SFS-2015B Update

Hello stitchy friends...I am going to start with a SFS challenge update. I haven't been cross stitching too muchbut did go on vacation so I did have a Stash Enhancing eXperience! I stopped by Dixie Darlin' in Pigeon Forge and treated myself to a magnet scissor holder to put on my shirt and a piece of fabric. Yeah, I needed that piece of fabric like I need a hole in the head!

August purchases - R&R Reproductions  Kona Blend fabric - $8.00
                                Magnetic scissor keep - $12.00 Total spent $20.

Here is a pic of what I am stitching on sometimes in the evenings, it's a pattern from Les Grilles de Maryse entitle "En juin, delices du jardin." I will be done with this in a few nights!

The design calls for a light green fabric but I've put mine on a blue and white mottled fabric from my stash, so it looks very bright and cheery and also substituted the colors to work better with the fabric.

Hope everyone has managed to stick to their limits this month! And for those with kids that started school or will soon, good luck and happy learning!

Hugs, Christina in hot and muggy Miami. 

Stitchy UPdate!

Hi folks, lot's of pics this time.

So to start, here's most recent finish. This was a little interlude, as I call them...you know, when something distracts you from a current commitment and you just have to dally a bit. The finishing idea was from Deb, a very creative and handy lady at one of the Yahoo groups of which I am a member.

Pine Mountain - a Smidgen called Spring

Below is pic of the heart I made for the  "Heart of Village" competition at The Stichers' Village. There is always stuff going on there so check it out HERE. And here is a LINK to another post with specific information on the heart, inspiration, materials, etc

Inspired by Threadworks Primitives - Cinnamon Hearts 

Here are pics of my prizes that came in Monday as a result of winning first prize for that heart. My Heart came back to me too, for which I am very grateful!

The prizes are all wonderful and as you can tell, I've already started on the little pillow...another interlude! This is my first win of anything like this.

Hope everyone is finding time to stitch and staying safe this spring...prayers go out to all in the tornado belt and those in flooding risk areas.

Hugs,
Christina In Swelteringly Hot South Florida

Stitch from Stash 2014 Update!

Hi folks, as you can see, I have fallen behind on my updates. The holidays have kept me very busy as well as a few hospitalizations of family members and other stuff that happens in Life! We are all together so that is a good thing. In November, I did not spend any money for stitchy stuff. I did start on Christmas presents for other stitchers but none for me.

In December, I did do some shopping for myself at Herrschener's on-line. See pic below. I love the Mill Hill beaded ornaments. They are perfect for a lighted tree as the light sparkles off of the beads and it makes for a lovely display.

The pins below I ordered from somewhere but can't recall where. They were on sale for about $8.00 dollars, they retail for about $13.00.

SNF -  So far this year for SFS:

Dec - $42.38
Nov - $0
Oct $0
Sept $16
Aug $20
July $ 7
June $17.25
May $0
April $9
March $4
February $0
Jan $0

I have saved hundreds of dollars on this challenge and hope to do the same next year, but more importantly for me, I have started all my projects from stuff in my stash.I want to thank Mel at Epic Stitching for hosting this. She has worked very hard on this and deserves a big congratulations and hug for all of her efforts. Count me in for next year Mel!

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Prosperous and Healthy New Year!

Stitch from Stash Update

Hello stitchy friends,

I know I owe you a few pics so here they go.  Below are pics of the Prairie Schooler ornies. I haven't decided how to finish these and maybe I won't. Those of you that know me probably have already identified a trend of mine...I don't finish smalls or ornies!

 I used the Sulky Petites for these except for the brown in the design - that was DMC. you might be able to zoom in, I couldn't, and see the coverage of the Petites is pretty much the same as the DmC 2 strands. Hmmm..I just notice the bird is missing a toe!

 I did do some enahncement to my patterns collection but still within m $25 limit. The above was "on sale" at the Hobb Lobb for $7.17.  I like these minis because other ornaments are just getting too big for my tree. I need little ones now to fill in the gaps. I am going to finish these simpl with felt background.

I also ordered these old Just Cross Stitch magazines from someone that was getting rid of her stash.  Magazines...also a weakness of mine. I got these for $3 a piece and there were actually three but I can't find the other one, lol!

So I spent about $16.00 this month on Stash enhancements....but at least didn't bu any more fabric or floss!

Breakdown so far this year:
Jan $0
February $0
March $4
April $9y
May $0
June $17.25
July $ 7
Aug $20

Stash for Sale and other tales

Greetings to all, Hope everyone has had a good week so far. Thank you to the followers that keep track of my little blog and special thanks to those of that leave comments.

For starters, I've added a Stash for For Sale Page (you should see the tab above on the title). It's a few things that I have had laying about that I thought someone else would like to have. Its mostly kits and leaflets. I invite you to browse.

On the stitching front, I have been working like a fiend to finish "As the Crow Flies". As is typical of me, I am bored with it already and just want done with it. I am plotting along and it won't be too many days until it is all stitched up. Here is a pic of it to date.

This next pic is one I started just about the same time I started As the Crow Flies and its called Berry Patch Rabbit by Cedar Hill. It calls for R&R Sea Fog but I've put it on Charles  Craft Light Sea Foam 14 ct Aida. It's turning out rather interesting, don't you agree? (Interesting is the adjective I use when I don't want to say STRANGE.) It is a rather handsome rabbit, however. Wish I could get better pics but can't with the camera that I have. Soon, I shall get myself one that can zoom all the way in.

