Fall Stitching and A Thumb!

 I have moved on with my stitching to Fall. Over the years I've stitched a few for the seasonal bowl, but need quite a few more to fill in. This was a very quick stitch with pretty Fall colors.

 

Give Thanks

Lizzie Kate

c. 2018

30 ct. linen sand

2 over 2

I have lots of little scraps of linen or evenweave.  Most are usable for small designs, but not quite big enough to use Q-snaps or a hoop.  Since I have never really been able to stitch in hand, I came up with a solution.  Many of you may already be doing this.  I cut strips of cloth and baste onto the linen on all 4 sides (or one, two or three). That makes it easier to use the hoop or Q-snap to hold the fabric tighter. I really like to look through my tiny pieces and use them first before cutting into a larger piece.

Only 4 inches by 5 inches!

 

Here is an example of using the strips on 2 sides. (I really do need to finish these PS Santas!!)

I'm on a roll! Here is another little Fall finish. Such a quick one, too! A little freebie that came with an online order a while back, I think.  It has the same name as my last finish! Since I still had the threads out from it I just used the same ones, as the chart didn't give any specific colors. Turned out cute!

 

Give Thanks

Hands On Design

c. 2019

18 ct. khaki Davos

2 over 1

Well, I have a problem with my right thumb...I have a trigger finger/thumb.  Last July I was hanging a window blind and it fell on my right hand across the base of my thumb on the back of my hand. No problem then.  But, the next morning when I woke up my thumb was doing the trigger thing.  I knew what it was because my hubby has had that problem with several of his fingers. It wasn't bad and I just let it go for a while until it really did get painful and would stick in position and was hard to bend back. In October I went to an orthopedic hand doctor and got an injection of cortisone into the base of the thumb. It helped right away and I was good for 6 months.  One morning in April I woke up and it was starting to lock again, but not very bad.  Now, it's starting to hurt, swell and it's harder to unlock.  I have an  appointment for another injection in a few weeks.  Surgery could be an option down the road, but I'll put that off as long as possible!

A Little Update

 Time is flying by! It's over half way through June already! I have a few more finishes to share. These really are the last of the patriotic stitches for the time being! I have pulled out some finishing fabrics and hope to sit down and get all of the ones stitched lately into little display pieces.  

 

Let Freedom Ring

Lizzie Kate

28 ct. Ginnie Thompson Linen Plus (tea dyed)

2 over 2

 

And, since it has been a while since stitching a PS Santa, it was time for another. Of course, I pulled out the patriotic one from my stash.  Love it!

 

Prairie Schooler Annual Santa 2002

c. 2002

25 ct. Mushroom Lugana

1 over 1

 

And, since it is time to move on with the seasons, I stitched one that was kitted up for a while and sitting in the bottom of my suitcase. I always have a few small "kits" to take with me in case I run out of something to work on! As you can see, there is not much extra room to use for finishing, but I liked this piece of linen that I dyed with hazelnut shells, so I'm going to do the best I can.  It's stitched with Victorian Motto thread in Barn Red.  Not a true red but I think it's sweet.  Hopefully I can find or might even have a great fabric to finish it with. A free pattern, found here.

 

Valentine

The Primitive Hare

C. 2012

30 ct. linen (hazelnut shell dyed)

2 over 2

 

 

It's been sooo hot here this week! Where we live there are four distinct seasons and the weather is pretty perfect. (that's why we moved here) The humidity is low year round, unless of course it is raining, but we don't get much. Our elevation is much higher than Phoenix, so in the summer we don't get their heat, but this past week the weather pattern brought high temps to our area! I love to sit out on the patio in the afternoon and stitch, but this week it was done inside! 

 

Last night we hosted a little get together with some of our neighbors since we hadn't been able to do that for so long.  We had it indoors, of course! It was nice. One of the things I made was a charcuterie board.  I'd not made one before, but I see so many on Pinterest. It seems to be a trend lately. Here is mine. 

 

 

That's all for now. Will be back soon!

Memorial Day Finish

Well, I had said no more patriotic stitches for a while, but I just couldn't resist this wee star stitched on black.  And, 28 ct. at that!  It's only 1.75 inches! I had to do the navy stitching outside...in the sun, so an added bonus was a tan!!! I love the way it pops on the black and will be so cute finished for my bowl. 

