWOHVbTWd_MEqCF6SK8KT8PEOaYbQLOASrLP-fJHiiCoCbctvmhwfkv78Q95qzsHNPDzhriw4jhku5SU26DAxsjxxsl_Jp67pDQ10NQr7qU1tO9/w400-h300/IMG_1676.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RIP dear Honda CRV--you served me well for 13 years.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, I mentioned some bad happenings in my life this month</b> and the worst is that my 2010 Honda CRV is gone. It was recalled by Honda for rust underneath the chassis so we took it into the repair shop two weeks ago. Little did I know that that was the final time I would be driving that car. When the repair shop examined it, they deemed it unfixable--<b>apparently I'd been driving around in a death trap for who knows how long!</b> The suspension could have just completely broken or fallen out at any time the rust was so bad! We were <b>very </b>upset as the car (in our eyes) was in excellent shape. It had never been in an accident, the interior and (what we could see of) the exterior was perfect. I drive so little these days that we had planned on keeping it as long as possible because it was doing just fine. <b>Or so we thought...</b> Honda said they will be "buying back" the car from us, but we've received (after a full two weeks!) absolutely<b> no</b> information as to how much they'll be giving us. The whole process is very frustrating to say the least.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever the amount, it won't be enough money to compensate for losing a car that we had expected to keep for several more years. All those memories... a car that had safely carried me through 11 years of 600-mile round-trip travels to visit my mom and dad in New York as their health was declining, a car that had seen us make many trips to the beach and to visit colleges with our sons, a car that I was truly comfortable with and didn't want to lose. I am one of those folks who<b> hates</b> change and to <b>have</b> to purchase a new car at this point in my life is upsetting. Whatever we end up with, it will, most likely, be my last car as we tend to keep our cars for years and years. I'll keep you posted... <b>And for all of you Honda CRV owners (years 2007 to 2011 models), please be aware of this recall.</b> For more information, you can <b><a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-recalls-defects/some-honda-cr-v-suvs-recalled-to-fix-dangerous-rust-a9741888303/" target="_blank">read this article.</a></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Cough, cough...</b> We've been dealing with terrible smoky air from the Canadian wildfires <b>again</b> this week; in fact Pittsburgh was one of the worst cities in the world for air quality over the past two days. The entire state was issued a "Code Red" warning and yesterday morning the reading from the Environmental Protection Agency was 247--even <b>worse</b> than the Code Red warning!</span></span><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8azqNjv8Ie2SSFIqb6jBZ3yJSATXIPUhHM1qwdJKHSMpCoDVRDfK9uckRDrr1hG7VlIsi1DEIh8YJkMn9HJVDSHh4vzsuOQ_O0w9KiRT7T_oDrWZMf6HA800RSSjIWlteBDnSAKDUl1y5N2EkLikIyQp0ngIUKphR6w0e0rl1PGM7OswmniXuxMLj8zNo/s640/IMG_1817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="513" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8azqNjv8Ie2SSFIqb6jBZ3yJSATXIPUhHM1qwdJKHSMpCoDVRDfK9uckRDrr1hG7VlIsi1DEIh8YJkMn9HJVDSHh4vzsuOQ_O0w9KiRT7T_oDrWZMf6HA800RSSjIWlteBDnSAKDUl1y5N2EkLikIyQp0ngIUKphR6w0e0rl1PGM7OswmniXuxMLj8zNo/w321-h400/IMG_1817.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The main thing I noticed over the past few days was the smell...</b> Not a smoky smell, but a distinct odor of <b>chemicals</b> in the air. The retired librarian in me kicked in and I did a bit of research... Apparently, the smoke from the wildfires includes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that interact with UV radiation. When this interaction occurs benzene and formaldehyde compounds are created in the atmosphere, toxic air pollutants that can be very hazardous to human and animal health. And the smell that is created when this happens is one of chemicals and plastic. Very sad to think that this might be a problem we'll be dealing with for a while... They say the Canadian wildfires will be burning all summer. Needless to say, I've stayed inside with the windows closed. I did venture out to check on the garden and had to come inside after a mere 5 minutes as my eyes started to burn.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I always try to end my posts on a positive note, though... </b>We <b>so</b> enjoyed our grandson's visits this month--Mister B was here for a total of 10 days over two visits. On this last visit we took him to a local farmer's market (twice!) where the photo below was taken. He absolutely adores animals and he loved feeding the baby goat and seeing the gigantic black and white pig that reside there. What you<b> can't </b>see in the photo below is that, with his other hand, he is holding his nose--he may have loved the goats and pigs, but he sure didn't enjoy their odor! <b>It was so funny!</b></span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeLEadHi5fjndIgagR8apNFXc-SHDE0IOrS1ZGMLbfp0wYSaKZj0m41zCJcIe81caTB0FgaydXcG2Y_RcFbggh0oP5EyrkrV2tQSF6ahQsQzHgsIkoZQbF03GEg0c7jAbkFseUxGiidvzBV_IIdm1WLOWvDKQ-nW8axVRqABZynyyGhE6SM_nWk6svQ10/s800/IMG_1599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="798" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeLEadHi5fjndIgagR8apNFXc-SHDE0IOrS1ZGMLbfp0wYSaKZj0m41zCJcIe81caTB0FgaydXcG2Y_RcFbggh0oP5EyrkrV2tQSF6ahQsQzHgsIkoZQbF03GEg0c7jAbkFseUxGiidvzBV_IIdm1WLOWvDKQ-nW8axVRqABZynyyGhE6SM_nWk6svQ10/w399-h400/IMG_1599.jpg" width="399" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B feeding the baby goat at a local farm market</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope all of my U.S. friends have a relaxing and fun Fourth of July on Tuesday. We are going to be getting a lot of rain over the next four days so I hope to find more time to stitch. Thank you for stopping by today and for saying "hello" in your emails and comments! I really appreciate hearing from each one of you. Hope July is a good month for all! Bye for now...</span></span></b></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-17425868197552254012023-06-14T06:51:00.000-04:002023-06-14T06:51:12.363-04:00Happy Flag Day!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Gosh... has it really been three weeks since I last posted? </b>Where does the time go? We experienced 21 days without rain here in the southwest portion of Pennsylvania--a streak that was <b>finally</b> broken on Sunday with some light showers. We need more rain <b>badly </b>and it looks like we'll be getting some off and on for the next few days. Our lawn is starting to turn brown already and it's only mid-June! Usually, that doesn't happen until late August. Add to that a few hazy, sunless days due to the wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada and it's been an odd month so far. Very cool too--in fact I've been wearing my winter bathrobe in the mornings it's so chilly! So, how have you all been? I'm feeling much better although my energy level is still not back to normal. <b>I really appreciate all of your get-well wishes after my last post--thank you!</b> That was one mean virus and it seems to be hitting a lot of folks. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So, it's Flag Day here in the United States</b> and I finished up the cutest patriotic piece just in time! This is called "Fourth of July Picnic" and is a design from Samplers Not Forgotten. I've had this chart for quite a few years and am so glad I<b> finally</b> made the time to stitch it.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mrb4qhkTCDplPxX9QogrXibG-oM7v_pqyvzjFzy8dIxRtDpRMOlz1RFQ3XfC4EuJB4VcemkLHIOo5rij4ZY7r68DOqmIvj6Efbrh2ubE10yKQm6uSJ7Co4DA_av67MNHQXbRRAD15XVen-kwMoX-rjVR4oX8OZOjQooFE6nIKX4gl9LL9wSpbo0QcA/s640/IMG_1502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mrb4qhkTCDplPxX9QogrXibG-oM7v_pqyvzjFzy8dIxRtDpRMOlz1RFQ3XfC4EuJB4VcemkLHIOo5rij4ZY7r68DOqmIvj6Efbrh2ubE10yKQm6uSJ7Co4DA_av67MNHQXbRRAD15XVen-kwMoX-rjVR4oX8OZOjQooFE6nIKX4gl9LL9wSpbo0QcA/w400-h400/IMG_1502.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Fourth of July Picnic" finish</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is stitched on 40 ct. "Stormy Night" Newcastle using all of the suggested colors except for two: I substituted CC Bamboo for the charted Gentle Arts Picket Fence and used DMC 950 for the face and hands. I just love that sweet girl in her straw hat and the little brown puppy and saved them to stitch last. <b>Do you do that, too--save your favorite motifs for last?</b> I used Smyrna stitches for the stars on the flag, the dots on her dress, and her eyes--I simply like the rounded look it gives to those spots. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRylnBik0I-XR3BmGIrggvp1wrigN8vhe3iPXzmTW5Dt6C6nsyL_fs6PjmtemYzWIHWSo7oCg8AWKYWqdUqyMeZXEnZb81qt98afoMTKpzcbOmrcNzyNKXKqrwJ5eKN_ufS17rIsrAT8GI9TLIw894JDdp-F5UUxOk5kAyNvP7RxPijGm8985cy35Nw/s640/IMG_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRylnBik0I-XR3BmGIrggvp1wrigN8vhe3iPXzmTW5Dt6C6nsyL_fs6PjmtemYzWIHWSo7oCg8AWKYWqdUqyMeZXEnZb81qt98afoMTKpzcbOmrcNzyNKXKqrwJ5eKN_ufS17rIsrAT8GI9TLIw894JDdp-F5UUxOk5kAyNvP7RxPijGm8985cy35Nw/w400-h400/IMG_1507.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a sweet little pup!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And, I suppose I have to mention the one part of the chart I <b>didn't </b>enjoy stitching, don't I? Can you guess? Yep--it was the "July 4, 1776" all stitched 'over one' <b>on 40 ct</b>. linen. I was about to tear my hair out by the time I got to the "6!" But, I persevered and got it done... The white button "flowers" were shown on the finish on the chart and I think they add so much to the final look. </span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP9SrME-dGG4gquKJYX7MvgOUMQSMRQ7uaeaSydX-FvB5ymNuavmxM-NR3ukjMblPLVfygemp5_tJ9inKEp0xk6d--cskhNNvnkGwBbRsbDIM8tpCEKIH-JFsEqilaRTSwNNvWMmFA_Xn1BiLu1nIpE32JwYvSG8nmPXZxJBOE2_TZc-WZeKMMUXiGQ/s640/IMG_1504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP9SrME-dGG4gquKJYX7MvgOUMQSMRQ7uaeaSydX-FvB5ymNuavmxM-NR3ukjMblPLVfygemp5_tJ9inKEp0xk6d--cskhNNvnkGwBbRsbDIM8tpCEKIH-JFsEqilaRTSwNNvWMmFA_Xn1BiLu1nIpE32JwYvSG8nmPXZxJBOE2_TZc-WZeKMMUXiGQ/w400-h400/IMG_1504.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love the button "flowers!"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This piece is a bit too large for a pillow finish so I'll be framing it. I'm thinking a rustic black frame would look nice. Or perhaps a chippy red frame? I'll have to think about it for a bit... I've now moved on to a much larger patriotic piece which I'll be lucky to finish by summer's end!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway time..</b>. In keeping with the Flag Day theme, I found this lovely chart in an old Just Cross Stitch Magazine (July/August 2009) that I thought would be perfect for this month's giveaway. It is by Brooke's Books, is called "Spirit of America Angel," and is meant to be stitched on 14 ct. perforated paper. Would anyone like to stitch this beautiful angel? <span><b>If you'd like to win the chart (the three pages are removed from the magazine and I will be folding them to fit in a legal sized envelope to save on mailing costs), please follow the guidelines below. </b>I'll announce the winner in my next blog post--good luck to all!</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq31wgvDp1bvONzgP2FGruZsKo2Xb6UmwD_mRbFYCkIOXsS2NU9zWqjVCjpd2Pfgx3Cri7Dx5NImv9vEw4XVFBcPW3o0n_ReMw-mK8V3UuJ1yyzhn9CJmpOoWM5r90RV9v9ggI7H-JGSo7aDhY9k0MpZxXi_VPZ4cfsMtS9IbbDUWB3j4s9E4R07Szg/s800/IMG_1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq31wgvDp1bvONzgP2FGruZsKo2Xb6UmwD_mRbFYCkIOXsS2NU9zWqjVCjpd2Pfgx3Cri7Dx5NImv9vEw4XVFBcPW3o0n_ReMw-mK8V3UuJ1yyzhn9CJmpOoWM5r90RV9v9ggI7H-JGSo7aDhY9k0MpZxXi_VPZ4cfsMtS9IbbDUWB3j4s9E4R07Szg/w400-h400/IMG_1537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm having a drawing for this patriotic angel chart. If you would like to enter, please follow the guidelines below:</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>To be included in the drawing for this chart, please... </b></span></span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>1) Specifically mention that you would
like to win the chart in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>2) Be a follower of Stitching Dreams (in my blog's sidebar on the right)</b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>3)
Make
sure to leave your email address in your comment if I don't already have it<br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>4)
Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below. </b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TJaADX0eh_Mz35IgjSA_Mq98-IRgzLINJ31doF-3JE8XTSfFFB_acPXp0UlwIAvSM7ltmfKMXl_WsEU15l16GHh6I0Fz81F9B3OrDSh3EyVDwg9Jdmcwqw8_w_XsmGFY17GpyC5GQIuBUOpcoWR0CJw_V6sKp6JsMywbNP06mRCNcEWQ1Qg9JkM-qw/s800/IMG_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TJaADX0eh_Mz35IgjSA_Mq98-IRgzLINJ31doF-3JE8XTSfFFB_acPXp0UlwIAvSM7ltmfKMXl_WsEU15l16GHh6I0Fz81F9B3OrDSh3EyVDwg9Jdmcwqw8_w_XsmGFY17GpyC5GQIuBUOpcoWR0CJw_V6sKp6JsMywbNP06mRCNcEWQ1Qg9JkM-qw/w138-h200/IMG_4155.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>Getting to Know You... </b>For this week's question, <b>I'm wondering what your three favorite foods are? </b>I have absolutely no problem in answering this one: bread, chocolate, and nuts. I just can't refuse any of them. I absolutely <b>adore</b> a nice warm slice of freshly baked bread slathered with butter any time of day! And I can't resist chocolate-covered nuts of any kind. I've developed a real addiction to those tubs of chocolate-covered almonds that are sold at Trader Joe's<b>--</b>I really have to watch and limit myself to a few a day (well, I try to anyway!). <b>How about you? What three foods top your list of favorites? </b></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'm so excited that my little grandson will be arriving later today</b> for a visit! Yes, he was just here two weeks ago, but his mom will be at a conference so my oldest son decided to drive up from Maryland with Mister B and spend Father's Day weekend with us. He is so, so busy and seems to be at the "giving up the nap" stage which is exhausting--for him and us! Last time he was here he had a grand, old time feeding the koi in our pond, building Lego sets with his grandpa and uncle, racing all of us to the birdhouse and back over and over again, "shopping" for food in my pantry with his little basket, and playing with the wonderful old Tonka trucks that had belonged to my boys when they were little. He truly enjoys his time at "Camp Nonna and Pompaw!" </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZkQ6F_39WSh7pZZkt520iDwHMvnrB2ThC96jg7Xk17cbWuK9-pwqGvNpFfLGkyzvwHbmnWmg0-_VRzxbBEpY49YfCM5qmGmGjVaEVbTqmzT3PXM3_JBnW9qw7TVb9Eks6RWrkJMY7s5apLaGolN3MsogtM8M-1MApr9u2HyrxW3Mr38ScWag4fcY3g/s640/IMG_1438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZkQ6F_39WSh7pZZkt520iDwHMvnrB2ThC96jg7Xk17cbWuK9-pwqGvNpFfLGkyzvwHbmnWmg0-_VRzxbBEpY49YfCM5qmGmGjVaEVbTqmzT3PXM3_JBnW9qw7TVb9Eks6RWrkJMY7s5apLaGolN3MsogtM8M-1MApr9u2HyrxW3Mr38ScWag4fcY3g/w400-h400/IMG_1438.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">This was the first time in over 30 years those Tonka trucks were used. I've been storing them up in the attic for my hoped-for grandchildren for three decades and, at last, I have one! Mister B absolutely loved playing with them under the shade of the pine trees while picking up sticks and pine cones. Some kids like dinosaurs or superheroes--he just adores trucks and cars!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It's going to be a busy weekend </b>as my youngest son and his girlfriend arrive on Friday and my daughter-in-law flies in from her conference that evening so we'll have a full house. Thank goodness, my middle son and his girlfriend live locally so they aren't sleeping here. But, there is so much food to prepare and cooking is <b>not</b> my favorite thing! I've already made lasagna with ground beef, lasagna roll-ups (with spinach) for our two vegetarians, macaroni, ham, and cheese casserole, and pulled chicken barbecue! Phew! I hope to make a couple of desserts today or tomorrow and then let everyone else help with sides and clean-up duty. I know I'll be exhausted come Sunday night, but I wouldn't have it any other way. And my husband is thrilled that <b>all three of our sons</b> will be here for Father's Day. Do you have a busy Father's Day weekend planned? </span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll leave you with this pretty photo from our yard...</span></b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68o4yb0zImJTY27_xXbFuQ42loyVEhcSRkDwXJLzhujgZ74bF07RvIDHj3p0LVYzSV6hj9Rlnic03IkN69lEmOgWVerUrGl71Y9clwMygNIEks_0eOaCVs3swCO7no-bCn03K4LhSSPG_0C17cnR98OOHl5hEmK8M-Yi--102IO22EyOe86u2czU6Jg/s800/IMG_1445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68o4yb0zImJTY27_xXbFuQ42loyVEhcSRkDwXJLzhujgZ74bF07RvIDHj3p0LVYzSV6hj9Rlnic03IkN69lEmOgWVerUrGl71Y9clwMygNIEks_0eOaCVs3swCO7no-bCn03K4LhSSPG_0C17cnR98OOHl5hEmK8M-Yi--102IO22EyOe86u2czU6Jg/w400-h400/IMG_1445.