We've got cows in my town that stay on undeveloped land to protect the agricultural designation of the property. I thought to share a few pics of them. We like to feed them apples and carrots but they prefer the carrots. They have different personalities and preferences and are just so lovable. The reason why we Miami Lakers are so enamored of our cows is that this is one of the last places in the entire county where one can find cows.We had lots of cows all over the town on agricultural land but as developers purchased these for building homes, the number of cows has decreased. Miami Lakes is on property that was owned by the Graham Family and they used to be dairy farmers, so its part of the town history, as well. One of the roads is called Graham  Diary Road. The Graham family still owns bits of land, I believe. We urbanites are just tickled pink by these cows.

I took the cow pics in the hopes of charting one but then I thought, gee, there must be at least a gazillion charts of cows out there...I am sure I can tweak one to better match the background of my town.

OK, now on to my hamsters, which I haven't discussed in a long time. Well, they are just as much fun as a barrel of monkeys...NOT. Sure, they are cute and all, but what a racket they make on those gosh-darned wheels in the middle of the night. Of the three I have, one has become an escape artist and has managed to be able to open the top of their tower...yes, she pushes it around with her snout until it's lose and then she pushes up and off it comes and out she goes...aahhh, freedom at last, sweet freedom. Of course, I find her again right quick cause of the racket and pop, back in she goes. Today, I found her and the other one breaking out. Seems she taught her sister how to escape. I finally used tape to keep the top on - a weight won't work as the top is dome-shaped and a weight falls.  They are also fighting, well, the one sister and the mommy are. Vicious horrible fights wherein they must be separated, so...yep, you guessed it, I have purchased yet more habitats and trails for them to live in and be able to escape each other if need be.

Here is a pic of one of the hamsters....aw, isn't she cute all sleepy, sleepy and peaceful. This one actually burps and passes a lot of gas so it doesn't get held too often, poor little mite.

Well, that's it for now! I have to go to bed but really really would rather stitch until the sun came up!

Comments are welcomed and enjoyed! Hugs to all. xoxoxoxo Chris G

Recent travels and Stash Enhancements

Hello and happy greetings to all. It's been a few weeks since my last update and this one is going to be a long one.

To start off, I visited Lewisburg, Pennsylvania last week. I stayed  at a lovely bed and breakfast called The Pineapple Inn. The proprietors, Deborah and Charles were very charming and helpful. It was a real treat to stay at this establishment as I have never stayed at a B&B before. I recommend it but only if you won't miss modern day amenities, such as a phone and TV in your room. Below are pics of the town, the inn and my rooms. I think that the intention of this B&B was to give the guest an experience of Victorian design and living. Growing up in Brooklyn, most of the homes were decorated like this so it was bit strange. This style of furnishing reminds me of poverty, not wealth. It's all about perspective, isn't it?

The building is the Pineapple Inn which is right on Market Street. Very convenient for shopping and restaurants. I stayed in two different rooms because the one was booked for part of my stay. Very clean and comfortable beds. The parlour was comfortable and afforded a lovely view of the street from the bay window. Breakfast was served in the dining room (pic below).

 Pics of the hallway and stairs:

 Pics of a few of the very many churches in town:

Here is a pic of a very interesting house:

OK, here is what most of you probably care about...pics of my stash enhancement done at the Village Stitchery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The owner, Lisa was great (chatty and helpful) and I purchased the following:

I bought this because it reminded me of the houses that I saw in Lewisburg.

Not a good pic. I liked this rabbit's pose...it's surrounded by berries and leaves. Easy!!

The above is from DMC, a freebie...there used to be so many freebies on-line and I have a very large library of freebies which means I don't have to purchase for years and years. Of course, I still do purchase, but don't HAVE to!!

The following are pics of a biscornu that one of my exchange partners sent me. Its a lovely blue hand-dyed fabric with blue thread. See those cute buttons? Just precious. Thanks, Bev, for a wonderful biscornu.

She also sent the pattern and piece of fabric and thread.

Well, that's it folks. Its been a busy few weeks what with traveling and the holidays. Hope everyone has a great stitchy weekend.

Hugs, Christina

A day with my sister....

 Hope every one has had a good weekend so far. I spent Saturday with my daughters and sister. My sister wanted to go to Joann's craft shop...always such a temptation to spend money I haven't got. Well, we  purchased some card stock and lovely stickers and I got to thinking that I could fold the cards and turn them into needle keepers. Below are pics of the decorated cards. I am not done with them as I will place felt on the inside to hold the needles. I think I will share these during my future "give-away" contest. I used papers from K&C Company (at 30% off...yahoo!).

We also went to the Barnes & Noble where I purchased this Cross Stitch Desk Calendar at 50% off. This calendar offers about 180 patterns. The patterns are neat but there is one page for three days so its a bit odd. I am used to these calendars having a page for each of the week (except for Saturday and Sunday). Overall, I like the collection of this years patterns very much. And, at $7.50 for the whole thing, a pretty neat purchase.

We had lunch at a Pan Asian cafe and ate sushi and curry coconut soup...yummy! I exhibited great discipline and had no-rice sushi and sashimi.

We then ran to the Cracker Barrel where I saw these adorable little bird-shaped salt and pepper shakers. At 99 cents a piece, I could not pass up.

I bought three sets for gifting....too cute.


A lovely time was had by all, but especially me, because my girls were able to spend time with their aunt that loves them very much. My own aunt lived thousands of miles away and we visited rarely, and when we did the visits were brief. I had a warm heart all day just watching them interact and chat.

Well, that's it for today. Happy stitching to all! Hugs - Chris G