TUSAL and small stitches

Here is my TUSAL update. With my neck and shoulder problems this past month my stitching has been very limited. I don't think I have ever had so few orts. Hopefully, next month will be better.

I did receive a couple of wonderful packages in the mail lately. From Patti - this nutcracker design

and from Jen this nutcracker pattern

My UFO RR went out in the mail this week. This is what the design looked like when I received it.

After 20 hours this is how it looks now.

And here is the latest Band Sampler RR. I stitched the area below the beaded blackberries.

The designs were chosen from 2 Sweetheart Tree Designs - Bleeding Heart and Pumpkin Time Heart. Aren't the little spiders just sooo cute. What a wonderful Autumn RR this is becoming.

I am not sure if I will be able to post now for a couple of weeks. We are in the process of packing up the house and getting ready for our winter migration to Arizona. We leave Sunday. I will have a big bag of stitching with me and hopefully, my neck problems will ease up and I will be able to stitch my way across the country. We are making stops in Guthrie Center, Iowa and Denver, Colorado to visit friends on our way south. We should be in AZ by November 8-10.

Until then, my friends, keep those x's crossed and those frogs away from your beautiful work.

Stitches, gifts and Christmas in October.

Good day everyone. I know I am lax in posting but you will understand as you read this post.

My neck issues seem to have sorted themselves out. I have to be careful but if I stop when I feel that twing my neck doesn't start tensing up and spasming again. Chiropractor's conclusion - bending over the computer and looking through my magnifier when I stitch, for extended periods of time, is not the best way to keep my neck from hurting. I will have to limit myself for a while.

The "I Feel Good Gifts" that I sent have been received.
Here is the gift that went to Edgar.

Here is the gift that went to Ariadne in Greece no less. Ariadne and her blog are new to me and maybe others. Stop by and pay her a visit.

Both packages took less than 5 days to arrive. How come it takes two weeks for something to arrive in Canada????????

I have been working on the latest Mirabilia RR and have finished my section.
I have stitched Queen of Peace. The blank spaces are for Mill Hill Treasures which I will send seperately.

Here is the RR to date.

There is only one more round and these RR's go home to their owners. It has been a wonderful experience. These stitchers have all been so gracious and diligent. They have made it easy to moderate this RR.

I am working away on the UFO RR that I have in my possession.

This is Dimensions "Angel of Peace". I now have more than a red blog - there is some green and blue ribbon to be seen.

Warning - lots of Christmas photos here.

And the Christmas comment - well, we will be in Arizona for Christmas this winter and so we had Christmas at Thanksgiving. It took 4 days to get the house all decorated.

 

This fella greets you at the front door - all 4 feet of nutcracker.

 

Front entry table

Up the front stairs

In the living room . The small tree is our traveller's tree. I try to buy a decoration for this tree when we visit new places. You will see my Canada nutcrackers - a mountie and a hockey player.

Isn't this what a TV stand is for?

 

Our beautiful tree and the wonderful nativity that DH brought home from Isreal.

Beside my stitching chair.

 

Yep, those are nutcracker placemats.

Even the kitchen gets a little tree.

 

Going upstairs.

The upstairs landing.

Do you think that I am a nutcracker collector?

The entire family came home and we had turkey with all the fixings and gifts under the tree. Hunter, who is 5, wanted to know if he was still going to get presents at Christmas and if Santa was still going to come. After we reassured him, he was okay with the tree and presents. It was a good year for me in the gift buying department. I was bang on with all the family and they were thrilled with their gifts. WHEW!!
And then it took 2 days to take all the decorations down and store them away. Boy, the house looks empty now.

End result - one very tired but happy person. Now, I am free to stitch and read.

I will soon have to put them aside and start packing for our transition to Arizona for the winter. We have sold our van and now just have the Jetta. It will be interesting to try and pack into such a small space. Wish me luck cause I'm gonna need it.
I'm off to stitch. I hope you find as much joy in your stitches as I do.

Aches and Pains

Oh it really sucks to be getting older. I moved the wrong way or sat the wrong way a week ago and have been unable to stitch much. I hurt the muscles in my neck and upper shoulders and have been struggling. I am going to a chiropractor and applying ice to my back and shoulders. Things are improving but slowly.
Here is my sad progress on my UFO RR - a big red blob.

My BFF Beatrice took a quilting class and learned to make a "Spicy Spiral Table Topper". She showed me how to make it and here's what I came up with. It will be a gift for a friend. The sewing was difficult with my sore shoulders so I did 15 minutes at a time.

And I thought I would show you my latest scissors - Canada  by Dinky Dyes!

Since I have so little stitching to show you perhaps you would like to see the few pair of scissors I own. It started with a pretty pair of Ginghers and just grew from there. Many of them have been gifts.

When I looked at this photo, I felt so guilty I polished my silver frog.

Hopefully, next time, I will have some stitching photos. I wouldn't want my poor frog to be empty this month.
He would be awfully hungry.