A Little Stitching Progress....

Yesterday was Ella's "Dedication Ceremony" in church.  She looked like a little princess,  in her beautiful white dress, adorned with puffy silk roses on the bodice.  Here is our daughter, Carra with Ella, before the ceremony started.

We were amazed at how quiet and patient Ella was throughout the ceremony, and didn't protest at all when the Pastor took her from her Daddy's arms.  She just looked inquisitively at the Pastor, and was a perfect little angel.  

Our daughter and her husband had prepared a wonderful lunch at their home, and Ella's best friend, Moya, and her Mommy and Daddy joined us for the celebrations.  The two little girls had a marvelous time opening the gifts and playing together.  They were so cute!

To commemorate Ella's Dedication Ceremony, I was able to finish stitching "Sugar & Spice".  Although the color shadings and backstitching make this piece so lovely and delicate, it was a bit overwhelming to make so many color changes and I was feeling a bit frustrated a times, but the finished product is what "counts", right?

I wrapped it up in pink "rosebuds" tissue paper and placed it in a box with white pastel "sparkled" paper, topped off with white iridescent curly ribbon, and Ella was delighted opening it.  Of course, she loved the wrappings most of all, as you can see in the photos, but her Mummy loved the piece.  It will go to the framer's this week.

Last night, after we got home, I collapsed in my "Stitching Nest", and after sipping a warm cup of tea, fell fast asleep.  Needless to say, not much stitching progress was accomplished, but later in the evening, I pulled out the March "Drawn Thread" calendar cover, and took a few stittches, while watching  Masterpiece Theatre's "Downton Abbey".   No photos to show yet...

Oops!  Meggie, my toy poodle just came down with that look on her face, that says, "Hey, Mum, I think I need to go out!"

Hope that your day is filled with moments of joy, amidst the busyness.  

Crossing in Stitches With You Once Again!

Serenity & Signs of Spring

After a long New England winter, we are all longing for the warmer soft winds and sunshine that have been blessing us here this week. 

My "Stitching Nest", has been my favorite resting and recovery "nest" , post surgery last Friday.  It is so amazing to me, how my "stitching addiction" overtakes the spirit, even when the body has little strength for much of anything else but rest.  Most days, I have had little strength for much of anything but rest, but my needlework rested on  my lap!  My husband  chuckled, seeing me fast asleep with my needle in my hand!  The "needle magic" is slowing returning to my eager fingers!  Funny, but there is this overwhelming desire to hold my needle and feel some of those creative juices flowing again.  It is very soothing and healing.

Here is some of my recent progress on "Sugar & Spice" (Sue Hillis Design).  The color changes to create just the right shading, is a bit maddening, to say the least.  I find it a bit frustrating when there are so many shades of pink or creams that it is difficult to tell them apart sometimes, but it is the overall effect that is most important after all.

Wish that I had more progress to show you, but hopefully this next week will bring some more "magic" back to my needles again!

While looking through one of my favorite devotional books this week, I found this lovely piece about Serenity, which spoke to me, and perhaps it will to you as well.

SERENITY

SERVICE:  Go outside of yourself to derive the satisfaction of helping others.

ETHICS:  Be truthful in all of your doings.

RECONCILIATION:  Ask for forgiveness & make peace with those you've hurt.

ENTHUSIASM:  In all things, large or small, find the pure joy!

NO:  Did you know that "NO" is a complete sentence?  Don't feel guility about using it to allow time for your own needs.

IMAGINATION:  Have vision.  Find a "pasion project", and get to work on it!

TOGETHERNESS:  Don't try to do "everything" yourself!  Accept help & lend a hand to others.

YOU:  Take care of yourself.  Remember that you are very precious in the eyes of God.

Bless you in the days ahead!  Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!





Each life that touches ours, leaves footprints on our hearts forever, and we will never be the same, for having known them.  God be with you, Lisa Roswell...you were a woman of loveliness, kindness, and incredible talent!  For those of us blessed to have known you, we will miss you dearly.

