Great sunny day!

Today has been a great day- I spent the morning doing chores and taking the dogs for a walk. Then this afternoon I went to hobby lobby to get a seam ripper and some cross stitch floss. I ended up leaving with a bunch of new scrapbook paper and stickers as well :)

Here is just a sample of some of the prints I picked out- I am excited about the camoflage one in the middle- I think hubby will like it a lot.


Then when I got home from that relaxing trip I check the mail and I find this package- it is a snowman from the round robin I started several years ago and I never got back (well I still haven't got mine back yet) but this one is adorable and I was so excited that Robin stitched it up for me. Haven't decided how to finish it yet but I know it will be on display when winter rolls around! She also sent some stamped cards that are really cute. Robin is very creative and makes great jewelry as well as stamping and cross stitching... visit her blog here. Just made my day.


Happy stitching everyone!

Has it really been a month?

Well, one of my goals was to post more this month, but that apparently didn't happen- oh well, that is just how life goes... But I did finish a project! My first cross stitch project I have worked on since February! This is Forever Friends Bear, I finished it for a round robin that was started several years ago and never finished by one of the participants. Sadly she still has my snowman I started and I haven't been able to get in touch with her. But I hope Robin enjoys the bear and it brings her joy :)

I did finish the outside squares on my quilt... but then had a minor setback. Apparently when I basted together the back and front of the quilt the backing didn't go all the way to the edge on one corner. I had to trim an inch off of each side- but that made all my quilting on the outside squares look funny- so now I am in the process of tearing out the old quilting and re-hand quilting it. But, still pretty close to being done, and I got all of my binding stitched, pressed and ready to go.
This is a pic of my little sweetheart Penny, playing at the beach :) She is such a silly dog!

Recap of my July goals:

1. Finish quilting the border of the quilt.- Yes and No, did finish it :), but having to redo it :(
2.Work on a round robin cross stitch project- Forever Friends Bear- Yes, done and sent out!
3.Start on Lizzie Kate- Dogs leave paw prints on your heart.- Nope

August goals:

1. Finish quilting the border of the quilt.
2. Start on Lizzie Kate- Dogs leave paw prints on your heart.
3. Start on 4th Classic Care Bear for baby quilt.

Loving all the May flowers

Well- I started this post a couple days ago and am just getting ready to post it :) Spring just gets soo busy.

April Goals-

1.Quilt 30 squares- Not sure- I have quilted some but am too busy right now to count where I am at- will count next month :)

2. Trey's Birthday Present-finished - I love it and hope he does to. It is a memory game made of fabric that has pictures of all of his family members on it.

This was a fairly easy project- printed photos on fabric printer sheets- cut them to specific size - then sewed a layer of batting and fabric on the back. This is the bag I made to hold the memory squares.

A sampling of the photos and other fabric squares in the game


The birthday boy opening his present

3. Quilted pillow for couch- peicing is completed on one of the pillows and I still need to hand quilt it. Love the way the peicing turned out. I haven't taken a pic yet- hopefully soon.

4. Triathlon training-Yup- less than 2 months to the triathlon so I have kicked it into higher gear- this may have a negative effect on my crafting but I will definitely stitch more once the triathlon is over. This weekend I ran 6 miles on Saturday, biked 45 minutes yesterday and swam 21 minutes yesterday. I am exhausted.

Goals for May coming this weekend!!! I may have to cut back on goals so I don't feel so disappointed :)

Monday, Monday- don't trust that day!

Hey all in blog land, hope everyone's week is off to a good start. Mine hasn't been too bad- had a long day at work and then a Mary Kay party!

This month has been crazy busy so far- did get some crafting done and hope to get some more done before the end of the month. I have one quilted pillow pieced and stenciled and ready to hand quilt.

We did have our first garden harvest of salad and radishes this weekend- makes me VERY excited for the summer.

I have fallen behind on my blog surfing so I need to catch up some time this week! Happy stitching and crafting to everyone!!

