Nikki's Crossed Stitches

Cooler Fall Weather is here

2011-09-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

I am sooo glad the hot humid days of summer are over with. Fall is my favorite time of the year. When the weather turns cooler, I want to get out my knitting needles and make something ! The something I decided to make was a pair of slippers for my grand daughter Kaleigh. I bought the pattern from the Raverly website, and got the yarn and needles yesterday. I think I will begin tonight. They are knitted on size 15 needles from wool, then felted in the washing machine to shrink down to the correct size ( I hope) LOL. I have never felted anything before, so this will be my first project trying that. Aren't they the cutest things?

Here is the color yarn I chose

I also got myself a couple of quilt pattern books. I love the Civil War era, and someday I will make a quilt or two, when I am retired and have the time. So I am just preparing ahead of time, and collecting the patterns ( that's my story and I am sticking to it) LOL

I made applesauce over the weekend and my son made homemade bread. Time to go to the apple orchard and make some pies for next weekend.

Have a good week.

Nikki

Labor Day and Hurricane Irene

2011-09-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

It was a quiet Labor Day here. Not feeling too well, and VERY humid today, but enjoying having a 3 day weekend for Labor Day.

Hurricane Irene came through here 1 week ago, but it had lost it's punch considerably by the time it got to Maine. And guess what....I wasn't even here during the hurricane. My oldest son Jon and his family, and my granddaughter Kaleigh and I had a trip to New Hampshire planned for a couple of months, and we weren't going to let something like a hurricane stop us!!! Seriously, we watched the weather several times a day to see if we should cancel, and knew it wouldn't be so bad, so went anyway. We drove over to NH on Saturday morning, and came home Monday afternoon. On Sunday ( the day the hurricane hit) we were in the wave pool at Kahuna Laguna, which is an indoor water park in North Conway NH. I didn't get any pictures of that, and it was pouring rain outside and very windy, but the hotel had a shuttle bus to the water park and back again, so we had a great time. The only pictures I took were the next morning (Monday) after the hurricane passed during the night, and it was sunny and bright and breezy, perfect weather. Here are a few pictures of how beautiful it was there in the mountains of New Hampshire.

Kaleigh eating her dessert from our restaurant dinner a few hours earlier. She ate every bite too!!

Outside of our room...see not much damage at all from the storm the day before

Another view of the grounds

And here is my favorite, Kaleigh sitting on a bench enjoying the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire

I haven't done any stitching in a while...it has been too humid lately, but fall is around the corner and I will get back to posting more pictures of my work.

Nikki

Maine Blueberry Time

2011-08-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yummm, I made a batch of blueberry muffins tonight after supper. They are made with wild Maine Blueberries i bought at a farm stand near here. The wild ones are soooooo much better than the huge cultivated berries. I will have a nice cup of tea later with a muffin, and I will have another for breakfast tomorrow too!!!

I am planning a 3 day mini vacation next weekend to New Hampshire with my oldest son and his family. We are going to Kahuna Lagoon Water Park in North Conway. Here is my cat Punkin helping me plan the route on the map. LOL Isn't he a lot of help !!!

Here is a link to the water park if you would like to see what it is like:

http://www.kahunalaguna.com/

I hope to have a relaxing few days, sitting by the pool at the hotel, splashing with my 17 month old grandson at the water park and swimming with my 11 year old grand daughter. The last time I took any days off was 16 months ago when my mother passed away, so I deserve a break.

Nikki

End of Summer

2011-08-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is winding down. My Hydrangea bush is blooming, so I know it's almost back to school time. I haven't stitched as much as I would have liked this summer. Here is my progress on the Birds of a Feather Mystery SAL.

Here is some of the brand new stash I have purchased in the past couple of weeks. I want to get back into regular surface embroidery again, and a fellow stitcher made this Flowerbed Quilt with the squares she embroidered from this book. I bought the book ( which has lots of gorgeous projects) and some white muslin and can't wait to transfer some of the patterns and get started.

Here are a couple of more projects from the book that I would love to make

And last but not least some stitchy stash that I just could not resist

I think I will stitch a bit before bed tonight, it has been a week since I picked up a needle....too hot this summer, but tonight is cool and rainy.

Nikki

My grandson

2011-07-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

DUDE !!!!!! Is what Benjamin says when he wears his shades. He just got back from New Hampshire and Storyland with his mommy and daddy.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

2011-07-04T08:21:00.001-07:00

Sharing a favorite artist

2011-06-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share one of my favorite artists, Paul de Longpre. I do not own any of his painting ( couldn't afford one), but I just love his gorgeous realistic looking flowers...so much like a photograph. I have a lovely book about his art and his life, and these are a few pictures from it. I believe a couple of his pansy paintings have been turned into cross stitch charts. Thanks for sharing with me. Till next time.

Nikki

Only one word for you today:

2011-06-28T17:02:00.001-07:00

YUMMY !!!!!

Rediscovered the joy of reading

2011-06-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

I have always been a reader, but for the past few years it sort of took a back seat to my Cross Stitch. I work full time and have to choose which thing I want to do the MOST in my spare time, and Stitching always won out. Well, I have rediscovered my love for books again and in the past couple of months have read quite a few.

Water For Elephants
The Help
Memoirs of a Geisha
Bastard Out of Carolina
Sarah's Key

and I am almost done with The Red Tent

I have a few others tucked away for summer reading and will post more later as I read them.

Here are a couple of pattern books that I bought awhile back and will stitch up some of those cute bunnies for next spring. These are both from German designer Christiane Dahlbeck and I fell in love with them.

Look at these cute bracelets made out of beads and safety pins? I have an 11 year old grand daughter, Kaleigh, who is going into middle school this fall, and I thought she would love to make some of these this summer with me.

I have recently discovered an old cross stitch magazine I had never heard of, and I have been stitching for over 30 years. It is called Finelines, and I have found some on Ebay to buy. I just love them. If anyone has any they are willing to sell, please contact me. Here is a picture of one of them.

Didn't get to pick my strawberries this evening, but tomorrow for sure. Yummmmmmm, summer in Maine and fresh ripe strawberries....nothing better.

Nikki

Summertime in Maine

2011-06-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

and it's raining again !!! I did manage to run out and get some strawberries at the farm stand this afternoon before the rain started up again. Aren't they luscious looking? I will go pick my own tomorrow evening after work, as the day is supposed to be sunny tomorrow. Yipee.

I have managed to buy some goodies for myself since I posted last. These are my new embroidery scissors. I love the silver ones, they are called Tudor Rose.

And I got some wonderful new hoops. They are called Hardwicke Manor embroidery hoops and are made in Germany and are SO smooth, no snags for the fabric. They are beautiful,and the screw on top can be tightened with a screwdriver, so they hold the fabric nice and taut, and leave no hoop marks. I bought a 8" and a smaller 5" one.

I have been working on Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler, and am almost finished with Part 1, which is the border. It is done on Confederate Gray 40ct linen, with Weeks Dye Works threads. I bought Part 2 and it came in the mail yesterday, and Part 3 will be released in July. I just love the colors and the way it is turning out.

I have also begun Past & Present by Rosewood Manor. Once I get caught up on the Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler, I will be back working on this one. I just love Samplers, and will probably personalize this one with family dates, or initials in some way.

Take care, thanks for looking and have a good week.

Nikki

Brand New Stash

2011-05-11T16:03:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I last posted. I was sick at the end of the winter with Bronchitis, and then kind of sad because it was one year since my mother passed away on April 29th. I was a different Mother's Day this year too without her; but I did get to spend it with my children and go lovely flowers & candy and a dinner at Ruby Tuesday's for Mother's Day.

