New Start! Notforgotten Farm Sisters of the Broom!

What a week it's been, right? But I'm just going to talk about cross stitch!

I started a new project! Notforgotten Farm's Sisters of the Broom. It's only got four DMC colors, and so far, I'm using just what is called for. I'm stitching it on PTP 16 ct. Ale, using one strand of floss. This is such a nice color. And a nice fabric as well. 

I am actually excited to be stitching on this, for the first time in a long time. This will be my first cross stitch in nearly about 35 years without any of my own dog's hair in it. That is crazy, lol. I'm positive that all my pieces I've EVER done had a stray dog hair. Regardless, I am excited to stitch, and that is a plus right now!

My son and I went to see a Samurai Warrior Armor exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts yesterday. What a wonderful exhibit, and I would recommend it to anyone! We had a such a great day. Museum, lunch at a favorite place, the bookstore....and traffic. Oh my lord the traffic. But it didn't stop us from having a fantastic time.

Truly amazing exhibit and displays! Well, I think that's all I have for now. I made myself a goal to stitch every single day for the next week and we'll see where I'm at. One day at a time, one stitch at a time. That's how it gets done.

I hope everyone is getting some stitching done and staying cool. We're a bit cooler this week, thank goodness. Getting a tooth pulled and not looking forward to that, but I still want to put in some stitches that day. Wish me luck. It's been a long long time since I had to have that done. In September I'm going in to some totally foreign dental territory-implants. I'm scared!

Have a great week, and I'll be back soon with an update on Sisters of the Broom!

Pineberry Lane All Good Witches and Updates

I'm calling both of these done. Good Witches only needs the centers of the diamonds on the dresses filled in. Otherwise it's done. It was very hard for me to work on this or even want to keep it, quite honestly. I started it when Jenny was alive, and I have a difficult time finishing projects that are ongoing when something bad happens. Anyone else have this issue? 

Regardless, I did manage to derive some enjoyment from putting in some stitches recently. Even more so when I found a few stray hairs in this piece. They will definitely make it in to the framed piece when the time comes. This is one that I can say I'm just glad it's done and I'll be happy to move on to my next project.

Little Jenny hair

Looks like the VA heat is going to be awful and oppressive this week again. I'm telling you, I really feel for all the little (and big!) animals out there. Just seems to be no break.

I have been wanting to learn to embroider forever. I decided to give it a go a couple weeks ago and bought a little tiny pattern on Etsy. I think I enlarged it too much because I definitely have way more embroidering going on here than the designer had! But I'm learning, so I'm not going to be too hard on myself for now. I can definitely see doing more of this in the future.

I'll try to finish this one up this week. Work has been abysmally slow. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy that, but I have to try to make up the time somehow and that gets a bit tiresome. No pleasing me apparently! LOL.

I need to stitch, crochet, embroider and sew more. It takes me out of my life somewhat and gives my brain something to focus on and concentrate on, and aside from all the beautiful things we make, isn't that why we do it anyway? I think it is. It's like a form of meditation with needle and floss or thread.

I made these earlier in the spring when I really need a break from my thoughts. I think they turned out pretty good!

I also crocheted this for myself after making one for my sweet daughter in law. I love this thing so much.

I have more to catch up on, but I'll leave that for next time! I sincerely hope everyone who comes across this blog is well, and enjoying life, and getting lots of stitching done. Be back soon with a new stitch and more updates! Take care everyone.

It's been a rough few months.

I don't want to make this post. I have avoided it for four months. She'd have been 18 today. For some insane reason, I thought this pup would live forever. Not to be. To say my life has changed is an extreme understatement. Extreme. I had this pup for nearly 1/3 of my ENTIRE LIFE. That's a long time. We've owned seven pups over 35 years and I have loved them all. This was my heart and soul dog. And now she's gone. And I am devastated. I don't have a big enough or good enough word to say how much we love and miss her.

