A little bit of everything

First thing is TUSAL was due on the 19th of July and today is the 28th. A little late I would say. I have had the orts ready for a picture since the 20th and well who knows what happen to the time. So here is the over due picture.

July 19th TUSAL

Last weekend we had some of my husbands family back from Colorado for a family reunion. They came in on Thursday and left on Monday. Here are a few pictures of our weekend.

The big boys got in on the fun with there little cousins

Sitting on the deck and visiting

going for a ride on a wagon down to the river

My husband drove the tractor

I had lots of help doing my calf chores

My granddaugher bottle feeding one of the calves

on Sunday we had a family reunion picnic.

Just had to snap a picture of my furry friends
Sonny is 3 years old and the little one is 3 months old
Her name is Honey Bear, she is a Red Heeler.

Sharlee love to take a bath in my kitchen
sink even though she is 3 years old
and is a little big for the sink.

Well sorry no updates to show today. Haven't had much time to stitch lately.

Tuesday I had a dentist appointment, Wednesday I spent all afternoon visiting with a girlfriend that I went to school with. Thursday and Friday have been spent with the grandkids. I am hopeing to get some stitching in this weekend, but we will see what happens.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Happy Stitching

Denise

New Stuff

Sunday night my floor lamp that I use when I am stitching fell apart and my husband said he could not fix it and he threw it in the back of his pickup. So on Monday I headed to the big city to do some shopping for a new lamp, well while shopping I got a call from the sale barn (where I buy baby calves) and they said they had 27 baby calves at the auction, So I drove home and unloaded the car (and no floor lamp)headed up to sale barn and ended up buying 17 calves to bottle feed. I was exhausted at the end of the night. So Tuesday I get up and get all my chores done and head to the big city again because I just can't stitch with out a lamp. And here is what I got.

Creative / High Definition Natural Lighting
Ottlite
Got it at Joann's 50% off

 So I am back in business of stitching again but I think I am going to have to fight my DH for the use of that light because he really likes it too for his reading. So we will see who wins.

The next thing I have had a little while and can't remember where I got them but I am going to give them a try, and was wondering if any one else had tried them. They are called Thead Tux.

I am going to give these a try on my next project, the fabric is cut and floss is sorted and I plan on sitting a couple of hours and stitching when I get the post done. Please let me know if you have used them and what you thought of them. I liked the thought of not having to wind any bobbins my self.

Well I  am off to stitch before I have to go out and do chores and then make supper.

Have a good rest of the week everyone.

Happy Stitching

Denise



My 4th CJC 2012 completed

Cappuccino by LHN
32 ct Vintage Examplar from Lakeside Linen
used called for floss
Started Jan 1 2012  - CJC2012
Finished July 15 2012

I finished this yesterday morning and it was a  good thing that I did because last night I went to move my lamp that sits beside my stitching chair and it fell apart. I took it to my DH and asked him if he could fix it and he said no, not fixable, throw it in the trash. So I get to go shopping for a new lamp today.

Last week I had 3 of my grandkids here and decided to take them swimming in the little town we live by. Now this pool is not your normal city pools with all the chemicals added to it.

It kinda looks like a very small lake, they have lifeguards on duty during certain hours and they have it roped off where the kids can swim. They can have there toys and play in the sand. And I sat in the shade and read.

Granddaughter - Sharlee

I took them back to my place and as we are getting out of the car I told the boys when they change there clothes to make sure that they hung there swimming suits and towel on the clothes line. I start to unload the car and help Sharlee out and I look up to see both boys standing under the clothes line bare nake hanging there suit up. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. Good thing we live in the country and can get by with these things. Oh and I did get a couple of pictures too show there parents.

Well I need to finish up the chores outside and then get ready to go shopping for that new lamp.

Have a great week everyone!

Happy Stitching

Denise



Lots to show you !

Well I didn't do any stitching while my cousins were here from Norway, But I have been making up some time since they have been gone. I started out working Blooming with Inspiration from Blue Ribbon Design.

This is as of 5/20/2012

As of today 7/8/2012

I am working on the final 2 pages of this sampler and as you can see I have not put my initials and date in the bottom area yet, I will do that last so that I have the correct year in there. I am hopeing it will say 2012. At the rate that I am going it should be done this year.

OK next up is Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler by With thy Needle & Thread.

As of June 18th 2012

As of today 7/8/2012

Full picture as of today 7/8/2012

Then yesterday I decided to work on another one of my CJC 2012  starts:

Cappuccino by LHN
Started Jan 1, 2012

I put 457 stitches in it that day and have not touched it until yesterday and this is how it looks this morning.

As of this morning another 512 stitches in it.

I will continue with this one until it is completed because it is so close to being done.

Well its time to go sit my butt in my chair and do some stitching.

Thank goodness for the cooler weather now if we could have a little rain that would make our farmers sooo happy.

I hope everyone is enjoying there weekend, mine has been quite and relaxing so far.

Happy Stitching

Denise

I am Back!

Life is back to being a little bit like normal.

Normal, what is normal any more?

I really had a great weekend, lots of friends and relatives.

Thursday night we picked up 2 second cousins from the airport.

I stayed with both Ivar & Erling when I visited Norway in 1993

The other 2 in the picture are my aunt and cousin.

We spent time sitting around talking and laughing.

We showed them our farm and let them drive our old tractors and our bigger tractors

Ivar driving

Erling driving the 4850.

Then on Saturday night they went and watched my husband at a tractor & pickup pull which they had never seen done before. And on Sunday we had a family picnic, lots of good food and lots of pictures taken.

My husband , my oldest daughter and granddaughter

Oldest family member (88 years old)
Youngest family member (3 months)

Nephew Kyle, BIL Duane & Nephew Craig
(Chrissy I put this one on here for you)



On the stitching front there has not been much, Tuesday I started this LK ornament and finished it last night.

I had done 7 of them last year

I have 4 left to do and hope to have all 12 hanging on my tree this year.

Well thats about all for now,

 I have to get ready and go meet my Aunt in Sioux Falls for lunch

and catch up with her.

Everyone stay cool, its really hot here in SD

Happy Stitching

Denise.

Tag your it!

THE ELEVEN THINGS QUIZ

I have been tagged by More Than Just Cross Stitchin - Bonnie, Tracey, Jody, & Anita.

 The Rules:

• Post these rules.
• You must post 11 random things about yourself.
• Answer the questions set for you in their post.
• Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

1. What is the strangest thing you’ve ever confessed to eating for breakfast?

Bonnie: Two fruit servings – Orange juice and Peach Schnapps.

Tracey: Shreddies along with Homemade Skor Bars.

Anita: Original Mini Wheats along with Reeces Peanut Butter Cups.

Jody: Cold, left over asparagus.

What’s your answer?          Cold leftover Chicken or Pizza

2. When shopping, what aisle do you gravitate to first?

Bonnie: Home Décor unless distracted by Bling.

Tracey: Books and magazines.

What’s your answer?         I start on one side and make my way around the store - don't want to miss anything.

3. What is the most recent book you’ve read?

Tracey: 50 Shades of Grey.

Anita: 50 Shades of Grey.

Jody: 50 Shades of Grey.

Bonnie: 30 Shades of Grey – I’m not done yet.

What’s your answer?        I'm with Bonnie - I am only half done with Shades of Gray.

4. Who is your favourite movie star dream guy/gal?

Tracey: Johnny Depp.

Anita: Richard Gere.

Jody: Robert Downey Jr. Bonnie: Colin Firth, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Mike Delfino from Desperate Housewives, Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs; Bonnie is greedy!!

What’s your answer?     Matt Damon from Bourne Identity

5. Do you file your patterns by Designer, Alphabetically or by Category?

Bonnie: Who files??

Tracey: Mainly by category, unless it’s a series.

Anita: Ditto to Tracey.

Jody: Ditto to Anita.

What’s your answer?  I'm with Bonnie again - who files??

6. Do you stick to the pattern when stitching or change it up?

Bonnie: I tend to change it up.

Tracey: hmmmmm 9 times out of 10, I”ll stick to the pattern.

What’s your answer?     I stick to the pattern

7. Would you ever want to try your hand at designing?

Bonnie: Why yes of course.

Tracey: Perhaps…

What’s your answer?  I think it would be fun to try it once.

8. Do you tend to stitch more or less in the summer months?

Bonnie: Less. I spend more time in the gardens.

Tracey: Definitely less! The gardens always seem to be calling my name.

What’s your answer?       I don't have a garden but I seem to have more activities so it would have to be definitely less.

9. Have you ever attended a stitching retreat?

Bonnie: Yes, at Brentwood on the Beach with the Stitching Sisters and soon to be at a cozy cabin in the woods.

Tracey: Ditto

Anita: Ditto

Jody: Ditto

What’s your answer?    Yes quite a few but not in the last couple of years. thinking about going to one this fall.

10. If money wasn’t an issue and you had the opportunity to choose from one or the other, would you totally renovate your home and stay, or move.

Bonnie: I would move to a one level home. (with a pool and lazy river)

Tracey: I would pick my house up and move it to the country. Is that an option?Bonnie: No Tracey, that is not an option.

What’s your answer?     Move!!!! We live in the Flood plain so we get flooded out of our house every few years ( last year twice.) Not Fun!

11. Do you track the hours you spend on a stitching project?

Bonnie: Not always, but I did for a special gift. I tracked it as 197 hours.

Tracey: I used to... I just don’t care anymore. I finish when I finish.

What’s your answer?      Sometimes I keep track of the hours spent. But I like to keep track of the number of stitches for each project.

My eleven choices are as follow - sorry if you have been tagged already its hard to keep track of who has been already tagged.

Melissa - St John Stitcher

Angie - Lovie Dew Stitchery

Cole - Something for me

Teresa S - At  Willow Tree Pond

Mckenna C - Chic Crafting

Autumn - The Whisper of Autumn

Tammy - I Want to do one more Stitch

Heather - Heathers Cottage

Heather - Heather's Stitching Story

Lauren P - Ambitious Stitcher

Teresa - Quite & Relaxation

Now for my 11 questions

1) Do you have a special place to stitch?  In my recliner next to the window

2) At what age did you start stitching?  I was 26 when I started cross stitching but I had been sewing and crafting since I was a teen.

3)What are you currently reading? 50 Shades of Gray

4) What do you do for a living? I live and work on a 400 acre farm. Raise baby bottle calves and chickens.

5) If you could change your work profession what would you do? I don't think I would change anything that I have done in the past or right now.

6) What is your favorite stitching designer or piece that you have worked on?  Metamorphosis by Ink Circle.

7) Are you a cat lover or dog lover? I love my dogs

8) What is your favorite holiday to stitch for.  Christmas by far!

9) What is your favorite season on the year? I love fall

10) What is you favorite comfort food? Meatloaf and baked potatoes

11) If you are married , how long have you been married? I am married and have been for 33 years.

There you go, can't wait to see your answers.

Happy Stitching

Denise

June - TUSAL

Just a quick post to show my TUSAL for June.

Sorry about the picture not the best in the world.

No picture of progress because I have not done any stitching since the last post.

Happy Stitching

Denise

A busy week ahead

Good morning everyone.

Another busy week ahead of me, so there won't be much stitching going on in my house.

Today I am heading to Mitchell SD to pick up a motor for my DH's pulling truck (aka Lost Cause). This is a 1 1/2 hour drive there and another 1 1/2 hour drive back home.

Tomorrow I have new tires put on my car. A dentist appointment at 1:30 and a meeting to certify our crop acres at the county office at 3:30, so another day shot in the ass.

