Still Kicking

Don't you just hate those bloggers that disappear for weeks and weeks and weeks. Me too!!!Sorry.... So, what have I been up to you ask!!!!

Well, first, I had my nose in a book and just in case you didn't know, I am a very slow reader. I think I can stitch faster than I read a book. If you are dog lover you really need to read this book. It is by Garth Stein....

Course, it didn't take me four weeks to read this book. I spent a lot of time setting it down in between..... Going to Jackson Hole, WY in search of a moose.... I have always wanted to see a moose and now I can finally say I saw 7 of them all on the same trip.

It was a great trip. Started out in Jackson, Wy - moving on to the Grand Tetons - over to Yellowstone and then up to Glacier Park. Guess how many days....???? Give up...???? Try 3 days and 1480 miles later. Okay, it was the fastest trip ever but at least I got to spend the last three days relaxing in Jackson Hole looking for moose.

I really don't have much to show you on my stitching progress. I spent the most awful time FROGGING on my current project. Until I get over the FROGGING I just cannot get myself to take a photo of the progress. I am working on Lizzie Kate's "Living with Charm". Well, I don't feel too charming about it. Maybe I will get better at watching the pattern closer this weekend and will give you an update next week.

I am leaving you with a great picture taken at a farmer's market in Missoula MT. I wish I could have found a way to bring all of these flowers home with me besides the wonderful veggies.

Happy 4th of July

God bless America, land that I love,

Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night, with the light from above,
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America! My Home Sweet Home!

- Irving Berlin, God Bless America

The house is decorated with buntings on the porch railings, all of my patriotic stitchery is scattered around, and of course a few old decorations. I just love the colors of red, white, and blue. Course, more of the old fashion muted tones. Looking around at what I have stitched I have a lot more that needs to be done. Sorry, not much to show but my mind is racing around thinking of what I forgot in the stash to stitch. Since it is a rainy cold night tonight I will have to stash dive tonight.

Over the weekend I got a chance to run to my local LNS with friends. Course, that means never leaving empty bag. So, the most important purchase had to be the newest Loose Feathers pattern called "It's Berry Time". I bought the material called for but made a change in the thread selection. I selected Gentle Arts Pomegranate. What do you think?

Sorry, guess the picture is kind of dark. I will have to try again after I start stitching it up. Not the greatest in picture taking.

Of course, I couldn't pass up a Lizzie Kate boxer kit. I just loved the saying and will have to put this one out for everyone to see and get a chuckle from. It is me.....

Okay, another bad picture. Guess that is a good indication of how my day went. Oh well.....

Lastly, I got another Shepherd's Bush kit called "Home". I love the hat that you attach to the sheep. Red, White, and Blue..... of course.



Not a lot done on the ABC Lessons but still wanted to provide an update of my progress.


This morning we woke up to find out that it had rained last night and that more of the lilies in the garden had bloomed. I had to run back into the house and grab the camera so I could share them with you. ENJOY....

Well, Brinkley and Josie are being pests and want me log off and play. Have a great holiday weekend and stay safe.

One More Line

Wow, another line done and many more to go. This still is a very pretty project and I cannot wait to get it done. Course, I was feeling so proud that when I got this one done I would be ready to move onto the other Lizzie Kate's double flip project which has been living in my stash along with the frame for a LONG TIME. In my book this project is considered a VERY LARGE task.

But of course I had to see that she has a new double flip coming out for Christmas and my mind is wondering how fast I can stitch my current stash so that I can justify adding this new project into the bottomless stash pit.....

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Okay, so it really is wallet, budget, stash, time, and "What, another holiday project"!!!! Well, let's just see what the weekend brings. Hmmmm, I know, if it stays over 90 degrees for the rest of the week I will truly have to stay in and stitch a lot.... I guess I might get a bit closer to this new design.... Bring on the heat and humidity. NOT....

Stay Cool Stitchers and Friends......

