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. 

What????? How long has it been????

It's not that I ever post anything that will change the course of history.  Those of you who know me know I have a tendency to start things and then they go by the wayside.  (Yes, Mike - you're right).

But, here I am again,.  Nothing earth shattering.  Nothing life changing.  Just me.
Sort of geeky...I like Marvel movies, Star Trek, Stargate, and the occasional Godzilla movie.  I like watching Arrow, Flash, Agents of Shield...you get the idea.


I am a grandma who's in love with her three grands.
Oh and most importantly, I love Jesus. 
I'm married to a very patient, loving and the occasional eyebrow-raising man who works at a local amusement park.
I am a veteran of the U.S.Navy who believes in the Constitution - I understand that puts me on certain lists.  That's ok.  I've been on lists on and off for years. LOL!
And I cross stitch for Pete's sake.   How dangerous can I be?
Oh and dh is a vet too.  2 lists now?
My oldest dd is a vet, married to a geeky guy - also a vet - where do you think I get all my cool info?  She's the mom to those three grands.
My middle dd is married, she's gay ( oh no, another list) and I love her wife.  She's going to be a corrections officer, a cop and maybe work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife - my dd not her wife.  Though her wife wants to work with kids - now there's a worthy cause.
My son is a hard working young man who also works at said amusement park - they often confuse the two - not sure why since they are both so different.

So, much to the amusement of many, I'm back to blogging.  I talk about lots of things...but this is so very important so pay attention - I don't give out spoilers for TV shows and movies.
Huh?
Seriously, haven't you been watching a show, recorded it for later, and then someone gets on Facebook or sends out and email and says did you see....how could they have done that to him (or her).
:-)
I also post finishes to my cross stitch projects...like the below...the grands can't read yet so I know they won't be looking here...Two girls and a boy...did the pink and purple give it away?  One loves pink and princesses, one loves purple and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and ones loves video games.  They all love Lego (surprise!), baking, and crafts.  TAKE THAT NO GENDER DECEMBER!

 I also belong to a group called Stitch from Stash - using what you have instead of going out and buying more.  I could use some of that help!  I'll be posting how I'm doing on that at the end of every month.
So, there you have it...just me. Politically incorrect.
Just stuff.  And having fun with it all!
Thanks for joining me!
Oh and by the way, I just learned how to share a phone number on my phone through a text message without having to write it down first and then retype it into a text message.  Yeah, I'm real dangerous.

Cross Stitch Stash...

If you've been reading this, you know that I joined a Stitch from Stash group at the end of last year to help us stitch from our stash instead of going hog wild over buying new patterns and kits.  I've done pretty well - January I spent about $18.  This month $16.  At least $16 so far.  If I buy anything new it goes on next month's.  I really don't have a lot of stash.  I do have a lot of patterns so if I want to work on those, I have to buy floss - I'm not good at figuring out colors from what little I have.
Here's the site if you wish to take a look...the groups is closed but you can certainly read along with what others are doing...she has us all listed including this one.
http://epicstitching.blogspot.com/

And if you've been reading this, you know that I have been including my daughter Nikki's blog - she has posted a poem and I must say she has done a beautiful job...
http://nphen89.blogspot.com/

Very little progress has been made on my Woodland Sampler but I'll post a pic anyway  I've added another hedgehog and 1 1/2 leaves.  I'm actually almost done with September now that I look at it.

And that's it from here... nothing profound this week.
Except I really liked The Monuments Men - no matter what the "expert critics" think.
Except I STILL think dragons get a bum rap.  Because I love the Pern books! :-)