A wonderful week

I hope everyone has had a good week! I did!

Wednesday evening the DH and I spent the evening and night watching our DD do her bar champs for TGI Fridays it was a lot of fun and money was made for charity. We knew it was going to be a late night and we were over an hour from home but close to where we work so we decided to stay at a hotel for the evening prior to going to the contest I got to do a happy dance:


This is scarf that I knitted the yarn is almost like gauze a little tricky to work with but fun.

This weekend I have been cleaning out a spare bedroom that has been filled with the DD stuff and some of my craft stuff. She is bring home her bedroom funiture that she no longer needs so we will have it for the guest room now. Needless to say my new craft room has piles of stuff in it for me to organize into the room and my living room is full of totes of the DD stuff that needs to go to the basement:(!
But the room is ready and I was able to get some stitching done also this weekend:


Not only some stitching but another happy dance! Yes, Pieces of Africa-Tunis is finished. I really enjoyed stitching it.

On Friday I went to a Client Summitt for our data processing vendor from work. It was fun to see and learn about some of the new offerings for Microsoft. There also was a wonderful raffle at the end of the day. Your got a ticket evertime you asked a question in a session. I only asked one question but that was all I needed:


Yes I won a Kindle. I do enjoy reading but I never really thought of getting one of these but it does seem like it will be fun. I did find out that I can put my patterns that I download from ravlery on it! I think that is going to be great no printing out and can highlight and mark where I end my session of knitting. It is so light and portable.
Well it has been a year since I have had major surgery hard to believe but I do feel much better. Which is a good thing.
Today is also a big day the DS turned 26! It is hard to believe that the little newborn boy is all grown up taller than mom and dad and planning his own wedding. Wish I was closer to have given him a big hug today.
Happy Halloween to all!
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Doing the Happy Dance

Got to do another Happy Dance last night:



My first table topper all done. It was fun to stitch and is adorning the table now with the ceramic pumpking and other Halloween decorations!
Yesterday was my Chicago ANG and that meant another class project to start on for me:


This is Pieces of Africa-Tunis by Kick back and stitch. So far it is a fun stitch so stay tuned.
I don't know about you but I am enjoying these fall days it is hard to believe that there is only 1 week left in October!
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

A busy week but a stitchy weekend!

I don't know about you guys but this past week has been a busy one for me. Three meetings so three evenings away from home with little or no stitching:(! Oh well each of the meetings were good though so can't complain.

My reward was the weekend! Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Indiana EGA state Day. The Indianapolis chapter hosted the event and it was lovely! Some of the members from my chapter were able to attend also wish everyone would have been able to. The class was a stumpwork piece this was my first time and I have to say it was enjoyable:



(Sorry for the lousy pictures this evening) The class was taught by Marsha Papay-Gomola and she was wonderful if you get the chance I would recommend taking a class from her. I do hop to finish the piece I have a person in mind to give it to for Christmas.
After church today I decided it was day of relaxing ( I did stop by the store, did two loads of laundry, run the vacumn and fixed dinner) and continued to stitch on my table topper:


I really do hope to finish this up soon. Of course when I was in Indy yesterday I ran over to Needle Fever and picked up another Halloween piece I would like to stitch up!
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Long Time No Post

Well sorry once again it has been a few week with out posting. Just seems like when my usual posting time came around I was just tired from family activities that day and it would just slip by. I have been stitching though....

I have passed the half way point on my table topper:

It is fun to stitch hoping it will be done by Halloween :)!

I have also been doing some more knitting:


The top one is out of a yarn that reminds me of gauze it does stitch up fast. The bottom one is from a class I took last friday. It has a lace pattern with some beads stitched in. Lots of fun!


I also have a happy dance;

This is Persian Tile by Tony Minerie. It was our class this month for Chicago ANG. Lots of fun.
I know pink & green in stitching and knitting. But what's a girl supposed to do if that is her favorite combination.
I don't know about your neck of the woods but fall is in the air around here and all I can say is that I am loving it!
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

A day of rememberence

In some ways it seems hard to believe that 10 years have passed since that fateful morning in others ways not so. My life and family have gone on and changed in so many ways for others a huge hole was left. I still remember exactly were I was when I heard the news and how I couldn't wait to hug my DH, DS and DD that evening. Many things changed that day one thing for me was to not take our safety for granted and to enjoy each moment with our loved ones. God Bless those we lost and their families and the USA!

