Yep, it's been a month...and Stitch from Stash for May, etc.

and here's my report from Stitch from Stash...
$7.01 for floss and fabric including 4 packages of fabric from the thrift store!
  0.00 for stitches done - forgot to count!  LOL!
$7.01 total.


On another note, I have joined another SAL but have not put in one stitch yet - I'm fighting hard to get the Father's Day cards done for my Dad and Tony.
I was able to finish the Mother's Day initials for my mom and m-i-l Carol on time!  WooHoo!

Everything else is on hold until I get those two cards done.

I do have a couple of pictures for you...
The first is a set of pictures of the fronts of the Mother's Day cards I made for my mom (E) and my m-i-l (C)...

I'm also working on the Monthly SAL and I was able to get April done.  I'm now working on May - a little late this time...

And finally here is the project I'm working on for Father's Day for my dad and Tony.

Have you noticed how relationships can be so very complicated?  Things change what seems to be overnight and you have no idea how to approach it.  I don't always try to "fix"stuff...there are just some things I have no business getting myself into.  At the same time, when it affects me, just what the heck am I suppose to do?  Sigh.  Nothing and let things move to their natural conclusion I guess.  Still, it weighs heavy on my mind.

I must admit I have no "wise words" for you this month so without anymore "guilding the lily", I close.

April Stitch from Stash...

Not a whole lot to report for April...I spent $3 on a floss box.

I needed the floss box because my wonderful dh Mike bought me this...

This is called The Three Watchers by Dimensions.

I've been looking at this for a long time and poof!  There it was in the mail!

Here are a few of my projects.
The first is from the monthly SAL - I actually had it finished in time to hang up.  It's in the kitchen next to the Spring Pantry.

Here's a link to the rest of the stitchers..beautiful work here...

http://manka-sal.blogspot.hu/2015/04/aprilisi-tulipanok-tulpen-von-april.html

The second is a WIP - work in progress...I'm finally getting to the trees!

This is from the Seasonal House collection by Brooke Nolan.

My family and I are recovering/on the road to recovery from bad colds.  I understand how a cat feels when he tries to hack up a hairball - gross but true.

And on another note......CHANGE.
I hate change.  Well, I don't necessarily hate it...it's just hard to deal with.  Especially at 60...oh did I say 60?  I meant 30 - silly me!

I mean, hey, I have plans....there are things I want to do.  And this CHANGE doesn't fit in with what I want.
Ummm, what did you say?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Oh, ok.  Never mind.

March Stitch from Stash

Reporting in...
$5.00 spent
  0.00 earned.
That's ok though.

Here are a few of my projects.  The first two are from a SAL...

And this is my progress on the Spring House by Brooke Nolan

On another note, since this blog is not just about cross stitching, I'd like to comment on consequences.  Many people these days do not think about the consequences of their actions - either short term, or long.  They only think of how they are feeling or what they want/do not want.  They don't stop to consider how many people are truly affected by one's decisons.
I'm not talking about the candy bar that you buy at the checkout at the supermarket.  I'm talking lasting decisions, consequences that will affect people for months or years to come.  And how many people it will affect in the long run.
We have enough trouble with government officials who make decisions that affect millions daily without REALLY thinking about how it's going to affect Joe Citizen. 
Make a conscious effort today to really consider the ripples you'll create when you make a decision.  Not just how it will affect you or what you can get out of it.

February Stitch from Stash

It's been a month since I've written - and it's not because nothing's happened.  It's just I haven't sat down to write about it.

First, Stitch From Stash...
$5.00 spent
  0.00 earned
$5.00 total which means I'm $20 under budget.  Nice.

Here are some things I have finished...or not....though they do not count towards finishes to earn $ at Stitch from Stash.  That's ok though as I'm still working on my WIPs and stash.  They are all in some kind of progress even if you can't see it.

First off, Here's a finish that's a gift for some friends - Since I'm giving this to them tomorrow, I have to come up with a grand finish of some kind real fast!

 This next one is part of a SAL in which I'm participating...the picture isn't very clear - I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that my light blue doesn't show up well on the oatmeal colored aida.

This last is part of the Seasonal Houses by Brooke Nolan.  It's entitled Spring.  I may get it done by next spring. ;-)

For those of you who don't know, I'm also a quilter.  I haven't made a quilt in a while but recently I made a quilt for my dad who is in Personal Care Assisted Living in PA.  The hands and feet brought to you by my dh.

