This is Halloween SAL I am doing with a few ladies. I have a strong start.  I like stitching on it but its only on Monday to Wednesday.  By time Wednesday comes along,  my groove is going strong and I don't want to put it down.

What am I doing on Thursday to Sunday?  Well, I am doing some UFOs.  Sunday I picked out Lizzie Kate ABC Lessons.  I didn't get much done. It was very hot and humid plus my air conditioner didn't get into my window until Sunday evening.

This picture show I did finish the word friendship, the rose, the bu
butterfly and the letter Q. I will be getting back to this one in 2 weeks.

This is Halloween House and it went into  the garbage.  What went wrong?  Not thinking and being careless with scissors.   I stitched the left side on Friday and Saturday.  When I was stitching the pumpkin I realize I was missing a row.  It drove me nuts on where I lost it. The gate bars on the right, one with the big pumpkin, is off one stitch.  Now I figure I had to frog everything I stitched.  So I started cutting at top of the left, half way through, I yelled "You Idiot!!" to myself. All I had to do was frog the pumpkins, bottom of the gates, and the grass. Duh! I was almost done than the scissors slipped. By then i lost all my patience, which is hard to do, and threw out the piece.  I don't think I ever threw a piece out before. I did find another piece of fabric and dyed it a blue color. I will probably restarted Halloween  House in 2 weeks.

This house is a freebie from gazette94. I am trying to stitch on it a little each day. Last few days have not been successful.  There is a lot of blue. I do like the pattern.

.Snow by Shepherd Bush

Sassy Fabby's Berry Burst 28 ct  lugana

Recommend threads

I was looking for something in my stash and I came across this, almost finished. I even had 2012 in the corner.  I don't know why I didn't finish  it.  I know it was a Christmas gift from one of my exchanges in 2011 and I started while I was visiting my friend in Virginia. It came out adorable.

This week I will be working on Time To Go and Gaze.  I will try show my progress on Monday.  I was trying to do this week's update on Monday but blogger was not behaving very well. I will leave you with a couple pictures of the moon on June 23rd.It was beautiful and peaceful.

Hugs, Vicky 

Stitching update

Where did the time go? It seems to be flying out of my reach lately, and I haven't done anything special.  Can it stop for a few minutes so I can catch my breath? I really have not been stitching much.  I think the computer is the collaborate, as usual,lol. Here is a couple on my works in progress:

 This one is Halloween House and you can see I did a couple of pumpkins and little of the grass. Definitely will be working more on the grass and the boarder next time I stitched on this one.

This one is Born Shopper.  She is coming along and I do like the colors.  I want to get back to her soon. I will be doing the scarf next, where the red line is and hopefully some of the white next time.

I did a couple of Disney's ornaments for a RR.  I love the fabric because it sparkles.  The patterns were a little tough to read because the backstitching was very thick and there were a few quarter and three-fourths stitches right next to the lines.  They were quick to do and did both of them in one week.  The  characters are Lady from "Lady and the Tramp" and Ariel, from "The Little Mermaid".  Lady reminds me of Ryleigh, my friend's cocker spaniel.  Ryleigh and Ginger are now living in Florida, as my friend and her husband prepares the next step in their journey of living in Korea for the next two years.

The pictures above is part of a online class I am taking with one of my Yahoo's group.  I will be putting a stitched piece on a wooden box.  I stitched "Dream" by Joan Elliot on 32 count Rocky Mountain Purple lugana fabric.  I love her patterns.  Matter of fact, her pattern "Sleeping Beauty" will be in the next Cross Stitch Gold magazine. I will be buying it.  I stained the box a Mahogany Bay color.  I will be making a couple of these boxes in the near future for gifts. This one will be going to one of my sisters.

I am stitching a mail art envelope so I can not show that one yet.  I received mine from my partner, Shari. She did a great job and included some extras, needles and floss.  A girl can never have too much of floss and needles.  I covered the information for privacy.  My father brought in the mail and handed to me saying "That is so cool!". He liked it alot.  Thank you Shari!