On to a lighter note I have been doing some stitching. When I was visiting my grandmother I decided it would be a lot easier to just being doing some knitting instead of the needlework project I had brought. So a quick trip to a knitting store:


And a couple of scarves were done up! The purple swirly curly one is destined to be my 12 year old niece's Christmas present. Purple is her favorite color and the swirly curly just matches her personality:)!

Then I started my first tabletopper:

This is Jack and Mr. Cat. It is a fun stitch.
Until Next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Just busy with Life and Stitching

Well sorry about the no post for the last few weeks. Sometimes life just gets in the way. Last Sunday we had the two grandpuppies needless to say Ms. Kandi was not a happy camper. We had kept her in my sewing/computer room and when I came in she just wanted attention. She was really happy when Wednesday rolled around and they went home.
I have been stitching though.....



Finished the afghan for the DS and future DIL. Another Christmas present done!!


This is a little zippie Americana that my secret stitcher from guild gave me.

Then I finished Cranberry Pinafore this evening. Sorry for the lousy pictures. After I finished this I started on my Christmas ornament for our guild exchange so there won't be any pics of that.

Well I am off to Florida on Wednesday to visit my 92 year old grandmother. She lives alone unfourtnately I don' t think for much longer. I think some decisions and changes will have to be made.

I hope everyone is safe from the earthquake and hurricane. Mother Nature sure has made herself known this week.

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Just Stitching Along...

Call me crazy but I have been stitching along on the afghan:

The heat has been pretty tough(not as bad as others in our country) to have this laying around me. But I have kept at it and am about half way through. Luckly they are calling for some cooler temps this week.

This Friday I get to spend the day demonstrating cross stitch at the Fair. We are doing this as a guild showing punch needle and cross stitch. So if you are in the are of the Lake County Indiana Fair on Friday stop by.

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Another Happy Dance....

I could not believe how quickly my Earth Spirit stitched up:

Not my typical colors but it is kind of soothing.

So what do you ask did I start on next?????

I can't believe it but I started crocheting an afghan for a Christmas present. It is nothing short of HOT here and I am working on this. Call me crazy but I know it will be done before Christmas.

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Who Hoo Another Happy Dance

Another finish to add .....




These are the Autumn Stackers by Jeanette Douglas. They were fun to stitch and I am looking forward to displaying them this autumn!
After I finished sewing them up yesterday I started on Earth Spirit by Northern Pine:


I am amazed at how fast this is stitching up! The colors are so cooling I wish our weather would take the hint. Yes this sweater girl has definetly had enough of the heat!!!
Kandi Rose is also a unhappy camper because she loves to lay in the window sills when the windows are open but hasn't been able to for over a week now. (no I won't be complaining when it turns cold).
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Hot Stitching Time

Not sure about where you are at but it is HOT here and is supposed to be all week. Yes I do prefer the cold weather. So the air condition is buzzzing along...
But in the mean time I have gotten some stitching done in the past two weeks


This is Shepards Bush Cranberry Pinafore. Our EGA group is doing it as an education piece so I have it stitched up to were we will start next month.
I actually made my first beaded bracelet:


This was this month's EGA class. It was a lot of fun. May have to make a few of these for Christmas presents!

Now I am working on Jeanette Douglas Autumn Stackers:



We are doing this as an EGA project also. I have two more squares, and the beading then I will be ready to make them into the biscornu. Sorry for all the wrinkles.
So I have been keeping busy.
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Happy 4th and Happy Dancing!!!

Happy 4th of July Everyone. I hope it was safe and wonderful. Ours was on the quiet side (except for all the neighbors booms). We did some projects around the house over the weekend and I had time to do a Happy Dance:


Tahiti is all finished ( i was so close to finishing last night I postponed by usally posting)!!! I think it will make a nice Christmas gift....
I started a Shepard Bush that we are doing as a stitch along for our guild. Not much to show hopefully next week.
I will have to spend some time looking for a wedding sampler.... The DS popped the question last night. Not sure of the details yet but I a sure it will be wonderful just wish they weren't so far away..
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Stitching By and Saying Hi!