She was there for me through the loss of almost all my other pups. I've been at my current job for 17 years. I've never worked this job without her watching over me. Life just kind of sucks right now in this moment. She was a beautiful, fun, spunky, little spirited pup. She weighed all of 11 lbs and the hole in my life is enough to drive a tractor trailer through. Funny how that happens. 

Jenny Lynn. Also known as Boo Boo, Jenny Penny, Little Sweet, Lil' Sweet, Baby Girl, Boogie, Boogalicious, Jenny Girl, Sweet Monkey, and a host of other intermittent sweetie names. Couldn't say a word, but was a great communicator. It was the consensus early on that she was the most hilarious dog we've ever had. So funny. Had a real sense of humor. Fantastic guard dog, and I never felt safer than when she was sleeping next to me.

Jenny Lynn 

6/29/06 - 2/28/24

The above graphic is a true representation! Small of stature, huge of spirit and tenacity. The best. 

I promise I'll be back soon, in a few days, with some needlework updates. A few stitches here and there and something new. Been trying like mad to keep my mind and my hands busy. It's been really rough.

The heat here in VA is going up and up. Last week was brutal. I guess mild summers won't be seen here anymore and I miss them. Stay cool, take it easy and have a good upcoming holiday. I'll be back! Promise.

Where did February go? Stitchy update finally!

February has been a blur. Lots going on. I actually got some stitching done the past week or two! Here is progress on All Good Witches.

I still couldn't put the crochet down. I made a sweet little Pug Bee for myself.

The tail. C'mon, the tail!!! You can find this pattern HERE.

And a little Mandrake to keep me company.

Is he not the cutest? You can find him HERE.

Hmmm, like I said, there is lots that has been going on, just not much of it blogworthy. My husband is retired now. Just two days ago. That will be nice for him. And me. I have grown really, really, really, exhausted to trying to live my life around that job. Time for me to make some adjustments. 

I hope everyone is doing well and getting in the Spring mood. It will be here before we know it! Take care of yourselves and get in lots of stitchy and crafty time! We're all gonna need it this upcoming year I think, lol. I will see you soon with more updates!

Amigurumi January!

I inadvertently crocheted a bunch of amigurumi in January! I thought about doing a couple for V-Day gifts and they just multiplied. I'm hoping my Galentine's Day recipients don't read this blog (I doubt they will!), and I couldn't wait to post them so here they are: 

 I made these hearts in a pod in worsted weight too, and I literally cannot stand how cute they are. 

 I mean, RIGHT? AAAAGH! So precious, lol. 

And I just made this today for my son's best friend, who is embarking on a new single life in his own apartment this weekend. Here's to all his good fortune this year! I hope you can tell it's a fortune cookie!

So, my stitching and designing have taken a back seat to these cuties. I could not help myself. 

My little Jenny girl is healing up, and getting back to her somewhat normal self, complete with a bit of doggie dementia. She is sleeping better and though we are now hand feeding her, she's eating, so that is good!

Feb will be the month for stitching! I have one project to finish and a million to start. How are you guys faring with the beginning of the year? 

My mom and I get together most every year to go over our goals for the upcoming year. But I had a suggestion this year that we go over them every couple months to see where we are at. Too easy to let things fall by the wayside. But you also don't want to set yourself up for any failure so we think hard about these goals. They were all pretty reasonable, so we shall see!

I hope everyone reading this is having a great start to the year and enjoying themselves. Good luck with all your goals and endeavors this year. I'll check in soon with more updates and hopefully a stitchy finish!

 

End of Year Wrap Up! Goodbye 2023!

We are at the end of another year. It turns and turns whether we want it to or not. I haven't done much stitching at all, but finishing up Summer Bouquet was a years long goal of mine. I have always loved that sampler and I am so happy I finished it! I'll take it in for finishing soon! I'm not that confident with pinning and framing linen, so I'll probably leave this one to someone else to do. I do hope to continue to work on stitching that I love this next year. It's just been tough lately. 

