Stitch Maynia Day #4

I'm still in the game but I'm wondering how people rotate in the SM projects after May.  I 'May' have to research that topic.  I ran up town and got a few more essentials.  I'll go to Walmart Monday, I think.  The rains are gone....for now and we just have a pollen alert.
I did work on SM Day #4 project...........it's another free pattern but I don't know where I got it...'Santa Was Here'....should be fairly quick.....just some cookies and lettering.........cute!

  Here's a closer look....

 In seeing all the projects others are working on for SM......there are so many I want to stitch but this one is at the top of the list.....a woman stitched it and then used her Grandmother's buttons to decorate it.........how meaningful........ 

 Here's the charm pack you can get to go with it............precious! 

I also received 2 treasures in the mail!  One from my daughter......a Mother's Day Card to beat all Mother's Day cards.....take a look..........

a pop-up card!  Hilarious!  This is an original for sure!  Thank you dear daughter!  Happy Mother's Day to you too....you're the one on 'active duty'!  Me, I'm just laying around being 're-tired'! LOL!

 Then from a fellow cross stitcher in California I received  a package of free charts she printed off and a new pattern that she wasn' t going to use but it's going to be a gift for someone so I cannot show you that one...but maybe tomorrow on YOP!
 I love bluebirds and the vintage look....this was one chart of many...........I have been really blessed this week!

  I hope you had a great Saturday.  I know I did because I didn't do much! LOL!
Oh, but I did order my needed floss and some needed material and organized my xs projects.
Happy Trails!!!

Stitch Maynia Day #3

 Okay, so I stole this logo from The Fat Quarter Shop...I don't think they'll mind.  FQS is now carrying all kinds of cross stitch fabric, patterns and floss!  Their Lori Holt patterns are darling and I'm pretty sure I have to get this one............it even looks like me....well...a few years back maybe....

and maybe this book..............

Meanwhile back at the ranch........I made ham and bean soup

  and stitched on my Stitch Maynia Day #3 project....................a free pattern from Glory Bee Designs

I'm stitching it on 14 count Aida that I hand dyed maybe a bit too much.........we'll see..........I only have a few of the colors called for so I'm doing what I can.  Hopefully I will have the other floss by the time I work on it again...........part of the shovel and part of the border

 That's all for today folks!  I'm off to have my soup and homemade bread and plan on tucking myself in bed to watch Maynia podcasts and do more stitching!  It's supposed to storm again tonight which I love...so cozy!  I'll have a candle going too...love my candles for coziness.  I hope you have a wonderful Friday evening.
Happy Trails!!!

Stitch Maynia Day #2

Lest you think all I do is sit around and stitch all day....no....I wish I could some days but it wouldn't be healthy for me or my household.  There's laundry, ironing, cooking, baking, and candle stick making....just kidding about the last one.  The day does go fast and I wonder why I didn't get more done but it is what it is and everyone has their meds and food and fresh water and we are warm and dry so I can't complain at all.
Today I received 2 more packages!  One gal sent one pattern that she is working on now and she knew I liked it so she sent me one too!  The next was a box...a big box, of patterns and kits.  There is so much that I couldn't possibly show you..............this might give you an idea............

The things people are sending me are beautiful and many very current right now.....many of them were ones I had wanted and written on my list of "never-ending xs projects".  I have gone through them twice now and separated them into categories....that's my anal side.  I am so excited about this and the generosity of people that really don't know me at all.  Maybe it was to my advantage that 'minimalism' is in right now, lol!  All I know is that these ladies are the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I have met in a long time...outside of you guys, of course.
So, here's my Stitch Maynia Day #2 project on my coffee /tea dyed fabric that I might have gone a little overboard with.  Once I'm done stitching it, if I still think it's too much I will wash it and then I think some of it will come out.  This was a free pattern from Lizzie Kate on her website and it is Cozy Christmas using 14 count Aida I had from years ago and the called for DMC floss colors.  Some of my Maynia projects I don't have all the floss needed but I will order next week and meanwhile use what I have.

I hope you had a productive and enjoyable day and tune in tomorrow again for Stitch Maynia Day #3!
Happy Trails!!!

Stitch Maynia Day #1

Before I show you my first project, I have to show you what came in the mail today from my new found 'stitchy' friends on Stitching With the Housewives Facebook Group.   It was like Christmas!  I had mentioned that I wasn't sure I could do all of Stitch Maynia as I just didn't have enough projects and supplies because I had started back xs'ing fairly recently.  I did tell everyone where to find free designs though.  Well, I had several gals that reached out to me and wanted to send me stuff so here's what I received............it's amazing!
From Karen I got all these materials..........I swear there's one in every color! LOL!

 From Carol I got all these kits and patterns...........

I wanted to do an ornament a month this year and now it looks like I can!  I just have to work hard to catch up!

These are really sweet for April and May but they might be a bit big for me as I am so slow......

They are really cute though.............

and take a look at these...Ball jar ornaments..........love them!

My other new friend, Joanie sent a package yesterday but it hasn't arrived yet.  These ladies were so generous and wouldn't even accept money for postage!  So, I will be writing them and sending them some things in the mail too.........it won't be cross stitching but something homemade with other goodies included.  Who doesn't love to get packages in the mail?
So, now for Stitch Maynia Day #1.  First, I must tell you that I will not be making 31 projects.  I discovered that the original Maynia was to do as many projects as the year so I will do 19 and I will be doing the Blimey Cat method by the originator which means that for every project in Maynia this year that I finish, it opens up a slot to start something new next year plus it will be 2020 so you always get to start at least 1 new project each year for sure.  I think that fits me better and makes more sense to me.  For projects you don't finish this year, next year you work on them on the same day you did this year for Maynia.
DISCLAIMER:  I know this first project is almost like cheating but it's not! LOL!  I finished

 my first project...........the stitching anyway...............actually the final finishing will take me longer than the stitching.............this was a free pattern by The Primitive Hare over in Italy and I used my hand dyed Aida 14 ct and DMC floss but I changed the colors.............

This is what it will hopefully look like when I finish it.............those are felted wool hearts and there are some bells on it too.  Not bad for my first day of Maynia....even though it was a teeny tiny stitchery.

That's all for today folks........tune in tomorrow for Stitch Maynia Day #2!
Also, if you want some super inspiration watch The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch with Kimberly from the Fat Quarter Shop as they all reveal their 2019 Maynia projects......94 total I think.  In fact Priscilla is doing like 35....talk about an over achiever!  It's on You Tube for Fat Quarter Floss Tube, I think.....it's good....I think I've got my list for next year just from watching that episode!
Happy Trails!!!   

A little bit of everything........

It's been crazy here.....par for the course.  Nitty is not doing well....I know it's just a matter of time.  What's going  to be the issue is she won't be able to walk.  She's eating and drinking and eliminating but she is having a hard time with her legs and getting up.  She's doing it but it's a struggle and God knows I can't help her.  She is on another med for pain now and I put rugs down all over the garage to help her with traction.  I almost took her this morning but she was bright eyed and got up and ate and drank and went outside...it's hard to know when but it's coming...that I know.  Annie does really well except for steps but she still does them and even runs around in the yard.   Her nickname is"Speedy".
See how Nitty's paw is twisted?  Some days are tougher than others.............for both of us.....

  So, beside that I had some financial stuff that needed to be taken care of and shouldn't have taken all morning but it did and then I had to run to the post office over in Franklin.  So, I'm home now and finally got the kitchen cleaned up and some bread dough rising.........

 Got some laundry going...........

and sat down for a few minutes and knit a few rounds..........I'm on sock #2 now.............

It's going to rain here and there's a flood watch.....but I swear the weather people sensationalize the weather so much it's like they cry wolf and then no one pays attention......they're still talking about 'severe weather' in the South but I haven't seen any...yet....I better watch my mouth! LOL!
So before it rained I went out and took some pictures of the growth spurts around here........the pansies are blooming like crazy!  Ive' never had such healthy ones..............

the clematis is going gangbusters.....at least one is...........

the other one is trying..............it has 1 bloom..............

the kale is doing well..............I should probably transplant some or thin it shouldn't I?

the coral bells are starting to bloom......OMG!  Is that a weed in the front there?  I'm going to have to have a serious talk with the gardener!

the strawberries are flowering..............

and the peas need the rain.  They have entwined themselves in the netting but I guess that's okay.  I'm sure I'll find a way to get in there and harvest them when the time comes.....no flowers yet though.

I hope your Spring is behaving like a real Spring for you and that all is well in your part of the world!
Happy Trails!!!
P.S.  Don't forget.............tomorrow is Day 1 of Stitch Maynia......stop by here to see the first project and there are all kinds of Maynia podcasts going on tomorrow and for the entire month of May!   Also, it is May Day tomorrow!

EDITED FOR UPDATE!!!  I just went out to check on Nitty and she was out and about and ate all her food and was standing up drinking her water......we live to fight another day!  Thank you, Lord!

YOP Week #46

Finishes:none

 WIPs (works in progress):
1) This week it has been all about Stitch Maynia!  I have cut fabric to size for the projects from the fabric I had, then zigzagged them on my sewing machine and then spent the day today dyeing them.
I am starting a new project each day of May so that is 31........so far I have 18 but I'll make it!  I belong to Priscilla and Chelsea's FB group "Stitching With the Housewives" and in sharing some links with them for free patterns there were several that are sending me duplicates that they have and some are even sending me fabric so I can get to my "31 Projects"...I cannot believe people's generosity.  On top of that, I won Priscilla and Chelsea's drawing from last week!  I was so excited and it is 2 patterns that I love!   I'll be sure and show them when I receive them.
I am sorry it is all about Maynia this week but hopefully once I have everything 'kitted up' it will be smooth sailing.....like that ever happens around here!  

So, here are some photos of what I've been up to and yes, now the house looks like we did have a tornado here!  I found over 31 free xs patterns on designers websites mostly.

These are some of the fabrics I had left from years ago and I purposely chose "smalls" so I could utilize the little scraps I had..............

I used Rit dyes....a few that I had and then used Priscilla and Chelsea's coffee/tea dye procedure.......

this is blue Rit and I will keep it in the frig for later use.........

and yellow............

These I probably should have left alone but instead I put them in the coffee/tea dye too..........

You wet the fabric before you put it in a dye bath of any kind...........plus add lots of salt it helps it retain the color

After they came out of the coffee/tea bath you tuck in the edges and scrunch them up and bake them for 30 minutes at 200 degrees F...................

and there they are................I'm going out to pick them now and they will get ironed at some point but for now I am going to have supper and head to bed! I'm pretty tuckered out........

Acquisitions:
None this week

New Starts Planned: they're all secret! LOL!



YOP Goals from last week:
*1.  work on sock #2
2. audition and cut fabric for Pickle Dish #6 of 11 solid ones
3. trim all completed xs
4. kit up house ornament
5. work on Frida Kahlo basket
6. kit up and start Summer cross stitch
***7. get ready for Stitch Maynia


YOP Goals for this week:
1.  work on sock #2
2. audition and cut fabric for Pickle Dish #6 of 11 solid ones
3. trim all completed xs
4. kit up house ornament
5. work on Frida Kahlo basket
6. kit up and start Summer cross stitch
7. get ready for Stitch Maynia and participate starting May 1st!


TOP 10 (or more) WIP's:

1)  Pickle Dish
2)  Stars and Stripes Saturday - America x-stitch - done but needs finishing
3)  Amy's Frido Kahlo basket (July birthday) - done but needs to be sewn together
4)  Pin's embroidery
5)  socks
6)  C2C blanket for Grayson (July birthday) 
7)  Monthly Monday - HRH January
8)  Witchy Wednesday - Button-Eyed Cat
9)  Fall Friday -
10)  Santa Sunday -Old St. Nick - done but needs 'finishing' work
11.  Turkey Thursday
12.  Seasonal Sunday -Summer
13.  Santa Sunday - new house ornament

 Finishes so far in 2018-19: 
1.  4th of July cross stitch pillow/ornie
2.  Hitchhiker shawl
3.  Felici Hibiscus self-striping socks
4.  Felted wool loafer slippers with leather soles for me Sam
5.  washcloth (extra large) and back scrubber for Christmas or birthday for SIL
6.   Iowa Hawkeye hats for Sam and Grayson
7.  Techniques learned so far this year: a) knit cast on, b) reading a knitting chart, c) lace work, d) inserting and using a lifeline e) charting a graphghan
8.   dishcloth(s)...I need to count them
9. Cubs hat for Uriah
10. 12 days of Christmas Advent gifts
11. Cowl for Ben
12. Cowl for Tracy
13. Cowl for Natalie
14.  # 2018 Collectible ornaments for the grands
15.  Cowl for me or gift basket
16.  11 scrubbies for gift basket
17.  1 pot handle cover for gift basket
18.  Ben's Bear's hat
19.  Falling Leaves Scarf
20.  Tissue Box Cover - 5 of them!
21.  Granny Square Shawl
22.  Kathleen Tracy doll quilt
23.  Pumpkin Spice Farm xs
24.  Spring xs

 Please stop by and see all the other fantastic projects that other YOP'ers are working on.  Plus, stop by here each day to see each new xs project starting May 1st through the 31st!  All will be revealed! LOL! 
Happy Trails!!!