WOW!!!! and WOW!!!

Hi everyone. Before I get to my stitching progress this week, I have something special to show you.

I have a very good friend named Debbie who lives in Virginia. She and I met RVing several years ago. I have not seen her in a few years. She is a faithful reader of my blog. She is also an awesome stitcher although she is shy about it.

She sent me a gift this past week - check this out!

Spirit of Cross Stitch Angel

by Brooks Nolan

semi-kit of chart, perforated paper and beads

Angel and wings are done on evenweave, then stiffened and cut with scissors and exacto knife

Deb cut herself and in her words - it was made with "blood, sweat and not too many tears"

She then layered it with two sided sticky squares. She says that this Angel will protect me when I lose my stitching mojo and also help keep away the dreaded frogs.

I immediately hung it beside my stitching chair.

Thank you Deb. It is a special gift and I will treasure it always!!!!!

I also received a lovely gift from my friend Christin a while back and only now remembered that I did not show it to anyone. This is a beautiful scissor fob and I can tell she put much thought into it.

It is in my favorite color and check out the little nutcracker. Thank you so much Christin.

I have been stitching away this past week. Unfortunately, I can only show you my progress on Paradigm - 2/3 of the way through page 12!

I sent out 2 Fair and Squares this past week and I am busily stitching away on a secret exchange.
I also worked on Jack's quilt. I have the top done and his valance made. I have to go get fabric for the back and then will start putting it together.

Till next time every one - may the Cross Stitch Angel watch over you and your stitches.

Stitching in the sunshine and in my comfy chair

Hello everyone.

I have been merrily stitching away. There is something about sitting in the warmth and sunshine that just makes my needle fly. I have a lovely rocking chair on my deck and it is a perfect stitching spot. There is only one small problem - I have to sit back in the corner or I get many visitors and the stitching stalls. Well, I'm not sure that really is a problem.

I worked on my Winter Neighborhood RR for Tami and got it finished - ready for mailing on the 25th.Don't you just love the Santa and his sleigh across the top.


I chose "A Tree in the Window" by Cathi Bussi from Better Homes and Gardens - A Cross Stitch Christmas 2004. There is a little snowman in the front yard and I must admit I have a soft spot for snowmen.

I also put some quality time in on Paradigm Lost. I love the Friday night Stitchalongs on the Let's Stitch blog. DH and I had a very busy week so curling on the couch in front of the TV Friday evening worked for me. I was able to put in a solid 5 hours of stitching. I am beginning to think there is a possibility of finishing this before years end. I have finished page 7 and am working away on page 12. (I am a leftie so work right to left).I have also completed my squares for the Christmas Round on the Fair Square blog but cannot post until it is received. It is off to Australia soon.

I have purchased the fabrics to make a quilt for my older grandson. He loved his brother's Thomas quilt and wanted one himself - so Caterpillar tractors, backhoes, and excavators are next on my list. I was even able to find wallpaper cutouts with yellow construction vehicles for his wall. Isn't the internet the most amazing place. Must remember to order them right away.

And, I've been tagged. I won't tag anyone else but in case you are interested, here are six things about me.

1. I am a pizza addict - I have pizza at least once a week and tend to sulk if it goes any longer than that.

2. My glasses spend more time on top of my head than on my face - I'm not sure why I wear them.

3. I love silky nightshirts and have many.

4. I am a sticky note fool. I have sticky notes and lists everywhere. My family just laughs at them all but I see them checking them out too

5. I love sparkling water - key lime. All my family and friends know I carry them with me everywhere and they think it is an accessory like my glasses or shoes.

6. I LOVE MY GRANDKIDS!!!!!!!!

Till next time - happy stitching everyone.

Back on track

Good day everyone. I apologize for taking so long to update my blog. There are times when life just gets away from you.

DH and I made the trip from Ontario to Yuma in good time. Traveling allowed for some serious needlework. My plans to work on "Noddy" fell through. Paradigm Lost was calling to me. Here is my progress at the end of the trip.

Since then, I have completed this page. The camera batteries are dead so will post a new photo next time. 9 paged done, only 3 more to go!

I spent some serious time working on an afghan for someone else. An elderly friend had been working on a crocheted afghan and could not long understand how to work the pattern. She brought it to me and asked me to finish it. It has been a bit of a challenge as my crocheting is a little different from hers and I have had to repair someof her squares that were not quite right. I finished the squares while travelling and started to put it together. I hope to have it finished by the end of this month.

After unpacking the van and stashing away all the stitching supplies I had brought with me, I made a run to the post office. Amidst all the flyers and junk mail was a lovely package.

Andrea fulfilled my wish from the Make a Wish Exchange. I had wished for a scissor pocket.

Well, this absolutely beautiful little pocket was in the package. Andrea was not sure about the color but I just smiled. She chose DMC 501 and 503 to stitch with. My PL is done in DMC 502. They are some of my favorite colors.

It is so carefully stitched together. The button is a beautiful pearl and the ribbon is so delicate.

I just knew I couldn't get through this post without at least one flipped photo and here it is!

I am now busily working away on the next installment of my Winter Neighborhood RR. Here is the last photo of my progress. I am currently working on the back stitching and hope to have a finish and happy dance soon!

After cleaning out all the dust from our home and believe me there was lots, it was time to pick up with our winter friends. Well, it was out for dinner, girls lunch out, lets go shopping and oh yeah - $350 to fill the cupboards and fridge with food. It is nice to be back with friends and enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

I have noticed that there are some new visitors to my blog. Thank you so much for stopping by and your lovely comments. I will try and visit your blogs asap. To all my stitching friends who stop by, you make my day. You keep me encouraged and excited about new things and all your progresses. Thank you so much for being you!!

Till next time - as Helen says - May all your frogs stay in their pond. LOL