BBD SAL Finish and Stitching

Part Two of the August 1st posts.  

Onto stitching! On our last Porpoise Bay trip, I put in the last few stitches in the BBD SAL sampler.  I was pleased to finish it and proud that I stuck with the eyelets! It took me awhile, but I certainly have become quite the expert with eyelet stitching! Here's the original photo from the campsite.

Outdoor photo of my finish

Some ironed, close-up photos.

 

It was a wonderful SAL to be part of.  Thank you Barb and Alma for releasing this lovely SAL!!

I made some progress on Sarah Chapple.  She is such a pleasure to stitch.  I just can't believe how large she really is!! I always choose massive projects but I need to keep at them and make progress!!

Love the little satin stitched pot under the chained fence!

Little pots and birds still to be added!

I'm so glad to say that my little stitched box gift I made for the lovely Carol, from Stitching Dreams, arrived and she was happy to receive it.  It took me awhile to get it finished since for some reason, none of the stores I visited, had boxes that would fit the design I stitched for her.  Thankfully, one dollar store had a box the right size, so I was able to finish it off and mail it to her.  We have developed a lovely relationship over the years, like so many of you, and I was happy to make it for her.  I hope to make more little gifts for others in the next little while!! 

BBD design stitched on 36 ct. Abecedarian linen with GAST threads

I also made a bit of a belated birthday gift for dear Vickie.  It was a little tea cup cozy, some tea and a pink thread, since she loves pink so much! I had to laugh when she said that her daughter took the tea cozy and put it around little Henry's neck! I never thought of it like a dog collar, but that girl has got something there! Maybe I should make some crocheted dog collars instead of teaching!! Probably would do better than I am now! LOL!! I had to borrow Vickie's photo from her blog since I forgot to upload one of mine.

Stupidly, while we were on strike and not making money, I had ordered some stash....seriously stupid me.  Why I did this, I don't know.  Not sure if we will be working in September so I probably have to start looking for a new job.  Really not sure of what the outcome will be.  But look at what I got! Even though I can't afford it, it's really pretty.  I got a bunch of new cottons to make some new cozies and mats to possibly sell at a craft fair from Loveknitting.  Such great service and free shipping over $50 for Canada!! Can't beat that!

On our Porpoise Bay trip, we went to Carolanne's Quilt shop in Gibsons and I got a few little fat quarters for cheap.  Nice for finishing!

Then Needlecraft Corner had and anniversary sale..uh oh! So I ordered a bunch of threads for a sampler, some linens and some mystery NPI silks that I don't know what design they are for.  I can't remember why I got them.  I had copied and pasted the list from 123stitch so I know it was for a chart...it's a mystery for me. 

Two of those charts are from Brenda Gervais' With Thy Needle and Thread.  I might save these for next year once I'm done Sarah and JCS, but I need to devote more time to stitching every day, not once in awhile!! 

So I'm done for stash for a LONNNNNGGGG time! I don't need anymore at all, unless it's the odd thread or so, but it's so hard to resist those new charts that come out!! 

Here's a little photo of my dear stashaholic Titus, owning the threads.  He loves it when mom pulls out the stash!!

I've haven't caught up with blogs and feel uber guilty about it...so I hope to spend some time tomorrow morning visiting people since I miss you all!! 

Hugs to you all!!

Anne

Bikes and Hikes

Part One of my posts!! 

Can't believe it's August 1st already and summer is halfway done! It's been a bustling and hustling time for me as usual with some stitching done in between (in the next post).  Since my last post, I have been going to farmer's markets, exercising, visiting friends and family, biking and hiking.  My hubby and I went for a short two night bike trip to Porpoise Bay and loved having the cyclists campground to ourselves the first night.  We tried swimming the next day in the Bay but the wind was so vicious, as though it had chilly teeth clawing out our bare skin, that we could only go as far outas our knees.  The following day we encountered some rain just after we packed up, which was a relief.  Cycling in warm summer rain isn't so bad.  In fact it was nice to feel warm yet be cooled by the rain.  The mists coming down from the mountains was so mystical it felt like we were a part of a Tolkien book!

