Back to Reality and a Stitch Stroll Addition ....(492)

Greetings all! I am back from my weekend in OCMD helping with the EGA Camp Wannastitch event. There were approximately 175 attendees, most of whom make a trip to Salty Yarns, for supplies and/or stash enhancement. I am on fabric cutting duty and have to say I cut a LOT of fabric. And I so enjoy it...I get to see what exciting projects these stitchers are working on and play a small part in their selection process. I did have a bit of an anxiety producing moment when my oil light came on as I started my drive home (flashback to last year's traumatic episode---https://beemusedandbeestitching.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-stressful-end-to-otherwise-wonderful.html) but I returned to have Vernon check it out, stopped at Advance Auto parts for some oil and was on my merry way without further ado..... big shout out to Vernon--thanks!!!!

I'll start off with a little bit of stash enhancement of my own; I tried to hold it to a minimum as I'll be going back to Salty Yarns for Super Bowl weekend and their big sale. 

I also got the fabric for Hands on Design, A Year of Celebrations, which I'm going to do on a larger count fabric..more on that to come later.

I also received some birthday/Christmas gifts ( we try to wait until we are together in person to exchange). I received this Longaberger basket and the "fillings" from Deb. I've always wanted to try those Bombas socks, especially since they have a 'bee' on them! There is also some wonderful fabric, a bee needle minder, sweet notebook and a box of  Invisifil thread...I feel very spoiled!!!!

Here is the fabric.....I think I see a project bag in my future!!!! Thanks Debbie!!!

Then I received this from Sara..... a circle template which will come in very handy, a vintage needle collection from Colonial Needle and an adorable stitched thread keep! Love, love, love!!! Thanks to you Sara!

One of the ladies in my stitch group had made us all this sweet ort container...can you believe it was made from a Pringles can??? You just twist the fabric and the bottom fits up into the tube....then just pop out to use. Thanks to Joey!

Now on to some stitching. Since my friend has finally received her birthday gift, I can officially add it to my Stitch Stroll. It was a joy to stitch and I can't wait to do one for myself. This was a teaching piece by Indigo Rose called Sampler Bead Blanket. One of the members of my Guild had brought it to share and offered to sell me the chart. It had some leftover threads and beads, so I matched as best I could from my stash. The edge is beaded and was not difficult at all. There is a piece of a Vellux type fabric tacked on the inside to hold your beads in place....hopefully!!! :)

I finished the stitching on my Siren's Tart by Plum Street Samplers; it will be FFO'd in a small tart pan. I used a piece of scrap fabric I had on hand (I liked the color better) and may have to sew a band around it so I can gather it up correctly. The ladies at stitch group yesterday think she has a big nose!!! :)

 Then, I've been playing catch up on the Black Sampler Band SAL; I have weeks 27, 28 and the bonus to do. I'm trying to crank it out so I'm ready to start the new one in February.

And I got a bit more done on Merry Christmas.

 We've been in a roller coaster ride with the weather...50's one day...20's the next... 30's today and 60 tomorrow!!! I've got the essential oils in overdrive trying to stay healthy!!! Stay warm and safe for those of you in the path of the next winter storm......thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Home Again, Home Again........

Greetings from a chilly, dreary Richmond, VA!!! After a week in warm, sunny Florida, we came home to freezing temps and ice...but we made it home and were happy about that. It didn't freeze on the streets but made for some lovely tree imagery.

 Our Disney trip was magical!!! For those who don't know, my daughter adopted two children from Sierra Leone Africa who arrived, after almost 4 years of red tape, in December 2017. It has been a very difficult year of adjustments for everyone including my two biological grandchildren. My daughter applied to an organization called Adventure is Out There and was one of three families selected for a weeks all expense paid trip to Disney. The group aims to help with the family bonding of first time adoptees and what better setting than the "happiest place  on earth"!!! Everyone enjoyed riding the rides, watching shows, swimming and just chillin' together. There were many shared experiences which will create positive memories for these newly formed families. Rich and I were able to tag along and witness the new growth and were very grateful. I can't say enough positive things about AIOT and their team..they are the most kind and caring people and we were blessed to cross their paths. Here are some highlight photos:

We all got matching tee shirts the first day

On the Toy Story Ride (photo by AIOT)

Lunch at the Prime Time 50's Cafe

 

Our Jedi in training..great way to end the trip

There are so many wonderful photos, but I don't want to bore you and I don't want to share the other families photos without their permission. But, if you are interested in learning more about this organization you can visit their FB page Adventure is Out There (non profit).

My daughter and I did sneak away on our "off" day to Universal and Harry Potter World. This was on my bucket list and I figured this my be my best opportunity. OMG, I loved it, it was so realistic that you felt you were in the books. If you are a HP fan, this is a MUST!!! Here are a few shots:

Entrance to Hogsmeade

Hogwarts Express

Goblins hard at work at Gringotts

Dragon on top of Gringotts Bank--he would "blow" every 10 minutes

Now on to some stitching....Before I left I got a little more done on my Merry Christmas by Blackbird. I love the soft colors on this.