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a beautiful peony with the barest hint of burgundy in the center</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>Well, I'm off to the dentist now--time to get a new crown in an upper molar. Not my favorite thing in the world. I hope he can get the fit just right so I don't have future problems... Thank you so much for stopping by today! I love reading your comments and emails and truly appreciate you taking the time to say "hello." Wishing each of you a relaxing day filled with lots of stitching time. Bye for now...</b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW4S1wuzQuOUm2stJPf1OCGD5Q_RMo_jo99sDdMJrjPZDKf__RfNb-puoII4lvGdnxuSPvUpX7zLs45tdF3lbWjs5ccs3pkRVAmX5TTvXB7Xs-erMyVnJ08kV5Cmnvt7kxYWHeE3pXVVTPb36Bn9LSqzeRXitGpcsmmg9wOW-7dpuE54diK1VRl0xzQ/s800/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW4S1wuzQuOUm2stJPf1OCGD5Q_RMo_jo99sDdMJrjPZDKf__RfNb-puoII4lvGdnxuSPvUpX7zLs45tdF3lbWjs5ccs3pkRVAmX5TTvXB7Xs-erMyVnJ08kV5Cmnvt7kxYWHeE3pXVVTPb36Bn9LSqzeRXitGpcsmmg9wOW-7dpuE54diK1VRl0xzQ/w400-h400/IMG_0793.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wishing all of my U.S. friends a happy Flag Day! This photo was taken from my front porch in 2021 and is one of my favorites.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-48863104473661857482023-05-25T23:28:00.000-04:002023-05-25T23:28:22.942-04:00Slowly getting back to normal<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I think (notice, I said "think") this will be a short post for me </b>as I'm <b>still </b>not feeling well after getting sick on Mother's Day 12 days ago! For months we've been working with my little grandson on sharing and, unfortunately, what he so generously "shared" with all of us that weekend, was his cold. And it was a bad one for some of us (raising my hand here!). Three days of a 101+° fever, ear pain, stomach issues, congestion, coughing, night sweats--ugh! I hadn't been sick since well before Covid started in early 2020 so I'd forgotten how yukky feeling sick really is. (Both my husband and I tested for Covid, too, but the tests came back negative). So... it was just one terrible cold/flu or something or other. I'm at the point now where I'm just coughing a bit and feeling very blah--absolutely no energy. I'd better find some soon, though, as my grandson is coming to visit next week for a few days! <b>How are all of you doing? Spring allergies getting anyone down? </b>I got lucky in that department and don't suffer from them, but everyone else in my family does. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Stitching has been minimal,</b> but I do have a couple of things to share with you today. Thankfully, these were both finished <b>before</b> we went away for that (forgettable) Mother's Day weekend! My ornament for May is by Tralala and is called simply "Christmas Day." It had the prettiest border in the design, but I had to leave it off because I started the piece in the wrong place and I would have run out of room on the fabric. Luckily, it looks just fine without the border, don't you agree?</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vXY6eQxcAq-EqpnUxyZOWaHyQBlU3DEuealwPyIeogZeYjeYH7Sbj02PlQC_RZM6vnInJuCbCiUC0K_JpRwqOUtQgBcwrASAFa5vdPjI7BaKpyOCGUyogHyztU6R-QVsg4r7l0sTch6wbSixFIqJP-aU9X72mbhpNOQkzT8iMTQjB2NQ3ForbKNijg/s640/IMG_0989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vXY6eQxcAq-EqpnUxyZOWaHyQBlU3DEuealwPyIeogZeYjeYH7Sbj02PlQC_RZM6vnInJuCbCiUC0K_JpRwqOUtQgBcwrASAFa5vdPjI7BaKpyOCGUyogHyztU6R-QVsg4r7l0sTch6wbSixFIqJP-aU9X72mbhpNOQkzT8iMTQjB2NQ3ForbKNijg/w400-h400/IMG_0989.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tralala's "Christmas Day" </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is stitched "over one" on 25 ct. black Lugana with a mixture of overdyed and DMC threads. I did have to change some colors because of stitching on black. For the finish, I glued a mini pompom to Santa's cap and used some burgundy and white gingham fabric and tiny white rick rack to finish it into a pillow ornament. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE9hs9SLU68lrcbCPvKP4UsWAlmTgt2Inq6CyHRD3twc9fvt0j5MFNpJyU6TVpN9c39MtVZUeHfiZGQzu9xdX1BGx66T36so1Qw-4WkPcLAT3SGrcChMjs9H-8lHnUD4dICws6vk8Q5mMiBmhmFV4Mz09uaEWIm17k0hhk0ai1-IRbc1EqGmQ40v2lQ/s640/IMG_1341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhE9hs9SLU68lrcbCPvKP4UsWAlmTgt2Inq6CyHRD3twc9fvt0j5MFNpJyU6TVpN9c39MtVZUeHfiZGQzu9xdX1BGx66T36so1Qw-4WkPcLAT3SGrcChMjs9H-8lHnUD4dICws6vk8Q5mMiBmhmFV4Mz09uaEWIm17k0hhk0ai1-IRbc1EqGmQ40v2lQ/w400-h400/IMG_1341.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't you love the little bunny?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I then cut out a pair of holly leaves from sage green felt and added three button "berries" on the side for a little embellishment. Isn't it sweet? Here's a close-up for you: </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K2MNOgd1RTvbCrv07MnJh7-Ve8_GHHdw3SnnN-nht2mvxP5kMeUTFJU5VoXnpurBVU2wLI7hwLfJnpCf_M7qid1R3SGSz4S_YkxTA1BjKVgsSvlmKEzhPx9u0xn7jgINjvjhWAEq3fi1PztR7sU4SFSFmH7kU87OiYcqdtoMq7D1JM3pzmGEBrvdzA/s640/IMG_1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K2MNOgd1RTvbCrv07MnJh7-Ve8_GHHdw3SnnN-nht2mvxP5kMeUTFJU5VoXnpurBVU2wLI7hwLfJnpCf_M7qid1R3SGSz4S_YkxTA1BjKVgsSvlmKEzhPx9u0xn7jgINjvjhWAEq3fi1PztR7sU4SFSFmH7kU87OiYcqdtoMq7D1JM3pzmGEBrvdzA/w400-h400/IMG_1342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A close-up of the holly I added</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And, after at least 15 years, but possibly longer, comes this finish!</b> I can't exactly say for sure when this was stitched, but I know it had to be between 2003 when I returned to stitching after a 10 year hiatus and 2009 when I began my blog. Who else stitched one of these sweet Valerie Pfeiffer bird designs? They were very popular in the early 2000s and they've retained their charm. This one is "Story Time" and features a trio of baby Golden-Crowned Kinglets (I believe!) perched on a branch. It is stitched on 28 ct. antique white Monaco and I'm <b>sure</b> I used the suggested colors because, way back then, I wouldn't have dared to vary from what was on the chart. How times have changed!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo_EOBtfgZJDhpfdOjEiMC4no14EgJZl7p-hfGLmxR6DJ6uAImq61ex4KDlNXPtG_JMmtoKPaXU-pG-8yks8leDjDxgrerRlBpbmNsVCyqLbywo7Lp9sZj_kQr1q9KtqVoe9VmzQ0k-dL_wCPWIEmwiKKsEuZos7PWVgwVY1bQKRhodK9wuXQE36p4g/s800/IMG_1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo_EOBtfgZJDhpfdOjEiMC4no14EgJZl7p-hfGLmxR6DJ6uAImq61ex4KDlNXPtG_JMmtoKPaXU-pG-8yks8leDjDxgrerRlBpbmNsVCyqLbywo7Lp9sZj_kQr1q9KtqVoe9VmzQ0k-dL_wCPWIEmwiKKsEuZos7PWVgwVY1bQKRhodK9wuXQE36p4g/w400-h400/IMG_1347.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Story Time" by Valerie Pfeiffer--finally framed after at least 15 years!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, I was looking through my boxes of thrifted frames when this one caught my eye. There are subtle shades of sage green in it and I thought that it just might work for the birds. It was a bit too narrow, but I actually like the effect. I wish you could see the colors in real life--the soft browns, yellows, and greens all play so nicely together and there is even a hint of pale purple! I have other Valerie Pfeiffer bird trios charts so expect to see more feathered fellows appearing in the future. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway winner...</b> I truly enjoyed reading your responses to my "Getting to Know You" question in my previous post about advice that your mothers had passed on to you. There were several folks who wanted the Sue Hillis chart "Home is Where Your Mom Is" and the name I pulled from the hat is...</span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gabi in Germany!</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyYsqxiYe3msTIfYTuQlLz52iwi2rDOjl3U8USKnYja4lQjyqHXQDP_8Q7-M5kVyfTqeG_z--r2UETnimbpI_CWubk4TzjkCq_mJDB5GuazBui8Y9EEhTg8w3tMV0y1Xjh2WIva16ogUrlClLjUhiDCwhRFWnb7jjmHJUI_ube812CXL9RTmRT2JAkA/s800/IMG_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyYsqxiYe3msTIfYTuQlLz52iwi2rDOjl3U8USKnYja4lQjyqHXQDP_8Q7-M5kVyfTqeG_z--r2UETnimbpI_CWubk4TzjkCq_mJDB5GuazBui8Y9EEhTg8w3tMV0y1Xjh2WIva16ogUrlClLjUhiDCwhRFWnb7jjmHJUI_ube812CXL9RTmRT2JAkA/w400-h400/IMG_1218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations, Gabi--you are the winner!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Congratulations, Gabi! </b>I will get this chart off to you sometime next week and I hope you'll keep the kindness going and pass it on to another stitcher after you are finished. And for those of you who didn't win... please check this space for future giveaways!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'll leave you with some of the pretty flowers</b> appearing in our yard this month. There is something so reassuring about spring flowers returning year after year, isn't there?<b> In this uncertain world, they offer a sense of normalcy and continuity. </b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9z-zYrS97s-eo6-0ztdv6egkbjkOTOnNmuOyDGvk5hUtOoua1Jfe8Xp7al91xR15tliPQnvwrSNLqUGKkUldYxE0CxXuoqLVq3qqH2c4LRnMQl_uAoKS6x2cgxN_wJKpmAX1zu_CSPWmjEZXBdG1-KLGZpR1EobvSvjE0iYRI4y_dleqoRd7TMOsPw/s800/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9z-zYrS97s-eo6-0ztdv6egkbjkOTOnNmuOyDGvk5hUtOoua1Jfe8Xp7al91xR15tliPQnvwrSNLqUGKkUldYxE0CxXuoqLVq3qqH2c4LRnMQl_uAoKS6x2cgxN_wJKpmAX1zu_CSPWmjEZXBdG1-KLGZpR1EobvSvjE0iYRI4y_dleqoRd7TMOsPw/w400-h400/IMG_1400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May blooms in my garden (clockwise from top left): purple clematis, rhododendron, purple columbine and ferns, and Korean lilac</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And this pretty scene is in front of the gate to our patio. My husband and I dug up several of these ferns to pass on to my son and daughter-in-law for their new home. The pink coral bells came from my mom and dad's garden many years ago and it will be nice to give them some of those, too, for their garden. I know they'll find a special spot for them! I have <b>such</b> fond memories of sitting on my parents' patio watching as wee hummingbirds darted to and fro gathering nectar from these delicate pink flowers... <br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnhHpePb_NbMAcKB_J_WCGFWFbb9YlTq-_bvNOUTrsk48OXttDDXEg-6qW4Ll2CgctzezxiZkDrT6uMfhzU8bxCC1dcBWMdoDN9ARQMVV8bFmmXCpcEDioWKt08__kUO_DXSwLFNyELfqu9Hv7zL7MFO172XPJj8I7CIxG06sNilhkmQWgzY2qg9PEQ/s800/IMG_1376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnhHpePb_NbMAcKB_J_WCGFWFbb9YlTq-_bvNOUTrsk48OXttDDXEg-6qW4Ll2CgctzezxiZkDrT6uMfhzU8bxCC1dcBWMdoDN9ARQMVV8bFmmXCpcEDioWKt08__kUO_DXSwLFNyELfqu9Hv7zL7MFO172XPJj8I7CIxG06sNilhkmQWgzY2qg9PEQ/w400-h400/IMG_1376.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love the combination of ferns, blue salvia, and pink coral bells!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I hope everyone here in the U.S. has a relaxing Memorial Day weekend! We have no special plans although I'm sure my middle son and his girlfriend will come over for a cookout at some point. Hopefully, next time I post I'll be back to my old self. This illness sure took a lot out of me for some reason--I think it takes longer to recover when you are older. Do take care now and I thank you for stopping in today! Bye for now...</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvLuIsqbRrR6yVjqSWv0HPbLZm7QRpa-rpv103HEVm880Y5T496f8VXKx9K9YSoOIyCnV2xgIxpojpt_Qu34X5MYbzi8hg0D3ee8bUNT9Y2frMQXT93DBYI8d_DoMKtFCmmTPeyDTd_SW5DXHEvawJF_UcUKTdCJA_-QnGzmNdhBvIYowidXjw-6giw/s600/card00408_fr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="388" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvLuIsqbRrR6yVjqSWv0HPbLZm7QRpa-rpv103HEVm880Y5T496f8VXKx9K9YSoOIyCnV2xgIxpojpt_Qu34X5MYbzi8hg0D3ee8bUNT9Y2frMQXT93DBYI8d_DoMKtFCmmTPeyDTd_SW5DXHEvawJF_UcUKTdCJA_-QnGzmNdhBvIYowidXjw-6giw/w259-h400/card00408_fr.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Memorial Day!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-44845876679331186912023-05-09T23:28:00.000-04:002023-05-09T23:28:23.082-04:00May moments<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hello there! Hope May is off to a wonderful start for everyone...</b> Things are definitely improving (weather-wise) here and we are <b>finally</b> getting some sunny, warm days again. Oh, how I love them! As I've gotten older, I've begun to realize just how much my mood is affected when we have no sun--and sadly, I live in one of the least sunny parts of the U.S. Yes, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area is one of the worst for lack of sunshine according to <b><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/destinations/2019/08/06/us-cities-that-get-the-least-sun/39896597/" target="_blank">this article</a> </b>in USA Today. Is your city on the list? I think we've had only three sunny days over the past two weeks! Am I ready to move? Let's just say I'm definitely keeping my options open!</span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'm finishing up the larger summer piece</b> that I hinted about in an earlier post so I really don't have any new stitching to share with you today. But, I <b>do</b> have a <b>finally</b> framed finish! After 12 years, I can proudly hang this Hillside Samplings piece, "Seasonal Samplings," on my wall! There is no excuse... I've even had the frame for at least a decade. Yes, really!<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJxdLYUbCRmwzOUtTwDSL4QF-hfG4NfgY6w0TtnhdEkWjZf65eYiLfafcBLCwckjkD-2e58PgDiA2l2mgLX9UgFi9884KkmkFIi5qlkmAuB8CzfbDFO53Z7iNDMqVxRKU1rSYNWJqGJXSpRtXrYJQEOlr5QeyOaK8Y52mLNRgf-QZtrJQI6YOLf-QLg/s800/IMG_0897-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJxdLYUbCRmwzOUtTwDSL4QF-hfG4NfgY6w0TtnhdEkWjZf65eYiLfafcBLCwckjkD-2e58PgDiA2l2mgLX9UgFi9884KkmkFIi5qlkmAuB8CzfbDFO53Z7iNDMqVxRKU1rSYNWJqGJXSpRtXrYJQEOlr5QeyOaK8Y52mLNRgf-QZtrJQI6YOLf-QLg/w400-h400/IMG_0897-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Seasonal Samplings" stitched in 2011</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Isn't it pretty? I have no excuse for not framing this one earlier except sheer laziness on my part. Well, that and the fear of trying to frame something with such a straight border. But, I'm <b>very</b> pleased with the final outcome--and you know what? It probably didn't take me longer than an hour to get it done! As always, I use <a href="http://withthyneedleandthread.blogspot.com/2011/08/preparing-sampler-for-framing.html" target="_blank"><b>this tutorial </b></a>by "With Thy Needle and Thread's" Brenda Gervais to do my framing. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLWCOZR8uUl-X7RYH3Rt-hdJaMCMAcZuYJW32Icby6WO0vCFV_O19HlAuibnYvA1t8dBpQm5MhBFtEpSHyI3glqc0NNDS79Z_NZzp3Zr5IxiMaxWfVelksGwg8pP1Shh_Kv7HHHyQXOdrk6nQm51oDZTZn9OO8X8m9VEID8uIi_tb35f4TbpEj6m84w/s800/IMG_0899-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLWCOZR8uUl-X7RYH3Rt-hdJaMCMAcZuYJW32Icby6WO0vCFV_O19HlAuibnYvA1t8dBpQm5MhBFtEpSHyI3glqc0NNDS79Z_NZzp3Zr5IxiMaxWfVelksGwg8pP1Shh_Kv7HHHyQXOdrk6nQm51oDZTZn9OO8X8m9VEID8uIi_tb35f4TbpEj6m84w/w400-h400/IMG_0899-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally framed 12 years later!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This sampler was stitched on 28 ct. natural brown linen and I remember loving the specialty stitches and "over one" stitching in each little block. If you'd like to read a more detailed post about this particular finish, you can find it <b><a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2011/02/seasonal-samplings.html" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. I thought you might enjoy seeing some close-ups of each season. Notice the alphabet, year, and my initials are all stitched "over one" as are the bunny and birds. <br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLD1GOVMWmfWNFXX6ZmlIk7eOBmF62jVuI1oVu9gwvZuwYbcYS8sZBFMPOyw9Pi18AlMUFJseHhP2mzXg1_R-SeO_pOHXsUJHLfGI4yFDy7JHXFNNlqLa3mOxQeZsz96d3SigLzw8GY4nY3UbgRjocrBXrxRg-sxMqZHAt5ZZiO_bkg_OSy_1eIw3kQ/s800/IMG_0881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLD1GOVMWmfWNFXX6ZmlIk7eOBmF62jVuI1oVu9gwvZuwYbcYS8sZBFMPOyw9Pi18AlMUFJseHhP2mzXg1_R-SeO_pOHXsUJHLfGI4yFDy7JHXFNNlqLa3mOxQeZsz96d3SigLzw8GY4nY3UbgRjocrBXrxRg-sxMqZHAt5ZZiO_bkg_OSy_1eIw3kQ/w400-h400/IMG_0881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spring--aren't those flowers interesting?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf-Si7Rbkrvikug5Ixt8T-ngq3hS695bp_tSiNBqe5una1Tgj0Yh-H-WLW3dmz3yvay_mU0liAUGBDfqNi_xI0VzwoPRZD8zi5o59GDdWNMYo53xRqGldjdsC8p80uH2Mr7-1Y9b2v5DqyCU2AsPcqzAhmJEdxod8o1SzB6DwEiI8t-zRjBR91GKRhQ/s800/IMG_0882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf-Si7Rbkrvikug5Ixt8T-ngq3hS695bp_tSiNBqe5una1Tgj0Yh-H-WLW3dmz3yvay_mU0liAUGBDfqNi_xI0VzwoPRZD8zi5o59GDdWNMYo53xRqGldjdsC8p80uH2Mr7-1Y9b2v5DqyCU2AsPcqzAhmJEdxod8o1SzB6DwEiI8t-zRjBR91GKRhQ/w400-h400/IMG_0882.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Summer--such a sweet baby bunny.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UBjVA5f0IBYWb9mf5B-7c5KrF1z1xa1Vf3ITyT68AgLjSG3RWbluYSMzYUCmKlNMEcJtsWdKAPdGioVj-lCcFmslOjIaBsH767o35X80QF8yhaMyjtQV_I9vOV8HsKXx9Kwk0hJ0Dal-0bjYwR0SJiH5PPWVOa8_2Kcu-deoVEd2UgKKYevLOFe6zA/s800/IMG_0883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UBjVA5f0IBYWb9mf5B-7c5KrF1z1xa1Vf3ITyT68AgLjSG3RWbluYSMzYUCmKlNMEcJtsWdKAPdGioVj-lCcFmslOjIaBsH767o35X80QF8yhaMyjtQV_I9vOV8HsKXx9Kwk0hJ0Dal-0bjYwR0SJiH5PPWVOa8_2Kcu-deoVEd2UgKKYevLOFe6zA/w400-h400/IMG_0883.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall--some cute Rhodes stitched apples.