Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve. 

 

 

Less than a week till Christmas!

I cannot believe we are here again! This time, Christmas will be so much more special because I now have a(n OFFICIAL)daughter(in-law)!!! The wedding was wonderful. They wrote their own vows, each of them doing a spectacular and beautiful job. It was truly wonderful. We only had about 22 people, so very small, but I know they will always remember their special day and the loved ones they had surrounding them.

 My only child is now a married man! I am so happy for the both of them. She was glorious in her gown and he was like a handsome prince in his tuxedo. Though we only had about 6 weeks of planning, everything was great. They are perfect for one another and we wish them a life of love and laughter ahead. She is not just my daughter in law, she is my friend as well. And I love them both to the moon and back.

Still no cross stitching to speak of. My Pineberry Lane Shoo! is staring at me every day just wanting to know when I will finish her. Soon, I promise, soon.

I decided to whip up another poinsettia plant. This one is named Peppermint, and she is a gift for someone for Christmas.

These are so incredibly fun to make. Putting the face on is the most fun, but I find all aspects of doing this just relaxing and meditative. After an incredibly stressful week at work and coming off of all the wedding festivities, I needed to do this. 

So are you prepared for Christmas? I don't know if I ever consider myself prepared. When I love people, I want to buy them all the things for the holidays. I'm just getting less and less willing to tromp around stores to do it. My husband is kind of hard for me to shop for. But we make it work.

I've noticed a change in people over the past 20 years or so. People are just not as nice somehow. There is meanness on the roads and in the stores, and on planes. I'm not sure where we are headed as a country, you know? Now we have another covid variant, Omicron, threatening to overwhelm the medical systems again, and I don't know how much more these poor medical people can take. Or the teachers for that matter. 

I think this coming year, I need to double down on my crafting and reading. I need to stitch more and I might have to give up project life this year to do that. Or maybe put down my crochet hooks (nooooooo!) for a while. I have some crafty goals I want to accomplish, and something has to give in order for that to happen. But what a problem to have, right?

Hope all your Christmas preparations come together, and everyone is well and happy! Stay safe, and until next week,

Wow, where did the Fall go??!

Neglected the old blog for a few months and the time just flew! I really want to do an update now, so I can at least stay on track a bit and catch up. Whew, this fall has been a whirlwind. I don't have any stitching to show. I did a lot of beading earlier this fall, and have been crocheting some amigurumi plants and just working.  

My son and his lovely girl are getting married this coming up weekend, 12/11 !!!  I'm so happy for them! I couldn't have picked a more wonderful woman if I picked her myself! I will fill in more after the wedding, but it's coming up quick and we have little details to worry over.

A recent finish, (TODAY!), is my little Poinsettia. OMG, I cannot even with this face!

I used a combination of a couple different patterns on Etsy. These are SO fun to make and though I hate weaving in ends, I've tried to make it a meditative practice, so thereby possibly enjoying it more. SPOILER ALERT: I don't.

Thanksgiving was nice, with being able to see my nephews. Since their parents divorced, seeing them can be quite tricky. Half the time they are with the other parent, so holidays with them are very sparse anymore. But they are getting older and busier too, and that makes it hard as well. It was good this year.

Halloween was pretty low key.

The actual day of Halloween, we went bridal dress shopping and had a nice lunch out with all the gals involved! Very fun, and I am thankful every day to be included in all these goings on, and thankful I am here to see it all.

We've all been vaccinated and boosted and there's nothing more we can do. The wedding is small, only about 23 people and all but a couple of the children are vaccinated. My mother in law is dealing with cancer and chemo so we have to all be as safe as we can and try to protect our vulnerable people. Wish everyone felt the same. 

I have too much cross stitch I want to do, and not enough time for the remainder of the year I don't think! I may forgo Project Life next year to concentrate more on stitching, but I'll see. I have enjoyed doing it again. Work has been insane the past month or two and I'm feeling burned out on so many things. This is going to be a busy week leading up to Saturday and I want it all to go off without a hitch for them. 

Take care everyone! I hope to update before the end of the year with a couple wedding pics and more crafty updates, but I cannot promise a dang thing. 

Until then,

Blessed Mabon and Happy Fall!

Well, well, well. Summer is gone and Autumn has arrived in all her fabulous glory! My seasonal urge to clean out and clean up is here. I've not done much stitching, but I'm nearly done with Shoo!. 

I have a bit of crafting A.D.D. lately, as I've been doing beading, crochet, and trying to haphazardly figure out what direction I'm going in-and not having much luck! 

I crocheted this super adorable violet pot and plant for my mom for her birthday. I have to say, I was SO pleased with how it came out. That face! 

