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Sunday 14 January 2024

 It's hard to believe it's been a full quarter of a year since I last posted.  I admit it was busy, full of woe  and ill health.  Most of which I will not bother to report.

The woe portion is the death of two friends.  Melinda and I belonged to the same stitch group for a long number of years.  She left us in November.  The other was the more recent death of Carol Lake, a well-known needlework teacher whom I became friends with over the years of teaching.

In October I did get sick and went to the doctor which started a longish journey of blood works and other tests to include an ultrasound.  In the long run, I got my gall bladder out in early January.  By the time I got to see the surgeon in late December, he was surprised it had not burst and then got me scheduled as soon as possible.  Ironically the only cancellation that happened was the patient scheduled immediately before me on the day of the surgery.  Recovery is going well.  And the weather is cold  (-3 today) so I stay in which helps the recovery as well.

I now have a way to work around the awful glasses that I have and whatever the problem is with my eyes.  I now wear a pair of "peepers", hold the fabric up close and have my Ott light right there almost on top of things, then I can stitch, slowly.  Meanwhile I can't see anything else literally.  I have to raise up the glasses to see to change a tv channel, to see someone else (like one of the cats).  But I am stitching some now.  

I am also crocheting which I can do with out the peepers and with the awkward glasses.  Last year I stitched 3 prayer shawls, each being about 30 in wide by 65 inches long, as well as 5 preemie blankets and 1 scarf for the homeless.

I decided to start the new year with a new project and go back later in the year for The Potter's Shed and a few smaller things I had started and not finished.

Here is A Plant of Rapid Growth:


This is the cover photo.
I changed the fabric
I have used DMC for some of the overdyes



progress shots


As of this morning
1-14-2024



The start of the 1st prayer shawl for 2024

And that's the scoop for today.


Today is also SAL day for me.  Please check out these other stitchers:









Sunday 31 December 2023

December

To say I haven't kept up this year is an understatement. I thought I would pop on to show what I was able to finish. 

Merry
Heart in Hand
My 12 Days Stocking ornaments made no progress since March. They are definitely on my list for 2024.
Not an ornament, but in the spirit of the season.
Hares' Christmas, Plum Street Samplers

Wishing one and all, A Happy and Productive 2024!

Sunday 10 December 2023

Suzanne December Ornaments

 


This month's theme was a Free Choice so I went with the Christmas song "I'll Be Home for Christmas". These are from The World of Cross Stitching Magazine Christmas Doorway by Amanda Gregory. I make house or door themed ornaments for my two nieces since they bought their homes. These are stitched on 14 count red and light green Aida with called for DMC threads. 

It's been a great year of stitching for me and I hope it's the same for all of you. 




Friday 10 November 2023

Suzanne's November Ornament

 


I'm getting close to the end of my ornaments for 2023 gift giving. I'm following the Christmas Song theme and this month is Run Rudolph Run. I thought this was perfect. From JCS Ornament Preview Issue 2013 by Angel Stitchin. 

I stitched this on 18 count Oatmeal Aida finished as a flat ornament and red twine with snowflakes. 

I hope everyone is stitching happy things!

Wednesday 11 October 2023

Suzanne's October Ornament

 Hello Everyone! I hope you all have been well and enjoying your stitching. I am continuing with the song theme and this month is Santa Baby. I stitched Prairie Schooler Santa from a digital magazine I received as a freebie, www.tgosm.com, Issue 34, November 2008. 


He's stitched on a scrap piece of light green 14 count Aida with called for DMC threads. He's so cute!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your stitching soon!

Suzanne

Friday 29 September 2023

I'm Baaaaack....Did you miss me? LOL!!

Oh my goodness, it's been a crazy year.  After becoming a Grandma two years ago things have taken on a whole new rhythm.  I guess I shouldn't call it a rhythm...it's more like going with the flow.  LOL!!  I've been keeping up with stitching the ornaments, but finishing has come in waves.  I'm sorry I haven't been posting...but I'll spare the details and get right to the point.  I've finished all the challenges for Theme Three.  I had been working on 12 Days of Christmas after receiving the Prairie Schooler Santas set, but you know...things got in the way.  I have finished stitching three of them, on 40 count Vintage Country Mocha over one  (I know...crazy...)  but they aren't finished yet...  I'll show them here unfinished, and hopefully will get the rest done before the end of the year.  Wish me luck!  






Here are the rest of Theme Three... I've finished them all for the year, and fully finished them as of last night too!  Woo hoo!  Starting with May...2021 Christmas Snowflake by Gulia Punti stitched on 32 count Summer Skies by Sparklies    



June 2001 Bearly Waiting For Christmas by Black Swan Designs stitched on 32 count beige over one  



July Free Choice 2015 Little Christmas House by La-De-Da stitched on 36 light khaki over two  



August 2013 Traveling With Santa by Imaginating stitched on 32 count white opalescent over one (I know...never again it about drove me crazy!!)  



September 2011 Lantern Santa by Sue Hillis Designs stitched on 32 count twilight over two  



October 2022  Deck the Haul by Saving Graces Fine Needlearts stitched on 14 count plastic canvas  



November Free Choice 2016 Snow in Love by Alice Okon Needleart Designs stitched on 28 count cream over one.  



December 2005 Holly 'N Hardanger by The Sweetheart Tree stitched on 32 count Natural opalescent over two.  



Whew!  Now I'll let you go back to your regular programming...and if I get any more Prairie Schooler Santas finished (from the 12 Days theme) I'll try to remember to post!  Thanks for looking and Happy Stitching (and finishing)! 

Sunday 10 September 2023

Suzanne's September Ornament

 Good Morning! It's a rainy day here but we do need the rain. My ornament this month is following the Christmas Song Theme of Let it Snow. I stitched Fresh Fallen Snow by Little House Needleworks. This is from the JCS 2011.


I can't believe it's we are on the home stretch to Christmas! I hope everyone is doing well.