HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL

As the sun sets in the Arizona sky, the sun sets on another year. 2007 was a year filled with much love and laughter. Our three grandchildren kept us smiling and filled our hearts with joy. Our family and friends enriched our lives in every way.
My new stitching and blogging friends were a wonderful addition to my life.

To all I wish a Happy New Year and a wonderous 2008 filled with love, laughter and sunshine.

After Christmas tales

Well, Happy Christmas everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. We had a lovely day with friends. We go home every second Christmas and this was our Christmas to stay here. It was a bit rough going in the morning when we talked to the children and grandchildren on the phone. Hearing their excitement as they told us of their gifts and my grandson Jackson's little voice saying "Merry kissmass Gramma, I love you" kind of choked me for a bit and made us very homesick. However, DH and I pulled it together and got onto the business of making the most of our day. We had 13 guests for a potluck Christmas dinner. DH and I cooked the turkey, dressing, gravy and dinner rolls. We provided the hall and set the place up all festive. We had enough food for 10 dinners and enjoyed every single bite. We broke out the dice and cards and played into the evening. There was lots of laughter all around. Without even realizing it the day flew by and we all managed to put our homesickness aside. Everyone pitched in and helped sort the place at the end of the day. DH and our friends helped do all the dishes and put everything away. By 10 p.m. I was exhausted and in bed.

I managed a little stitching. Here is my big progress on Crystal Tree. I have put it on Qsnaps and have started the back stitching. The back stitching is all in Kreinik!!!! Yuck!!

The ornament package that I received from Margaret is completed. What a lovely stitch it was! It this my last ornament for 2007 or my first ornament for 2008?

I have been asked for the colors that I am using for Paradigm - DMC 502. I hope to work on it later today or tomorrow. Take care everyone - till the next time.

New Stash and stitching progress

Well, I have been on a bit of a buying spree. Check out my new goodies.

From a company in Englewood, Colorado called Diversions - a collection of Needles Necessities, WDW and Waterlilies threads for a stash of Sweetheart Tree pieces I hope to do some day. I have a very good friend who lives in Denver and she travels quite a distance to pick up these lovely threads for me. Thanks Patty. P.S. I am looking for a thread from a company called The Thread Gatherer called FNC40-001 Heather. Can anyone help me find it please?

From my friend Ann at Knowledge and Needles - another 10 skeins for my Little Book of Stitches - I was very optimistic buying 5 skeins wasn't I! LOL

From Stitching Bits and Bobs - Drawn Threads Sampler Gameboard, JBW Designs Christmas Stocking, a hibiscus needle minder and 8 packages of Piecemaker needles. I know - 8 packages - 3 are for my BFF Beatrice. I use a different needle for each thread color so I need (well, want) lots.

Now, here is my stitching progress for this week. I seem to be moving very slowly on Crystal Tree. I am so close to the end of the regular stitching but, as with everyone, it is a very busy time and when I sit, I just sit.Paradigm, however, is moving along well. I worked until 12:45 a.m. on this particular motif to get it finished. I had to give up before I got to the back stitching. - Ah, well, next week. The members of the Snowbirds SAL got a lovely surprise this week - a nice letter from Tracy Horner at Ink Circles. The link is in my sidebar. Check it out!

I also received the loveliest gift in the mail yesterday. I participated in a Christmas Ornament exchange this past year that fell apart in the middle. Some of the other participants lost their supplies and it was very disappointing for everyone. One of the stitchers - Margaret - sent me the loveliest Christmas card and a little package. Inside the package were the supplies for Rosewood Manor - Victorian Lace Snowflake Christmas ornament from the 2007 JCS Ornament issue.

What a thoughtful little gift. I appreciate it very much Margaret and plan to stitch it right away. Perhaps we will meet at another RR and it will turn out well for us all.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Now that the deck is finished and all the mess is cleaned away it is time to put up Christmas. I have been impatiently waiting for the job to be done so I could decorate. Here are a couple of photos.

