Honeeeyyy.... I'm Home! Sort of.

Wow, it's been awhile! Nice to be back! Where to begin updating this blog with the various needlework projects and hauls that had taken place for the past year? 

I'm going to try to organize myself in order to try to post things in a time-cohesive manner. It might mean that there will be a few back to back entries posted a bit more frequent than what is the custom. Please bear with me. Enjoy the sneak peek in the meantime! ;-)

It Has Been A Long Time

 

  In fact, a bit over 2 years since I last posted! Quite a few things have taken place. Some extremely sad and heart breaking, some challenging and frustrating, while others new, exciting, and happy. A bit of everything. 

  There were times when I wanted to post, but the motivation was not enough. Other times I felt like deleting the blog. Thankfully everything seems to finally be settling down, so I may start to post blog updates as time and circumstances permit. 

Especially since hand embroidery, and other types of needlework continue to have a therapeutic effect in my life.

Until next time!

Notes: Embroidery design/patter: "A Joyful Heart" by Clementine Pattern Co on Etsy.

Instead of Flowers

For my anniversary, instead of flowers.... lovely threads! I do like flowers, but love threads. Not only do they last longer, but whatever I create with them as well. 

Until next time! Hoping you are well!

Soup and Stitching

 

We have been busier than ever around here. Not much embroidery progress lately. Did start a new pre-stamped cross stitch kit, just a handful of stitches in it so far.

In the kitchen lots of soups and stews... is that kind of weather, yum! By adding a couple of andouille chicken sausages to a regular chicken soup, the flavors get bump up to whole new delicious level. Well, this brief blog update wraps up this year's blogging. Another busy month ahead!

 

Delights

This White Rose Tea is so good. The rose notes are definitely there but not overpowering, very soothing. 

It is always good to find delight in every day little things, but also in larger life experiences. I'm keeping busy with volunteer work this November. Will be back to stitching once I reach my volunteer work goal for the month. Although needlework is satisfying, relaxing, and wholesome,... nothing compares to the joy that comes from giving of yourself for a greater purpose.

No Stitching. Really.

Seriously... no stitching have taken place. 

After I was done with volunteer work last month (thankfully short by only an hour), things got a bit challenging. You will think that with a Stay-at-Home order there will be a bit more spare time to dedicate to hobbies, well not so much at least not yet. 

Even though we normally eat home for most of our meals, the fact that during this pandemic we are not venturing out for Take Out or To Go (yes, we might be a bit drastic... but better safe than sorry, especially when there are pre-existing health conditions that could make everything worst) have added a whole level of busyness which ends up draining whatever energy or desire I may have had for my needlework. However that is one my family's personal sacrifices, we are in this together.

Anyhow I am determine to make adjustments, so last night the old printed cross stitch project was set on the needlework lap-stand.

My kids have been good sport about the Stay-at-Home order and are spending time with puzzles, jewelry making, diamond painting, lots of leisure reading, and other creative activities (even working on a homemade stuff animal movie...LOL).

Hoping you are all keeping safe and cultivating patience. We all have to make sacrifices for a greater good. May we all see our cups instead of half empty, half full! Until next time!

M U G Shots ;-)

Although I will drink tea in any nice clean mug, drinking it in a cute mug makes me feel a bit more special ;-).  For tea my preference is for more delicate mugs compared to the ones I'll use  for coffee. So here are a few oldie (but goodie) previously posted pictures... we are going down mug memory lane.

How do you prefer your drinking vessel to be?  

Homey Stitchy Day and Freebie

So guess what?! Did get out the EPP and Daisychain projects, and today I plan to work a bit on them (inserting a happy dance here). 
The picture above it is not directly related to my projects, however it does portray cottages and needlework (homey and stitchy). 
It'll be an outcast/rainy kind of day, kids will be busy with their online school work, older kid will be making a family size salad for lunch. No major chores today... just a small laundry load of my husband's formal dress shirts to throw in the washer, and we have yesterday's leftovers for today's dinner. All is set. While stitching will most likely listen to spiritually enriching mp3s. 

