First Attempt at Dying Fabric

Had my first dye session.  It was interesting.  Not as hard as I thought in some ways but not as easy as it sounds in others.  Achieving a desired result might be an issue.  I only tried to dye some Aida fabrics that I picked up here and there from thrift stores.  Figured that was a good starting point.

At this point I was just dying to be dying and learned quite a bit.  Like, if you want purple, use purple dye.  If you blend red and blue, most of the blue will wash out leaving mostly the red dye rather than the thing ending up being purple. 

Now bear in mind that I am not an experienced dyer by any means.  I am sure that I did not follow the instructions so I may not have left the dye on the fabric long enough, had the perfect mixture or followed any real "rules" that may exist.  I just got dye from Walmart, mixed it up and went to town.

As I said, if I was trying for a certain effect for a certain project I might be in trouble.  So far, however, I had a pretty good time.

2015 Plans and Resolutions

As I begin to think about stitching in 2015, I find I have several projects planned that I am stitching specifically for someone in my family.  I am liking that idea, so 2015  may be the year of the stitching gift. (Warning to family)

I also am going to attempt some new techniques, new fabrics and new types of threads.  I am looking forward to it actually.  I think it is easy for me to get into a rut with my stitching which may explain why I had so many starts toward the latter part of 2014 and very few finishes. 

I am also going to try my hand at some fabric dying.   I picked up some thrift store buys on fabrics so I don't feel as if I am going to throw money away on something that might not turn out.

And I want to work on actually finishing my finishes. 

This is where the internet, facebook, UTube and the like have really been enablers for me.  I have seen so many beautiful projects done on various fabrics, colors, threads and so forth and they are made into banners, pillows and all sorts of lovely things.

I am going to try my hand at making a biscornu.  It is a funny shaped pin cushion.  Should be interesting.  I already have a bag of walnut shells that are used for filling and I have more beads than any human needs so it should be fun.

Of course my HAED Books Reading Books will take me well into 2015.  I would like to finish it in 6 months, but we will see how it goes.

I am going to do a project that is sent from the designer in parts.  I have received parts 1 and 2 already but will not start it until January.  It is the Lizzie Kate Things Unseen project.  It comes with a fabric and threads that I have never used before and is an embellished sampler which is a new thing for me. 

I will be doing a projected called Tree of Stitches so that I can learn to do some specialty stitches.  Should be interesting.   I am going to use variegated threads that I already have in my stash and plan to dye the fabric for this project.  I am doing this in preparation for a Chatelain design I want to do.

 Because several of my projects are huge ones, I am also going to do a small 5x7 Charles Kinkaid Tinkerbell.  I think it is just a section of a larger piece, but I figure I will need some finishes to keep me going.



 

Big plans for 2015 in the stitching arena.  I should also add to the list all the Christmas projects that I didn't even start this year. 

 

I am also going to make a concerted effort to learn to frame my work.  The cost to have then done is just crazy and I have not been happy with the last two things I had professionally framed.  The Michaels is only about 30 minutes away so I have access to mats and supplies so I am going to go for it.

 

And finally, I am going to refrain from buying any kits, patterns, fabrics or notions.  I am putting myself on a cross stitch diet.  I know a lot of stitchers take great pride in their stash, but it is just making me feel overwhelmed and lazy!  Of course that has not stopped me from stocking up during this final month of the year.  Kind of self-defeating I know.

 

Taking advantage of more sales I picked up some fabrics for next year.

These are linens,  32 ct.Belfast Ruby Wine, 28 ct Antique Green Jazlyn and 28 ct Thunderstorm Cashel.  The Thunderstorm is much more grey than it appears in the photo.  Lovely.  One of my 2015 goals is to try fabrics that I don't normally use.

And because I have several large projects planned for 2015 I picked up two kits that are smaller and should be faster finishes.

These also fit into my plan to use different threads and fabrics as they use threads from The Gentle Arts, Weeks Dye Works, Crescent Colours and Classic Colorworks.   I may start these before the end of the year just for  the heck of it.

And last but certainly not least I hit the HAED sale on patterns:

These will probably be 2016 - 2017 projects.  They are huge, of course, so I do not plan to kit them up until after 2015. 
So as you can see, I certainly do not need any more supplies. 

Wishing you a great December and wonderful Holiday season.  Merry Christmas to all.

Thanks for visiting.



What WAS I thinking?