I always put my Christmas village out front. It looks so nice at night when it is lit. The only snow we get to see is around the village and frankly, that is all I want to see. On each side are my bougainvilleas. I love these. They grow like vines and have thorns on them as big as thumbs or so DH says. He would love to get rid of them and is always after me to trim them. I just ignore him and 5 years later they are still here and blooming beautifully.
Here is my new deck - all porcelain tile. The three guys did a wonderful job and it is so much easier to keep clean. We get some wicked sand and wind storms here and the sand is so fine that carpet is almost impossible to keep clean. Over the last few years, people are replacing carpet with tile. We don't get much rain so the tiles hold up well outdoors. I am planning to put my Christmas tree up on the deck later today.
Here is my updated photo of Paradigm. I finally got the chance to work on it last evening.

And, I am still slugging along on Crystal Tree. I think I have two presents left to stitch then I will have to put it in Q-snaps. I usually work in hand so this will be my first use of them. I have many things to add that will require the fabric to be straight - silk ribbon, beads, rope, garland, snowflakes and charms - Oh darn, here I thought I was near the end. Oh, well, maybe next Christmas.

It's Raining AGAIN!!!!

Wow, I can't believe it! It is raining again. Grant the fact it is just a gentle rain and not a downpour, I still wish it would go away. It so rarely rains here it seem strange - and it is cold, well, cold for here 53F. BRRRR!!!

I have a little something different to show you today. I do some quilting. I took beginner's classes last year. I made a set of 6 placemats for my sister, Sherry - the Texas sister. She has her big country kitchen done in roosters and I thought she might like these. They are going into the mail on Monday.

I also received a package in the mail Saturday from my BFF Beatrice. Look what she found in a quilt shop while shopping for fabric for her mother's Dutch quilt. I am a very proud Canadian and will be out shopping for fabric to make this after I get a few other projects done.

If you notice that I am not commenting on blogs much lately, please forgive me. I am reading them but we have some issues here with the wireless and it cuts out quite suddenly. Many times I have typed out a great (in my mind) comment and it refuses to go through. Am I the only one having trouble with the comments? I try to read all your blogs. I so enjoy all the different projects that everyone is working on!!! Keep stitching one and all

We got rain!

Well, what an experience it was. Yuma very rarely gets any rain and this past week, we got RAIN. You should have seen the rain. It was a torrential downpour. Our average rainfall for the year is 4 inches and we received 2 inches in a short time. The streets were flooded and the roads were full of puddles. Several friends of ours had leaky roofs. We escaped any damage but we have a metal roof and the noise was wild. It was kinda fun. They are predicting rain for the entire weekend - we shall see. One good thing about the rain, the desert will be in full bloom in the spring.

I have had a good stitching week. I have made great progress on Crystal Tree. All the confetti stitching on the tree is done and 1/3 of the presents at the bottom are stitched. All of the presents have some Kreinik threads so they are a little time consuming. Thank goodness for my Thread Heaven cause it keeps those threads under control better.

I worked on Paradigm all day yesterday and really enjoyed this section. There were several small motifs and so you felt like you accomplished something at the end. Hey, I get my enjoyment where I can.

Yesterday, I spent jumping from my deck to the ground. My DH and his friends are replacing our carpeted deck with ceramic tile. When they took the carpet up, the stairs were rotten, so an entire day was spent replacing the stairs. If you are as nimble as I you can imagine jumping off that deck every time I wanted to leave the place. Of course, when there are no stairs you find 100 reasons to go in and out. I will post a photo when they finish my nice new deck.

Paradigm and Crystal Tree

Here is my latest progress on Paradigm. At the end of week 5 I have completed page 3. Now, in case you are wondering why I started at page 3, I am a leftie and so started on the right side of the piece.

