Stitch from Stash - November

It's been another easy-on-the-wallet month for me. Not a cent spent on XS.  I've been happily occupied loving on a new puppy and finding a few minutes here and there to stitch on the wolf.

This has been a great challenge for me this year and I have enjoyed it WAY more than I thought I would. I will admit that I sort of started January out on a "poor me - I have a limited budget for xs"attitude.  Now, with the support of a lot of people with GREAT ideas and lovely pictures of what they've been stitching from stash, I look back and see a great year w/ no feelings at all of being XS-deprived.

Earlier this  year, I did buy a new pattern from Rosewood Manor and the Valdani threads to go with it. I LOVE the design "Quakers and Quilts".  It will be my "New Year's Start" on January 1st.  I'm going to rotate between the wolf and the new start.
Ideally, I would have finished the wolf by the end of THIS year, but with all the "blips" we've had here and there, I'm okay with it being right where it is.  It will be finished hopefully, in 2015!

Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon

Stitch from Stash - October

I didn't spend a Penny on any stash this month.  Any money I would've spent for stash, went instead to this cute lil face!

Shelby has come home to live with us "fur"-ever!!!!      :)

Our world has basically been turned upside-down, but we wouldn't have it any other way!

I have found some time to stitch, so I 'll be up-dating my wolf progress soon.  also, be prepared for LOTS and LOTS of Shelby pictures!    

Hugs and Grace,

*Sharon

Another page finished!

This is where "Call of the Wolf" stands today.  I'm getting there!   :)   Haven't had a whole lot of time for stitching lately, but every little "x" gets me closer to my goal. 

We're supposed to have a rainy couple of days coming up - so hopefully, that will mean time for blogging some new pictures and sharing a fun update on the soon-to-be four-legged status of our home!      :)

Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon

Stitch from Stash

This has been another great month for my wallet.  Not a cent spent on anything stitching related.   That's not to say that I don't have a few things here and there on my "wish list" but no spending!

Hugs and Grace,
Sharon

Stitch from Stash -July

I'm happy to say that after being a stash-piggy in June, I behaved myself in July and didn't spend a penny!     :)

I kind of feel like it was too easy not to spend XS money in July because we've been so busy with family visits and just the general busy, busy, busy that summer brings.  It's more fun to spend time outside than inside.

I've been trying to stitch on the wolf every chance I get to put thread to fabric.  It's coming along nicely.  I'll post an update soon.  I haven't had any time to work to work on my "Cookies-Dark Side" project that I 'm making for my son's "man cave" in his new home.

I'm glad my XS budget is back on track and that I have the stitch from stash group to keep me on target.   It's helped me to distinguish between wants and needs.

Have safe fun in the sun!   :)

Hugs and Grace
Sharon

White Fang*...(aka Wolf Update) & My Mid-life Stitching Crisis

 

   (*thanks to MiiStitch for suggesting "White Fang")    :)

This is the latest and greatest wolf up-date.  I am enjoying watching the wolf and his buddies come to life.  This is from a kit (and generally, I'm not much of a kit kind-of-girl).  I'm learning all over again why I'm not a kit fan.  One of the floss colors used with the "sky" in this design is a VERY, VERY, VERY pale blue.  (Did I mention how pale the blue was?)  So pale, in fact...that it is hardly even noticeable in the design.  I didn't notice how un-noticeable it was until I stepped away to look at it.  In hindsight,  I wish I would've picked up on this sooner.  I would've subbed my own choice of a pale blue thread that would've been seen, but subtle.  I still love the project and look forward to stitching it every chance I get.   I have one page completely finished at this point and a good start on the other pages.  There's still much stitching to go until I finish, but I'm plugging along and happy with it.    :)

So, I've hit what I call my "mid-life crisis" stitching-wise.  (And thank you to my "precious" husband for pointing out that I'm only of a "mid-life" age if I intend on living 100+ years.  He thinks I'm just a wee bit past "mid-life")  *Bless his heart*...those of you in the south know that *bless his heart* has multiple meanings....LOL.

Anyway,  I have found that with age comes wrinkles, flabby arms (when the heck did those set in???)
and reading glasses.  For me, it also has changed a lot of my tastes in what I choose to stitch.  I find that these days, I'm enjoying crawling out of my stitching "comfort zone" and trying new things.
I seem drawn to bigger projects (think samplers) and anything with a Quaker theme.  I've found Rosewood Manner, Blackbird Designs, Chatelaines and the Scarlet Thread to be appealing to me now.  I still find Country Cottage, Little House, Lizzie Kate and a couple other "new to me" designers  to be fun and delightful, (and I will stitch them with joy for my "on the go" projects, But for some reason, my taste is changing.  I'm even determined to tackle a HAED project someday.  Once the wolf is finished and my "Dark Side...Cookies" project for another son is finished, I'm going to see where this new direction in stitching takes me.   (Oh and I intend to work on these flabby arms too!)  