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVim3El8r_qrl05AoZfcA1GIXT7ab4FpEFsxT3bCfdIMhIgHXyEjJH_dRsbPuus9RFFj-9VxPeiM2_EIQ-TNQAidIxAmo-2yFAQ2MYSMWbSSQjfoFolz33pAiQt4qpAEcykd8uhD-prSa4FXCGXyDt1EQ9e6KzYC7SbqjZkRyNwwbyTK_dMIsKOst5FA/s800/IMG_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVim3El8r_qrl05AoZfcA1GIXT7ab4FpEFsxT3bCfdIMhIgHXyEjJH_dRsbPuus9RFFj-9VxPeiM2_EIQ-TNQAidIxAmo-2yFAQ2MYSMWbSSQjfoFolz33pAiQt4qpAEcykd8uhD-prSa4FXCGXyDt1EQ9e6KzYC7SbqjZkRyNwwbyTK_dMIsKOst5FA/w400-h400/IMG_0884.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Winter--love the lone red cardinal perched at the top of the pine tree.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Such a pretty timeless piece!</b> I'm still auditioning spots in my home to hang it--the long thin frame presents a bit of a challenge in finding just the right place. Right now, I have it propped up on a bookshelf (where it just may stay permanently!). <b>Who else is with me in procrastinating on your framing? </b>I'm pretty good with finishing the smalls as I stitch them, but... I'm embarrassed to think about the number of larger pieces in my "to be framed" drawer. Some day, I'll show you the contents of the that drawer! But, I know that many of you follow the same philosophy that I do: "The joy is in the stitching."</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohAWra-xhvxwKb16Nh-0PChQXnPLKGMgmiJ5L33SbXd8Jxa5PI0wdYnOY3XOO6EPY6kKOibxLOe2nTDNcsK0nKq9lYyTP5mjrV1srdq_mHROjYJ0xV9ZZDDzpn5VCd0Nh3_1l6JlitSwATnHXLRrZehPWD_DMbUFZcZa9bJ559QDa3wDLqGOWbF9vaQ/s640/IMG_0898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohAWra-xhvxwKb16Nh-0PChQXnPLKGMgmiJ5L33SbXd8Jxa5PI0wdYnOY3XOO6EPY6kKOibxLOe2nTDNcsK0nKq9lYyTP5mjrV1srdq_mHROjYJ0xV9ZZDDzpn5VCd0Nh3_1l6JlitSwATnHXLRrZehPWD_DMbUFZcZa9bJ559QDa3wDLqGOWbF9vaQ/w400-h400/IMG_0898.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In other stitching related news--I got my newest bound blog book back from the printer! </b>It's a biggie--383 pages! I always combine two years worth of my posts into one book to save money. It is still expensive, but every now and then<b><a href="https://www.blog2print.com/" target="_blank"> Blog to Print</a></b> (where I order the books) has a very nice 50% off coupon. I would suggest signing up for their emails as that is how they deliver the best coupons. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>For the front of my latest book</b>, I chose--what else--my Christmas tree! After all, that is how I first began blogging way back in January of 2009--by stitching an ornament each week. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvpkRuMxbx-E3h2fL6pM-OkQN718cyqr3xHL7Kj5iP_MW_0pI8iq43VounCXpBuDS-sdujVaiPG3LBvxK5GQp1BOwxyOpPfd0kc46JVaDE_6VDSFmvyhx_H6YL_20KBrx234UiLuVGTcZuk8phZ86Qa1V4J3I0aPgmQp18AJ-Nj3mfgW2fvltdRbgFw/s800/IMG_1146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvpkRuMxbx-E3h2fL6pM-OkQN718cyqr3xHL7Kj5iP_MW_0pI8iq43VounCXpBuDS-sdujVaiPG3LBvxK5GQp1BOwxyOpPfd0kc46JVaDE_6VDSFmvyhx_H6YL_20KBrx234UiLuVGTcZuk8phZ86Qa1V4J3I0aPgmQp18AJ-Nj3mfgW2fvltdRbgFw/w400-h400/IMG_1146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My 2021-2022 blog book</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I dedicated this newest book to my dear grandmother.</b> Past books have been dedicated to my husband, my sons, my mother, my grandson, and even to you--my sweet stitching and blogging friends!</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi278VdqqQNfMi12q4CDF9tpVLmRacPmD0Tf3t0EmpBYKVoQW65USjH7BX-Gy5Ac3baHfznve-mCHVH04K7F3EoQ2dMQcJMBFZGHrA17eZ_8Ng2Ev6iJi1QMYaWq5xFKFevW4Ji3n3WTxNSCLZsQRjH0jco_Cb1VnVE14BvqXuPZw3TwbEdY0uk8oLqcQ/s800/IMG_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="800" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi278VdqqQNfMi12q4CDF9tpVLmRacPmD0Tf3t0EmpBYKVoQW65USjH7BX-Gy5Ac3baHfznve-mCHVH04K7F3EoQ2dMQcJMBFZGHrA17eZ_8Ng2Ev6iJi1QMYaWq5xFKFevW4Ji3n3WTxNSCLZsQRjH0jco_Cb1VnVE14BvqXuPZw3TwbEdY0uk8oLqcQ/w400-h380/IMG_1176.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />It makes me so proud and happy to leaf through the pages and see all of my finishes in print form! My<b> only</b> complaint about these books is that the captions don't end up appearing right under the photos. But, otherwise, I can highly recommend this company. Here are some sample pages to give you an idea of how they print out. (Please note that the pages are white even though they appear blue in some of my photos). </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bxJZyXaT1Ngq7aw9cbI03nAcbn0qIa5jKSmWER52o4O5i_VSGBtzwE3lVu1DUMfktd163p8e3yE53moVDOmQZBBhi6J_0WaClcdcQbOomqdd0dHSWyOmSvnoSVv3r5NqKTSAQ0dp5CFlIrxuJBMR2cVR-cOIm_fSl8TSkfBiZmxkp576SbUnV9xHQ/s800/IMG_1148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bxJZyXaT1Ngq7aw9cbI03nAcbn0qIa5jKSmWER52o4O5i_VSGBtzwE3lVu1DUMfktd163p8e3yE53moVDOmQZBBhi6J_0WaClcdcQbOomqdd0dHSWyOmSvnoSVv3r5NqKTSAQ0dp5CFlIrxuJBMR2cVR-cOIm_fSl8TSkfBiZmxkp576SbUnV9xHQ/w400-h400/IMG_1148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoAH-HB4niRHPPlKCx1AcXTxZMki8GLh8C_gFItpBOhjt7-NVuOI0RwhbR2aW5O-9hw3vEUC4EX2izdrUBWAJkooBdM-uL5zU1Zohx4SM32C2gjH1fNGEwIzDnNQHYppreLAn3lfvrSuFYRUtRjPo4dmKM5AGgaPR9Gt36PMbXelv_bgTCI5zMA0IkA/s800/IMG_1142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoAH-HB4niRHPPlKCx1AcXTxZMki8GLh8C_gFItpBOhjt7-NVuOI0RwhbR2aW5O-9hw3vEUC4EX2izdrUBWAJkooBdM-uL5zU1Zohx4SM32C2gjH1fNGEwIzDnNQHYppreLAn3lfvrSuFYRUtRjPo4dmKM5AGgaPR9Gt36PMbXelv_bgTCI5zMA0IkA/w400-h400/IMG_1142.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ykc9JEgAJwbQ5s7C95wEXQHk6gd3kEK53BoQ-neQYbLuKuIvzorr9F1JG7_3JmGW0oi8cVtMmXc_mKGI7lRocOm-l8vLNhpIt0ULerbXtbeLEgI12Oc1hlXJdMgH-LzhbtIGE-1QvebOtSTjTrPlhxML8vLbfNseioOwUdVnwq72e7R2_Sv3JOrGsQ/s800/IMG_1147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ykc9JEgAJwbQ5s7C95wEXQHk6gd3kEK53BoQ-neQYbLuKuIvzorr9F1JG7_3JmGW0oi8cVtMmXc_mKGI7lRocOm-l8vLNhpIt0ULerbXtbeLEgI12Oc1hlXJdMgH-LzhbtIGE-1QvebOtSTjTrPlhxML8vLbfNseioOwUdVnwq72e7R2_Sv3JOrGsQ/w400-h400/IMG_1147.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So many memories from 2021 and 2022... the good, the bad, and the ugly!</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARSsz2nJpkE5wVov2-A0SiYB8hojEjKfFc6LapyGuY-4bClAcWZmkGgZrptxybDklbMziBsds1cBCi7BbNvhTH55jimkdx_t7zHq1HlmrCVy43v23zMn2zXKSRIJPXYY3RUqc_Zkc4ObGPby8wfJ7V0ZXrkj9x9egjSnGGFisxJz_kJbH7jhs-2Ly6Q/s800/IMG_1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARSsz2nJpkE5wVov2-A0SiYB8hojEjKfFc6LapyGuY-4bClAcWZmkGgZrptxybDklbMziBsds1cBCi7BbNvhTH55jimkdx_t7zHq1HlmrCVy43v23zMn2zXKSRIJPXYY3RUqc_Zkc4ObGPby8wfJ7V0ZXrkj9x9egjSnGGFisxJz_kJbH7jhs-2Ly6Q/w400-h400/IMG_1144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The good: Mother's Day 2022</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg0OBvJClh4qLZFPsv7jaTCeRsAEsTHFPU-X6nudCM98vdmyWmLZ_Oq9HAtoKBrU8kjMAyZ4tdT3NKfIKqbAwxT9cDQrp6_sWfmuplBF0eEiArhKAb3TGUMpPk-m_m08azvcNbOJbLCt0Ynp4JBWDuOE9-ueCIU7n4u3qfS-gat07YLNkYZxFMbU7Zg/s800/IMG_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg0OBvJClh4qLZFPsv7jaTCeRsAEsTHFPU-X6nudCM98vdmyWmLZ_Oq9HAtoKBrU8kjMAyZ4tdT3NKfIKqbAwxT9cDQrp6_sWfmuplBF0eEiArhKAb3TGUMpPk-m_m08azvcNbOJbLCt0Ynp4JBWDuOE9-ueCIU7n4u3qfS-gat07YLNkYZxFMbU7Zg/w400-h400/IMG_1143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The bad: the flooding of our family home in Naples, Florida in September 2022</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fSOqoHia2m3bvtnVa4UrTyql4U8nUoMh7CRV3DUQub7cIgc12Hv90yl5VGgg9cI7vBqrX2prlD47IyyJllde3e3I92Z5byJOTBEvUSba4ADIRbcVy1Pk9NleLNkdTsVDWBQJzSgvwLwnJ0WeKGc13Po8mpX-pB-gtD5RxifPh-TRwhMQ65dy9Nzqng/s800/IMG_1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fSOqoHia2m3bvtnVa4UrTyql4U8nUoMh7CRV3DUQub7cIgc12Hv90yl5VGgg9cI7vBqrX2prlD47IyyJllde3e3I92Z5byJOTBEvUSba4ADIRbcVy1Pk9NleLNkdTsVDWBQJzSgvwLwnJ0WeKGc13Po8mpX-pB-gtD5RxifPh-TRwhMQ65dy9Nzqng/w400-h400/IMG_1150.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ugly: the horrid powder post beetle found in one of my professionally framed finishes!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And let's not forget my favorite images of all--my sweet grandson, "Mister B."</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNOcXNufkUG1mSLu2GcAhUnYQXXL_I2T4FwBZyM-l_38QFPx-mZuQgOvUGYKmRUDLQavcj69GmvYdw1B6gy1wMaIxU73QbOUGvW9UUb69THcf0zTse43a75l0WsH7WTharF9DM8n9L8qh2-CnBMEwv1kAHDRgStA5307RkbWqLTedn-cBlk2BYABF3g/s800/IMG_1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNOcXNufkUG1mSLu2GcAhUnYQXXL_I2T4FwBZyM-l_38QFPx-mZuQgOvUGYKmRUDLQavcj69GmvYdw1B6gy1wMaIxU73QbOUGvW9UUb69THcf0zTse43a75l0WsH7WTharF9DM8n9L8qh2-CnBMEwv1kAHDRgStA5307RkbWqLTedn-cBlk2BYABF3g/w400-h400/IMG_1149.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love having my grandson included in my blog book!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha0T100XJ2tdfT01nkjWk6Zg0PGhc6c6Ck91-c-hyDOIAgbdRhZOvGnk4cW-PdpNkV36ZB52UMVVMj3LraEs8f7J3SXFuTsPUWpPOo0JkHY9MfzT2ofW7MiSoKx0I9RTxsa063MJiVzLfnjAsdbJPBUKKD-t5a4gcX54TCJ4bPKUiDWEhQtFA6hVBjw/s800/IMG_1140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha0T100XJ2tdfT01nkjWk6Zg0PGhc6c6Ck91-c-hyDOIAgbdRhZOvGnk4cW-PdpNkV36ZB52UMVVMj3LraEs8f7J3SXFuTsPUWpPOo0JkHY9MfzT2ofW7MiSoKx0I9RTxsa063MJiVzLfnjAsdbJPBUKKD-t5a4gcX54TCJ4bPKUiDWEhQtFA6hVBjw/w400-h400/IMG_1140.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the back cover, I chose one of my favorite finishes of 2022</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And here is the whole stack of books from 2009-2022--eight inches tall! </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygZ4S8FD3s5rj1T4hD3V7iS_k1TPbqNyYxGcfMeMFVkLqkpIiMMdJI-gUWzoWkJnc-CMsXdDJufQJQCwP9j6oAorIdomYopSBLLXNS_vVBa6w1ZeO1WmiQmsJpJ0jlMBKgIf9tDnNixZhVq5RAPJMOFXb0hieIYU57qJkF5ae2RYFOB7-d9dpOj3WVA/s800/IMG_1219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygZ4S8FD3s5rj1T4hD3V7iS_k1TPbqNyYxGcfMeMFVkLqkpIiMMdJI-gUWzoWkJnc-CMsXdDJufQJQCwP9j6oAorIdomYopSBLLXNS_vVBa6w1ZeO1WmiQmsJpJ0jlMBKgIf9tDnNixZhVq5RAPJMOFXb0hieIYU57qJkF5ae2RYFOB7-d9dpOj3WVA/w400-h400/IMG_1219.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hard to believe I've been blogging for 14 years now!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway time... </b>I found a cute chart that is so appropriate for this time of year with Mother's Day falling on Sunday for those of us in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and parts of Europe. This chart was sent to me from the very generous Janet B. in Texas to use as a giveaway and I appreciate it <b>so</b> much! <b>Who would like to win this Sue Hillis chart, complete with tiny charm? </b>The charm is a little door with a wee key to be stitched onto the house where the front door should be--adorable! You could also change the word "mom" to something else, too (dad, dog, cat, etc.), if you desired. <b>If you'd like to win this, please follow the guidelines below. I'll announce the winner on my next blog post--good luck to all!</b></span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadBpQddJWXzi0eFuhIjFj715BVyO8oZNkfOj0GCPv8P1KgP2uVxvF3bMcCerkugxNCd8NWLVIR4KHoewzgJj-O5Lzxxi-Ou4vJUJCAnrE-Ov-lJuZRw3gMhkqKHg8GVKWV8ddtwFHlJ8m9tT0VwH3wVwV-BPk0-TvnSsggFmEnEn6y5nbXcHzyp2ezg/s800/IMG_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadBpQddJWXzi0eFuhIjFj715BVyO8oZNkfOj0GCPv8P1KgP2uVxvF3bMcCerkugxNCd8NWLVIR4KHoewzgJj-O5Lzxxi-Ou4vJUJCAnrE-Ov-lJuZRw3gMhkqKHg8GVKWV8ddtwFHlJ8m9tT0VwH3wVwV-BPk0-TvnSsggFmEnEn6y5nbXcHzyp2ezg/w400-h400/IMG_1218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm giving away this sweet chart and charm... Please follow the guidelines below to enter!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>To be included in the drawing for this chart, please... </b></span></span><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>1) Specifically mention that you would
like to win the chart in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>2) Be a follower of Stitching Dreams (in my blog's sidebar on the right)</b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>3)
Make
sure to leave your email address in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><b>4)
Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below. </b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmIJnvQYqy5nk8xecOXWpOqMwf6i1ODHsQgAXI75Ug6YAon154tE3hT9jVaTBES_vTj6rQuIi7FEnn1MuIu3cLgIm9IdYDkH2_Cm9YPLY_htBClGWmcCccZax01dlsM7J0vFBbad2wxBUNYGHuZHVGBv7jqZPArngCn3Xi541J3oJ0HHYs7M7l_2FMA/s640/IMG_5132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="443" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmIJnvQYqy5nk8xecOXWpOqMwf6i1ODHsQgAXI75Ug6YAon154tE3hT9jVaTBES_vTj6rQuIi7FEnn1MuIu3cLgIm9IdYDkH2_Cm9YPLY_htBClGWmcCccZax01dlsM7J0vFBbad2wxBUNYGHuZHVGBv7jqZPArngCn3Xi541J3oJ0HHYs7M7l_2FMA/w139-h200/IMG_5132.jpg" width="139" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Getting to know you... </b>Since the chart is a mom themed one, here is my question for today: <b>I am wondering if you have one piece of advice that your mom gave you that you really value or learned from? </b>My mom drummed into me just how important it is to look a person in his or her eye and say "thank you" after receiving a compliment. I was a very shy child (which honestly hasn't changed even as an adult), and I had a very hard time accepting compliments. I would always brush them off and look down at the ground. But, over time, I learned to look directly at the person, thank them, and simply accept their kind words. I <b>still</b> have a difficult time with praise, but I try my best to be gracious and simply accept it! <b>How about you? Do you have any wise advice from your mom that has stuck with you over time? </b></span></span><br /></div><div><b><br /></b><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Life update... </b>Sadly, the pain from my husband's "tennis elbow" hasn't lessened at all. It has now been 5 weeks and nothing has helped. It's so hard for him, especially since his left arm (where the shoulder was replaced) is healing so well. He went from being unable to use one arm to being unable to use the other. But, the good news is we will be seeing our grandson for Mother's Day weekend which will surely bring a smile to our faces. <b>To be honest, this will be a difficult Mother's Day for me because May 14th will also mark, what would have been, my dear mother's 96th birthday.</b> And then my mother-in-law would have turned 95 the following day. So, yes... we <b>very</b> much need the diversion a toddler can offer to help with the inevitable sad moments. We're counting the days as you can imagine--it's been almost three months since we last saw the little fellow!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I want to thank all of you who looked for the burgundy checked ribbon I mentioned needing in my previous post.</b> Unfortunately, I've been unable to find it. A couple of you said they might have it, but didn't leave email addresses so I have no way of getting in touch with you. That's okay... there are certainly more pressing problems in this world, right? Thank you for visiting today--I'm so happy you're here and I hope you know how much I appreciate your kind words and emails.<b> I wish all of you who are celebrating Mother's Day a beautiful weekend. It's a time of mixed emotions for those of us who have lost our moms, but I'm going to try to remember the happy times we once shared. I hope you can, too. Bye for now...</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidcvSzOZpe7o2e3YuA1MqX7Ra_86cZHC5-YdShIUt5GVSxVzpZ74ZezSnIVT7SIGvzDfymdMCBwzE70gfanBs1ggOLANS8o1Vh8NNpuQNPcFiww4nx4QMe-qjlTNAoXt--Arvq3RavRpUlGE3kC2rgBlG8EpG5z4TeSYQSt3Rf5KD7XjbI-vCjcmQBg/s684/IMG_5567-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="684" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidcvSzOZpe7o2e3YuA1MqX7Ra_86cZHC5-YdShIUt5GVSxVzpZ74ZezSnIVT7SIGvzDfymdMCBwzE70gfanBs1ggOLANS8o1Vh8NNpuQNPcFiww4nx4QMe-qjlTNAoXt--Arvq3RavRpUlGE3kC2rgBlG8EpG5z4TeSYQSt3Rf5KD7XjbI-vCjcmQBg/w400-h400/IMG_5567-003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #3d85c6;">♥ This post was written in memory of my dear mother who would have celebrated her 96th birthday on May 14th, 2023. This photo of her was taken with 4-month-old baby Carol on her 28th birthday in 1955.</b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> ♥</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></b></span></span></p></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-65999150743438721452023-04-28T15:18:00.000-04:002023-04-28T15:18:30.293-04:00A rollercoaster of a month...<div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Good day, all!</b> It's a gloomy, chilly Friday here in southwestern Pennsylvania so I thought I'd <b>finally</b> sit down and write a new post. It's been over three weeks since I last checked in--have you missed me? I haven't been in much of a blogging mood--or even a stitching mood--lately. I just can't seem to settle and focus for some reason. Is it because it's spring? Who knows... Anyway, I hope you've all had a good month and are looking forward to May's arrival on Monday.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I did manage to stitch and finish one sweet Spring piece this month.</b> I seem to be on a bird kick lately and am finding myself more and more drawn to charts that feature our feathered friends. This charming little design is by <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/homestitchness" target="_blank">Homestitchness on Etsy</a></b>. Unfortunately, Jenny's shop seems to be on a break right now, but you can sign up to be notified when it returns by <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/homestitchness" target="_blank">clicking here</a></b>. "Springtime Greetings" is such a perfect design for the season, don't you think? I mean what says spring more than the arrival of robins and daffodils? I stitched it on 40 ct. platinum Newcastle linen using all of the suggested threads (except for one of the colors in the urn which I changed from DMC 3776 to DMC 976).