Christmas is almost here...

Yes it is, just a week away.  I spent the day wrapping packages.. and cleaning.  Its been the first day that I finally felt halfway decent.  I have had a crappy cold all week, but its getting gone.  Since I have to some other household preps, one for a new dryer.  Ours is making the worst squealing nose, which the bearings on the drum.  Its not worth getting repaired we have had it for 10 years, so Tuesday we have a new one coming.

I have gotten some stitching done since last we talked, mostly on Hope, Love and Peace.

40 ct Newcastle, Gumnuts Silks Denim and Mulberry

I have gotten a few more letters done on Jan Houtman's 9-11.  I might some of that to post next time. 

So I leave you with Annie and Beau..

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Happy "Post" Thanksgiving...

I have been stitching away about both 9-11 and Hope, Love and Peace.. so here is an update

40ct Ricamo, Gumnuts Silks, my convesion

40ct White Newcastle, Gumnuts Silks Denim and Mulberry

 

 

 

 I haven't done as much as I would like on my JH 9-11, I have some up and down days with teeth issues.  Went to the dentist last week to find that a root canal I had done, many moons ago, is deteriorating under the crown, which is why I have pain.  The tooth beside it also cracked when repaired and I had extracted. So now this.. thank goodness for appearance sake they are all back molers however, I will need a bridge or implants.  Great!  My family history with teeth is not good, so no matter what precautions and care, they still give out on you, well me anyway.  Can't this work done till January because of husbands schedule.  I will just keep on Motrin till then.

PD James (Baroness of Holland Park)

On a sad note I was saddened read of the death of PD James, she was one of my favorite Mystery writers.   I hope you had a chance to catch her latest work, "Death Comes to Pemberly" it was so good.  My only complaint is the costumes seem to be stuck on the same colors for the actors.  If they ever repeat it and you haven't seen it, take a look.  Its Pride and Prejudice (the lovely Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth) with a mystery twist.

Well on to some Black Friday online things.. and other daily doings.. enjoy the stitch..
 

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Well here's to a new start...

I have been working diligently on two samplers...   A new one by Carolina House Samplers called Hope and Peace,  by Carol Standing Webb, I really love her designs.. so here is my progress after a week.

Linen: 40 ct White Zweigert, Threads: Gumnuts Silk, Denim and Mulberry

You can find Carol's Designs ABC Stitchery and Kelmscott Designs, here's the cover...

So along with Peace and Hope, I will show you how I'm doing with Jan's 9-11..

Linen: 40ct Ricamo, Threads: Gumnuts Silks-my own conversion

Fall is coming to end slowly here in Aquia, Virginia.. the leaves all golden.  We are having some cool days along with some warmer days like day in the 60's, one last sputter so the cats can still enjoy their porch and sunshine...

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NOW HEAR THIS! Sampler Charts, Linen and Threads give away....

Yes, the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a free give away, but there are some rules you have to follow to win... So check her blog to enter and perhaps win.. She designs some beauties!  She also has threads and linen.. So take a chance..

Here's her blog:  http://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/


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Hello to all.. updates and more updates...

Hello to all, I am finally back stitching and my routine..  Going into the end of Spring things started falling apart. Two or our cats starting failing.  They both had hyperthyroidism so we knew that their life expectancy was long,  So first it was Edward in the early hours of Memorial Day, he passed on.  For three weeks I couldn't stop crying, every picture, every thought and complete emptiness of him.  Then Nelly started going down fast, and passed after my birthday.  She had done well though she lived to be 21, our second cat to live that long.  You can read Edward's Memorial's here, and Nelly's Memorial here.

                                                          (Edward 1999-2014)

                                                            (Nelly 1993-2014)

So once I got past everything and started getting the summer together, I got into a clearing out mode which actually inspired me to pick up a needle finally this fall.  So here is my progress with the Jan Houtman's 9-11

                            JH 9-11 40 ct Ricamo Newcastle, Gumnuts Silks                   

                  

I have also started a smaller piece, but it is still in early stages, so you will have to wait till next time.  Oh there will be a next time, I'm back into a routine now and I intend to keep my friends posted.

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Two months ago...

JH 9-11, Gumnuts Silks on Newcastle Cream

I thought I would be near the finish line, but alas it's not to be.   Between the snow, and other things that took be away from stitching, its still not finished.  Im determined to finish by the end of March (but I think its going to be more like the end of April).  I'm working on away to move it upstairs so I can stitch when Im resting my back and knees (my arthritis with all this damp and cold) have been really keeping me looking for easier pain control.

I also have been working more on office type stuff, such as getting genealogy records caught up, filing and throwing out stuff, and taxes and other financials. Some times I have to do my wifely chores.  

So since its St Patty's day, Rory would like to wish you well... he's also my computer helper. Also here's a look at the latest snow, and what DC hopes will be the LAST... because winter has definitely outstayed its welcome..