Wednesday and Thursday will be spent cleaning house because I have 2 second cousins coming from Norway. I have meet them once before in 1993 when I visited Norway with my aunt, grandma and my oldest daughter. It will be fun having them as guest in my house for a few days, then they will head up to MN for a while. They will be staying with me from Thursday night until Monday morning. We are planning some site seeing stuff and a family reunion on Sunday. Oh and also my DH has 3 pickup pulls this weekend also.

OK on to the stitching stuff. Here is what I have been working on this last week:

On my BoaF Sampler I got the roof, windows and door in and one and a half sheep done.

Then I started and finished stitching on a new piece called Patriotic Heart 2011 - Quaker style. I saw it on Karen's Handiwork blog and thought it was so cute.

I stitched this up on 25 count white Luguna - I know the picture it looks like blue but it really is white.

and I used DMC floss to stitch it. I am not sure how I am going to finish it but that will have to wait until my house guest have gone.

I need to get on the road so I can get my running around done for today.

I hope everyone has a great week ahead of them

Happy Stitching

Denise

Some awesome giveaways

Teresa from Willow Tree Pond is having the most wonderful giveway, she is celebrating 300 followers. Hop on over and check it out.(HERE) There are several awesome sampler patterns she is giving as the prize.

DixieSampler is also having a giveway called 2012 Summer Splash Giveaway. You can find her HERE

Happy Stitching

Denise

Progress Report & She Has a Name

Hello everyone! Its a warm one here today. I got up early this morning to get all my chores done while it was cool out. Fed & Watered the dogs and chickens. Finished mowing the yard. Washed DH's work clothes and hung them on the clothes line. Did my supper dishes from last night. Then went to town and got my groceries and was home with the everything put away by 10:00. Then sat on the deck for awhile and watched my dogs play.

Our 3 year old - Sonny and our new addition
6 weeks old - Honey Bear

Thats right we named her Honey Bear but will just call her Honey for now. She is a red heeler. She is getting use to being crated when we are unable to watch her, and does not wince so much anymore.

I can not believe it but I did not get on my computer at all yesterday. No Facebook, No Pinterest, No games, and no Blogger. I am making up for it this afternoon. Already been on here for about 3 hours and still have more to read.

Yesterday I got a lot of stitching time in,(beings I wasn't on the computer) so I need to show you my progress on BoaF.

My last update on this piece was 9/14/2011
Birds of a Feather Mystery sampler
by Brenda Gervais

From my last update I had only done the top line of the alphabet. And now I only have X,Y,&Z left to do. Got the little hill done and started on the house. Planning on getting the house done today, then we will see how I feel from there. 

Sharlee in the puppy crate

Her brothers had hauled the crate down to the garden hose and rinsed it out and when they brought it back to the house they had Sharlee in it. She was having fun going for a ride in it.

Well I thing it time to put a few stitches in.

Have a great weekend everyone

Denise

A little stitching, A lot of running around and a new puppy

OK where do I begin? I have been planning on sitting down and posting for the last couple of days and I kept putting it off soooo...... here goes.

First thing I have not been stitching a whole lot, a little here and there, but I did finish my May ornament.

Baked Goods by Little House Needlework's
30ct R&R Linen - Old Mill Java
and recommended threads.

Heres the deal on this I started it on May 20th and finished it on June 1st. This is the only thing I worked on the whole time. I spent about 10 hours total on it and put in about 1340 stitches, so as you can see not much stitching has been going on. Where has my time been spent you ask, well we are having a family reunion in a couple of weeks and my sister is doing the organizing of it and she has asked for a little help and I have been organizing my family history stuff and printing it out for everyone to have a copy. We also have a couple of cousins coming from Norway at the same time and they will be staying with us, so extra special cleaning is necessary.

I ran across some DVDs at Sam's Club last week and I had read a lot of blogs that had mentioned them, they are called Downton Abbey. I bought the first season on Thursday, when I got home and got everything put away I started watching it (3 disc). Finished watching the last of the 3rd disc on Friday morning. Decided I just had to have Season 2 right away and ran back to Sams Club and bought it. I finished season 2 Friday evening. I never even stitched while it was playing, I tried I really did but I was so into watching this show I kept finding my stitching just sitting on my lap.