Might even stay in my pj's,... love being home! Before leaving, here is a vintage embroidery pattern I've previously shared. 

Hoping you are all able to enjoy your day! Until next time!

The Little Things

Last night my "sprouts" and I had a Sit-n-Stitch Evening. It's been quite some time since our last time. The hand embroidery lap quilt project is calling me, however, for some reason felt like adding some more stitches on this cute little piece I started few months ago (here). Small cross stitch sampler "Summer Splendor" by Little House Needleworks. So happy to have been able to put a few stitches in without much trouble from holding things with my hands. Red is my most favorite color, it cheers me up! I think that is why I decided to work on this particular project.

Below is a simple no bake pie, using simple ingredients. Recipe is from Publix (link at the end of this post). Very delicious! I love the mix in flavors and textures in this pie. The small one on the right is modified, using crushed GF cookies as crust, for my GF child. Easy to put together with your kids! We made this recipe this past Sunday afternoon. The only thing I will do different next time is add one more container of raspberries, yum. The girls and I are also already brainstorming on fruit and flavor variations for next time! 

I had a few rough days with this last flare. Couldn't even hold anything long enough to complete any task. On one particular day even holding the toothbrush with a light grip was painful, had to pause a few times to rest my hand. That was just the beginning of a day where it was a real struggle trying to perform everyday simple tasks. 

So thankful for a very understanding and helpful family! By last night my hands felt much better, so I was grateful to be able to stitch for a bit. Got that tiny house filled in and started the roof! Remember I'm a cross stitch newbie, so please don't snub my stitches ;-).

Autumnal sunsets are spectacular! Aren't they? They honestly take my breath away!
So many little things to be grateful for, not only for a day or two, but daily. The little things that remind me of what really matters in life, and not to take things for granted. That are a constant reminder to give my best everyday, live a life in a way that genuinely shows, not in words but in deeds, that I truly adore the Giver of it all! 

Non-affiliated link:
Publix's Chocolate Raspberry Pie Recipe

Coffee, Stitcheries, Life

Pour over morning coffee: 1tsp Cafe Bustelo mixed with 1 1/2 tbsps Decaf Cafe Bustelo, plus warm (yes, my creamer must be warm) Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Vanilla Almond creamer to taste. Mmmm, better than in any coffee shop!!! Pour over coffee taste much much better than using a coffee maker.
Trying to work on these 3 projects above this week. On the left, a Little House Needleworks design that was started couple of days ago, will be a gift for one my daughters. Center, Kathy Schmitz's "Garden Sampler", will be redoing the bees. On the right, a pre-printed cross stick kit from Amazon, only a few cross-stitches left on the bear's face and need to finish the back stitch... will be a gift for my other daughter. 
Homeschooling is in full swing. We went on a couple of fun outings, and there are a few others planned. Fibromyalgia flaring a bit more often due to cooler weather, but manageable so far. Autumnal days are so beautiful, some occasional rain, but mainly lovely days. The beauty of this season helps with keeping a positive attitude thru flares.
May you all be doing well! Until next time!

Stitches From The Harvest: Give Thanks (Progress)

We had a mini getaway, brought my embroidery with me. Our schedule was a bit packed so not much time to stitch. However, I made progress nonetheless. 
Below is a close up Stem Stitch in progress.

If you like to see the difference in progress since my last post on this project, you'll find that blog post here. 

Also brought some cross stitch projects. The Count Your Blessings work in progress one, but didn't even touch it, and a new start: Summer Splendor by Little House Needleworks. This one I will like to try to stitch it on hand instead of mounted in a q-snap frame or embroidery hoop. Started the border but didn't make much progress, hopefully soon I'll pick it up again... such a cute design!

Below is a small collage of some of our outings while away.

Until next time!

Spring is Here!

We are in full bloom! Most days are still a bit chilly, but there have been a few really warm ones, great for visiting local parks! 

The red tulips were gorgeous, this Weeping Willow too!

We are keeping busy with: homeschooling, volunteer work, Dr. appointments, our spiritual routine, spending time with friends, the usual everyday chores/errands,...

and a little bit of stitching (pattern is K. Schmitz's Home Sampler). Thinking about restarting it; tracing it instead of using the printed sulky and using a different thread. Will see.

Although soon the pollen will be hitting us hard, it is still very cheerful to see nature's colors popping up everywhere!

Until next time!

Anniversary!

My husband took me for Afternoon Tea as an early wedding anniversary celebration. Becoming his wife has been one of the best decisions I've made in my life, my husband is my best friend! We were actually supposed to go for an anniversary dinner on the actual date, but I wasn't feeling good so it was nice to have made it to Tea a couple of days earlier. Picture below was of the last course... desserts! I drank Oolong my husband choice was Darjeeling.
My older daughter gifted us a few things, she made me the embroidered squirrel in the picture above (pattern by Kathy Schmitz), gave my husband wine glasses, wrote us an original poem that made me shed a few tears, gifted us with a home cook dinner and a couple individual size cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes... they were so good! We are so proud of her!

Our younger gave us some hand made cards, flowers, and coffee mug for my husband.  We are also proud of her ;-), we loved her drawings! Below is my card. On my husband's card she drew my husband taking me to a picnic.

Everything is in bloom around here, but we are getting a blast of arctic air these days.... (sigh). Perhaps some of you are starting your gardens, what are you planting this year? We add peppers to quite a few of our recipes. I do not have a green thumb so maybe will grow mine with needle and thread ;-). Here is vintage transfer in case you like to give it a go! Adding a few extra daisies around the peppers will give them a nice touch, I think.

Our family will have a busy month for volunteer work, we enjoy it so much! May y'all have a great week ahead!

Until next time!

A Freebie and a Masterpiece

Spring is definitely in the air on my side of the woods. Leaving a vintage embroidery pattern freebie for you to enjoy! Have a great end of the week and a lovely weekend!

Thoughts:

Despite the everyday hectic ins and outs, all the things that need our attention. All the running around. Our Heavenly Father gifts us with many awe inspiring moments, like this one yesterday on our way to one of my medical tests. 

Filled with Admiration.

Humbled and so Grateful.

Found awestruck by a heavenly masterpiece of beautiful skies. My day was made! 
(Psalm 8, Psalm 115:16, Psalm 37:29, Proversbs 2:21) 

Setting Up a Crafting Space

Since we moved, I haven't been able or motivated to set up my new craft space. I've been missing my old space and how enjoyable the natural sunlight of that room used to be.

I'm adding a few pictures of my old craft space here. We had a very large home, beautiful custom home.... but it was challenging for me to keep up with (even with the help of my husband)... living with chronic illnesses makes things a bit challenging. We refocus and decided to downsize a bit.

 My new craft space will be craft room/guest room, so I'm lost as to how I'm going to set it up. The old one used to be in the kids playroom. So I had it set up to simply look like a craft space.

 New projects, books, work in progress projects, supplies, etc., used to sleep right on top of my desk. Waiting for me whenever I had free time to keep working on them, without having to dig them out.... or even worst, being forgotten. (By the way, I'm having to use see thru project bags lately to help me remember what things are in progress or new starts.) 

 Sometimes it was tidy just like the picture below, but that wasn't the norm. Every little crafty mess, was a happy mess ;-).

 Do you have to share your crafting space? If so, how do you make it work? I'm hoping to start setting up that craft/guest room this winter, if not sooner. Perhaps a sofa bed? Make it look like a lounging space? Really don't know.

We even thought of getting a bit of help from an interior designer, just to point us in the right direction and help us make the room multifunctional for a craft/guest room that looks put together and harmonizes with the rest of the house. If it can't be done in a satisfactory way, I may have to arrange a corner of the master bedroom for my hand embroidery, EPP, and cross stitch. In a way I'm already doing that, but may have to set it up in a more aesthetically functional way. 
Anyhow, today was a bit cloudy so didn't take pictures of some finished embroideries I wanted to blog about. Hopefully tomorrow we have some nice sunlight to take a few shots and post them here soon! Be well! Until next time!