October and November Updates

Hello Friends, Life got away from me too... am combining October and November in one post...looks better that way 😁  I did get quite a bit done...

Let's see, what did I get done...  I finished up redagape's Casual Granny CAL.  I love how this blanket turned out.  I used only SSDK from my stash for this project, which began in February.  In all, I used Fondant, Apricot, Lemon, Violet, Bluebell, Pistachio, Cloud Blue, Wisteria, Spring Green, White, Citron, Aspen, Parma Violet and Soft Peach in varying amounts.  I had several balls of Mushroom and it worked well for the finishing.  I did not care for how the designer joined the squares, and she had little or no border on her blanket.  I chose to use a flat braid join and one of Edie Eckman's borders to finish mine off.  I think it worked out well.

I also finished the Atlanticus Blanket which I previewed in my last post.  I used Chimera Lion Brand Mandala yarn.  This took me quite a while... count, rip out, count and recount again....  Worth it in the end.  This is a Christmas gift for a very unsuspecting family member 😉

For a friend, I stitched Penguin Joy by Heart in Hand Needleart on a scrap of R&R Reproductions 30 ct Busy Bee Blend linen.  Fun, quick stitch.

Super excited that tomorrow I shall deliver this slightly early birthday gift to someone special.  I made another Lilliana Blanket by Hooked on Sunshine.  She likes peach and aqua together, and had to make this when I discovered Sea Breeze Lion Brand Cupcake yarn.  Prettier than I ever thought it would be, yet hard to photograph since winter arrived very early here...

Still on the Lilliana theme, for some time now I kept thinking the pattern would adapt well to a pillow.  It did.  Here is my effort in Balloons Lion Brand Cupcake on a 16" pillow form.  I grabbed the Edie Eckman book again to add a border.  Very colorful and sweet.

I present to you the 2018 Christmas freebie from iStitch Designs.  Carol asked me to stitch a model for her, and I was happy to oblige.  I chose 40 ct Lambswool linen, the called for DMC floss and a gold beaded edge.  Again, the dark winter sky is my foe for picture taking...  Carol made such a pretty design.  I hope many stitchers choose to make this one up. 🎄

Amelia will be 2 tomorrow.  Her party theme is Under the Sea.  I bought her winter clothes, though.  Had to whip up this Willa the Whale by One and Two Company to put atop her gift bag, keeping with the theme.  I used King Cole Splash DK in Apricot and SSDK in Spring Green and Spice.  I think the colors are surely cheerful.

And, Mom has a birthday this weekend too!  I made this Willow Blanket in 2016.  The color recipe is by The Patchwork Heart and is done in SSDK.  I again used an Edie Eckman border.  I had immediately tucked this away after I had blocked it, knowing I would eventually know who needed it...  tomorrow it will be gifted to Mom ❤🎁❄

Oh, and Miss Amelia is snuggling here with my hubby a few weeks ago...growing fast!!

Christmas gifts for a friend

I made a box of Christmas treats for my old friend Brenda, and yesterday they arrived safely in Texas. A whole lot of crocheting, and a little bit of cross stitch too....

I made another Around the Bases CAL afghan, this time for Brenda...may she and her family be warm all winter long. This is one very heavy blanket, again using scrap yarn.

The center for this afghan is highlighted here. I chose a quartet of flower blocks for my sunny friend. She is thrilled, warms my heart.

And for her tree... Heart in Hand Woodland Peace on 32 ct Country Grain Belfast linen :-)

Lots of Christmas ornaments!!

I have a few Christmas ornaments to share.... cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted. So much going on, I wish I had more time to stitch.

I sent this "Christmas Ornament" to Brendon for the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange... not Christmasy? I know. But, Brendon loves the Giants and I know that... I sucked it up as a Red Sox fan and stitched this for him. I thought of adding a little holly or something, but my eyes were so buggy as I was between prescriptions at the time, and thought... this is good! Hey, I have NE Patriots ornaments that just say NE Patriots on my tree... typical US sports fan stuff...lol. Anyhow, I know he loves it!

This is the beauty I received from Kathy K. for the same exchange... love, love, love it! Cannot get enough BRD ornaments on my tree!! Thank you so much Kathy, so beautifully stitched and finished.

Now... on to ornaments I have been blessed to receive this year :-) This sweet little German angel is stitched by my beloved Marie P. So very, very sweet!

And dearest Andrea added this stunning addition for our tree!

While sweet, sweet Katrina sent me this cutie...

And the ever so kind and thoughtful Margaret sent me this sweet thing - a Barbara Ana freebie from a FB group, and she tweeked the colors thusly... awesome!

So, I stitched a few gifts... this is for Brenda, one of my oldest and dearest pals... my hand tremors are often very bad (neurologist says there is no diagnosis, so not sure what is up)... best pick I could get with the tremors acting up so badly and could not go outside for a better pic due to snow... Holly Jolly Ornament Heart in Hand 40 ct Vintage Country Mocha Linen, GAST and WDW Floss

For Katrina... Peace Dove Ornament JBW Designs in 2014 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue 32 ct Antique White Belfast Linen, Stranded by the Sea Floss in Majestic Angelfish

For Karen K. ... Rejoice Ornament Lizzie Kate - Flora McSample 2012 36 ct Fawn Lakeside Linens, WDW Floss

For Andrea... Christmas Alphabet Ornament Heart in Hand - FB Freebie 32 ct Driftwood Linen, GAST and WDW Floss

For Margaret... Believe Ornament Lizzie Kate - Flora McSample 2012 36 ct Fawn Lakeside Linens, WDW Floss Unfortunately, my tremors did not allow me to get even a relatively decent pic of the ornament I stitched for Marie P. I will wait until she posts a pic and grab hers...