I have also decided to sell most of my cross stitch stash and just keep 1 box of the charts I love the most. OF COURSE I did have to make one purchase, and here is what I got:

I just love Rosewood Manor designs and these just "SPOKE" to me as I am doing research on my Family Tree. I also bought some of those Bohin needles that are supposed to just s-l-i-d-e like butter through the fabric and see for myself. I can't to start one of them this weekend.

Grandson Benjamin got a real first barber haircut; doesn't he look older?

GOOD-BYE OLD FRIEND

2011-03-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

We had to have our furbaby Rascal put to sleep today. My husband took him to the VET because I could just not do it. He was diabetic, and seemed to be better, but then he was urinating all over the basement and house. The Vet said it was time. He was almost 10 years old, and we have had him since he was a kitten; I was his mama. Good bye baby; there is a hole in my soul right now.

Here is Rascal with his best buddy Punkin. Punkin will miss him too.

Nikki

VERY RAINY SUNDAY

2011-03-06T13:08:00.001-08:00

It has been pouring rain most of the day. I am grateful that it isn't snow, but it has been so gloomy looking. I did manage to finish the fairy letters I am making for Kaleigh's birthday in May. The letters spell out her name, and I will see if I can find a dark lavender frame so she can hang it in her room. I put teeny little Mill Hill beads in their hair instead of the french knots it called for. I HATE french knots!!

And here is a close up so you can see the beads better.

I have a big pot of homemade spaghetti sauce on the stove simmering away. I am off to make garlic toast, and have an early supper. Have a good week everyone.

Nikki

President's Day Weekend

2011-02-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have 4 days off from work this weekend. I had my grandson Benjamin over night on Saturday, and we had such a good time. Here is a picture of him. He is just sooooo close to walking now, and when his mommy and daddy came to pick him up on Sunday, he took 2 steps without hanging on. YAAAAHY Benjamin !

Here is a project I am stitching for my soon to be 11 year old grand daughter, Kaleigh. It will be her name spelled out with fairy letters and I will frame it for her room. The fabric is a pale lavander Belfast Linen.

This will be a project I will begin soon. I traded with a fellow stitcher, and she went and ordered this for me. The fabric is a buttery yellow, and aren't the colors of the threads GORGEOUS!!! I cannot wait to start this for my bedroom.

Have a great long weekend everyone.

Nikki

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !!

2011-02-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day! Here is what my husband gave me for Valentine's Day. I collect cat things, and this is a planter with a Primrose in it.

Here are a couple of things I have stitched in the past for Valentines Day.

Hope everyone had a "sweet" day!!

Nikki

Winter will never end !!!!

2011-02-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

This has been a longgggg winter this year. We have had record snow storms, and so much snow we don't know where to put anymore. On top of that I have been sick for the past 4 weeks. I had a bad cold, and before it was even gone, I got another one!

We did go up and celebrated my grandson Benjamin's FIRST birthday last weekend though. Here he is with his birthday cupcake

And opening his presents

And just smiling and being cute

I get to have him overnight next Saturday and cannot wait. His mommy and daddy will be going out for a belated Valentine celebration.

Here is a project I finished cross stitching recently. The design is a freebie and reminded me of an old photo of me and my mama when I was a little girl.

Here is the photo it reminds me of, along with a figurine that I display next to the picture.

I think what I will do, is have a mat cut with 2 openings to fit the stitched piece and the photo and frame them together, maybe with a black suede mat and a silver frame? I think they will look so nice framed together, don't you think? I miss my mama so much. It hasn't even been a year since she passed away.

I am off to do some stitching, then back to work tomorrow.

Nikki

I got out my crochet hooks

2011-01-08T10:16:00.001-08:00

I decided to take a break from XS and knitting and dig out my crochet hooks. I had bought these Itsy Bitsy baby dolls a few years ago, and decided to make some clothes for the poor naked babes.The dolls are only 5" tall !!! Here are two outfits I made.

I have one more doll to make an outfit for. I think I will order a few more from Annie's Attic. I think they are so cute.

Then...I discovered teeny tiny bears and bunnies crocheted using Punch Needle Thread. They are so small. I bought these two patterns and have ordered the threads, and some other supplies to make them, and hope it arrives this week.

I bought the threads from this site if anyone is interested:

http://www.tedsfromthreads.com/newembellishments.htm

and I bought the patterns from ESTY. Do a search there for thread bears...there are lots, and each one more adorable than the last.

I have begun a XS project too. It is from the March 2009 Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine and looks like this:

But I found one on someone's Blog where she changed the roof and used this checked fabric, which I like better and will use this idea. It looks like this:

I found the brown and white checked fabric on Ebay and have that on hand for my finish. Here is my Work In Progress so far:

Have a good weekend everyone.

Nikki

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

We managed to squeak out some white stuff for Christmas here in Maine. We have about 3 inches of snow on the ground.

I got two great surprises this Christmas. First, I got a card from a nice lady I used to be Pen Pals with over 20 years ago. She lived in TN and I here in Maine, and we wrote letters back and forth and exchanged pictures of our small children, and were great friends. I lost touch with her, and she took a chance and sent me a card. I am so glad we are back in touch Mary, and look forward to writing to you again.

The second surprise is that I got the chart I have been wanting to stitch, Remember Me. ( see post below). I had given up hope of ever finding it, as it was only printed by Little House Needleworks in a limited edition for Breast Cancer month for Elegant Stitch. Lauren, a very lovely lady on the 123 Stitch message board sent me her original chart as a surprise Christmas gift, and it arrived on Christmas Eve day in the mail. THANK YOU LAUREN.....I love it.

You want to see MY Christmas gift to myself?

This doll was made by Vogue in 1960 and is called Baby Dear. It was designed by Eloise Wilkins who was a wonderful illustrator for children's books. I HAD this doll when I was 10 years old. I have been looking for years to find one on Ebay that I could afford, as they go for a lot of money. I finally found her !!!! She arrived on Christmas Eve. Now I can make some newborn clothes for her to wear.

It is a quite Christmas morning. I had a nice cup of coffee and a Cinnamon Roll from Panera. We are awaiting all the family to come over a bit later for gifts and a Ham dinner. More Christmas pictures to come later.

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. Enjoy your holiday with friends and family.

Nikki

Christmas is getting closer

2010-12-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

I have finished all my shopping, and now can relax. I still haven't wrapped anything yet, but I will get that done in no time. Just don't have that usual Christmas spirit this year.

I have been bitten by the knitting bug however, like I am every year at this time. I have made several ear flap hats for co workers, and friends. Here is the one I made for my grand daughter Kaleigh who is 10. She didn't want a pom pom on top.

I also wanted to share this video of my grandson Benjamin, trying to use a spoon. He is 10 months old.

I am going to make a New Years Resolution to try and post more often to my Blog. Have so many works in progress for my cross stitch, and have lost my stitching mojo for the time being. Hope to get it back though, as I do LOVE cross stitching. If I do ever get it back, I would LOVE to be able to find this design by Little House Needleworks. It was a special design for Elegant Stitch for Breast Cancer. I just love it and would love to stitch it.

Have a good weekend.

Nikki

Quiet Saturday at home

2010-11-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

After the bustle of Thanksgiving, we spent a quiet Saturday at home. My son Jon and daughter in law Amanda brought my grandson Benjamin down for a visit. They live about 1 1/2 hours north of us. He had on the most adorable hat that they had bought for him on Black Friday shopping. Isn't it adorable?