</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ohw53y_bJ4guIrtM3KUWA_34PEUOiam5_jprr4ikhTIByU7A9-rbR5I4NUcD1N5LgdzZmqRZDd0FR-ffeYFS-sZGc2tbEGvFK8SE1kC5VBbfO--Lc9uChc_dP3v6IvSsZWDNIpqMImdpvy1pOXP86XHc2jZtgNkEueHgRfARrhZRK0R1Ky33SD75w/s800/IMG_0853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ohw53y_bJ4guIrtM3KUWA_34PEUOiam5_jprr4ikhTIByU7A9-rbR5I4NUcD1N5LgdzZmqRZDd0FR-ffeYFS-sZGc2tbEGvFK8SE1kC5VBbfO--Lc9uChc_dP3v6IvSsZWDNIpqMImdpvy1pOXP86XHc2jZtgNkEueHgRfARrhZRK0R1Ky33SD75w/w400-h400/IMG_0853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Spring Greetings" by Homestitchness on Etsy</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I found a frame in my stash (99 cents from Goodwill!) that fit perfectly. This is <b>such </b>an easy finish... Simply cover a piece of sticky board with fabric for the background. Gather your stitched piece into a round shape (I just use a glass or a bowl to trace a round shape onto the backing board to get the desired size) using <b><a href="http://pinwheelponders.blogspot.com/2008/12/some-thoughts-on-circular-and-oval.html" target="_blank">this tutoria</a></b>l. Then, glue the round ornament on to the fabric-covered piece of sticky board, add cording around the perimeter (I use Aleene's Tacky Glue applied lightly with a toothpick), and top with a pretty bow to hide where the ends of the cording meet. Doesn't it look darling on the bookshelf in my family room?</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxNaZvIuhLR0t405BtWhuhlYCE9aSQidqN0MCVWw7izKDThEPgvc1Wx2enL4K0MDgIucGzDRF0EfmevSJp8e7xJgEFuLW98qZwTEyuIOaOt-sxoNqlLQ9jK9dpF7d3ftzIHBdtQi5VwQ0s6OAh4B7KwtRX8h_-PYgWA6T4I5kZ9kM3ottOUhrDcdSdw/s800/IMG_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxNaZvIuhLR0t405BtWhuhlYCE9aSQidqN0MCVWw7izKDThEPgvc1Wx2enL4K0MDgIucGzDRF0EfmevSJp8e7xJgEFuLW98qZwTEyuIOaOt-sxoNqlLQ9jK9dpF7d3ftzIHBdtQi5VwQ0s6OAh4B7KwtRX8h_-PYgWA6T4I5kZ9kM3ottOUhrDcdSdw/w400-h400/IMG_0871.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A bright pop of yellow on my bookshelf!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My ornament for April</b> is from the Prairie Schooler booklet called "Old World Santas" (book no. 80). I've stitched three of the Santas from that booklet so far and am finishing them all the same way. They're stitched on 40 ct. raw natural Newcastle linen with DMC threads. I did change a few of the colors and am using what I consider the classic Prairie Schooler Santa color, DMC 221, for the robe. The green I'm using for these is DMC 501. I left off the bottom border as I wanted an oval finish and added Smyrna stitched snowflakes in the background. Love the final effect. A lot of folks think that the fabric is printed that way--nope! It's all stitched... It takes a while, but is totally worth it in the end!</span></span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw49JD2_0WJpnAog11MrMgYwIVL_WesFJq4u4UB__WWpVqW06JetEGI6mdulH8QcvYzZsBkwQP0QJYVH0gHEd4y3S5xdUyjZ9lzkPt_M9oWX4CtxuYD1IpqAB8Z19ImHgjq6_OS2EP20tmQlE5mMcI1y0dKvJvR7yLODQywTIpXhKImNwtvt2ZGIlMQ/s800/IMG_0688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw49JD2_0WJpnAog11MrMgYwIVL_WesFJq4u4UB__WWpVqW06JetEGI6mdulH8QcvYzZsBkwQP0QJYVH0gHEd4y3S5xdUyjZ9lzkPt_M9oWX4CtxuYD1IpqAB8Z19ImHgjq6_OS2EP20tmQlE5mMcI1y0dKvJvR7yLODQywTIpXhKImNwtvt2ZGIlMQ/w400-h400/IMG_0688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">April 2023 ornament finish</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And here are the three Santas I've finished so far... I think my favorite is the one on the right with the walking stick and the bird. How about you? </span></span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWZaOUeg8OMuSzntbdw9pqggpPnRKgxyof6wA4zqbnUFHoXZpYZFWhGxqBEEB-ZCdtpyonduAP3vTVBG4uZFCOMdFA77o_0HcSocn4xs4Zv0rp7OF0SMYojOQvB5f6ut3Mdm3vjJkqPTYek7KS_ugrMX4OaPvAP1CJW2lvmH3tLqs2dQDvgMnNc6t8g/s800/IMG_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWZaOUeg8OMuSzntbdw9pqggpPnRKgxyof6wA4zqbnUFHoXZpYZFWhGxqBEEB-ZCdtpyonduAP3vTVBG4uZFCOMdFA77o_0HcSocn4xs4Zv0rp7OF0SMYojOQvB5f6ut3Mdm3vjJkqPTYek7KS_ugrMX4OaPvAP1CJW2lvmH3tLqs2dQDvgMnNc6t8g/w400-h400/IMG_0691.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Three down, five to go!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I do have a problem, though--I am almost out of the ribbon </b>I've been using to finish these ornaments and I still have five left to stitch! Does anyone have this particular ribbon on hand? I don't need much--maybe a couple of feet. I believe it was sold at Michael's (here in the United States) last year or the year before.<b> Please let me know if you have any to spare--I'd be happy to pay you for it! </b>Here is a close-up:</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wgybxpFV4831-cXqWauTdDWxCZWAfiKA7tPr2cM5LtT3COywQ7XOZLhq5uu2bkUQR_M_g489iclkSrnesV35bcBsf-cNHenf6Pq9yeB2t1n8Ap9ldLCwi16Cuwq8-QHOsp01H6559NWx3PGTHIpPK8SmAlX6ON2sSKzqK0CoEnzViJ40IBSA2AttMw/s800/IMG_0668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wgybxpFV4831-cXqWauTdDWxCZWAfiKA7tPr2cM5LtT3COywQ7XOZLhq5uu2bkUQR_M_g489iclkSrnesV35bcBsf-cNHenf6Pq9yeB2t1n8Ap9ldLCwi16Cuwq8-QHOsp01H6559NWx3PGTHIpPK8SmAlX6ON2sSKzqK0CoEnzViJ40IBSA2AttMw/w400-h400/IMG_0668.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Does anyone have to have any extra ribbon like this?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pouch fever! </b>I seem to be finding myself more and more drawn to making simple zipper pouches. This month I made two of them using the tutorial from Erica Arndt on YouTube which you can find <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Tp5wpBoLQ" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. Now, I am <b>not</b> a confident sewer (or sewist, if you prefer--there is an interesting discussion in <b><a href="https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2012/10/11/sewer-vs-sewist" target="_blank">this Threads Magazine</a></b> article on whether to call yourself a "sewer" or "sewist"), but I find this to be a <b>very</b> straightforward tutorial. I love the added zipper tabs--not only do they look cute with the contrasting fabric, but they finish off the top so nicely. The final size of these pouches is approximately 4" high by 9" long. Next, I'd like to try sewing a larger one with boxed corners to help it stand up easily. Wish me luck!<br /></span></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1Ol6wJSn0BL9gEPDk39PX0hNfyN0U_4YYw7fEZzXSkh1t0GUiPL7NAYRvuxfnrlt1M6AN4nevvSu_wCL4-m7L4c9eohfBSoTmtqY-2lf1343T06T_REWYuQTtb-K0R71GvR2Kl1QcJAlSC91wbH_44kztIfcaRsQUYqW6jjiQxgyknoqMUS1WFqqiw/s800/IMG_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1Ol6wJSn0BL9gEPDk39PX0hNfyN0U_4YYw7fEZzXSkh1t0GUiPL7NAYRvuxfnrlt1M6AN4nevvSu_wCL4-m7L4c9eohfBSoTmtqY-2lf1343T06T_REWYuQTtb-K0R71GvR2Kl1QcJAlSC91wbH_44kztIfcaRsQUYqW6jjiQxgyknoqMUS1WFqqiw/w400-h400/IMG_0900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Making these little pouches is rather addicting!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I bet you can't guess who that yellow pouch is for, can you?!</b> Oh, my oldest son absolutely <b>loved</b> Curious George when he was young and his own son does, too. I was so excited to find a little vintage scrap of Curious George fabric on Ebay and thought it would make a perfect pouch for my grandson to hide his little treasures in. The interior and the zipper tabs are made from a dotted brown cotton from my stash. </span></span><br /></div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETidEo_ZBdqgTZFAlp14n61PUcCU4k4cIONwRAypbYfCosY9NXE9LOsJtB9rpz4GcRkOqMl386h53IDnRSZgCbBA5St2rvqsCmrKkaxqrhTvynKnJZtfGptWe3ZUthZUaLn1NsSd2gMYWmIgL-GYnfWf8D2Bd44mkXh0aRUjS6fTWxKd1MdqkqNQfaw/s800/IMG_0903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETidEo_ZBdqgTZFAlp14n61PUcCU4k4cIONwRAypbYfCosY9NXE9LOsJtB9rpz4GcRkOqMl386h53IDnRSZgCbBA5St2rvqsCmrKkaxqrhTvynKnJZtfGptWe3ZUthZUaLn1NsSd2gMYWmIgL-GYnfWf8D2Bd44mkXh0aRUjS6fTWxKd1MdqkqNQfaw/w400-h400/IMG_0903.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope "Mister B" likes his new treasure pouch.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And I knew this blue and white fabric would be perfect for a new pouch in which to keep my stitching necessities. </b>The fabric was a gift from a fellow stitcher (many years ago) and I absolutely love the scissors and strawberries that are featured on it. For the interior and the zipper tabs, I used one of my husband's old dress shirts (I have plenty of them to cut up and use now that he's retired!). </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-rxI_7q5hE_Gah0_pZOTuJ4dLCtxcZA-HZaKl1Q0nx3CZA0i-nQct6kUW-KVST7A3mTlkT6WToXs2bvu41u2oOi5hkG0TBsY67UGJ6_cTsQEiWvuiIGl6jY7_m2OfndF3ZZIsW_fs6FDHuWSYZtj-rmhDxgQ_CVOZ0p78yOY7Bxzct3FeL2hu9DLcg/s800/IMG_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-rxI_7q5hE_Gah0_pZOTuJ4dLCtxcZA-HZaKl1Q0nx3CZA0i-nQct6kUW-KVST7A3mTlkT6WToXs2bvu41u2oOi5hkG0TBsY67UGJ6_cTsQEiWvuiIGl6jY7_m2OfndF3ZZIsW_fs6FDHuWSYZtj-rmhDxgQ_CVOZ0p78yOY7Bxzct3FeL2hu9DLcg/w400-h400/IMG_0901.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those old dress shirts of my husband's sure come in handy for the linings and backs of projects!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>So what do I consider my necessities for my stitching pouch? </b>Well, I am a real minimalist when it comes to my stitching. I don't use hoops or frames to hold my stitching and I don't use needleminders. So... this is it: needles, a pen (thanks Vickie!), scissors (thanks, April!), a seam ripper, and a corner measuring ruler (thanks, Robin!). <b>How about you? Do you stitch with lots of extras or are you more of a minimalist like me? </b></span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-zqX9tnLwO_Wvz1o0UINa-BHvudRx8BueMb2LlFhcxc8w9k0nJUQvuIziHnveZjgV-OLdAN2Ks7pg8nynJIe7W2-JL9OL7Xf2BiAMtvHtYktAdImgNwxMg3WAxqLldSheOAo9y2bDGhyE49G4whpxXFIMMpUmTdSagzeUppI9l4NgfEcANHgjDHfsw/s800/IMG_0905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-zqX9tnLwO_Wvz1o0UINa-BHvudRx8BueMb2LlFhcxc8w9k0nJUQvuIziHnveZjgV-OLdAN2Ks7pg8nynJIe7W2-JL9OL7Xf2BiAMtvHtYktAdImgNwxMg3WAxqLldSheOAo9y2bDGhyE49G4whpxXFIMMpUmTdSagzeUppI9l4NgfEcANHgjDHfsw/w400-h400/IMG_0905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I just love my new stitching pouch!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway winner... </b>I was pleased to see so many entries for the "John 3:16 Sampler" that I offered in my last post. I think this is one of those pieces that will be much prettier stitched up than it appears in the photo, don't you? The winner's name pulled from the hat is...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">JustPam</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSX3ekOQ-IKw3_2nFKfw4fIwsdopom8u5kQI7rWITuoCbxvyzMftBoXKgrBHC6qvx8I3rlg1dUMqY2254IC-p8rVP67YOyzY-HbAaLwVkojaS80OD9kaa3cL0Q85oumQ7_JpuVRITprrj01llSlYJKaSv1u7ubk2YAqUaqI1G4UcLClPtGLO3YYyC8Q/s1024/IMG_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSX3ekOQ-IKw3_2nFKfw4fIwsdopom8u5kQI7rWITuoCbxvyzMftBoXKgrBHC6qvx8I3rlg1dUMqY2254IC-p8rVP67YOyzY-HbAaLwVkojaS80OD9kaa3cL0Q85oumQ7_JpuVRITprrj01llSlYJKaSv1u7ubk2YAqUaqI1G4UcLClPtGLO3YYyC8Q/w400-h400/IMG_0752.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">JustPam--you are the winner of this pretty chart!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Congratulations JustPam, please send me your mailing address </b>(my email is in the right sidebar--just click on "A Bit About Me" and you will find it). I'll get this chart out to you next week--hope you enjoy stitching it! And for those of you who didn't win... keep an eye on this space for future giveaways! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oZn4j6Gf_eaWnNyQVyF5UJNImQkaY5Bn9X9Jq7A7jPx4ZcBp82o1YWqhoDlOv4TmNi87F3u8lUCUtu1GYiG-ULONR6CdpITMYQDC-gRwL9AUc5gFTh_1FwyYQrzqQygPNoUhMpgTgXVwyFadyohBZYT7DqDrJHDPGkFQtQeIi-HkysaUP-faN_8Sag/s1024/Roller-Coaster-of-Life-NEW-1024x1024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oZn4j6Gf_eaWnNyQVyF5UJNImQkaY5Bn9X9Jq7A7jPx4ZcBp82o1YWqhoDlOv4TmNi87F3u8lUCUtu1GYiG-ULONR6CdpITMYQDC-gRwL9AUc5gFTh_1FwyYQrzqQygPNoUhMpgTgXVwyFadyohBZYT7DqDrJHDPGkFQtQeIi-HkysaUP-faN_8Sag/s320/Roller-Coaster-of-Life-NEW-1024x1024.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, about the title of today's post... Yes, April has been a month of ups and downs. Nothing unbearably sad, thank goodness. Just the normal twists and turns of life. Let's start with the downs:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>* </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">My husband now has tennis elbow in his "good" arm (the one that<b> didn't </b>have the shoulder replacement surgery). He overused it and is suffering for it. <b>Does anyone have any experience with helping "tennis elbow" heal faster? </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>* </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">My son and his girlfriend who were both here for Easter, came down with Covid two days later. They have <b>no idea </b>where they got it as they hadn't even been at any gatherings. They had gone to the grocery store and a thrift store, but that's it! Both are recovering, but it was a rough go for a while. Fortunately, neither my husband nor I came down with it. I am now the <b>last</b> member of my immediate family not to have contracted Covid. I'm sure I will at some point, but I hope not...<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>* </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">I just came back from the dentist yesterday--need a new crown. Honestly, it's <b>always </b>something with my poor teeth. I try and try to take good care of them, but...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> I haven't seen my little grandson in over two months now. What can I say :( We didn't dare have him around my husband after his shoulder replacement surgery as he is so active. Boy, do we miss that little fellow!<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">* </span></b>The weather... So many ups and downs, but it's been an awfully cold and gloomy second half of April. We've had frosts on several nights, but have managed to cover our plants and vegetables up so they are safe (for now!). </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the flip side, there were some nice moments happening in April as well...</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> I've been enjoying the <b>most beautiful cut flowers</b> from my husband's garden. He planted tulip and daffodil bulbs last fall and these are the stunning results.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj4sPBGz8ktrD7aMYl4mX1MMxwSZ-l209k42Vf_vkHOcGXfFSdu5IFnapD58_i0jg_9voQfMayxYwolLu22nVcDDHK7JSJNAeIkaVvFqKYlM64pgOicr71GTMmuaxHrOtT1dgkqvBYeALv8qeatTKCrgtBDeJtvjH8NIduBefKtG2m4GN7jGblqSYOA/s800/IMG_0915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj4sPBGz8ktrD7aMYl4mX1MMxwSZ-l209k42Vf_vkHOcGXfFSdu5IFnapD58_i0jg_9voQfMayxYwolLu22nVcDDHK7JSJNAeIkaVvFqKYlM64pgOicr71GTMmuaxHrOtT1dgkqvBYeALv8qeatTKCrgtBDeJtvjH8NIduBefKtG2m4GN7jGblqSYOA/w400-h400/IMG_0915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love the peachy/rosy color of the tulips!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU8NpqwojM-aBt6rJ5alDMQu9EubMfEcezRcv7m2hOaBL1VZwqDCxh1ECrCjeeMrbotfbD8iesKDh40no7HXCA6xLrIeMi-1vBnijeUMUSFikMJS-uRb6LFzU0RvMwVYPY_iLKNGS4WCjOHXzyAUZuckF93toYSyVxH62EYfoPnsogChYrVtZv-Ul8A/s800/IMG_0957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU8NpqwojM-aBt6rJ5alDMQu9EubMfEcezRcv7m2hOaBL1VZwqDCxh1ECrCjeeMrbotfbD8iesKDh40no7HXCA6xLrIeMi-1vBnijeUMUSFikMJS-uRb6LFzU0RvMwVYPY_iLKNGS4WCjOHXzyAUZuckF93toYSyVxH62EYfoPnsogChYrVtZv-Ul8A/w400-h400/IMG_0957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blue, yellow, and white--one of my favorite color trios!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> My oldest son, daughter-in-law, and grandson have bought a house! They were thrilled to find one in the Potomac, Maryland neighborhood (where they are currently renting) and will move in September. I'm having a lot of fun looking for decorating/remodeling ideas for them.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>*</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> We have a little visitor each morning peering into my husband's den window. Such a cutie--he's not doing any harm, just seems <b>very </b>interested in what may be going on inside! </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNggx-Er9Krc_z9TDP-E7XtZmWrzTCqFZlajSYXn32juSw9pNSP28b9RhLWhkq4N3tE-Ikdb9xfAmJqrdJ10GN-NINRTHHzZHaNSkNGVpwXDXXP4xtG7NwQqNYUSReOCU_at9HDG3DRkI17PSY6DMDBeFK4wS1r1vatRbzyFUNgpuNgAPQ8LhdyOZWPg/s800/IMG_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNggx-Er9Krc_z9TDP-E7XtZmWrzTCqFZlajSYXn32juSw9pNSP28b9RhLWhkq4N3tE-Ikdb9xfAmJqrdJ10GN-NINRTHHzZHaNSkNGVpwXDXXP4xtG7NwQqNYUSReOCU_at9HDG3DRkI17PSY6DMDBeFK4wS1r1vatRbzyFUNgpuNgAPQ8LhdyOZWPg/w400-h400/IMG_1036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Well, hello there, Mr. Robin!"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">* </span></b>We have high hopes that we'll see our grandson in mid-May for Mother's Day! Hopefully, my husband's shoulder and elbow will both be feeling better by then. Right now, "Mister B" is enjoying a long weekend in Naples, Florida with his mom and dad. Looks like he's really having a wonderful time capturing who-knows-what in that net!