I was in love with it when it was done! She really liked it too. Seriously-how cute is that??!!! I got this pattern from Etsy and you can grab it HERE. SO SO cute and a very easy pattern to follow too.

Like I said, I've been doing a mish mash of stuff. I made some chunky purse charms (scissor, key, etc.). I saw an idea for something like this in one of my facebook groups and of course had to take it to next level. LOL.

These are so pretty and sparkly! I would love to make more, but I think I'm a bit behind the curve. If you want a closer look or to purchase one for yourself, please check out my Etsy Store. 

As I said, I'm close to finishing up on Shoo!

I hope everyone is enjoying the first whisperings of Autumn. I sure am. The weather almost instantly got cooler, the leaves are slightly turning and the sun is falling different on everything. It's lovely and gorgeous right now. I miss how accessible my park was to me before we moved. That is about all I miss about that area. Well, I'm a bit farther from my mom now, but not too far at all. I just want to go get lost in the woods somewhere or have an adventure out in nature. 

I'll be back soon with more updates. Please enjoy this season and pick some apples, open your windows, listen to the crickets, and make some time to look up at the stars. I try to every night that it is clear. Enjoy that moon and sun and be good to one another. 

Until next time,

August is here! Pineberry Lane Shoo! Update

Time for another slowpoke stitch update! I hope everyone has been enjoying summer. It's been hot and humid in Virginia, as always. August has brought a bit of relief and while still warm and sunny, you can nevertheless feel a change in the wind. 

I'm loving working with these colors. I need to plant sunflowers next year. So, she's coming along. Not fast, but still!

I also recently made something hilarious with my crochet hook.

I never thought I'd crochet a poo with a sweet little face, but I had to, lol. The little doily just makes it extra something, don't ya think?  I made a unicorn poo also.

Hahaha! They just made me laugh. I made them for a few kids in my life and they loved them. You can find the free pattern HERE.

I recently was lucky enough to find this Prairie Schooler in one of my stash unload groups. I have been wanting this forever and I'm so happy a kind soul was willing to part with it!

The country's pandemic numbers are rapidly rising. Nurses are walking off the job. And now even the vaccinated are recommended to wear masks indoors again. It seems our regard for one another has waned to a detrimental low and it's worrying. I hope so much there comes a day soon that we can pull together and get this done. Wherever you are reading this from, I hope the same for you too.

Hang in there. Stitch, create, and find some magic in the everyday. It's there. Just look. Be back soon with more stitching! Until then,

Blackbird Designs and Fancey makes an appearance!

The stitching world had a great loss last week. Barb Adams, one half of the Blackbird Designs team, passed away at the age of 69. Far too early in my book. Apparently she'd recently been dealing with esophageal cancer. I'm so sorry for her passing. I never had the pleasure to meet Barb, but was a fan of Blackbird Designs ever since they made an appearance in the stitching and quilting world. One of my most favorite BBD pieces is With My Needle. I finished this WAY back in 2009, and enjoyed every single stitch. This design was one of the first Loose Feathers designs, and I adore it.

I have collected and amassed a good deal of their designs over the past 23 years. I sold off Summer Offerings, a blackbird surrounded by an oval berry border, some time ago, and I've always been sorry about that. Been looking for it ever since! Aside from her friends and family, the cross stitching world as a whole will miss this talented lady. I will, for sure.

Worked on Shoo! a bit this week, and Fancey is taking shape!

This has been a fun stitch too. I have to get some feet and beaks on those little crows in the sunflower plant though!

Now for some stash I bought last month while on vacation.

I scooped up some fabric too, soft aida as well as linen. Don't have any projects in mind for them, but they'll be there when I need them, right??!!

BIG pandemic news: We went to the movies for the first time in nearly 2 years!! We saw F9 Fast and Furious. It was super entertaining and we loved it. What a great thing to get back to. We sure did miss it!

I hope everyone is well and life is returning a bit more to normal wherever you may be. Get your vaccine and get back out there! It's great! 

Until next time,

Happy Fourth of July and Pineberry Lane update!

Happy Independence Day for those in the U.S.! Honestly, I'm just glad to have survived the past year and a half, with all it's scary and frustrating aspects. 

Can't think of a better way to celebrate than stitching on my Pineberry Lane Shoo! She's been so fun and I've gotten a good deal done! 

My sweet little Jenny had her 15th birthday on June 29! We're so lucky to have her still. She's fiesty and a bit ornery, but we love her. Most of that is just the nature of a Jack Russell. What are you gonna do?