Now that they have gone back home, I am going to settle down and do some stitching this evening. I found another WIP that I forgot to mention in my next to the last post. So here is Fairy Moon by Lavendar & lace as it will be when finished

And here is my WIP so far. I am using a totally different color fabric called Lavendar Sunset, which I liked better than the fabric the chart called for:

Have a good weekend everyone!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-11-24T18:06:00.001-08:00

I am up early and making the most yummy looking Thanksgiving Day breakfast goodie, called
Mini Honey-Almond Cranberry Crostadas, don't they look good?

You can find the recipe here at the Pillsbury site:

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/mini-honey-almond-cranberry-crostatas/bc4db099-2f3b-47ad-9d1f-fc7f506cdc4c/

Thanksgiving came early for my cats, Rascal and Punkin. See what they are looking at out the window under our bird feeder? Wild turkeys. Sometimes we get up to 20 at a time out there. The cats go crazy and twitch and chatter at them and swish their tails back and forth.

I am cooking a 13lb store bought turkey today, with mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing in the bird, sweet potatoes and a green vegetable. And for dessert I made a pumpkin pie, a cherry pie and a mincemeat pie last night. It will be just Bob and I, Mike and Matt for dinner, and then Shannon, Alfie and the grand kids will come over for dessert later.

I hope to get some stitching done this long weekend...no Black Friday shopping for me. I am staying home ( I have Friday off from work), and stitch. HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!

I AM BACK AFTER MANY MONTHS

2010-11-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

It has been 7 months since my mother passed away. I was very depressed for several months, and also was finding it hard to see good enough anymore to do my cross stitching because of cataracts in both eyes. I am happy to say that I have had them both removed, the last one just last Monday, and I can see BETTER than new!! I was going through my stash today, and realized that I have 16, yes, SIXTEEN WIP's !!!!!!!!!!! I thought if I took pictures of them, and posted them here, it might shame me into finishing some of them. So here they are:

#1 Prairie Schooler Autumn Sampler

#2 EMS Quilt Square

#3 PV Purr-fect Patterns

#4 Lanarte Summertime

#5 Stoney Creek Roses and Greens Sampler Quilt from SC magazine

#6 Wildflowers from a Stoney Creek magazine I believe

#7 Golden Dreams a Bucilla Kit ( looks like our Golden)

#8 Emma's Garden L&L

#9 America for the Soldiers Memorial Project

#10 Squares for Sampler Book from Erica Michaels

#11 Stitchers Wallet from Tempus Fugi website, it was a SAL

#12 Just Nan Needle Story

#13 Papillon Creations How Does Your Garden Grow SAL from last year

#14 Random Thoughts from The Drawn Thread done in Silks

#15 EMS Flower SAL

#16 Lizzie Kate ABC Lessons

Am I crazy for having all these projects going at the same time? Maybe; but it's a good crazy!!!

Nikki

Goodbye Mama

2010-05-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

I lost my beloved mother on April 29, 2010. She was 83 years old. She died peacefully in her sleep after a courageous battle with CHF. I will miss you all the rest of my days. I love you Mama.

Your loving daughter,

Nikki

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

2010-04-03T17:07:00.001-07:00

A warm weekend coming for Easter

2010-04-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have taken today off from work to get some shopping errands done before the Easter weekend. The rainy cold weather is gone, and it is in the 60's today and sunny. I will be going to see my new grandson Benjamin tomorrow. I haven't seen him for several weeks. He is 8 weeks old now. Here is a recent picture from a few days ago

I did get some stitching done this week, but not as much as I had wanted. This is my progress on the EMS Floral SAL. April's flower has been posted and it is Sweet Peas's. I had tried to get March's daffodils done by April 1, but didn't quite make it.

I did buy some stash this week too. I got the Carriage House Samplings chart called "Early Maine Pincushion". SInce I live in Maine, I have been drawn to it. I hope to stitch it soon, and make it into a REAL pincushion that I can use while I am stitching.

I am going to bake a ham for easter, and make a potato salad, and some fresh asparagus, and have a strawberry jello poke cake and chocolate dipped homemade macaroons for dessert. Happy Easter everyone.

Nikki

I think Spring has arrived !

2010-03-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Here in Maine it usually isn't considered Spring until the first week of April, but it has been so warm for the past few weeks that I think it has arrived early! My daffodils are up 6 inches and will start to bloom soon and the crocuses are about to open.

Speaking of flowers, I got a little more stitching done on my EMS SAL. I just love the violets, so cheery and bright. Somehow you can really see the color of the fabric better in this picture, as it is a lovely pale green called Meadow Mist.

I think I may have to go stash shopping online soon. I have fallen in love with these two designs.

This is Honeysuckle Manor by Blackbird Designs

And this is Where Sticher's Gather by Victoria Sampler

Here is the latest picture of my beautiful grandson Benjamin. He is 6 weeks old yesterday, and is smiling already.

Enjoy the Spring weather where you are.

Nikki

My Benjamin visit

2010-03-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I got to go visit my new grandson Benjamin over the weekend. I had such a wonderful visit, and got to hold him for hours, and give him 2 feedings, and even change his diaper once!! He is so beautiful, and has changed so much since I saw him in person last. He is almost 6 weeks old now. He lives 90 miles north of where I live, so I don't get to see him but every few weeks.

I have done a bit more stitching on my SAL projects. Here is the March square added to My Little Heart:

And here is the February square almost finished on the EMS Floral SAL. I love the violets. Daffodils are next, then I will be caught up until April comes out.

We had out Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner tonight, a little early, but it was yummy !!! Till next time.

Nikki

Got some stitching done again

2010-02-28T08:17:00.000-08:00

I had been in a stitching slump for a while now. What with the holidays and the birth of my new grandson there were "other" things to do and think about. I did manage to finish the Teddy Bear Vervaco design for my grandson Benjamin and frame it and give it to my son and daughter in law.

I have also started a Stitch Along, well two of them actually. The first one is from a Blog and is called My Little Heart. There will be a sqaure for each month of 2010. Here is what I have done so far.

I am also stitching the EMS Flower series Stitch Along for 2010. I have almost completed January's square so far. Februay's is violets, and March has not been released yet. Here is my progress so far.

I also began Lizzie Kate's ABC Lessons and here is my progress . I think it will be for my grand daughter who will be 10 years old this May.

It feels good to get my stitching Mojo back.

And last, but certainly not least is my sweet little punkin grandson, Benjamin. He is 3 1/2 weeks old now. Here are a couple of pictures from the past few days. I won't get to see him again for another 2 weeks, but my son keeps me well supplied with pictures via email.

Nikki

Benjamin is here !

2010-02-15T07:33:00.000-08:00

A little late, but please welcome my newest grandson Benjamin. He was born Feb 3, 2010 at 1:05 PM, weighing 8lbs, 4 oz, and 20 inches long. He makes grandchild #3 for me. We are all just thrilled that he is healthy and such a good baby too.

The Holidays

2009-12-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone for another year. It was a wonderful day with family and good food. Matt, Mike, Shannon, Alfie and the kids were here for Christmas Day afternoon. Jon and Amanda did not come down from Bangor, as she is close to her due date and too uncomfortable for traveling.

Here is a picture of Comet who was NOT impressed at having to wear reindeer antlers!!

This is a picture of Kaleigh and her Christmas collage she made. It took her several days of cutting and gluing to finish it.

And here is Zachary who got his first guitar that he has been wanting. He looks pretty happy!!

Now that the rush of the holidays are about over; I can get back to working on my stitching and quilting again. Happy Holidays everyone.