When I was a little girl, I remember my father telling us that we had to make sure that we made every day count for something special, and to always remember to tell those we loved and cared about, that we "loved them" or "you are so special to me".  For we never know, when we part, and say "good-bye", that it might just be the last time... Life is too short for regrets, so let's make sure, as a tribute to Lisa's memory, that we will try to remember, that when we part from those special people who touch our lives, to give them a hug, or just tell them how special it is, just to be with them. 

 

A special part of my week, has been spending some "Grandma" time with "Miss Ella" (my 11 mo. granddaughter), and our daughter, Carra, who came for lunch.  Ella and Grandma Kathy made corn muffins to go with some home-made chicken vegetable soup.  

                           "Miss Ella's" Corn Muffins & Dolly Teaset


It truly brings me back to the wonderful times that I recall spending time with my own young children, teaching them to bake cookies, muffins and other goodies.  My daughter was always a willing participant from the time she was big enough to stand on a chair next to me at the counter, helping to measure, pour and stir whatever we were making.  My three boys also loved to bake.  In fact, our oldest son, Ryan, became an expert at baking chocolate chip cookies.  When he was a teenager, his church youth group was holding a "silent auction" to raise money for a summer mission trip, and Ryan decided to donate a batch of his "homemade chocolate cookies".  He was so thrilled when someone bid $15.00 for them, and then raved about how delicious they were!


Well, on to what has been going on in the "stitching department" this week.  My friend, Ellen, came over  for  lunch and stitching, but we gabbed so much that we didn't get to use my sewing machine, so I still need to finish a few needlework pieces.  But we did enjoy some wonderful time being together, just relaxing and cross-stitching, over cups of tea and some delicious homemade cranberry, white chocolate chip cookies that Ellen had made.  Yummmm!

Better late than never, but I finished stitching the February "Drawn Thread" calendar cover, and will be putting it together soon with a lovely lining fabric...

I also decided to look into my box of unfinished pieced, and pulled out a Jane Austen WIP, that I started to stitch a few years ago, and never finished.  The design was printed in one of The Gift of Stitching issues, and I just love the sweet verse and lovely colors.  I have the perfect backing fabric, and will be finishing it as a bell pull.

My "Ort" jar is filling up, as I work on my Jane Austen Piece, and I have started another design, called "Sugar and Spice" (Sue Hillis Design), which will be for our granddaughter, Ella.  


I want to stitch something special for our little grandson, Emerson, but the theme of his nursery is all Muppets, and I haven't been able to find a cute Muppet design.  If anyone knows of one, I would love it if you would  post me a message.   


Hope that your weekend has some special moments just for you!  Life is just way too short not to spend some quality time with the people we love and care about, but amidst the busyness, we need to take time to rejuvenate ourselves, and what could be better than cozying up with your favorite stitching project?


Crossing In Friendship & Stitches Once Again With You!

"My Stitching Nest"

When I went for a little walk this morning, the winter winds let me know that the temperatures are still a little "frigid" here in New England, but the warm sun hit my cheeks, and I looked up and smiled.  It felt so good, and I was thankful for a beautiful day in the middle of February!  I am one of those true New England girls who loves winter, even though many of my friends call me crazy, but it is a time for doing quiet things indoors without feeling guilty:)  So, I nestle into my "Stitching Nest", and happily do a little stitching on my latest WIP, sip on my favorite cup of tea, and sigh with happiness!

                                                    My "Stitching Nest"

On Saturday night, I finished stitching "Deepest Love", (Turquoise Graphics & Designs).  I am pleased with the way it came out, but haven't quite decided  if I want to frame it or turn it into a wallhanging with some coordinating quilting fabric.  Hmmm.....  One of my stitching friends, Ellen, is coming over in a few days for a "Stitching Day", so I am looking forward to sharing ideas with her.  Two heads together always makes for a better decision, in my opinion.  So will share with you, at a later date, what I have decided about my final finish.....