From my back deck, into the woods

We got about 4", it didn't hit the roads at all but the kids were still out of school. 

My cleared off area for the birds and squirrels, they were singing and waiting for me...

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Slow progress....

It has gone a bit slower the past few days, I had others things taking away my stitching time.  I had my sciatica kick in , so sitting for long periods were little difficult.  So here is where we are.....

40ct Newcastle Cream, with Gumnuts and HDF Silks.

I just have the right side to finish... then on to the Our Father which I'm doing in English.  I'm not sure I will make my goal for the end of January, I keep marching on...

I guess all of you have seen Downton Abbey, episode 3, wow was that a shocker!.  Poor Anna, and like many of you I didn't get much sleep it really bothered me.  it took me awhile but, I can see why she won't tell Bates, because she's right he would kill him.  I feel that there might be justice on the horizon, because Mrs. Hughes knows and she saw the state Green was in when he came back to the concert.  If you belong to any of the Pages on Facebook, there is one for Downton Abbey, another for Downton Abbey Season 4, and a Fan club.  People are so hot on this subject, swearing they will never watch again.  I posted that I guess no one remember PBS "Jewel In The Crown" 1984.   It is a classic book from the four written by Paul Scott "The Raj Quartet".  It was set in  late 1930's just as WWII was starting and Mr. Ghandi wanted Independence for India.  So a few episodes into the story, they showed a nice love making scene between Hari (Art Malik, and Indian) and Daphne Manners (Susan Woolridge) an English Lady, it was very discretely done.  Then they get attacked by four Muslim boys who gang rape Daphne and tie up Hari.  It was done very well, you didn't see anything much and you got the idea and horror.

In today's world rape is still an issue and in this country and UK, but woman are not treated as property anymore, and have more rights (however that does not heal the situation)  but it helps more than it did in 1920 when woman had NO rights.  In India woman still have no rights, and gang rape still continues.. so these issues are relevant to depict in historical and social story lines.  I didn't stop watching "Jewel In The Crown"and I won't stop watching "Downton Abbey. 

Here some input from UK Paper.  And don't forget SHERLOCK started Sunday, 19th after Downton.

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Boy is it cold....

The Polar Vortex did visit Virginia, and my arthritis felt every bit of it.  The temps were 11 at night and 20 in the daytime, believe me 24 hrs of this is enough. I feel for people in Minnesota and Michigan.  It was 38 down in Florida where my son lives.   In the district it did reach single digits at night.  So to combat the pain in my back, where I have osteoarthritis, and I also have scoliosis, I sat with heating pad and stitched along, while transferring CSPan's American Presidents series (they re-ran it in October through December).  The series was originally filmed in 1999.  I recorded Coolidge through Carter.  They also began their new series of First Ladies, so they would show the President on Sunday night, and the corresponding First Lady on Monday night.  They stopped at Christmas with Jimmy Carter, but are starting January 12th, with Pres Reagan followed up by Nancy Reagan and the other Presidents.  So I will have more to do for Daniel, but right now he's getting Coolidge through Carter, along with the other things see previous posts.

So here's the progress...

JH 9-11, 40ct Cream Newcastle, Gumnuts and HDF Silks.  On K's Creation Floorstand.

Yes I did take out some that was already there.  The date was wrong and when I started doing the column of colors next to MI, it was out of alignment, so I had to take all of it out and now Im putting it all back as work to the right.  I have set a goal for myself to finish by the end of January, keep your fingers crossed.  Also I have stitching questions, do any of you sew when stitch or do punch?  I stitch but I have the hardest time keeping the thread from twisting all the time.  Any suggestions? Please post a comment and let me know or email me.

I also want to mention, that Viki Clayton HDF, is great.. I'm using her color Umbrage (DMC 833) for the gold color, well I ran out (I used some from another project, like we all do)anyway I ordered during Christmas and New Years and she turned it right around) she's great.  I had gotten her conversion, but I didn't like some of the colors, so that's when I switched them out for Gumnuts instead.  But don't get me wrong I do love Viki's colors.  I'm using them for the redo "Happy Christmas" which I will start again later in the Spring.  (I tell you all the story of what happened to the first one later)

Also how did you like the beginning of Downtown?  I can't stand Braithwaite, and I thought they had gotten rid of her, but obviously she has succeeded in lying her way into Downton.  And what kind of Nanny is that? what a witch.  I figured last season they had set it up for O'Brien to leave and go work for Shrimpie and wife, but as I said Braithwaite is no alternative.  Husband is anxiously awaiting Sherlock, but right now he's content with two more seasons of Jonathan Creek he got for Christmas, I will have to get him another season for Valentines day. If they ever show Jonathan Creek, with Alan Davies on your PBS or BBC America give it ago, or get it from Netflix.  Its great.  We mostly like mysteries, some drama's and history here.

So for now I will leave with or new addition to the Zoo, Bao Bao, the new baby Panda. (click the link and enjoy)

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