Hello Autumn! All around catch up and updates!

Lots of things happening, and just a bit of stitching! It's been quite a couple of months. I can't believe it's been that long. I've had a birthday, which was really wonderful, a beach vacation, and a major dental surgery. Still dealing with the latter, since it was just one week ago, but it's going just fine so far. I survived. Just a bit of an update on my Sisters of the Broom. 

Now for the kicker. I am doing this on 16 ct. aida, which is really pretty! I like it so much. But I'm using one strand of floss and I'm not grooving on my stitches. Of course. So I'm toying with the idea of switching it up to linen and using two strands. How crazy am I here? I know it's probably almost 50% done, but I want to be happy with it. And I'm stressing over it. I'm going to lay off of it for a while and see how I feel in a week or so I think. 

The vacation. It was wonderful! Here was the view from our house right on the beach. 

Getting away with the kids was just what I needed. I wish I could capture that feeling all year long. My sweet little grand dog, Franklin, even slept with me one night! That is a pretty big deal because his pawrents were just down the hall and he didn't want to go to bed with them! He stayed until about 4:45am when he had to go out and I'm so glad I went, because I hadn't seen the stars that magnificent in a long while. It was amazing.

The weather was perfection for the entire seven days. Lots of mini-golfing and lots of shopping and eating and enjoying the weather and the beach.

As I said to someone recently, I know what I would do with my lottery winnings. 

I made this kitty for my mom for her birthday. Turned out so adorable! You can find the pattern HERE.

Every time I make one of these little things, it's like saying hello to a new tiny friend, lol. They are just so much fun.

Well, that's it from me for now. I'll decide what to do with Sisters of the Broom soon. I hope everyone is having a fabulous start to their Autumn season so far. I am going to try and do a few things I haven't done the past couple of years. And cook some things I haven't tried yet.  

See you soon!

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,

Beach Fun, Stitching and Stash

Not at all happy about being back from the beach. NOT. AT. ALL.

But since I am, let me share a bit about what I did while I was there! First up, and foremost, is stitching. I actually made so much progress in just a short time, I've concluded that if I want to stitch more, I really need to move to the beach and be on a permanent vacation.

This is coming out super cute and I love it.

I also picked up a bit of stash-two of them were just unbelievable! I managed to snag Blackbird Designs Honeysuckle Manor (OOP) and Valentine Message (OOP) for regular retail price! They were tucked away in one of the shops I go to when on vacation and I was blown away. I saw them on Friday, and went back on Saturday when I had regret of not picking them up immediately!

I snagged Notforgotten Farm Witch's Garden Sampler and Shakespeare's Peddler The Mermaid from a stash group I'm in.

Next up, another Notforgotten Farm project that I am kitting up. I'm missing a couple colors, but I got the most interesting fabric. I'd seen it on Pinterest, where someone had used it for this pattern (Flag Folk) and thought it was SO cool looking that I just had to try it too! The fabric is PTP "Murky". And it's so neat.

OK, so other than stitching, I did have a great time at the beach. Spending time with the kids and eating great food, snacking and enjoying the colors and sights of the ocean and bay was pure heaven. We couldn't have asked for better weather either. It was gorgeous the whole time.

 

These are just a few snaps of MANY. I just want to remember it on my blog. I need to start doing Project Life again. I miss it. I need to do a LOT of things. I'll try to get my act together soon. I'm always trying to get my act together it seems!

Have a great week, and until next time...

Bethany Vacation, A New Start, and Some Stash!

What a week! We went on vacation to Bethany Beach, DE and had a really great time! I started a new project, which I always do on vacation, and I chose to try again with the same project I took with me last year. I started it last year and tossed it out because I didn't like how my threads were laying.  Otherwise knows as "I'm over 50 and can't see anymore".  I'm OK with this one so far....

The Giving Sisters-Notforgotten Farm

We'll see how it goes. Some of my floss for this is old, and some is new.  Keep hope alive, lol.

I visited my favorite store ever at the beach, Salty Yarns. I picked up specialty floss and fabric for about 4 different projects that have been on my list of things to do.  These just look so amazing to work with!  I have never tried Classic Colorworks, but it is a cotton floss as are the others.

PTP-Heartland, Feldspar, Wren and Legacy

These fabrics are all Cashel Linen from Picture This Plus. I can't explain how much I love the look and feel of these.  It'll be nice to try something on linen again after being off my game for so long.