I finished the large motif on this page, did all the backstitching then added the small "a". After checking my placement I realized I was out by 1/2 stitch. It took some time counting and searching until I found that the R was the problem. With much grumbling and mumbling, I frogged the letters R and Q and the small "a" and restitched them. I ended up pulling a midnight shift as I would not go to bed until I had them all done. What is it with having to put back the stitches we remove right away! I am excited to be on to page 2 next week.

I have some progress to report on Crystal Tree too. I have picked it back up and I am making progress. I have been able to add a couple of Kreinik threads. I even got to stitch one present under the tree. For some reason, the camera actually did a better job of capturing the colors this week.


You will notice several new names in my blog list. Many of these are new stitchers that have joined the Paradigm/Cirque blog. Check them out when you can - Joyus, Tannia, Gail, Rob at Coastal Stitching, Lesley, and Mindi are the ones I can think of right now.

Ornament Exchange and a surprise gift

I am sitting here munching away on a Snickers Nutcracker, smacking my lips and feeling guilty at the same time.


I participated in my first ornament exchange this fall. My partner was Becky K from Oklahoma.
Becky Thank you so very much. You knocked my socks off!

Someone told her that I was a nutcracker collector and she heard. Her exchange was amazing and I was stunned by all the lovely wrapped gifts.
I received a package of mixed beads, a package of Christmas stickers, a needle case, a package of Snickers Nutcrackers (that's right - the ones I'm munching on) and the most beautiful stitched nutcracker. He is hanging above my computer screen as I type and I look at him in awe every time. Becky says he comes from a Christmas bellpull design in a Better Homes and Garden Book called A Cross Stitch Christmas - Handmade Heirlooms.
The guilt comes from not saving the nutcrackers for my collection and eating them instead. Becky reassures me they came from her favorite gourmet chocolate shop - Walmart - so I should be able to replace the ones I ate. Don't you just love it.
Below is the stitched piece I did for her. This is a JBW design - Hearts of Joy - from the 1997 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. I made it into a little pillow for her and added some other goodies to the package. Becky emailed yesterday that she received the package so now I can post it.

And note to self and others - don't send a package in a Skinny Cows ice cream box. They work great for ice cream but not as packaging. Becky says it was delivered taped together but thankfully intact.

Today I went strolling to the mailbox to see what the mailman had dropped off . Mostly it is 6 million pieces of useless paper from our bank at home and the odd advertisement. Well, I got the coolest little surpise today. I found a little envelope postmarked Belgium containing a skein of Carrie's Creations hand dyed floss called Snowflake in my box. A cute little hand stamped card is in the envelope but no name or indication of who it is from. Whoever you are, thank you for such a wonderful surprise gift. I looked at this little envelope all the way home with a big smile on my face and a real sense of awe and gratitude. What wonderful thing can I find to stitch with this beautiful thread?

I have finally found the missing fabric for my Little Book of Stitches. I had bought it at Michael's I guess and it is 32 count oyster. Now, I can go back to working on it.

I have not done a great deal of stitching this past week. I seem to have hit a bit of a lull. I have picked up several things, stitched on them for a bit then put them down and picked up something else.

I'm off to check out the Snowbird SAL. Take care everyone

Happy Day after Thanksgiving

Happy Day after Thanksgiving to all my American friends, happy snowy day to my Ontario friends and a happy hello to everyone else.

Would you believe DH had me out of bed and we were standing in line at Staples this morning at 6:20 a.m. I have never shopped on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) before. DH saw a couple of things we thought we should have so there we were in line in the dark and it was only 42F. Can you tell I really wanted to do this!! We did get a great deal on an external hard drive for my laptop, 2 IPod shuffles, and I got some floss at 5/$1.00. We were home before 9 a.m. The crowds were quite tame at the stores we frequented but when DH went to Target it was crazy!!!! I did the rest of my shopping online. I bought a rolling tote for my sewing machine at Joann's and some stash at Stitching Bits and Bobs.

