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!

Framed it myself! ...and a couple updates

I decided a while ago to try and frame something myself from start to finish. Well, almost to finish. I need some paper and double sided tape, so I had Hobby Lobby close up the back, but I did everything else and I'm pretty proud of myself! 

The design is Thistles and Spells by Stacy Nash. It is on my own hand dyed Aida using the called for flosses on 16ct.

I ordered the frame, spacers, foam core and glass from Hobby Lobby and got to work finally. This is one of the things that had been sitting around in a bag just waiting for me to do it for over a year. UGH! But I rolled up my sleeves and did it. I used pins to attach it to the foam core. I have to say, it came out pretty perfect. I took about an hour and a half and readjusted once. I'm hoping I can do it a bit quicker next time around.

Last week, I went in with another piece and ordered a frame and mat and all the rest. As much as I love sending out my stitching for professional finishing at In Stitches, I simply cannot afford to do it. The cost is outrageous (for me anyways). It's always gorgeous, don't get me wrong. But wow. I'm always in sticker shock when I drop something off there.

After I get comfortable enough with Aida, I would like to attempt one of my linen pieces, and I may even try lacing. We'll see!

Here's a teensy update on BBD Union Forever.

That other color on the leaf? It's WDW Bark. I don't have a lot of it, so I stopped after a few stitches and placed an order for more. I didn't want to run out and have it look different later on, which I know it would because this skein is years old. The colors don't stay the same over the years with hand dyed flosses, so I just want it to look consistent. Dang I am a slow one with stitching lately.

It's right about the UN-official start to Autumn, so I splurged on some magazines. I thought about getting the Halloween Ornament issue, but I (gasp!) didn't really see anything that blew my hair back in that issue. Cute stuff for sure, but nothing I just HAD to have this year.

My son and my wonderful daughter in law took us all out for my birthday this year. They are so thoughtful and I love them so much. I don't know what I'd do without either of those kids. I am so lucky and blessed to have them in my life. SO lucky.

Lately I have been really busy getting medical things taken care of. Between that and work, spare time has been slim lately. I am crocheting something up while I wait for my floss to arrive, but not much. As my father in law likes to say "getting mature sucks". LOL. In some respects yes. I just never thought I'd be at the doctor so much! Hey, whatever it takes to get back on track in my life, count me in---I'll do it!

I'm looking forward to the official start of Fall, and until then, I'm going to pretend it is here already. That means, fresh apples, ALL the Bath and Body Works stuff, pumpkin spice lattes (yes, I'm that basic), and continuing to add to my Autumn playlist. Yes, I have playlists for all the seasons. :)

Hopefully my floss order will be in soon and I may have ordered a few stash items too. Somehow that $2.50 skein of floss turned in to $58. Anyhoooo, next time I post it'll hopefully be with that leaf being finished!

Take care and 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,

A post-Halloween update and election week

Happy post-Halloween! I worked on Fancey Blackett's Brooms this week and here's my progress so far! 

 

I'm in love with the linen color and mottling. And I'm in love with that simple and prim Fancey Blackett. This is a really fun stitch so far. She is so cute.

Halloween was really subdued. We had way less than half the Trick or Treaters as we normally do, which is great considering the horrific pandemic numbers we have in this country. The full moon was beautiful and the weather was chilly but mild. We had pumpkins to carve, and fun foods to eat. All in all, I'm thankful.

I'm kind of looking forward to T-giving, in that it will be a bit less stressful than having everyone over. BUT, not looking forward to not being able to have everyone over. Does that make sense? I don't want that to be an event where anyone gets sick. Hopefully next year we will be able to do it. 

I did send the deposit for our beach vacation next year, so I'm a little optimistic about where we might be by that time. Fingers crossed. And speaking of fingers crossed, I'm hoping the election will be finished by tonight. My stomach has been in knots since Tuesday. 

I hope everyone gets some stitching in during this stressful week/weekend. And I will see you soon with a Fancey Blackett update!

Until then,

Fancey Blackett's Brooms and Autumn Colors

 Fancey is making an appearance! I tried to start off twice with the upper left corner, and I was getting nowhere with that border. I started it with one strand on 32 count, and my eyes weren't having it.So I dyed another piece of 28 count, which I liked even better than the first, and started with that. STILL I wasn't having fun. I started using one strand, but it wasn't laying right, so I switched it up and started with Ms. Fancey herself and I'm using two strands over two on this 28 count. Success!

I'm hooked on all things Fancey Blackett. This is just what I need to take me in to the Halloween week and weekend. Sadly, we aren't having any big get togethers. Truth is, we haven't had a Halloween party for quite a few years now. But I am making some fun food and desserts for the holiday and I think we'll all have a little bit of fun next Saturday. 

The weather yesterday was abotu 83 degrees and today is 48! If you don't like the weather in VA, just wait a minute! 

My mom and I took a walk at the park, and had a nice lunch outside at Firebird's. I don't think she's been since the end of February, right after I had surgery. It was much needed!

The colors here are spectacular. I live all year just to see these colors of Autumn. 

Work was crazy busy last week. I feel like a mental health break is on the horizon for me. It's all getting to be a bit much. I try to keep as much normalcy during these times as I can, but boy oh boy, it's difficult. The kids and I haven't been to the movies in over a year. I think the last one we saw was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Which, if you haven't seen it, go watch it NOW. Or at least watch it this week. I highly recommend! Anyways, life is just changed. And not for the better right now. But we're trying. That's all you can do.