I also went to Sea Needles, in Bethany, and they are a wonderful place for long forgotten charts.  I picked up some charts that I (think!) sold some years ago while foolishly cleaning out my stash.  The beeskep one from Hillside Samplings is one that I have NEVER been able to find anywhere and I was SO sorry I sold it.  Low and behold, I found it at this shop in perfect condition, probably sitting there for over a decade.  I don't believe Hillside Samplings is in business anymore and that is a shame.  I loved their stuff and took this opportunity to pick up a couple more of their designs.

 To be perfectly honest, I am not sure if the Fanci That patterns are in my stash or not.  I believe I sold them previously as well, but I'm not taking any chances.  I have always wanted to complete these two and wasn't going to let them get away.  :D

The beach was great, except for the fog all week.  I have never seen fog like this!  But for the couple of days we had good weather, I got some nice pics.

I adore the beach.  Wish we'd have bought a vacation home there years ago, when we probably could have afforded it! We're considering dreaming of buying after my husband retires though!   I feel like my soul was meant for the ocean and the sand. 

We ate some amazing meals outdoors, walked the boardwalks, took in the salt air and the ocean....I mean, how perfect is that?  Only complaint is I wish we could go more often.

Be back soon with more stitchy updates!  Until then,

Hello September!

 I haven't been cross stitching, but I did have a good summer! I take that back. I did do a few stitches on my Moon and Stars from LHN, but not enough to even post a pic. I've been doing some other things, not the least of which was making enormous headway in cleaning out closets, cabinets, garage and shed. Every end of summer, beginning of fall, I feel an overwhelming need to clear out and clean up. Not just material things, but mentally as well. This year is no different!

We had summer vacation in July at Ocean City, MD, as we usually do. I broke TWO toes the week before vacation. Did that stop me? Nope. Of all the times we have gone to the shore, I never seem to take a sunrise or a sunset for granted. There is just something so spectacular about seeing the sun come up and go down. Granted, I'm easily entertained, but it truly is a bit of magic in the everyday.

Got a great pic of my son sitting on the beach and my husband waving hello as he comes in. I love this shot.

August was nice. Our weather hasn't been too awful hot and the rain has been to a minimum. I took the opportunity before I went back to work to do some crocheting.

This one is called the Cloudburst Shawl, and you can find it on Ravelry. It's super easy and free, if you would like to try your hand at crochet. I made two of them because the pattern was so nice.

This is my second year keeping up with Project Life. I absolutely love it. LOVE IT. I can't tell you how important it is to record your memories and take photos. Print them out. Enjoy them. Share them. It's worth it. This is just a small example of a spread from July. I do 6x8 Project Life. The larger size just put me off and I was never able to fill it up it seemed and I would stop doing it. The smaller size just clicks with me and I look forward to working on it. Doesn't take too much time and is really enjoyable for me.

I also turned 49 in August. That's A-O-K by me! I love being here. It's a wonder to be in this world and get to enjoy all the things I enjoy, have the family that I do, and live the little life I have here with them. I'm going to approach this coming year as I do so many others-with gratitude, appreciation, and love. It's a good way to go.

I hope everyone is up to something good and enjoying the few days left of summer. Autumn Equinox, or Mabon, comes on September 23rd this year. That means celebrating harvests, and enjoying lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. I think of apples and pumpkins automatically! I'm looking forward to all things Autumn! I want to cook more, and that's one of my goals for this upcoming harvest season.

Until next time,

Beach, Stash, and Bubblings from the Cauldron!

Beach is over again? It was fun while it lasted. Just a few pics below. I need to live there I tell ya.
I'm really in my happy place when at the beach. The fox photo was taken behind an amusement park. There were lots of them back there, and it was a real treat to catch them watching everyone. It was late at night and they were right under the lights, just hanging out!

Boardwalk and amusement park pics - also a view from our condo.

I bought so little stash this year. I decided I really need to concentrate on what I have, but I did give in to temptation for these. In case you can't see it, they are Plum Street Samplers Hare's Christmas, and Brightneedle's Under the Sea here.....

And Blackbird Designs Bittersweet Moon, Cricket Collection's Regatta, and Plum Pudding's Bridget Bishop here.

Finally, a little sneak peek of what I'm stitching now. It's a new design and I hope to have it done in the next couple of weeks. That'll be a record for me I know. I think I have the name for it, but I'll decide for sure when it's done.


Does anyone know what the heck is up with the Japanese and Chinese language comments I have on my blog? Is it spam? Are they really comments? I notice that someone likes to just put random quotes. There are more of these every time I make a post and I'm not getting it. The commenters don't appear to have "real" blogs, and the curiosity is killing me, lol. If you have any tips, please do share!

Until next time, have a fabulous stitchy week and I'll be back soon with a sneak peek update! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!