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBAAa4UxVKBNxWSkvHn2BssIivCcWy01OfYcDCM4AewUvF6Ptp7J0rvnxGFd282v0rLrayZjS2G4hr-5muIu1Bdg1pB-hNtg1ctFc-n6kbip0EJDHL5SdAv6sS5lliwvqKnKpIBqQxsHWHIcwvj23mppWbeP4dvrOkijRmhPFPRf61yWwZPtAlUKVEA/s800/693fecb9-188d-4162-9c1c-662d5ca9dd0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="571" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBAAa4UxVKBNxWSkvHn2BssIivCcWy01OfYcDCM4AewUvF6Ptp7J0rvnxGFd282v0rLrayZjS2G4hr-5muIu1Bdg1pB-hNtg1ctFc-n6kbip0EJDHL5SdAv6sS5lliwvqKnKpIBqQxsHWHIcwvj23mppWbeP4dvrOkijRmhPFPRf61yWwZPtAlUKVEA/w285-h400/693fecb9-188d-4162-9c1c-662d5ca9dd0d.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mister B in Naples, Florida. I wonder what he's caught in his little net!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, April comes to an end... I love the month of May and the warmer weather that (usually) accompanies it. I want to welcome my new followers and thank my regulars for your sweet comments and emails. I can't always respond to each of you, but I hope you know how much I appreciate you taking the time to say "hello!" Enjoy your weekend everyone and I'll see you again in the merry, merry month of May! Bye for now...</span></b></p></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-11812429471408998092023-04-05T08:03:00.000-04:002023-04-05T08:03:14.563-04:00Hopping into April!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>One quarter of the year 2023 is already over?! </b>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? </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My stitching has been a calming force in my life</b> with the many worries whirling around in the outside world. I know <b>all</b> 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? <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My first finish is by one of my <b>very</b> 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!). </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTArPBZI485FivbPhdRPstxuybtNEdRRGGiztsgC7i726ursxG4F1Q2zUgQvMb7Ipl5zsyzFmXc-VP9RVQvMdIObWX-idKo1UQvw5p4FB2EcTE-Lq4hZfID6zsPXIZ7qbyVfpaUseiGYIoUAKjSKMCAlF53ArbZq4MZ0a6M5B64OjaTBYWGdtpNIk0Yw/s640/IMG_0726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTArPBZI485FivbPhdRPstxuybtNEdRRGGiztsgC7i726ursxG4F1Q2zUgQvMb7Ipl5zsyzFmXc-VP9RVQvMdIObWX-idKo1UQvw5p4FB2EcTE-Lq4hZfID6zsPXIZ7qbyVfpaUseiGYIoUAKjSKMCAlF53ArbZq4MZ0a6M5B64OjaTBYWGdtpNIk0Yw/w400-h400/IMG_0726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"Welcome Spring" by With Thy Needle and Thread</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIb154vyIsa6QOEwOs-pYraZMQxXW7YYXi2WJS0OZgy--Efa0fzEv2dh9wX-oSTuIU1gIWz1ig0D_tG-8j2IoEkWIYOn6mVcO86n038Y84EpcgFrxnY9vBAPMdMe-A7DEs4EEV4An_-T8eRD9KWmCj9Ee9aNrXlJOhgnpJ8XP5vqEYSqVK18qQ8VAkA/s640/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIb154vyIsa6QOEwOs-pYraZMQxXW7YYXi2WJS0OZgy--Efa0fzEv2dh9wX-oSTuIU1gIWz1ig0D_tG-8j2IoEkWIYOn6mVcO86n038Y84EpcgFrxnY9vBAPMdMe-A7DEs4EEV4An_-T8eRD9KWmCj9Ee9aNrXlJOhgnpJ8XP5vqEYSqVK18qQ8VAkA/w400-h400/IMG_0744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A sweet new pillow for my spring displays!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ukMDMEq0CoFlAsNiPsJPCvi8I8UFO2LgaAK5gKTJft6fWRGyDmMofN0Sw0hFkRy56QsZlouBr5MU2s0NwucXyfIUx-aWEDh3pxKhHtaFbHPcLLWB17gxjUZDvK7iBzBbzBPYb_qcf8uzUhESVRf-9adLyBzGvVnYWbk9DDzIVbOvrsefJCSDPzov3w/s640/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ukMDMEq0CoFlAsNiPsJPCvi8I8UFO2LgaAK5gKTJft6fWRGyDmMofN0Sw0hFkRy56QsZlouBr5MU2s0NwucXyfIUx-aWEDh3pxKhHtaFbHPcLLWB17gxjUZDvK7iBzBbzBPYb_qcf8uzUhESVRf-9adLyBzGvVnYWbk9DDzIVbOvrsefJCSDPzov3w/w400-h400/IMG_0742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look how darling the little bow and bell are! And that satin stitched ear... ♥</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwpelEhp3kL1cujApTa2pmJFNyxCQ_AWc2ure8xaJl1a883qu81bqN0-VCli5eI7A570VrcCnl082F_XweO7AoUCg3Xna31mOkv6Wj8lWwa8e2JI3_h5IWAeYa5hwDmnhw7SO6O2F5Q8gTqAafUhqywFlzMmzYhBKWN2uvECBe-OpAXwrFQ_ZlhZdkA/s640/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwpelEhp3kL1cujApTa2pmJFNyxCQ_AWc2ure8xaJl1a883qu81bqN0-VCli5eI7A570VrcCnl082F_XweO7AoUCg3Xna31mOkv6Wj8lWwa8e2JI3_h5IWAeYa5hwDmnhw7SO6O2F5Q8gTqAafUhqywFlzMmzYhBKWN2uvECBe-OpAXwrFQ_ZlhZdkA/w400-h400/IMG_0698.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My final Prairie Schooler angel is finished!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here are all three together--do you have a favorite? </b>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. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjFk1pijVEfRYmivocMhFbG7AW84ZY6VCi8czPfnYOYkUrXGHDpJfvCUKnPHz0zQqlsBUSXlBLjyF259nXsxDJ3ooowfQ2Rf9UFrLKUkS7d-Gjw9i5CmJ_18-9Op3XTIKYhlb1L-L8TI9oLs3EI8CwgOReAmZqfeLj676g-PdlnDelAP-pcXZEBBPdQ/s640/IMG_0697-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjFk1pijVEfRYmivocMhFbG7AW84ZY6VCi8czPfnYOYkUrXGHDpJfvCUKnPHz0zQqlsBUSXlBLjyF259nXsxDJ3ooowfQ2Rf9UFrLKUkS7d-Gjw9i5CmJ_18-9Op3XTIKYhlb1L-L8TI9oLs3EI8CwgOReAmZqfeLj676g-PdlnDelAP-pcXZEBBPdQ/w400-h400/IMG_0697-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you have a favorite of the trio?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My mailbox was full of gifts and stitchy goodies over the past few weeks!</b> These came from Gabi and Martina in Germany, Charlene in Arizona, and Pat in Wisconsin. I was<b> truly</b> touched by their generosity and each of them taking the time to send me such thoughtful gifts. <b>♥Thank you all so very much!♥</b></span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dyXXIYEOf2NWQZrjHh7RlVmWLqpTO23XaG6Uh2KHA-f2XSEQ34Khe6JY_qcorvAqe7ql71qGFBny22G_WB9RxLayL6PE9ANVhgOHwyo9jn-bdMpmiLa1WcznULNduzIeCjcAY8ldLvk8Tg0T9GQeHFqMLJL7YUSYIcHJfhC14e8jyJhdEhFhoSMkqg/s640/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dyXXIYEOf2NWQZrjHh7RlVmWLqpTO23XaG6Uh2KHA-f2XSEQ34Khe6JY_qcorvAqe7ql71qGFBny22G_WB9RxLayL6PE9ANVhgOHwyo9jn-bdMpmiLa1WcznULNduzIeCjcAY8ldLvk8Tg0T9GQeHFqMLJL7YUSYIcHJfhC14e8jyJhdEhFhoSMkqg/w400-h400/IMG_0690.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two sweet handmade cards hopped over from Germany. The stitched bunny came from Gabi and the crocheted bunny from <a href="https://mein-allerlei-hobby.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Martina</a>. Aren't they adorable? Thank you both so much, Gabi and Martina! </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_-qn5Uha2vyIxYOlTroBgUyPPou_lmMT_2vzO0K8eeJiRx6KiPNdD-CdmDYxFgRpA7Vk5fiVvGkSvTD6FBD7p09NMzrWcHPyYtC9OOtR-fRgcatf3L7kGOd7INOgS5UZ93hdjFOCWwjFVSUAbqhnM9Jk1hZ0nMYj07BbYgKJZDZgUUPhKFuLYMjZuw/s640/IMG_0635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_-qn5Uha2vyIxYOlTroBgUyPPou_lmMT_2vzO0K8eeJiRx6KiPNdD-CdmDYxFgRpA7Vk5fiVvGkSvTD6FBD7p09NMzrWcHPyYtC9OOtR-fRgcatf3L7kGOd7INOgS5UZ93hdjFOCWwjFVSUAbqhnM9Jk1hZ0nMYj07BbYgKJZDZgUUPhKFuLYMjZuw/w400-h400/IMG_0635.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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!</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48LoB5DhZXvopcrSNBpJz111CjKZ1toxC2hxUp7JiEvpYpQHDjUERwzBe6QTVGFZ7vs9BBGMXq0_WcZ_cJfGD1NWcEb-LoPxR3MhyoaHEKMrONNdgmTeVLwNanfhC12LQDAZUKPWFc859muYaM6Edvf87Au3sL0j96Ui3DL3s0lSYttrarDRM48HjlQ/s640/IMG_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48LoB5DhZXvopcrSNBpJz111CjKZ1toxC2hxUp7JiEvpYpQHDjUERwzBe6QTVGFZ7vs9BBGMXq0_WcZ_cJfGD1NWcEb-LoPxR3MhyoaHEKMrONNdgmTeVLwNanfhC12LQDAZUKPWFc859muYaM6Edvf87Au3sL0j96Ui3DL3s0lSYttrarDRM48HjlQ/w400-h400/IMG_0634.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">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!</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Giveaway time...</b> 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?<b> If so, please follow the guidelines below.</b> (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.</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kz0udppaqDUIexLuAGg5r4ymfgt659xdgtPfYGOQADgNM_Y39nn0FXwna6QjVCVl71O08zLl9yh7hcLsBPqsvdUq8mTVcH4ZByeHoiSvjLC9qekAMAtLj3vKeQaGbUD3HklYVIOSN5NbBjKWUQaDJ4AJ6kXvxdJe4G4WLhMbrjIXA4w6hQIFSPeqhA/s1024/IMG_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kz0udppaqDUIexLuAGg5r4ymfgt659xdgtPfYGOQADgNM_Y39nn0FXwna6QjVCVl71O08zLl9yh7hcLsBPqsvdUq8mTVcH4ZByeHoiSvjLC9qekAMAtLj3vKeQaGbUD3HklYVIOSN5NbBjKWUQaDJ4AJ6kXvxdJe4G4WLhMbrjIXA4w6hQIFSPeqhA/w400-h400/IMG_0752.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm giving away this "John 3:16 Sampler" chart. To enter the giveaway, just follow the guidelines below... </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>To be included in the drawing for this chart, please... </b></span></span><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>1) Specifically mention that you would
like to win the chart in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>2) Be a follower in my blog's sidebar (to the right)</b></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>3)
Make
sure to leave your email address in your comment </b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>4)
Answer the "Getting to Know You" question below. </b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBC11CbBFhMynSumbbLgBgQdsXZoJuohdju51umzTN8OPLnb-Nsr7wQ4TIoTA_ojlB1xL3U_ER9oTpI2cO1adPnKeOM8G7GqZOKn_pH3o0FjnMlCYfcpzXTHvD4-Tyc38T75sWgsMsQMEcV97J9kT2AneEqmF5hUhI5YV-kRTnRW5u6QpbTxdEOn6aA/s800/IMG_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBC11CbBFhMynSumbbLgBgQdsXZoJuohdju51umzTN8OPLnb-Nsr7wQ4TIoTA_ojlB1xL3U_ER9oTpI2cO1adPnKeOM8G7GqZOKn_pH3o0FjnMlCYfcpzXTHvD4-Tyc38T75sWgsMsQMEcV97J9kT2AneEqmF5hUhI5YV-kRTnRW5u6QpbTxdEOn6aA/w138-h200/IMG_4155.jpg" width="138" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Getting to Know You!</b> Well, it's been a while since I asked one of these questions, hasn't it?<b> Today, I'm wondering if your tastes as to what you enjoy stitching<span><span><span> have changed through the years</span></span></span></b><span><span><span><b>? </b>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.<b> 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.</b> So, has what you enjoy stitching changed over time?</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><b>Do you have special plans for Easter weekend?</b> Ours will be quiet as we are staying home a while longer so my husband's new shoulder (which is doing <b>very</b> 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 <b><a href="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/easy-lentil-shepherds-pie-vegetarian/" target="_blank">Lentil Shepherd's Pie</a></b> 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. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">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...</span></b></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7dDTwDw6TrMLfMXBeBfaUcAb2P74Ja9N_WSs3GwSB_tdW67gqKipz9MBVv3DjBVPgVWZ5JVpgQENXa6o30s82Ga9NjK-jx4U2haOyOsNeXZqp3Hen67Y2ki_YcBiPKMMuGVuzBVYZjR2yxRbplZbL4pyQzjRdppwqGGDEdeC4kVpmkOwlZ82dU1NSA/s800/IMG_0563-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7dDTwDw6TrMLfMXBeBfaUcAb2P74Ja9N_WSs3GwSB_tdW67gqKipz9MBVv3DjBVPgVWZ5JVpgQENXa6o30s82Ga9NjK-jx4U2haOyOsNeXZqp3Hen67Y2ki_YcBiPKMMuGVuzBVYZjR2yxRbplZbL4pyQzjRdppwqGGDEdeC4kVpmkOwlZ82dU1NSA/w400-h400/IMG_0563-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hopping in with an Easter wish--may your Easter weekend be filled with many blessings (and perhaps a chocolate bunny or two)!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-46280588084678930692023-03-17T06:50:00.000-04:002023-03-17T06:50:16.170-04:00Stitching of the green<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Top 'o the morning to you, my sweet stitching friends!</b> How are you doing on this fine St. Patrick's Day? Are you wearing your green? Are you preparing any special Irish foods for dinner? Are you feeling especially lucky today? I always thought I had no Irish blood, but after my middle sister dug a bit more into our family history, she discovered that indeed we <b>do</b> have a tiny bit on my maternal grandmother's side. That might explain why I love stitching with so many green threads this time of year. Or, perhaps, I just enjoy the many shades of green that represent the rebirth and blossoming of nature after our long winter here in the northern hemisphere. Whatever the reason, I have some cute new St. Patrick's Day finishes to share with you today!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've stitched three new pieces for my Pottery Barn cubby and my favorite of the trio is this wee leprechaun. Isn't he darling carrying his giant clover--he looks like he's going to topple right over from the sheer size of it! This is called "Clover of Clovers" and can be found only in kit form from Bent Creek. I was lucky to be able to borrow just the chart from a stitching friend. Using all DMC threads (which I did change up a bit from what was suggested on the chart), it is stitched on 40 ct. woodland brown Newcastle linen. I also gave the little fellow a pair of green socks rather than the charted black. The three golden yellow buttons represent some of the gold he's just found at the end of the rainbow. I thought the polka dot yellow ribbon was a perfect accent at the top. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qlGOH8osIIEoKvcZzmOiNNdHEdQPKHPPnfWnb5f2sMViTzuUcjPh_VOVmDzqqNMtKaLi8Ns-QHGzRNq_1PFUP-pEO_gkVJAEIwlakbNb0pJ7gWCS7zwexzYKJ-VynAazRoulZpWKcSCuYhyKeN5P1f-S6_JFse3WmWuh-AWKvJZeLnGwx8KM4975KA/s640/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qlGOH8osIIEoKvcZzmOiNNdHEdQPKHPPnfWnb5f2sMViTzuUcjPh_VOVmDzqqNMtKaLi8Ns-QHGzRNq_1PFUP-pEO_gkVJAEIwlakbNb0pJ7gWCS7zwexzYKJ-VynAazRoulZpWKcSCuYhyKeN5P1f-S6_JFse3WmWuh-AWKvJZeLnGwx8KM4975KA/w400-h400/IMG_0450.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bent Creek finish: "Clover of Clovers"</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next up, is this very sweet design by Luminous Fiber Arts called "Gathering Clover." I just love Misty's series of birds which you can see <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LuminousFiberArts" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. I think I'll be stitching "Gathering Honey" next for my summer bee display. Anyway, this piece marked a first for me! It was the <b>very first time</b> I stitched on 56 ct. linen! I just love how teeny tiny the stitches look and how small the piece came out. I used white 56 ct. Kingston linen with Gentle Arts "Green With Envy" thread. If you look at the button you'll see that I repeated the clover motif found in the birds' mouths. Yes, I made a little covered button and glued it onto the satin ribbon in the left corner. I really love how this one turned out and I'll definitely be trying other designs on the 56 ct. linen.</span></span><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNhxn_fcdc09heK8ZSfBji76BrXZna3JZ4g9GDfdZwP1ylCeiz5N5RvRJJmtQ2CX97t02Rv-lfhkRoLT7iPc9b6uYM6dcS1FEUP02JbND3jyZs18PjeT_1Tc_PZrWekZ2eMfQzefSPDrGBjhMsITw_8ykhdGKFqIhvPx4QV5dZp32tGG2B3QYJYVuvA/s640/IMG_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNhxn_fcdc09heK8ZSfBji76BrXZna3JZ4g9GDfdZwP1ylCeiz5N5RvRJJmtQ2CX97t02Rv-lfhkRoLT7iPc9b6uYM6dcS1FEUP02JbND3jyZs18PjeT_1Tc_PZrWekZ2eMfQzefSPDrGBjhMsITw_8ykhdGKFqIhvPx4QV5dZp32tGG2B3QYJYVuvA/w400-h400/IMG_0456.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Gathering Clover"--such a sweet design!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, a finish from a new-to-me designer, Mamaida Pattern, on Etsy. This design caught my eye because it was so unusual--I don't think I've seen any St. Patrick's Day patterns similar to this one. It was only a couple of dollars and if you'd like to buy a downloadable copy for yourself, you can find it <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1058623653/clover-cross-stitch-pattern-pdf-st?click_key=42a570a7522654fe3966802490eeb2374fb5c4dd%3A1058623653&click_sum=a180f988&ref=shop_home_recs_1&pro=1&sts=1" target="_blank">right here</a></b>. This was also stitched on 40 ct. woodland brown Newcastle using DMC 311 and 905. I finished it off very simply with some handmade cording in the same shade of green and added a couple of stacked buttons tied into the middle. A very fun and different finish for the holiday!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDnnQ_SlIcghjT8AZ_jGnAlqfTzcbmgAzwX3IOpnDFEDWulybgErXDxDKdWh12ZhWjXv09JuyEe75jt3ySx6V_A5kfN0WBDyxNq_Ji60UpgGzKlVcIcq78RNH6JVLNmlZz_eTKLWc2tC2QhL-SI5N7N_R6-mNysghZSUx0GmAsDQxX_5x2uw10be9oA/s640/IMG_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDnnQ_SlIcghjT8AZ_jGnAlqfTzcbmgAzwX3IOpnDFEDWulybgErXDxDKdWh12ZhWjXv09JuyEe75jt3ySx6V_A5kfN0WBDyxNq_Ji60UpgGzKlVcIcq78RNH6JVLNmlZz_eTKLWc2tC2QhL-SI5N7N_R6-mNysghZSUx0GmAsDQxX_5x2uw10be9oA/w400-h400/IMG_0455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Clover" cross stitch design by Mamaida Pattern</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As you can see, I'm quite an eclectic stitcher! </b>Are you, too? Or do you tend to stick with one theme or type of stitching? Below you have the cute Bent Creek, the sweet Luminous Fiber Arts, and the more modern looking Mamaida Pattern...</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3SMQHyTCnxmE8zdMdHKolAYw7XB3DV04u62lvaYGyFTjfpzIDFbtIcGi24iglFaPbZH2vk2igfup72xaKp0poy3jehUlNTSJVhwe4hpOI_3VAVY_-3pQFKlwqij9H-Uop7dc7HXEPQtQ2u_b5aRMx0QpeVPuj_C2kwOWUNsJymcOLYGZCxgOf3ifmw/s800/IMG_0462-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3SMQHyTCnxmE8zdMdHKolAYw7XB3DV04u62lvaYGyFTjfpzIDFbtIcGi24iglFaPbZH2vk2igfup72xaKp0poy3jehUlNTSJVhwe4hpOI_3VAVY_-3pQFKlwqij9H-Uop7dc7HXEPQtQ2u_b5aRMx0QpeVPuj_C2kwOWUNsJymcOLYGZCxgOf3ifmw/w400-h400/IMG_0462-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such varied shades of green in this month's finishes! Which one do you like best?