 

Star

The Prairie Schooler

28 ct. Jobelan black

1 over 1

 Enjoy your Memorial Day!

Patriotic Finish and Some Sewing

 I stitched up one more little patriotic design. This little chart has been in my stash for a long time! Even though it is pretty small, it took a lot longer than I anticipated.  I stitched it 1 over 1 on 28 ct. Jobelan and it was a little hard to see, especially the rows stitched with DMC 712!! But I really like the way it turned out.  I have several more patriotic that I want to stitch, but I think I'll hold off and try to get all my recent ones finish-finished!  Will soon be time to think about fall and then.....Christmas! Wow!

Patriotic Heart

The Sweetheart Tree

c. 1987

28 ct. Jobelan Ivory

1 over 1

I made 2 project bags.  I needed a little something new and cheery to carry my stitching in.  The small one is 10" x 10" and the large one is 12" x 12", and they are fully lined with coordinating fabric.  The perfect sizes for 6 and 8 inch Q-Snaps. They were fun to make and I'll be sewing up a few more!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

At The Beach

 

 After being confined close to home for the past year we finally decided to take a trip that was longer than just overnight. We've both been vaccinated and feel pretty comfortable about being out and about. We flew to Galveston, TX for a week. The flights were good. Don't know if it was planned by the airline or just not as many people flying, but on both flights we had the middle seat empty! I usually end up with that one, so it was wonderful for me!

We stayed in a condo which was just lovely! A very "beachy" decor done in white, grey and blue. Very peaceful indeed! We had a great view of the gulf from the living room.

And another view from the balcony of the beach and the pool. I loved sitting out there in the afternoons listening to the crashing waves and the seagulls! That's also where I got a little stitching and crocheting done, when I didn't fall asleep!

The sky was grey the entire week, but it didn't rain during the day. The sun came out on our last day which was wonderful! I'm sure that cut down on the crowds, as we mostly had the beach to ourselves!  I'm not a fan of getting in the water even on a hot day, but I can walk for miles looking for shells. I just love them and think that each one is so beautiful.  But, you can only pack so many to bring home!

On our last night we were walking on the beach right at dark so it was really hard to see much in the sand, but at one point I looked down and spied this little beauty!  I'd seen many of them during the week, but all were broken.  This was the perfect one!

I didn't get much stitching done, but this seemed about right for the beach.  I found some wee shells and when I decide which one I like the best I'll attach it and finish into a little pillow for the bowl.  Any thoughts on which??

Seaside Sunshine

2003 Cross Stitcher's Surprise Series From Rainbow Gallery (August)

Erica Michaels

C. 2003

28 ct ivory Lugana 

2 over 2

 

Also got this little quickie stitched. Also to be finished for the patriotic bowl.

Liberty

Lizzie Kate

c. 2002

28 ct ivory Lugana

2 over 2

  

We fly out of Phoenix and when we have a morning flight we usually go down the night before so we don't have to get up so early and also to make sure we get to the airport on time.

 

Here is  a funny story... or not...

 

 We drove to Phoenix in my little red car. At the hotel we parked by the building in an end spot under a light. Before bed I looked out the window (we were on third floor) and saw my little red car on the end right where we parked. I told hubby “ we can watch the car tonight!” The next morning after we got dressed I opened the drape and looked out and the car was gone! I said”our car is gone!!” You can’t imagine what ran through my mind...we were flying in 3 hours! I grabbed my purse and mask and ran to elevator to go out and look. Went out the front door and there she was ...right where we parked! Our room was on the back of the building and we parked on the front. Just so happened there was a red CRV in exactly the same spot as us, but on the back!! Whew!

 

That's about it for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Spring House Finish

 I needed a "carry along" project to work on away from the house.  And, I also needed something for Spring to to make into a pillowcase for my bench in the kitchen.  After rummaging in my pattern stash I found this old pattern and pulled it out. I wanted the design to finish up a certain size, which was perfect for 14 stitches per inch.  I really don't like stitching on 14 ct but this time it was necessary.  I had an old piece of 14 ct Aida the right color.  I have several new pieces of 28 ct Lugana and Monaco in that color as well for when I stitch 1 over 1, but I couldn't bring myself to cut into either piece!  Crazy, huh?  And...I can see the 14 ct better when away from home without good lighting!!