My last finish was the free Heaven and Earth design Santa and the Mouse.  It was round and was called on ornament, but it ended up being about 9 x 9.  I decided to frame it and when I got the frames I just did not like the blank fabric on the corners (as the design is round).  So, in my infinite wisdom I decided to fill in those spaces to make it square for framing.  I found in my stash a skein of a red metallic thread (I know, I know). 

So I thought this will fill in and it will be a very quick fix before I frame the project. I figured it would take me about a day of stitching (6-8) hour tops to get this done and ready to frame.  Well, I realize how poorly I estimate how fast I stitch.  And I also had forgotten the pain that metallic can be, slowing the progress down further.  However, I am ok with the result.

I don't think I would do this again -- not with this particular thread, but this is what I had on hand so.....about 30 hours later!

I also much mention that the floss was a Rosace brand metallic.  I had never heard of it and probably picked it up in a thrift store haul. 

That is it for the moment.  Staying busy with my HAED December start and would like to complete the first page this week.  Also want to complete my first effort on linen fabric, the Thea Gouvener yellow rose. 

Will post plans for 2015 this week as they are coming together and getting a little out of hand I think!

Thanks for stopping by

New Starts and Old Projects

Just a few updates and new things this month.

December 1 started a Heaven and Earth Designs stitch-a-long.  I am doing the Books Reading Books design.  It is going so well I am lulled into thinking this is going to be relatively easy.  I am doing it on 18 county Aida because the 25 county I got originally was just too small and too distracting for me.

 

I am trying not to think about how stitching will go when I get to the portion of the picture that has a letters inside the book.  One stitch at a time, right.

 

 

I did get all the floss put on bobbins (most of it anyway) and am a little surprised that it doesn't use more colors.  It has a total of 86 colors which is not bad.  It has lots of area that only has a couple of colors and not much confetti.  When I get to the actual picture I am sure things will slow down, so I am making an effort to do as much stitching as possible before I get to the 'hard' part so that I stay motivated.

 



I have also done more work on the linen that I am learning.  It is coming along and is getting a little easier.  I am hoping to be more comfortable with this fabric as I have a couple of 2015 projects that use evenweave and/or linen.

This is a Thea Gouverner  kit that I got off of Overstock.com.  It is going pretty well.  Magnification and lighting sure help!

So that is about it for the first of this month.  I put in a few hours on Woodland Enchantress.  I have kind of lost interest in that project for now.  I am sure I will pick it up after the new year.

And of course I have not stitched at all on Bay Dunes, Cranes or any of the other WIPs I have going.  Oh well.


Thanks for visiting.

Finally Friday Finish

I am so glad to be able to report a finish.  It has been a while since I have been able to take a piece off the frame and get it in the wash!  woohoo


I finished the HAED Santa and Mouse free pattern from the Heaven and Earth Designs website. 

This was my first Heaven and Earth Design.  I did it in preparation for a really large project I am doing as a gift.  It is supposed to be an ornament......HA..... it measures 8.5 x 8.5 inches so it is a little large.  I did it on 18 count aida.  I did not want to use anything smaller for my first attempt.  Not sure how I will mount it.  I also note that I did not use the Krenik that was called for as it was only on the outside of the circle.  I may do a tent stitch in a square around it to square it up for framing or perhaps a round mat.  Have not decided.

What amazes me about this project is that while I was doing it the subject matter was a little hard to distinguish.  Then, as it came to life it was pretty inspiring.

I started this on September 19, 2014 and finished it November 21, 2014.  It took approximately 140 hours.  I used the Hours Tracker app to keep track of the time.  I was pretty good about recording the time, but it is still an approximation of the hours. 

Lots of left over thread.  What I found nice about doing this project is that because I kitted it myself using DMC floss, I did not have to scrimp as I often do when I work from a kit using the thread provided.  I like that a lot. 

Now to get to work on the rest of those WIPs.  I have been spending all my time on this little guy.  Glad it is over before December.

I started attempting to use different fabric, the first one being linen.  It has been a challenge, but I have a great teacher for support.  She has videos of her stitching under Tara C.  She is a wealth of knowledge about fabrics and very encouraging.  At any rate, I have been working on a small Thea Gouvernour design (a yellow rose) that I got from Overstock.com when I realized I had some credits so I paid nothing.....woohoo.  I got it because it was not on aida fabric.  I am getting the hang of it, but it is certainly a test of my patience and my eyesight.  It is also a challenge to photograph. 

 I started out using a hoop but changed to a QSnap and like it better.  Using the snap seems to help the fabric stay a little straighter and make the counting easier for me.  I am having to change the way I usually stitch.  I am doing a stitch at a time and I only put the center grid line in for reference.  I am also working on stitching horizontally exclusively as I find it easier to keep my place that way.  I have also discovered that my tension is an issue with this fabric.  I have to take care not to pull the stitches to tight or it distorts so badly that I cannot figure out where the next stitch goes!  Believe me, I have done a bit of stitching and pulling out and re-stitching.  But Tara C. told me that it would take about 100 stitches before I got into a rhythm, so I am not giving up.

Thanks for checking in.

November Already

Almost mid-November and not one finish to show for it.  It has been busy and the weather is so fantastic it is hard to justify sitting inside stitching. 

Have made some good progress on the HAED freebie project, Santa and the Mouse.  It is going rather slowly which I think is typical of these particular projects.  Lots of single stitches (called confetti by stitchers), lots of colors and it takes a lot of concentration.  I am happy with how it is turning out.  It is the only project I have worked on this month so the others are just hanging out in their pillow cases waiting for attention.

I am planning to start a new project from Heaven and Earth Designs.  It is large, very large and may take me the rest of my life to finish!  I originally ordered 25 count pre-gridded Aida for it, but it was just impossible for me to stitch comfortably, so I switched over to 18 count.  I may wish I had gone for 20 count, but I think it will be fine.  Not significantly bigger than the pattern, but OK.   I may not share it here as I am doing it as a gift. 

I am trying out a new magnifier light and I am not sure I like it.  It is a little awkward and cumbersome.  The light is good and it is easy to position but I am not sure the magnifying part of it is all that great.   I kind of miss my old Mighty Brite light and may go back to it.

I am giving up on doing Christmas cards.  Or any Christmas stitching at all other than the HAED design.  I am determined to have a finish this month. 

Been kind of a touch stitching few weeks for some reason.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to have more to post in a few days, weeks, months, .............

California Update

Have been in California for a little over a week and it has been so busy.  I am STILL unpacking from the painting last year and am making donations to charity.  I decided I no longer need most of the cook books and cooking magazines I have accumulated.  I never open them anymore and everything seems to be on line.  So, off to the used book store they go.

We also discovered that the RV will not fit in our driveway nor in the driveway that Robert had made up the hill.  It is too steep. (laughing uncontrollably).  Guess being in finance and not engineering is showing itself.  Right now the RV is parked in DIL's driveway up the hill, which is somewhat inconvenient, as I always seem to find something else that is in the RV.

I have also been working to consolidate my stitching stash.  What I brought from Texas and what was here in California.  It is overwhelming.  I have enough kits, enough fabric and enough patterns to last me until I am well over 200 years old at my current stitching rate.  And it took me an entire 8 hours to organize and log all the floss (just the DMC).   Crazy.

I am putting myself on a stitching stuff diet.  Well, sort of.  I am determined not to get any more patterns and/or kits until I get some finishes under my belt.  All this organizing and such has left me little stitching time so I have not made much progress for the past couple of weeks. 

I did start organizing the Books Reading Books HAED project and cannot wait to start it.  I am intimidated by the fabric, so I ordered some 18 count aida in case I cannot get the hang of the fabric that came with the kit.  Daunting!  I also had to order two new scrolls because my max length was 20 inches and I need at least 22.  And I put the first 16 colors on bobbins.   This will probably take me several years to finish.

I also kitted up the Welcome Friends in Celtic that I want to do for my nephew and his wife.  I decided to change the  colors over to DMC and some of them are not even close!  So, I may delay starting this project as I need to get some threads for it.  I will post a photo of it once I start it.

I made some progress on Woodland Enchantress.  This project has been my focus this week.  It is kind of slow going although I am liking how it is coming out.  I am using the System 44 stand (I think that is what it is called) to see how it is going to work for me.  Since I had to put the project side ways on the scroll frame, it is a little awkward to stitch.  The floor standing is helping some, but it is still not so comfortable.  Another reason I ordered the longer scroll bars.  This is the second project I have had to put sideways on the frame. It is about 1/4 done at this point. 

 

I put the Santa and Mouse HAED project I am doing on my American Dream lap frame that was here in California and it is going OK.  Still slow progress.  It has not dampened my enthusiasm for the large project from HAED that I will start soon.

