A somewhat snowy, chilly January....great for you know what!!! (632-636)

 

 

Greetings.....it has finally been feeling like winter here...a couple minor snow storms and one larger ice "event". Snow I don't mind, ice, that's another story. Sadly,we had to postpone a party to celebrate my parents 70th anniversary and my Mom's 90th birthday. Weather and Covid both played a part and the "better to be safe than sorry" adage definitely came into play. 

So, as a result, I have gotten a bit of finishing accomplished. I'll start with a piece I stitched back in 2017, ABC de la Brodeuse by Jardin Prive. I was on the hunt for the perfect bell pull and finally found it last year at Salty Yarns. It's an old Just Nan header and I'm not sure is available anymore...I got very lucky!!! This was stitched on a 27 count banding, over one with the called for colors. I backed it with the same banding for a perfect finish.

 Next up is the Sew Advent 2021 SAL piece by iStitch Designs. This was done on a 28 ct linen banding over one with Gloriana and AVAS silks. I attached it to an old wooden sewing thread spool, painted green, and added the holly button on the top.

 

 A little past the season is Autumn on the Delaware by The Purple Thread. This was a kit and Was stitched on 30 ct. Irish Cream linen with a combo of WDW and GAST threads...all which came in the kit.These are my colors!!!! It came with the finishing fabric...don't you love that plaid.....I added bow and acorn charm at the bottom.

This is a freebie from Lila's Studio called Tomato. I stitched this on gingham fabric, over two,  with a combo of VMS, GAST and WDW fibers. I made it into a pincushion stuffed with sawdust. I really love the weight/feel of the sawdust..will have to hit my SIL up for some more.

 

Last, but definitely not least is my finish of Bee Contained by Betsy Morgan of Willing Hands Designs.  This piece is very special to me as Betsy said my love of bees was the inspiration for it! I was humbled...and tickled to be so honored!!! Betsy is the best teacher and I am lucky to have a  number of her projects...some finished...some patiently waiting to be brought to life. Sadly Betsy has retired, but she has been a huge influence in my stitching journey....from the time I first saw her Toy Chest in 2008 to this piece, which was my last class with her in 2019. This was stitched on 32 count Sunshower linen with 2 colors of Gloriana silk.

 I have managed to get stitching in the evenings and this is what I'm working on:

Diligent by Needlework Press

First Frost by Hands on Design

Denim Band Sampler SAL from iStitch Designs

Sampler in a Jar

 

Okay, so this Sampler in a Jar idea came from a floss tube by Lori Holt. You stitch tiny sampler motifs on scrap pieces of fabric then use them on a button cover, then pop in a jar. My friend, Lisa, got me this jar for my birthday and I have started to "fill" it.....I have 4 buttons done so far (the bee was the first).  The jar is about 8 inches tall , so a tough order to fill! But, it is fun to just pop one of these out periodically..they're quick to stitch and even quicker to "finish" We will see where this goes...not guaranteeing anything! :)

That's it for the stitching update. I've been making some soups, French Onion and Shrimp corn chowder.....Beef and Guiness stew is on the menu for today...nice warm, comfort food!!! I've been trying to but some Cincinnati Chili mix but everywhere seems to be out of stock. That is a go to"winter" food for us. A dear friend in Cincinnati is on the prowl for me, but their grocery stores are out too!!! I've been drinking a lot of hot chocolate in the mug my daughter made years ago. I started adding a tiny bit of ground salt and love the sweet/salty combo! 

I'll be attending a virtual stitch in this Saturday morning with the DVHSG and hope to attend a local group, RVA Stitchers in the afternoon...weather permitting. I hope you have a warm, safe and comfy weekend with some time for relaxing stitching.

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

Stasi

 

 

And So it Begins With a New Year and a Little Strolling (622-631)

 

Yes, 2021 wasn't the best year, but it's done...over...finis!!! Time to move forward and hope for better times. Here is how we celebrated the new year...with a hike at our local state park. We started around 11:00PM and hiked a little over a mile to  a fire pit where we toasted the New Year with drinks and Hershey kisses. Then we hiked back and ended around 1:00AM. Slept in until 9:00AM this morning and that never happens!!!

 We even got a cute sticker to commemorate...it'll go on my water bottle. 

 

I had a very productive stitching year and will be adding 10 new finishes to my Stitch Stroll. But first I want to share the lovely gifts I received from blog friends. First is the perfect stitch for me, gifted by Vickie at A Stitchers Story Thanks so much, Vickie...it is adorable!

 Next was from Carol at Stitching Dreams...and if you haven't checked out her fabulous tree full of her stitched ornaments, you need to hop right over there. I just love the simplicity of the design and finish..thanks so much Carol!

 Finally, is one of our most supportive friends in blogger land and IG.....Robin in Virginia. She sent gifts fro my birthday and Christmas and I love them all. Robin, thanks for your generosity and support through the year...you know me well!

 Now on to my stroll..the first of which concerns the gifts I made for friends. I always try to make something for the top commenters on my blog; I so appreciate that they take the time to comment on my posts. That means a lot to me!!! So, they received these cute pieces from Cricket Collections Woolen Mittens  and Woolen Mittens II. I had fun with these as they are stitched on 10 ct Heatherfield. I wish I had taken a photo of the back, because I really tried to find the perfect fabric.

I participated in the Hands on Design Cookie Exchange and finished in a small red frame I found at Hobby Lobby. Just added bows at the top and "pushed" some green chenille around the edge. I changed my fabric to a Gingerbread color, but otherwise, stitched as called for.

 A sweet friend lent me this chart, On Giving by Edna Medlin...part of the Christmas of Olde series...after I had commented on her finish. It seemed so appropriate for this season and I jumped on it right away. I had this wooden thread holder in my stash and the piece fit perfectly when stitched over one on 40 ct linen. It might be tough to read the saying so here goes: "it is in giving that we receive".

 

This is My Dear Bobbin by Marie Suarez....stitched on two different bandings and mounted on a bobbin as called for. This may, or may not, be going to a friend. :)

Finally are the ornaments I made the grandkids this year. I usually stitch them each a different one but couldn't resist doing them all the same this year. Jingle Berry, times 4, by Erica Michaels. Two were stitched on 28ct 18th Century Red by R&R, and two were stitched on a 32 count mystery red linen with Anchor floss. White pom pom, chenille and bakers twin added to hang.

I also wanted to share the 12 ornaments I did for the #12in21ornamentstitchalong on IG, hosted by Carol @caroling55.

 

Had a thing for reindeers this year

 

This was so much fun and I think Carol may be hosting again in 2022, so check it out on IG if you're interested. Let me know if you'd like the info on any of the ornaments and I'll get that to you.

 

To end, this is going to be my 2022 New Years Day start....In All Things Be Exceedingly Diligent by Needlework Press....as soon as I eat lunch, iron the fabric and sit my butt in my stitchy seat!!!  I'm stitching on 46 ct Light Examplar by Lakeside linen, over two, with a conversion to Victorian Motto Shoppe threads. I do have to say that the fabric is not very light, but what I wanted.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and kinder New Year! May you be blessed with quality time with your loved ones and hours of stitchy goodness. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi