Day 9 of 31 Days of Stitching and Sewing Posts

It's a new day with lots of time for catching up.  I've had a busy morning with church, grocery shopping, some housework and laundry.  The afternoon is mine for reading, computer time, stitching &  maybe a nap.  I am sleeping with one ear open, more often then not, as The Boy Wonder leads the social life of a high school senior.  (Lucky boy!) 

The Scholar has updated her blog with news of her arrival in Oviedo.  Click her pseudo picture on the right to see what she's up to.

On the stitching front.... first I have a picture of Thursday's project.  Country Cottage Needleworks' ABeeC Sampler.  Lovely colors. 

Last night I put a few token stitches in Tournicoton's Père Noël Charmant.  And you'll also notice I am mentally sharp enough to get the accents correct.  Phew, I did feel bad about that.  Each language has it's own special details I don't intent to neglect.  While this piece is small, it comes on 3 pages.... there is that much detail.  Those 3 pages are followed by 3 more pages of pictures and descriptions, in French, of how to make all the specialty stitches.  While I can follow the picture portion, the last page will probably remain a mystery.  There are 8 numbered instructions.  I have no idea what it's telling me.  Maybe it's finishing instructions.  I suspect I'll be ok with the pictures and the added detail written on the pattern. 

And, finally, on to today's start.  It's a small one with the hopes of actually finishing it today.  Knock on wood.  It's a little freebie from Brightneedle.  This past spring I visited a nice little shop in Trenton, Florida where they had this kitted up with the fabric and threads.  It can be done 1 over 1 or 2 over 2.  I'm aiming for 1 over 1.  We'll see how that works out.  I'd like to have the delicate look you get from stitching 1 over 1 but I'm not sure if my eyes are up to it.

I better get busy.  Somehow time just flies by when I get in front of the computer.

Day 8.... hump day.

So, today is hump day for the Crazy January Challenge.  You'll have to forgive my total lack of photo for yesterday's start but I'm too pooped after my day of sewing.  I don't know why sitting at my sewing machine, visiting with other sewers and eating lunch should take so much out of me, but that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. 

Here's my sewing machine while working on a cute little Patch Abilities piece called Chocolate Bunny.  I also made one called Tulips.  When I tack down the binding I'll snap another picture. 

Today's start will be Tournicoton's Pere Noel Charmant.  If I was less tired I'd figure out how to put the proper symbols over the letters.... but alas.... not today. 

By now, The Scholar should be moved into her new home in Oviedo.  Today was the day they left Madrid and met their new host families.  No word on how that's going. 

The cat is acting like she's going to perish if I don't feed her NOW!  So, I'm off.

Day 7

I managed all the boxes on Photobooth Snowmen and a little bit of 2 snowmen before running out of steam yesterday.  My wrists and fingers are feeling it.  I don't even think I've stitched more then usual.  I'll have to slack off a little.  Tomorrow is a sewing day at the church where my quilt guild meets so I'll be at my sewing machine a fair amount. 

Love the way that crease down the middle shows up so nicely in the picture despite pressing, spritzing, and pressing again. 

Today I will start Country Cottage Needleworks' A Bee C Sampler.  I have to admit to being a little tired of houses and alphabets.  I have many more in my stash but tend to shy away from buying anything else with those 2 motifs. 

Off to pick projects for tomorrow's sewing day.

The Queen Bee

Day 6 of......

Yesterday's start isn't a very colorful one but another hour or so with the white and then the color.

I've been appliqueing dish towels with Christmas motifs.  They are way too cute to wipe a dish with.

Off to a meeting then an appointment for a haircut.

The Queen Bee

Day 5 of 31 days of S & S posts.

Every one's kind thoughts and wishes for The Scholar as she started her journey was MUCH appreciated.  Yesterday was a long day.... airport delays, the absence of a flight attendant, and more delayed flights made The Scholar a little on edge.  Once she was in the air around 8:00 last night we were done hearing from her.  We did get a brief email this morning saying they had arrived and checked into the hostel.  They're staying right on The Grand Via in Madrid.  That's like being on 5th Avenue in NYC.  Most exciting.  We've been to Spain twice and during each visit we got to be in that area of Madrid often.  She's having fun, I'm sure.  This weekend will be the next big step... meeting and moving into the homes of the host families.  I have made her little icon picture on the right an active link to her blog..... Post Cards from Oviedo. 

Now, on to our 15 day challenge.

First, here is the little bit of stitching I managed yesterday.  Not bad for two 45 minutes stints.  If I'd started this on a day when I have a couple hours in the afternoon and again in the evening I think I could have finished it in the same day. 

The fabric is a little scrap of 32 count Highland by Picture this Plus. 

Today I am going to start another Heart in Hand pattern.  My friend Rebecca of Linen and Threads started the same piece yesterday.  I didn't jot down the fabric details.  It's the same as Rebecca.  Maybe she knows?? 

Since I had to dig around my pile of projects for the one with my Whitewash thread, I chose tomorrow's piece.  I have several of these Bent Creek Photobooth patterns and haven't done a single one.  Makes it a good choice for this challenge.

Before I get busy stitching I'm going to spend some time in my sewing room.  I came across a stack of dish towels I have been saving to applique on.  I thought that would be a nice simple project... and it frees up shelf space.  Gotta love that.

The Queen Bee

Day 4

Today is a big day.  I need to remind myself to breath.  In a little bit I'll be taking The Scholar to the airport as she embarks on her 5 month stay in Spain.

I try really hard to keep life in perspective.  So much of the simple daily grind can wear you down if you don't take a minute to remind yourself that it's really just Life. Most daily occurrences aren't anything to get worked up about.  I know I'm not sending a child off to a combat zone or dealing with a serious illness or disaster.  I do, however, have to get used to the idea that for 140 days, or 20 weeks, my daughter will be 4000 miles away.  She'll be in a country where I can ask where the bathrooms are and order lunch but not ask someone on the other end of a phone where she is or what is wrong with her.   She'll be living in an apartment with a women I've never met.  We won't have quick, easy access to her.  While Skype will save the day, she'll be where life is happening 6 hours ahead of life here. 

I need to keep reminding myself that I raised this girl to be strong and independent.  To have dreams and to go after them.  I've mentioned before how she was born with her suitcase packed.  She's going places.  Just, please, remember the way home.

So, while I've picked a piece for today's Challenge start, it's hard to say if I'll get to stitch anything.  I'll need to work in the afternoon, instead of the morning, plus return for the evening court session.

 For today, it's Heart in Hand's Celebrate Spring.

Wish me luck....and check her out here!

The Queen Bee

Day 3 of 31 days of S&S posts

I stitched most of the words on The Farmer's Almanac yesterday.  I'm looking forward to working on the barn once the words are finished. 

Today's start will be this Stoney Creek project.  It says:  An Old Bear Lives Here With His Honey.  Cute.    I have the finishing kit, t00.  It should be fun to stitch.  My husband will like it... not that he's an old bear or anything but he likes to think he is. 

Happy Stitching,

The Queen Bee