Some More Holiday Needlework.....

 I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but if you have a question about a particular one, just ask away!

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

Stasi 

PS  I forgot to add what I worked on yesterday...... Getting close to a finish!

 

Stitchy Day!!!

 

Today my stitchy friend, Lisa, is coming over; we haven't been able to get together since mid August. She is the one who has given me the Advent Calendar of stitchy goodness. Here is a photo of the latest surprises:

That's a blue thimble in the lower left hand corner.

 This is what I plan on working on.....Live in Hope by Blackbird Designs. This is for Sampler Camp 2022, hosted by the Colorado Stitcher. We were to start, or revisit, a sampler that we change up somehow, and finish it by the end of the year. I have changed up some things which I'll share when I complete the piece, but I am on the final leg of this journey. 

 I thought I'd start to share some of my holiday decorating (might help me remember where I put everything next year...or not). This is what's on top of my needlework display cabinet. I'm not going to mention what they all are, but feel free to ask if you want to know about something in particular.

Hope you all have a great day....thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi
 

Can You Believe It's Been Five Years????

 

 

 First, thanks for the birthday wishes..much appreciated. 

 Last Friday was the 5 year anniversary of when James and Esther arrived in the US .....the process had started 3 1/2 years before that!!! I blogged a bit about this at the time, so some of you may remember the trials and tribulations my daughter and SIL went through. J and E have overcome many challenges and are thriving as teenagers. Here is their first "official" family photo and a current one. 

            

And I couldn't resist a photo of our newest grand baby!!! Isn't this just the best Santa??? All real facial hair!!!

 We are very blessed and so proud of our daughters and their loving, giving hearts. They have both taken on big challenges in their lives/families....and it hasn't been easy..... but with  supportive, equally loving spouses, they shine! 

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

Stasi

2022 Ornaments for the Grands.....686

 Today I'm sharing my annual Christmas ornaments for the grand kids. These were a car project over the last year or so. They are tiny....approximately 1" X 2 1/2", but oh so cute....and simple. The chart was Paper Makings by Homespun Elegance...stitched on 14 ct perforated paper with a conversion to Anchor floss. Now to decide who gets which one!!!

 

Off to check out our new BJ's....just opened this past Saturday....will compare to Costco. Can you believe they open at 8:00AM???

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

Stasi

A Milestone.....685

 Today is my 70th birthday....I am not going to dwell on the 'number' but all the blessings....family and friends...that have shared these many years with me. And that is all I'm saying about this!!! Oops, I have to add that my hubby is making me breakfast as I sit and write this. :)

I'm going to share my latest finish, Noel en Bleu, by Lila's Studio. I stitched it on 18 ct perforated paper that I 'colored' with an ink pad to get a creamy shade. I used Victorian Motto shoppe fibers and mounted on a wood snowflake I found at JoAnns. These are such fun but have taken longer than I anticipated to stitch. I keep debating whether it needs a little extra bling like a charm or bow...what do you think?

My friend, Lisa, has given me a set of 25 small bags filled with "necessities" as an Advent calendar. I open one each day and it is so much fun!!! I have them stored in a large tin picnic box and pull the appropriate numbered bag out each day. Here is my box and a sampling of the bag contents. She also includes a little note about the item's use. Thanks so much Lisa for the daily surprise!

 

Good to be back....thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

 

Trying to Catch up......683

 

 I have been a little...or a lot...sidetracked the last month or so. When last I left you, we were heading to NC to watch our grand baby for two weeks. It was a lovely, relaxing time...nothing to do but dote on him and "eat him up"....he is a true sweetie!!! We got home and two days later drove to Baltimore to help my parents out. We spent 6 days there visiting senior living facilities, hiring a home care service and going over their finances. We left them with a lot to think about, then went home for Thanksgiving and an out of town family wedding this past weekend. We are now back in Baltimore and got my parents on a waiting list for independent living at a facility near one of my brothers. It's been a whirlwind and we still have tons to do to get their house ready for sale and downsize their "collections". :) All I ask is for you to wish me luck!!!

I have managed to squeeze in some stitching....mainly Jax's stocking. It is Reindeer Christmas Stocking by Rosewood Manor, stitched on 28 ct. White Chocolate linen with Victorian Motto Shoppe fibers. My goal was to get it stitched and finished by last weekend when I'd see my daughter in person...didn't want to put in the mail!!! Goal accomplished!!!

Here it is with his parent's stockings, which I made 6 years ago.

 I am going to try to get back into the routine of posting a little something every day as things should settle down now for a bit. It turns out I enjoyed doing the blog that way. I take thyroid medicine every morning and have to wait at least 30 minutes before I eat, so I was using that time to do a blog post.

I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods.....t
hanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

A Little Update......

 Greetings friends! I've been a bit MIA these past few weeks...things didn't go as planned. Not complaining...just explaining!!! 

I did not make it to either of the retreats at Salty Yarns. I was all packed and ready to go , as evidenced in my previous post, but life got in the way. I had started on a new medicine, that wound up giving me some unpleasant, side effects and I knew I couldn't make that 5 hour drive. I hoped to feel better and go for Jamboree but Rich contracted that RSV virus that's going around and we read that it was very contagious for 3-7 days. So, I thought it was best to stay home and not take the chance of spreading it to the retreat attendees. I was so bummed, as this was the last Jamboree at the current location of Salty Yarns and the Lankford Hotel. Good things are coming and I have many wonderful memories of past events.

To top all that off, my Dad has been in/out of the hospital 4 times in three weeks. He is currently in a nursing home to build his strength back up. He is 94 and my Mom 90, so they are a worry for us, especially since they are three hours away. They are still living independently in their home, and would like to stay that way, but it is getting to be problematic.

So, I've been in a bit of a stitching funk and have not gotten much done. Been forcing myself to work on Jax's stocking, but I am easily distracted. Since I don't have any stitching to share, I thought I'd show my little Halloween display..hope you enjoy it.

I leave Sunday for two weeks in NC to watch Jax...his day care provider is on maternity leave. Hoping this sweet baby will be a positive distraction!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Stasi