Off He Goes, In His Blue Argyle Sweater

You have all heard me complain about what a hellacious winter this has been. 

We have had more snow than probably the last three winters and the cold has been ridiculous.  

Because Buster is a small dog, Bob will snowblow a path around the backyard for him.  

The backyard is fenced in since we have always had a dog.  

The snow has to go somewhere,  much of it has been landing against the fence. 

(Can you guess where this is going?)

The last snow storm was wet snow and has since gotten much cold.  

The snow is hard enough for the dog to walk on top of it.  

Monday, while I was making dinner, I looked out the kitchen window.  

Before I could get to the door and holler at Buster, he had climbed the snow bank, had one of his back legs kicked up on the top rail of the fence.  

Alley Oop, he was up, over and down the snowbank on the other side of his fence and running in

his blue argyle sweater.  

He went to Spikes house across the alley and proceeded to pee everywhere he could.  

Probably messed Spike for the rest of the night.  

Looking kind of scruffy before he went to the groomers.    

If you haven't ever entered a drawing at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe you should.

I won one of the Valentine prizes and it is wonderful.

I got patterns, some of her wonderful hand dyed floss, buttons, charms, ric rac and lace.

Thank you Nancy!

 I have a good start on  Drawn Thread's Easter Eggs.

It is so fun because you feel you get things done because you can do a square a night.  

I'm doing it in the Needle Point Silk per the pattern.

The colors are gorgeous and the silk is just wonderful.  

That's pretty much whats been going on around here.  

I am really looking forward to the weekend.  

I need some homemade muffins and stitching time.  

Thanks for the wonderful comments.  

Hope your week was spectacular.

Keep on Stitching. 

Monica

February SAL

Haven't had a chance to "Finish" my February SAL.

Primitive Hare freebie and very cute.

I did it on the hand dyed fabric I dyed in walnut shells and stitched with GAST Raspberry Parfait.

Just double checked the thread name and do you know I payed $1.65 for it. 

How long ago was that?  

Plan on finishing it this week.  

Just working too much this week.

Have a wonderful tomorrow.

Keep on Stitching 

Monica

Quilt Wars

Bob and I have been having quilt wars.  

We have had a rather heavy comforter on our bed.  

When I saw it I fell in love with it.

Ordered the Valance and curtains too.  

Since I am menopausal, I have almost all my hot flashes at night.

You can set them like clockwork.

I am almost always having one between 3 and 3:30 am. 

With that big heavy quilt, I was roasting.  

I would push the quilt down on my side and throw a leg out.

I would wake up again, too cold.

Bob would pull the quilt back up too during the night....more cooking.

I would fold the heavy quilt all on Bob's side since he's cold.

I tried the blanket one night but was too cold.

   About a week ago, I found a little quilted throw my mom made for my son and appropriated that.

I was perfect but, now Bob is too hot.

Went shopping with the stitching group and stopped at Kohl's Department store to look at a new quilt.

I promised Bob he would not have to repaint the room.  

I like the color.

I found a Chaps quilt, light weight, a bronzy gold color that sort of goes with the shams and curtains.

These are the old shams. 

I did buy matching shams but, not sure if I like them as much as the old ones. 

So here is the general idea.  

I think we both like the weight of the new quilt.

Tried it last night and I think we were both happy.  

I still had a little hot flash but, not anywhere near what I was experiencing.  

I think this may be a keeper.  

 I finished all the Shepherd's Bush Valentine Trifles.  

I just now need to "finish" them.

That will probably be a next weekend project.

Sorry it is a little blurry.  

 I showed you the Be My Valentine on the last entry.  

 These are very cute, very fun and very quick.  

Gotta like that!

 I will be starting the Drawn Thread Easter Jumble tonight.

I got the NPS from 123 Stitch yesterday. 

I didn't need too many colors so, I splurged. 

I'm now good to go.

I will be using 28 count Antique White linen.

I love these colors.

They are gorgeous.

On our travels yesterday with the Stitching Group, we stopped at a quilt store.

I picked up some fat quarters for finishing projects.

We also stopped at the Bee and I got a couple of new PS patterns.  

I'll show those on the next installment.  

Hope you had a great weekend.

Thanks for the great comments and for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching

Monica

Valentines and a Sweetheart of a Storm? UGH!!!

So, I decided to start with the pleasant things.

I have been working on Shepherds Bush Valentine Trifles and have my first one finished.  

What a fun, quick stitch.

These will be a nice addition to my Valentine Smalls Basket

A close up so you can see the buttons better.  

The next one says "Cutie Pie" and is like a conversation heart.  

I think the next project after these are done is a Drawn Thread Easter.

I did break down and ordered the silk thread for it.

I think I will make a bell pull out of it.  

When I get the thread, expect a post. 

 Now, for the same old lament....the weather.

We are in the midst of Storm Seneca.

It started snowing about 70 minutes ago and we have at least a half inch.

The wind is wailing 23-36 miles an hour.

We are suppose to get between 4 and 8 inches of snow.

That should pose a significant problem for the Shih Tzu. covering his butt if we get 8.

Then the Polar Vortex returns and temperatures drop.

Below 0 at night and the highs if we are lucky in the teens.

The biggest problem now is frozen pipes.

Many smaller communities have "run orders".

That means you keep a tap open so the water is running the size of a pencil all the time to keep the water moving.

They will average because that can be a lot of water and a sizeable water bill.

So if your pipes freeze what do you do until the city comes and thaws you out?

I have filled some buckets and garbage cans in case our pipes succumb.

What a nightmare that would be.  

Wise to be prepared.    

Made a pot of chili because that sounded like a good idea.  

Chances are the weather is crazy where you are.

What an insane storm.

Hope you are warm, dry and safe.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for stopping.

Keep on stitching 

Monica

Can't See Him

We keep getting snow a little bit at a time.

We got another 3-4 inches last night.

The nice thing about it, it that it does cover up the slush and dog poop.

Bob blows paths for Buster because he is a Shih Tzu and kind of short. 

 Can't see him, can you?

The snow in the backyard is higher than the dog.

Once and a while you get a glimpse of the tail but, it is fleeting.  

 Its probably two feet of snow

 I was hoping I had a picture of this flower bed in the summer to show the difference.

That pile of snow is a flower bed and the fence if four feet.

We are suppose to get some more snow tomorrow. 

It is a good thing because it does help the water table.  

 We had my mom and mother-in-law for dinner last night for Valentine's day and my MIL b'day.

It started snowing about 5:30-6:00 and after dinner I had to take my mom home.

She doesn't like to drive at night and gets very nervous.

She was a basket case driving home last night.

It was snowing a lot and the road was covered with snow.

I told her not to worry, "As long as we stay between the snow banks on both sides we are good."

I don't think she found that very reassuring since it is a 4 lane highway with a left turn lane.  

Got her safe and sound and I had no problem on the way home.

 I'm working on the heel flap on the socks.  

I haven't been putting too much time into it.

Hard to tell from the photos it is a varigated green yarn, kind of a camo effect.  

 I started my Shepherd's Bush Valentine Trifles.

 I don't think these will take too long.  

I did finish my Primitive Hare piece but, won't be showing it until later this month since it is my Smalls SAL for the month.  

I used a button on it but, I'm not sure I'm liking it. 

It may have to come off.  

Bob and I went to see the Monuments Men.

What a great movie!

We loved it!

It had everything and George Clooney and Matt Damon!!!

Wonderful cast and story line.  

I highly recommend it...no "F" bomb or nudity. 

Back to work tomorrow and it looks like it will be a busy week.   

We may need to keep digging out practically every-other day but, we haven't lost power.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Thanks for stopping and taking the time to comment.

I get such wonderful comments.

Keep on Stitching

Monica

February is Done

Hooray!  February is done. 

I just need to lace up the back and then I can hang it.

I always lace up the back but, what a pain that is.  

I did make a boo-boo.

I decided not to rip it out since it was the second time I made a mistake.

For the most part no one will notice.  

 While I was cutting cardboard for February I cut another piece for the Rabbit and the Hare.

I actually stitched this a while ago but, never got around to mounting it.

I have to lace that up too.

Double the pain.

 Another wintery day.

It has been snowing. 

We got about 3-4 inches.

On my way to work this morning, as I got to the intersection the light turned yellow.

I tried to brake but, the car just slid.

I went with it and went ahead with the left turn.  

At the end of the day, I took my time and made it home fine. 

No biggy.

When I did get home, my Ladies Prim Society as waiting for me.

Hooray again!

These are just wonderful.

I think this may be my next project after I do the Primitive Hare.

The fibers are just gorgeous!

Don't expect to see the PH.

I think I'm going to use that as my Smalls SAL.

Happy Valentine's Day...tomorrow!

Have a busy weekend, having the old ladies over for dinner on Saturday 

for Valentine's day and my MIL birthday.

There will be cake!

Hooray for Cake!!!!

