Long days of summer

Summer is here and so is a new look for my blog.

It's June, the longest day yet not at all feeling like summer in these parts ....... this evening the sky is a beautiful blue as far as you can see.

The past weeks have flown by. It's been so much fun babysitting and helping Vanessa with the boys. Nathan is growing so quickly. Noah is enjoying being a big brother. Being a grandparent is truly a joy.

Stitching, oh yes, not forgotten at all..................
till next time

rain and wind...a stitching day for sure

Yesterday afternoon a storm system moved through and it's still being felt today. Everything on the patio had to be moved and planters sort of huddled together for fear of being blown away. And rain, boy it drenched everything! Luckily we didn't loose power but many folks are still without power this morning. As I'm going to be home today along with catching up on indoor things like laundry, there will be time to stitch.

Since my last posting, another finish, my summer ornament for the ILCS exchange. I received the stitched ornament from Viv O'Leary. It's beautiful! I will treasure it always. Take a look at her stitching, and all the beading.

Last week and this week I've been going over to help my daughter with the kids. It's been fun having the time with them. Nathan is growing so much. Noah still goes to daycare but will soon be home. Vanessa is a good mom. We're proud of her for sure.

During this time I've been working on a small project, Chickadees, stitched on plastic canvas. As well, crocheted granny square blanket (no picture yet). It's not as though I need another project to do....but keeping busy means happy hands.

Last Saturday morning DH and I went over to a yard sale and bake sale at a local church. Definitely lots of 'treasures' .....and a few goodies in the lot. Two childrens books, one book for me called Honey, Garlic & Vinegar Home remedies and recipes, a covered floral bowl, a pair of shadow box picture frames with needlepoint pictures of poppies, a set of plastic storage containers, a viewmaster and reels for the boys, baked goodies and a large area rug, all for $20. On our return home DH headed off to a meeting and I enjoyed sitting on the patio with a stitching project. Pure bliss.

We're headed for a long weekend with Victoria Day on Monday. The weather forecast indicates dry and somewhat sunny, fingers crossed. Everything is ready for a BBQ, even the marshmallows so here's hoping its warm enough to enjoy being outdoors.

I've added a couple of photos of the boys. Also a new picture of Bunny, who still feels our patio is his/hers.

till next time...

May daize

The weeks have flown by since my last blog update. So much has happened. And it's starting to feel like spring.

We have a new grandson, Nathan Alexander, born April 22nd. Being a grandparent is wonderful. Here are Mom, Dad, Noah and Nathan.

Stitching progress has been a bit slow. The mermaid is almost finished...ran out of thread and have to order more. For such a small project it really seemed there was enough floss....

I'm almost done my project for the ILCS summer ornament exchange. There is backstitching to do and then finishing.

Health wise doing reasonably now except for a vertigo issue that started last week. It comes, it goes...really don't enjoy my world spinning.... I can still stitch!!

Mother's Day was wonderful. We shared a late morning brunch with the family. The roses pictured above are part of the bouquet from the kids and grandchildren.

This past weekend my husband and I started to get the patio and garden ready. Zeller's had mixed hanging baskets on sale pre Mother's Day, $9.99 each and they are reasonably established......compared to buying starter plants this year, it's great. The game plan is to have cluster of plants throughout the patio rather than a large row down the length of the area. The dollar store had some cute wooden bird houses. So it's just a matter to paint them (and yes, it's for us rather than the birds).

thanks for stopping by.

till next time

Sunday, sunday

It is a lazy sunday morning. DH has caught the sore throat/cough/cold thing that I had last week. While he tries to catch some zz's I've been stitching. Even Quincy poked his head out then went back to bed.

Thus far some sunshine coming in our windows and no wind blowing outside. Yesterday would have been nice and warm but the gusts of wind offput the chance to sit outside and stitch.

I've enjoyed stitching this mermaid with Carrie's threads. The mermaid and medalions are stitched two over one and the fish are one over one.

And then it's back to 'The Future' . With longer evenings I hope I can get more stitching done.

Of course there are a couple of new project waiting and the UFO's ..... truly so much stitching and so little time.

till next time

it might be spring...it's cold outside

Wild and windy describes the weather in these parts, great for being indoors and stitching.

Easter was spent with family. We all went out to brunch. The food was yummy. It was bittersweet just the same with the loss of Shana too fresh for everyone. And so we move forward.

I returned to work on monday. It felt like being dropped from space back into my desk and chair. And it's tax season to boot.

Last evening tried to stitch but someone let the frogs out....darn...and I missed something on the chart...sigh. Anyways it's a small project using Carries (not my wip), almost done so I will post a photo soon.

think Spring!!

in an instant, life changes

Yesterday afternoon was heart wrenching. Late afternoon my daughter called to say that their little dog Shana had been killed and could I come over. They had been on their daily walk to the park. On their return while waiting for the traffic light Shana became spooked, backed out of her collar and bolted into traffic. In an instant everything changed.
I called our vet and explained what had happened and arranged to take Shana there for her last car ride.
So it was a very sad evening. She will be missed.

unexpected changes, wip update

My LNS has been in business for 35 years so it was a complete shock today to find out that it will be closing it's door come April 30th. The Loving Stitch in Surrey has always been my shopping store for fabric, especially the precuts, as well as charts, floss and kits. Online shopping has a place, in fact is probably part of the reason for changes locally but it doesn't replace going into a stitching shop and enjoying the bliss.

As you can see I managed some stash enhancement.


My current wip is coming along quite nicely. I'm still getting used to the stand arrangement.

There are some new photos added below.

it's been a month

I can't believe that a month ago today I was in hospital and having surgery. And I'm learning to keep asking health questions. To date some of the 'recommended' is not working at all, in fact causing me more problems. Bottom line, I am feeling better. Now it's time for more exercise, eat differently and keep focus on the future.

This morning as well as working on Il Futuro, I've been busy looking at patterns on line. And I did download some freebies (not as though I don't have enough to keep me busy already). Aurytm.com has some wonderful charts, freebies and ones to purchase. Also, two charts that look really tempting are Tranquility by Janlynn (shells) and Caribbean Mandala by Chatelaine. Looking doesn't cost!!

It might be spring but it hasn't warmed up alot. The blossom trees outside our windows are almost ready to pop. I'm looking forward to taking some pictures....soon

Tomorrow, it's spring.....

We've got sunshine and blue skies today and tomorrow and then it's back to rain. Spring in BC for sure. With the mild winter many of the trees are fully out in blossom, along with all the other spring flowers. Beautiful to look at. The sunshine feels great.

I don't know where my week has gone since last posting. It is easy to keep busy at home as there is more than enough to catch up on...like ironing :(. I'm feeling better but careful what I do, eat, etc.

With a new project decided on , I went to my LNS last saturday to pick up some of the colors required, along with a new Qsnap (11 x 17). With a new project ready and a new Qsnap I figured it was time to actually use my floor stand. Two handed stitching is wonderful! I should have done this years ago. The trip out to my LNS was good for morale. It's always fun to see the new charts, check out the floss and fabric. And yes, I dug into my stash and found some fabric to use. It is amazing what one finds in the stash box!!

Till next time.

A finish for 2010

Starting a new project is always exciting but it doesn't compete with actually getting it finished! I started this little Lanarte kit early in the new year. And during my hospital time, it kept me busy, thank heavens for stitching!!

And my next project, hum, UFO's (yes plural) or something new. I downloaded a chart from Passione Ricamo, a freebie, called "The Future" and from By the Bay Needle art, free bunny 2010 so it's a hard choice.

Daylight savings times begins on Sunday. The longer days are wonderful!