A Lot of Finishing Got Done!

It was a busy week.  I took the week  off  because of all the traveling and Bob's second cataract surgery.   The surgery went well and is getting better every day.  He is not wearing glasses except for cheaters.  This guys eyes have been good and broke since he was seven or eight with a really bad astigmatism.  After I took a day to recover, Friday I was raring to good.  

My first finish was Little House Needleworks A Farm House Christmas.  I used a plaid homespun for a border and just used some onasburg on the back.  I have to adjust the loops or may decide to take them off and use something else since they just aren't right.  I just have them attached with a button so, it won't be that difficult to remove.  

This really is a very cute project.  I don't claim to be a finishing expert but, it doesn't have to be perfect.  

Some close ups. 

I really do like it as a bell pull rather than all in a square.  

It pretty much took a whole afternoon to finish.  

On Saturday, better late than never, I finished La-D-Da's a Murder of Crows into pin pillows.  

I used a grey and black Civil War Fabric on the back.  I thought about adding some wool embellishment but, was pretty tapped out when I finished.  Needless to say, I didn't  

Had several other Halloween and Fall pinkeeps with Crows.  

I thought they looked awfully cute together.  

Had to take a picture.  

A picture of the boys together on the couch.  They both love that ratty old pillow.  It is the dog pillow.  When company comes, it gets put away since it is probably pretty to gross.  

I have also made some stellar progress this week on Emily Harben 1826 from Whilst Iris Naps for Black Sampler November.  The last rows of alphabet have been stitch intensive since it has been four sided stitches and now Smyrna Crosses.  I am making some progress though and have been enjoying the stitch!

Some close ups.  

Back to work tomorrow and should be a very busy week.  I was going to take Wednesday off to start cooking.  Katy and Steve aren't coming till Thursday so I don't have worry too much about Wednesday night dinner.  It is just too busy not to see a few clients on Wednesday morning.  I anticipate no one will really appreciate it....oh well!

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.  Stay safe, stay healthy and get vaccinated or boosted.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

 

Cross Stitch and Wedding Dress Shopping

I worked a half day on Friday and then drove to Milwaukee because Katy and I were going to go wedding dress shopping at Vera's House of Bridal in Milwaukee.  Her good friend and man of honor, Bobby was meeting us.  

I fully finished Heart to Hand Tom Turkey to bring to her and hang on a door knob.  

It's a little wonky but, I liked how it turned out.  

On my way down, I stopped at the Stitching Bee.  Kendra had ordered Brenda Gervais, Snow Ball.  She had Word Play February, I didn't have that one.  I also have been seeing Plum Street Sampler The Gather Inn being done on Instagram and thought it would go well with Cinnamon Stars.  

It was just a quick stop and then back in the car and headed south.  

We got going Saturday pretty early.  Her appointment  was for 11;30.  

So we had time to stop a Lynn's of Madison.  

Interesting store:  there have some pretty extensive selection of patterns and supplies, framing and art supplies especially painting.  

Some of the samples of stitchery on the back wall.  

You really get the full impact of a design when you see it stitched up.  

It is not a very big space but, well organized.  

There was a large selection of Scarlet Letter  and many other designers  

Thread organization:  Weeks, GAST, Classic Colorworks, NPI and Rainbow Gallery  I was looking for more Black Splendor for my black sampler.  I did get some black and red NPI, just in case.  

Huge wall of fabric, very neatly stacked.  

I picked up La D Da Three Lilies and Lucy Beam Love in Stitches Elizabeth Nichols 1824 a very sweet sampler.  

We were there probably 50 minutes.  Vera's Bridal was only a couple of miles further, maybe five minutes.  

Vera's has been around for 50-60 years and Vera still there and turning 92 this year.  They have 600 dresses of all varieties and styles.  

Vera's House of Bridal

She had a list of dresses she wanted to try after we looked at the websites of designers and the Instagram page.

Her consultant Bridget was phenomenal.  

Unlike the other places Katy had been, I felt like Bridget listen to her, brought her things she asked for and was able to find gowns that the aesthetic Katy was looking for.  