She's a very funny little dog too. She has an actual sense of humor, as I think most dogs do, but hers is apparent. These dogs are so intelligent. They can give you a run for your money. And the barking. Don't get one if you don't love being startled by a sharp bark every now and again. They love to hunt too, so they need places to explore. But they are very loving. Happy Birthday Jenny! <3

We hit up our local fair, which was so cute and fun! It wasn't too hot that day and we so enjoyed spending some with the kiddos.

Hope everyone has a fantastic 4th! Enjoy, and until next time,

Pineberry Lane Shoo! and Updates

May is gone and we're halfway through June! How it happened I have no idea. My mother in law has been so sick in the hospital on and off-that occupied my thoughts for a good part of the past month to be sure. She is hopefully on the mend now, and recovering well. Fingers crossed! So much has happened! 

My mom and I went to Woodlawn. It was so hot in there! Much better in March, but I totally understood why they held off. We had a nice day and saw lots of great needlework. 

My kiddos were not able to go to the beach with us this year due to work, so my husband and I had another solo vacation like we did in 2017. Last year we had to cancel due to covid, and boy, I did not realize just how much I needed to be AWAY, until I was AWAY. I really just need that at least once a year or so. Our weather was fantastic and we had a great time. I got some nice stitching time in too! Let me start with that. 

I brought Pineberry Lane's Shoo! with me to work on, but I didn't like this one on the fabric I brought. Soooo, of course I hit up Salty Yarns for a new piece of fabric and I'm in love with it! It's 14 ct. Ale by PTP. 

I hadn't ever worked on a soft aida, and I am really enjoying it. I picked up some other fabric while I was there. Not for anything specific, but just because. I'll share that on another day (you know I came back with some stash too!)

The beach was glorious. 

We really just ate our way through the town. Good times. My little girl even enjoyed herself. She was so happy and laid back. Nothing to bark at, no house to patrol and protect. She got some well deserved rest too. 

My son graduated college AND turned 25. So proud of this kid!

I know 25 years seems like a long time, but it can't be. It's gone by too quick! He is such a great young man. Smart, hilarious, and handsome. He has it all. :) 

I hope everyone has had a good unofficial start to summer! It's been nice to have a bit more relaxed attitude about going out now that we, and so many others, have gotten vaccinated. This time last year, I could only dream that we'd have something like this now. I am SO thankful. So if you haven't done it yet, please look into it. 

Well, take care everyone! And I'll be back soon with a stash post, along with an update on Fancey Blackett Shoo! Until then,

BBD Update aka Slowpoke Check-In!

Oh boy am I not getting much stitching done lately. Here is some progress though.

Work has been unpredictable, and we have had a family member in and out of the hospital quite frequently so my thoughts are elsewhere sometimes. Stitching just hasn't been in the forefront of activities the past couple months. Life is like that sometimes!

My mom and I went to pick up some things from the framer and Flag Folk was worth the wait! The other is Cricket Collection and I think it was called Do You Hear What I Hear, but I'll check on that to be sure and update if need be.

During a recent drive, my husband and I were delighted to see the goats out with their new babies! Baby goats are so cute.

The weather has been up and down but mostly just gorgeous and mild. I am loving it and trying to enjoy it as I can. Hopefully you are too! 

I need to make a goal of getting back to a weekly update. I don't know where April went! So I will be back in a week or less with another update. Have a great stitch week, and until next time,

 

Birthdays and Stitching Updates!

Happy Sunday! We had a great week and I actually got some stitching in! Last Sunday we took my son's girlfriend out to a nice lunch and just generally had a really nice time! She turned 24 and OH TO BE 24 AGAIN! I would actually really love to go back to that! I've said it before, but these kids are my life.

Went to one of my favorite places to eat in Richmond, Cooper's Hawk, and we all just really enjoyed it. Then home for some yummy chocolate hazelnut cake, courtesy of Basilica's. 

Work was light, and I did stitch, but didn't get in a chunk of time until this weekend. So here's my progress so far!

That pink. It's called Clover by Gentle Arts. It's so fun to stitch with! I love pink anyways, but pinks and yellows/tangerine colors are some of my favorite combos. 

We're getting closer to figuring out what we want to do out back. So we went to Lowe's and were looking at some plants and aren't these pretty?

I really miss my perennial garden flowers. That's probably the only thing I miss about our old place. But I'm putting in a new one, and I can't wait! 

No stash this week. Trying to reign myself in, lol. 

My second Covid vaccine went off without a hitch! Sore arm, but no biggie. I encourage everyone reading this, please go get your vaccine. It's open to all adults in just a matter of days!

I hope everyone is well and happy! See you soon and until then,