Nikki

More knitting for baby

2009-11-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post a picture of this baby blanket I knit. I did it back in Sept and Oct when I was in California with my mother, when she was so ill. I needed something to do with my hands while I sat with her in the hospital and at home. I found the pattern online, as a free pattern. At the time I did not know it was a boy; so I knit it in white. It has teddy bears knit into the design, and is reversible. Knit stitch for teddies on one side, purl on the opposite side. I think the teddies would have shown up better had it been blue, or pink; and they show up better in person. I so enjoy knitting, and am trying my hand at knitting socks now.

This close up shows a teddy motif better.

Nikki

Cold and rainy November day

2009-11-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

It's a good "soup" day, and I am making a big pot of cream of chicken and wild rice soup; even BETTER than Panera makes, if I do say so myself. My own recipe. We will be getting the remnants of the tropical storm today, and it is a chilly November day. So I thought I would post some pictures of other things I have been working on.

This is my first canvas work project. I bought the pattern last year on a trip to The Stitchers Corner ( remember Cindy?), and have just now begun stitching it. It's a design from Nancy's Needle called Amish Trip Around the World. I LOVE the way it looks, and is something different to work on. The colors will go so well in my bedroom.

This one is going to be a birth annoucement for my new grandson .It's a Vervaco kit and I just love it. The other grandmother is a stitcher too, and is doing a jungle baby sampler ( which is the nursery theme). I was going to do one also, but decided to let her do that, and I will do this one that the parents can hang in their room, I think.

Here is a picture of some fabric I got to make a crib quilt for my grandson. I gotta get started on it pretty soon. I found this picture on the internet and will make it sort of look like this, but a bit bigger and slightly different fabric. Isn't it cute? I figured if I made it a bit bigger, he could use it even as a toddler and small child.

It will look kind of like this when done

I also knitted a little blue set of booties and a hat too, but I think I will hang up my knitting needles for this baby until NEXT winter!!!

Have a good weekend. Nikki

Fall Update

2009-11-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since I have posted anything here. I have WONDERFUL news !! Jon and his wife are expecting a baby, and it's a BOY!!!! They are due Feb 10, 2010. Here is the latest Ultrasound scan she had. Isn't that awesome. Technology is so great these days.

I have already knitted up a storm for this baby. Some of the things I have already given to Jon and Amanda, a knitted turquoise baby blanket and about a dozen cotton washcloths, but here are a couple more things I have done and yet to give them.

This set I knitted before I knew it was a boy. The hat has a strand of white angora yarn in it, and is super super soft. It is a newborn size set.

This yellow hooded sweater zips all the way up the back and is knit in one piece, you just sew up the side seams. It was fun to knit.

I am working on a cross stitched piece for the baby too, and will try to get a picture of that up in a couple of days so check back.

Nikki

My latest finish

2009-07-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a stitching I did for a friend of my daughter who had her baby on June 3. I mounted it in a Photo Album I bought at the Christmas Tree Shop. I think it turned out really cute, and the mom loved it.

And here is a picture of baby Michael who I stitched it for

I have some news to share, but will leave that for another post, hopefully by this weekend, and more pictures. Stay tuned!!!

Nikki

It's been a long time

2009-05-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted in such a long time. Shame on me. I have been in such a stitching slump recently. I haven't really done any stitching to speak of in months. I have had some medical issues too, so that has put a damper on my feeling like doing anything. I did finish the Blue afghan, but then boxed it up for next Christmas as a gift. Here is what it looks like.

I also did some knitting for a friend of my son who had a new baby girl in January. I made her a hat and mittens.

I also stitched her mommy and daddy some little footprints with her name

The only real stitching I have done since January is a new project I started. It's called Wild Flowers from the Feb 2009 Stoney Creek Magazine. Here is what the finished project will look like and then my WIP

It's good to be back posting. Maybe it will make me want to pick up my stitching more often now !!!

Nikki

I started a new project

2009-01-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

I decided for the New Year I needed to do something different. This weekend I began a crocheted ripple afghan in shades of blues and white. I haven't made one of these in years. I am using Caron Simply Soft yarn. It has been so cold this weekend. I made a big pot of cream of turkey and vegetable soup today, and a chocolate cake for dessert, and have just been working on my afghan. It's back to work tomorrow; these weekends just don't last long enough..

Nikki

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T08:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone ! A lot has happened in my life since the last time I posted to my Blog. My 81 year old mother has been very very ill since mid September. She lives in California, and I live in Maine. I flew out twice to be with her. My daughter went with me in October for 1 week, as well as my oldest son and his wife. My mother was still in the hospital at that point, in isolation, with a terrible Staph infection in her colon, which had spread to her blood. She was hospitalized almost 2 months total. I flew back out there right before Thanksgiving to help her when she was released from Rehab and came home. I stayed 3 weeks that time. I missed Thanksgiving with my family here in Maine, but cooked the traditional turkey and trimmings for my mother and sister in California. I came back to Maine 10 days before Christmas, and had to hurry and put up the tree, and shop for a few things for my grandchildren. It was a quiet Christmas, and I am tired, and worn out, and trying to get back into the swing of things again.

I did do a little stitching while I was on the west coast. I stitched these 3 snowmen from designer Mount Forrest Frameworks. I love snowmen, and think these are adorable. I will finish them off as ornaments for next Christmas.

I have decided to take a bit of a break from cross stitching for now. I decided to crochet an afghan for my oldest son for next Christmas. It is a ripple afghan done in 3 shades of blues and white. I will post pictures of my progress on that, but right now just have a few rows done.

I am cooking a turkey for New Years day dinner, as my family never got one for Thanksgiving. I made a apple pie first thing this morning for dessert. Have a safe and happy New Year.

Nikki

I am back.....and it's FALL, my favorite time of the year

2008-11-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while. With my mother's health problems, and some of my own, I just haven't been up to posting much in the past few months. I have been busy stitching however. I finished my Just Jan Common Ground at the end of summer. Here is what it looks like:

I did a piece for Halloween, but didn't finish it off, so it will be for next year. It is Smell My Feet from La D Da, and was in the JCS Halloween issue magaine:

I then moved on to do a Fall freebie from Pelin Tezer's website. I used Needle Necessities overdyed fall colors:

Next, I stitched this design from Prarie Schooler I found in a 1991 issue of Cross Stitch Sampler magazine:

This is a Good Huswife design I found in a 1999 issue of The Needleworker magazine:

This Thanksgiving horn of plenty was from a older Leisure Arts hardcover book. It was a band sampler, and I choose a portion of it to stitch this:

This is a design I stitched for a co worker who is just about to become a grandmother any day now. It was from a 1988 Gloria & Pat booklet. I plan to stitch the baby's name and date of birth under the design once he is born. This is the frame I will put it in. It is just sitting in the frame in this picture.

Here is a close up:

And last but not least is a Christmas Tree from the Dec The Gift of Stitching online magazine. It was shown done in blues, but I changed the colors:

It's good to be back posting to my Blog. Until next time, enjoy this warmer than usual November weather !

Nikki

Stitching in The Heat

2008-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

Whew, it is HOT HOT HOT and humid this weekend here in Maine. I took Thursday and Friday off from work, so I could have a "mini" vacation and a 4 day weekend. I got quite a bit of stitching done. I found that if I rotate my WIP, I think I can get them done faster.

Here is the border for Just Nan's Common Ground all finished. I started this project about a year ago, and only had gotten 2 or 3 flowers done. This week I finished the border. It is done with DMC threads, and a piece of 28ct fabric I had in my stash, and I can't tell you what it is, but is soft, and feels wonderful. The picture is sideways, but since it is just the border, I don't think it matters.

I also was able to get Part 7 & 8 done on the Papillon Creations Stitch Along called How Does Your Garden Grow. There are 4 more parts coming in Sept, Oct, Nov & Dec....then I can frame and hang it in my bedroom.