I hope everyone has had a good week! Mine was non eventful which is nice. On the stitching front I made a lot of progress in Tahiti:



I started this last Sunday evening and am please with my progress. I am thinking this may be a Christmas gift. It does remind me of a tropical crazy quilt.
On the tatting front:

I did have some problems. I was working along on my first bookmark the green and pink and when I went to do a join I split the threads:(! Unfourtnantely I did it so bad I could not have cut it and rejoined. Lesson learned slow down a little bit. I did play around with some smaller thread also which I do like the look of. I am thinking I need to just set one to two days a week to devote to tatting. It seems when I am jumping to stitching sometimes I get a little hurried not a good thing. I do want to get a little more proficient before I try to do the next lesson.
Yesterday was my Chicago ANG meeting. It was a wonderful day. I got my critique back on Garden Walk. I was really nervous about this so much so I all most gave up on the project. But the reviews came back and they were so complimentary I was astounded. The DH said why are you suprised I guess you are your own worse critic. Since this was my first correspondence course complition I received my thimble pin for my nametag:

The other pins are for completed monthly classes and workshops. It is also the 25th anniversay for the guild. We had a nice luncheon and we all received these wonderful gifts:

The flowers is a pattern for an eyeglass case. I really should do that for my sunglasses maybe I would remember to wear them like I am supposed to. Then we got a notebook went right into the bag I bring for meetings and a wonderful travel mug. The board has decided we should go green for our meetings so the cup will go in my bag also. I am really happy that I joined this group it a great bunch of stitchers and I have learned a lot!

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

A Wonderful Stitchy Week

I would have to say I have had a wonderful week of stitching! I did have a few days off work(but I did do some other things besides stitching) so that would have to help.
First Happy Dance:


My Mystery ANG Sampler by Sue Reed. I just love how this turned out and my color choice. Ok I know pink and green but they are my favorite!
Another Happy Dance:


I finished Seasonal Sampler by Bent Creek this evening! This was quick, cute and fun! I then started another canvas piece but not really enough to show.
On the tatting front some more butterflies and my first attempt at rings and chains:

I was nervous about the rings and chains but once I got going I really got the hank of it.

Yesterday Lelia (stitches of life) and I went to the Illinois Lace day. What fun! I don't know how long that I have wanted to learn more about lace and lace making. That dream is finally coming true!

While we were there we got to meet Diane from Lace lovin Librarian. She gifted me with one of her blinged shuttles:

I think it is so cute! I am really thinking of using it to do my first project. I am going to start a bookmark this week.

Another thing I always wanted to learn was bobbin lace. I purchased a kit in the 90's and was never able to figure out where to begin. So yesterday Lelia and I took the beginning class:

He may not look like much and he might not be perfect but I am hooked on bobbin lace! So much that I joined the guild over in Illinois looking forward to learning so much more.

All I know is that I am going have to figure out how to add more hours to my day or start drinking caffine after noon again so I can stay up later. Between my cross stitching, canvas work, tatting, bobbin lace and the ocassional crochet and knitting project not sure when I will have time. Guess housework will have to go;)!

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol
56

Another Stitchy Year

Well another year older today. It was a good year even with surgery. Learned alot and stitched alot! Made more memories with the family. I would have to say I feel better then I did a year ago so that is a good thing. Hoping this year goes smoothly and make more memories with family and friend and of course stitch.

This week has been busy but I did get a little bit done on my Myster Sampler by Sue Reed done:


Hoping to do the happy dance over this piece this week. Especially since I am off of work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday(yipee!!!)
Did some more tatting:


Seems to be coming along just need a lot of practice!!
This coming Saturday I am going to take a class on Bobbin Lace. Something else I have always wanted to learn. Stay tuned for pics!
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

What Have I been Up to this week....

I had a happy dance.....


Graphic Expressions by Sue Reed all finished up. Another pleasure to stitch on. I truly enjoy her designs. So I pulled out my stitch along piece for ANG and started working on the final two lessons.
Got to have some quality time with Ms. Kandi Rose:

She was taking a nap will I practiced my new craft I am trying to learn:

Tatting!

I have always wanted to learn so finally took the plunge. Not much to look at yet but I am getting the hang of it.

Oh I also cut off 8 inches of hair this week! It is on its way to be donated to the Pink Heart funds. Hopefully it will help some woman or child who is suffering with hair loss.

So all in all I think a pretty productive week.

Hope yours was also!