Here's a pitiful update on All Good Witches by Pineberry Lane. The lighting on these is awful, lol. Oh well. You get the jist!

I did lots of amigurumi projects this year and I was really happy with that! I need to keep using up all this yarn, so I'll be crocheting more this year too. I also started designing here and there again, but haven't officially released anything just yet. Maybe I'll get there soon.

Look at my second gorgeous embroidery from my amazing daughter in law! So beautiful! I'm in awe of her embroidery skills! I am so appreciative of her time and effort in making these things for me. Just awe inspiring.

Our Christmas was so wonderful. The kids came over in the morning and after an incredible opening of gifts in which they got us the most thoughtful and great things, we cooked a big breakfast and we all sat around and enjoyed it at our table. My father in law lives with us now and it was so nice for him to celebrate his second holiday here with us.

Thanksgiving was good. I got to see my nephews for the first time in 2 years. Dynamics change when people get divorced and that is what happened here. I sure miss seeing them, but they are busy boys now with lots to do and two households to do it in. One of them is graduating college soon and they've just grown up while the world was spinning and I have missed out on most of it! Seeing them, and being with my kiddos was the best thing about it. I could honestly do without Thanksgiving though. Not really my favorite holiday or event. Am I weirdo feeling like that? Anyone else who isn't fond of Thanksgiving please chime in, lol!

My sweet little boo boo had to have surgery this past Friday. She's doing OK, and recovering well. But this pup is 17.5 years old! She is s tough little Jack Russell and keeps on trucking. This past year has been tough on her with losing her eyesight and most of her hearing. She still loves to eat and has a good appetite. One of us usually always has to be home with her as she gets stuck in corners and her legs may splay out on the wood floor areas. Poor baby. Sweet little Jenny. She had this same surgery last year, when she was ONLY 16.5 years old, and it was a totally different game. She is just much more delicate this year.

She is officially the last pet we'll have. I just don't have it in me anymore. We've given 7 doggies, 2 kitties, quite a few fish, and two guinea pigs a good life. I'm done! 

Well, I'm tired from caretaking for a little doggie this weekend, and it's NYE, so I'm going to sign off. I hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve and new start to 2024! Take care of yourselves and one another. Be back soon!

It. Is. Done!

Whew. Finallly finished her and can move on to other things! It turned out beautifully and I'm so happy I perservered and made myself finish all the fiddly backstitching! Cedar Hill Summer Bouquet on 28 ct PTP linen in Ale.

 

Just seemed to have been a lot going on this year. Keeping up with doc appointments, work, doing some crocheting and taking care of my pupper--some time just got away from me. But it's done now and that's all that matters!

Now look at this amazingly gorgeous embroidery!! My beautiful daughter in law made me this and I was so surprised! She has been embroidering for the past year or so and I can't believe her progress. She is really talented and excels at pretty much everything she sets out to do! I can't wait to find the perfect spot for it in my bedroom where it will stay out all year long! 

I'm going to set about doing some designing and working on All Good Witches this weekend I think. Unless I come up with something else I'd like to do, like sew up a primitive winter doll or something. I want to do more craft sewing this coming year. And I'd like to learn embroidery too! 

Take care everyone and have a wonderful upcoming Thanksgiving! I truly hope everyone reading this blog has a great time and is surrounded by those you love and cherish. I'll check back in after that with new stitchy progress!

Fall Updates and Crochet!

Summer is gone. Halloween is over and I guess it's Merry Christmas time! I have not stitched on Summer Bouquet in a while. No update there. Haven't stitched on Good Witches either. Something is always taking away from the attention I want to put towards things lately. So I have been focusing on quick crochet/amigurumi project for a bit to take my mind off some things. 

 

I'm telling you-I LOVE these little ghosts! They are so squishy and cute. One of them made their way to my daughter in law, because OF COURSE! I love giving her stuff and she loves it too!