I was going to begin a another LHN design tonight, called Home of a Needleworker too, but don't have all the Crescent Colors it calls for; so I have decided to start another Just Nan, called Needle Story. It is a band Sampler with a stitching theme, and it not very big, and should stitch up quickly.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nikki

A Very Productive Weekend for Stitching

2008-07-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased that I got so much time to stitch over the 3 day weekend just past. I finished Part 6 on the Papillon Creations How Does Your Garden Grow. I must say that every time there is a Queen Stitch, I substitute something different. I just cannot seem to get the hang of the Queen Stitch. Here it is so far

I picked up another WIP that I started last year. It is called Random THoughts by The Drawn Thread, and is done over 2 with 1 Silk Thread. I love the delicate pale look of it. AGAIN the dreaded Queen Stitch is there, so I will think of something else to stitch in it's place. Here is my progress on that so far

I ordered some new stash over the weekend too. I got Papillon Creations Floral Patchwork, and 2 LHN designs. Cannot wait for them to arrive.

Have a good week.

Nikki

Happy 4th of July !!!

2008-07-04T15:17:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a nice holiday. The weather here in Maine is PERFECT for the 4th of July. Mid 70's, not humid and just a lovely day.

I finished my Patriotic design I have been stitching for 2 weeks JUST IN TIME!!! I spent 2 hours this morning sewing on the buttons, and framing it. It's called Heart of America by Little House Needleworks. It is stitched on 30ct R&R Linen with Crescent Colors threads. I ran out of the darker green thread at the bottom square, so had to substitute the lighter green, but I think it looks fine, and am very proud of how it turned out.

Here it is a bit closer, before I framed it:

I also framed another one this morning, that I finished last year. It is called America by Little House Needleworks, and was stitched on 27ct Linda cloth with DMC threads. I love this one too!!

I have been working on New England Sampler a bit each day during breaks at work, and it is coming along nicely. Here is my WIP

I have found a different design to stitch another Soldier Memorial, and will get started on that in the next week or so. For the rest of the holiday weekend I will work on the remainder of Part 6 of my How Does Your Garden Grow, and perhaps dig out some of my older WIP's and see if I can't finish one of them !!

Tomorrow we go pick strawberries as they are ripe and wonderful this year. We went last Sat. with my granddaughter, and ate them all up during the week. Yummmmmmmmm

Take Care

Nikki

A Beautiful Summer Day

2008-06-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Today is just a gorgeous summer day, just PERFECT weather. No humidity, a slight breeze, and temp's in the upper 70's. I managed to get some stitching done this week, despite the nasty heat and humidity of last weekend. We did buy a air conditioner for our bedroom, so that helped some. What a relief to have the humidity gone for awhile though.

I finished my American Soldier Memorial Project, and here it is. Andrew was from Wiscasset Maine, my home state. He was just 19 years old when he was killed in Afghanistan. I have spoken with his mother, and she told me how proud she and her husband are of their son. He was killed while providing cover fire so that some of his fellow soldiers could get away safely. He was wounded, and hit in the back with shrapnel, but kept firing until his gun had no more ammunition. He was a true hero, and was awarded the Silver Star. If you would like to see Andrew, and read about him, this site has articles about him

Click Here To see Andrew

I think I will stitch another piece soon, as I have gotten such satisfaction doing this one. I framed it simply, in a black frame. I will be mailing it to his mother next week. I sure hope she likes it.

And here is a picture of Andrew R. Small

Here is my progress on New England Sampler this week. I just love the colors. It will take me awhile to get it finished, but it sure will be worth it.

Have a great weekend.

Nikki

Monday again

2008-06-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the week was hectic at work, and I was so glad to get home tonight. I have been scanning pictures from my kid's old photo albums, and saving them on a DMV; then I decided to scrapbook the originals and make a scrapbook for each of my 4 children. I started with Jon, my oldest. I only got the first 2 pages of the book done tonight, but eventually I will get them all done. I am going to include things like their hospital ID bracelet's, cards, and momentos like that. Here are my first 2 pages for Jon.

I worked some more on the Memorial for the Soldier killed in Iraq who is from my state. Here is my progress on that.

LOOK what I got with a 50% off coupon at AC Moore today!!!! A set of some of the DMC color variations. I can't wait to try them, and see how they compare to some of the overdyes.

Have a nice Monday evening.

Nikki

The Sun.........I SEE THE SUN !!!

2008-06-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

Well, the whole weekend wasn't a wash out. This morning I see the sun is out, so maybe I will be in a better mood today. Yesterday I got NO stitching done. I was just in a "Blue Funk" or something, and I slept and slept. I guess I needed it maybe? Anyway, today I got up bright and early, and framed a piece that I finished stitching a while back. It is called Perennial Border by The Drawn Thread. This is a frame I found at the Goodwill, and recycled it. I think it is the perfect size. I will hang it in my bedroom, and it will be just perfect in there. It looks crooked in the frame in the picture, but it really isn't.

Here's hoping I can get some stitching in today between loads of laundry. LOL

Enjoy your Sunday.

Nikki

Another Rainy Weekend!!!!!

2008-05-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

I guess we need the rain; but gosh darn; I work
inside all week long, and so look forward to a
sunny nice weekend. Sigh.

I worked all week on two of my stitching projects. Here is the progress so far on the
American Solider Memorial Project. I started
stitching it on Memorial Day.

I am using 32 count Lugana in Ivory, and decided to use DMC instead of the handyed floss it called for. I think it looks good, and am happy with the effect.

The 2nd project I have gotten some done on this week is the New England Sampler, by Ginger & Spice. I will have to admit this is a HUGE project for me, and I will be soooo glad when the row of flowers is finished!! I just have some lilacs to stitch in that row now.

Let's see how much I can get finished over this rainy weekend. Enjoy your weekend too.

Nikki

MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRENCE

2008-05-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I have been blessed not to have lost anyone in my family who served in the Military. My husband was a Marine during Vietnam, and my father in law was in the Navy during WWII, so we have Veteran's in our family.

This year I decided that I needed to do something special. I chose a name from the American Soldier's Memorial Project. It is a young man who lost his life for his country, who lived in my state. I will begin cross stitching a Memorial piece to be sent to his family in memory of him.

This is the piece I chose. It is called Red, White & Blue by Vicki Hasting. I will be adding his name to it also. What better way to honor the memory of a fallen hero on this Memorial Day.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Nikki

New Stash

2008-05-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday's trip down to Wiscasset and the Stitcher's Corner with my friend Cindy was wonderful. I found all the specialty threads I needed, and a couple of charts I just couldn't leave there !! Ribbons of Hope is by The Needles Prayse. My sister in law has breast cancer, and I will stitch this for her, and maybe for some charity quilt squares. The other chart I just fell in love with the colors, and the idea of it. It is called Amish Trip Around The World from Nancy's Needle. It is done on 18ct mono canvas with Caron threads. I might just try it on evenweave, maybe with Pearl Cotton?? Or I may just try the canvas. As you can see by the colors of this chart, and my other stitchings, these are MY COLORS, and I was just drawn to the chart and had to get it.

Here's a close up of the Trip Around the World. Isn't it GORGEOUS !!!

I finished up Part 5 of the How Does Your Garden Grow this morning while I watched the finale episode of The Tudors on Demand. Boo hoo; will have to wait for Season 3 to begin now. I LOVE that series. Here are the butterflies from Part 5completed. Cannot wait for Part 6 now!!!

I think I might get out a WIP to work on for the rest of the holiday weekend. Maybe my New England Sampler....hmmmmmm, let me go look. Have a great weekend.

Nikki

A perfect start to a Holiday weekend.