Spring House

The Needle and I

c. 1987

14 ct. Aida Khaki

2 over 1

And, I've also finished up some bears for Project Linus. 10 were dropped off in February and the other 10 will be going this afternoon. We still aren't meeting as a large group at the library, and haven't for a year now. But some of the group meets at a nearby park in the open, so I will be going this afternoon for a while.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay safe!

2017 Smalls SAL finish and a Little Crocheting

Here is the first cross stitch finish of 2017 and the one I stitched for the 2017 Smalls SAL.  This will be finished as a wee pillow for my seasonal dough bowl.

September Schoolhouse

A Prairie Year  Book 13

The Prairie Schooler

c. 1986

And here are little bears that I've crocheted for my knit/crochet group's charity project, Project Linus.  These are pretty quick and are fun to do.  We get lots of donated yarn throughout the year and I have a big box of assorted colors...some are just little bits. I try to use everything up by making stripes.  They are great little "to go" projects, so I try to keep one or two kitted and ready to pick up at a moment's notice!

These two were made for a friend that is having a baby in June.

  
We've gotten lots of snow and rain these past couple of weeks since the beginning of the new year.  Here is a pic from my laundry room window late in the day of the snow covered mountains with low clouds hovering above them.  It's a bit hard to tell where the mountains end and the clouds begin..Our snow down here is about gone.  I would have gone out to take it, but too cold!! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Has it really been a year?

Wow...it has been a year since I posted last! I have been busy! I've been stitching, though. Either cross stitch, knitting or crocheting. Always have a project or two or three (or more!) going at all times. Have made lots of items for Project Linus and Operation Gratitude. I still meet weekly at the local library with knit/crochet group and a smaller group of us meets weekly for coffee, stitching and chatting. I've also spent lots (but not enough) of time in CA with my granddaughter. She is growing so fast and will turn 2 next month! I have pics to share of some finishes, but haven't figured how to post them from my iPad, so will have to do it from my PC for now... Will be back soon with pics!

Post edited to add pics:


Here are a few knitted items.

 

Hitchhiker scarf

 Lucina Shell Cowl

 Baby Fern Pattern scarf

And a few Halloween finishes:

 Simply Boo

Elizabeth's Needlework Designs

 Frightful/Jack and Bat

Just Nan

 

 Jack-o-Lantern Scissors Fob

Casey Buonaugurio Designs

Spooky Time

Lizzie*Kate

Here they are added to my seasonal bowl for last Halloween.  Still have some room...better stitch lots more!!

 

Seasonal Smalls

LOTS OF PICTURES!!

I tried to fill my antique dough bowl for July 4th, but still needed a few more to really fill in the spaces!   I'll work hard to fill it for next year! The bowl is rather large! It seems larger than most of the ones I see online.   As I mentioned in an earlier post (here), it was made for my grandparents for their wedding in 1896 by my grandfather's brother.  It was well used for bread and biscuits for their large family of 8 children!  My aunt had it and gave it to me a few years ago.

Some of these were stitched a while ago, and others more recently.  The backing fabric is shown as well.  I had all of the fabrics, buttons, etc. in my stash, so I didn't have to spend any $ to finish them!  Woo Hoo!

Liberty

Lizzie*Kate

c. 1999

stitched ??

August (watermelon)

A Prairie Year Book 13

The Prairie Schooler

c. 1986

April 2015

Liberty For All

Chessie & Me

c. 2002

7/4/2011 - 7/18/2011

Just some striped fabric with star fabric appliqued in corner to make Old Glory!

Patriotic Heart (Heartstring Series)

The Stitchworks

c. 2008

June 2015

July (Heart Flag)

A Prairie Year Book 13

The Prairie Schooler

c. 1986

March 2015

Summer Ornament

The Prairie Schooler

c. ?

2/24/2013 - 3/12/2013

July

Shepherd's Bush

c. 2003

June 2010

Welcome with Pineapple

The Cross-Eyed Cricket

Collection No. 7

c. 1983

stitched in 1987 (I think)