That's about it for now. Not much happening. I hope to get a few pumpkins this week so we can at least do some carving. That tradition must stand, no matter what. I hope everyone is safe and well and making at least one or two plans for keeping the Halloween tradition this year. Let me know what you're up to!

Until next time,

Know Thyself is DONE! Fall musings and thoughts.

 Another finish on the books, finally! I powered through and completed this little Blackwood and Briar pattern, Know Thyself, in just a couple days this week. I'm very happy with it.

As I stitched this, I not only thought about whether or not I know myself, but also, if anyone really knows me? I think this is a universal question. Not that I have any deep dark secrets, but who really knows all your aspects? This will hang in my bedroom on my witchy wall, to remind me about taking my own inventory and coming to terms with all aspects of myself. 

I may start this Pineberry Lane pattern next. We'll see. I dyed the fabric last night and got it all ironed and serged up. I need my husband to help me put the Q-snaps together. I have a big basket with all the stuff in it, and I get overwhelmed trying to figure out the pieces for a project, lol. 

Now, I know the fabric might look similar to the first one I listed, but I assure you, it IS different! This one is a brown/marshmallow-y looking fabric. I didn't want anything too crazy, but something a bit more fun than just plain old brown linen. I'm hooked on dyeing fabric. This is a Zweigart 32 count linen that originally comes in white.

Oh Autumn. How I love thee.

Maybe we'll hit up our local pumpkin patch next week and see what's going on out there. These are the times that I miss having a little one around. We had so much fun taking our son to the pumpkin patch!

Just a few stash items since last time. I have sold a ton of stuff too, in one of my stash unload groups on facebook, but I always seem to find something to replace it with, lol.

I got that Cricket pattern simply for the little elf in the upper right hand corner. I mean, c'mon!

I have to stitch this little guy. Is he surprised? Is he not supposed to be playing with that toy? I mean, what is the story here??!! He or she just makes me smile. 

I hope you all are having a lovely Autumn so far. Our weather has just been fantastic. A day or two of rain every now and then, but my gosh, Fall in VA has been awesome. BUT, I keep getting reminded of October memories on facebook and all the Fridays we spent at King's Dominion Halloween Haunt, and it just kills me. I miss it so much. I miss all the fun things we did not get to do this year. Vacations, birthday parties, summer get-togethers, King's Dominion, etc. And we made the awful choice not to have our relatives over for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. Heartbreaking. BUT, I want them all around next year, you know?

Time to sign off and go figure out what to do for dinner! Have a wonderful weekend, and get lots of stitching in! Until next time,

Finally a Finish!

I finally finished that sweet little Pineberry Lane October 31 design into a little pouch! 

I used fabric glue to secure the binding, since hand sewing didn't go well at all. And I also used the glue to make the bias for the handle. It worked out pretty good. It sure isn't perfect, but it's done! I like this design so much I might have to stitch it again for a frame.

I added some more rows to my crochet dresser mat. I am loving it!

A smal stitchy update. I have only taken a few minutes here and there to work on it. 

 The weather here has been absolutely beautiful. I cannot overstate that! It is REALLY finally Autumn in VA. I want to be more present in my daily life this month and really drink in everything about the season. I want to try and meditate for 5 to 10 minutes every evening or during the day if I break from work. I plan to eat all the seasonal fruits I can. And I plan to stitch more, and try to relax more. With everything happening in this country, I need to step away from the news and turn on my Fall or Halloween playlist and just chill out. I need to take more photos too. I have slacked off from Project Life for the past couple/few years, and would like to get back in to it at some point. So much to think about and do. I should have plenty to keep me busy over the next few months, at least!

I hope you all find lots of little pleasures in life this month and find some ways to appreciate what we have and plan for the future, whether that is tomorrow, next week, next year or beyond. Take care of yourselves! Thank you for checking in on my blog. I really appreciate it. 

Until next time,

Autumn in flux

 Well, what a couple of weeks it has been. Not enough good going on. And not much actual stitching!

I am REALLY trying to finish my Pineberry Lane Oct. 31 into a little ditty bag to hang over a doorknob or something. But I'm having a tough time sewing the binding around the edge at the top. Here is a bit of an idea of what I'm working with currently.

The opening is too small to fit in my sewing machine, so I have to do it by hand. UGH! I don't get a lot of enjoyment out of hand sewing, but I really want this done, so I'll either sew it or glue it, lol. The Pineberry Lane instructions were for just a square pocket, but I liked the look of a curved bag, so there you are. Wish me luck on this one. 

I started joining my puff daisy flowers. I'm going to make this into a mat for my dresser top. The joining is going great, but I'm not looking forward to weaving in all those ends!

They are SO pretty! I have a bit more progress on these since I took the pic a couple days ago, but I'm being lazy and not taking another.

We took some time to go buy mums at a local nursery, and there are so many beautiful late season and in season flowers still available. I want to get my perennial garden underway by next year. We have to do a couple things in our backyard, and then we will get going on it.

 

 

That might be the only thing I miss about my previous home-my perennial gardens. But when I get this one done, I won't miss it anymore!

Vote early if you can. My son and I went to vote last Friday as soon as it opened, and we were the only ones there (we live in a pretty rural area though). Feels good to get it over and done with. 

Stay safe everyone. Be good to eachother. Take in the Autumn.Until next time,