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Happy Memorial Day and some stitching

I have been continuing on with my Graphic Expressions:

I have to finish up soe background stitching and then the borders. I am really enjoying working on this piece. I have been wondering if I can get it finished up in the coing week but I hve a busy week so only time will tell.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial day. Thank you to all who have sacrificed for our country.
Hopeful you will able to spend a little time with the needle also.

Until next time

May you be blessed wtih stitches,

Karol

A Stitchy Weekend

I was able to take another workshop from the designer Sue Reed this weekend. It was Graphic Expression:


As you can probably tell I am enjoying stitching on it very much. This evening I stitched till I could hardle see anymore my eyes felt so heavy. But what fun!! Sue is a wonderful teacher and I learned so much.
Thursday after I finished Official Crazy Cat Lady I started this little piece:



I believe it is called Seasonal Sampler by Bent Creek. It was in one of the little zippie bags. It is fun and going quickly over two on 18 count with pearl cotton.
I hope you were able to put your needle in some fabric this weekend.
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Doing Another Happy Dance

I was doing the Happy Dance again this evening!!!

Finished up Official Crazy Cat Lady by Raise the Roof!! This was fun and it is cute!!!

So I took out a zipper kit from Bent Creek to start on after this was done up look for a pic this weekend also taking a class from Sue Reed this Saturday and Sunday can't wait!!!

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Doing the Happy Dance!!!

Sorry for the no post yesterday. I was having trouble getting my pics to load. But got it today.

As my DH made dinner on Saturday I put the finishing touches on my Holiday patches:

I have to say I enjoyed the piece and look forward to getting it framed and enjoying at Christmas time. So what is a girl to do after a Happy Dance? Start a new or finish a WIP???

Well I decided to be good and work on a WIP:

Official Crazy Cat Lady!! I think another Happy Dance is in the near future......

And a new pic of the reason I am an Official Crazy Cat Lady:

Ms. Kandi Rose she is sure growing.. After all those weeks of her not wanting to be picked up she now wants to be carried around and boy is she a lover. I am so happy that I rescued her.

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Getting Close to a Finish

Well I am getting close to having another finish:

Hopefully by next Sunday I will have another happy dance done.

I hope everyone had a lovely Mothers Day! I know I did. Roses from the DS and girlfriend, CD and necklace from the DD. A lovely dinner from the DH in which the DD and her new boyfriend came along. Also the usually church with my Dad and stepmom. Of course the weather was lovely today. No rain!!

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Happy Mothers Day!

I just wanted to wish all the Moms out there a
Happy Mothers Day:

Aren't these Roses lovely! They arrived today from my DS and his girlfriend.

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol

Is it really Spring???

Well I tried again and was able to get my pictures uploaded!!!. This is my official crazy cat lady:

I worked on it as we drove to WV last week and then yesterday. Yesterday I helped to faciliatate a workshop for Stitch for Autism canvas piece at our EGA. Lots of fun!
Here is my holiday patches:

I am really enjoying this piece. Love the colors! Of course Christmas colors are always nice. Hope to get it finished in the near future!

Well I do believe that spring has come upon us! I could use with a little less rain but it is better then what others have been facing across the country. My prayers go out to all those afffected. I had tried to load some pictures of my stitching but no cooperation for some reason:(!!
I have been continuing on with my holdiday patches and my crazy cat lady. Nothing compelte yet.
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Happy Easter and Passover

I just wanted to wish those who celebrate Passover a Happy Passover. And a Blessed Easter to all. We are off to WV in the am excited to see the DS!
Until next time
May you be blessed with stitches,
Karol

Spring is in the air!!!

I do believe that spring is in the air although cool and rainy. Maybe April showers will bring May flowers. The grass is getting greener and there are things popping up all over. I had to go to Atlanta this week and it was so nice to see green trees and flowers as I walked through the Olympic part. I was very busy at the Microsoft Convergence so no time for stitching at all:(! But learned alot and had fun. Will I was sitting in the airport and flying I did get started on Official Crazy Cat Lady: We will be traveling to West Virginia this week to spend the Easter Weekend with our DS. So I will be taking this project along. Its a long car ride so hope to show more progress next week. Since I have been home I have continued on my Holiday Patches:

I am so enjoying this! It was hard to put it down tonight. But I know I have to get up for work tomorrow.

Well I hope you all have a little sunshine and stitches this week!

Until next time

May you be blessed with stitches,

Karol