So, of course, on Sunday, I had itchy fingers to get started on a new project, and although it's a little late in the month to start a "February" project, I decided to start working on the Drawn Thread February "Mini Pocket Calendar Cover".  My LNS has been awaiting a shipment of Lavender Mist linen since the end of January, (which is called for in the design), but alas, the supplier has it backordered with no definite shipping dates!  So, I went hunting through my stash, and lo and behold, I found a large enough piece of 32 count Lavender Mist linen inside of another package, and it was large enough for both the original design, for which I purchased it, and just enough for my mini pocket calendar too!  Hurray!

I have decided to deviate a bit from the fibers recommended in the pattern and have chosen Vikki Clayton-Dyers' Hand-Dyed silks for my project.  They are very nice to work with, lovely colors and I really like the little spools on which they are wound...so nice and convenient to use and to store too.

This is a really fun design to do because there are both cross stitches and some drawn thread specialty stitches too, which makes it much more interesting and challenging to stitch.  I love designs with a little challenge to the stitching, don't you?  Well, I had best hurry up and finish this design quickly, because February is almost over.  Then I will begin stitching the March mini-pocket calendar cover.  I love seasonal designs, so these designs are right up my alley!

Where ever you are, thank you for visiting my stitching blog.  I love reading other stitching blogs too, and your comments really mean a lot to me.  Hope that your week has some peaceful moments to cherish, just for you, and some special time for stitching, of course!

(A Special Quote for the Day:  "  Be your highest self, your best self and inspire others always."  (G.B.)



Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

                                                           

                                                                                                                   

Happy Valentine's Day!

Looking  back to my childhood,  I recall the anticipation of Valentine's Day..... a time when we all exchanged mostly handmade Valentines, made from lace paper doilies and red cut out paper hearts.

 I remember schoolday Valentine parties,  complete with candy hearts and some special pink, red and white cupcakes or cookies, and exchanging Valentines with my classmates.  All of it was special...the intrigue of receiving one or two unsigned Valentines!


Well, I didn't finish "Deepest Love" in time for Valentine's Day, but, but it  is coming along nicely.

I'm trying to decide whether to finish it as a banner with some nice colored borders, or whether to have it framed.  Framing is so expensive, and I am not an expert finisher when it comes to doing my own framing.   Hmmm....

This lovely scissors set and keeper were made by one of my stitching friends, Shirley, from a Wednesday morning stitching group that I attend at my LNS.  It is stitched over one!  I especially love the little twisted cording and beautiful little mother of pearl buttons attached to the scissors.  So special!

 Our 10 month old granddaughter, Ella is wearing her pretty little velour "hearts" top to celebrate Valentine's Day.  We are babysitting for her tonight so that our daughter and her husband can go out to celebrate Valentine's Day.  It is always such a joy to have Ella come to visit Grandma and Grandpa!

Wishing you a Valentine Basket full of hearts of love, that your heart may filled to overflowing with the greatest gift of all....LOVE!

A Little Stitching Progress...

If your days are anything like mine, at the end of the day, you probably ask yourself, "where on earth did this day go?"  Every day I imagine myself having some nice quiet time to peacefully stitch on my latest project, but somehow other things seem to take over, and before I know it, it is time to make supper and my husband is home!
Last night, I did manage a few hours, albeit late, to make some progress on my latest stitching piece, called "Deepest Love" by Turquoise Graphics & Designs.  I chose some Vikki Clayton-Dyer Hand-Dyed Silks (only three overdyed silks needed), for this project.  I'm not sure what I think of the way this piece is turning out, but will see when it is finished.  Hmmm.  Here is a sneek peek at progress so far.

On another note, I want to be sure to tell all of my readers about the very special 300th Follower Giveaway for Cranberry Samplings.  Deborah has a very special giveaway of fantastic needlework stash for a very lucky recipient!  Maybe it could be you!  I would love to win too!  Check out her blog on my sidebar, for more details.

Our little poodle, Meggie just came up to me with her "blankie" stuck on her back.  She was sleeping in her bed, and I think she is trying to tell me that she needs to go out for a walk...hint, hint, Mum!

