Welcome 2023.....

 Happy New Year one and all!!! We managed to stay up until midnight...actually 1:30...to finish watching the series 1883...we couldn't go to bed with just one episode left!!! That allowed me to complete my final finish for 2022, which I can't share since it's a gift. We were signed up to do the New Year's Eve hike at the state park, but it rained all day and into the evening and we figured it would be a muddy....and likely slippery.... mess.

I spent some time yesterday deciding on what to pick as my New Year start. I chose a project I have been hunting for for over 15 years, Sailor's Valentine by CA Wells. A group of us was scheduled to take this class at Salty Yarns back in 2007, but CA cancelled at the last minute saying the group wasn't BIG enough to warrant her time. Long and short of it, I've been trying to find it and finally posted on one of the ISO pages on FB. A friend saw my plea and gifted me her used chart. I'm admitting up front...this is going to be a challenge!!! It's a terrible chart to start with and instructions are extremely limited..... I know it's pre-computer programs..... but I feel I can fall back on the experience I've gleaned from all my classes with excellent teachers. So, here's issue #1.....the chart itself is like one I've never seen. When I counted out the stitch count I came up with a number, chose a higher count fabric because I wanted it smaller, and cut my fabric accordingly. However, upon further investigation, I noticed she leaves a row of blank graph paper squares between each row of stitches. This made the size of the finished piece much smaller than I thought. So, I had to change my fabric..... and I had already cut it into four pieces..... or the piece would have been too tiny. Is this clear as mud??? Bottom line...thank goodness another friend had sent me photos of her finished piece and I saw, in time, the error of my...or should I say CA's ways!!! LOL    So, I hope you'll come along for the wild ride and be safe from my future cursing!!! In the end, I chose 32 ct White Chocolate linen with a combo of silks.

 

I hope your new year is off to a good start with lots of wonderful stitching opportunities. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi
 

The Passing of 2022.....

......a time for reflection and anticipation......counting your blessings and preparing for the future. We were blessed with a sweet, and unexpected,  grand baby this past year and are preparing for a transition for my parents next year.

 I have been pondering  a strategy for my stitching next year. I see all the WIPGo's, exchanges, rotations and SAL's on FB and IG and I want to do it all!!! But my needlework is a stress reliever for me and these just start to make me feel overwhelmed. Sometimes I like a little structure and sometimes I like to fly by the seat of my pants. I'm just going to work on whatever I feel like at the time and not stress out about deadlines or time frames. What are your stitching plans/goals for 2023?

As for my recent stitching, I am working on a gift for a friend, so can't share at this time. However, I do have two stitchy related things to share. First is a shirt I found when I was visiting my daughter IN NC. Can you see why I bought it??

 

Next is my only surviving Lizzie Hi doll. I used to have quite a collection of these but they did not make the move to VA and wound up at Goodwill. You will see why I kept this one. 

 Funny story...I recently came across one of these, minus the basket, at a vintage store and picked it up for a friend for Christmas.

I wish each of you a happy, healthy and productive new year! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

And It's Over.......

 I am tired but content. It was a good Christmas and everyone is now home safe and sound. We had brought my parents down from Baltimore for four days and my younger daughter's family drove up from NC. We had a full house for three days with my local daughter's family joining in. We ate, we laughed, we played games and got lots of cuddle time with the baby. My older daughter created some fun games based on the show "A Minute to Win It". Here are Rich and I trying to build a tree shape from solo cups with one hand......I won!!!  LOL

 Now I am trying to put my house back in order, catch up on laundry and hopefully...put a needle to fabric.

I wanted to post some special gifts I received. First up is from my blogging pal, Carol.....a lovely redwork ornament and sweet fob kit. Thanks so much Carol...a treasure to be sure!

 

Next was from my younger daughter....A PhotoShare frame....they can send us photos over the internet that are automatically downloaded and create a slideshow. How cool is that!!!
 

My older daughter, who has the knack for finding the perfect gift, gave me this 'stone art' piece from a local artist. It is called "This is Us"...one of my favorite TV shows...and represents my five grandchildren!!!

 

 This is one I had bought for myself called Festive Trees. She had a moment of panic when she heard I had bought one for myself, but luckily it was the same one she got. Whew!!!!

I didn't get much stitching in over the last week, but managed to finish the embroidery Advent calendar piece form Pick and Stitch last evening. This was fun to do though I wasn't able to keep up on a daily basis. I stitched this on a vintage green napkin with Sulky #12 thread. Now to find a nice 7" round frame or hoop.

I will close with a photo of my grands...they are growing so!!! I hope to be back soon!

