A Bonus Wool Project for March...

While I have been trying to focus on "Stitch from my Stash",

I did treat myself to a new wool project this month:

"Daffies in an Old Granite Pan"

design by Maggie Bonanomi

kitted by Blackberry Primitives

Mom and I decided to stitch this as a stitch along.

This is mine all prepped and ready to stitch.

And here is Mom's.

She used wool from her stash.

It is stitching up quickly and I hope to share my finish soon.

Last Saturday was National Puppy Day, so I thought I would share my pups.

They love their walks, but I think they love their naps even more.

Last weekend I was under the weather and took a little nap.

I woke up to this:

How is a person to move? And how could I possible get up?!

I think that they were trying to be "comfort dogs" ;)

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

~Hebrews 13:1-2

Blessings, Patti

Stitch from my Stash - the beginning

On New Year's Day, I spent part of my day picking my two projects for #stitchfrommystash

I had such a hard time choosing, that I selected three lol! First up:

"Snow Day"

by Prairie Schooler 

from Book #177 January

I have been wanting to stitch this one since January 2016!

I started stitching Prairie Schooler designs in the mid-1980's

and they have been one of my favorite designers ever since.

If I was on a desert island and could only bring charts from one designer - this would be it :)

Sadly, I can't even remember the last time I stitched a Prairie Schooler?! 

So this will be the month! 

Little Red Barn and Grandpa's Pick-up

from the Farmhouse Christmas series

by Little House Needleworks

this is the bonus project that I kitted up :)

I've seen so many finishes of this series lately that I am finally itching to start!

I will only be doing these two charts in the series and want them to be for winter rather than Christmas. 

My wool project for January will be:

"Snowy Days"

by Heart to Hand

Believe it or not this kit was purchased back in 2013!

And I have not worked on it since January 2016!

I think that I need to finish it this month!

Here is where I left off three years ago:

I sure hope that I can get it done and enjoy it yet this winter...

I've made a little progress on "Little Red Barn" already this week...

So many of you have asked for pics of the pups.

Leia was thrilled with the new toy that they received for Christmas!

A stuffed log with three stuffed squirrels inside that can be pulled out through holes in the log.

She wouldn't sit still for a picture ;) 

Peanut wasn't quite as thrilled.

Although he did steal a squirrel once Leia had pulled it out lol.

Peanut's favorite activity is snuggling with his sister.

Even when snuggling, Leia usually has a toy in her mouth. 

She just can't let go!

Peanut just doesn't get it :)

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

~Luke 2:16-19

Blessings, Patti

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Leia wishes you a Happy Valentines Day!

And Peanut wishes you a Happy Valentines Day too!

Sweet Peanut in his bowtie.

I started a few Valentine projects. 

Maybe they will be finished before the end of the month.

One in wool:

One in English Paper Piecing:

And one in Cross Stitch:

I hope that each of you has a lovely day!

Love is always patient;

    love is always kind;

love is never envious

    or arrogant with pride.

Nor is she conceited,

 and she is never rude;

she never thinks just of herself

    or ever gets annoyed.

She never is resentful;

is never glad with sin;

she’s always glad to side with truth,

    and pleased that truth will win.

She bears up under everything;

    believes the best in all;

there is no limit to her hope,

    and never will she fall.

~1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Blessings, Patti

Time to unplug...

I'm so happy to have my Stacy Nash Stitch Camp Tray finished!

Now I can display the set :)

I really like the design - strawberries and patriotic bunting - two of my favorite things :)

I also finished a project that I was stitching on the 4th of July:

"Hurrah for the Red, White & Blue"

by Pineberry Lane

stitched on Murky linen by Picture This Plus

edged with vintage rickrack and I added a little antique patriotic pin that I had.

Soon I'll heading to the Northwoods and my annual time of unplugging technology

 and recharging body and soul.

Last week both pups had surgery and are now recuperating at home.

Leia has been good and not focusing on her stitches. 

Peanut has a tendency to lick his stitches, but the baby onesie seems to be a deterent - much better than a cone :)

Leia has also been distracted by the big hotdog that my Mom gave her for her birthday last month.

The only problem is that she never wants to put it down :) 

Peanut rather take it easy and nap whenever possible.

I hope that you each find time to unplug and recharge!

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

~Psalm 46:10

Blessings, Patti

Slow Stitching

Stitching has been rather slow on the home front. I like to share finishes, but don't have anything that is near completion. Life is busy at work and at home, so my limited stitching time has been curbed even more.

It doesn't help that I have been flitting back and forth between mediums - wool, cross stitch and even an English Paper Piecing project that I haven't touched since last summer.

So instead of sharing finishes, I thought I would share projects in process.

I am so excited that I have signed up for another Rebekah L. Smith class at Wheaten Woolens in Davenport, Iowa! I had such a wonderful time last year that I shared a series of three posts.

You can find them here:

Part 1 - The Shop and Class

Part 2 - The Home

Part 3 - The Progress and The Shopping

I've decided that I must absolutely finish last year's class project before this year's class in June,

so my progress is what you see above.

On the cross stitch front, I have been working on Stacy Nash's "Ann's Sampler".

36 count is a bit small to work on when traveling by train and bus on my daily commute,

so my stitching is slower than usual. But I think it will be worth it in the end.

As usual, I've made a few of my usual tweaks, but I don't want to share those until the finish ;) 

so these are just a few cropped peeks.

And yes, the English Paper Piecing has been pulled out once again.

"Stars in the Garden" by Yellow Creek Quilt Designs.

The central motifs are all finished and I working on the outer pieces.

Here is my last status picture of the same project taken last summer.

I've gotten so far that I really need to finish it! :)

Last month I had a post that included one of my favorite photo bombers.

I was surprised to receive several comments that people were happy to see Mr. Peanut as he hasn't appeared on my blog in a while. Sometimes I think people might get tired of pet pictures. I take photos of them quite frequently and since some of you asked...

Here are a few:

Peanut and Leia catching a few rays of sun during the dreary winter.

While they have such different personalities like most brothers and sisters,

they still love to snuggle!

Whenever they get a chance!

Since "finishes" still seem a ways away, I guess I'll try to share more progress in another week or so.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

~Colossians 3:12

Blessings, Patti

Rest in Peace

 

Rest in Peace

Our Beloved Pup

 

You were with us such a short time,

but then again would 10 years or even 15 have been enough?

I think not.

 

Your passion for toys and playing fetch were undeniable.

 

It's amazing how much personality could be packed in your mere 14 pounds.

 

When you arrived at our home as our very first dog,

we had no idea what an incredible journey you would take us on.

 

Why we were so blessed to live with the best dog in the entire world?!

 

You were a dream come true. (Read here.)

And every one of the hundreds of allergy shots have been well worth it.

 

 

Your fetching of golf "birdie" balls made you a living legend.

 

Orion, you lived in our home a short time, 8/1/2010 - 12/3/2014,

but will live in our hearts and memories forever.

 

Please consider adopting a rescue,

it is always the best choice and the right choice.

 

Thank you Midwest Dachshund Rescue for matching us with a dog that was beyond our dreams  and expectations.

 

Blessings, Patti  

Happy Halloween!

A final finish for Halloween 2014!

"Country Sampler Jack's House Pinkeep"

design by Stacy Nash

One pooped pup

Oops! I mean hotdog :)

Worn out by all the trick or treaters!

We bought extra candy this year, since Halloween was on a Friday.

In case you hadn't heard, here in Chicago we had:

Needless to say, we have some candy left over :)

Blessings, Patti