And I've made quite a few of these little mushrooms too. I won't bore you with all of them, but I flew through these and made a set for my friend's daughter. They should have arrived today in fact. If anyone wanted to see them, you can peek at my Ravelry Page HERE.

How does a person with no kids at home and a (basically) part time job NOT have time for things? Well, I have an almost 17.5 year old doggie who I love and she requires a super strict schedule, lol. That's one thing. The other thing is that my mental capacity just cannot deal right now. My husband had an emergency surgery and needed to be off work for a month, etc. Don't get me wrong-I WANT to stitch. But something always comes up. I hope it won't be that way for long. I need to get over it and start doing it. Story of my life sometimes!

And, shhhhhhh!, I started designing again. I have several designs I'd like to get out, but I need to update my Etsy shoppe and get some things in order before I do that. But I am filled with ideas, which is super weird to me right now. But I made myself a strict goal and I stuck to it and voila! Imagine what I could do it my brain was at 100%!!  LOL.

So many projects I want to do and create!

Need to get back on the walking and WW wagon again. I have goals there too. My mom and I went on a walk at the park recently and the weather was absolutely glorious! 

We literally went from 88 degrees to 47 degrees in ONE DAY yesterday. The day before Halloween, it was so warm and beautiful. Yesterday was super chilly and felt like a different world!

I hope anyone that comes across this blog is doing well and taking care of themselves. As the wheel of the year turns to chillier weather, it's time for reflection and introspection. I plan on trying out some new warm and cozy recipes, tackling some interior DIY projects, along with some more designing and stitching. I need to come up with a schedule for myself so I can utilize my time better and be more productive.

My plans do not include waiting so long to update again, and maybe this will be the kick I need to get some stitching in this weekend!

Take care and I will see you soon with more updates!

Stitching Updates and Vacation!

Whew, it really has been a couple months??! Got busy with life, doggie, family, etc. Did do a bit of stitching and Summer Bouquet is SO CLOSE to being done. I'm hoping to have it finished this week. Here she is so far. So many fun little details in here. It'll look nice all framed up.

Speaking of framed, I finally got around to pinning and framing Shoo! by Pineberry Lane. I thought I had that thing perfect, but I did not. And guess what? It's fine. I doubt anyone will notice but me. Love this design! If I can't stand it I can always undo the back and repin.

We just came back from vacation with my son and daughter in law. Had a nice time, but BOY was it super hot there in OCMD. We were not prepared for the heat this late in the season. For my beach stitch, I purchased and took along another Pineberry Lane. This one is called All Good Witches. Stitching her on PTP 14 ct. Wren. It's beautiful fabric.

And vacation would not be complete without a trip to Salty Yarns! They moved from the boardwalk to Berlin, which is only about 8 minutes outside of OC. I so miss their old location, but wow, is their new store to die for. My goodness, it's amazing. I was in there a good hour and I know I didn't see it all. I only bought a few things. I'm trying to be more mindful about buying patterns. I came back with a few pieces of fabric that I have plans for, so that's good too! 

I'll have more stuff to post, but I'll catch up next time. Just wanted to say again how much I enjoyed spending a whole week with my kiddos. It's been a few years since we were able to vacation together due to jobs, etc, so I am so thankful! Taking along two dogs was a trip, but it worked out fine since we had separate rooms. The food was awesome and I managed to bring back a couple pounds with me. Totally worth it.

I hope everyone reading this is doing well and enjoying life. Today is 9/11, and it's something I will never, ever forget. If you are looking for something new to watch regarding that day, please check out National Geographic's 9/11: One Day in America. It is 6 episodes of about 45 min. each and well worth it. It is graphic in the descriptions and images from that day of course, so be forewarned. But it's amazing to me to see this day from so many perspectives. I don't ever want to forget, and so I make an effort to spend some time reviewing what happened, and looking for new information every year. 

Be back soon with a finish and some more pics and updates! Take care everyone! And lets hope next time I post the weather will be cooler here in VA!