Stitch Maynia Day #7 and Day #8

Hi everyone!  Anyone out there doing Stitch Maynia that reads my blog?  I just got through watching Kimberly from the Fat Quarter Shop show her progress so far.  I love her pod casts!  She is so positive and upbeat and stitches beautifully.  She's stitching the 12 monthly cottages by Little House Needleworks which are so cute!  Plus, I did not know that LHN's daughter is Country Cottage Needleworks...who knew? I think they own Weeks Dye Work's hand dyed floss also.  A dynasty!
Anyway for cross stitcher's I recommend FQS's Floss Tube pod casts.
This is really sad progress.....I cannot sit and stitch all day which I think some of these people do for Maynia.  My other problem is that I sometimes only have one floss color called for until my floss comes in.  Like yesterday...........
Stitch Maynia Day #7.........I could have stitched more but no floss!  But it should be here soon, I hope!  This was a free pattern by The Littlest Stitcher in Italy and is a snow drop....well, it will be......

Today was a bit better and I'm still going.............this is a free pattern by Lizzie Kate...........Hello Spring!

It really is Spring here too with pop up storms and warnings of severe weather but I managed to get out and take some pictures before a storm beats down the flowers which already happened to my irises.................

The peonies are starting to bloom!  I love the smell of them.  I brought one in the house just so I could sniff it every once in awhile..............

I found raspberries...I think .....they have thorns and I found them last year in the woods next to my yard but then I couldn't find them or I forgot...one of the two.  So this year I am going to put some tape around them so I will know where to go when the berries are ripe!

The honeysuckle is just starting to bloom........another great smell!

This is not great...........darn armadillos tear up my yard so I guess I need to put down the slug killer as slugs are what they're looking for and why they dig up the yard.  If they don't find any they stop.  These are not small holes either!

I did get some treasures in the mail today!  I ordered from 123 Stitch and Fat Quarter Shop on the same day and the Fat Quarter Shop order got here today!  We'll see how fast 123Stitch is.....the fastest gets my business! LOL!
I got some Monaco 28 count Even weave....this the only material that Priscilla and Chelsea stitch with so I thought I would give it a try.  It's the same as 14 ct but you go over 2 threads instead of one.

and then I got a charm pack (5" X 5") of shirting fabrics as I need some 'lights' for my next little quilt and I am 'light' on 'lights'! LOL!  I tend to have more dark and medium prints.  I have to start collecting some lights in my stash.

I've been sneezing and my eyes are bothering me...Spring allergies evidently and I was out sticking my nose in many of the flowers so I guess it serves me right!  Yesterday I wrote thank you notes to all the lovely ladies who sent me supplies for Stitch Maynia.  I included a little crocheted scrubby and some tea.  It took me all afternoon but I was able to get them up to the post office this morning before the rain started and then I stopped by the store for ingredients for a hash brown casserole.  It's a staple for Easter dinner at Priscilla's house so I thought I would make chicken Parmesan, hash brown casserole and carrots for my Mother's Day dinner.  I plan on cooking it tomorrow so I can relax on Mother's Day and craft all day!  If the sun shines I may be planting flowers. What are your plans for the big day?    Any ideas for a good dessert?  If I get to Walmart I may buy some of those frozen cream puffs or chocolate eclairs.........yum!  I used to make them when my children were young.  Tell me what you're doing, or cooking or crafting.
Happy Trails!!!
 

Stitch Maynia Day #5 and Day #6

 I did not post to YOP yesterday as I was totally tired and really did take a day of rest but today I was rarin' to go.  My Stitch Maynia  projects don't look like much but they'll get better!  I promise!
This is what I worked on Saturday............these are leaves but it was the only color I had that was called for.....so I couldn't work on it anymore.   I did work some on my crocheted blanket and I finally looked up the size of a twin blanket and it is 66" X 90" so I need to measure mine.

 Then today I worked on this but just a bit.  Tonight it will get more attention.  I'm still knitting my sock on breaks during the day and then cross stitching in the evening.....

I received another 'treasure' in the mail today.  This one was from Kate in Canada.  So sweet....wrote me a lovely note and sent me these materials!

The first one is opalescent which I had heard about but never seen.  It has sparkles!  It will be great for Christmas ornies!  Over the weekend I ordered floss and some 28 ct. Monaco fabric.  Hopefully, the floss will get here soon as I need it.
I've saved all the addresses from the packages that people sent me and will be sending them a little something as a 'thank you' plus a thank you note.  I need to get on that tomorrow!
Today was busy as Monday's  usually are especially if I rest on Sunday.  Today I cleaned 3 litter boxes and 2 toilets and changed linens and washed comforters and sheets and went to Walmart and ironed and that was my day. 
The girls have been fed and now it's time for their meds.  They usually get a denta chew for a treat but they haven't been eating them.  Since they don't take water with their pills I like to give them something to get the taste out of their mouths as some pills can be very bitter.  I think their teeth and gums are old and sore maybe.  So, I got some turkey hotdogs that I will cut up into bite size pieces for them.  Then it will be time for my supper, cross stitch and t.v..............ahhhhhh!  Always glad to get off my feet at the end of the day.  I hope you had a great Monday.  It rained here all morning but then stopped.  The sun tried to make a feeble attempt to come out but failed.  More rain predicted for tonight......and this week.  Should I start building a boat?
Happy Trails!!!  

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!