Summer is over, I'm retired and I'm back!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!!

It has been a looooonnnnnggg time since I lasted posted - almost 2 years.   As stated in my post title - I have recently retired and I am still adjusting to this new phase of my life (the past 3 months I have spent mostly out at our trailer so up to now it has been more of an extended vacation).  However, one thing I thought I would like to do now that my time is my own, is to start blogging again.

I know that the big thing now is Flosstube.   While I have contemplated doing one I am not sure I am ready - too many ifs, ands and buts.

I love watching Flosstube, though.  I am latecomer to the Flosstube scene - only started to watch them on a regular basis in January.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am the type that needs to see everybody's videos right from the beginning.   Therefore, I have been doing a lot of binge watching as I add to my list of favourites.   I really enjoy listening to fellow stitchers talk about their stitching and how it makes them feel (a lot of which I can relate to), seeing what they are working on and how they finish them (Yvonne (The Night Owl Stitcher) and Priscilla (Priscilla & Chelsea) really rock.) and getting a peek at their current stash and recent acquisitions.  The only problem I have with Flosstube is it what is has done to my wallet😀.

If you are familiar with my blog you will know that I am a Serial Starter and more of a process stitcher rather than progress.  While I love finishes (who doesn't and since I generally work on small to medium size projects, I get enough of those throughout the year). I mostly love how stitching makes me feel (contented) and being able to stitch on whatever I want when I want.   No deadlines for this gal and no guilt at how many WIPS I have (they will get done when they get done.)

While I am still working on establishing a routine in most aspects of my new retired life, I have establish one in my stitching life.  It is a result of becoming more active on Instagram (@lorettacarmensusanna) and watching Flosstube.   My weeks generally works like this:

Sundays(#santasundayxs) and Mondays(#merrymondayxs)

On Sundays & Mondays I work on anything Christmas related.  Christmas along with animals and birds are my favourite themes.   As you may recall I like to do a variety of Christmas ornaments that I put in a basket and let my family pick one for themselves.

This is how my basket looks right now and I am still working on adding some more.

I currently stitching on ornaments a friend asked me to stitch for her when she saw the ones I stitched last year.  I normally don't do this but since they are smalls I am okay with it.

   

They are the Penquin 1 & 2 by Vee and Co Cross Stitch Designs.  I am doing 2 of each design.  I finished 1 (still needs to be fully finished) and started a second.

Altough the fabric looks bluish on my screen it is a more greenish opalescent 28ct fabric.  It was in my stash with no label so I don't know where I got it from or what the actual colour name.

Tuesdays & Thursdays (#surprisewipseptember)

On these 2 days I use a android  app called Decision Roulette to pick one my many WIPS to work on that day.  I don't have all my WIPS entered on the wheel yet but I am working on it.

Wednesday (#witchywednesdayxs)

Wednesdays are reserved for Halloween stitching.  I am currently working on Early Witches by The Primitive Hare.   It was originally a Mystery SAL in 2015 that I joined and that is close to being finished. (See I told you that the WIPS would eventually get done.)

Fridays (#fallfridayxs)

Currently Fridays are for Fall Stitching.  Eventually I might do other seasons of the year.  My current project is Seasons in Chalk Art: Fall by Hands on Design (based on the Artwork by Priscilla Blain) from the October 2016 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine.

 Saturdays (no #) 

Saturdays are reserved for Canadiana stitching.  I recently finished the Canadian Patriotic Snippets by Jeannette Douglas Designs and now working on Cross Canada Cross Stitch by Many Flowers Design Company (no longer available.)

Well, I think I have rambled on enough.  I will be back (hopefully tomorrow) with more pics and what I have been up to stitchywise.

Take care and happy stitching!!!!

Stitching, Knitting, Reading, Sunrises and Margaritas

We have been on holidays out at our trailer for the last 2 weeks (back to work on Tuesday) and we are in city for a few hours to do some grocery shopping, cut the grass, do some laundry, etc. so I thought I do an update here. It is long overdue, I know.

I am currently participating in 2 Halloween exchanges - on on the 123 Stitch Message Board and through a new group called Stitch, Create, Exchange now that the Stitched with Love Exchanges group has closed.   I finished the piece for the 123 exchange and currently working on the one for SCE.

I am also working on 2 Mystery Samplers (although the mysteries have long been revealed).  The first one is LHN's Song of The Seasons and the BRD's Blue Jeans and Daisies.

The Ist part of the L*K Christmas Mystery Sampler - Holly & Hearts has been shipped so I really need to get 'needling' on these 2.   But I am my own worst enemy.   When I saw the preview of the new limited edition kit from the St. Charles Needlework Market - Forget-Me-Not  by Country Stitches/With Thy Needle & Thread, I had to preorder it.  It arrived last week and naturally I had to start it.  But first I had to coffee dye the fabric in the kit.