Ultimately, she found her gown and the accessories other than the shoes.  

She'll be a beautiful bride but, I'm not posting pictures at this time.  

We had lunch at Bonefish Grill and that was really tasty  

I would have had a glass of wine but, I had to drive back to Milwaukee.  

It was a really great day and I was so glad to be part of it!

I had cooked some Italian sausage before I went to Milwaukee because I thought by the time we got home, we would be too tired to cook much.  I only had re-heat it in the sauce, make a salad and cook the penne. 

So happy I did that!.  

Then next day, I got this text message from Bob.  Yikes! About two inches of snow  That set off the anxiety level.  Thankfully the roads were only wet.  

I was able to pick up some stuff at Trader Joe's and stop at Starbucks for a coffee.  

If you do have a chance, try the Sous Vide Egg Bites at Starbucks.  OMG, amazing.  

We have a sous vide and I found the recipe on line.  I ordered my 4 oz jars.  Guess what we are having when I get the jars.  

When I got home, my piece of Brea 40 count linen from Rachel at Needle and Flax was there.  

Beautiful linen and will be amazing with a sampler.  

I can't wait to try it!

I'm back working on Emily Harben 1824 by Whilst Iris Naps.  

I am loving this stitch and further along from when I took this picture yesterday.  

I have this week off.  Tomorrow, we get back in the car and head back to Milwaukee for Bob's second cataract surgery.  The first one went well and am hoping this one will do just as well.  

I think by the end of the week I will have driven a thousand miles.  

I deserve the week off! :)

Hope you have had a great weekend and it wasn't too snowy where you are.  

Have a wonderful week. 

Stay safe, be cautious!

Monica

 

Black Sampler November

After I watched Brenda and The Serial Starter and Laura was discussing Black Sampler November, I decided I had to participate.  

I thought about Harriet Gobey from HATS or Anna  Beata Eve 1862 or the Black Sampler 2021 from Whilst Iris Naps.  

Instead from Whilst Iris Naps I found Emma Harben 1824.  I fell in love with all the little crowns and loved the history that Christina included.  I watch her Flosstube channel often.  

It really isn't a black sampler but, on the website it looked that way except for the flowers in the border.  I decided I would do it in black.  I'm using Splendor sild for most of it but, the area of alphabet in the four side stitch, I will use 100/3 because the Splendor is a little too much coverage for that and I won't be able to see the detail.  

I am using 40 count Old Book from Nicholas Flammel Designs.  

I have a start on the border but, then started another project (squirrel) that I can't show just yet....next post.  

I have made some progress on Stacy Nash's Pumpken Hill Pinkeep.  

I can only work on this during the day because by evening my eyes are too tired and the fabric is really quite dark, making it a little more difficult to stitch on in the evening.  

Started watching my first Hallmark Christmas movie and thinking about decorating.  

This is my favorite table scape this fall.  

The pocket watch was my father-in-laws while he worked for the railroad.  

North Georgia vase my sister-in-law gifted me and a Yankee candle holder.  

Bob's first cataract surgery went well.  It was a long two days with the travel to Milwaukee.  I think we made a good choice.  He has the second one on the 16th.  I am taking the whole week off so that will be good.  I did have a day to recover before working on Friday.  

This weekend, I will be headed to Milwaukee to go Wedding dress shopping with Katy.  She is feeling a crunch.  I am sure we will find a lovely dress.  I was included this past weekend of Face time with the shopping on Saturday afternoon.  Even on the sidelines it was hard work.  

We have had a really beautiful fall weekend.  It was 62 today and gorgeous.  The time change has thrown the boys for a loop.  Buster was barking for his dinner at 4:30 and Henry was saying, "Yeah, listen to the little guy and feed us!

One more thing,  I have found a new Flosstuber I have really enjoyed, Needle and Flax and a fellow Michigander albeit a troll...below the bridge.  Very easy to watch when I'm on my exercise bike.  

Hope your week and weekend was filled with stitchy goodness!

Stay safe, please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't .  

Time to move forward.  

Keep Stitching

Monica