Have your tastes in stitching projects changed as you've, ahem... "aged?"    :)

Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon

Stitch From Stash - June

This will be a quickie post, we have family in town visiting and I. Want to be fully immersed in the fun!  I knew it would happen - I'd fall off the stash wagon sooner or later.  I made it 6 months without spending a single penny but this month, I found temptation that I couldn't resist.  I was hoping to have a  picture of my goodies to share with you, but I 'm still waiting on my order to arrive.
here's my report:

Moira Blackburn - Three Things Sampler.                 $ 8.00 Including Shipping
18 ct fabric for sampler                                                 10.00.    ".             "
Rosewood Manor - - Quakers and Quilts.                     18.00.    ".            "
(This also includes the Valdani Threads needed for the design).  
I think I found a steal of a deal on this one!

So, all together I spent,     $36.   This month was a bonus month for Stitch From Stash, so I had a little extra breathing room.    I spent $25 of my monthly allotment, plus another $11 for my bonus month money.   I can honestly say that I'm happy that I spent a little this month.  Having new stash to fondle can solve almost any woe.  Am I right?   LOL

Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon
(Posting this from my IPad... For some reason, IPad is not liking Blogger today.).   Please excuse any wonky typos.
Stitch From Stash

Stitch from Stash - May

Another month with no money spent on anything cross-stitch related.  5 Months with not a penny spent!!!   :)   I've been so focused on stitching the Wolf and my on-the-go project, I just haven't felt the "need" (lol) or desire to buy anything......yet.  I know my time is coming.  It will be fun to see what finally tempts me to go 'off the wagon'.     :)

Hugs and Grace,

*Sharon

Rainbow Bridge...

Our Sweet Little Love

2004-2014

We had to let our little sweetie go to the Rainbow Bridge today. She has been struggling with congestive heart failure and lung and kidney issues.  We've tried all sorts of medicines...knowing that when it was her time to go, she'd let us know.  Sadly, late yesterday, she did indeed show us that she needed to be able to breathe easy and spin and play and eat and enjoy life.  She was no longer able to do those things on this side of the bridge...so today, she went on ahead of us.

We are so fortunate that our county's humane society has a "Rainbow Bridge Chapel" where you can bring your fur baby's for their last few minutes on earth.  It was so beautiful...stained glass windows and soft furniture to sit on to hold your sweet ones when they pass.  We had all the time we needed with her and were treated with overwhelming kindness.  Previous to this, we had taken our pets to our vet when their time came.  I always hated those metal tables.  This was so different and I am so grateful to all the donors who created such a special, special place for those of us who love our animals, oh so much.

We made the decision to have her cremated and Ian picked a lovely box for her remains.  Our hearts are broken...and the tears flow freely.  I wouldn't trade the pain though...pain comes from wonderful memories and lots of unconditional love and trust.  Our little love was a rescue and when we first got her, she would sit in her crate and shiver with fear.  After a few days, she'd venture out a bit at a time...and then she made the leap of faith to trust us...and she learned how to rule our roost!  :)

I miss you so much, my little stitching buddy.  I purposely stitched a few of your hairs into Ian's wolf project... You'll be in our hearts and have our love...forever.

Hugs and Grace,

Sharon

I should have tried this years ago!

So, whoo-hoo, it's almost the end of April and I still haven't spent a single cent on anything needlework related.  I'm participating in the "Stitch from Stash"challenge this year and so far, so good!
For heaven's sake, I haven't even been spending any of the monthly allowed allotment! 
I have been really focused on finishing my wolf wip and on my "Sheep Virtue" as my take-along.
I can honestly say that I have immensely enjoyed seeing all the goodies that ya'all are stitching on and that I love being "enabled", but this challenge has shown me that I don't "need" to own/or stitch every wonderful project that I see.  It's okay that I can just love your projects from afar!
 I will say that I have some pretty groovy "wanna buys" on my list for my "reward" of finishing the wolf, so stay tuned.  I figure I'll have the wolf done in about 77 years or somewhere thereabouts, so the new stash will be coming...eventually.!   :)

Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon

The better to see you with, my dear...

I must definitely be making some progress. My wolf has TWO, count 'em, TWO eyes now!  :)
It was always a little quirky to be working on this design while he had only one eye.  LOL
I had some definitely needed stitchy time over the week-end and I tried to put it to good use.  I still have a long way to go before this will be finished, (I'm hoping by Christmas????) but forward progress is forward progress and whenever I get the chance to make some x's, I'm a happy camper.

Just in case you forgot, this is what the finish line will (hopefully!) look like for this project.

Hugs and Grace,
*Sharon

"Hugga"'s Memories

I sure hope you want to see pictures of my little J-Luv, because I've got LOTS of them!
First, let me explain "Hugga".  When Jackson was born and I was officially a "Grandma" - due to blended families, I was one of three of Jackson's grandma's.  So as not to confuse the little tyke, I decided that I wanted him to call me "Gigi".  All was well, until Jackson's recent visit.
We tried and tried to get J-Luv to call me "Gigi".  Nope...didn't happen.  Then, we tried and tried to get him to call me "grandma".  Nope...didn't happen.  J-Luv decided that I was "Hugga".  Every time he wanted to be with me, he would always say "Hugga".  I LOVE giving and receiving hugs, so "Hugga" works well for me.  I'm pretty sure that one day,  he'll call me "Gigi"...but if I always remain his "Hugga", I'll be a happy camper!  On the other hand, Grandpa was immediately "Bampa".  We had a WONDERFUL two weeks being hands-on Hugga and Bampa!

The "King" of the Castle

(Okay, so this is the little guy in front of Cinderella's Castle at Disney, but he was definitely the king of OUR castle!)     :)

My beautiful little beach boy! He LOVED playing in the world's largest sandbox!

He loved trying out new parks!

(and though he didn't say it, I'm pretty sure he enjoyed being "hugga's" little "fashionista"- who says boys don't like to rock plaid?!)  LOL

 Oh, how he loved the parks!  :)

Checking out fishing poles w/ Bampa

Bampa and Hugga "might" have endulged him w/ a little slide of his own.

:)

He was so stinkin' cute w/ Pluto and Minnie.  He LOVED visiting them!

Every cute lil Disney Visitor needs their own "ears"

Mimicking Snow White...I swear, this wasn't staged!  :)

Okay, okay...enough pictures for one blog post.  Don't worry, I have LOTS more that I'll be sharing in the days/weeks/months/years to come.  Suffice it to say that J-luv had Bampa and Hugga wrapped tightly around his heart.  We feel so blessed that we had the time to spoil enjoy him so much.  He won't ever remember our visit together, but we'll NEVER forget it!!!!

Hugs and Grace,

Sharon

No stitching, No stash

I'm very happy to say that this month I didn't spend a single cent on stash.  Now, if you would ask me if I had spent "more than a single cent" on my little baby-love Jackson,  I would be a hot mess.  Lol.
Because of  our wonderful visit, I've had neither time for stitching nor stashing.  I have lots and Lots and LOTS of pictures to post soon.  Now that my favorite little family is back at their home safe and sound, I have a bit more time to stitch.  I'll have an up-date pic on that as well.  In addition, our own not-so-little guy received some Whoo-hoo news in regards to being admitted to his college of choice AND in receiving a scholarship to said college.  It's been a wonderful month around here - one to remember and treasure forever!!!

Hugs,
Sharon

Grandma Paws

I am just one big 'ole giddy Grandma this week!!!  The little guy pictured above is coming to spend a week with his "GiGi"!  His mama and daddy (my son) are going on a cruise (to celebrate surviving the little guys' first year) so Grandma and Grandpa and the not-so-little Uncle are going to be watching this cutie while they're away.

I swear, I feel like I have hours and minutes counted until I get "mama paws" on my son and his wife and "grandma paws" on my little J-bug.  It's been a while since we've had a little one around here, so we're hoping we remember the basics.  (we already have the head-over-heels love for Jackson part down pat!)

We have some fun adventures planned for Jackson and have built in lots of time for running and chasing.  I wouldn't mind some cuddle & snuggle time, but I'm not sure this busy little just-turned-one is going to go along with that.  :)

No matter what, I am just so thankful to have this time with all my sweeties.  The fun starts Thursday...I just have to be really patient for a few more days (hours and minutes!)   :)

Hugs and Grace,
Sharon

The confused people who work at Visa.

Yup, two months and the poor folks who work at Visa are probably beginning to think they might need to send a nice fruit basket to my house because my "charging" habits have slowed dramatically.

I've safely made it through another month w/o spending a Penney on anything stitching-related.
This challenge has encouraged me to get real with what I have on hand vs what I still love.
I've done a lot of sorting and labeling...It's a joy to finally be so organized.

I have to admit to being tempted by some of the goodies that I've seen from the latest market...we'll see how long the resolve can hold.  In the meantime, I'm still plugging away on ye olde BAP wolf design for our son.  I'll try to post an up-date pic this weekend.   :)

Hugs and Grace,
Sharon

Stitching from Stash - January

I made it through the first month without spending a Penney! I'm participating in the Epic Stash Project.    It was a wee bit hard, but really wanting to finish the wolf for Ian has kept me motivated to stitch what I already have.  I think by next month, I'll probably fall off the wagon just a wee bit, as my needle supply is quickly dwindling...
So far, so good!  If I keep up at this pace, Visa is sure to call to see if I'm still among the living because there haven't been any $ charges made to xs stores.  Lol

Month one down:  ELEVEN to go - ACK!!!!!      LOL

Hugs and grace,
Sharon

Kidney Stones & Kidney Infections - Ugh...

Jus' Sayin'..........

Hugs and Grace,

Sharon