Here is the beautiful cross stitch wall hanging I won from Heather at Quilt or Stitch on her blogaversary. Isn't it lovely. It will have a special place in my home and thanks again Heather.

My BFF Beatrice contacted me to tell me that my mother's piece was framed and she would deliver it to my parents soon. I am pleased with the framing and I think my parents will like this. Thank you Beatrice for taking this to my parents. She lives close to them and can do this for me as I am in Arizona.

Here is my progress on Paradigm this week. I love this stitch and don't like to put it down at the end of the day. This particular day I stitched until midnight because I was enjoying it so much.

I have no progress to report on Book of Stitches. It has gone to the bottom of the pile until I resolve the fabric issue. I have bought two pieces of fabric and neither of them match. Oh well, I have two nice pieces of linen for the future.

Take care all.

Stitching progress and a problem

I have happily taken a break from washing windows to post my progress for last week. I am unpacked and everything is in it's place. $280 later the cupboards and fridge are full and then we have eaten out 3 of the last 5 days. Maybe I should have waited on those groceries!! DH is off golfing this afternoon so I should have some time to stitch without interruption.

Travelling in the car to Arizona gave me lots of quality stitching time. Our activities here tend to end early evening so I have some stitching time then too.

I am off to Joann's this week. Their floss is on 5/$1.00 and I can't resist that. I am hoping to go through my floss boxes once I finish these windows and see what I need or might need LOL.Crystal Tree is finally coming together. I have finished the top 1/2 and now I get to stitch some presents and other colors as I work my way to the bottom of the tree. There is less confetti stitching in the bottom so I should be able to stay on track better. My neighbor came over to see my new projects and she wanted to see my stitching on the back. What did she pick but the Crystal Tree that is not my neatest piece because of all the confetti stitching.


I made some great progress on Paradigm too. This was one entire day in the car and I felt that I accomplished a lot that day. I am really enjoying this stitch.

I finished Page 3 of Little Book of Stitches and am pleased with how it looks. I have, however, run into a problem with this that I am not sure how to solve. When I cut the fabric I misread the number of pages. Therefore, I have 6 pieces of fabric and 8 pages. I do not have any more of this fabric in my stash and now I am trying to remember where I bought it to try and find another piece for the two missing pages. If I cannot find it, and I don't think my chances are very good, I may have to scrap these two pages and start over again. GROAN!!!!!!

Take care everyone and have a good week.

Bach and I stitching

Thought you might enjoy this photo. I am stitching on Crystal Tree at my sister's in Texas. At my left is my pattern, at my right is my thread box, on my lap and sitting on my fabric is my sister's cat Shiner Bach. I am holding a needle and thread in my hand. I was trying to thread my needle to start the next stitches and Bach decided that he would help me.
We arrived in Arizona late yesterday afternoon. We had a very busy and emotional two weeks visiting with my sister and Jim in Texas. He is doing better. Tiny little steps at a time. He can now move his right hip, knee and foot. The movement is small but we are grateful for each one.
It was very difficult to leave my sister on Wednesday but it was time to move on.
The weather is beautiful 84F and sunny without a cloud in the sky. It will take me a couple of days to unpack and clean the summer sand out of the place.
I am sorry that I did not keep up with everyone and their progress. Time just slipped by and there was never enough time to sit in front of the computer. Now that I am here I will do lots of catching up and look forward to seeing everyone's projects and progress. I will try and blog more often too.
Well, everyone gotta go - it is nine and dine at the local golf course tonight and DH is on the course and I am off to join him for dinner.

Hello from sunny Texas

Well, it sure is warm and humid here in Texas. Glowing is not the word for what has happened to me this past week. We have been busy little bees and the property is looking good. Sherry has been busy with us and we have accomplished a lot.
I have managed some stitching time. My work on Crystal Tree this week has involved pulling out an entire section that was in the wrong place. I need a reminder of why I am doing this piece.
I have made some wonderful progress on Paradigm. I don't like to put it down at the end of the day and have a hard time not picking it up again the next day.
Until next time, take care all.

