Halloween Time for Melissa

Melissa has received the Halloween Tree Ornament that I stitched for her for the HoE Halloween Exchange... I stumbled across this cute freebie while surfing one day, and here is the result...

R.I.P. Ornament

The Stitcherhood - chart is here 

Kiwi Illusions 28 ct Pumice Lugana, DMC Floss

For Karen and Brenda...

I received lots of good news yesterday, with ornaments shipped off having been received at their new homes.... always such a relief! First, Karen let me know that she received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange. I made her a tiny one, as I have noticed in recent years that her Christmas trees have been quite wee...

Joyful Ornament My Big Toe Designs 2013 JCS Christmas Ornament Preview Issue R&R  Reproductions 40 ct Creme Brulee Linen, WDW Floss   Karen also received my annual Christmas Ornament that I make for her...

St. Nicholas Ornament The Prairie Schooler R&R Reproductions 40 ct Creme Brulee Linen, DMC Floss   And...my old, dear stitching friend, Brenda (no blog, darn, not yet at least...) has received a little something I stitched for her tree too...

Seven Pines Ornament Little House Needleworks Freebie in LHN Blog, forgot to grab the link 36 ct Dirty Edinburgh Linen, CC Floss

Christmas Star Ornament for Melissa

I have heard that Melissa has received the latest HoE Christmas Ornament round from me. We were to select either an LHN, CCN or Just Nan Christmas ornament to stitch. I chose a JN freebie from very long ago that I have always wanted to stitch. Lacking enough petite gold beads to stitch it, though, I chose to use RG Petite Treasure Braid and use xstitch where the beads would have been.... I like the final effect.

Christmas Star Ornament Just Nan 32 ct Antique Blue linen, DMC Floss, RG Petite Treasure Braid    

Stay tuned for a huge update on Santa's Village sometime this week ;-)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to my dear stitching friends! I know something looks really strange below... other than the photo being a bit overexposed because I just do not have this photography talent... I loved this little Oakhaven Yahoo Group freebie that came out last year... I started it at some point, got annoyed by the many color changes in the lettering, tucked it away... and just found it a few days ago while tidying up a little bit in my stash room. So, I managed to finish it last night, still in 2012, so I figure it's all good, right?

Happy New Year 2012 Oakhaven Designs 32 ct Silvery Moon Linen, DMC Floss 2012 was a mixed year for me. My NH psychotherapy practice, although is only one day a week, has begun to take off quite well. My MA practice continues to thrive. I am contracted with more health insurance companies than I can count, and as a result, I do get a really nice mix of different types of clients and issues to address. This year has brought more relationship and marriage counseling to my practice than ever before. My CE (continuing education) was off the charts this year. I seem to be addicted to continuing education. I think that points to my innate desire to get my doctorate, but my age and wanting to keep our finances stable as we spiral towards the last decade before retirement age keeps me from doing anything at all with that desire. The time has come to think about retirement planning, not spending $200-$300K on more education. It just cannot be. On the health front, well I still have my tinnitus and my really pain neck, shoulders and back. I have come to the conclusion that the two issues are likely not related. Still without any health insurance here, I do my best to make the most of any appt I do get with any doctor. It is unfortunate that my neck, shoulder and back issues likely come from stitching - as in very poor, curled up, leaning to the left posture when stitching. When I grip my stitching I feel pain for a bit, then it passes. Next day it is awful in my left wrist and hand. Huh. My tinnitus appears to be linked to my deviated septum and bone spur in my left nostril. Really, really need to see my ENT and see what we can do about it, and what that will cost. I have an orthotic for TMJ now, and my headaches are signficantly relieved by this, at times... the little electric shocks under my skin from menopause cause me great confusion re: my TMJ as at times the shocks (hormone decline) sometimes are like a starburst in back of my head or curl up as if from my jaws to the top of my head. That is that on the health front. It is why I do not stitch or blog much any longer. Am on Facebook, though. Nice to see some of you over there. In general, I have to pace myself better in all areas of my life. Hoping for the best for all of you in 2013!!

2012 Christmas Freebie Ornament

Carol of iStitch Designs asked me a few days ago if I had the time to stitch up her Christmas freebie for her... sure, I told her... now she has the photo and it is linked in her blog, so I can share it...

2012 Christmas Freebie Ornament iStitch Designs - link found here 32 ct Olive Green Belfast Linen, WDW in Bordeaux and Blue Spruce Stitched one over one

Christmas Hearts Ornament

Well, OK, I am still stitching Christmas ornaments on a pretty regular basis here. I figure it is because it still very much looks like Christmas here. While my pals and family down south are happily reporting to me (all the time) that spring has arrived for them, it is still ultra snowy, very cold and oh so icy here in NH. I am home today due to severe ice this morning. I heard there were 12 rollover accidents between here and the Massachusetts border this morning, at the height of the morning commute. Glad I did stay home! I would have rolled or been stuck behind a rollover for most of the morning anyhow... hurry up Spring, this is getting to be pretty cruel and unusual punishment for us New Englanders now...

So, here is what I stitched this weekend, and just now did the finishing... a gentle reminder to myself of just how much I hate working with Kreinik blending filament!

Christmas Hearts Ornament
Just Nan - chart available HERE
32 ct Flax Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Kreinik Blending Filament, SJ Designs Beads

Several of you have asked for details on the 1999 JCS Ornament Issue I have available... it is not officially sold yet. I offered to the first stitcher who asked, and now she has not gotten back to me. I will offer to the next in line tonight if she does not reply to my email...thanks for the strong interest in the magazine, and I hope to get it off to its new owner soooo soon!




Currently Stitching: a Christmas ornament, Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, and Winter at Beacon House