Here Comes Summer!

Hey, Friends!

Just want to pop in to share that His Eye is on the Sparrow, by Heartstring Samplery, page 4, is stitched.  It was started on January 1, 2015, and that completes row one.  I’m planning to take a little break now to stitch some of my favorite Patriotic pieces.

I don’t think I ever shared with you the piece I stitched to exchange at the Primitive Stitchers Retreat.  It’s from With Thy Needle & Thread, Heart in Hand.  I finished it by placing it into one of the old watch cases.  Also added some tiny buttons, then used some gingham ribbon and bead to complete the necklace.  The recipient seemed to be pleased with it.

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know that I’ve been looking forward to this time for several years.  It’s so close now, I can almost taste it.  I have 15 working days until retirement.  WooHoo!  

Such a nice beginning, with low humidity and bright sunshine today, which makes it seem not so hot.  Hope you’re all enjoying a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend, too!  Take a few minutes to be thankful and remember the brave who gave all.

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Happy Stitching!

Charlene♥SC

Thanksgiving and Finishes

Hey, Folks!

Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving!  We all think time is flying by, don’t we?  The months, the seasons, the years…  I appreciate all your visits and love to read your comments.

Finally – a finish.  It’s Spooky Hollow by With thy Needle & Thread on mystery (believe it is the onion-skinstained) linen using recommended fibers.  This was an over one piece, and it seemed to take FORever! 

Even found the last one (scrolled on the same piece of fabric) mentioned last post ~ Trick or Treat from the 2013 Halloween issue using a combination of silk fibers. 

If anyone has or sees Cape Cod Girls for sale, would you shoot me a note? 

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Remember those who served!

Let's remember those who served and have given so much! 

Hey, Friends!

Hope everyone is enjoying a Happy Memorial Day weekend. We’re not off on Monday, but that’s OK – it makes a longer Christmas break. 

I’ve started going to yoga classes again.  It has been at least five or six years, so back to the basics.  There’s a new studio downtown, and it seems nice so far.  They have various hours and instructors for different types of classes.  There's even one today (Sunday) at noon that I'll be trying.  

Yesterday DS and I went to see Star Trek – Into Darkness.  I really liked it – seemed more reminiscent of the old series. 

I’m still stitching on the birthday surprise, but did also finish June Word Play.   And here’s the current view of the Adam and Eve wall.

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

  

May 2013 be filled with Happy Stitching!

Peace♥Love♥Joy

Charlene♥SC

Happy New Year!

 Hey, Friends!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

What are you stitching now that Christmas is over?  Will you begin a new project on New Year’s Day?  Have you joined the New Year's challenges?  I’ve finished Santa’s Village, Poinsettia Place.  By the way, I did notice that missing berry, and it has since been added.  Now I’ve returned to Mary Gibson, and want to finish this WIP before starting any new projects.  I believe last January was the last stitch added.  I'll share an update photo next time.

On Saturday, my LNS, Stitch and Frame, had their New Year before inventory sale.   Found a few charts I couldn’t do without, a few fibers, a bit of linen, and they gave a discount coupon to be used at some time later in the year.

Did you get to see any of the multitude of movies that came out in December?  DS and I went to see The Hobbit.  It was really good, wasn’t it? 

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I love reading your thoughts and comments!

I'm grateful  for  a brand New Year – filled with

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC
      and  

        

Nearing Christmas

Hey, Friends!

We have all been horrified by the tragic events at the Sandy Hook School.  Here is a link to make a small contribution to an effort to welcome back the entire school.  

A couple of Saturdays ago my LNS, Stitch and Frame, had their holiday drop in.  At checkout there was a drawing for a percentage off.  My pick was 15% - WooHoo!  I got several pieces of linen, a LHN ornament, and a few miscellaneous tools and supplies.  THEN I had my birthday discount – which is 20%.   I got Eliza Scattergood with her linen and silks – Paulette’s Plum Street Sampler designs always appeal to me.

Here’s my recent stitching update:  The first of CHN Santa’s Village, Santa’s House, is stitched.  One little change – the smoke from the chimneys from white to blue/gray DMC 169, and I chose not to use the button, but rather stitched the star.  Today I picked up the second in the series, Poinsettia Place. I also finished Bah, Humbug by Sue Hollis Designs. It was a gift, and Edgar seemed very pleased.

Isn’t age a funny thing?  On my birthday I didn’t feel any different than I did yesterday.  Maybe that’s why when asked my age, there’s a noticeable pause while I calculate.   A day or so before, we were having a group/staff luncheon and the room is typically used with a TV and camera for distance meetings, etc.  I glanced up and happened to catch a glimpse of myself at a different angle, and I thought, who is that woman.  To me this means I need some sort of change in appearance – I don’t look like I feel. 

