BBD Union Forever and Summer Solstice!

A new start! Will wonders never cease? It feels so good to start on a new project. This has been in my stash forever, so I'm glad I dragged it out now.  Union Forever by Maggie Bonanomi of Blackbird Designs.

I tried to start this on a really cool piece of fabric by Picture this Plus. But it was 32 ct linen and my eyes were NOT having it. Luckily, I had a piece of 14 ct I dyed myself last year. It's kind of a toasted marshmallow color, but it shows up all the called for floss just perfectly. I think it's going to be really pretty! I've set a goal to stitch a little every day and if I have more time to devote, I'll do it. Strike while the iron is hot. And after this past year, I really plan to do that.

The next two weeks are going to be so hectic at my house. My wonderful kids are moving into their first place and my father in law is moving in here with us. All these changes at the same time are going to probably be stressful for all involved, but exciting too. The kids have long been looking forward to getting out on their own and I am having fun living vicariously through them as they begin their journey on this road!

Today is the Summer Solstice! Litha, Midsummer, whatever you may like to call it, it is a time for real reflection. I'm feeling it for sure! However you choose to celebrate, or acknowledge, make it a good day! The one day of the year that the light will overtake the darkness is kind of a magical thing!

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day and you're getting lots of stitching in, whether it be outside or inside. I really need to take advantage and stitch outside when the lighting is good! I need to get out in nature more. I've been missing it so much!

See you soon with another stitching update, and until then,

It's a MIRACLE! Stitching project finished!

A miracle has happened! I finished Pineberry Lane's Shoo! It has been a long time coming, but in my defense, this has been a heck of a year. Some good, some bad. Health challenges, and just dealing with a huge lack of desire on my part to do much of anything since fall. This is such a small project, I almost hate making a big deal of it, but I'll get to that later. Here she is! 

As I have been looking around my office during the day while I worked, these unfinished projects of mine were feeling unloved and making me feel somewhat guilty! I like finishing projects. I really hate having things not done and just waiting around. Since I've been getting some medical things taken care of, it's spurred me on to get moving on a couple of them and Shoo! really needed to get done!

Another thing that was just waiting for me for about a year in a plastic ziploc bag was this sweetie!

That face kills me! I love him so much. If you wanted to do him, the pattern can be purchased from THIS SHOP on Etsy. She has the cutest things. I thought he turned out so adorable! I'm getting better and better at doing some of these things, and having too much fun with them!

As I mentioned above, finishing these couple of things that have been staring at me for nearly a year-well, it gives me a big sense of accomplishment right now. I dare say I'm proud of myself, lol. AND, I am caught up with Project Life as well, so, whew.

My son turned 26 yesterday and we took him to our favorite steak place and we all had a great time. I'm so proud of him. He and his wife are moving out at the end of the month, and though they'll still be in our neighborhood, I can't tell you how much I will miss having them here. But I'm really excited for them to start their proper married life and I know they are too. Having to see Mom and Dad when you come and go all the time sure gets old I know! I've just had such a great time having them here. And this is what you raise your kids to do-be independent and self sufficient. It's so hard (and expensive) anymore!

The wheel of the year is turning toward Summer in just about 9 days! I cannot believe it. I will be taking care of lots of things for myself over the next few months and beyond. Time to get back to me for a bit and get my mindset and my physical health back on track.

Well, I hope everyone is doing great and getting way more stitching done than I have. I will shop around in my stash and start another one soon. I'll have to pull a few this week and decide. I have no shortage of things to stitch, that's for sure. I'm excited to begin something new. 

Take care of yourselves, and until next time,