My Ramblings, Stitching & Such...

It seems like it has been ages since I've had time to write anything or visit any of my favorite blogs.  Where do all of the days go so quickly, I wonder?

A few days ago, Bruce and I decided to take a day and drive a few hours to visit with my parents, take dinner and spend the day with them.  My sister, Nancy and her youngest son, Brendan, had also dropped by for a visit, and so we had a wonderful time together.

When I arrived, wearing my embroidered denim jumper, my mother quietly went upstairs and changed into her denim jumper which was very similar to mine, and came down laughing.  We just had to have our pictures taken together.  She is 82 years old.  Isn't she just beautiful?  She is just too sweet for words!

Whenever we visit, my father always asks "What kind of  pie are you going to make for me this time?"  You see, he absolutely loves pie, especially fruit pies.  We tease him that his real name is "The Pieman".  So I decided to make a fresh peach pie this time.  Dad even asked me if I used fresh or canned peaches.  He is so funny.

Tuesday, after an early doctor's appt., I went to visit my friend, Ellen, for some lunch and a stroll around her beautiful back yard.  She served a lovely luncheon, in her nice screened in porch.  We had chicken salad with assorted  garden veggies, fresh sourdough bread and homemade gingersnaps, rhubarb cake and chocolate bars for dessert with tea, of course.  I tease Ellen that her lunches are fit for a Queen!

Yesterday was my day to enjoy some stitching with the girls in my LNS stitching group.  We always have a wonderful time, chatting, sewing, browsing around the shop to see what's new, and afterwards, we head across the street to our favorite bagel restaurant for some lunch and more chatter.

Here is some progress on Jennie Bean's Humble Servant Sampler, thus far.  The Weeks' threads in the top portion of this little bush are "Hyacinth", which are so light in color that they are not showing up as nicely in this photo, as on the actual linen.  It's a sweet piece and I am enjoying stitching it.    More to come later....

Here is the framed piece, "To Have A Good Friend", which I finished for my friend, Martha's Birthday.  I will be seeing her this coming weekend, and can't wait to give it to her.  She is such a special and dear friend

        Just A Few of My Favorite Things......

An old photo of my husband's grandparents, my favorite pewter scissors, and a beautiful little pincushion that I found in the Enfield, (NH) Shaker Museum.

    Close-up of the beautiful pewter scissors & crystal "Teapot" scissors fob.

Oh dear, as I sit here in our basement family room, totally absorbed in my posting, I believe that I hear the roar of thunder outside and pouring rain.  The weather forecasts had said that we would have "LATE" afternoon thunderstorms, but it is rather early so the stormy fronts must be moving in much more quickly than anticipated.  And, I had best sign off for now and go take a peek at what is happening outside!  Yikes!

Stay cool and dry inside if the temperatures are soaring where you live, like it has been here.  Time for some stitching indoors, for sure!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes...

Do you recall your grandparents reference to "Decoration Day"?   Memorial Day was once known as "Decoration Day", given it's title for the celebration of the fallen heroes of the Civil War.  I often wonder how many of the people in our great nation, who enjoy the long weekend of Memorial Day, stop to pause and reflect on the real sacrifices of the men and women who have given their lives in many wars, fighting for the many freedoms that we enjoy in America.

  With our celebrations let us remember the true reason for our celebrations, at our family picnics and parades all across this great nation.  It is because of the brave heroism of the men and women in our military, who have given their lives, with such great honor and integrity that we might continue to live freely here in America.  True Patriotism begins in the hearts of every man, woman and child in America, and let us hold our heads proudly to say, "God Bless the United States of America".  Long may her great flag wave, as a symbol of our faith, honor, charity, freedom, liberty and justice for all people!

This is one of my favorite BBD pieces called "Summer Jubilee", (sorry about photo quality). This  Patriotic piece, commemorating the celebrations of the sacrifices of our men and and women in arms, with it's lovely American flag waving gently in the breeze among the beautiful blooms of summer.... a true reminder that while summer often begins in our minds with the Memorial Day weekend, it has a much more significant meaning.  Long may our flag wave as a symbol of our freedom in this great nation.  (Sorry that I couldn't capture a better photo:)  It really is a very special piece.

