Spring is coming .. with an update

Since my last post we have had "Snowzilla" here in the Washington DC suburbs and along the east coast.  I got some stitching done, along with alot floor washing.. so here we go..

28ct evenweave and Forest Green Gumnuts Silk

Ive got a little more than half to do of the first page.. It took me awhile to get use to the fabric, but I'm now please with choice.   Evenweave though not linen (the more traditional fabric)is alot easier for me to stitch with and on.  So let the progress continue.. I just wish I could work out a rotation, for my other WIPs.

So on the 23 Jan we received "Snowzilla". Here is what the snow looked like from our deck.. My husband was kind enough to shovel a path for me, and clear some away so I can feed the birds and squirrels.  Usually I do it, but since last winter we have discovered that I have Osteoporosis on top of Osteoarthritis, so he didn't want to risk me damaging or breaking something.  Luckily the snow was a dry one, therefore not to heavy.. my birds were so frustrated they couldn't get to the food which they knew was under snow.. I put it on the bench and there is always remnants.. 

See all the tracks.. the deer came down to eat the apples, and I saw our resident fox every morning while the snow was on the hills.  You can't see him in the woods normally, but we hear him.. We have screened porch, which you can see the corner of on one of the pictures.. the cats love to keep a watch on the squirrels, birds, raccoon, chipmunks and the dogs when the come out next door. The also keep me posted when the little black cat is on the steps at the end of porch,  I'm also working on befriending him but he's feral. so far can just feed but if he sees us or when I come out to feed him, he takes off.. 

So I will leave with brother and sister (they are by another father, but Annie is their mother)..

Rory is the B&W, Mortitia is the black short hair.. the little feral cat is her size..

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Do I like it, can't decide, and have you heard?

 I ended up restarting "Do Bears" Long Dog Sampler.  I was just having a hard time working over one on the linen, stitches would slide and disappear or no matter what I did they just would not lay straight.  So I decided to resort to my old standbay Evenweave (should of used it to begin with).  I order some Fabric Flair Stone, which I didn't realize was overly hand-dyed..  So without further ado here is my new start..

Now for comparison here is my previous start on the linen.

 

In the bottom picture, I'm using DMC 761, and in the upper one (new start) Im using my favorite silk, Gumnuts Forest Green (the have hue of 4 variations its the darkest). 

So while I was waiting for the new evenweave, I went back to "Quaker Virtues" by ByGoneStttches.  

Here is the progress so far...

Laguna Evenweave, Ivory with Gumnuts Denim

Hopefully if the power holds out while we get this storm coming to Virginia and up the coast, I will be able to do some stitching.  However, I told my husband this was coming a week ago. Nor'easters are never good. ( I needed to take another science for my degree, so I took a weather class, learned alot about maps. Thankfully, the temps and humidity are warming up for today and onward, which is a BIG help.  When we had snowmaggedon, in 2010, we did not have power for 4 days, the power line at the end of drive snapped and down it went in the street.  We couldn't get our street plowed till it was repaired.  It was a mess, and it was so cold, we huddled the kittens, to keep them warm, but they got kitty colds.  The cold came in with the snow.  But fortunately, there is warming with this snow ... but since I don't drive, I can't get to store, so we have to plan so carefully.  Paul picked up some milk and some more logs and filled his tank.  He will come home early tomorrow, because they are going shut down trains from DC over the weekend. But we are so hoping it's not as bad and we can get to the store Sunday, or Monday night if he can get to work Monday, if not perhaps Monday.  We have food and I order the kitties food from Chewy.com, every two weeks.

I have been feeding and trying to be friendly with feral black year old cat, I"m really worried about this baby, I will clear deck like I always do when it snows.  I feed racoons, squirrels and birds, and now the baby.  I will make a place for its food.  So say pray for this little one.

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Happy New Year

 As with tradition for all stitchers, I made a new start for the New Year.   I also joined a group called "Long Dog Samplers-Designed by Julia Lane Stitch-A-Long" on Facebook.  The goal is to stitch a "Long Dog Sampler Design" within the year, there is no time limit other than the year, no pressure, just joy in sharing your progress.  The other great thing is that you can pick any Long Dog Sampler you choose.  So, I picked "Do Bears"  I have had this one in my stash for a long time.. and wanted to get it done..

Do Bears - 28 ct Ivory, DMC 561, Over One

As noted in the caption, I'm stitching over one, and using DMC 561 on Ivory Cashel Linen.  I also had to employ the marking off  of 10 stitches (squares) in order to keep track of length, using a basting stitch that easily be removed when done. My plan is alternate this with my Ann Grimshaw..

So did everyone watch Downton Abbey last night... it sad to see it go.  Did you know that Julian Fellowes has book that he's releasing in installments, called "Belgravia" it sounds interesting.   I did some checking on Amazon (my favorite resource) and you can get it for your kindle, but it won't be out till March.  Speaking of Sir Julian, our PBS did run two episodes of "Julian Fellowes-Great Houses" I enjoyed it, and discovered through youtube that there was a series, but so far all they have shown was two..oh well, who knows.  As I said its sad to see Downton go,  but I understand the why and wherefores.. but I would like to see a spin off of sorts with stories of the younger ones..upstairs and downstairs. What do you think?

Anyway on to household things, washing clothes, cleaning and the like..plus I'm organizing my office and throwing out things to get my genealogy in better order so I can proceed.  I have death, birth, and marriage certificates to get.  Plus copies of my parents 301 files, with the Federal Government.  My mother retired as GS13 in 1980, unheard of now a days for anyone without a college degree.   She did the budget for weapons they are using now in Iraq like the "Abrams" tank. and the "Apache" Helicopter.  My dad went from the career Navy, to a government civilian career, he died while he putting in his retirement papers (he knew he had terminal cancer). There is so much about that part of their careers that I need to know and want to know to pass down and document.  Also those records give you schools and references that can help, as you look as their career.  So that's the goal in the genealogy area.  So meanwhle I have Lucy helping with unpacking of the cat food (with 9 cats) we have food/litter delivered every two weeks from Chewy.com (its cheaper and easier)... she keeps her eye on things...

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Merry Christmas to all...

Christmas seem to come so fast this year, one minute it was Thanksgiving and now its that blessed time "Christmas" wow where has the time gone.  I have been busy stitching away when I can since I started Ann Grimshaw... so here's an update

28 ct Ivory Cashel, Mulberry Gumnuts Silk, 1:1

I haven't been doing any genealogy stuff, probably won't resume in earnest till after the new year, but you never know.  I have been organizing my office and doing other stuff instead, like a little online shopping.  I have really been enjoy the holiday movies on TCM.. 

TCM Holiday Snapshots
Earlier this week a fan reached out wanting to see all the holiday spots we show on the air. We made this reel for him, and we hope you enjoy seeing this too. Happy holidays from everyone here at TCM!
Posted by Turner Classic Movies: TCM on Thursday, December 17, 2015

So Merry Christmas from warm Washington DC...

 

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