 

 Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! I am off to chill!!!

Stasi

 

Counting Down....

 A quick post today to share some more of the cute items I'm receiving in my Advent Calendar from my friend, Lisa......only 4 more to go! This has been so much fun! Clockwise from upper left....emery board,notebook and pen,Anchor floss, colorful buttons, stork needle threader, shower fizzies, seam ripper and glue spreaders. All will come in handy at some point!

We're off to get my parents early tomorrow morning and bring them down for Christmas. Lots of rain forecast for tomorrow, so travel on I-95, especially around DC will probably be hellish...wish us luck!!! My younger daughter's family will arrive Friday and then we'll all be together. Not sure I'll post again for a bit, so a very Merry Christmas to all!!! I hope you enjoy some special times with your family and friends.

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

Stasi

Christmas Rush is slowing down a bit......

 ......but will be kicking into full gear again soon. I'm enjoying this couple of days of peace while I can. I have been doing some stitching in the evening, but can't share as it's a gift. But I will share the baking I've been doing. I'm trying not to make too much, as we don't need to be indulging, but hey..it's Christmas!

On the left are some oatmeal raisin cookies right off the Quaker box. Esther helped with these and made them huge, so we didn't get too many from the batch. (Truth be told, we've been enjoying them the past few days). :) On the right are Citrus Glazed Oatmeal cookies. These have become Rich's favorites!

The one on the left here is a new to me recipe, Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They are very rich so I cut them into small bite size squares. On the right is some Biscoff Cookie Fudge, made with Biscoff cookies and topped with a caramel sauce.

Today I'm going to make the pretzel rigs with the Hershey Kisses and M&Ms. They are one of my favorites! And that will probably be it. Hopefully our family will eat the bulk of it....the grands can afford the extra calories!

Last, but not least, I wanted to share  my birthday gift from Cora. It's perfect as a scissor fob on the scissors I use daily, though she said it was a key ring. I love the little card she included.

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

Stasi
 

A Little Hint......

 I participated in a Hands on Design event this fall and one of the projects was on 18 ct perforated paper. Since it is only available in white, Cathy shared a method to add some color using ink pads. I wanted the Lila's Studio sweaters  I stitched recently to be on something other than white. So I found some Tim Holtz distressed ink pads ----I didn't want bright colors---and they did the trick. I used an old stencil brush and rubbed it on in circles, but you could use a soft cloth, toothbrush, etc. to rub it on. Here is a photo showing the before and after.

You can make it as distressed as you like by adding more in certain areas. This idea just opened up a whole new world of choices for the perforated paper. Let me know if you give it a try!

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

Stasi
 

A Finish and Some Gifts......

 

 

I received some lovely birthday and Christmas gifts from a few of my blog followers, who have become friends over the years. The first up are from Robin..some darling "bee" note cards (look close to see the embossed bees), a floss holder with some tags and a pair of beautiful stitched treasures.

 

 

Next, from Vickie, is a sweet scissor holder. And I had the perfect pair of scissors to tuck safely inside.

Last, but not least, are my gifts from Marilyn....some useful 'necessities' and a beautiful stitched ornament with the words "joy and peace", which I wish for all of us.
 

 

Thanks so much ladies, I truly appreciate you taking the time to remember me at this busy time of year and will cherish your gifts.

Now my finish.....this is what I chose to work on for the #samplercamp2022 SAL hosted by Sherri, The Colorado Stitcher. If I remember correctly, you were to either start or revisit a sampler and stitch on it from September to December, with the hope of a finish. You also had to change something up-- a color, a motif, wording etc.. I chose to work on We Live in Hope by Blackbird designs, which I had started in May, 2021. I stitched it on 36 ct. BOAF Sandpiper linen, over two with one strand (converted the called for colors to Victorian Motto Shoppe floss). I personalized this piece with info from my family history and will show the original version, then mine.

 

So, here's the poop scoop. My family tree on my paternal grandmother's side can be traced back to one of the first settlers of Maryland. My ancestor, Richard Duke, came over from England on the Ark and landed in Maryland in 1634; I knew they would have sailed up the Chesapeake Bay. Legend has it he was the assistant to Father Andrew White, who supposedly said the first Catholic Mass in the colonies. The Ark was the larger of two ships and carried the passengers. The Dove was a smaller ship and carried supplies. They named the place where they settled St. Mary's City. And there you have it!!!

A week until Christmas...busy, busy, busy!!! I hope you all don't get too caught up in the frenzy and can enjoy the beauty of the season. My fingers are crossed for snow...just a little Christmas morning and after everyone has safely arrived!!! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi