Sunday, November 27, 2016

It Doesn't Look Like A Lot of Progress But, Its That Time of the Year.

It doesn't look like I have made a lot of progress but, I have been working on Super Top Secret projects for Christmas and can't post them yet.  
I am headed into the home stretch with said projects and should be able to stitch.
I miss working on this and have other Christmas projects in the hopper.  

I had a great weekend since it was a four day-er with Thanksgiving.  
The turkey was awesome as was the stuffing.  
I could just eat stuffing!
Did a little black Friday shopping but, nothing too crazy.  
We go about 11 am and go out for lunch and hit smaller places.  
Got more stuff for the Giving Tree at Church than for family.  

My daughter has started an Etsy Store that I will be posting links to once she gives them to me.  

Back to work.
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.  
Have a great week. 
Keep on Stitching.
Monica

Sunday, November 20, 2016

I Have Project Amnesia

I have been working on Christmas present projects and do you think I could remember how to do it?
I took a class late summer and I haven't picked it up since, thinking I would remember.
NOT!!!!
After watching tutorials and consulting with an expert I think I am on my way.  
It took me hours and hours and ate into nap time.....NAP TIME!!!!
Oh well, what do you do.....
I will post the pictures in the future.  

I have been making progress on Christmas at Winterberry Cabin and it is turning out great!
I am probably half way done.  
I simply adore this Santa!

It was blowing, I mean BLOWING and Snowing yesterday, a good day to drink a little red wine.
I stopped and picked up some Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Savignon that was aged in Boubon Barrels.  Let me tell you it is a game changer.  It adds a different layer of taste.  I have to say it is incredible and if you like red wine, it is a must to taste!

Finally, just trying to change things up a little at dinner time from Chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans.
I roasted a chicken and roasted winter root veggies:  carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and a couple of redskins and we had Rana Portabello mushroom and cheese raviolis.  
Definitely a home run!

That about sums it up.  
Getting ready for Thanksgiving.
Hope you had a great weekend
Keep on Stitching.  
Monica

Monday, November 14, 2016

My Stitching Bee Retreat

As always, we had a great time.  
It started Friday afternoon.  You can get there as early as one to start stitching in the conference room but, we don't usually get there till actual check in time.  
Where we live, we are limited in shopping.  
Sewing supplies from Walmart or a quilt store.  
Nicest place to buy clothes....JCP and its a small one.  
Major shopping is at least 90+ minutes away.
When you get the chance to go someplace bigger, you take full advantage of it. 
We left at 8:30 and did massive shopping in Green Bay.  
First stop was the Stitching Bee for the specialty supplies we needed.  
I needed some over-dyes for a few projects and I picked up some Dames of the Needle dyed pom-pom for finishing.  
We stopped at a quilt store that Arttie is partial too and I picked up a few fat quarters, again for finishing projects.  
Next stop was Joanne's and was that place crazy!
In addition to about 80 skeins of DMC..Autumn in Hawkrun (silk is fabulous but, just too expensive)
I bought supplies to make a red sweater ugly for work.  
The lights will light up.  
 After lunch, we went to the mall.
I just needed some Bath and Body works and Yankee Candle and I had coupons.  
Finally we got to the Landmark Resort and stitching!!
It is so great to see the friends I have made over the last few years.  

On Saturday we head to Sturgeon Bay to The Spin yarn store and Barn Door Quilters.  
Picked up some great yarn....this for Katy
 Some blue chunky yarn she is going to make a scarf for me.   
I think I like the one in the foreground and it is a little softer since it has a little silk in it.  
I also picked up a little yarn holder because I want to start making mittens.  
I also got some self stripping sock yarn.  
I'm working on some socks now with some and it is sooo much fun.
Socks seem to go faster.  
Two of the retreat attendees brought prizes for everyone.  
Arttie made the little tissue holders....I knew she was up to something.  
Everyone got a denim pocket.
It is to put your cell phone in and hang off the charger while charging.  
It served a dual purpose, every pair of pockets had a different fabric bow that matched its twin.  
We then had to find the person who had the matching pocket and get to know them.  
There are goody bags and door prizes 
 There is a little store she sets up and picked up some cute things.  
I love the Stacy Nash snowman
A Homespun Elegance ornament.  
 Another Homespun Elegance pattern and a needle threader.  
I couldn't resist the little dog.  
 I finished Bountiful Blessings on Friday night.  
I need to just "finish" it...maybe this weekend.  
 I started Brenda Gervais Christmas at Winterberry Cabin.  
The Santa is extremely handsome!
The bad thing about Retreat is the weekend goes way too fast and the next thing you know is you have to go home.  
We are thinking about going on Thursday and stay in GB and get the shopping done so we do have more time for stitching. 
I took off today so I could catch up on the weekend things that needed to get done.  
I'm really glad I did that.  

Now I have to get down to business and get going on Christmas presents.  
I have some simple things lined up that won't take too long...once I get going.  

I am already looking forward to next year's retreat.  

Hope you had a great weekend and will have a fantastic week.  
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Halloween Finish

Getting ready for the Stitching Bee Retreat.  
JoAnn has DMC on sale 3 for .99 so stocking up.  
Will buy some other stuff to make a sweater ugly for Christmas...it might just be a load of bells to drive everyone crazy.  I I that thought that ugly sweaters would be the rage, I would have kept mine.  
Finished my Halloween stitch.  
The ghosts get kind of lost in the picture.  
 Started working on Threadwork Primitive's Bountiful Blessings.  
I got it as a kit from Prim Stitcher's Society but, she has just come out with the pattern. 
Again the picture doesn't do it justice.  
The fabric is 32 count Irish Cream with the dmc floss but, it looks so much warmer in person.  
I love it.  
Only been working on it for two days.  
 My buddy Buster sleeping on the junk on my sewing room couch.  
Katy has taken over my room and I'm not happy about it. 
She has started an Etsy shop and has been taking pictures in there. 
It isn't that big of room and has a card table right in the middle, chairs, stools, jewelry etc.
I can barely walk in there to try and get my stuff done.  
 Sleeping on a pattern while I iron the Halloween piece.  
My lists are made.  
My projects are ready. 
Just got to pack my clothes.  

Hope you have a great weekend!
Keep on Stitching
Monica

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Such Decisions!

The Stitching Bee Retreat in Door County is coming up and I am trying to decide what projects to bring with me.  
It is a different type of retreat than some of the spectacular ones I have seen posted but, it is still incredibly fun.  
No structured projects...just bring your own.  
It is just fun to be with likeminded and somewhat crazy individuals.  
Here are the projects I have it narrowed down to.  
Everything is kitted up.
Christmas is for the most part on the docket.  
I may start this one as soon as I finish with the Halloween...almost done will post the finish.  
I think this one may be the winner.  I Love this one!
Margaret Cottom from La-D-Da a few years ago.  I liked it so much I bought the pattern twice.  
Will probably try and sell it on a website.  

The last of the leaves on our trees.  
When the sun hits them the effect in my living room is amazing.  
Two Maple trees, totally different.  
I will miss the color which will be gone very soon.  

Our Burning Bush.  
These are the best bushes in the fall. 
The red is spectacular!
Hope you have been having a good week. 
I have made it my mission on my FB to take the Ick out of Politicks by posting as many pictures of puppies, kitties, babies as I can.  
Have a great weekend
Keep on Stitching 
Monica

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

https://victorianmottosamplershoppe.blogspot.com/2016/11/be-ye-thankful-give-away-enter-now.html?showComment=1478047027606#c3203402605277538537

Spectacular giveaway at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe but my iPad didn't like the link.