 Before,

 during,

after

and then my first stiches. (The colour is off here it is more like the above "after" picture.)

I am also finishing up another scarf for the Pink Scarf Project.  I have 2 more on the go.  I hope to have them in the mail by Monday.

Free Pattern from Bernat using Boa - Chick

I finished reading and listening the following novels:
The Curse of the Pharoahs - Elizabeth Peters (audiobook)
The Tudor Secret - C. W. Gortner
The Red Queen - Philippa Gregory (audiobook)
To The Nines - Janet Evanovich
Ice Cold - Tess Gerritsen (e-book)
The Scarecrow - Michael Connelly (audiobook)
The Silent Girl - Tess Gerritsen (e-book)
The Swan Thieves - Elizabeth Kostova (audiobook)
A Cookbook Conspiracy - Kate Carlisle 

I am currently listening to The Trouble Man by Henning Mankell and reading Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen.

But before you think I have just been sitting on my backside I have continued my daily walks that I started several weeks ago.  I was getting up at 6:00 am to walk the dog before going into work.  I am not getting up as early right now because my DH wants to join me (there has been bear sitings and he doesn't want me walking alone) and he is not by nature an early riser (though he does surprise me on occasion.)

When I started  my early morning walks I also started taking a picture to wish everyone a  "Good Morning" on Facebook.   Although my walks are a little later in the day right now, I am still getting up at sunrise to get my good morning picture.

The weather was still quite hot the first week (hot enough for Margaritas, even) but now it is getting cooler.   But I love it out there, regardless.  No matter what the weather.   I reallyenjoy watching the geese starting their migration, watching the squirrels and the bluejays also getting ready for winter.

Well, that is it for now.  Take care and happy stitching.

Thanks for visiting!!!!

 

Let's Party - Grow Your Blog Party

 Giveaway Winner - Emma/Itzy

This post has been edited so that it stays to the top until February 1, 2013. For any new post between January 19, 2013 and February 1, 2013 check below.) 

It is time to sit back with a glass of wine, a cup of tea or a mug of hot chocolate and start blog hopping to meet new friends and visit some old. (Click on the logo below to go the host blog 2 Bags Full for a list of the participants in this Party.)

To those of you new to my blog, my name is Loretta and I started this blog on September 1st, 2007 to make a visual recording of my cross-stitching projects.   I tend to work on several projects at a time - some are finished in a timely manner and some take years (and years!)  I don't have a deadline on my projects anymore (except for those I do for exchanges) .  They are done when they are done. (Less stress that way which makes sense since I use stitching as a stress reliever.)

My preferred stitching themes are Christmas (my favourite time of the year), Halloween and Wildlife - especially birds.  I also like some Samplers and the occasional primitive.

Below are pictures of some of my most treasured pieces that I have stitched over the years.

In recent years I have added knitting to my repertoire - mostly dishcloths and scarves - as I try to hone my skills for bigger projects.  I also love to read and I keep a list of books I have read here.  You may occasionally see a recipe or two thrown in (as I also enjoy cooking and baking) along with a sprinkling of  vacation pics.

I will end today's prose with a giveaway.  It is a set of 6 Prairie Schooler Santas - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2008 and 2010.

This giveaway is open to everyone - whether you are a follower or not.  All you need to do is leave a comment on this post only.  Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - leave your email address if I can't access your email through your profile.

I will be announcing the winner on February 1st so you have until midnight (CST) on January 31st to enter.

Good Luck!!!!

Thank you for visiting!!!

(I try to respond to everyone's comments via email.  If  you come through with a No Reply email address I will post a reply in the comment section of the blog.)

Holidays are almost over :(

One more day and then it is back to work!  :(  Holidays are over!!! We came home a day early (yesterday) because I came down with a cold (What a way to end a perfectly glorious holiday - Just my luck!!!!) I really enjoyed this the past two weeks doing the things I love - spending time with my DH, cross-stitching and reading.

I managed to finish a four projects in the past few days:

 Pattern:  Red Alphabet

Designer: Sheepish Designs  

Fabric: 28ct linen (1 over 1)

Thread: Unknown (misplaced tag)

 Pattern:  Hearts of Canada - New Brunswick

Designer: The Victoria Sampler

Fabric: 28ct evenweave

Thread: DMC, Kreinik

 Pattern:  Reading with Jane(freebie)

Designer: The Sampler Girl 

Fabric: 40 ct linen (1 over 2)

Thread:  Soie d'alger

Pattern: Starlight Ghost
Designer: Mill Hill

Fabric: 28ct evenweave

Thread: DMC, Kreinik

I also worked on a couple of Christmas Ornaments and added a few more stitches on It's Berry Time.