Those sweet brown eyes look so sad, as if to say, "are you going to take the hint, Mum?"  Well, all for now!  Must take Meggie for her walk!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

Sharing Thoughts and Stitches With You

Brrr....Brrr...Brrr... it is really cold in New England, and it is only February 6th, but thankfully, the predicted heavy snow last night was more of an icy rain, that is melting this morning.  The sun is out and it is 37 degrees, but my bones are still so cold. 

While the snow fell again this week, it was the perfect opportunity to work on some of my stitching projects, of course!    Using a February banner pattern that I have had in my stash for quite some time, I decided to embellish it a little differently with some flowers and hearts.

I love my latest LHN piece, "Exodus 20:16", which I also finished this week.  The colours are so rich and I am really pleased with the way it turned out.  The verse is one of my favorites..."Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor".  If we can keep this one in our hearts every day, it would make the world a better place in which to live. 

Just to give you an idea of what our record snow falls look like, here are a few pictures around our neighborhood.

The snow plows are having a difficult time trying to figure where to put all the snow, and lately, in the evenings, they have been coming into our neighborhood with dump trucks and plows and taking away some of it.  There is just no place to put it and the roads are dangerously narrow! 

This is a view of all the snow that fell on the roof on our second story!  Many of our neighbors have had major roof leakage, and have had to call roofers to come and remove the snow.  Earlier this week we too had to have some snow removed from the roof in back of our house because we had water leaking on our living room ceiling.  We just need some sunny days to melt it!

Where ever you live, I hope that this finds you well and cozy, and that you are able to take some special moments for yourself, and time for some stitching of course!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Snow, Snow, Snow!  This is a perfect picture of what our little village center looks like here in Massachusetts, after another record snowstorm this week.  The main floor windows of our condo are now three quarters blocked by drifts of snow!  We have huge ice cycles hanging down from the roof too. 

As one neighbor said to me recently, "if you live in New England, you have to love snow.  Otherwise you had better consider moving to a much warmer climate!" 

So, today I will just cozy up with my favorite cup of tea and some of the oatmeal raisin cookies I baked, and settle down with my stitching.  Oh Joy!

When I was looking in my treasures of needlework accessories, I found this lovely felted pincushion that had belonged to my mother in law, (now deceased), but isn't it lovely?  I can't bear to think of sticking any pins into it though, because it has a few worn places on the sides, which can't be seen in this picture, but I want to preserve it because it is very special.

Just to share some exciting news, Congratulations to Belefonte Notes, celebrating it's "Two Year Blogovesary" with a special giveaway too!  Check out their blog site, listed on my sidebar, to read more details about the giveaway.  Who doesn't love a needlework giveaway too?

May this day bring you moments of happiness amidst the busyness of your day, and may our paths cross again very soon.  Thank you for visiting and for all of your wonderful messages too!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship!

Touching Life With You...

Each day I wonder what the day will bring, but then I ask myself what will I bring to this new day?
For it is in seeking to do for others, that we can make a difference in someone else's life.
It is in giving that we we may reap the greatest joy, when we see a smile on another's face.
When my life comes to a close, and my loved ones recount my story, I hope that they will be able to say, that I loved much, shared much, gave much and that my faith in God made a difference in the lives of those whose lives touched mine.
"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you".
(James 4:8)
These are my thoughts for the day, and I welcome you to share yours with me.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
On to what my "needle" has been stitching on these cold snowy days!  I have made some more progress on my LHN "Exodus 20-16".  I have changed some of the colors though, to get the desired effect that I want, but oh these are just some of my favorite colours!

                                                               
                                                                         A few more close-ups .

Other exciting news.....Bruce and I attended the "Grand Celebration" opening of Bush Mountain Stitchery's new shop, in Ware, MA, which relocated from PA.  We were so excited to visit this wonderful new needlework shop.  We had met owners, MaeAnn and Gary Bush at Stitching Jubilee in PA two years ago, so we were thrilled to learn that they were moving up to MA. Their new shop is just marvelous!  It is truly a "Candy Store" for stitchers!  Vicki Clayton-Dyer, of Hand-Dyed Fibers, was there with her beautiful assortment of silks too!

