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.)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

 

The temperatures started dropping this weekend and right now it is -29C (feels like -38C with the windchill).  Perfect weekend for IHSW.  I did have to work Saturday morning and we went out Sunday to a movie (Lincoln - excellent!!!!!) and dinner but I managed to finish up 2 LHN ornaments:

 Pattern: Hot Chocolate

Designer: Diane Williams - Little House Needleworsks

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28ct Tin Roof Gingham Linen from WDW

  

Pattern: Gingerbread Village

Designer: Diane Williams - Little House Needleworks

Threads: DMC, CC

Fabric: 30 ct Tin Roof Linen from WDW

I also added some stitches on 2 other ornaments.   One for Winter -   Let It Snow - Barbara Ana Designs

and one for Valentine's Day - Bee Mine - Barbara Ana Designs (the freebie can be found at CyberStitchers.com).

I also participated in the Grow Your Blog party hosted by Vicki of Two Bags Full.  See the post at the top.  I having a giveaway that closes at midnight (CST) January 31st.  All you have to do is make a comment on the Let's Party Grow Your Blog post (only that post, please!!)

There were almost 400 participants and I visited a number of them over the weekend and I am still trying to visit them all (give me a week or two).

When I hopped over to Vicki's blog, I read about her Pink Scarf Project and decided it was something I would like to participate in.  I was going to Michaels after work I pick up some pink yarn started knitting the following:

The yarn is Patons - Lace Sequin and the pattern is a freebie from their website called Delicate Cables Scarf.

Early this month I finished 2 dishcloths and this weekend I started a third.

Lacy Scallops Cloth by Janet Nogle

 

Autumn's Country Quilt

Before I forget I have my first finish for 2013 - a Halloween ornament.

Pattern: Trick or Kitty Treat

Designer: Michelle M. Lash - Brittercup Designs (JCS October 2008

Fabric: 28ct Linen

Thread: DMC

Embellishments: Dress it Up Buttons -  1202-Things That Make You Go Boo Collection

Well, it is getting late and I have to work tomorrow so I am going to sign off now.   Good Night and Happy Stitching!!!!

Thank you for visiting!!!

Time For an Update

It has been a busy few days but things have quieted down now so I thought I would post an update.

I will start first with the last exchange I participated in through the Stitched with Love Exchanges - Christmas Stitches. My partner to send to was Shannon and this is what I sent her:

 Feelin' Festive © Lizzie*Kate

 Silly Snowquake © Erynne Chard

The following is what I received from Renee:

 The mini tree skirt is so adorable.  I put it around my 2000 years ago tree:

The little Nutcracker ornament was promptly added to my Nutcracker tree:

I spent the last few days before Christmas Eve finishing the X's & O's scarf for my DH.  He absolutely loved it. (It was so funny.   I was stitching this in the den while watching TV with him and he didn't even notice.)

X's & O's scarf © Fiddle Knits Designs

On Boxing Day (Dec. 26th) my DH braved the cold and drove to Michael's (a 10 minute drive) just after 7:00 in the morning.  He wanted to buy a couple of canvases  and I purchased some ruffled yarn to knit scarves.  The canvases and the yarn were already on sale with a coupon for additional 25% on everything including sale items it was worth getting up early on a day off.

I started stitching the 1st scarf on Wednesday.  It was a little tricky getting the hang of stitching with this type of yarn but after a few false starts I think I have a handle on it now.   I am thinking of making a bunch for Christmas gifts next year.

This year I once again participated in the Christmas Card Exchange at 123 Stitch Message Board.  I just love seeing all the lovely different cards on display.  There were over 75 participants.

I joined 3 ornament SALs for 2013.   Christmas Ornament SAL 2013 and Halloween Ornament SAL 2013 (both hosted by Elaine who hosts Stitched with Love Exchanges) and Ornament SAL (this one entails all types of ornaments - Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc.) hosted by Silverlotus.

Before I sign off, I thought I would show you my progress on the Mini So Many Books, So Little Time.  I worked on it yesterday and today.

I wish you all the best in the New Year!!!!!!

Thank you for visiting!!!!

Stitch, Knit, Read, Repeat

My stitching has slowed down a bit in the past few weeks but I have managed to finish up 3 more ornaments.

Pattern: Star Crystal

Designer: Mill Hill

Fabric: Blue perforated paper

Thread: DMC

Accessories: MH Beads, MH Treasure

v

Pattern: It's Snow Cold

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 30ct WDW Tin Roof Linen

Thread: DMC

Pattern: Winter Forest

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 30 ct WDW Cocoa Linen

Thread: DMC

I am still working on the dishcloth I started 2 weeks and I pulled out a scarf that I started in 2008 and

I hope to finish by Christmas.  (I think 4 years is long enough to work on a scarf.)

 

I haven't been reading as much as I did over the summer but I am still trying to reach 100 books for this year. I am currently at 84. I am right now reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.  I have also started an new mystery series -  MAGDALENE LA BÂTARDE MYSTERIES.  I am currently listening to the 2nd book in the Series - A Personal Devil.  I am rather enjoying them.

Happy Stitching!!!!

Thank you for visiting!!!!

 


 

TUSAL and Craft Camp

Late again with my TUSAL update (I will try to get back on track next month):

The jar is getting pretty full.  I am going to have to push the threads down again.

I spent the weekend at a Craft Camp.  It was an event organized by a friend and fellow Guider.  Our group included quilters, scrapbookers, cardmakers, knitters, crossstitchers and sewers (clothing).  We all gathered together at the Austin Circle Square Ranch and spent the weekend indulging in the crafts we love.

The place is a summer camp for children and youth that rents out to other groups during the off season.  As you can tell from my pictures it is set up like old western town.

This is the sleeping quarters. (Don't you think that there should be a row of horses rather than mini vans and SUVs.)

Here is where we were quite well fed.  Friday night's snack was fruit, cheese and cookies.  Saturday breakfast -fruit, pancakes and sausage.  Lunch - Taco Salad.  Supper - Chicken, baked potatoes, green beans and carrots and coleslaw.  Sunday brunch included fruit, toast, scrambled eggs, ham and hash browns.

The place where we did the crafting was situation under the General Store shown in the above picture.

I managed to finish up an item for a Christmas Exchange and worked on the following.

LHN's It's Snow Cold

MH - Star Crystal

I will be backing it with felt before I cut it out and add the the beaded hanger and tassel.

Knitted Dishcloth - Autumn's Country Quilt by Sue Schaefer http://www.harvestmoonupperroom.blogspot.com

All and all it was a fun and productive weekend shared with good friends.

Till next time, take care and happy stitching.

Thank you for visiting!!!!