The snowbird has landed more or less safely

Well, hello everyone. Please forgive me for being so slow to update myself. It was a long 2 1/2 day -1700 mile trip from home to my sister's in Texas. I did get in some quality stitching time and my butt is square from sitting so long. I am one of those lucky people who can stitch in the car. When you have made this trip several times a tree is a tree is a tree.
I am coming along nicely with page 3 of Book of Stitches although it did not get too much work.












I got to start Paradigm on October 31st for the entire day. I really enjoyed this stitch and did not want to put it down at the end of the day. I can hardly wait for next Wednesday to stitch some more.
Crystal Tree is coming along really nicely. I have found that an extra-large pattern, a highliter and solitude are the answer to working on this piece. I have done very little counterstitching and that pleases me greatly. For some reason, Crystal Tree does not photograph well. Will have to play with the camera and see if I can get a better shot. I have also stitched a piece for the Ornament Exchange on the Needle and Thread Board and cannot show it until it has been received - late November.
Jim is making progress and is now at home. His being at home keeps my sister very busy so DH and I have done our best to pick up the slack for her. She calls me her "laundry fairy". We are trying to accomplish some odds and sods for her - you know - those things you never have time for. Our days are full. We are enjoying spending time with her and her family.

I WON! and Snowbird ready to fly

First, I WON!! Heather at QuiltorStitch had her blogaversary recently and my name was drawn by her son, Curran (my new lucky charm). I have viewed her blog for a while and she is an beautiful stitcher and an even more amazing quilter. I am soooo excited.
I have finally shaken the cold and bronchitis that has kept me down for the last 2 1/2 weeks. Our van is packed, my stitching bag is full, my Paradigm is marked and ready for it's first stitch, my wings are groomed and we are patiently waiting. I have a quick checkup with the doctor tomorrow and we are on our way. We will stay Monday night with our DH's brother and his wife in Windsor and cross at Detroit Tuesday morning. We should be in Texas sometime Thursday. For my Paradigm - Cirque stitchers, polish up those needles and limber up those fingers. Start date is close!!
Access may be sporadic until we reach Texas.
Till then, take care of yourselves and stitch, stitch, stitch!!!

Book of Stitches and Crystal tree

Page 3 of Little Book of Stitches is coming along nicely. I was asked if it is from "Gift of Stitching". It is indeed - August 2007. I am really enjoying this project and the peacock thread is working up nicely.

This is not the greatest photo of Crystal Tree but we have progress. I ended up tearing out all the previous stitching and starting again. This is on 32 count Ice Blue Lugana and will be lovely when it is done. I have started at the top and it seems to be going better. I find it easier to keep track and I am trying not to wander too far with the confetti stitches. I have discovered that I cannot stitch this one with distractions though. I took it with my yesterday to my last Thursday stitching group and had to counter stitch everything I had done! It was wonderful to see my stitching friends again and sad to say goodbye to them all for the next few months. I wish you could meet them. They are such a wonderful group - so encouraging, so funny, so supportive and such great buddies. Take care everyone

On the cold front - things are progressing slowly. I had to see my doctor on Monday and I have developed bronchitis and a lung infection. I now have antibiotics, an bronchodilator and some narcotic cough medicine to get me through this. The cough medicine knocks me on my keister so I try not to take it unless I am desperate. The doctor has assured me that I should be on the upswing in the next few days. We have had to cancel our plans for the next several days and are now unsure of our date to cross into the U.S. I will still start Paradigm on the scheduled date.

Book of Stitches and Christmas tree

Here is my completed page 2 of "Little Book of Stitches". Sure is pretty!! On to page 3. Page 1 has initials and the date and I think I will wait to do that page.