I have made the decision not to participate in the TuSAL anymore since I have usually been late if remembering at all.  I will continue to save my Orts in the glass ornaments which  started in 2008.  When you’re flying through your list of blogs, do you notice the tab / pages the owner has?   Lots of times there are sale pages, tutorials, as well as other things of interest to the owner.  As with my yearly finishes, there will be an Orts tab if anyone really wants to see them.

Thanks for stopping by, today and always.  I appreciate your thoughts and comments!

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous season!

 

I'm grateful  for a new washer and dryer !

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC
and  

TuSAL and Memorial

Hey, Friends!

It’s TuSAL time!  Check out the photo on the right. à

Even though we don’t have the day off, I hope you all have a great holiday weekend, with some stitching thrown in for good measure!  I'm still stitching on the retreat project, but won't show it until after.

I'm grateful for Those who serve(d)!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Merry Christmas

Hey, Friends!

Whew – I’ve been out running around in the drizzling rain – taking Mom to get her hair done and the last of her grocery shopping.  I picked up the mail, and what to my wondering eyes should appear… a wonderful  RAK that came from Needlecraft Corner.  It’s the kit for Blackbird Designs “Joy” ornament  in the 2011 Just Cross Stitch ornament magazine.  Of course I have that page tabbed to stitch!  I’ve searched the package over, and can find no signature! There’s a sweet card with Santa and a Snowman, no signature!  So I’ll say a Great BIG Thank You and send bunches of hugs to the kind and generous person who sent it – you made my day!

I just ate a sandwich and thought I’d sit for a minute couple of hours to show you the finishes of ornies I’ve been stitching this month for my dough bowl.  It’s not completely filled, but getting there slowly.

I’ve enjoyed the 2011 Just Cross Stitch ornament magazine a lot this year.  This is the Joy ornament by Little by Little Design Co.  This brown silk was a close match, and rambling through the old lace bag found this coffee stained bit that looked sweet to me. 

The Season of Giving (I changed to Love) by Lila’s Studio turned out bigger than I expected.  The aqua color from a jelly roll worked out along with the red ric-rac border and hanger.

Christmas Greetings (istitch) called to me for a more prim finish.  There was a piece of twine, this ‘faded’ red check, and a tiny safety pin I’d attempted to rust… but will I ever learn to stay further away from the edge?  Doubtful J

Here’s the little Christmas snow lady – with her hands in a muff… which called for a bit of lace to reflect more snow – Merry Christmas.

If I had to choose a favorite finish, it would be Believe.  The white sparkle thread used for the trim on the hat didn’t show off enough, so I added a tiny red bell to the pom. The green with red polka dots was just right, and the red ric-rac made sense, too.  And to top it off (over the top?) was the braid with Special Delivery for the back – and a faux hanger.   

I know you’ve been good all year, so I do hope that you Believe and that Santa fills your stockings with all your favorite stash! 

Wishing y'all a Very Merry Christmas with  hugs and love!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Big cyber puppy kisses from Pixie, too!

 

Happy Independence Day!

Hey, Friends!

I read on a blog a bit ago that one of the favorite July 4^th things to do was watch and listen to the music from the Capitol on public TV.  I don’t seem to be able to track back to where I read it, but it did cause me to start singing to myself … My Country ‘tis of the, Sweet land of Liberty, of thee I sing…

As we celebrate our Independence, have you noticed in public gatherings, when we’re called upon to sing our country’s songs that the youth don’t seem engaged?  I’ve wondered SO many times, don’t they teach these wonderful songs to the kids in school any more?

Do you remember “music” in elementary school?  That’s where I was when the announcement was made that President John F. Kennedy had been shot.  When my DS was in ‘music’ they learned to play the Recorder, and he did go on to gain the love for music playing the Bass in jazz ensamble and singing in the high school Troubadors.  But just yesterday, during the baseball game on TV when a gentleman (TimothyMiller from the Atlanta Opera will perform God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch ** ) and I were singing to honor the country, he said, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that song.”  That **link is from 2010. 

Rembmber that I'm doing some reorganization?  I was sorting through boxes of frames I’ve collected over the last couple of years when I came across a bag with an old Music book I’d picked up at one of the thrift shops I frequent.  Flipping through it, the pages that looked most dog eared were these … 

-- Can you name this song?

So what do you say?  Let’s all tune in tonight and sing along with the tunes that we learned, to honor our country and  … 

 

Happy 4th of July, Friends! Enjoy your independence doing whatever makes YOU Happy today - be it fireworks, favorite music, or sitting with a cold glass under the cool fan stitching to your heart's content!

 

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Independence Holidays!

Hey, Friends!