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don't have that many St. Patrick's Day finishes for my Pottery Barn cupboard, but I still managed to create the fun display shown below for March. What do you think?<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucBIu1r6abYCdHDmlRLpmEh3OzJD9CMDYcn3gKROD3NoHczSQRQms0AXZ5hAMH06u8IbilyulbqK1fZ6tqVHG-JKpbPeSp_sCZXfUQSQBUe-wHe_5mu_11UqYbgzCS9E83fmK6cfbhJ1OzdTmwUg5Gl47rtRkah9rg2PAglN0pmw1XlJuGi_2IUxanQ/s800/IMG_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucBIu1r6abYCdHDmlRLpmEh3OzJD9CMDYcn3gKROD3NoHczSQRQms0AXZ5hAMH06u8IbilyulbqK1fZ6tqVHG-JKpbPeSp_sCZXfUQSQBUe-wHe_5mu_11UqYbgzCS9E83fmK6cfbhJ1OzdTmwUg5Gl47rtRkah9rg2PAglN0pmw1XlJuGi_2IUxanQ/w400-h400/IMG_0514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My March 2023 Pottery Barn cubby</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll give you some close-ups and link to my finishes just in case you have any questions about what's what... <b>Just click on the title of the stitched piece and it will take you to my post with all the information on that particular finish. <br /></b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ05wbWnBYXVBMeiQS4nq6Tdlr3xN3UlYzyMLmGgeYmztGsUz9n0xf_NxBrzVTd28ZIVGL4VbF0gTUspDn3TSZpALDvw3j_p9n-IyQbEpPrDw3NW2Rv_vDjesfgoodUK2ln1hMYv3mh3lDhzBvqB7aSEIf6zHARCqY6c0F1oaHEBHNgSFX54AfyRo6w/s800/IMG_0509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ05wbWnBYXVBMeiQS4nq6Tdlr3xN3UlYzyMLmGgeYmztGsUz9n0xf_NxBrzVTd28ZIVGL4VbF0gTUspDn3TSZpALDvw3j_p9n-IyQbEpPrDw3NW2Rv_vDjesfgoodUK2ln1hMYv3mh3lDhzBvqB7aSEIf6zHARCqY6c0F1oaHEBHNgSFX54AfyRo6w/w400-h400/IMG_0509.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the top is a lovely card from Robin in Virginia and two merry Irishmen from the book <a href="Un Air de Fête by Perrette Samouiloff," target="_blank"><span>"Un Air de <span class="QXzCSe"><span class="fJyiwb" id="tw-bil-st">Fête" </span></span>by Perrette Samouiloff</span></a><span>. Below is: <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/03/stitching-shamrocks-and-saying-goodbye.html" target="_blank">"Basket O' Luck"</a> by Pineberry Lane (in #1) and "<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/03/stitching-shamrocks-and-saying-goodbye.html" target="_blank">Erin Go Braugh"</a> by Pineberry Lane (in #3), <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/03/stitchin-of-green.html" target="_blank">"March--the Lion and the Lamb" </a>by Rainbow Gallery (in #6) and Prairie Schooler's March finish from <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/03/stitchin-of-green.html" target="_blank">"A Prairie Year"</a> (in #7). The sweet hand painted dish and pitcher (in #2) were from my maternal grandmother and I found the little green stein (in #8) in a thrift shop in Ohio last fall. <br /></span></span></span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeML2ifEoTryq8HhZORsUidw1oikELq2SYtMg_EEVXE3VjNmvQ-fqPAGsSX6uN__sNF2M3dpsgfqBLVNupf9JaUD-F9I9p2uoFncbKfQa4jJxk9W0I2kY9Zc7Ek5zP8yntHvvMrNkFSPUoH5uj0ENIWEVGsbGPj4HE7y2_TQQ99QUlWexhvs6v5--vcw/s800/IMG_0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeML2ifEoTryq8HhZORsUidw1oikELq2SYtMg_EEVXE3VjNmvQ-fqPAGsSX6uN__sNF2M3dpsgfqBLVNupf9JaUD-F9I9p2uoFncbKfQa4jJxk9W0I2kY9Zc7Ek5zP8yntHvvMrNkFSPUoH5uj0ENIWEVGsbGPj4HE7y2_TQQ99QUlWexhvs6v5--vcw/w400-h400/IMG_0511.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On top is With Thy Needle and Thread's <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-busy-two-weeks-and-two-new-finishes.html" target="_blank">"Holiday Hoopla St. Patrick's Day</a>. Below is Mamaida Pattern's "Clover" (in this post above), Lizzie Kate's <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/03/stitchin-of-green.html" target="_blank">"March Stamp Flip-It,"</a> and Bent Creek's "Clover of Clovers" (in this post above)</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L55m4IG6ToMUGrQYLmYCx6QT_vwzIH4Xx0sfTwz4MGiWKYvbUN5EAulSR-uNovTootgCRZFCGzDi748KDEmpG0On_BGEUKvrfsqa0sDgWVewq-XSgd9twyaGV3Pul2R5DSwKqzMHzBsNOxigbLm4BJk7o_7NNmxJVSuGn7tisKxWnRiLa1dTSWLaaA/s800/IMG_0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L55m4IG6ToMUGrQYLmYCx6QT_vwzIH4Xx0sfTwz4MGiWKYvbUN5EAulSR-uNovTootgCRZFCGzDi748KDEmpG0On_BGEUKvrfsqa0sDgWVewq-XSgd9twyaGV3Pul2R5DSwKqzMHzBsNOxigbLm4BJk7o_7NNmxJVSuGn7tisKxWnRiLa1dTSWLaaA/w400-h400/IMG_0512.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blue Ribbon Designs "<a href="https://blueribbondesigns.com/free-charts/" target="_blank">Leprechaun Lodge</a>" (in #14). The little clover cups in #19 were also a thrift store find. </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFTeyxOhF2aiLOI56-ru8sJSUhdtN5ab_1lsYESA3U4qfsf9R8ukWIJHzKQaJQ2lC5Ktz0CgiERnYU0yiFFEhxAsDUyujQvFmH4-4booeze-NBDD7Ha-86e4AaLjGuMS1WX5fP7w4OZmT4xWo8DzEQ2dSt87OS6fupSSba4UhT3V0Q0QzpdzAiQrSfw/s800/IMG_0513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFTeyxOhF2aiLOI56-ru8sJSUhdtN5ab_1lsYESA3U4qfsf9R8ukWIJHzKQaJQ2lC5Ktz0CgiERnYU0yiFFEhxAsDUyujQvFmH4-4booeze-NBDD7Ha-86e4AaLjGuMS1WX5fP7w4OZmT4xWo8DzEQ2dSt87OS6fupSSba4UhT3V0Q0QzpdzAiQrSfw/w400-h400/IMG_0513.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The green bunny pitcher was a Goodwill find! My dear mother's silhouette in cubby #13 is adorned with a little shamrock bow for the occasion. <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/03/stitching-shamrocks-and-saying-goodbye.html" target="_blank">"Two Wee Lassies"</a> (in #17) and <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2020/03/stitching-shamrocks-and-saying-goodbye.html" target="_blank">"Little Shamrock Girl"</a> (in #18) are both by Pineberry Lane. <a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2012/03/stitchin-of-green.html" target="_blank">"St. Patrick's Day kitty"</a> from Embroiderbee's Primary Hive (in #22) and "Gathering Clover" by Luminous Fiber Arts (in #23) in this post above. The darling embroidered hankie (in #22) was one of my maternal grandmother's, too!</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I <b>know</b> I'll be stitching more green-themed designs to add to my cubby next year. So, there you have it... another year of St. Patrick's Day stitching in the books! Do any of you have anything fun planned for the day ahead?<br /></span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRgIAdxsPlVEr3hmBMC-ugrWl4Dh70F0tPi7y4LbmUw3aWrDxwXXLMwB93pLGYf9Y77Im9Q5HcTea6EoOLtwE2eTYX4nfHWTtCx545_19PJwAQaImkqNYO98gYH4kL_8JyoRiHViQi61qVfXZKH5yObCiYMi6jZQJ9jgxuqaOLgaHGv_NgtTQYqM2lQ/s360/Impatient-iStock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRgIAdxsPlVEr3hmBMC-ugrWl4Dh70F0tPi7y4LbmUw3aWrDxwXXLMwB93pLGYf9Y77Im9Q5HcTea6EoOLtwE2eTYX4nfHWTtCx545_19PJwAQaImkqNYO98gYH4kL_8JyoRiHViQi61qVfXZKH5yObCiYMi6jZQJ9jgxuqaOLgaHGv_NgtTQYqM2lQ/w200-h200/Impatient-iStock.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The impatient patient!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Surgery update... </b>First of all, I want to <b>thank all of you who sent positive thoughts and prayers for my husband's shoulder replacement surgery.</b> It appears to have gone well, but we'll have a better idea after we visit the doctor today and get his evaluation of things at the first post-operative check-up. My husband is normally an <b>extremely</b> active man (biking, going to the gym, gardening, house repairs, etc.) so this having to rest and take it easy makes him a very impatient patient. I've actually had to get upset with him a few times and tell him to take it easier.<b> You just can't rush the healing process after such a complicated surgery!</b> It's been a long two weeks--let's just put it that way :) Thank goodness, my stitching is always waiting to help calm me down... I've been able to stitch a lot in between helping him shower, cutting his food, helping him get dressed, icing his shoulder, etc. With one arm in a sling, he is limited, but he is hoping to be rid of the sling in another couple weeks. We aren't sure yet when he'll be allowed to drive again.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My husband received a number of sweet get-well cards and phone calls, but the nicest gift came from my youngest sister and her husband. If you ever want a gift that offers <b>pure comfort</b>, check out this nice box of goodies that came from<b><a href="https://www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/?g_acctid=272-334-1463&g_adgroupid=41128578865&g_adid=338945334904&g_adtype=search&g_campaign=Search+-+Branded+-+MaxC+-+eCPC&g_campaignid=803283977&g_keyword=spoonful%20of%20comfort&g_keywordid=kwd-295372161006&g_network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjw_MqgBhAGEiwAnYOAegjsPy0a9tenWguVECNu6Y6f1nTdCfUSczckGrBSjHdX_rfTU-15MxoC4YIQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"> Spoonful of Comfort</a></b>. It's a wonderful gift for a far-away friend or family member who could use some tender loving care after an illness, a death in the family, or for someone who needs some cheering up. It's rather pricey, but oh, my--the soup, rolls, and cookies were all so <b>very</b> tasty and they provided two meals for us at a time when we truly needed them. The cute silver soup ladle was also included and I loved how recyclable the packing materials were. This will definitely be on my list to give future loved ones who need a lift!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_v_tYGgCysKVnzWWCwJhh7DuvEoBmsYl3E9NL6Ogz80GV_BUQYiVuVra4bQ_PTdiAxlqB9A5R6D86QdLUmXaNxxEGRHU3aSwUJcjV2YNOQ-mzwPhJH88zpLKxe6w8TaRBG3ZMtbdsxJB22GwVnwrlp_MyNbMUn9QVI7K9kad261m_h1rjcSgBgMerA/s640/IMG_0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_v_tYGgCysKVnzWWCwJhh7DuvEoBmsYl3E9NL6Ogz80GV_BUQYiVuVra4bQ_PTdiAxlqB9A5R6D86QdLUmXaNxxEGRHU3aSwUJcjV2YNOQ-mzwPhJH88zpLKxe6w8TaRBG3ZMtbdsxJB22GwVnwrlp_MyNbMUn9QVI7K9kad261m_h1rjcSgBgMerA/w400-h400/IMG_0394.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This gift of comfort food from my youngest sister and brother-in-law couldn't have come at a better time!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, now it's just physical therapy and hard work to get back to normal for my husband. He's still having some pain and numbness now and then which is concerning, but hopefully it is normal after such a major operation. We'll find out more today...<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As the weather forescasters predicted, March has been a colder month </b>than February. So many ups and downs! Just last Saturday, I spotted this beautiful bluebird (which we rarely see here in my yard so I was <b>super</b> excited!) dining at the suet feeder.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK549vNBBEIQ82vDsGXjvvTueHqMrMtidO3XFrP0VVbkYNa33tSxUsq8v0j8yHbTSykF78MV3Wg5SQizET28KErXBXcPDFTPz2yFJPkg_lcyTCZrAwaAPfm7lT4kdzNzZ-rtpunP9NyAEEXz3weKIjVVI8uGsUbuWW0gHr5u-B3IlemGb7H_oz6FElVw/s800/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK549vNBBEIQ82vDsGXjvvTueHqMrMtidO3XFrP0VVbkYNa33tSxUsq8v0j8yHbTSykF78MV3Wg5SQizET28KErXBXcPDFTPz2yFJPkg_lcyTCZrAwaAPfm7lT4kdzNzZ-rtpunP9NyAEEXz3weKIjVVI8uGsUbuWW0gHr5u-B3IlemGb7H_oz6FElVw/w400-h400/IMG_0468.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">♪ Bluebird, bluebird at my window ♪</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then just three days later, this was the scene out the back window of our house! Yes, snow--but not much and it melted the following day. It was just beautiful and made me wish we had had <b>just a bit more</b> snow this year. According to the National Weather Service we haven't had a winter with this little snow (only about 14 inches all winter!) since 1931!</span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP9O-4sZD3nvUKv6GDvOO8vi0vmzMRIZ6AIIiPPUEcRYteNbqoiMhqcsMDCTYEuRkpYkKlABxssOst5199GnimTD8okAsBjsx_W7O3BV6x-WRGxOPA52WQl3HsggxJ_sUdLgvnd4Nmoa5UW0cf9LWj1u20qXYQmr3IsscnqKdRHWrpXA60udPzsICcg/s1024/IMG_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP9O-4sZD3nvUKv6GDvOO8vi0vmzMRIZ6AIIiPPUEcRYteNbqoiMhqcsMDCTYEuRkpYkKlABxssOst5199GnimTD8okAsBjsx_W7O3BV6x-WRGxOPA52WQl3HsggxJ_sUdLgvnd4Nmoa5UW0cf9LWj1u20qXYQmr3IsscnqKdRHWrpXA60udPzsICcg/w400-h400/IMG_0498.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We often get one last snowfall in mid-March and this year was no exception.</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I hope you enjoy this last half of March and that your spring flowers are soon popping up all over your yards. Our daffodils are about to burst open--perhaps next week which is about the earliest I remember seeing them. Thank you all for your kind comments and emails. I know I have a few emails to respond to--I just haven't been on my computer much since my husband's surgery. I'll try my best to catch up with all of you over the coming week! Take care, everyone. Bye for now...</b></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VVHUCQttDd0TzCKsljCPSILHxmOP6PkrKSUygz3YY2Mtl3rCjl9eFGYqNSfaunRel1MWB3zT0iUFCNwhu5XEIIYwOW3XAbSXeoKnsUMvI5subEZEbV3Z2KYxeh0iLF8NsER3PD1P83l9TB4P0N4rYTw96DpBBGNWLYugZbRxb8I7453ZyMnMgY7PlA/s640/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VVHUCQttDd0TzCKsljCPSILHxmOP6PkrKSUygz3YY2Mtl3rCjl9eFGYqNSfaunRel1MWB3zT0iUFCNwhu5XEIIYwOW3XAbSXeoKnsUMvI5subEZEbV3Z2KYxeh0iLF8NsER3PD1P83l9TB4P0N4rYTw96DpBBGNWLYugZbRxb8I7453ZyMnMgY7PlA/w286-h400/IMG_0546.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!♣</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-46053773935324605532023-02-28T23:33:00.002-05:002023-03-01T06:36:17.203-05:00Dreaming of spring<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The final day of February! </b>I still remember my mom telling me (when I was a bit down with the "January blues") that if you can just make it through February, spring is right around the corner. And I can't wait! We've had some snippets of spring weather here and there over the past month and it felt <b>so</b> good for a day or two. But, by the next day, we were plunged back into the icy days of winter. I read a report last week that said March is forecast to be a cold, wintry month for much of the country. Say it's not so!!! I'm choosing to think positively and hoping March is a mild, spring-like month. How about you?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I have a sweet spring finish to share with you today.</b> This is called "Apple Blossom Sampler" by The Drawn Thread and it is <b>much</b> prettier than my photos are showing. It's such a long, skinny sampler (just 2 inches wide by 9 1/4 inches long on 40 ct. fabric) that it's difficult to get a good photo of it. I stitched this lovely little piece on 40 ct. stormy night Newcastle with Dinky Dyes Silks and various other overdyed threads pulled from my stash. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPWcHn9AV8571kmKvtopc8_W-lCWVv9q7lfUUlPLLeO92UzIK3QPpaDxYePPNwoxTJqzXpC3iEk9XffEAf7jl4-LNTb6YyNrpR3JGeGNaQ9b5X7ZCLcWNjZBu9aPCNImvijsNqUIxfcRFt6YUeFxM5yJ9OPFdEmjnPO8d8e5CwA83FJVhEOLPz6n51A/s800/IMG_0220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPWcHn9AV8571kmKvtopc8_W-lCWVv9q7lfUUlPLLeO92UzIK3QPpaDxYePPNwoxTJqzXpC3iEk9XffEAf7jl4-LNTb6YyNrpR3JGeGNaQ9b5X7ZCLcWNjZBu9aPCNImvijsNqUIxfcRFt6YUeFxM5yJ9OPFdEmjnPO8d8e5CwA83FJVhEOLPz6n51A/w400-h400/IMG_0220.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Apple Blossom Sampler" by The Drawn Thread</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've always loved the combination of pink and gray together--in fact I still remember the cutest gray and pink argyle sweater that I wore probably 50 years ago! So, as soon as I saw this design, I knew I <b>had</b> to stitch it on gray fabric. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82ZTsgzTlCBX0YMK2l555sjs4v1G8gnIZFZThnDC4E2n8BL3baufBHpcWsjix_QSVK7jEohL8ZeRQ95PvemMe1YJxDNuOhlsBFkwKPGHjQFFrWbwO-Oy8QZBYFxpPj-lfcA9YtxgCWRhV9X0iPkmq19Bw8Dgch5g6VU_w027654C_6KlCSmU7u17_5w/s800/IMG_0222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82ZTsgzTlCBX0YMK2l555sjs4v1G8gnIZFZThnDC4E2n8BL3baufBHpcWsjix_QSVK7jEohL8ZeRQ95PvemMe1YJxDNuOhlsBFkwKPGHjQFFrWbwO-Oy8QZBYFxpPj-lfcA9YtxgCWRhV9X0iPkmq19Bw8Dgch5g6VU_w027654C_6KlCSmU7u17_5w/w400-h400/IMG_0222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Who else loves the combination of pink and gray?</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The shades of pink are so soft and pretty--honestly, I loved every stitch of this one! The center portion of the two apple blossoms was supposed to be stitched in something called "square boss stitch" (which I have never heard of in my life). I tried it twice using different threads, but I think the fabric count was just too high as it came out looking sloppy and just plain bad both times. So, I simply stitched Smyrna stitches in the center and they look just fine. </span></span><br /></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvpjFe3dNHihhnzsr02IQ20Agw_gMtSWuV4vMlNIas9ktLKZ5Hz75zMsBN50udkx-0S8TaEvctloYilt_8ThU57t92LkEMZdxgSYk1sqCKiCzRbo2NDFsFF1gqLPLD2SWsUDzNuuOUymcIpfSL5Oq9H58EkIvTuLH7H3y1zcLVLuqt9s_4FnxRvUZwQ/s800/IMG_0221.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvpjFe3dNHihhnzsr02IQ20Agw_gMtSWuV4vMlNIas9ktLKZ5Hz75zMsBN50udkx-0S8TaEvctloYilt_8ThU57t92LkEMZdxgSYk1sqCKiCzRbo2NDFsFF1gqLPLD2SWsUDzNuuOUymcIpfSL5Oq9H58EkIvTuLH7H3y1zcLVLuqt9s_4FnxRvUZwQ/w400-h400/IMG_0221.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you see the tiny bees in the letters "N" and "Y"? </span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, the star of the show is the pretty robin. Have you seen your first robin yet? I was so surprised to see what must have been 15 or 20 of them on our neighbor's lawn on Monday! A very early spring in the making?