Don't Peek by Little by Little Designs (JCS 2004 Special Christmas Issue)

Deck The Halls by Little House Needleworks
 

 

Even had time to had a little time to knit some more dishcloths.  I didn't press them yet so they are a little off kilter.

 Ramen Noodle Knitted Dishcloth - Little House in the Suburbs 

Pattern came be found under "Crafts - Knitting Patterns"

 Rippling Diag by Janet Nogle

Daimonds with Moss Cloth by Janet Nogle

I listened to 3 audiobooks while stitching and knitting:

Simple Genius - David Baldacci
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
Persuasion - Jane Austen

and read

The White Queen - Philippa Gregory

Well that was my holiday.   And outside of the cold (and now a bit of poison ivy - from the dog) it was everything I wanted it to be.

Take care and happy stitching!!!!!

It's Rhubarb Time!!!!!!!

Well, it has only been a day since my last post and here I am again. Not bad!!!! Today I spent more time baking then stitching.  We have a rhubarb plant in our back garden and I decided to use it up today.

First I made my all time favourite recipe with rhubarb - Rhubarb Strawberry Pie (I was lazy today and decided to not to do a lattice top):

Rhubarb Strawberry Pie

 

And then I made a Rhubarb Matrimonial cake.  I use the recipe from Home for Dinner. (I made a mistake and used white sugar instead of brown for the bottom and top).  Otherwise I followed the recipe as written with the blog owner's changes - more oats, less sugar.

The only stitching I did today was on It's Berry Time from Blackbird Designs (Loose Feathers).

Thank you to all those that read  and commented on my post yesterday.  It was greatly appreciated.  Take care and happy stitching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

More Christmas Goodies!!!

I had a wonderful day today - stitching, decorating and making more Christmas goodies.

Last Sunday I made my Christstollen.

And today I made Molasses Cookies (my DH likes these):

and some Marble Almond Bar.

I currently baking Artisan Semolina Buns for Christmas Eve. (I will be freezing them.) And I am trying to decide whether or not to make the Shortbread tonight or tomorrow.  I will let you what I decided tomorrow.   

My main tree in the living room is almost finished.  My DH still has to put the Angel on top (he said he would do it tomorrow - the procrastinator!!!) and I think there are still a few ornaments that I haven't brought up from the basement.  I will post a pic when it is all finished. 

I have three of my ornaments ready to ornamentify (I love this "new" word :) - I have seen it used a couple of times this week).  The Different Drummer just needs some backstitching and beading to be done and then that one will be done too.   I will post some pics tomorrow.

Well that is it for now!  Take care and happy stitching!!!!!

Tying up Loose Ends(Part II) - Christmas Ornaments

The following are the last of the Christmas Ornaments I did for 2010:

MH16-9301 Naughty - 2009 Mill Hill

This is the companion to the "Nice" ornament I stitched earlier. My niece and her fiance picked them both for their tree.


The next 2 are ornaments I did for 2 Christmas Exchanges. The first was through the San-Man Originals Message Board (I had the same partner as I had for the HalloFall Exchange - Loriana). The 2nd was for the Canadiana Christmas Exchange through the 123 Stitch Message Board.

Merry Christmas - Barbara Ana Designs

This is what Loriana sent me. The lovely Poinsettia ornament is currently hanging off the garland on my stair banister.

Holiday Wishes © 2009 Angie Kowalsky (Linen Flowers Designs)

The following is what Patty sent to me for this exchange. The Nutcracker is a welcome addition to my Nutcraker tree. I currently looking for something to stitch to put in the Snowman frame.

The next 3 ornaments are what I stitched to give to the host/hostesses of the 2 Christmas Open Houses we attended at the beginning of December.

Winter Wishes (Happiness) by Belinda Karls-Nace (Blue Ribbon Designs)

Rudolph ABC (P&K) by Lucie Heaton (These were stitched for the children Payton & Kieran)

The last pictures are of the last ornament I stitched for 2010. It is my first attempt at Humbug.

Frosted Berlingot by Nancy Pederson

I had one more finish for 2010 but I forgot to take a picture before giving it to my nephew. It was a set of 4 coasters with the 4 suits from playing cards. It is a design by Ursula Michaels that I downloaded from Patterns Online. The patterns are from the leaflet Ante Up. These coasters were the result of a conversation we had at a family dinner early in 2010. He joked about me not stitching him anything. He later mentioned he needed coasters and I said I could make him some coaster and asked what theme he would like. He said something to do with poker. When he opened his gift he remember the conversation and was quite pleased.

Happy Stitching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!