2008-05-24T04:47:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of my long Memorial Day weekend, and I am starting it off with a trip to my LNS shop, with a stitching friend or two. It's called Stitcher's Corner in Wiscasset Maine, and I only get there once or twice a year. I am needing some speciality threads to complete my How Does Your Garden Grow project, plus I am sure I will find a bunch of other goodies that I just cannot live without!!! Look out VISA card. LOL

Here is my progress so far on the Stitcher's Wallet. This is stitched over 1 with Caron Waterlillies Silk thread, which is so fun to work with.

I have just barely begun Part 5 of the How Does Your Garden Grow from Papillion Creations. I got ONE Butterfly of Part 5 done this week!!! I will work on it this long weekend. Here is my WIP so far

I hope everyone has a relaxing and safe Holiday Weekend.

Nikki

Some pictures of our area in Central Maine

2008-05-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Now that a kind soul told me how to post pictures to my Blog side by side, I can share the pictures that my son Michael took last year about this time of our area near our house in Central Maine. Enjoy. Nikki

A New Project to start this weekend

2008-05-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

I am going to finish up the Alphabet Tree today and then start my new project. It's called a Stitcher's Wallet. It is on a french Blog site, and is a SAL. You can see what it will look like here, and find out how to download the charts if you want to stitch it too:

http://tempusfugit.over-blog.com/categorie-10268584.html

Here is the fabric and threads I have chosen to use. They are 28 ct Ivory Jobelan and Caron Waterlillies silk thread in color Cherry. I took this picture outside, and for some reason the thread looks dark. It is very beautiful. I might use the floral as the back of the wallet, it certainly goes well, but not sure yet. It will be stitched over 1 thread with 1 strand of the silk. I can't wait to get started.

I bought myself a new DMC color card, and it has the actual floss on the card, not just a picture. I just love it. It will make it so much easier to change colors on a project, and see which colors match. Now why did I never buy one before??

Part 5 of the Papillion How Does Your Garden Grow SAL is up on her site today. I have up to Part 4 completed, so can't wait to get Part 5 added. I will work on it this week during my lunch hours in the breakroom. I get a lot of stitching done there!!

I wanted to post some pictures that my youngest son Michael took of the area we live it last year, but our server is SOOOO slow this morning, I will wait until tomorrow. So check back...they are AWESOME pictures!

Nikki

I stitched all week

2008-05-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

I got a lot done, stitching wise this week. I finished my Papillion Creations Serendipity. I just love the colors.

I started a small project from Blue Ribbon Designs, called Alphabet Tree. I already had to rip some of the stitches out at the bottom, as I miscounted, but will likely finish it up tonight. I am using Caron Wildflower threads on Sapphire 32ct Jobelan fabric.

I got some new stash in the mail today for a new project I am starting over the weekend. I will post pictures tomorrow, when I can take them in the daylight. Too dark tonight, and you couldn't see the colors well. Until tomorrow, take care.

Nikki

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MAMA !

2008-05-11T06:13:00.000-07:00

I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day Mama. Even though we are on opposite sides of the country, I love you more than you will know, and miss you so much. I was able to get this picture of you from your High School yearbook from the Historical Society in the town where your High School was. They have a collection of yearbooks from area schools, and a nice lady there, scanned your senior picture for me. So for you mama, and everyone reading this, here is my beautiful mother at age 18 in her Senior year of High School.

And here are some pictures of mom and I that I have always loved from 1953

And here is mom and I when she came back East for a visit with me several years ago

I LOVE YOU MAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your loving daughter,

Nikki

Preparing For Mother's Day

2008-05-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

I helped my 2 grand kids get a present ready for their mom ( my DD) for Mother's Day today. I took their picture and we went up to Wal Mart and printed it out, and framed it as a gift.
We also went out to lunch at Pat's Pizza, and had a nice outing. It turned out that it didn't rain after all today; so it was a good day. I got more stitched on Serendipity, so hope to get it finished soon. Here is the picture of Kaleigh and her brother Zachary that they are giving to mama tomorrow. I will post a couple of "SPECIAL" pictures tomorrow for Mother's Day that i just LOVE !!!

My WIP this past week

2008-05-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have been dilligently working on my Serendipity freebie from Papillon Creations this week. I am hoping to finish the rest this weekend. It is supposed to be rainy again this weekend, so maybe I can get it done. After that I would love to start on The Stitcher's Wallet from the French website I read about on the 123 Board. It is so lovely. I wanted to be able to get The Stitchers Corner this weekend, my closest LNS, but I think I will just order my threads for the Stitcher's Wallet online. We'll see.

Oops, I see I missed a little "squiggly" in the bottom portion. Better get that stitched in !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALEIGH !

2008-05-08T17:46:00.001-07:00

Today is my grand daughter Kaleigh's 8th birthday. Where did the years go? Happy birthday Lumpy !! Here she is with the cake I made for her at her request: a chocolate cake with strawberry frosting.

A Rainy Weekend here

2008-05-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

It was a rainy gloomy and cold weekend. I was cold all weekend, and ended up in my favorite stitching chair, all covered in blankets, watching old movies on Turner Classics and stitching. I started a new Papillion design; another freebie that she put out a while back, called Serendipity. I decided NOT to do the specialty stitches on this one, like I am doing with How Does Your Garden Grow. I like the colors I chose. I am not sure what I will do with it, but am having fun stitching it, and that's what counts. Here it is so far:

I thought it might be fun to show you my stash storage that I recently got at Target. It has 21 drawers that pull out and have lids on them. I keep my different WIP in a different one and can easily pull it out to work on. They fit nicely into my closet in my computer/ craft room. This is how it looks:

Then, in the same room, I have a book shelf that holds containers with my EXTRA DMC floss by numbers one of my two Jammers Boxes with a complete set of DMC, and magazine holders for charts and magazines. This is it:

Then up on the closet shelf I have more magazine holders with MORE charts, and I have a built in bookshelf out in the hall with all my hardcover XS books. PLUS, I have plastic totes ( 3 of them) under the bed in the craft room, with all my fabrics, and a end table with magazine racks under it, and more WIP in plastic bags in there. I just cleared out my unwanted stash at the end of winter, so all this that is left is my NECESSITIES !!!! LOL

Hope you have a nice week, and get lots of stitching done. Thanks for stopping by.

Nikki

The End of My Vacation

2008-04-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

I have had 5 days off from work, IN A ROW !!! It was truly a vacation for me. I didn't go anywhere special, but got a lot of spring cleaning and organizing done, a lot done on my Geneaology , and got tons and tons of stitching time in, AND the weather has just been AWESOME....very nice and sunny and warm. My Forsythia is blooming, as well as daffodils all over my yard. We got 2 new dressers for our bedroom too, and I finally got rid of the 1940's bureau we have had since moving to Maine in 1972. I found some nice curtains at Bed Bath & Beyond, and I am a happy camper regarding my "new" bedroom. I had a nice relaxing vacation, but it's back to work tomorrow.

I finished parts 1 to 4 of the Papillion Creations How Does Your Garden Grow. Part 5 won't be on her website until May, so now it is back to my work on New England Sampler, and to get caught up on the Erica Michael's blocks for The Sampler Book.

I just love the colors in this.

A New Project

2008-04-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

I started Papillion Creation's How Does Your Garden Grow yesterday morning, and this is how far I have gotten.

I am stitching it on Ivory 32ct Lugana. This is a SAL, and you get to choose your own colors, 4 flower colors, and 2 greens. I love the colors I chose. They are Needle Necessities, and Crescent Colors, and DMC combined. Oh, and one Caron Wildflower ( the blue). It is so much fun to do the specialty stitches. Gives me something DIFFERENT to do. I have 2 small flowers to finish, and then I am off to start part 2. Part 3 hasn't been posted to her website yet.