While on the plane I started a set of four snowman on black perforated paper. Robin in VA had sent these to me last year as a new project for traveling. It worked great and I managed to get one completed and a second started. The chart is Snow Pennies by Thistles; I plan to do all four and they may be the grands ornaments for next year. I'll have to figure out a cute way to finish them. Thanks Robin!!!

Then on my arrival home, I had this new Plum Street Samplers kit waiting for me. This was a shop exclusive for Down Sunshine Lane but I was able to get one on FB. Here is the chart......

and here is what I've done so far.....

 I swapped out the 36 ct. WDW Dolphin for a bluer 36 ct. mystery fabric. I thought the colors just didn't show up on the darker fabric but am pleased with the lighter one.

I will be traveling again...leaving Thursday for OCMD. I'll be helping to cut fabric all weekend for the approximate 175 ladies who attend the Mid-Atlanic EGA Camp Wannastitch and stop by Salty Yarns for some stash enhancement. It's always a lot of fun to see what everyone is working on and "chat" with fellow stitchers. If you are attending, be sure to say "hi"!

I'm going to close now and get some packing done; it takes forever to decide what needlework to take....and I always take way more than is needed. But who knows...they are calling for a winter storm again this weekend....maybe I'll get stuck there!!! What better place!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

 
 
 

My First FFO of 2019 and Stitch Stroll Addition (491)

Greetings... and I hope a Happy New Year was had by all! We did usher in the new year with a night hike and it was quite enjoyable. We met at 11:00PM at the state park and started  an approx. 1 1/2 mile hike through the woods; it was so neat to see a procession of 45 headlamps marching through the woods. Sadly, there was no moon but some stars did break through right after 12:00 for a short time. We celebrated with marshmallows and sparkling cider at midnight, rested awhile, then started the trek back. It ended around 1:00am and by the time we drove home and unwound, it was around 2:00AM. I hate to admit I haven't been up that late in a long while!! We contemplated a visit to the Waffle House...but passed!!! :)

On to some stitching.....I completed my first FFO of 2019...yes... stitched and finished. But in all fairness, it was a very quick project. Here is An AaBbCc Spool by Needlework Press. It was a mini kit that came with the chart, spool and banding (28 ct.). It was stitched over two and I supplied the fiber, Glorianna Pomegranate, that was leftover from a class I took. I had a pair of star buttons in my stash that worked perfectly on the top/bottom of the spool, which I stained. I stuck a JABCO button in the end to hold it closed.

 My next start is a Christmas piece, so I'll be way ahead of the game for next year, but I just fell in love with this the moment I saw it and luck came my way. This was the latest kit from the Ladies Prim Society hosted by Dyeing to Stitch. I was not a member but a friend of mine was and saw a post I had made about it on FB. She contacted me and offered to sell me her kit.....well I jumped on it!!! Call it fate or being in the right place at the right time, I am very thankful to her!!!  And she didn't sell it to me for the $199 price tag someone was trying to get on Ebay!!!! So, here is my start on Merry Christmas by Blackbird Designs. The colors are lovely, a combo of Classic Colorworks, GAST and WDW, and it's done on 36 count over two.

So, in the past, I've always kept track of the hours put in on a piece, but not the day started /finished. I stumbled across these cute little books in the clearance section at TJ Maxx and thought they'd be perfect to keep a record of pertinent info on my projects. The cover is heavy cardboard, very sturdy, and there are 100 pages. Do you think it's crazy that I got 4???? I figure these could take my through  the remainder of my stitching career!!! LOL

I've been pondering posting my Stitch Stroll on IG, a finished project a day, and decided to go for it!  So, if you missed it the first time around here on the blog, please check it out. My IG name is bee_stitcher.

Thanks for hanging with me and for your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi 
PS  We're off to Disney on Sunday...wish me luck!!

A Final Post for 2018............ (488)

I'm squeaking in one more post to close out 2018.....the reason being I wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year ......and....I finally finished the Samsarah Fun Every Day perpetual calendar!!!! Woo-Hoo!!!!!  Goodness, I figured I have about 500 hours in this puppy , granted most done in the car when I would have otherwise been sitting idly. This massive project , which consists of 48 designs, was started in 2014 and is done on 14 count brown perforated paper using two strands of floss. I did not buy any new floss for this project but used what I had in my stash, mainly LE GAST. I eliminated the Veteran's Day design in favor of a St. Patricks Day design and added some JABCO buttons to the pictoral pieces for embellishment. Instead of gluing as suggested...and I had this brain storm just today... I sewed them on my machine.I'm contemplating where to place it so it's easy to change out every day.This will be #488 on my Stitch Stroll (counting as one completed project).

I've been working feverishly to get this done by tomorrow and have it all set and ready to go. Here is day 1!!!  Oops...just noticed I have Monday instead of Tuesday! :) I hope to never do another black/white checkerboard border!!!!

I have been working on my Black Sampler Band SAL  and got weeks 20 and 21 done. Only 7 more weeks to go and then the next one starts in February. I must be a glutton for punishment because I signed up for it..this will make number 4!!!