Well, that's it from here. 
No politically incorrect things to say...and it's not that I don't have anything to say...just not today. :-)

Stitch From Stash plus other stuff.....

It's time to report in for Stitch From Stash, the cross stitch group that helps us STOP spending money and use what we have. We have a $25 budget to work with every month.  I really don't have a lot of stash.  I have a lot of free patterns that I keep on the computer, and some I've bought.  I do have some fabric but I usually only buy what I need for a project and try to use the leftovers.  It's not easy though...just recently Joann's had a 20% off for seniors for everything including sale items.  Fortunately, that's a good thing this time as I have been saving up!  I bought, drum roll please.....39 skeins of embroidery floss and a roll of Aida.  39?  Yep, because I have 2 big projects coming up.

I've also had a finish.....

 It's my first finish for this year. It's a birth sampler for my grandson's room.
That gives me $4 credit. Nice.

So here's my report for January:
  25.00 budget
    4.00 credit
  29.00
- 17.00 spent
+12.00 to the good!

Next month, since you all know what's going on, I'll put my report at the top and you can skip down ;-)

Here are a couple of things I'm working on...
This is from Brooke Nolan's Spring Pantry...

Also working on Firefly by Kell Smurthwaite...

It's been a bit difficult as the fabric is dark brown Aida (Browncoats unite!) so I have to wait for some nice days to work on it - it's the sunshine that helps. ;-)

In other news...I've joined a small group at my church.  They're working on the book "He Chose The Nails" by Max Lucado.  They're already in chapters 3 and 4 but catch-up shouldn't be too hard.  I'm looking forward to this.

So that's it for this month - and nothing politically incorrect this month...but the year is new.

New Year.... new resolutions?

I don't know about you, but I've made my share of New Year's Resolutions...mostly dealing with my weight and all-round physical condition.  I was actually doing fairly well before Christmas, but back slid...well, more like jumped from a plane...so now I'm starting again.  I joined a close knit group on Facebook of old friends (and new) so we'll see how I do this time.  And I'd like to keep it this way...not just so I can fit into some summer clothes but to just be as fit as I can for this....er..."middle age" body.

And of course, working on that Stitch from Stash. I realize it's only the 5th but I haven't bought any new kits or patterns.  I've actually got one finish.  Not too bad for it being the 5th of January.

This is for Aiden.  A birth announcement - only 6 years in the making.  :-D

There are other things I'm working on.  More personal things.  The most important ones. My relationship with Jesus being number one.  Michael being number two.  Joining a small group at church.

And not getting angry all the time when I see stupid stuff happening or people obviously being stupid or ignorant.  Because there's not a lot I can do in most of these cases.  But...I'll give out more hugs.  Shut up when I want to say something that I probably shouldn't.  Be kinder. More understanding. 

But, I draw the line at eye-rolling.  Sorry - its just a part of me.

All this change?  It takes time.  I'll try not to be too hard on myself with setbacks.

And I don't promise that I won't mention some of the "stupid stuff'" I see or hear on this blog.
Because I AM politically incorrect after all.

Not a whole lot new really...

I've signed up for the Stitch From Stash for 2015.  I've also made a list of projects I want to get done for the year.  Hopefully, that will keep me on track .

Now, since this blog thing is a bit new, in the creation of it anyway,  I think I have to place a button on the side of my blog for the Stitch from Stash - if you don't see it, that means I haven't figured it out.  Yet.  Some smart person will come along and tell me how...I'm sure.

On the home front, we got the news that my dd has been accepted into law enforcement and will be attending the academy soon.  This could lead to lots of different things.  But, I'm really proud of her.
I need a smiley face here.  A BIG ONE!

As you can see from earlier posts, I love to cross stitch - I thought you'd like to see an example of some older projects.  I think these are about 30 years old but I couldn't be sure. 

12 Days of Christmas.  The metal reindeer...used to belong to my mom - when they downsized, she gave them to me.  I've always loved them.  On the wall, Mike's Christmas stocking.  I don't fill that one. :-)

Finally, I want to wish each and every one of you a Blessed Christmas and New Year.  May Jesus live in your hearts and lives, may you find Comfort in Him, Joy, and that Peace that goes so far beyond our understanding that we can only stand and be amazed.

Merry Christmas.