</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic17EvxC8pYcY1CG5JEs39YuZhmcFONsA0zj40vFdieCEc7H6M8jDKwD9D3fjfefNm9jjjAhpdZdr29zItnYhYrAauRCCUjE2J2-7NXUaB8R3udzMxcCDCKZ7jAvJFaX9s4ystQRt2N9yu7ITui-gCyOsdsFh140q9qDvLdcU0cAEF86BOAnNNHVGjGA/s800/IMG_0311.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic17EvxC8pYcY1CG5JEs39YuZhmcFONsA0zj40vFdieCEc7H6M8jDKwD9D3fjfefNm9jjjAhpdZdr29zItnYhYrAauRCCUjE2J2-7NXUaB8R3udzMxcCDCKZ7jAvJFaX9s4ystQRt2N9yu7ITui-gCyOsdsFh140q9qDvLdcU0cAEF86BOAnNNHVGjGA/w400-h400/IMG_0311.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Such a pretty robin--the first sign of Spring!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In other spring stitching, I'm trying to work on some St. Patrick's Day smalls for my Pottery Barn cubby--hope to have enough to <b>nearly</b> fill up those cubes! Stay tuned... Who else has turned to spring stitching? </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A most special day... </b>Its been a busy end of the month as we just returned from Maryland where our grandson was baptized. I was so, so anxious that he would act up or cause a scene (after all, 2 1/2 year olds aren't the most predictable creatures, are they?). The night before the baptism, he <b>absolutely refused</b> to try on the little white suit his godparents had bought him for the occasion, complaining that it was "too scratchy." Oh, dear... not off to a great start!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On Sunday, his mom and dad went to the service that was scheduled right before the baptism leaving Mister B with us to dress and get to the church by 2:15 pm. My middle son and I got him dressed without any problems by entertaining him with videos on the phone and putting a long, soft white shirt underneath the scratchy one of the suit. I also promised him a present if he wore his suit nicely and was well-behaved at church. I made up a little story about "Mister B" putting on a white suit, going to the church and running to see mommy and daddy, sitting quietly and listening to the priest, and then receiving a present. (Of course, he thought the priest was going to give him the present and couldn't quite figure out why he never got one :) Several of the guests brought religious remembrances and others brought small toys for him so he was smiling ear-to-ear at the party afterward. Such a meaningful day and I'm so glad we were able to be there with him. The service was in Spanish, so we understood nothing more than a word here or there, but it was still very special!</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMKSDiFnh_2SFGuYo5TH1FlvOTELAO6J9aaWzen6v649Za-bsuk04WC3AQQJzQjiJkpPBDHPIiIwXAeuwPQ6hSFrqdcDQI0qjIF6sNL0TQ5jjiX08AXm7Y0jlPM8e1cSBoDzqCR3DvD7hF4KqSfG35nM8FpLK7hX7QFOZP52c5H5YG771EKdbFT3z2w/s800/f9178713-eddf-4492-a667-e4fb11c144ed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMKSDiFnh_2SFGuYo5TH1FlvOTELAO6J9aaWzen6v649Za-bsuk04WC3AQQJzQjiJkpPBDHPIiIwXAeuwPQ6hSFrqdcDQI0qjIF6sNL0TQ5jjiX08AXm7Y0jlPM8e1cSBoDzqCR3DvD7hF4KqSfG35nM8FpLK7hX7QFOZP52c5H5YG771EKdbFT3z2w/w300-h400/f9178713-eddf-4492-a667-e4fb11c144ed.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My little grandson and his father (my oldest son) waiting for the baptism ceremony to begin</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I bought him this sweet bedtime blessing plaque (<b><a href="https://www.lisaleonard.com/" target="_blank">from Lisa Leonard.com</a></b>) to hang in his room. It has his name engraved in the banner at the top making it a wonderful personalized gift. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWXpY6jCV3j2OIxniRwuoUb9rzDvTPWw_KhG5kE77bKJ4XelYRw1XcfJnJ4A3CIsvi5kdlJXjsv8dCU_miVFTaHhvDYD86wwXPvbXL3V2R_SKcnV0rdC7Kyxh8MXA-OQ8Iu_S8jxEmc93zk5byYTh-z__Fo8_PNl9ppFuPA8Ez24qZF3n2iyMaOZwNg/s800/IMG_0182.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWXpY6jCV3j2OIxniRwuoUb9rzDvTPWw_KhG5kE77bKJ4XelYRw1XcfJnJ4A3CIsvi5kdlJXjsv8dCU_miVFTaHhvDYD86wwXPvbXL3V2R_SKcnV0rdC7Kyxh8MXA-OQ8Iu_S8jxEmc93zk5byYTh-z__Fo8_PNl9ppFuPA8Ez24qZF3n2iyMaOZwNg/w400-h400/IMG_0182.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In other family news, my world-traveling youngest son and his girlfriend just returned from 10 days in Norway. What gorgeous photos they sent back! Oh--those--mountains... be still my heart! He told me I would love it there and I think he's right. Surprisingly, the weather was not that cold. It was in the low 30s--about what we were experiencing in western Pennsylvania in mid-February. </span></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7veRNuVv3qVpDnE30xbkhANwHutFsDK46oRuLYGGx9ZEeg-11Cz5J-oKBELrq-wy4FSPfikImE8ZOE2rxCJz7QO0ENRCVRYN2LUgAvj5QTJbQMVPqBe--uu3Ju-51LTxZ9P2FTETMLttCmhDMgdKzlADDIE1rvebVIO-QxD7s9CCJbzdUoGpLKFF4Zg/s1024/IMG_0308.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7veRNuVv3qVpDnE30xbkhANwHutFsDK46oRuLYGGx9ZEeg-11Cz5J-oKBELrq-wy4FSPfikImE8ZOE2rxCJz7QO0ENRCVRYN2LUgAvj5QTJbQMVPqBe--uu3Ju-51LTxZ9P2FTETMLttCmhDMgdKzlADDIE1rvebVIO-QxD7s9CCJbzdUoGpLKFF4Zg/w400-h400/IMG_0308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scenes from my youngest son's trip to Norway</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their ultimate goal in this particular trip was to see the Northern Lights. They had traveled to Iceland last year with that hope, but had been disappointed. It looked like they would be let down again, but on their <b>very </b>last night there, they were rewarded with a truly magical light show. I know the photo doesn't begin to come close to seeing the Aurora Borealis in person, but it's still so very special, isn't it? Have any of you seen them?</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVffH1nK9V5cq0b2eiDtP2-27YnegUt1bSY044gOTud8oXsVcDm2-bWHilEjrdn7p-1T1Pu7AlIvpuNMCzemQYv2NIcSUkPDMD0DX5qn0Ig56dJ8v3ClIzotL8YnF7r5E3t39zckAh3qPw-vFgLCGwVLxFFZQHlfgDOS-ae35utQCcX5jC-TIJ8l9jg/s1024/59d34f96-3b0b-4a6d-bc66-cf64d599aa97.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVffH1nK9V5cq0b2eiDtP2-27YnegUt1bSY044gOTud8oXsVcDm2-bWHilEjrdn7p-1T1Pu7AlIvpuNMCzemQYv2NIcSUkPDMD0DX5qn0Ig56dJ8v3ClIzotL8YnF7r5E3t39zckAh3qPw-vFgLCGwVLxFFZQHlfgDOS-ae35utQCcX5jC-TIJ8l9jg/w400-h400/59d34f96-3b0b-4a6d-bc66-cf64d599aa97.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally--on the very last night in Norway, the Aurora Borealis appeared!</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvUEnE9i5dselnx9d3daZLglbUQl_sB1mwOZbjgBxbNWhGUC7u41gRvZTmc5VEi_9HIQuc-uMJkxgWnMgOqrZjNyZrMs2lho2tMV0fJ2SAqvguZuJ_-2jH3YUQEpun2p-vVqBAwJRhEgyHhEfnhK9j2NjS3hYUN5FHJJpmBaHKpktMceNKl102hBG2w/s640/IMG_0309.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvUEnE9i5dselnx9d3daZLglbUQl_sB1mwOZbjgBxbNWhGUC7u41gRvZTmc5VEi_9HIQuc-uMJkxgWnMgOqrZjNyZrMs2lho2tMV0fJ2SAqvguZuJ_-2jH3YUQEpun2p-vVqBAwJRhEgyHhEfnhK9j2NjS3hYUN5FHJJpmBaHKpktMceNKl102hBG2w/w200-h200/IMG_0309.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And... on the opposite end of the spectrum</b>, an upcoming event that my husband has been dreading is upon us. He will be having a total replacement of his left shoulder on Friday. It is a surgery with one of the longest recovery times--approximately 6 months to a year. He'll be unable to drive for six weeks or lift anything heavier than a pound for a month, so I'll be doing pretty much everything for him. I know he'll be great at following through on the physical therapy as he is very disciplined, but it's going to be very tough on him not being able to ride his bike until mid to late summer. (If then--as the doctors don't want him to risk falling). But, he's been dealing with this painful shoulder for so many years, that we're glad this day has finally arrived. All positive thoughts, prayers, etc. would be most appreciated! </span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So... on to March! I hope it's a good month for each one of you. Thank you all for your visits, thoughtful comments, and emails--they keep me blogging, that's for sure! As always, if you have any questions for me, please make sure to include your email address so I can get back to you. Take care now, everyone! Bye for now...</span></span></b> </p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293399242092873784.post-65449604673997155602023-02-14T07:47:00.000-05:002023-02-14T07:47:24.295-05:00Stitching, travels, and a special visitor<div><div><div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Happy Valentine's Day everyone!</b> It's going to be a warm one here for the middle of February--in the mid-50s! And tomorrow will be almost 70°! My husband and I don't have any special plans for today. We are not exactly the most romantic couple, to be honest--just very practical, I'd say. For example, last week when we were doing the grocery shopping, I spied a display of Valentine's candy and said, "Let's just buy some treats for ourselves right now!" "Great--that makes it easy," he replied. Definitely takes the pressure off :) Now, we just need to remember where we hid the candy so we wouldn't eat it all up before Valentine's Day. Hmmm... that's a real problem as we get older. Anyone else with me on that little "forgetful" issue? </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I like to stitch a new little Valentine's Day pillow</b> each year to add to my collection. There are<b> so</b> many delightful free designs available at this time of year and I'm very thankful for those generous (and talented!) designers out there. This year, one of the cutest designs came from Cherry Hill Stitchery and can be found on the Facebook group called "Cherry Hill Stitchers." (I am only on Facebook to follow stitching groups and designers--I do not post, comment, or have any friends there). Because I love tiny things, I chose to stitch the design "over one" on 25 ct. black Lugana using the following threads: DMC B5200, Classic Colorworks "Ribbon Red," and Gentle Arts "Green With Envy." If you look closely, you might be able to spot the little gold beads I added to the center of each flower.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp4H4F218QUGGIbXmv4MuDYJvIcDq-nS-RVn_3kbOWOp04HsKHeZ3SkFZQAGqevAsWImiVVbNv8EakU6FtfizVa2VIue6AIk0_nkQYce8ewOFJ6LVPDA2BTNlSF24ZRCDegllpqwyaS35g5zsV2hq-cmuaLVRmIeOknHx2OYfkM6Aj06ft-M0pfhG9g/s800/IMG_0057-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp4H4F218QUGGIbXmv4MuDYJvIcDq-nS-RVn_3kbOWOp04HsKHeZ3SkFZQAGqevAsWImiVVbNv8EakU6FtfizVa2VIue6AIk0_nkQYce8ewOFJ6LVPDA2BTNlSF24ZRCDegllpqwyaS35g5zsV2hq-cmuaLVRmIeOknHx2OYfkM6Aj06ft-M0pfhG9g/w400-h400/IMG_0057-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Cherry Hill Stitchery freebie finish</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This finished up so tiny and cute--just the way I'd pictured it. The whole pillow measures a mere 3" X 4" in size. The other major change was that I added an apostrophe; as a former librarian, I just<b> had</b> to! You can also see the little red gingham and flowered hearts (in the bowl in the background) that I made last year.<br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've put together a list of some other Valentine's Day freebies that you might like... There are 20 links below--hopefully, you'll find something quick to stitch for your Valentine! <b>As always, with any freebies, I recommend printing them off as they often disappear from online over time. </b></span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://stitchwit.ca/collections/free-patterns" target="_blank">"Happy Valentine's Day" from Stitch Wit</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://cuoreebatticuorericamoecucitocreativo.blogspot.com/2016/05/porta-aghi-free-un-ago-tra-i-fiori.html" target="_blank">"Un Ago Tra i Fiori" by Cuore e Batticuore</a><br /></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b><a href="https://www.silvercreeksamplers.com/" target="_blank"><b>"Do Everything In Love" from Silver Creek Samplers </b></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="http://www.brookesbooks.com/Freebies/StupidCupidFINALpub.pdf" target="_blank">"Stupid Cupid" by Brooke's Books </a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="http://e-subrosa.blogspot.com/2012/01/szerelemvirag-free.html?m=0" target="_blank">"True Love" by Sub Rosa </a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><a href="https://crocetteagogo.blogspot.com/p/i-miei-schemi-free.html" target="_blank"><b>"Love Makes Me Happy" by Crocette a <span><span style="color: #202124;">Gogò</span></span></b></a></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="https://handsondesign.biz/love-you-too/" target="_blank">"Love You Too" (and many more) by Cathy Habermann of Hands On Design </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://lizziekateblog.blogspot.com/2020/01/sweet-freebie-for-valentines-day.html" target="_blank">"Be My Valentine" by Lizzie Kate </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://www.drawnthread.com/Resources/Free%20Chart%20pdfs/HeartThrob.pdf" target="_blank">"Heart Throb" by The Drawn Thread </a><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="https://smalltownstitchin.blogspot.com/2014/01/small-valentines-freebie.html" target="_blank">"Be My Valentine" by Sandy at Stitchin' & Life in a Small Town</a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="https://thestitcherhood.com/freebies/" target="_blank">A trio of 3 Valentines by The Stitcherhood</a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="https://cottagegardensamplings.com/free-patterns" target="_blank">"Be Mine" by Cottage Garden Samplings </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="https://feathersinthenest.blogspot.com/2021/01/re-post-of-valentine-freebie-sampler.html" target="_blank">"Love Is All We Need" by Feathers in the Nest </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://www.drawnthread.com/Resources/Free%20Chart%20pdfs/AllYouNeedIsLove.pdf" target="_blank">"All You Need Is Love" by The Drawn Thread</a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://www.drawnthread.com/Resources/Free%20Chart%20pdfs/Je%20T'aime.pdf" target="_blank">"Je T'aime" by The Drawn Thread </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://theprimitivehare.blogspot.com/2014/01/freebie-love-never-fails.html" target="_blank">"Love Never Fails" by The Primitive Hare </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://www.theprimitivehare.com/free/valentine.pdf" target="_blank">"Valentine" by The Primitive Hare </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://www.passionericamo.eu/coeurdamour.pdf" target="_blank">"Coeur Mon Amour" by Passione Ricamo</a> </span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="http://lacontesselepointdecroix.blogspot.com/2023/02/love.html" target="_blank">"Love" by La Comtesse & le Point de Croix </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b><span><span style="color: #202124;"><a href="https://lacontesselepointdecroix.blogspot.com/2013/02/waiting-for-love.html" target="_blank">"Waiting For Love" by La Comtesse & le Point de Croix </a></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"> </span></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I mentioned that I had completed a large (for me) finish in my last post.</b> Well, just look at this handsome guy! At almost 9 inches tall, he is definitely the largest Santa I have stitched. This is the 2019 Twin Peak Santa from my friends at <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/748029606/twin-peak-santa-2019?click_key=826ee471d86f67a42d7daa6a1fe7ee3b57040580%3A748029606&click_sum=3012b53d&ga_search_query=2019&ref=shop_items_search_1&crt=1&sts=1" target="_blank">Twin Peak Primitives</a></b>. I fell in love with that blue robe (DMC 930) as soon as I saw him and just had to stitch him. Of course, that sweet red cardinal perched on the end of his staff called my name, too. He is stitched on 40 ct. summer khaki Newcastle with good old DMC threads. I did make some color changes to better work with my fabric. </span></span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5Ni419XPVGaW6zbKuC5g8URyGywmoCteDw2gCZJ59aNbzaiV8s27pAW0B25kfKJ-5jnwrFnFEDU3WI44rFHer_GV4LlYf2uPDemgeSIIkGI5aJU6TNyLyx4ZhohgF34oHOGIbF9anGZV6yO4QNPB8g924LCZAigUXt2IFlc8LxorFYZOBKgCvYLxBw/s640/IMG_9742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5Ni419XPVGaW6zbKuC5g8URyGywmoCteDw2gCZJ59aNbzaiV8s27pAW0B25kfKJ-5jnwrFnFEDU3WI44rFHer_GV4LlYf2uPDemgeSIIkGI5aJU6TNyLyx4ZhohgF34oHOGIbF9anGZV6yO4QNPB8g924LCZAigUXt2IFlc8LxorFYZOBKgCvYLxBw/w400-h400/IMG_9742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>"2019 Twin Peak Santa" finish</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtxDl0lfIeNyOlgGMeP5Kdy1x7sIzS48H4Cw_g9P-g_D0lSnKnKsjhCUtsX6WyiF0Kv0lTyC5oz0mhl0F9lDXY7nbE5CZvVQEtIksNrjWyC2aylBN7dPr0OPN2Zr9teFQusLa6kgeqtxAVYg-DUCsH7T7QzG8WxZQwqhcwL1XyhP6Ngv68nHLfUaC4w/s640/IMG_9743.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtxDl0lfIeNyOlgGMeP5Kdy1x7sIzS48H4Cw_g9P-g_D0lSnKnKsjhCUtsX6WyiF0Kv0lTyC5oz0mhl0F9lDXY7nbE5CZvVQEtIksNrjWyC2aylBN7dPr0OPN2Zr9teFQusLa6kgeqtxAVYg-DUCsH7T7QzG8WxZQwqhcwL1XyhP6Ngv68nHLfUaC4w/w400-h400/IMG_9743.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Love the cardinal and the pretty blue robe!<br /></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #202124;">The snowflakes were what I call a "happy mistake!" The chart originally had a bag of toys on the snow next to his staff, but I started the design in the wrong place and had to leave it out. I wanted to add a little something, though, so I basted a running stitch down each side of him and filled it with pretty snowflake designs found on some of my other charts and online. I love the final effect!