Ahh- it has almost been a month since I have last posted- too much going on lately I geuss. I have been able to keep up on browsing other blogs, just haven't had time to post!

The biggest news is that we have a new addition to the family this weekend- Penny! She is a 7 week old vizsla and she is just precious. Scout was a little jealous at first but now she is getting used to her- cuddling on the couch with each other right now.

This is Scout and her playing in the back yard this afternoon.

Review my goals-
1.Quilt 30 squares- Did better than that- progress going good! 146/320 - 45% done!! I got 53 squares done this month

2. Finish Hunting Companions- this is my husband's goal for me, as the piece is for him.- Didn't finish this one- but I did get quite a bit done. Here is a pic of my progress- you can almost tell it is going to be a dog!
3. Keep training for triathlon- not a craft goal but has to be done :)- Been doing pretty well with this, I did get sick during the last week of March and training was put on hold but now I am back in the swing of things!
And to wish everyone happy spring I will post a picture of the beautiful flowers that Bret planted for me several years ago.

April Goals-
1. 30 quilt squares
2.Trey's birthday present
3.Quilted pillow for couch
4.Triathlon training

Time to take the Christmas Tree Down.

Christmas was great this year.. I got to give some hand made gifts and I hope that they are enjoyed. I made Molly Monkey for my niece Marley and she loved it. I also made initial plaques for my sister, my parents and my in-laws.
Marley, her doll and my sister on Christmas morning.

Scout got to go quail hunting this Christmas and she did very good at helping to find the birds!


December Goals-
1. Christmas presents (several home made things and buying some)-Yup!
2. Birth Announcement (finish and frame)-Almost finished- Kinsley was born on 12-28 and I finished the details of her birthdate and weight yesterday. I need to get some other things to frame it, so this may not happen until the weekend.
3. Also worked on Vegetable Wreath- made some progress but not enough to post a new pic.

Well, I have been really pleased with how much having this blog has helped me keep working on crafts and stitching projects that I really wanted to get done. I have also enjoyed reading others blogs and have found lots of motivation from them. My blogiversary is coming up in February- maybe I will have to do something special for that.

Goals for 2010-
1.Finish the quilt by July- I have 320 squares on the quilt, about 15 are quilted (5% done). My goal is to finish at least 50 squares each month. This will take some effort, but I really want to finish this project.
2. Do a triathlon in June- Already training, just have to keep going :)
3. Start Marley's Rag Quilt
4. Continue to work on current WIP's- no specific goals for finishing them.

Halloween Costume Weekend

Last weekend I finished up my October (only a few weeks late) and November calendar titles. I still need to stuff these a stitch them up, but they are most of the way done. Here they are on this sweet platter that my sister gave me for my birthday (Thanks Dunia!)

These past few weeks I have been working on my quilt. My mother and I spent about 6 hours getting it basted and I have been spending free weekends and evenings hand stitching. Here is an example of my stitches. Hand quilting is difficult for my, but I am hoping with practice it will get easier.

This weekend I decided to start on my Halloween costume. I didn't really have an idea of what to go as, but I decided to be a deer. I made the antlers from sticks, masking tape, paint and a headband. I found a pic online of a deer face painting. This is attempt #2 for the paint and I have a few things in mind to change, but I am excited for it to turn out. This is what DH is going as... get it, A hunter and his "dear". But this is his normal weekend gear!

Scout has even got in on the Halloween action. I sewed her this bandana this morning for Halloween. Doesn't she look thrilled :).

I have had a little bit of time to work on the birth announcement so it is coming along. Happy stitching and thanks for visiting my blog!

September is almost over!!

Well, I haven't posted much this month, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy and getting some crafts done.
I had said I was going to post on my progress on my training for the race, but I didn't really, but we finished the race on September 12. It was a 6.5 mile trail run. Me and two of my sisters did it. It was fun, but it rained the night before and that morning, so it was REALLY muddy. I did walk some of it, but I felt good about my finish.
This month Scout also turned one! I made a cake for her and she loved it, but ate a little too much!