I have finished the gift I was doing. I will have to wait until I have access to a sewing machine before I can finish it. I will photo it once it has been received.

Now that the wreath is off to the framers, I am on to the next project in my UFO pile. This is "Crystal Tree" from the November 2004 Stitcher's World. I started this last March. I had it about 1/3 done and then realized I was off by 1/2 stitch. I ripped out a large section and threw it to the bottom of my pile. I dug it out today and checked it over to start again. I got a new copy of the pattern since I marked the first one and still got it wrong. I took this photo of what I have done after ripping out a large piece. After taking this photo, I sat down to work on it and had to tear out everything you see on the left. I guess I will start all over again. I have pinned to start at the top and will try from there. Just in case I never get to the end, this is the finished tree from the magazine. Maybe someday!

Bits and Pieces

Good morning everyone.
Jim is home from the hospital. After some discussion with my sister and the hospital, it was decided that his rehabilitation could continue at home. After delivery of a wheelchair and a few other necessities, my sister bundled him into their van and took him home. She says the smile on his face is worth a million dollars. She had to have a few adjustments made to their home but nothing major. She says the greetings from the dogs, cats, horses and baby pig all made him grin from ear to ear. Starting the first of the week, he will get physical and speech therapy at home. He can maneuver around the house, in and out of bed and into the bathroom with minimal help. The kids are glad to have him home but he finds their high energy a bit much. I am sure he will adjust.
I have a lousy, stinking miserable cold that is not getting any better. As a matter of fact, it seems to be getting worse. When I cough, it seems to start in my toes. While we were visiting the grandsons, they had eye infections. Well, DH caught the infection and this morning I woke up with the infection. DH gave me the cold too. Needless to say, I am cranky, cranky, cranky and DH is not my favorite person. I will be off to the doctor's on Monday.
I had a lovely dinner and visit with Dani last Thursday. Dani has continued her enabling ways. She is doing a Christmas ornament exchange over at her Needle and Thread Board (link on her blog). She asked if I would like to join. I had to decline since all my supplies are packed in boxes ready for the trip to Arizona. Well, at dinner, she presented me with pattern, thread and fabric to do an ornament. What a girl!!! Thanks Dani. I will get stitching on it right away.
Dani and I went to see "Elizabeth - The Golden Age". It was excellent - visually stunning and the costumes were spectacular. Sometimes, the acting was a little over the top, but, all in all, a movie I would highly recommend.
I have been slowly working on a gift and also on my Book of Stitches. Progress however has been very slow due to my not feeling well. Hopefully, I will have something to show you soon.

You Make Me Smile Award

Look what came my way today. It came from my BFF Beatrice. I am glad that I make her smile. I am now supposed to pick 10 stitchers that make me smile. That is a tough choice. There are many blogs that I enjoy and you are all listed in my side bar. But, to stay with the program here are my ten

Beatrice (Stitching with a View)
Annmarie (Wacky Wanderings)
Dani (TKD Chick)
Carol (Garden of Stitches)
Carol (Linen Stitcher)
Vonna (The Twisted Stitcher)
Wendy (Wendy Home at Work)
Teejay (The Tapestry Chronicles)
Ranae (The Needle and I)
Karen (Little Cat Blogs)
Ann (Knowledge and Needles)

Okay, so I can't count either. Each of my fellow stitchers give me a laugh or a smile every day. Consider yourselves sharing this award!!!
I am stitching away on a gift that I cannot show and on my "Book of Little Stitches". Not really much progress there or not enough to photograph anyway.
I have added my fabric choice and threads to the Snowbird SAL if you are interested. Have a great day one and all.

Here if my second biscornu. Well, Beatrice and I worked on this one together. We have a Thursday stitcher named Judie who has been stitching Good Night, Sleep Tight for months. It is a very large piece and has cows wearing quilts in a pasture. She has said she never wanted to see a cow again. Beatrice and I decided that she needed a souvenir after all that work. I stitched one side, Beatrice the other. Beatrice put it together while I was in Texas and we gave it to her last Thursday. She loved it and says she will have to hide it from her daughter.