                                            "This Is My Song"
              "This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,
                A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
               This is my home, the country where my heart is;
               Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; 
               But other hearts in other lands are beating,
              With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine."


Text:  Lloyed Stone, 1912-1993; Georgia Harkness, 1891-1974
Music  Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957

God Bless Our Great Nation and God Bless You & Your Family Aways!


Love,

Thank Heavens for Great Blogger Friends!

Hallelujah!  Our wonderful "Follower" Friends  are back up on my blogger page today!

Thank you to so many of my dear followers who posted notes and sent me emails about similar frustrations with the "Follower" button not showing any of our "Followers" for the past two days.  When I realized that I was not alone in this very frustrating dilemma, it made me feel a little better.

I appreciate the suggestions offered from everyone.  I also posted a note on Google's Help Forum and received some suggestions from one blogger, but ultimately even that person suggested that I keep trying to contact Google Administration.  When I tried clicking on "Contact" Google Admin., nothing happened.....equally frustrating, but they probably were being bombarded with  people asking for help for the same problem.

Oh well.  Happy Dance!  It is good to see the smiling faces of many of my dear followers again!

Just have to show you the gorgeous Baltimore Album quilt made by my dear friend, Ellen, who is an exquisite quilter.  You should see her sewing room......full of all kinds of quilts both completed and those that are works in progress too.  She just loves stitching up beautiful designs, many of them baby quilts, or lap quilts too, and keeping them on the shelves in the sewing room.  Then, when she needs a gift for someone, she just picks out the perfect quilt for them!  She is such an inspiration.  We get together for stitching days, and Ellen works on embroidery for some of her quilt blocks, while I cross stitch on my current WIP.  Great Fun!!

Here is our little grandson, Emery, sitting in the box, in which I sent him, and (Daddy Kevin & Mommy Gwen), chocolate chip cookies and another one of Emerys'  favorite "Blankie Bear", which he carries everywhere he goes.  So adorable:)

Emery has such big blue eyes, like little "pools".  Our son, Kevin, had those same beautiful blue eyes and blond hair when he was little.  "Thank heavens for little boys!  Without them what would little girls do?"

Hope that your weekend is filled with something fun, something relaxing, something peaceful, and something special, just for you!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

"Followers" Piracy

This is a very sad day for me.  When I logged into my blog account this morning, I discovered that someone logged into my account and deleted ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS!  I don't know how on earth this happened, so I have contacted Google to report it, and they are investigating for me.

If you have been a follower of my stitching blog, would you be so kind and RE-ADD your name to my "Followers" list?  I am hoping that many of you will re-join my blog because I love hearing from all of you, and your comments are so special and important to me.

Thank you so much!

Just A Few More Stitches....

This has been a bit of a rough week, not feeling really great, a trip to the doctor's and now a series of tests coming up in the next few weeks and some more visits to another two specialists.... Not how I want to be spending my time, but must seek treatment to hopefully resolve some issues so I can feel better and get back to more stitching time with friends!

After a pretty rainy New England spring week, I made some progress on my Victorian Ladies piece for my friend's birthday, which is coming up in about 2 weeks.  Hopefully, it will be finished sometime today, and then I can choose a nice complimentary frame for it.

This was a design from a Gift of Stitching issue, which provided only the printed instructions, without an actually finished piece to view.  The piece looks quite different from the colored, charted instructions.
There were very few backstitching instructions except for the words, stems and parasol handles. So I am having to  decide the other areas that really need some more backstitching, so that the designs will "pop" out,  if you know what I mean.  I hope that it all looks nice when it is finished.  We'll see!

I'm already thinking of my next piece to start stitching....Thinking about Jenny Bean's "Humble Servant Sampler", which has been in my stitching stash for a few months, calling out to me...."Stitch Me Next"!