So, what are your plans for New Year's Eve? Rich and I are contemplating a guided night hike at our local state park. It goes from 11pm-1am with a break at midnight for hot cider. The weather isn't the best, rainy but unseasonably warm...in the 60's!!! I'll let you know what we decide. Probably best I take a little nap beforehand. LOL

Wishing you a Happy New Year, however you decide to celebrate....whether it's heading out to a party, watching New Years Rockin' Eve and the ball falling in Times Square or curling up with your stitching or a good book....enjoy your evening and be safe!!! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!!!

A cute little musing from Cora to end the post......their family has recently been watching the first couple Harry Potter movies. Cora came crying to her mother one day as she had fallen and scratched her forehead.....she was upset and questioning if she might become a wizard!!!!  Don't ya love it?????

Stasi

 

After Christmas Glow...... (489-490)

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas, gathering with your loved ones, enjoying a home cooked meal...or two, overindulging the cookies and sharing the joy of the season. We drove to Baltimore to get my parents and bring them to our house for Christmas. Sadly my Dad was bothered by a bad toothache (which included a trip to the ER for IV antibiotics) and didn't feel up to par most of the visit . But we made the most of it and had a fun holiday. Here are some photos of our celebration:

Cora as official photographer

Aunt Jess playing the "marshmallow" game

Gammi and James playing Bingo on her tablet

Uncle Alex and James making homemade pasta--YUM

Esther patiently waiting her turn to crank the pasta

The final result

Asher with a new baseball jersey (our gift to him)

Christmas Eve hike

A drive by our favorite light display (Before)

After

There is not a square inch on this house that isn't covered by lights...roof, siding, windows and doors!!!

 While my girls were here, they made some memory pillows for my friend whose husband passed away last December. We got some of his old shirts and they cut them into a square and stuffed them with a pillow form. They made one for each of his grandchildren and one for my friend. Rich and I plan to hand deliver them sometime in the next month or so. I'm so proud of my girls and their caring hearts!!!

Now I wanted to share some of my Christmas gifts...given and received. I'll start with ones I received. These first few are from my family:

My daughter, Kristin, made this tray for me--and...

.....got us set up with tee shirts for Disney!!!

My daughter, Jess, got me this way cool needlebook made out of recycled leather.

I think I'll stitch the needle sizes on the pages

This sweet pocket watch is from my blog/stitchy friend, RJ.....who despaired it was a year late....but I am thrilled to receive it anytime!!!!

This was RJ's 2018 gift with a patriotic theme. I love the design and finishing and the scissors add that extra panache!!!

I received this  darling star from blogger/stitchy friend, Vickie........it looks kinds cute laying on my reindeer placemat, but it's actually hanging on the tree.

Now onto to some gifts (officially added to Stitch Stroll) I stitched for friends. I did six of these adorable alphabet trees, over one on 45 count, to fit the tree frames from Michaels. The chart was a freebie from iStitch Designs and you can find it here (just scroll down to the 2014 design) : Istitch freebie

This next gift I made was the project from my Guild's holiday luncheon, designed by one of our members. It was stitched on 40 count over one and put in a 1 1/2 inch glass locket.

I've already stitched another one of these for me but had to wait for an order of lockets to arrive. I can see more of these in my future with different colorways. :)

I do have a couple other gifts to share but the recipients haven't received them yet, so as soon as they do, I'll post some photos.

As for my stitching of late...not much going on!!! I am about 4 weeks behind on  the band SAL but hope to remedy that soon. I did manage to finish the stitching on Christmas Eve Ride  by Needle Bling Designs. I did this on 22 count R&R Light Espresso dyed wool. I did change out the fibers to use ones I already owned (WDW and Victorian Motto Shoppe). I added pearl beads instead of floss for the "snow". Now to come up with some cute finishing!!!

 I also started a new "car" project and I'm just not totally sold on it. I have never given up on a project, but am contemplating ending this one. But before I do, I'd like to get  your "thoughts" on it. I had been searching for this chart for a loooong time and because it's on perforated paper, I can stitch on it in the car. Here is the chart:

 

 The daytime version is cute, but it's the night time "glow in the dark" that sold it for me. So my quandary is......do I want to invest in all the time and Kreinik braid when we won't be able to appreciate the "glow" that much since we don't sit around in the evening in the dark. I finished one house (doesn't have the glow braid added yet) and it isn't doing anything for me. 

On the one hand, I have trouble stitching on anything other than the perforated paper (which is limiting) in the car and I CAN'T stand just sitting in a car doing nothing. I took some 28 count linen with me this past trip to Baltimore and, with all the jostling, I kept splitting linen threads and gave up. On the other hand, I don't want to spend a lot of time/money on a project I don't totally LOVE!!! I'm being very wishy-washy about this, so any suggestions will be welcome. How do any of you stitch on linen in the car?

Okay, I've blabbered enough and will end here. We've gotten our Disney bracelets and will be heading to Florida in the new year.

 I'll try to squeak in another post in before we go, but can't guarantee. Thanks so much for making it this far and your "twisted threads" of friendship. Happy New Year to all and wishes for health, happiness and many stitchy memories in 2019!!!

Stasi