Here is Carol's house in her neighborhood. This is a house from Just Cross Stitch magazine April 2003. The design is from Brown House Studios. I think it suited the neighborhood. It was fun to stitch - all done with one strand. I spent the rest of my time working on my Book of Little Stitches re-doing the area that I had to rip out. I am back to where I started.

My first biscornu and lots of counter stitching

Here it is. My very first biscornu. I made this for my new friend Lynn . She has been very kind to me and I wanted to say thank you. It is stitched on 32 count evenweave and is stitched with WDW 2333 Peopria Purple. I had a bit of challenge putting it together but sure liked it when it was finished.
It took two weeks for it to travel to her. I could have driven it there faster. Our Canadian postal system leaves a great deal to be desired.

Beatrice and I have done a second biscornu together since then but I do not have photos yet.

I worked on my Little Book of Stitches or rather I unworked. The cross in the bottom right hand corner was out by 1/2 row and I did not discover it until I was almost finished that corner so my stitching time was spent counter stitching that whole area! I was asked where the pattern came from. It is from Gift of Stitching - August 2007.

Carol's house is done but I am waiting to photo until I add some animals to the scene. It is crying for a little something.

I am not feeling the greatest today. I have caught DH's cold and it is really knocking the heck out of me.

A Wonderful Gift and update on Jim

Look what I got from my BFF Beatrice today. She gave this to me at our Thursday stitching group and made me cry. I was so surprised and delighted that she took the time to do this for me. The center is a medallion from Paradigm. I just love the stitching and the pillow finish is gorgeous. I am so lucky.

Her mom, Adriana also stitched me a little angel. I forgot to photograph it but will for my next blog.

Been stitching away on Carol's neighborhood. Got a nice chunk done today.

On the personal front, DH and I managed to pack all boxes and other assorted belongings into the van today without an argument or hassle. That is rare but today it worked. Cause for celebration. We are closing our house up tomorrow and going to visit our son in Ottawa for a week.

I talked to my sister Sherry last night. Jim is making steps forward. When he saw my mom yesterday he said "Hey" for the first time. Sherry bundled him into their van with my mom and her kids and they took him to IHOP for supper. Sherry was rattling away about the menu to him. He spoke up "Your" he said, she said "talking too fast". He said "Yes" and pointed to his choice on the menu. He has taken a couple of steps with a three-footed cane. He can haul himself out of his bed to the wheelchair and from the wheelchair to the tiolet and back. He is learning to compensate for his paralyzed right side. They are small steps but good steps. Each one is the answer to a prayer.

New starts

I am celebrating the finish of the wreath by starting a couple of new things.

First, the neighborhood. I received Carol's neighborhood in the mail while I was away. I have started on my block. I have chosen a pattern from Just Cross Stitch, April 2003 and the design is by Brown House Studio. I love the colors in this house and I think the style fits Carol's neighborhood well.

Here is a photo of Carol's neighborhood to this point. Isn't it nice. Carol has asked that we stitch with one thread and it adds delicacy to the work.My second new start is from the Gift of Stitching magazine.It is "Little Book of Stitches". I am doing it on 32 count linen with WDW 2149 Peacock. I am working on page 2.

I am starting a SAL of Paradigm Lost on Nov. 1 with Dani and some other friends. Dani and I decided last year that we would like to do this as a SAL. Since then many friends have joined us and the group has grown considerably. Some of the fellow stitchers have decided to do Cirque des Cercles. Dani has set up a blog for us as we stitch along. Check it out. It is called Snowbird SAL. If you would like to join with us please feel free.

I checked a few minutes ago and Vonna has decided to join us doing Cirque. She has resisted for the longest time. What a fun group this is turning out to be.