If you are anything like me, whenever I am working on one project, my thoughts are always wandering off, dreaming about the next wonderful needlework project!  It must be part of the addiction!  LOL

Well, my "Stitching Nest" is calling me for some nice cozy stitching time and of course, a nice cup of tea.....what else?

Wishing all of my dear friends a very happy, hopefully restful weekend,  which, hopefully, will include some special time just for you!

Crossing In Stitches With You!

Beautiful Flowers & Another Finish

Hope that all of you Mothers had a very special Mother's Day.  Our children made my Mother's Day weekend extra special by coming here and there over Saturday and Sunday.  It was fun, but a little exhausting, as my dear husband assisted everyone in making meals on both days!  I felt like a little pampered queen!  I received lovely flowers and cards, some of which made me cry, with their sweet, heartfelt sentiments.  I am blessed beyond measure!

Love the Ladybug!

I adore red carnations!



Daughter, Carra, with "Miss" Ella and her favorite bear, 
"A-Ma", whose name we think means "Grandma" because Ella loves Grandma's teddy bear collection!

Drawn Thread "May" Mini_Pocket Calendar

Closeup View

Calendar Cover Lining

New  Start for a Friend's Birthday at the end of the Month, just started yesterday, but it's stitching up nicely.....I love the soft colours of this design!


Whoops.....I've got to watch the time.  Carra and Ella are picking me up for lunch and to spend the afternoon together at their house for a change.  Fun! Fun! Fun!


Enjoy your day, and hope that you have just a little time for some stitching sometime today too!


Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You!

Some Stitching Goodies & Blessings

My exciting news for this weekend is that I received a package of stitching goodies from the Rhode Island Stitchers' Giveaway.  When they notified me that I had been selected, out of a random drawing, to be the recipient of their stitching giveaway, I couldn't believe the words I was reading on the email.  Since I can't recall the last time, if ever, that I have won anything, I really was speechless!  Isn't this great?

Thank You to the Rhode Island Stitchers!  Check out their blog (listed here)

Other stitching news to report is that I finally picked up LHN "Exodus 20:16" from my framer's, and I love how the frame I selected compliments the piece so nicely.  Now to find a good place to hang it, among my many other stitched pieces....Hmmm

Hopefully, in between having family and friends here tonight and tomorrow afternoon to celebrate Mother's Day with everyone, there will be a little peaceful time left over to take a few stitches on my latest small project, Drawn Thread's "May Calendar Cover".  I just have to stitch some little flowers, which are composed of Smyrna Cross and Boss Stitch, and they are truly fun to do, and such pretty colours too.  So next week I will put it together with a complimentary lining fabric.  They are so much fun to stitch and go fairly quickly.  It is the finishing that takes more time and patience.

To all of you, who are Mothers, soon to be Mothers, or if you are planning something special for your own Mother, I wish all of you a very happy, blessed and lovely Mother's Day!

Love and Blessings to You!

More Fabulous Giveaway News!!

While checking out some of my favorite blogs tonight, I clicked on "Cranberry Samplings" by Deborah.  Her stitching is always amazing, but you wouldn't believe the incredible BBD designs piece that she is stitching for a very special giveaway!   Please go to her blog for a peek, and an opportunity to win her giveaway!

Some Giveaway News ....Please take a peek!

There are two beautiful giveaways going on right now that I would like to share with you.  The first one is a "Romantic Cottage Sachet Giveaway", to be held on May 15, 2011 at "A Gathering Place".  Please go to the website for entry details.

 The second giveaway is called "Country Charm Giveaway" from "A Delightsome Life".  See their button on my left side bar, and please visit their lovely website for details.

Crossing in Stitches With You!

Blooms and Stitching!

Thank you to so many of my dear followers, who left me such sweet blessings and words of appreciation of my Easter banner.  Your comments mean so much to me!

