"Merry Christmas"

Design By

Country Cottage Needlework

2011 JCS Ornament Issue

Stitched over one on 32 count Lugana

Petite Christmas Angel SAL - Week 2

This is my Week 2 progress.  I still have the beading and backstitching to do, but I'm liking the hand dyed threads I've picked.  I am getting excited and anxious to get the backstitching done on the wings.  Backstitching isn't my favorite parts of a project, but I think it will really define the wings.  We move on to the skirt for Week 3.

Signs of Spring

The Resurrection Lilies are coming up!  It seems early this year, but I guess that's because we've had such a mild winter. 

Other signs of spring:

Bugs.  We never actually got rid of the box elder bugs or the Asian beetles from the fall harvest.  When we have sunny days, those bugs seem to multiply and we have them everywhere again.

The local ice cream shop opened last week, parking lots are being sectioned off for the lawn and garden supplies, lots more birds singing in the morning, it's daylight when I get up in the morning and it's daylight when we eat dinner.

My "Companion" Dog

I always say Dottie is my "companion" dog because she is always by my side.  I can't even go to the bathroom without her pushing the door open and walking in!

But, today while I was working in my sewing/craft room, Dottie disappeared.  Usually she is laying on the floor by my feet.  So, I went looking for her...

...caught her in the act of relaxing on DD's bed!  DD is away at college and Dottie must be missing her, but because Dottie sheds so much, DD usually doesn't let Dottie lay on her bed.


Mom Update:  We saw the oncologist today.  While there has been a slight improvement, the numbers are still too far from normal.  The doctor wants to try another 4 weeks of the once a week treatments and run all the tests again.  The doctor also informed us that mom's kidney function has decreased, but he isn't sure if it's due to the treatments or progression of her kidney disease.


The oncologist also ordered an MRI of the left ear, head and neck because there are some swollen and very painful lymph nodes on the left side.  That's also the ear that has the most hearing loss.  The doctor said he also wants to rule out tumors in that area.

Until next time...
Happy Stitchin'

Another Finish!

"Joy"

Design by

Blackbird Designs

In My Mailbox...

My nephew's son just turned 10.  I love that he sent a thank you note, but I especially love what he wrote:

Right to the point!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My creative mind has been working overtime.  I've been creating and stitching in my dreams and I've taken some inspiration from them to design a small piece.

A friend challenged me with a Pay It Forward task.  I hope to be able to show you more soon, but for now you'll just have to wonder what I've been creating, lol.

Until next time...
Happy Stitchin'

1st 2012 Ornament Finish

I did it!  I have my 1st finish of the 2012 Ornament SAL.  I opted for simple finishing for this one.  Not sure why, but that's what my inner creative voice said to do, so I listened to that voice.

I like the quilt square I chose for the back of this ornie.  My photos don't do the colors justice, but the colors really are rich and vibrant.

I'm finding that my garage sale find of a bag of hundreds of simple quilt block squares is coming in handy.  I only paid $3 for the whole bag and there are 4 inch squares, 6 inch squares and 8 inch squares in all sorts of themes.

On to other things -- I have a winter small to complete for an exchange I'm in, so that's next on my list!

Until next time...
Happy Stitchin'