Thanks for taking the time for the great comments. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Keep on Stitching

Monica

I Was Only Going to Buy Some Floss....Really

I really only had floss on my list and a piece of fabric 11x11.

I got the floss I needed which was a substantial amount.  

It is the floss for PPS Cinnamon Stars and BBD Honeybee Hill.

I didn't just buy the small piece.  I decided I liked the color so I got it all. 

I do have more patterns in that BBD series.  

I'll be able to use if for other things.  

Then there were some nice pieces in the scrap bin.

I got those too.  

I din't think there would be any pattern must haves not with Market coming up soon.

I was wrong.  

I have two other of these Drawn Threads...I haven't done yet.

I really think there are very sweet. 

I have one for Easter I should get in the queue.

 I saw this With Thy Needle and Thread online and thought that was awfully cute.

Well, guess what I saw it at the Bee and it called to me.  

 I am nearly done with the snow.

I wasn't so sure but, the Names and Dates do pop.  

I think tonight, I'm going to work on the bottom strip.

I am ready to finish this and move on to the Primitive Hare piece.

I don't like to have a lot of WIP's.  

Hope you had a great weekend.  

Now on to a new week.

I really hope it is uneventful.

Thanks for stopping and commenting. 

I do enjoy the comments.  

Keep on Stitching

Monica

The Continental Cup

Ski jumping use to be and integral part of the local area history.

There were ski jumps all over town where local kids would practice.  

Those have long been dismantle.

There is still a jump on top of Pine Mountain.

Every year this is competition that draws jumpers from all over the world.  

They added an extra day this year because the snow has been so bad in Europe, more jumpers are competing, so I've heard.  

 Bob and I met at the restaurant at the resort.

After we were done, I parked at the bottom of the jump and hill to watch some of the practice jumps.

It was amazing.

My Iphone wasn't really able to capture the jumpers.  

It was a gorgeous day.  

Clear blue sky and 11 degrees.

Different business and families build shacks and party while watching.

Families have been doing this for years. 

Quite the tradition.

It gets crazy so, I usually avoid it. 

But, this was so cool

The blue and red lines are some of the distance markers.

When you see the jumper come off the end of the jump you are thinking,

"Oh that isn't very far."

Until they land it.  

Found this online while trying to find pictures of the park jumps.

This is what the jumper sees from the top of the hill. 

On a less impressive note, the latest update of February.  

I have a lot of white snow to fill in at the bottom.  

Going to have a chance to do some shopping this weekend at the Stitching Bee. 

I have my list of floss ready.  

I am ready!!

Hope you have a great weekend

Keep on Stitching

Monica

You Can Stitch Faster While Watching Disaster Movies

I have had a very productive stitching weekend.

Yesterday, Bob when to Marquette to snowboard with Ed.

I could have gone with him and shopped but, I decided not to because today, he had to work the Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast.

If I had gone yesterday, I would have had to clean, do laundry and grocery shop today after church because he was gone the better part of the day.

I stayed home and cleaned yesterday, payed bills, made French Onion Soup and Pumpkin Muffins.

I was able to dye the fabric for the Primitive Hare Freebie.  

I started with Antique White and used the Walnut shell crystals.  

 I mixed it with hour water weaker for the base.

Then I took some of that solution and added more crystals to make a stronger spray.

I really wanted to achieve the more antique look.

The picture isn't that great.

I did turn out a little mottled.

I would have liked more mottled but, it will work nicely.  

 Compared to the fabric I started with .

I have decided to use GAST Red Raspberry to stitch the design.

I have a little mother of pearl button I'm going to try and use if it fits.  

 Today, on Syfy channel they have been playing disaster movies:  

Ice Twisters, Snowmaggedon and The Day After Tomorrow.

I think The Day After Tomorrow maybe closer to whats going on.

It sure has felt like it this winter. 

It even talks about Vortexes and the polar ice cap melting.  

If this happens, I'm screwed will be Instafroze!

With all the suspense and excitement, the needle really flies.  

The horse is even saddled-up.  

 In honor of Punxsutawney Phil. a close up of the little Groundhog.

I think he is very cute. 

There is another one at the bottom of the piece.

I don't know what happened but, I'm getting a blog infiltrate. 

That happened another time.

It hasn't shown up on my list so I can't delete it.

It isn't really a cross stitch blog.  

I really hate that when it happens.  

It hasn't shown up on my blog reader just my blogger list of current posts.  

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  

Thanks for all the great comments.

I really enjoy them all.

Keep on Stitching

Monica