Wednesday, February 18, 2015

It's ORT Day!

     I thought for sure, I had missed this months TUSAL or ORT day, but nope! Right on time! Here is what I've accumulated since the first of this year.  I can see the yellows used in "Serenity Harbor",


In between the chart arrivals for that, I've been working once again on "Quaker Diamonds", and always enjoy that stitch.  The deep green and rust are from the diamonds.  I'm working on the diamond shown below at the moment,


     Latcr in the evenings I'm still crocheting on the afghan and enjoying it as well.  It's relaxing to pick that up and not have to concentrate as much.

     It has been so very cold here.  Right around freezing and the trees are coated with a layer of ice.  I don't want to complain at all though, as the winter here is mild compared to the winters I grew up with.  We have no snow at all, and just a couple of weeks ago, I was sleeping on the back porch.  I will be again soon I'm sure.

     Finished with "Serenity Harbor" for February, and will pick it up again when part three arrives here.  I am enjoying this stitch so very much! Here it is this month with longer sun rays and some clouds now.


     We had a pair of Eastern Bluebirds check out one of our houses a couple of weeks back.  They actually come by in January to see what's going on with the houses and then come back again a couple of months later.  We'll be putting less seeds out this year and more dried Mealy Worms and berries.  Trying to discourage the English House Sparrows that go into the other bird's nests and peck the eggs open and will even kill the birds.  Both babies and adults.  So we'll see if what we do will make a difference.

     Bill has had a nice fire going in the wood stove for days now and it sure makes a difference.  Even Riley feels the cold.......so Bill says, and needed to share a hat with Bill.



     I do have a question for ya'll! I'm thinking of buying a sit on scroll stand for my cross stitching.  I know that they also have what they call lap stands.  Any of you my dear friends and followers have either or even both, and which do you prefer?

     Until next time, stay safe, warm and well and don't forget to "feel the colors".  Love ya'll.




   

Monday, February 2, 2015

February! Oh My!

     Where did January go so fast? I'm not really saddened by how fast it went by though as every new day brings us closer to spring and the warmer weather it will bring us.  It's actually 60 here this morning.  Overcast with expected rain, but a beautiful morning anyway.

     I noticed out front that the Camellia is blooming so nicely this year.  Here's a picture of just one flower and it has started to go by.  I took it just now and it is raining out, so I wasn't ready to hang about outside! We must have close to 100 flowers on it this year though. The NC Jasmine vine has been in bloom outback for a good month now, and that too, for the first time is covered with the flowers.  These flowers assure me that spring is right around the corner.


     I joined a BAP stitch along  and the piece I'm doing is Serenity Harbor by By the Bay.  I just love working on it, and it will take all this year to do it, as you get only one portion of the chart each month.  Check over at http://stitchystart.blogspot.com/ and find out about the SAL.  You can work on any larger piece that you want and just send in a picture once a month to show everyone your progress.  This will be what mine looks like when completed in December.


This is part one completed.  I really enjoyed working on this. I did use three deeper colors for the roses.  So many other pretty pieces being worked on over on the blog I mentioned.  Check it out.


     Another SAL I was a member of was the "I Am A Stitcher" SAL.  You can find that at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/656211661138271/  I finished my piece and got it back from the framer the other day.  The frame has green in it which you can't see well in the photo, but is perfect for the piece itself.  Our friend Dave is the one who picked the frame! Good job Dave.  The piece itself took me 84 hours total.


     I'm working on my Quaker Diamonds once again as I wait for the second part of Serenity Harbor to come in.  I love the Quaker Diamonds piece and all the beautiful colors in it.  I'm quite close to being done with it and so far, have put in 101 hours.

     I have been feeling real good.  My last doctor's appointment, I was doing so well that Dr. Cho decided that instead of once a week blood draw, we would go to once a month.  So far, no spots or bruising so I think all is well.  Still on all my medications but slowly we're cutting back with no bad withdrawal symptoms.  I am so blessed and so thankful.  God has been right there beside me through this ordeal.  Of course my Dr. Cho we love dearly.  A smart and caring man.  Here we are at my last appointment.


     I surely need to let ya'll go now.  You must have some really cool projects just calling your name.  Get those frames and things in your laps at your crafty spots and enjoy the day.  That's where I'm heading now myself.
     Until next time.....Stay safe, well and warm.  Love each and every one of you.  Don't forget to, "Feel the Colors".  My little grands in Georgia certainly are!

        

Stuff

    Just stuff! Things that keep me from my needlework! ...Doctor appointments! As we're getting older I find there are more and more of...