This Saturday we had CRAFT DAY!! It was great. Me , my Mom, 3 of my sisters, and my cousin got together to work on crafts.

My Mom worked on organizing photos and scrapbooking.

Amy worked on unraveling her daughters yarn :) And organizing magazines


Ellen worked on sewing pillows and knitting


Camille made cards.
Dunia worked on her curtains and I worked on my quilt.


Today I worked on making Elderberry jelly and pickled anehiem peppers. I made japeleno jelly last week. I am happy with how much canning we got done this summer!

And the big news for today- I finished piecing my quilt together. This is what it looks like on the bed, too bad it won't be there for a while, I am going to hand quilt it so it will take some time. But I am excited about it.

I forgot that I need to finish my October cross stitch by Thursday. I know what I will be doing the next few days!
Happy stitching and crafting!!

Back from Vacay, So reviewing my goals a little late!

We just got back from Florida yesterday. We left on August 1st so I didn't really have time to review my goals, but vacation was awesome. We went to butterfly world, went on an Everglades tour, went to the beach several times, went parasailing and went snorkeling! All super fun and I also got a lot of stitching finished on the plane rides!

Today when we got back though, Scout was mad at us. She wouldn't pay any attention to us and kept pouting and whining. After a little while I think she forgave us for leaving her and started cuddling and playing.

Anyways, here goes my stitching update!!

Goals for July-
1. Work on quilt- get all pieces cut and 1/2 of quilt pieced together- Kind of Finished. I had this goal completed until we decided to make the quilt bigger (queen size)- I have most of the pieces cut out and all of the fabric purchased. At least 1/2 of the main part is pieced together.
2. Work on pepper embroidery on towels- Finished. I got the second one done on the plane.
3. August Calendar ornament- Stitched, and I stitched September too.4. Not a goal, but I did work a little on my vegetable wreath.

August Goals-
1. Get quilt all pieced together and ready to be quilted.
2. Get caught up on scrapbooking.
3. Work on Vegetable Wreath cross stitch
4. Get baby birth announcement picked out and purchased.

Quick Update

Well, I haven't posted in a little while, but that's just because I have been so darn busy!

Progress this month: I have over half of the quilt pieced together. But then we decided to make it a queen sized quilt, so I have some border pieces to cut. Once I get those cut I will probably take a short break on this project.

I have also got one of the pepper towels finished and started on the second.

We have mostly been spending extra time canning. We have made a batch of pickles, a batch of salsa, and a batch of diced tomatoes. We plan on doing a batch of salsa today.

This weekend is the county fair. I entered my "Touching the Autumn Sky" and "2006 Cherub". I am a little nervous about how they will do, but it was fun to put them on display at least.

Running has been going well. Yesterday was the first workout that I didn't get done. Last week was 20 min on Mon,Wed, Fri and 30 minutes on Saturday. This week was 20 minutes on Mon and Wed, Skipped Fri workout. 40 minutes today, and 20 minutes(Friday make-up) tomorrow. I feel like I am in a lot better shape already.

a boogity boo

I had a great weekend with lots of things happening. I went to a wedding on Saturday and got to see my niece and nephews. Then Bret and I made pickles!!! They are so good and I am super excited about them. This was my first expirience with canning by myself, so I am happy they turned out well. I am looking forward to making salsa and tomato sauce this year too!

I also got all of the squares cut out for the quilt. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would and I hope to start sewing it together this week. I hope that I don't get really frustrated with it, as that is what has happened before with some sewing projects. But I laid part of the design out and I really like the way that it looks, so I can just imagine how great it will look when it is sewn together.

One last thing, today I started my training for a 6.5 trail race in September so I will be updating on that on here too. I ran about 2 miles this AM and plan to run again Wed. and Fri. mornings.