As usual the weekend went too fast, and it is back to work tomorrow. Have a good week.

A Rainy weekend

2008-04-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well I am back !! Gosh, I haven't posted since before Valentine's Day. I have really been bitten by the Genealogy Bug in the past couple of months. My grandfather on my dad's side had done that family back to 1600's France, and my mother's mother's side was done by a cousin of hers back to 1700's Norway. Now I am researching the other two sides, plus helping my son Jon do my husbands family. I bought some software called Legacy 6 to keep track of it all. I also joined Ancestry.Com which has been WONDERFUL. I am having a lot of fun with it all.

I have been sick this week with some kind of bug. It whammed into me Monday evening, and I slept till Weds afternoon, pretty much. I missed 2 days of work too. I still have this terrible cough, but hopefully will be gone soon.

As for my stitching projects, I started Ginger & Spices New England Sampler about a month ago. I am coming right along on it, and I just adore the colors in it. Here is a pic of my progress as of yesterday.

I also started a new project today. I couldn't resist. I have been ohhing and aahing over the Papillion Creations How Does Your Garden Grow SAL that she has going. I am doing the version with the Specialty stitches, and just LOVE how it is looking after just this morning stitching on it. I will try to post a picture tomorrow of that. I also kitted up the next 2 letters of the Erica Michael's Alphabet Blocks letter "E" and "F" and will get a start on those this week.

Spring is finally here, and I am SO glad. It was a rough winter. I bought two new dressers and a matching night stand for my bedroom, and am looking for a new couch and chair for my living room. Bob bought a new metal storage shed for outside. So we basically spent our Bush Economy Booster rebate before it even got here. Needed something cheery after the long winter.

I'M ON A ROLL FOR VALENTINE STITCHING!!

2008-02-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

I finished another Valentine small design today while on my breaks at work. It is a design that a fellow 123 Stitch Board member designed. I got my choice of several letters, and since I am NIKKI, I chose "N" of course.

I also went to The Christmas Tree Shop after work, and found the most beautiful box for displaying my Valentine Stitching this year. I won't post a picture of it yet, but will wait till I get all my little pillows finished, and in the box, then I will share. I AM EXCITED!!!!! I kind of like stitching all these little finishes instead of working on a big project right now.

Super Bowl Sunday

2008-02-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

OK, I admit it; I never even turned the game on, and have no idea who won!! Sorry football fans. Instead I finished another Valentine Project. It's an older freebie from Krenik, called Love. I stitched it on 32ct Jobelan, off white with DMC floss, rather than the metallics it called for. It was fun and quick to stitch, and I will make it into a small pillow or ornament for Valentine's Day.

My son Mike and I went up to Bangor today with my grand daughter Kaleigh, and we all went to the Planetarium at the University of Orono, and saw a good show based on the book "Follow The Drinking Gourd", about constellations, and how the slaves followed the stars to freedom in the north. The "Drinking Gourd" is another name for the Big Dipper. Kaleigh really enjoyed it. We went out to have lunch at Pat's Pizza, and had a fun day. Back to work tomorrow.

Valentine Stitching

2008-02-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I was able to finish a Valentine Heart today. It is a freebie from Dragonfly Stitches done on 32ct Lugana from Silkweavers ( don't know the color) but it's a soft blush pink. I stitched it with Needle Necessities #193 thread. I love how there are hearts within hearts, and then even smaller hearts around the border. I will make it into a small pillow this week.

Here is what it looked like outside this morning. After the storm last night, of sleet, and freezing rain, and a little snow; with THUNDER & LIGHTENING TOO; everything was covered in ice, and looked so pretty. Kind of reminded me of THE Ice Storm we had a number of years ago here in the North East, and it was raining ice chunks most of today as it got windy and warmer.

We are off early tomorrow with the grandkids for Bangor to see Jon, then back to work Monday. Sigh...the weekends just are not long enough.

Superbowl Sunday Weekend

2008-02-01T16:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I managed to get projects finished this week, despite a hectic week. Our cat Punkin scratched our dog Comet on her eye, scratching her cornea and puncturing her eyeball!!! My poor baby!!! Bob took her to the VET, and we have some antibiotic ointment to put in her eyes for 2 weeks, then she needs to go back for a recheck. It isn't clear at this point whether or not her vision will be affected. And, we are having another snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain, storm tonight. Winter just keeps on going!!! It is February though, so not too much longer and spring will be here.

My first finish is the Val's Place Snowman ornament from the 2006 JCS Ornament issue. I made it as a companion piece to the other I made from the 2006 Preview issue. I didn't have a star for his hat, so glued on a snowflake charm I had!!

The 2nd finish is the ornament from Milady's Needle that I completed at work this past week.

I am going to work on some Valentine quickies this weekend I think, and get a basket, and make little pillows with them to display for Valentine's Day. I am not much into football, so probably WILL NOT watch the Superbowl. We are going up to Bangor this Sunday to visit my oldest son and his family, and go to the Planetarium at the University at Orono, and see a show. I will take the 2 grandkids too.

A Special Stitching Project

2008-01-26T16:49:00.000-08:00

Today I started, AND finished a very special project. I have a co worker, who lost her baby boy about 2 years ago. His name was Matthew ( just like my son), and he was only about 2 months old when he died. This past Christmas she had been searching everywhere for a figurine, or an ornament with a little boy angel on it, and couldn't find anything. Without her knowing, I have been looking and looking for a special angel to stitch for her, and I found him. It is designed by Ruth Morehead, and was in a older Dimensions leaflet called Holly Angels. I changed him a little bit, hair color to brown instead of red, and took out the holly, so it wasn't so Christmasy. I think I will find a small silver frame to put it in. Matthew's birthday is coming up in March, ( he would have been two, and I will give it to her close to the date.

Now I can return to my other works in progress for the remainder of the weekend.

Back To Work

2008-01-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

Well, my long weekend is over, and was too short, as usual. I did manage to get some good long hours of stitching in, especially yesterday. I finished another Block in the Erica Michael's Sampler Book, the letter "C".

I also began a new ornament for Christmas 2008. It is by Milady's Needle called Sampler Christmas. I am stitching this on Parchment 32ct Jobelan with DMC. This is what the finished ornament will look like

This is my progress from last night, and working on it at work, during my afternoon break

The days are getting longer. I get out of work at 4:30 PM, and it is actually still light out now, and stays that way on my drive home.

A Long Stitching Holiday Weekend

2008-01-21T05:21:00.000-08:00

I have today off from work because of Martin Luther King Day, and it was so bitterly cold too. This morning it was minus 10 degrees here. Brrrrrr. Even the dog didn't want to stay out long.

I got a lot of stitching done this weekend. I am making a needle case for my daughter-in-law's, mother. She and I share the exact same birthday, Feb 22; and she is also a cross stitcher. The design I chose is called AY's Necessities from Historic Stitches. Here is a picture of what the finished project will look like. The needle book is the Octagon shaped item. This is the FRONT

This is the BACK

Here is the INSIDE, with a little pocket for scissors

Here is my work in progress so far. I finished the stitching. The basting lines will come out after I cut it. I decided to stitch it on 32 ct Jobelan, the color Sapphire ( which is a greenish blue). I just need to get the lining fabric, which I think will be some sort of a pink small print, then I can put it together.

I also began another 2 blocks for my Erica Michaels Sampler Book, C & D. Here is my WIP so far on "C".

Keep warm; think SPRING !!!

WHERE IS SPRING !!!!