I had went to a ortho doctor, because my right knee keeps dislocating.  Once it does, I can't walk with out pain until the next day.  The results is severe case of arthritis and my knee cap is off.  I do have it on my left knee, too, but not as bad.  I have two options, to get a artificial knee replacement or cortisone shots, but it will be in the future.  No doctor is not going want to put me under right now and with the weight, finding my joints will be hard for the needles.  It is one step at a time right now and maybe in a year, the knee replacement will be an option.  I am doing good on Weight Watchers. I lost a total of 11 pounds, including the first 7 pounds I gained in the first two weeks.  My leader thinks I am doing great, too.  The weather had been terrible last couple weeks but today it was finally cleared up.  I will be going back to my walking and so looking forward to it. 

Thank you for reading and leaving and comments you wish to leave behind.
Many hugs, Vicky

Birthday cards and gifts, Exchange and IHSW

My birthday was this past Saturday and I turned 42 years old. I didn't do anything special with my family. No one had any money but I am fine with that. My aunt is taking me to see The Music Man being  played next Sunday at the Thomasaton Opera House.  I worked there for a couple weeks a few years ago, and it is a beautiful historical building.  I am looking forward to seeing the musical.  It is one of my favorites.

I am in a few birthday clubs in my groups. I didn't count the cards but I did get several cards and skeins of beautiful color threads.

From my Stitching Sisters group

from my ILCSing yahoo group

 The next three pictures are from ILCS yahoo group, ( a different group from above).  Some of the cards got into the pictures twice but I only got 2 same cards but from two different groups.

In my Stitcherhood group I got these lovely gifts:

From Chele LHN Coffee Menu with Crescent Colors Joshua Tree, Little Brown House,and Toasted Marshmallow and Piecemakers  Needles 26. The threads go with the pattern.

From Janet Hinzeit  Chocolate with charms-adorable!

From Tonya Country Cottage  Designs Ice Cream Sundae and Pie Menu

From  Georgena Sue Hillis Happy Stitching and  Piecemakers needles

From Ethel Brittercup Designs Haunt the Night Away and Britty Kitties IV Dmc 809, 823 and Carrie's Threads Black Cherry

???? Mirabilia Midsummer Eve's Fairy I have no idea who the gifter is but whoever you are, thank you!

From Mary Nora Corbett Lady Slipper Garden Pixie with the beads, Kreinik thread and material that goes with the pattern and LHN 2012 Quaker Birds ornament pattern.

 I also received $35 gift certificates from Carrie, Cindy and Sierra.  I will be getting some material and 11x11 q-snaps with the gcs.  Thank you so much everyone for the gifts, cards and birthday wishes.

Mixed  with the packages was my gift from the Valentine competition I won last month.  I didn't want to open any packages early and didn't know the moderator was going to send the prize from 123Stitch.  I was surprised when I read the invoice because I forgot about it. Thank you Shelley for organizing and sending me the prize and everyone who voted for me!

Lizzie Kate Think Spring, John James needles and 28 count Moss Green Lugana

Mary Louise send me a lovely card and Lizzie Kate Summer Sampler.  We have been chatting 2 or 3 times a week due to both of us on Weight Watchers.  We have been encouraging each other and chatting of our stitching. I have been enjoying our chats.

The picture above are the cards and floss I received on Monday (today).  My celebrations just continues, lol.

 I joined the Spring into Easter exchange with the Stitching with Love Exchange blog.  I sent the above to Expel of Hungary.  I stitched Lizzie Kate Spring Sampler and finished into a mini pillow. I included a Shephard's Bush Pattern, needleminder, 40 count linen, needles, threads, and fabric. I haven't heard from her yet but I do know she received it. I hope she likes everything.

Fiona send me a Easter package.  She send some beautiful ribbons, a Glendon Place free chart, the recent Cross Stitcher issue, a piece of green evenweave, Valadini threads, and a pair of green with white polka dot scissors.  Thank you Fiona!

Now on to the International Hermit and  Stitch Weekend.  It fell on my birthday weekend and I did so some stitching and here is my progress:

 I finished part  3 of Lavender Blue.  I need to finish part 4 before I get the other two parts.

 Saturday night I stitched some more on Born Shopper.  I decided to add blending filiament to the white when I get to it.  It may take a little longer but will be worth it.

I stitched a little on my Halloween House like I wanted to do before the week was up.  The picture is not great because it was a cloudy day. I am glad I stitched on this piece.   I took out my Mirabilia Enchanted Mermaid on Sunday night.  I was hoping to make progress on the face.  Well, I missed a row at the top of the face and didn't noticed it until I was at her lips area.  So I had to rip all the stitches I made on her which means no picture on her progress.  I will see if I get back to her this coming weekend, how well I do my stitching exchanges this week.