 

And Bay Dunes was the project I worked on during the trip.  It is coming along nicely.  I did some of the back stitching while I was listening to Grandgirl nap the other day.  The babysitting is PERFECT as I can stitch without guilt.  Nothing else to do but listen to the little gal sleep!  Loving it.

I have found that my magnifying light that I love is just not working for me here.  It works like a charm in Texas, but the chair I use here in California is wider.  So, I ordered a new light.  Just what I need, right?   It came in yesterday and is still in the box so the jury is out on how well it is going to work.

That is it for now.  I will do another update in November (only 2 days away, yikes) sometime.  Hopefully I will have a finish or two before that.  I wanted to finish Bay Dunes by the end of October, but that isn't going to happen.

Am really enjoying time with the Grand Girls, but I miss the river more than I thought.  It seems there are many more demands on my time here in CA.  The pace if definitely faster and everyone is in a hurry.  We have a lot more going on so perhaps it is my imagination.

More as it happens

Thanks for visiting.

Day 2 of the Journey to California

Had a really good travel day.  The weather is just about perfect.  Tonight we are in Deming, NM.  I have always loved the desert, and it is just beautiful here. 

We are staying in a new park (new to us anyway).  It is a 55 and over park (for which we are well qualified).  They have some funny rules, and a lot  of goat heads, but it is really nice and they allowed us to park so that we have shade on the passenger side of the coach.  I do not know what the secret is to get shade, but we often have sun on the side where we like to sit out in the evening. 

 And the dogs are pretty comfortable I would say.

Am still working on getting a comfortable place to stitch while we are in route.  I have moved from the front to the living room area and it is a little better. 

Am working on Bay Dunes mostly.  Got some decent progress made.  Still over half way to go, but I am enjoying the colors.  I have to constantly remind myself that I am doing the half crosses the opposite of my usual way. 

I finally gave up on the Santa stocking that has been a WIP for what seems like ages.  All the fractional stitches just drove me nuts.  I have not totally given up on a WIP that I can remember, but I have so much more that I want to do.  I decided at my age not to stress about it.  So I took it off the frame and will start another project I want to do.

Bye santa

On to Arizona tomorrow. 

On the Road Again

Yep, we are headed West at last.  Our first night is outside Fort Stockton.  Not very picturesque, but it IS West Texas after all.  It sure doesn't feel like fall out here.  Hoping the night will cool down.

Have been trying to see if I can cross stitch while we are going down the road.  I usually do a needlepoint project while we are traveling.  I have, on the first day, found that it is not bad if I don't need to do a lot of detail and if it is 14 count.  The 25 count was WAY to small to see while going down the road.  It is certainly a lesson in discipline.  I have so much I want to work on while we are traveling.  I will try some different places in the RV tomorrow and perhaps a different set up in the passenger chair.  I am also thinking I need to put a lap frame in the RV somehow.  I can't seem to get the angle comfortable so far.

The dogs are doing really well.   I think they are ready for a trip.  I am so lucky that they travel well.  I can't imagine if they were bad travelers!


More as it happens. 

DESIGN Post for October

I am participating in DESIGN which stands for Designer Everybody Should Instantly Get to Notice.  I found this through a facebook post, and it looks like it should be fun.  If nothing else, perhaps I will be more likely to post with a little more regularity than I have in the past.

I do a lot of kits, mostly because I am a little unsure about choosing fabrics and threads.  Since I discovered facebook I have been exposed to many  more options and am challenging myself.  I am also enjoying it quite a bit.  I have learned that there are a plethora of folks out there who design some incredible things for cross stitch.   This posting groups will definitely help me be more aware of the designers of the things that I do.

For this designer focused post I will one of my current WIPs.  It is a kit entitled Bay Dunes and is by StitchWorld.  The artist is Paul Brent. 

He has a website that shows some of his work:  http://www.paulbrent.com/

The kit I s dated 1998 and I am not sure where I got it. (knowing me I picked it up at a thrift store!)
 I notice that this piece is not listed on his site, but he does have some needlepoint designs listed.  When I opened this kit I was surprised to find that there is another one of his designs charted.  I like the beach and airy feel of this.  The colors are very soothing and it really has been fun to stitch. 