Fourth of July!

This past weekend was great. I didn't get too much done on my stitching, but I did get a lot of fun family time in. On the drive to my aunt's house I did start a new project- some tea towels for a friend's wedding present. I got 1/2 of the first one done, but probably won't post these until after the wedding.

I did get to visit one of my great aunts and see how many cross stitches she had in her apartment. When we were little she used to crochet us dolls and toys and I always remembered that. I didn't really remember all of the cross stitch she did, but I didn't start stitching until a few years ago. But I thought it was neat to share a hobby with such a great lady.

I have been pretty busy this week (and sick). Got a little bit cut out of the quilt squares, but not much else. Scout got spayed today, so i will need to be taking care of her now. Happy stitching!

Night at the lake and a weekend of finishing off projects!

This weekend was a productive one. We didn't have too much to do so I was able to finish some projects that I had already stitched. I framed my 2006 Cherub. I have multiple matching 4X6 frames like this one so I may need to do a set of Christmas stitches to go with this Cherub.

On Saturday Bret and I got together with one of my sister's family and my Dad (the rest of the fam was out of town) to celebrate father's day. We made shish kabobs which were delicious! It was a good time and was nice for a relaxing evening.

Sunday I got a lot done around the house and was able to finish off the July ornament (below). Now I am exactly 1/2 way finished with the year!

On Sunday we also got Scout a new pillow. We went for a bike ride and she ran along and was completely pooped afterward. Here she is relaxing on her pillow.

This weekend I also made good progress on Under the Friendship Tree. I am close to my goal for this stitching round and then will move on to another project. I didn't get to work on it tonight, we went and had a picnic at the lake. One of my good friends from school and her fiance moved back to town and we went out to the lake. We had a good picnic and got to swim. Scout had an awesome time splashing in the waves.
Happy Stitching!

Tuesday, Tuesday

I am getting so close to finished on my Mirabilia Angel. I have just a little beading left and am waiting on my metallic thread to come in the mail (hopefully tomorrow).

This evening I wasn't able to stitch, we had a get together for a friends birthday and tomorrow night I am going to watch "He's just not that into you" with my sisters. It will be fun, but my goal is to finish the angel by Saturday!

I need a finish!!

It is almost the end of May and my stitching has been minimal this month.:(
I don't have too much planned this weekend so hopefully I will be able to get a lot done on the Mirabilia Angel. I have made good progress thus far, but still have a ways to go.
This past week has been long, but fun. We went to a bed and breakfast last weekend for our 1 year anniversary. It was great to get away and just chill out. Then this week one of my favorite musicians had a concert on Tuesday night. I spent the rest of the week recovering from staying up late! But, it is the weekend now and I just have to get the house clean, fix dinner and then I can relax (and stitch)!

Beginning of April

Since it is the first day of a new month I thought I would review how I did on my goals for the last month and make some new goals for April.

Goals for March stitching-
Get April and May month stitched. - Finished April, but not May
Finish off Feb, March, April and May stitches. - All but May
Finish perpetual calendar.- Finished!! (well, the base and numbers, and is hanging in my cubicle)
Work on Under the Friendship Tree by Mirabilia. -Worked on it!
-Also been working on my Vegetable Wreath

So I feel I did well on goals for last month.

Goals for April stitching
1. Finish stitching and finishing off May and July for calendar.
2. Work on Vegetable Wreath
3. Get English Pointer pattern put together (putting together a couple patterns to make a piece for my husband)
4. Work on Mirabilia angel (possibly finish it ??)

On another note, this week has been hard. I have not been feeling well, my sinuses are killing me and work has been long (d/t not feeling well). Also a lot of my friends have been getting laid off and it just makes me worry. Makes me worry for them, for me, for my family members, for my husband and just makes me nervous in general.

I did hang up my calendar at work and my co-workers like it a lot. Well, off to finish dinner.