2008-01-15T16:45:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we had another 11 inches of snow!! I ended up not going to work, as it snowed all day long. It gave me a nice day of stitching. I got my first two blocks of my Erica Michaels Sampler Book nearly finished. I just have the border to do. It is stitched in DMC Pearl #12 in matching color to the fabric, so you go blind as you backstitch the border. But, here are the first two done. Only 24 more to go!!!

I have a long weekend coming up with Martin Luther King Day, and I hope to possibly finish C & D Blocks then. Have a good week.

Girly Comments & Graphics

My Family

2008-01-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share a few photos of my family, who I am very very proud of.

This is my oldest son Jon, who is 33 years old and his wife Amanda. He has played guitar since he was in the 6th grade, and he just got this new acoustic electric guitar for his last birthday.

This is Jon's stepchildren, Megan and Jacob, and then Jacob up in a tree !

This is my my daughter Shannon, who is 30 years old, with her daughter Kaleigh

This is Kaleigh, my grand daughter, who is 7 years old, taken Xmas Day. My daughter Shannon is in the background, with her husband Al.

This is an older picture of my daughter Shannon and her kids, but a FAVORITE of mine, so I had to include this one.

This is my husband Bob, and our son Matt, who is 29

This is my youngest son Mike, who is 24.

And this is my grandson Zachary who turned 13 years old today

Tomorrow we are in for another snowstorm, so I am not looking forward to that, and driving to work in it. Oh well, I live in Maine, I gotta expect it!!

A Slow Stitching Start to the New Year

2008-01-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't really been motivated to get much stitching done since the beginning of the year. HOWEVER, I found a project that I am really excited about. It's called The Sampler Book by Erica Michael. Here is what it looks like.

Here is what it will look like opened up

Each page is a different letter of the alphabet. The charts are free, from Rainbow Gallery here:

http://www.rainbowgallery.com/freechartdownloads.cfm?ID=11

I have been downloading the free charts throughout 2007, and now, with a group of stitchers, we are beginning the book. It will probably take me most of the year to complete just the stitching, and then it will need to be assembled. I am stitching it on 32ct Lugana, Ivory, with 2 strands of DMC. Here is my first block, almost finished:

I have fallen in love with snowmen charts in the past few months, and have collected quite a lot since Christmas. I stitched one up as a "work break" project this past week. It was in one of the past issues of the JCS magaine, the October 2006 Preview issue. There is a companion snowman in the 2006 Ornament issue that I will do next, and make into ornaments for next Christmas.

Tomorrow is my oldest grandson's birthday. Zachary will be 13 years old !!! Where did the time go. I will try to post some pictures of the day. I am making him his favorite fried chicken for his dinner, and a homemade chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting for dessert. More later. Bye for now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2007-12-31T19:46:00.000-08:00

Well 2007 is almost over with; just 1 hour and 15 mins of it is left, and I am too tired to stay up any longer and see 2008 ushered in. We had about 6 inches of new snow here in Maine today, and Comet had so much fun playing in it. She is such a goofball. She leaps around like a sheep or a kangaroo, and dives down under the snow looking for snowballs we throw to her.

I am off to bed. Happy New Year !

I had a Lovely Christmas!

2007-12-30T12:09:00.000-08:00

The days really flew by this month with all the preparations for Christmas. I had all my 4 grown children and two grandkids here for Christmas Day. It was exciting and fun, and very very tiring. My kids gave me the best gift, a Digital Picture Frame that will show a slide show of photos and I can add music too.

I didn't get much stitching done over the holidays, but before Xmas I did get a bit more done on Golden Dreams.

Here is the "REAL" dog I think the stitched piece will look like when it is finished. This is Comet.

Since Xmas is over with, I have been working on a stitching project with 15 other ladies from an online group I belong to. It is for one of our members who had twin grand babies, a boy and a girl pass away as infants. We all decided to stitch this beautiful tribute to them. It is called Angel Kisses and we have all stitched a small section of it. I am next to the last to stitch, then it goes to the last stitcher, who will wash it, and have it framed. We have been working on it for almost exactly 1 year.

It is almost New Years Eve, and I plan to stitch a Happy New Year design and enter a online contest with it. More about that later.

I'm all ready for Christmas

2007-12-16T05:55:00.001-08:00

The tree is completely decorated now, and my shopping is all done. Yesterday I finished up the last of my cross stitched ornaments, and got everything on the tree. All the presents are wrapped, and I just have to wait for Christmas to come now. We are having another HUGE snow event today with 6 to 10 inches of snow predicted, and then sleet and freezing rain on top of it. I will make a beef stew early, and then if the power goes out later, we will have FOOD at least !! Heat, maybe not, but food....yes!! While the stew simmers I think I will work on my Golden Dreams XS for a while. I think I am tired of Christmas stitching for this year.

I stitched these 3 Santa's last year, but never got them made into ornaments until yesterday. The rest I have stitched this fall.

As you can see, we don't have much room in the living room for a big tree, but I have SO MANY ornaments, we need a big tree.

Just a close up of some of the ornaments.

Christmas Tree is UP !!

2007-12-08T15:28:00.000-08:00

Well, we got our tree up and the lights on. Might try to get it decorated tomorrow. I finished another ornament this week. It's from the 2007 JCS Ornament issue. I saw so many other people on the 123 Stitch message board that had stitched it, and I just LOVE how cute it turned out.

We had our oldest son and his wife and 2 children here for the day. I invited over my other 2 grand children too, and I made a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs, and TWO chocolate pies for dessert. The kids took Comet, our Golden Retriever outdoors to play in the snow, and we had very very tired kids and dog here afterwards. Hope to get some stitching on my Golden Dreams done this evening, as I am just not in the mood for anymore Christmas Stitching today.

Taking A Snow Day to stitch

2007-12-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

Well, the snow has arrived, and I have taken a "Snow Day" off from work, and have been stitching this morning. I completed the sweet little Snowman from Mount Forest Frameworks. It is done on Opalescent Lugana, and I love how he turned out. I didn't have the little star charms, but used Metallic gold for the ornaments. Now to decide what to stitch next, as I AM ON A ROLL !!

This second ornament I started and finished this afternoon. It is a JBW design from the 1997 JCS Ornament issue magazine. The "snow" is pearl blending filament but doesn't show up in the picture very well; but it is very sparkly.

Baking and Stitching today

2007-12-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

I made the most wonderful spicy oatmeal cookies today. The recipe is Paula Deen's, you can see it here:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_25043,00.html

They just hit the spot on this cold day. Waiting for snow to arrive after midnight. Our snowblower died, so Bob went to Home Depot and bought a brand new one. We are supposed to get over a foot of snow tonight and tomorrow. I am taking an extra day off from work, and be snuggly warm at home and stitch!!

I stitched this Prairie Schooler Alphabet Tree ornament this weekend, and I forgot to post a picture of it yesterday.

A Good Stitching weekend

2007-12-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at a Blog. and this is also THE perfect stitching weekend. Frosty cold, and the wind howling, and I am tucked away in my cozy home here in Maine with Comet the dog, and 2 silly kitties, and a pot of homemade potato and leek soup on the back burner. Snow is coming to our state tomorrow night for the first time this winter, and I am ready!! I stitched 3 ornaments this weekend; this Chickadee with the french horn, and the Stitcher's Tree with the scissors charm on top and started the sweetest little snowman ornament that a stitching friend gave me the chart for. I am almost ready for Christmas, with 99% of my shopping done. Now to finish up the rest of my Christmas Stitching. My goal last Christmas was to have a tree FULL of stitched ornaments this year, but it just didn't happen. I think I have a total of 10 done already between last year and this. I think I need a warm cup of Chocolate Ovaltine now; care to join me?