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!

 

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,

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,

 

Anniversary and Fancey Blackett Conversion takes shape!

I've changed up the pinwheels on Fancey Blackett's Brooms to quaker symbols! I thought it would look pretty and I'm loving the results! What do you think?

 I don't know if I'll fill in those two left side symbols with anything. Still trying to decide! Fun design to work on.

My mom and I traveled to In Stitches yesterday to pick up my Giving Sisters by Notforgotten Farm. They do a spectacular job on everything. I have never been disappointed with their framing. They are meticulous! Framing is so very expensive, so when you get something back you want it perfect!

Please forgive the glare. It's impossible to get a photo without it! Just look at how perfectly straight those borders are! I'm not confident enough to pin linen, or lace it, even though I want to learn. But WOW, was I super happy with those borders, lol. Such a beautiful job, and a beautiful design!

I hope to work my way down to Fancey's cauldron this week, if work allows. It's been brutal! But I always have my stitching on my desk and my Ott lamp is always on, in case I finish up and have a few minutes to put some stitches in. It truly does help my outlook on things.

We celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary on the 8th! As my mom likes to say, "that's nothing to sneeze at!". We went to our favorite restaurant for dinner that we go to once a year, and had an really nice time. The weather was just gorgeous!

Time to plan out Thanksgiving dinner for just us and the kiddos. Sadly things will be different this year, but no way I'm taking chances with our parents. I just cannot. But, some turkey and cookies will probably be headed their way when it's all done!

Stay well and safe, and I'll be back soon with a Fancey update! Until then,

Oh the Miles! now framed and ready to go!

My framing disappointment is replaced with joy! I took the advice of a nice lady on the Prim Stitcher's Society facebook group and used a piece of cotton batting under my fabric to smooth everything out and make it look nice. Prior to that, no matter how I tried, the puckering wouldn't subside. My hand still hurts from doing all the pinning, but it was worth it! (oh, what LOOKS like puckers are actually those darn shadows and reflections--believe me, it's all smooth!)

Viola!

This was only my second attempt at pinning my own piece and making it work. I think I did OK! It helped my confidence to do this, and I'll be trying it again on the next thing I have framed, whatever that is!

I hope everyone is having a great stitchy week! I can say that with this off my "to do" list, I am feeling much better. Now I have to just finish that little crochet lamby I'm working on, and my kitchen table is mine again.

Until next time,