Just have to show you Miss Ella's Easter dress, albeit a week later, but isn't it really cute?  She wore a pink long sleeved "onesy" underneath it with white tights, and a raspberry sweater.  I don't have a picture of her wearing it, because she was too tired for pictures and had to be put in her jammies for bed.....

Isn't this such a sweet little collar, complete with it's beautiful pink cross-stitched roses?  I just fell in love with it when I saw it in the store, and knew that it would be perfect for her.

Daughter Carra and Miss Ella in her jammies, wearing a pink plush "bunny earred" hood (too adorable for words), ready to go home after the family dinner.

Last week was a bit of a blur, but I did manage to get some time to myself for some relaxing stitching on a few projects.  At long last, I completed my stitching piece, "Deepest Love", as a banner, and I am happy with the way it has turned out.  When I was looking for some buttons in my button box, I found three little gold filigreed hearts, which I thought were just perfect to sew below the tabs.  What do you think?

Over the weekend, I started working on my "May" Drawn Thread Calendar Cover, and it is really fun to stitch.  I love the different stitches that are used in so many of the Drawn Thread pieces.  It is always a nice challenge to have pieces with some more interesting stitches to do.  The more detailed, the more I enjoy it!

Here is a preview of my progress thus far...

This past Saturday, my husband, Bruce and I took a day trip to "Celebrations of Needlework" in Nashua, New Hampshire.  What a royal treat....like a huge candy shoppe for stitchers!  One of my stitching friends, Linda, from Vermont, drove down to spend the day with us.  She and I met at a Stitcher's Hideaway retreat about 6 years ago, and we try to get together at least once a year, either at a stitching event or sometimes we meet in Vermont for a day or two in the summer months.  We shopped, had lunch out of the hotel, came back for some more shopping, and before we knew it, our day had come to an end, and it was time to say "Good-Bye" til next time.....   Great fun though!

Here is some of my stitching stash collected in the vendor's mall.  I was fairly controlled this time, as I have so many unfinished projects calling to me at home.....as we stitching addicts all do, right?  My favorite little treat was the precious little sheep tape measure (see him in the right upper corner?)  He is just too cute!!  

Well, time to get off the computer so that I can get in some stitching time before my dear husband gets home and will be needing some dinner!  My stitching chair and a cup of tea are calling me!

Crossing in Stitches With You Once Again, Dear Friends!

Good Friday and the Symbol of His Promise

For many Christians around the world, today is Good Friday, a very somber day of rememberance of the sacrifice made by our Lord, Jesus upon the cross, when He gave His life for the sins of all mankind, that we who believe in Him may have eternal life.  Every year, on this day, my heart weighs heavily in my chest, but thankfully, this is NOT the end!   We have hope renewed, on Easter morning, because the light of Christ came back into our lives when God raised Jesus from the grave to new life for all eternity!

This Easter, I finally put the finishing touches on a very beautiful piece, that I have had in my WIP box for quite a while, but this year I was determined that it would be finished in time to hang up for Easter.  It is appropriately titled "Easter's Promise", by Mike Vickery.  I absolutely loved stitching this wonderful design with it's beautiful cross, surrounded by the beauty of spring's glorious blooms of colour too.

                                     Materials:  Navy 28 Count Lugana

                                                              DMC Fibers

                                                              Brass Hammered Double Bell Pull

Just thought that you might enjoy a few close-up views too.  This is truly one of my most treasured pieces that I have ever stitched.  

This is one of my favorite hymns, called 

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

(by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)

"When I survey the wondrous cross,

On which the prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.  Amen.

Easter Blessings!

A Blogoversary Giveaway...

Have you checked out the wonderful 3rd Blogoversary Giveaway at Angela's "Hooked on Stitches".  She has something really special to give away to a very lucky stitcher, and her finishes are just fabulous too.  So, hope that you will check it out!

A Wonderful Day!

Why was today such a wonderful day?  Well, first of all, it is Saturday and a day all to myself to do whatever I want to do.  So, what did I do?  One of my very dearest friends, Martha, came over for morning tea and muffins and we spent a couple of hours just chattering away about everything under the sun.  Between my being "under the weather" for almost a month, and Martha having to clear out rooms that were water damaged from winter snows, so that repairs can be made, we just haven't had any time to get together.  So today was a great blessing for us to spend some special time with one another.