MaeAnn & Gary Bush
Vikki Clayton-Dyer with husband Bob (Hand-Dyed Fibers)

Here is a peek of some of the stash that I brought home with me.

I hope that you are finding plenty of stitching projects to keep you busy, warm and cozy on these cold winter days!  For all of you who visit my stitching blog, thank you!  I really love reading all of your nice comments. 

Until next time, Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

Random Thoughts On a Cold Winter Day

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of a reward, safe in the knowledge that one day, someone might do the same for you."
( Princess Diana)

For, it is in the doing for others that we reap our greatest rewards in life.  To see the smile on the face of another because we have lent a hand up, or given a few words of random kindess, can change a life.  We must never underestimate what a few moments of caring and sharing can mean to another human being, in need of, who will never be able to repay you, but because you will have made a difference in someone's life, just for doing a random act of kindness that day.

All too soon, those special moments with those we love are fleeting memories, but memories to cherish for a lifetime.  This past weekend, we visited with my parents, who live a few hours from here, but with whom we have not been able to visit for a while, due to snowstorms and viruses.   Our little granddaughter, Ella, and daughter, Carra were able to accompany us for a day of great fun together. My sister, Nancy, and my nephew, Brendan, also surprised us with a visit! 



Great Grandma with Baby Ella



Ella, Wearing Her "Princess Hat" Plays "Patty-Cake"

Meggie played "Princess" too in  her new "Princess Doggie Coat"!  She thinks she is  "Tres Elegante", don't you think?  A wonderful woman, we met at a craft fair, who specializes in making custom pet attiire, recently created this special coat for our pampered little pooch, who really hates going out in the cold.  

Although Meggie was very cooperative, allowing herself to be dressed in this fussy little coat, she isn't too sure about whether or not she is excited about wearing it! 

This snazzy little outfit even comes with "leg warmers", which are to arrive in the mail any day.  Now, that should be interesting......!  We'll see how Meggie likes wearing them too!~

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my "random thoughts" for today, and seeing some of the newest photos of some of the special people in our lives, including  precious little pooch too!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You Once Again!

Blessed With Contentment

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are...no more, no less.  That is the moment when you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."
(Matthew 5:5 (MSG)

Contentment within ourselves is sometimes difficult to achieve.  The world tells us that we must compare ourselves to others and strive to achieve to the highest heights of our capabilities.  For me, I have learned, through some difficult life lessons, that it is in the simple things of life, and in joy and love of family, friends, and my Lord, that I can find the truest contentment.

When it snows, I am always truly content and peaceful, and love being able to cozy up for some peaceful moments with my stitching, a nice pot of hot tea and some of my favorite movies.  Two days ago, I got my wish for lots of snow!  It even piled drifts up past our lower floor windows!

So, while it snowed, I was snug as a bug in a rug, happily stitching on my latest LHN project,
"Exodus 20:16".  I love the rich colours in this piece, various overdyed Crescent Colours fibers in rusts, golds, and greens...some of my favorite colours!  Here is a sample of my progress so far.

So, where ever you might be, I hope that you can find some peaceful time for yourself, perhaps with a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate, and your favorite stitching project!  Thank you so much for visiting my stitching blog.  It means a lot to share with you, and I love all of your nice comments!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You.....One Stitch at a Time!

Friendship and Some Time for Tea!

"Yes, we must ever be friends;
And of all who offer you friendship,
Let me be ever the first, the truest, the nearest and dearest."
(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

One of my most favorite of all pasttimes, is the happiness of sharing a nice pot of tea, and some baked goodies, with one or two special friends.  We share the stories of the day, sometimes full of joy and laughter, and sometimes of grief and sorrow.  But when we part, each of us has experienced the lifting of spirits, and the cherished joy of true and treasured friendship.

Yesterday, I was in a baking mood, and made some cranberry bread and corn muffins, ready for a special friend to drop by for a "pot of tea".  Naughty, naughty, but oh so yummy!