</span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDFysSHST6YriP3YqPnj59fGfcx18hDN63w8OepIWmX7BZg3hQdmdKOprgE3QyyL-wOFUgtLEOBLrGzMuRuoJ5l8nnQwfFJvO2DdThPblfq8A3vjKePBjPYPQfXUl5WcDc9MetqxtKbd6t38_HFfwP1tEbi6FADyW3SYs3ufN2Wgu91iGl6FO_O1Z1w/s640/IMG_9744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDFysSHST6YriP3YqPnj59fGfcx18hDN63w8OepIWmX7BZg3hQdmdKOprgE3QyyL-wOFUgtLEOBLrGzMuRuoJ5l8nnQwfFJvO2DdThPblfq8A3vjKePBjPYPQfXUl5WcDc9MetqxtKbd6t38_HFfwP1tEbi6FADyW3SYs3ufN2Wgu91iGl6FO_O1Z1w/w400-h400/IMG_9744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I added the snowflakes on each side</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #202124;">This one will be framed--and I think I have a frame right in my stash that might work well. I just have to decide if I want to paint it or not. </span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_GXe5LksYByNZfmB-5qGIminr20r1TFUHrHhBfh7D9dkT24snUFp5bfXD9bxo-f16qa-Dck414ISEQQFJ2Y5okkUC6yL1bDaHFdb4IsuGWfYo5633ZBqF9SYd-Kn1C_DZtUtP3HwUfXppgG-piRaKndSR9EsM2Amjavh9zCUo-8iVjYOZBMVFtjDhw/s640/IMG_9745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_GXe5LksYByNZfmB-5qGIminr20r1TFUHrHhBfh7D9dkT24snUFp5bfXD9bxo-f16qa-Dck414ISEQQFJ2Y5okkUC6yL1bDaHFdb4IsuGWfYo5633ZBqF9SYd-Kn1C_DZtUtP3HwUfXppgG-piRaKndSR9EsM2Amjavh9zCUo-8iVjYOZBMVFtjDhw/w400-h400/IMG_9745.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>He has such a gentle face, doesn't he? And I love the subtle shading in his beard.<br /></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><b>What are you stitching this week? </b>Have any of you begun spring stitching like I have? I'm so enjoying the pretty pastel colors and hope to have a new finish to share with you at the end of the month.</span></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span style="color: #202124;"><b>Giveaway winner...</b> Wow! What a <b>great</b> response I had to last month's "Getting To Know You" question. I loved reading about your favorite quotes and have written down several of them (I keep a running list on my phone in Notepad so I can read them over whenever I need a lift). If you get a chance, go back to my previous post and read through the comments--lots of inspiration there! Thank you all for joining in! There were quite a few entries for the "Wintertime" chart by New York Dreamer and the name picked from the hat (well, really the bowl!) is...</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span><span><span style="color: #202124;">Heritage Hall</span></span></span></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"> </span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbx1UfXG1jJOyjtL5i0Yq4jgNZAegTbr-pTs2o_ktdjxdxUHrOP01hY5K1-wVSQ2SrbvtIkIRzjxL8Ld4Aj99sqU4W38iwMN9k1ZBx3TQvqllqnEkKWmEngDgjGun52as5QilY0NvyV9Y7ZYlZMjukDoXWGM0rF-81YNnBVqAl7wh1xH5lDGNxcu2sg/s1024/IMG_9827-001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbx1UfXG1jJOyjtL5i0Yq4jgNZAegTbr-pTs2o_ktdjxdxUHrOP01hY5K1-wVSQ2SrbvtIkIRzjxL8Ld4Aj99sqU4W38iwMN9k1ZBx3TQvqllqnEkKWmEngDgjGun52as5QilY0NvyV9Y7ZYlZMjukDoXWGM0rF-81YNnBVqAl7wh1xH5lDGNxcu2sg/w400-h400/IMG_9827-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Heritage Hall--you are the winner of this chart! Please email me with your mailing address and I'll get this out to you this week.<br /></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was the lucky recipient of a lovely package of gifts from Kay! I had loaned Kay a couple of charts and she surprised me with a delightful thank you package. Kay made me three little project notebooks with matching floss drops. I love the sweet fabrics she chose and her work is absolutely meticulous!</span></span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nJ7txhlOPyzVZLwoYHPxFMgURfV6-TsoL0RSJVZQ1xmjMOJEwfzBXc3oyaQR88sOY2FdyPV3SBZxo8kjGru9kkLSE3YUBfKqUt2mqOLk-N0pcKosYKgDECMzHRYg5bcnHGzQNj1iJLrPJSbcSknqW2EcOZEsVrp8ha0hCAvXFqjbKY98_uqeZhcACg/s800/IMG_0062.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nJ7txhlOPyzVZLwoYHPxFMgURfV6-TsoL0RSJVZQ1xmjMOJEwfzBXc3oyaQR88sOY2FdyPV3SBZxo8kjGru9kkLSE3YUBfKqUt2mqOLk-N0pcKosYKgDECMzHRYg5bcnHGzQNj1iJLrPJSbcSknqW2EcOZEsVrp8ha0hCAvXFqjbKY98_uqeZhcACg/w400-h400/IMG_0062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Such wonderful thank you gifts from Kay!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kay, obviously a multi-talented crafter, also made a very cute calendar for me with scrapbooking papers. Each month can be placed in the acrylic magnet which she included. Just look at all these twelve creative designs she came up with. The calendar now resides on my refrigerator and I hope to find more of those tiny monthly calendars to print up each month to use in future years. <b>Thank you so very much, Kay--I love each and every gift. </b></span></span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEw_N0wwkuxRZ2N1IUuwmPQdeoYvdHpNVdPk1_mh4OSS25s_8m4PFryBMCpFUYULauFyP8DXr394prf9YPaewDdhn0BwkyjSzMVg7lwEH86Axxs-O0q6Ls8oENnGg8AM7SDgKqOuzb1pHY4mq8ymTk8TyDIMmonE8qSIGUvDv4kVYDKqcQgUY4T6EIQ/s800/IMG_0064-002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEw_N0wwkuxRZ2N1IUuwmPQdeoYvdHpNVdPk1_mh4OSS25s_8m4PFryBMCpFUYULauFyP8DXr394prf9YPaewDdhn0BwkyjSzMVg7lwEH86Axxs-O0q6Ls8oENnGg8AM7SDgKqOuzb1pHY4mq8ymTk8TyDIMmonE8qSIGUvDv4kVYDKqcQgUY4T6EIQ/w400-h400/IMG_0064-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>An adorable new calendar page for each month! Thank you again, Kay--this is so special!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="color: #202124;">F</span></b><span><b><span style="color: #202124;">ebruary travels...</span></b></span><span><span><span style="color: #202124;">Well, the first of our February trips has come and gone and it was a bittersweet return to our family's flooded home in Naples, Florida. If you remember, Hurricane Ian flooded my husband's family home with four feet of water on September 28th. He and I emptied the house of its soggy, molding contents in mid-October (you can read about it in<a href="https://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/2022/10/mud-sweat-and-tears.html" target="_blank"><b> this post</b></a>) and this month we concentrated on cleaning out the garage. It was much easier as we didn't have to deal with that revolting, smelly water this time around. We made very good progress and even had time for a couple of walks to check out the beach. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv4zcvPH1x5rsLq4KBlySSzkm775o6cukb5aH6Zc0h8cS71c39dwHrJpz8JR-WFfvrutO8Fx1ggH0h8LpetHS2Zv_cgsz-t8JkNQKSMnjNwCzgd5mPnZN8_sXpKL9Ss1HrLKpUlKPyj_n1GmvBbYljOblHlwHFh1yJsNSEREh5YZC8NyM0g4JyUSkmw/s1024/IMG_9879.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv4zcvPH1x5rsLq4KBlySSzkm775o6cukb5aH6Zc0h8cS71c39dwHrJpz8JR-WFfvrutO8Fx1ggH0h8LpetHS2Zv_cgsz-t8JkNQKSMnjNwCzgd5mPnZN8_sXpKL9Ss1HrLKpUlKPyj_n1GmvBbYljOblHlwHFh1yJsNSEREh5YZC8NyM0g4JyUSkmw/w400-h400/IMG_9879.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>As we walked to the beach, this statue captured my eye. It's called "Inner Dialogue" by Jim Rennert. The description online says it's "a metaphor to remind us of the subconscious conversations we are constantly having with ourselves." Love it!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYLCwzqF1_lzZGIvKX5wRm3M5kd7CE2GsJnXWOPIGXBLxE5VDZZCZKu1GwdtXr4rNlSYhEOam2VJuRApdXYfqVLR_W85nDtAYz1vxhKskh6K6kRk90A8q-uAhfrP1sXDi-zVaB-9t13YTpysMCFGHQ0LKqx3f9PYOzeK7H5NNNmY3fDhh305eRLaHOw/s1024/IMG_9881.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYLCwzqF1_lzZGIvKX5wRm3M5kd7CE2GsJnXWOPIGXBLxE5VDZZCZKu1GwdtXr4rNlSYhEOam2VJuRApdXYfqVLR_W85nDtAYz1vxhKskh6K6kRk90A8q-uAhfrP1sXDi-zVaB-9t13YTpysMCFGHQ0LKqx3f9PYOzeK7H5NNNmY3fDhh305eRLaHOw/w400-h400/IMG_9881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Sadly, the beautiful Naples beach is still a bit of a mess. The beach access points were either closed or in a shambles from the hurricane. The foliage still looks beaten and gray. And the sand, once so white and pristine, seemed dirty and uneven.</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBF-mMCJ-qZG3SWc2QvZnGugm5KEykOHzHMq47T0xp2jWPRqjQf385WGZzo_j69x_X-lJOcuN3QJOSTVHzRQ3bd8PN7lKw7wNO9CgEQkuMDu0JMC0efUGn7BTswYGnONqpQAZozITlcWj8cXqC93Imi5TLuCfQIcmm1Tiq4tlNtS1UyHGU49CJy8m0w/s1024/IMG_9889.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBF-mMCJ-qZG3SWc2QvZnGugm5KEykOHzHMq47T0xp2jWPRqjQf385WGZzo_j69x_X-lJOcuN3QJOSTVHzRQ3bd8PN7lKw7wNO9CgEQkuMDu0JMC0efUGn7BTswYGnONqpQAZozITlcWj8cXqC93Imi5TLuCfQIcmm1Tiq4tlNtS1UyHGU49CJy8m0w/w400-h400/IMG_9889.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>This group of birds didn't seem to care that a hurricane had drastically changed the beach, though! Aren't they adorable? </b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNocd9RLQGqoB1nysMmKw4nuHZz3rmTV7pXBB065qL6fskXcxvaRQ-lOGwGl7_20r4xhAp3A0nPcui4pNwEl88Ld-gCvi-XT0h0Q2CacJR5DBpj20OwMLLHW5E_cPCSEX6TaqoUSvLP2Msr1bauxIA8TlN91qO0PVQ7ezRdzdcUIQouFSB3goRAhBkg/s1024/IMG_9883.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNocd9RLQGqoB1nysMmKw4nuHZz3rmTV7pXBB065qL6fskXcxvaRQ-lOGwGl7_20r4xhAp3A0nPcui4pNwEl88Ld-gCvi-XT0h0Q2CacJR5DBpj20OwMLLHW5E_cPCSEX6TaqoUSvLP2Msr1bauxIA8TlN91qO0PVQ7ezRdzdcUIQouFSB3goRAhBkg/w400-h400/IMG_9883.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It felt so good to feel the warmth of the sunshine and walk along the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0zqw20rT6rI2pkUQO_b_EftDA9KOHyYRwDcYD-YPtIrcDrA04IDOu8-K4z1abow3dUUcLGufdW2hLEtKdtaap8_WWFdTfOzKMHKm1V7ck7R33BGMjbVsSIu13AmBgc-IfaJkZf2KpVuJGX3FF9JYwgvtVZI248FF_hjCeefwUc0GS6KtK7aI7lmLhg/s415/IMG_9886.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="415" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0zqw20rT6rI2pkUQO_b_EftDA9KOHyYRwDcYD-YPtIrcDrA04IDOu8-K4z1abow3dUUcLGufdW2hLEtKdtaap8_WWFdTfOzKMHKm1V7ck7R33BGMjbVsSIu13AmBgc-IfaJkZf2KpVuJGX3FF9JYwgvtVZI248FF_hjCeefwUc0GS6KtK7aI7lmLhg/w400-h400/IMG_9886.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>A trio of pretty white ibises scoured the waves looking for their next meal.</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YRp3iRDd3PRRhKiifoIJvIOcCKcUN-kFZNp7av1nJLj6FbuoABtSCCn3-EsBQNWOucF1_CQ9hfH827cCmSiGbuh3DEc37I-NCYOcrGNpF8I-VP0SdP-t7WRB88HJPjobnzPVErqRxv9W6mZpBbhKrlNAdC7GjU89oWLXQNU5iy6DCWk7MXRJnyPfVg/s800/IMG_9994.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YRp3iRDd3PRRhKiifoIJvIOcCKcUN-kFZNp7av1nJLj6FbuoABtSCCn3-EsBQNWOucF1_CQ9hfH827cCmSiGbuh3DEc37I-NCYOcrGNpF8I-VP0SdP-t7WRB88HJPjobnzPVErqRxv9W6mZpBbhKrlNAdC7GjU89oWLXQNU5iy6DCWk7MXRJnyPfVg/w400-h400/IMG_9994.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I thought there were more pretty shells on the beach than in past years. Not sure if it was from the hurricane stirring up the waters and sand or what. When I got home, I photographed the ones I picked up on a piece of black Jobelan. </b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_-9sRbGc03Cg7it_f-xdOYUuahWe4wcuHA-oq8hePIAwz-q2wpvPH7tGu8yQnfv-So3zPslU9puYtHrOVwLjrs0crEx-6KXCpe37tdF9Lo0j3arT3X9DeAPrv9pGaoidHCfj63h7Gzo7uickt-122I64oIjHl0pmnyFHfj4gwyYUaUVJGWEgke8rrw/s800/IMG_0256-1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_-9sRbGc03Cg7it_f-xdOYUuahWe4wcuHA-oq8hePIAwz-q2wpvPH7tGu8yQnfv-So3zPslU9puYtHrOVwLjrs0crEx-6KXCpe37tdF9Lo0j3arT3X9DeAPrv9pGaoidHCfj63h7Gzo7uickt-122I64oIjHl0pmnyFHfj4gwyYUaUVJGWEgke8rrw/w400-h300/IMG_0256-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The shells that I picked up and photographed on the black fabric reminded me of a smaller version of this shell table. It was created by my husband's grandmother and passed down through the family. Unfortunately, it, too, was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September.<br /></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Sadly, someone had broken into the Florida house and something very special to our family was stolen.</b> Do you see this window-like opening into the bathroom? <b>Well, that once contained a colorful stained glass window which was made by my mother-in-law and some rotten person came in and stole it.</b> I mean, honestly... talk about adding insult to injury! We had planned on removing it on our next visit--we simply ran out of time in October. I just shake my head with disgust when things like this happen. They left other things that could have been stolen--light fixtures, faucets, etc.<b> But, they stole the one thing that remained that had a personal significance to our family...</b></span></span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vZ0JQrp_nMo7kQEnaj5ms9EelnDf48NAWKAYBCctBiznodGBHde0X-k6AKeFBuCCyufjzDet7vJGkcjFQDQp4WFLPpW3YekY4h9Nk9vwHyotYPRY_IXIBJT1adIGC3cw8_bzDj6XlRMkvzUMZ7sZdxOV4Hn-2hKWJX1Hp8jL4C___W3QSmBMHkI05Q/s800/IMG_9949.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vZ0JQrp_nMo7kQEnaj5ms9EelnDf48NAWKAYBCctBiznodGBHde0X-k6AKeFBuCCyufjzDet7vJGkcjFQDQp4WFLPpW3YekY4h9Nk9vwHyotYPRY_IXIBJT1adIGC3cw8_bzDj6XlRMkvzUMZ7sZdxOV4Hn-2hKWJX1Hp8jL4C___W3QSmBMHkI05Q/w400-h400/IMG_9949.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The empty space left by a thief who stole the beautiful stained glass window right out of the wall!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thankfully, I had taken a photo of the stained glass when we were renting the house on Airbnb. My mother-in-law surely spent many, many hours creating this lovely window with the little fish swimming among the sea grasses. When I think of how the house used to look before the hurricane, I just have to block it out of my mind... it simply hurts too much. <b>As I said many times before, it was a true blessing that neither my father-in-law or mother-in-law were alive to see what happened to their Florida home. </b></span></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_Gq-d4RJPY0N9y0OnYeJGEQ_mMs-jLecAV9IhQK5r6jNXuj0Ek9-C_qAPM2kuO-JSy6_8xZmVTcfkx3pedFCGRKhCkpxXDjoSr24UNC_2z7ZDX4h3486qxp8lmHFQpOztV6qikKVaRy0Cmfx1Pea6hsIVnefh32dqEB6fhOnUWrtITc2iI7i4LjAaA/s800/IMG_0483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_Gq-d4RJPY0N9y0OnYeJGEQ_mMs-jLecAV9IhQK5r6jNXuj0Ek9-C_qAPM2kuO-JSy6_8xZmVTcfkx3pedFCGRKhCkpxXDjoSr24UNC_2z7ZDX4h3486qxp8lmHFQpOztV6qikKVaRy0Cmfx1Pea6hsIVnefh32dqEB6fhOnUWrtITc2iI7i4LjAaA/w400-h400/IMG_0483.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>This stained glass window created by my mother-in-law was stolen from the flooded home in Florida some time over the past few months. </b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span style="color: #202124;"><b> poppet and some puppets..</b>. We arrived home from Florida last weekend and guess who arrived just three days later?! My grandson,"Mister B," and his mom and dad came for a four day visit! He just lights up our lives when he visits--life sure would be boring without him around! Here he is at a local "indoor playground" interacting with a puppet. He just had the biggest smile on his face!</span></span></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oR6fYo-0w_POD1NIYmV2zq4TqQROGx8jvBeaE9mfjxWRIs8U4MEbKni30O42UecaObdRbKtdiiNOO6HgkQzDMrV6quryGcC8sLDd--_lEhvtxNjRbpJ5sq604qYdUWUKLJTu1PfTkhwQhBAZB5CY4_f0r-yPDADtDOTcM6tP01peoogeKtf9s_LJeg/s640/IMG_0034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oR6fYo-0w_POD1NIYmV2zq4TqQROGx8jvBeaE9mfjxWRIs8U4MEbKni30O42UecaObdRbKtdiiNOO6HgkQzDMrV6quryGcC8sLDd--_lEhvtxNjRbpJ5sq604qYdUWUKLJTu1PfTkhwQhBAZB5CY4_f0r-yPDADtDOTcM6tP01peoogeKtf9s_LJeg/w400-h400/IMG_0034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>A friendly wizard puppet...</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #202124;"><b>Unfortunately, all puppets are not created equal</b> and his experience at a Japanese puppet performance at the local children's museum the following day was the complete opposite. I think the performance was meant for older kids as he was <b>terrified</b>... He questioned if "the boy" was going to "get him," asked to "go home to Pompaw's and Nonna's house," and said he "wanted to hide." Poor little boy... I wasn't there, but my son and daughter-in-law obviously didn't stay for the entire performance. When he got home he told me all about the "boy who looked like a skeleton!" <br /></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCbboVjN9K4dR8huevpssDWMsIeqRINcD0HeZ_b1CTG5UhwqMQsgFGzWkkrmU9g4Hg6VmT5M-bEXNgUJ0y1q_lzhMvWoM7y7yxi_SNuGbIH3H83GjSeHIGXiNPd4qk1si8yeSP6pje0MS0kGUbmYed3q-5Qh0I0umMsigTfqZtzg7iGj8yR3O0_OuyQ/s324/image000000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCbboVjN9K4dR8huevpssDWMsIeqRINcD0HeZ_b1CTG5UhwqMQsgFGzWkkrmU9g4Hg6VmT5M-bEXNgUJ0y1q_lzhMvWoM7y7yxi_SNuGbIH3H83GjSeHIGXiNPd4qk1si8yeSP6pje0MS0kGUbmYed3q-5Qh0I0umMsigTfqZtzg7iGj8yR3O0_OuyQ/w400-h400/image000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>... and a scary looking puppet--at least for a two-year-old!</b></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #202124;">So, it's been a busy February for us so far. My grandson is being baptized later this month so we'll be traveling for that as well. It should be interesting to see how he reacts to the priest and the holy water. Hmmm... I'll keep you posted! </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to remind everyone who has a question for me to please include your email address--or better yet, email me directly (my email address is in the my profile in the sidebar under "A Bit About Me"). I hope that, however you celebrate Valentine's Day, you enjoy yourselves. Eat some chocolate, watch a "feel-good" movie, treat yourself to a little something special--you deserve it! Take care my friends! Bye for now...</span></span></b></span></span></p>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10368237913096460512noreply@blogger.com36