Today is the first day off work for my staycation.  Remember, I’m planning to do some cleaning and organizing…  This morning I cleaned the guest room vacuumed, washed linens and window, dusted, and it only took a while.  Why do I constantly put it off?  And several other tasks I’ve wanted to do – change the yard flags, hang the US flag,  plant a few seeds that have been sprouting…   Just need to take a little while every day to do a few little things and it wouldn’t get so far behind.  Ummm hu… that’s easy to say; right?  Especially when I come in from work and all I want to do is sit and stitch!

I haven't shown you anything from my year this year, either, well, not since the snow. These are the hibiscus out near the deck - after a rain earlier this week, they popped out!  After some painting was done, the planters needed to be refreshed.  Aren't these flowers pretty?  One of the next projects (that won't be a 10-15 minute job) is to paint the rocking chairs on the porch. 

I’ve been stitching away on the BBD “Land of the Free” and it’s coming along nicely, but won’t be finished by July 4^th.  Maybe shortly after.

DS and I are cooking hamburgers at the parents for the holiday this year.  Dad hasn’t been in the best of health recently, and we’re trying to ease back on the amount of effort he has to expend.  You know how 'they' are - we got someone to go cut their grass (acres) and he got out there to help, and paid for it with pain the next week.

Check out my TuSAL for July:  Reminder:   TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

If you’re out boating or having fireworks to express your Independence, please be safe! Have lots of fun and try to stay cool whatever you do!

 

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

May?

Hey, Friends!

So, what did I do over the days off?  Some stitching, some shopping, a bit of closet straightening.  When I got my car, DS was in need of a newer car, so he bought my Nissan Murano.  After only these few months, he decided it was bigger and used more gas that he wanted, so he sold it.  We spent Monday and Tuesday looking and shopping for another car for him.  He had been researching, and decided he wanted either a Toyota or Honda.  I’m glad I had the time off to go with him.  We spent Monday in Georgia, to no avail – well, for the car anyway.  I had done a little research of my own, and found a nice little cross stitch shop there in Marietta.  It is Abecedarius Cross Stitch and had lots of good online reviews.  It was a little difficult to find – in a strip mall, on a road with construction.  The most helpful clue was a huge sign overhead that said Needlework.  Their sign was quite small in comparison. She had lots and lots of beautiful stitched samples, a great selection of charts, and a couple of baskets of reduced price charts, too.  Of course I’m totally spoiled by my LNS, The Stitch and Frame, but it is a nice place if you’re in the area.  Back to the original story… We ended up finding a Honda Civic that someone had just traded, so we had to wait for them to clean, replace brakes, add tires, etc, but it was worth it, and a lot closer to home as well.  He seems tickled, plus he got to pay off a credit card.  Seems like a good deal all around.

Speaking of my LNS, I picked up my BBD Winter Wonderland that they framed for me.  I just LOVE, love it.  I’m so happy I let them do it.  Great job, Peggy!  Thanks so much.  Oh, and by the way, they now have a new Blog Site.

Do you believe that Bunny & Co. is finally finished being stitched?  Although I do adore the pattern, now I know what to expect when the pattern starts out as a punch needle design.  Of course I wasn’t stitching as much as I’d like, but it took about a month to finish it.  The stitched area is about 5 ½ by 9 inches, so I’m not sure how it will be finished – sort of thinking of a flat fold?  Brenda did hers as a little pillow.  What do you think? 

The next Anniversary of the Heart piece on my list is Pink Hill Manor. This will be in memory of my Dear Aunt who passed in January.  Her birthday would have been in May, and she dearly loved pink. I made a couple of floss changes to accentuate the pink even more! Haven’t gotten very far, but it is starting out nicely.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and I’d like to wish you all a wonderful day!  DS had told me when we were together that he had to work and wouldn’t be able to come home on Sunday.  That’s fine since we had some ‘quality’ time in the car together – seemed like old times – running to this event and that! J We had discussed whether or not I need to continue watering a tree he gave me last year.  On Thursday when I got home there was a package on the porch.  It was a water timer to automatically turn the water on and off for the spigot.  How neat is that? 

 On Friday, there was a box on the porch… I’m trying to think of what I’ve ordered… Nope! It’s a box from Sheri’s Berries.  Yes, a delightful box of beautifully decorated strawberries – chocolate covered, some with nuts, some with lovely designs – and so yummy!  When I was on the phone with him I said they're almost as big as my fist.  He didn't want to believe me, but some of them really are! What a thoughtful and loving son I have.  Of course I always know this, and the gifts are such a small part of making that so, but they are sweet and I do appreciate the extra effort.

Well it’s time for me to go log my new stash and then come to see what you’ve been doing.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Leave a thought or a word if you like – they make the visit seem a bit more personal, don’t they?

* Reminder:  TuSAL is in the side bar this year à

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC