Red Winter Gift and Shawl

Hello my fellow stitchers and I hope I'm finding you in good health.....physically and mentally.  My mental health has flown the coop and I'm running on batteries that have long lost their power.  I don't know what upsets me more....the Coronavirus or the unhealthy state that our country is in. I cannot believe that we are allowing criminals to tear down our historic statues and that they are getting away with it.   Both has me madder than a wet hen but there's nothing I can do about either one.  

I have finished the lady part of Red Winter Gift and it's looking pretty nice on the snowflake fabric.  I'm changing a lot of the dmc colors to silks because......well just because.  I've stitched a few Mirabilia designs but this one for some reason I am enjoying more.  It might be the bright colors or the subject....Christmas....but it's been fun to stitch.

My Halloween shawl is coming along.  I'm now in to the dark red portion of the yarn cake and heading home to the black.  I think I'm going to order a ball of just the black and made the edging a little bit wider.  I think the size of this shawl can carry it with no problem.  In case you are wondering what pattern I am using, it's called "Hourglass" and you can find it on Ravelry.

Summer has hit Orlando with full force and it's so humid you can barely stand it.  I know I have yard work to do but I just can't stand the heat very much as I get older.  Peyton and I took  the kids to Sea World the other day but we didn't stay very long.  We have season tickets and they come in handy.  Not too many people were there and you had to wear your mask unless you were eating or drinking.  They also had shady rest areas where you could take your mask off.  At least they are giving people a chance to relax and enjoy while out in that heat.  We ran into a family from Pennsylvania and they couldn't believe how hot it was.  We told them they were lucky that they were there before July, August and September hit.  

Everyone  please stay safe and healthy this summer and say a prayer that the hurricanes we are sure to get are mild ones.  

Blessings, Barbara

Checking In and a Giveaway

I hope everyone is still hanging in there strong with what's going on in our country and that your family and you are okay.  

I did a little finish by Heart In Hand called "Heart ware Bee" and it is a quick and fun stitch.

I've decided to give this pattern away and if you're interested just make a comment to this post and I'll pull a name on friday evening.  This pattern is just small (4 x 5) so it will fit in a small envelope and it's also in a plastic holder because of the little beads.  I did not touch the pattern when stitching the design because I could see through the holder to do it.  Make sense?  There are also enough beads to do the design also.  Let's keep this to the US only please.

I've started a new shawl in a Melody By Woltraum yarn which goes from baby yellow to black and I'm enjoying working on it and am waiting impatiently for it to get to the oranges and reds.

I've always wanted to make a hap shawl and I finally found one that is crocheted.  My knitting skills aren't what they use to be so I decided crochet was the only way to go.  This is what I found...

It's a free pattern on Ravelry called "Shoal" and uses over 4,000 yards of fingering weight yarn.  I have plenty of yarn to stitch this but it's just making up my mind as to what colors to use.

I also have something to share with you that I purchased on Amazon.  These are reusable zip lock bags made of silicone and are great for holding projects and threads.  There are several different brands and mine were made by Wattne.  You can write on them the project name but I prefer to just slip a piece of paper in it that has the name on.  That way they stay neat and clean.

Please stay safe amongst  all that is happening and I hope our Country can heal itself quickly and safely.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Blessings, Barbara

Leu Gardens

I think I made a comment about us going to Leu Gardens and we went today.  I think we walked about 3 miles (or it at least felt like it) in the balmy 90 degree heat.  We did see some beautiful flowers and I thought I'd share them.

God's creations are beautiful!

Blessings, Barbara

Here it is the 19th of May and the year is almost half over.  I wonder how many of you have taken advantage of the freedom we've been given in your areas.  Peyton and I took the kids to the mall yesterday and there was hardly anyone there.  In the food court only 3 places were open to get food at and we picked Chick fil a  because of the reputation they have for being clean.  All the tables were 6 feet apart and everyone that worked in the mall were wearing masks.  Not too many patrons had them on.  I did and so did the kids but not Peyton.  Because of her Trigeminal Neuralgia it hurts her something fierce to wear one so I don't blame her for not.  These are masks I made the boys and they think it's a great game to play.  You can see the knots of the elastic because I hadn't tried them on when this was taken and once I knew they fit okay, I pulled the knots into the seams so they were hidden.

I have been working on a cowl for myself and it's one I made before and I love it.  This one was made using a wool yarn from Twisted Hues on Etsy.  Love the colors and I can wear it with so many different tops.

Over Mother's Day weekend we took a trip to Tampa.  Peyton's husband John always visits his Mother's grave on that day and they invited me along.  He wanted me to take a picture of the kids beside their Grandmother's grave.  

And here they are at the bay picking up shells.

Speaking of kids, here's the newest one enjoying her first meal of macaroni and cheese and can you tell she loves it!!

I  started a small design to work at the same time I'm working on the large Mirabilia.  This one is by Plum Street Samplers and is called "Black Cherry Tart (Jack's Sweet Shoppe).  I'm stitching it on 32ct. Valor from Picture This Plus.  

And last but not least my little finish of a Jeannette Douglas freebie to Be Well.  I love her colors.  I added the tiny bee at the bottom just to make it personal.

I'm gathering the parts to the Fat Quarter Shop SAL and I'm not so sure I'm going to stitch it.  I'm waiting for the last 2 parts before deciding.

Well my hubby was denied short term disability so we wasted all this time when he could of been receiving unemployment.  He put in for it last week so who knows when he might receive it.  Like everything else during this time... be patient.  Don't know about you but I'm tired of hearing that phrase.

We are going to Lei Gardens this Thursday to get the kids outside so they can run off some energy.  I wish someone could explain to me why gyms and workout centers were allowed to reopen but not playgrounds.  Trust me in this hot sun here in Florida, no virus is going to live for long on playground equipment.

Please stay healthy where you are 

and many Blessings Upon You,

Barbara

A New Start

Good evening ladies and I hope all of you are in fine fiddle these days.  Anyone else getting the heeby jeebys?  I did go to my LNS yesterday.  She was only letting one person in at a time and you had to make an appointment.  Mine was very expensive.  LOL

Remember the Shepherd's Bush pattern that I didn't have the legend for?  Well I finished it and I really do like it.  I used only silks on it of various brands and I happen to like mine better than the original.  I finally found a picture of what it should look like:

But this one is mine:

I truly like how mine turned out and it was  fun picking my own colors instead of going by the designer.

I started a Mirabilia design called Red Winter Gift and I'm stitching it on a piece of 30ct. snowflake printed fabric by The Primitive Hare.  I love how it's turning out.

This is what it will look like ....except with the printed snowflake fabric .....when finished.

I hope all of you are taking the proper precautions set out by our government but I really do think it's time to reopen.  Too many people are out of work and with the proper handling, I can't see any problem with some businesses opening.  JMO

Have you ladies seen this:

It's a limited edition by With My Needle and Thread and only so many copies will be made.  Get yours from your LNS or online.  Mine is already reserved.

Blessings, Barbara

Hope Everyone is Healthy

We are here and I'm hoping that all of my followers are also healthy.  I heard some disturbing news yesterday and I just can't wrap my mind around why they are doing this.  Two doctors in California made a video and posted it on Youtube about how their hospital is forcing them to add Covid-19 to death certificates even though they are sure that patient didn't have the virus.  This makes no sense to me.  Why would they be doing this?  Youtube has pulled the video from their website because of what they call "misunderstandings".  What?  These doctors are on the front line and should be listened to.  And what's up with our Vice President going to John Hopkins Hospital and refusing to put a mask on?   This is not the time to play games.  He should obey the laws just like everyone else has to.  

I've been busy stitching and finished two little designs.  The second one I don't even remember who the designer was so if you know please tell me.  The first was by Jeannette Douglas .

This one is a BBD design called "Waiting for the Harvest" and I'm stitching it on a Painter's Thread fabric called Klimt and the rick rack and the single loop embellishment will be used when I do the finishing part.  I'm stitching it with DMC 3371.  I love this fabric and they have some very unusual dye colors that they use.  I have three other pieces that are different colors that I'm saving for something special.

Here I'm getting together some threads and fabric that I want to stitch a sampler with.  I'm using a medium grey fabric from Access Commodities that really shows off the pinks, burgundies and purples.  Can't wait to start that one/.

I also have a problem with a Shepherd's Bush pattern that I have.  I made my working copy and then sold the original.  Now I can't find the legend that tells me what colors to use.  I've come up with the idea that I'm just going to pick my own and see what happens.  The poem on it reads "She tends her garden of gladness and fears nurtured with love and watered with tears".  I just love that saying.  So wish me luck on that one.

Also remember the shawl "my fair lady".  Well I've determined that I am not suppose to make that and have given up on it.  I found a nicer yarn to work with but I just couldn't stop making mistakes and these I would find after I had done more rows.  So that one I'm giving up on and that's hard for me to do.

Stay safe, keep stitching and many Blessings to all,

Barbara

Update:  I was told the wrong information about Vice President Pence and I would like to set the record straight.  It was not John Hopkins but the Mayo Clinic and they have an option of wearing a mask or not.  I don't want to be the spreader of wrong information.  Thanks

Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope - Live From Duomo di Milano

I hope you enjoy this beautiful music and that he gives you hope that some time this will be over and our lives will return to normal.

I did start My Fair Lady shawl over again but going in a completely different direction.  If you remember the movie there are two times that she wears a white gown.  At the horse races where it is white and black and then at the ball where it is all white with lots of sparkles.  Well I've picked a yarn that starts out white and ends up black and in the black section which will be the outside edge of the shawl I will be adding beads to give it that sparkle.  Wish me luck that I finally get this shawl finished that I so love.

Blessings Upon All This Easter Sunday,

Barbara

Bored Bored Bored

I have discovered something.  When I have the decision of whether or not I want to go someplace I feel good and want to do a lot of stitching.....BUT when someone tells me I can't go anyplace then I can't find anything interesting to do.  Am I the only one?

I did stitch The Drawn Thread's freebie "Be Well" and finished it up today into a coaster for my tea cup.  Here it is all finished.

I came across something interesting at The Fat Quarter Shop.  They are hosting a SAL and the price is really quite reasonable.  This is a shop exclusive cross stitch design and is very spring looking.

Here is the web page if you are interested in joining. 

https://www.fatquartershop.com/feels-like-home-downloadable-pdf-cross-stitch-pattern-series

I went to Costco today at 7 am and found the line already forming.  My hubby and I are okay with everything we need but the kids needed some TP and paper towels.  They had a policewoman there in case anything got out of hand but everyone acted accordingly and it went smoothly.  

My hubby has gone on disability because his doctor does not want him around anyone until this pandemic is over.  He has no immune system to speak of so he wouldn't be able to fight this virus very well.  Every time I leave I wear a mask and as soon as I get home I take a hot shower.  So far we have been making it work with him working from home and it's great that his company is allowing it.  Where he works is considered "essential" because they have government contracts that must be finished on time.  

I hope every one has been in good health and have had no complications from this virus.  I say prayers every night for the families who have lost loved ones  and are going thru terrible times.  Please stay well and I send my blessings to each and every one of my readers.  I might not comment on many blogs but I do get inspiration from all of you and I thank you for that.  We as a town, city, state, country and world will get thru this with God's help.

Blessings, Barbara