My DH laid the last of the concrete on Saturday morning for his new shop.

Laying concrete in front of big doors

laying concrete in front of little doors

we had to write in the cement of course

Sunday I had to help serve breakfast after Mass. for the Catholic Daughters group that I belong too. We served scrabbled eggs, ham, fresh fruit and muffins. There was a very good turn out and we all done cleaning up by 10:30. After I got home I decided that I needed to get some mowing done up at our shop area so I headed up there for a couple of hours, which turned into 5 hours and one hell of a sunburn later. But it got done and my brother in law helped me by moving the junk out of the way, see my DH collects old car and stuff and then it just sits there.

Monday I ran errands for everyone in my family (except for DD1) then it was my turn and I went it and got a mani-pedi. Oh do my feet feel good now!!!! Yesterday I stayed home all day and caught up on my laundry, did some stitching on Birds of a Feather by With thy Needle & Thread. I started this one last year, and I'm hopeing to compete it next. Sorry no picture yet but in my next post.

And last but not least my DH got a new puppy last night. It is a Red Heeler, and she is just weaned off of her mother.

We have not named her yet

Sonny (who is almost 3)
doesn't seem to mind having her
around.

OK that is about it for now. My DH just called and I have to run a motor to Mitchell and drop it off for him. That's an hour drive there and an hour drive back, so if I go now I can be back before it get too warm outside.

Have a great rest of the week!

Happy Stitching

Denise

Hi everyone , just wanted to let everyone know about a great giveaway going on over at St. John's Stitcher. Pop over and give it a look. (Here)

Whooo's there

This morning I was awaken ( at 5am, no less) by a lot of racket coming from my kitchen. I thought that maybe my DH had gotten up early and was making coffee, but the noise continued. So I got out of bed and went to investigate and to my surprise  this is what I found.

My DH laughed at me because I made him wait to catch the owl so that I could get pictures to prove to everyone that we really had one in the house.

I have no idea how this owl got into our house, I have checked every window and the door was shut tight. This is the second time we have had an animal in our house. The first one was a squirrel. It was in our house for about 2 weeks before we found out what it was. We would come home from work and find any number of things knock over or mini blinds laying on the floor. It finally got itself stuck behind the bookshelf and again DH came to the rescue and grabbed it and put it back out side where it belonged. The funny part about it was that when it first started we put the blame on our children and that they must have been rough housing around. Of course they denied it and said it was that way when they got home form school. Boy did we have to apologize to them after we realize it was not them.

This will remain a mystery for the time being.

Well back to my stitching, I started a Christmas ornament and will post an update on it later.

Happy Stitching

Denise

Shop, Stitching, TUSAL,& new start

Hi Everyone! Well I managed to put in about 5 hours of stitching yesterday. And I got up this morning and started stitching again, but not it didn't last long because I had to help sort cattle and haul them to the sale barn to be sold tomorrow. So I will be sitting at a stinky sale barn most of Monday watching cattle sale. These are the feeders that I bottle fed last fall.

Yesterday morning we laid some more concrete in our new shop, we had about 10 of our friends show up to help. What great friends we have.

We have to lay one more pad of concrete next Saturday and the shop floor will be complete. My husband is wishing it was all done but we have a long ways yet before the shop is completely finished.

I am still working on Blooming with Inspiration, this one is going to take awhile and I am Itching to work on something else for a while. So I decided to start on a Christmas ornament for the month of May, beings I don't have but a week left in the month to get it done. I have decided to start on Baked Goods by Little House Needleworks. So many of you out there have already done this one and I have had it kitted up for quite awhile so now is the time.

As of 4/30/12

As of 5/20/12

And I also finished up Forever in my Heart and framed it simply in a black frame.

This young man left this earth way too early in life. I made this for his mother who misses her son deeply, and is missed by all his friends.

And my final bit of news of course is TUSAL time.

Mostly from Blooming with Inspiration

I hope everyone has had a super weekend

Happy Stitching

Denise