I also finished putting together my BBD " Remember Me" pincushion.  The next time that I do the finishing of another similar piece, I think that I will attach the lace between the "Right" sides together, BEFORE I stitch up the piece, leaving the opening for turning it right sides out.  It would have been much easier than trying to whip stitch it to the perimeter of the pincushion after it has been filled.  Ah well.....isn't that how we learn?  Here is my finish.  It is filled with "Lavender", which gives off an incredible scent, but was a bit overpowering  while I was sewing on the lace edging!

Then I spent a little time before dear husband came home from work, stitching a bit an Easter Egg Pin Keep  that I hope can be finished before Easter, called "Easter Frills" (With thy Needle & Thread) .  Hopefully I will be able to make more progress tonight after supper.  Isn't it a cute design?  I love it!

Well, all for now.  I have been looking at stitching blogs for a while and catching up on some emails, and I will never get supper started and get to my stitching if I don't get going!

Crossing in Stitches & Friendship With You Again!

Spring Has Sprung At Last!

For the first time, today actually feels like it is finally springtime!  It started off a little cloudy and chilly this morning, but as the progressed, by noontime, it was sunny and warm outside...around 75 degees.  Definitely warmer outside than inside the house, for a change.  The flowers are starting to show green shoots in the flower beds too.

We celebrated Miss Ella's FIRST BIRTHDAY!  Where has this year gone so quickly?

Ella Claps While Everyone Sings "Happy Birthday"!

Captivated by the Birthday Cake

 My how our two little grandchildren of ours have grown so much this past year.  Emery, our grandson, who lives in PA, turned ONE in January, and he is walking and running everywhere, and talking up a storm too.  Last week, our son, Kevin, called and turned on the speaker phone, so that we could hear Emery talking, and he was saying, "cracker".  He is also being taught "signing" for words, so he signs as well as tries to say the words at the same time.  Very smart little boy indeed!

Emery Slides All by Himself!

Over this past weekend I finished my "April" mini-calendar cover, complete with it's pretty coordinated lining.  If I do say so myself, I am quite proud of it because I tend to shy away from small pieces that require finishing details, but I think it turned out nicely.

Drawn Thread Design
32 Count "Violet Mist" Linen
Needlepoint, Inc. Silks

Calendar Cover Lining

Last week I finally made it back to my sewing group, at our LNS, after a long break with my most recent surgery.  A stitching friend offered to pick me up and take me, and it felt so wonderful being back with all of the girls again!  While there, I just had to poke through some of the newest needlework projects on display, and of course, I couldn't resist purchasing a few of them.  This is my progress so far, on one of them, "Basket of Memories", by Blackbird Designs.  It is to be finished into a little pillow pincushion, complete with ivory lace, since I don't know how to make tatted lace...wish I had learned that lovely needleart from my grandmother!

32 Count Ivory Linen
Gentle Arts Aged Pewter Fibers

The sweetest part of this darling little pincushion, is that it will be filled with "lavender".  Can you just imagine the beautiful aroma that will fill the air?  I can't wait to finish it so that I can fill it!  My LNS packaged up the sweet lavender in this lovely little cellophane bag!

Well, the hour is getting late, and I need to do some laundry and get dinner started before I can relieve my guilt and pick up my stitching again before my dear husband comes home from work.  After all, I need to appear to have done something "productive" with my day.....LOL!!

Until my next post...

Crossing in Stitches With You in Friendship!

Fabulous Spring Giveaway News!

I just wanted to share with you about the fabulous "Rhode Island Stitchers" Spring giveaway.  Please go to their website for complete details about how you can enter to win!  All entries must be received by Friday, April 15th, 2011 @ 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and the winner will be drawn randomly on April 16th, and the winner will be notified.   Fun! Fun!

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!