I have never stitched anything by Paul Brent before and I may do the other design that came with this kit.  Time will tell.   The two design would make a great pairing for a house near the water.  I really like the way it seems to extend beyond the border of the picture.  A little hard to explain, but it enhances the airy feel I think.

This kit has lots and lots of half cross stitches which makes it go pretty fast.  This kit is on 14 ct. white Aida and came with DMC floss.  The finished piece is 9"x13".

I am just about half way finished with it and hope to finish it this month.  I am coming into the more detailed part of the design, so it make take me longer.    Here is my progress so far.

 

Thanks for visiting. 

 

 

October Update

Computer is back home and so far is working (keeping fingers and toes crossed).  So here is an update on my WIPs (works in progress)

I have been trying to set up a rotation on my projects, so my progress the past month has been a little slow.  Seems like I always have something that keeps me busy.  Especially since the weather has cooled off and the weeds have taken over the flower beds!

I am also getting the house ready for us to leave on the 10th and that keeps  me occupied.

 This is my first HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs) project, and I must say it is not going very rapidly.  I am happy with how it is coming along.  I am still winding floss on to bobbins as I go.....47 colors, although so far it is blues and purples.

This is Bay Dunes and it is coming along.  Lots of half stitches.  I decided to do the half stitches the opposite direction than I usually do them.  Making them in the direction of my top thread.  Not sure I like it, but it is a good practice.  I am liking this a lot.

Feasting Frenzy is kind of taking a back seat to the other projects at the moment.  It is my first project on a QSnap.  The jury is still out on whether or not I will use the QSnap again, but I did get an alternative way to put the fabric on the frame from a Utube video which has helped.  This is the project I work on when I am on the patio in the afternoon, so now that it is cooler perhaps I will get a little more done.

And last but not least is Woodland Enchantress.  I am really liking this project a lot even though it is going a little slowly.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes me.

 

 

I did not do anything on the Cranes project or the Santa Stocking during September.  I am trying to keep my works in progress down to 6.  Well, the major projects anyway, I still want to do some small things for cards..................................

 

This month I also purchase two apps for my ipad.  One is a cross stitch application called "X Stitch".  It is really a great way to keep track of projects and future projects.  The good news is that I am almost caught up inputting information.  You list your works in progress, future works, kits, threads and fabric inventories, etc.  The bad news is that I have WAY more projects than I need.  I think it is a sickness! 

 

The other application I added was Good Reader.  It allows you to download PDF charts onto your computer.  Rather than using paper patterns and marking them, it allows you to have the chart on your ipad and mark it using the highlighter function.  I am not sure I am liking it so far.  It is great for enlarging the pattern/chart and is easy to see that way, but so far I still use my paper and highlighter pens for marking the chart.  Habit I guess.  But it is time I move into the new century I suppose.  I am trying it on the HAED project.

 

And I also put Hours Tracker application on my ipad (it was free).  It has a function to record the time I am spending on each project, or job.  I like it a lot as I have always been curious about how long something takes me.  Of course I have to remember to clock in and out, but so far that is not a problem.

 

 That is it for updates. 

 

Thanks for visiting.

Computer Woes

I am wanting to do an update of my projects for October, but my laptop computer is in the shop.  I have not had much luck posting photos from my IPad, but it just updated so perhaps I will try again a little later.

We are scheduled to be on the road on Oct. 10 headed West.  I should be able to post our progress during that trip.

While I am not sure I am looking forward to leaving, I am looking forward to seeing family and friends out West.  And, I must confess, I am looking for the time on the road to get some stitching done!

More as it happens!

Golfer Finished

We have had a good bit of rain lately.  So much that it is too wet to mow. 

Although the temperature has been mild it has been overcast and humid.  It is supposed to start heating up again this week, but so far there has been no sun.  All the better weather for stitching!

Finished the golfer.  It was the smaller of the WIPs (5x7) so it didn't take too long.  The backstitching is the kind that I avoid doing whenever possible.  It is all slanted, does not follow any definite line and just makes me crazy.  But it is done.  Hurray.  Just need to frame him and get him on the wall!

 

I still have several projects in the works to keep me busy.  And I am in the process of organizing two really challenging projects (challenging for me anyway) to stitch in the next couple of months.

 

I am going to attempt my first Heaven and Earth design.  It is one of their freebies off their website.  Their designs are quite complex and use a lot of color (90 to 100 different colors in some cases) and are done on very small count linen.  I have never used linen before. '

 

I will post my progress on the first one soon.  I am still getting it prepared. 