Thank you for lasting this long and reaching the end of the post.  I hoped you enjoyed reading it.  I will be posting a giveaway in a week or two.  I am still getting it together. 

Many hugs,
Vicky

Update, winner and pizza!

 I am a little late for this update.  The above picture is my LHN Peppermint Twist as of last Thursday on Feb 2.  I might be able to  finish it off on Thursday if I don't get pick for a jury.

This my Halloween House update as of week before on January 27.  I was too tired to stitch last Friday.  I had went to lunch  with a friend that day and it tuckered me out.   We had went to Friendly's and I had the fried clam strips and a caramel sundae.  We went to the graveyard  to say a prayer for Mom.  I think I might have been emotionally tired because I tried to take a nap but I just couldn't sleep.

Than my round robins came in last week.  The ladies did a wonderful job on each ornament.  I  love them all. What is odd I was suppose to get Vickie H.'s first but I got mine before Vickie's.  I am still waiting for Vickie's so I can stitch her piece.

LHN Snow Bunnies in Just Cross Stitch Christimas issue on Sassy

's Fabbys Cheryl's Bouquet~Vickie H

Dragon Dreams Checking It Twice JCS Christmas 2007 on Sassy's Fabbys Snowflake~Sandy R

Water's Edge Santa and Rudolph JCS Christmas 2004 on Sassy's Fabbys Snowflake~Judith L.

Stitched by Berly  (Kim)  M.  from JCS Christmas 2007 on blue aida

I do have my first finish but I can not show it yet.  It is a bookmark for an exchange. 

Winner

I am sorry announcing the winner.  I put the names in a jar and had my father pick a name.  There  were 22 contestants and Berly of  New Year!   Congratulations Berly! The box will be on your way soon.
No worries for those who didn't win, I will be doing another giveaway this  weekend.   Stay tune!

PIZZA!! 

I watched the Super Bowl game this past Sunday.  It is usually the only football game I watch through out their season.  I am just not a big fan.  By living in Connecticut, there is this rivalry for NY or New England, I really couldn't help to get into the game this year.  I did pick the Giants to win and since my father and brother were hoping for them too, I didn't make a bet with them.  I didn't go to a party but I could have gone to my friend's house, but she is a HUGE Patriot fan so I told her I didn't want to see a grown woman cry when they lose.  I sure was not expecting to be eating my own words,lol.  I made homemade pizza and chicken wings for my own party.  Here is the  pictures of the food I made. 

Pizza with bacon, onions and mushrooms~my favorite toppings!

BBQ Chicken Wings

Pizza~half sausage for Dad, and other half, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and bacon.

 The only thing wrong it was very greasy. I need to find a way to cut that down.  I haven't made pizza in years. 

Many hugs,
Vicky

Halloween House update and exchanges

Dragon Dreams Summer Magic

Most of you know I have been stitching on one of my UFOs, Dragon Dreams and I was able to backstitch the first half of the design. It really made it pop!  I was done on Wednesday night and I had started the other half too.  Not much is done but I will be back stitching it today.  Thursday I needed a break so I started on Peppermint Twist by Little House.  The picture above is what I accomplished. I think every Thursday, I will be stitching on a Christmas related piece.

 This is week 2 on my Halloween House SAL. I, also, stitched it on Saturday.   I just didn't want  to put it away for another week yet. You can barely see the ghost by the green roof, except for the tail.  I am not  sure how much I will get done next Friday.  I will be packing to head back home to cold Connecticut.

 

 

This is my friend's Christmas tree. I love it and it is so pretty.  It is still up, lol.

 A journal and a  day book from Vickie H for the 12 Days of Christmas exchange. The  Jane Austen daybook came from England and so far I am writing in it everyday.

 More gifts:  a scissors fob with a crown at the end, metallic threads, 3 pieces of material: purple,  green and cream with gold speckles, and a few ornament kits with the threads,patterns from JCS 2011 magazine and material.

The last two days I had opened 2 kits: Lizzie Kate Boxer Summer and Sunset Bag Ladies.  It is a kitty pattern and I love it.  Not sure when I will get to it.   The last pictures are the pets, Zoey and Sammy.

Isn't she a little princess sleeping on the pillow, which is  the perfect size for her.

Sammy

Many hugs,
Vicky