G is For ...

"G" is for ... _____.

 I started a new cross stitch project over the weekend.

It is not the project mentioned here.

I was distracted by a ...

Dreami

Those pesky little squirrels get me all the time.

This one found me yesterday as a Slow Sunday Stitching project. 

Any guesses as to what this critter might be named?

A Good Day To Sit and Stitch

 

After a day or two on more thinking than stitching on my 

 October Halloween Stitch Along @ Pine Needles

I added the block that says "WHO ..." which was designed to look like this:

Pine Needles SAL Block 13

In the original layout this block would appear to the right of the owl,

but because I changed the layout and added the Block 12 Owl in

a different spot with the wreath already on the right, I have to improvise.

I also had to frog a few leaf stitches out on my tree and extend it to the left.

Well, maybe I did not "have to" but I wanted to play.

I am happy with the design change and how this is working up. 

Now I am figuring where to put the rest of the blocks

 that I need to add to catch up. 

Tomorrow there will be a new block.

I am hoping this will be a good weekend for sitting and stitching.

What are your plans?

May you and yours have a happy weekend!

Halloween Stitch Along ~ Day 2

I could not resist this fun, free Halloween Stitch Along! 

Day 2 is done for the 

 October Halloween Stitch Along @ Pine Needles

Day 1 was the the black grid, but I did not have time to complete it.

I will be continuing to add the grid one frame at a time

as I stitch the motifs each day.

 

Free Daily Patterns ~ Download Here

I am using colors from my DMC stash. 

My cloth is also from my stash and is a hand-dyed 11 count Aida.

As I am a slow stitcher,  I am hoping I am able to keep up.

I carried it with me and stitched while I chatted 

at a family backyard barbecue today.

Linking up with

UlRIKES SMAATING

and

Patchwork & Quilts

and

Slow Stitching Sunday

So much inspiration in the links! 

Update: 

I am slowly stitching Day 3. 

This is fun! 

Cross Stitch Start Do Over

This was my progress this morning on my 

Feels Like Home Cross Stitch Along

Shop Here for Feels Like Home Mystery Cross Stitch Pattern and Supplies

Yes ... this is progress.

One step back to go one step forward.

I started this project Here on May 1st

Then I started feeling unsure about the colors in the thread pack.

I like aqua, but, I was not sure I liked to aqua for this project.

I like to match my floss colors to the fabric that has inspired the stitching.

I love this bluebird fabric and want to use it to frame the stitchery.

So I found some other blue DMC floss online and ordered.

The new colors arrived yesterday.

I think these are a much better match to the fabric.

Mr Scrapatch says these are much better.

Mr Scrapatch is true blue. 

Maestro was very excited about getting the new blues onto the little llama floss bobbins.

Actually Maestro wants to carry these little llamas away in her teeth.

Maestro is so very helpful.

So I wound new little llama floss bobbins and began again.

These little llama floss bobbins may be found here @ FQS

Maestro says your kitties will love them.

This is my real progress today.

It was very cold and windy and a good day to stay indoors and stitch.

I like the contrast and these blues for the bluebird much better.

Waiting for new floss and picking out the aquas was well worth the time and effort.

I plan to finish stitching the birdie tomorrow. 

My you and yours have a happy, healthy and safe weekend. 

:-) 

More Happy Day Mail

This  arrived in the mail today!

This happy mail surprise was in the first shipment of the

Stitch Quarterly Club @ Fat Quarter Shop

This project bag has been shown on the

 FQS FlossTube Livestreams

so I do not feel it is  a spoiler.

This sneak peek also appeared 

Here on the FQS Cross Stitch FB Page

I saw the sunflower and I was hooked.

I Love Sunflowers! 

 However ...

Spoiler Alert!  ... if you subscribed to this quarterly stitch club

and have not received your shipment and want to be surprised,

stop reading.

<

<

<

If you want to see what goodies were in this pretty project bag,

continue reading. 

>

>

>

This is what peeked out of the bag when I unzipped it.

This is what was in the bag.

I love everything about this:

the pattern, the colors, the fabric flair barnboard aida cloth,

the needle minder box and magnet and needle ...

everything needed to stitch this project 
... and a bag to carry it while I am stitching.

The new Cross Stitch Key 

looks like a very helpful ruler, too.

I am looking forward to these surprise packages four times in the next year.

To Subscribe Click Here

and you will receive the NEXT quarterly shipment.

 The March package is sold out,

but there is a chance a few might become available

Click on the "Notifly Me" Link Here

and you might be able to snag one.

I am working on other projects right now but plan to 

carry this one with me to work on it when I am on the go.

I am a happy stitcher today.

Sweet Stitching Dreams!

Slow Stitching Family Day

Today is Family Time.

We will be gathering at my younger son's house for his first Easter in his new home.

I will be bringing my 

Quilter's Cottage Cross Stitch

along with me for to enjoy some stitching with the 

lovely stitchers at 

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts

I got way behind in this stitch-along at one point and although it has

officially ended, I am still slowly stitching.

I took this outside one warm sunny day recently to sit on our yard swing

 and enjoy some lazy swinging and stitching,

but I could not get quite comfortable holding the frame

and my hands tired quickly.

So I have invested in a good wooden lap stand that will support my expanded Q-Snap frame.

This is a Z-Frame from K's Creations

I purchased only the lap stand with no frame.
It is made oak and it is solid without feeling too heavy. 

I can hold a smaller frame  without a stand but the enlarged frame
 was making my wrist very tired

and a lap pillow did not help much.

It just felt awkward.

This frame works very well for two hand stitching.

I am changing up the colors in the floss to make this my own.

As we will be gathered together for several hours

and they are doing the cooking and hosting,

I am bringing my cross stitch with me to keep my hands busy.

I am taking the lap frame, too.

Looking forward to a slow day of family and fun and stitching.

May you and yours have a Happy Easter !

Happy "I Like Thursday"

I have fallen behind on my

 Quilters' Cottage Cross Stitch Stitch Along

I made a count error on the pattern and had to do some ripping out.

I left one small spacing error but 

after much dithering I have decided not to change it.

I am also changing up the colors in the quilts on the line

and calling it all a "design option." 

I will catch up by next Wednesday, I hope.

Managing my quilting and cross stitching time and other needs

has been a bit of an adjustment.

I am caught up with swap blocks

and am working on a few other quilt along blocks.

In my quilt blog readings I just visited

I Like Thursdays @ Home Sewn By Us

which has a thread trail back to

I Like Thursdays @ Not Afraid of Color

I like Thursdays,
so I have decided to join in the fun.

This is my 1st "I Like Thursdays" post.

My quilty helper,  Maestro, has paw-sitively approved this post,
 and helped me make

This Block.

I like kitties and all furry friends.

This is my 59th blog post of the year.

I decided to post daily this year

just as a personal challenge.

Two months down, ten to go.

Thanks to all who read my ramblings!

:-)