 

More as it happens!  Happy stitching.

Stash Organization

Since you asked for how I organize (and I use that term VERY loosely)....here it is.

Have been working on organizing the way too many projects and stash items that I have.  I cannot say it is working, but I am giving it a good try.

If you know me, you know that I never have ONE of anything.  I always get at least two of whatever it is.  And I tend to pick up things at thrift stores.   I cannot pass up bags of floss, scroll pieces, etc.  I also stock up when needles, thimbles, markers  and other supplies are on sale.   And, of course, there is not a notion out there that I won't try.  It is a sickness.

I am to embarrassed to show you a photo of all the kits I have accumulated that need to be done.  There are many!  I think I may go through a donate a few of them.

I do kits most of the time, so I end up with threads from different companies.  So, I separated the left over thread by manufacturer, Bucilla, Candamar, Dimensions, etc.   I picked up some plastic boxes at the thrift store recently, so I have used them to separate and label the leftover threads from various kits. 

I also recently picked up a sack of Sullivan thread.  I have been wanting to try it, but so far have not used it for a project.  Those threads have their own box so far.

Most of my stash threads are DMC, so I got floss bags and this cardboard box to put them in.  I am sure there is a better way, but this is working for me now.   I am working on an inventory system but that probably won't happen any time soon!








I have several plastic tote bags that I have picked up over the years that I use to throw extra supplies and notion items in them.

This is also very handy to take a project along when we are in the RV.  It zips closed so nothing will spill out of it, and it keep the project nice and clean.  Well, it would if I actually put the project in it...............

I have a DMC over the arm of the couch thing that I have used for years.  I have a smaller plastic tote that it fits in perfectly for traveling.   I have altered it somewhat.  I used a glue gun to attach the thread heaven to it.  I attached the top so it is on upside down.  That way it is handy and it fits perfectly back into its cap.  If I could figure out a way I would glue a magnet to it.  The glue gun did not work......the magnet was too strong, and when the scissors were stuck to it the glue didn't hold up!



And I still end up dropping my scissors on the floor, dropping a needle or two and constantly loosing my markers or pencils.  But, it is better!

Even with all this I never seem to be very organized when I am working on a project.  But, it gives me lots of toys to play with when I need a break from stitching!  And, of course, I am always on the look out for more ways to organize. 

I am working on a post about how I organize each project.  Can't imagine why anyone would be interested in that, but have had requests for it.  So stay tuned and happy stitching.

September WIP

September is proving to be a busy month, so I may not get much stitching done.  However, here are the projects that I have ready to go and/or in progress this month

The Santa Stocking:  I just can't seem to get back to finish this.  I probably need to grid the final portion and perhaps that will make it go a little faster.  Lots of small stitches and outlining.  I will probably frame it rather than make it into a stocking.  Will decide if I ever get it finished.

.

The Cranes:  It is coming along nicely.  I have not yet really started using the metallic threads which I am sure will be a challenge.

The seascape:  This is a new project I just put on the scroll frame and organized the thread.  Have not even gridded the piece yet.

The Sepia Golfer:  Small project (5x7) and only has a few colors so it should go pretty quickly.

The Feasting Frenzy:  This is my test of the QSnap frames.  It is not bad and is really light weight to hold.  I work on it outside so I am also using the floss bags.  It is not as easy as having the thread on bobbins, but the threads should stay a little cleaner.

And one more.  Woodland gal.  It will take many months to complete this one!  It has lots of colors and is more complex than my previous projects.  It also has beadwork that goes on once it is finished.

These should keep me busy for a few weeks!  Since we are going to be back on the road in the RV in October, I will have plenty to work on while traveling.

It should be interesting to see how far along I get this month.

Not a Bad Day

 

Not much to report these days.  It is pretty quiet here.  It does seem to be cooler in the mornings lately and today we are getting a little bit of rain. 

 

Also, finished the Unicorn project.  Whew.  It was actually a fun project and I like all the detail on the unicorn.  

I have so many projects that I want to get done now that this one is finished.    Have a couple that are in progress. 

I would also like to do some seasonal stuff, Halloween, Christmas, etc., but I never seem to get to them, and I don't stitch fast enough...or should I say I don't start them soon enough!

Summer rain at last

We are getting some good, steady, slow rain and it is so welcomed.     Wish I could send some to California.