Finis!

I did the finishing of the scissor keep and needle book for the Shepherd's Fold series.  They are super cute.  My finishing skills are a little rusty but all and all I'm happy.  :-)  I started the needle roll yesterday but not enough done to share yet.  Hope to get back to the Berry Bandit this weekend.  I'd love to get that one finished.  I have so many projects I want to get back to.  :-)  A nice place to be.

 

Shopping!

I did a little shopping during the Silver Needle Super Bowl sale a couple of weeks ago.  I loved this Shepherd's Bush kit Gather Moments and it's box.  It looks like it's part of the Shepherd's Fold series (but it's not).  I didn't really look at the size of the box when I ordered it and when it showed up it's a little smaller than I was hoping for.  Note to self, read the details!  But it will hold some of the Shepherd's Fold pieces.  I love the round box but because it's covered you really cant put stuff in it if you want to display it all together.  So the plan is to put some of the pieces in this open wooden box.  And I couldn't resist the tiny box also.  It has a magnet it in and I plan to finish it as a pin keep and have it stuck on my frame holder to hold my threaded needles. 

things to show :-)

I'm so excited that a week after my last post, I actually have things to share.  :-)  I'm making good progress on my Shinning Needle crewel work class, Berry Thief.  I didn't think it would be very popular but I'm seeing an lot's of blogs.  I was hoping to be done with the stitching by now, but I've been busy doing other things at night and I haven't taken this one to work because of the size.  Crossing my fingers I can get a little more done this weekend.  I'm enjoying the crewel work.  This is the first stitching technique I learned when I was kid.  I was 11 or so when I taught myself with a kit my grandmother gave me.  Some sort of mushroom design if I recall.  In harvest gold and avocado green no doubt.  :-)  I wish I still had it, it would be good for a laugh.

 

I've also almost finished up Cherish Life from the Shepherd's Fold series by Shepherd's Bush.  This is one of the monthlies they released last year.  This will finish up as a needle book.  I also finished up the scissor bob last weekend and just need to get that one together also.  Super disappointed in just how much they are cutting corners these days with kits.  There is barely enough thread to finish each one and they are cutting really short lengths.  I like to stitch with a longer thread.  And the linen they put in the kits and in this one in particular only gives an extra inch all around.  I had to sew fabric around all four side just to get it in a hoop.  I understand the costs of stitching are rising and they need to be passed on, but an inch of extra linen?  Eight / nine inches of fiber?  I'm going to start on the needle roll next and will only have the ruler case and the big round one left. 

I moved some furniture around in my living room last weekend in a effort to make myself a comfortable place to stitch.  Since I moved into my house almost five years ago, I just haven't been able to find a place to sit and stitch that is just right.  I think I finally found it.  I have a large chair that seems to be working out well and I've been able to set up my frame holder and magnifying light in a workable position in view of the TV.  While I don't need the stand and extra lights for cross stitch, I really need it for my crewel work and stumpwork.  And I think my lack of a "correct" place has hindered me with my progress on some of my projects.  Only time will tell of course, but it's nice to have a stitching corner again with all my tools in arms reach and a light when I need it and where I can glance up at TV now and again. 

Thanks for all the kind words and emails about my Clancy.  It really warms my heart.  The nights are the hardest - the two of us had an evening routine that started when he was a puppy and because it's no longer there, I get sad every night I go to bed.  I would call Clancy to bed (not that I had too really) and he would wait for me at the foot of the bed to get into my place.  Then he would come up next to my head and make his bed for the night next to my pillow.  I would pet him for a little every night.  I always found it relaxing.  I still call him up at night and tell him I miss him.  I'm not sure I'll ever be able to stop.  :-(   

Well that was a fast year...

Clancy O'Shay, momma's little boy - July 4, 2005 - January 7, 2016

Where do I start?  First I can't believe it's been a year since I last blogged.  Stitching and dogs took a back seat to the yard.  It seemed like I had a good start in the year but lost my ju-ju really early.  I started work on a new koi pond for my yard in February.  Lot's of planning and the actual building started in March.  I didn't even get any koi in until May.  And I put it to bed in November with still a ton of work to do and things still left to buy.  What a huge money pit.  And I don't even have a nice photo to share.  :-(  How did that happen? 

I only have one finish to show - and that was from last week.  Shepherd's Bush Goodness and Grace pin cushion.  I made a start from that series on the pin keep also. 

I signed up for a crewel work class from the Shinning Needle and I've been making good progress on that.  It's going to be a giant strawberry - I'm filling mine with shot to make a frame weight.  

 Isabelle and Benny sharing.  :-)

I adopted another lab in September.  I started fostering for Chicagoland Lab Rescue back in the summer and the fourth dog I fostered for them was Benny from Puerto Rico.  I knew within 30 minutes of his being dropped of, I couldn't let him go.  Isabelle loves him also so it's a huge plus.

My 2016 started out very sad.  On the 7th of January my beloved pug Clancy died in a tragic accident while I was away on vacation.  He will never be replaced and always remembered.  It's been so hard without him.  I love all my dogs but it was different with Clancy.