Current Stitching

Don't you just love the excitement of starting a new project..... I do.... I recently finished a project which means, "Yes, run quickly to the stash and pick out a new project".... During my last trip to my favorite stitchy shop I picked up the latest design from Lizzie Kate called "ABC Lessons". The colors for this pattern are really neat and bright. Top help show them off I selected a really neat jobelan called "Chai Tea". It has shades of blue mixed into it. Here is my current progress.....

This pattern is going really quickly and I hope I can keep at my fast pace and get this one done so that I can run off to my stash and pick out my next project. Hmmmm, will I go with something patriotic or return to my Loose Feathers stash..... Stay tuned and see...

Brinkley update: Well the poor little guy had his trip to see the vet to experience tutoring.... Okay, that is what we call it to be nice to him. Here is how he spent 12 fun filled days.... He was a good sport and didn't make trouble that I truly expected to see.

He loves to look at himself everyday in the mirror but I really don't think he is smiling in this picture. What do you think his sister is thinking.... Ha Ha .... Been there, done that..... HEHEHEHEDon't worry, he is back to being a normal puppy and running us all crazy. Wow, I can hear him getting in trouble right now and better head off to help control the wild boy.

Signing off and heading to my favorite spot to stitch.

What's New!!!

Well, well, well. That is all I can say to everyone that has been telling me I am way behind on my blogging. SORRY..... Okay, so I have been busy working in the yard, doing spring cleaning, playing with the doggies, and oh yeah, stitching a lot but really haven't gotten anything done.

I recently went the International Quilt festival in Chicago and found a really great lap-stitch frame.

This is from a family owned operations in Wisc. Here is a link to their website plus a picture of the owner. It was really nice to get a chance to talk to him and also to view his cross stitch work.

http://imagesstitcherydesign.com/

So, what is attached to the frame is a project that I have been secretly working on. It is a design from Shepherd's Bush that I got from taking a recent class from them. Here is a really neat shot of a section I just finished. (Get the hint, this is a big piece for me)

For Mother's day I did treat myself to a new pattern. I got Lizzie Kate's ABC Lessons and the material I got to stitch it on is called Chai Tea. It has a really neat color variation to it. I wanted to do something different. Sorry this doesn't show up better.

Got to run. Storms are headed our way and I wanted to get this posted before we loss power or whatever else could happen. Be safe and keep stitching....

Going Pink

In honor of a special survivor in my life I presented the following pillow to my buddy Denise. She has a strength that is so amazing and such a great outlook on life. As I stitched this pillow for her I thought of her struggles and pain and wished them all away with each stitch I took.

The pattern is by Lizzie Kate called "Peace, Love, and a Cure". I bought this pattern from my LNS and waited to see what Shepherd Bush had come up with in stitching and finishing of this pattern. I knew it would be so spectacular and it is. They stitched the pattern on a larger count fabric that has a bit of glitter to it. They also had the finishing fabric available for making this into a pillow which really sets the design off. The picture just doesn't do this justice.

Here is the back.

Here is to bringing sunshine and hope to everyone out there that has a story about someone special in their life and the struggles life has presented to them. Keep the strength going and hope that someday we will be even more prepared to win the battles we are presented with. Denise, you are my hero and a true survivor. Have a Happy Birthday and many, many more years of happiness, love, and good health. XOXOXOX

Patriotic Themes

The summer time is my favorite time because I can put out all of the patriotic projects that I have completed. Well, okay, I need to complete some more and I have to say that anything with red, white, and blue in it will be added to my stash.

Here is a picture of Liberty Sam from Lizzie Kate. I was lucky enough to have my LNS send him off to be finished for me. Well, I started the process and then figured it would get done faster, no, it would get done better if I had someone else that was experienced complete it for me. I was right. She did a great job.

Also, the USA is a Prairie Schooler design that I got free a long time ago at my local LNS shop. I love to get their free patterns and of course I do love buying their patterns.

Wow, I cannot believe that I am actually posting again in under a week. Now I now I am a blog addict.