Then on Monday, we headed out for my first hike, hubby's 4th, deep into the Coastal Mountains in North Vancouver.  At first I thought, oh this isn't so bad for hiking, but when we passed the "Be prepared sign", it got ridiculously hard.  As I've said, I'm not a hiker really, so scaling steep mountain sides and up rocky creek beds is more for experts than lil' ol' me.  Well, I managed to do it with a weakened ankle and an arm that was nearly broken by a falling rock.  Yes, I did it even though my heart was in my mouth from fear of falling.  My hubby says I earned my Wolverine, Valor, Endurance and Bull's Strength badges (I suppose those are scout badges??) since I persevered and did this crazy, hard hike.  We couldn't get back in time and I was so weak, we had to pitch our hammocks.  The temperature dropped so low that night, I awoke shaking from freezing.  Thankfully, my survivor husband, had emergency blankets in his pack which we wrapped around me like a cocoon.  I think I got 2 more hours of sleep that night then we hiked back.  Every muscle in my body ached! Muscles I didn't know I had! I think I'll stick to cycling though.  I feel much more safe on my bike than on my own two feet!! Enjoy some of the photos.

Survivor man with morning sun on his back

This mountain is a lot steeper than it looks...my heart was racing

Part of the rocky creek bed we traversed

Relief from scaling that mountain

The final stop after all my injuries...the creek water was so clear and pure

Our sleeping accommodations

That's all so far for my adventures in July.  This month, we are hoping to travel some more, where, we are still deciding but somewhere new.  With bikes!! 

Stay tuned for the stitchy post next!!

Hugs

Anne

Summer Heat and Stitching

Hello everyone!

Wow! It's been some time since I've posted.  There have been a number of times I wanted to but then I got distracted by this and that.  We are in a heat wave right now, although I know there are hotter places than here, it's hard for us not used to it to handle.  Poor little Titus has been lying around in our heat apartment trying to keep cool.  I've put ice packs around him so at least some sort of cool air evaporates for him.  I've also been trying to get in shape with eating better and exercising, yet I feel like a slug in the heat!! I know a number of people go to the gym, where it's nice and cool, but I just can't really afford paying a monthly gym membership at the moment. 

So to catch up.  I've gone to a stagette on an island, a wedding, farmer's markets, short bike rides, visits with friends, Barnston island with my mom, uncle and hubby, and more doctor's appointments! Yay! Stitching has happened and I'm so glad I got two RAK's finished.  I put crocheting down for the moment since the yarn is too hot to work with at the moment.  How about a little picture walk for everyone? 

Stitching

A little Primitve Hare freebie finish.  Love bees and will be finishing it as a prim pillow.

Stitched on Old Salem Linen with DMC threads

 Eyelet progress on the BBD's Her Sampler SAL.  Hoping to forge ahead on finishing the eyelet bands tonight.

Mind the hoop wrinkles!

Sarah Chapple grass complete!! It took an age to do.  Grass stitching is great for watching shows though.

Some JCS 1707 progress. The vines got tricky and my eyes get tired from counting.  I think the chart's symbols are a wee bit too small for me.

Stash buying from over a month ago.  Forgot to post a photo of some Goode Huswife charts  I found at an online store.  Also I had to get a few of Nina's threads to try out.

Granny Stripe progress...three rows before the heat came.

Titus is such a good little model.

One more thing related to stitching.  The other day I received a most wonderful RAK in the mail from Mii!! She knew I was having a rough time last month and the sweetheart that she is, mailed me the most beautifully stitched pinkeep and little treats for me.  I was very surprised and it made my month!! Her attention to detail is amazing.  I love the saying "Good things come to those who stitch" and I sure think it does.  She also included some pretty threads, polka dot fabric and yummy chocolate bars! Thank you Mii!! Many hugs to you!!

Enjoy the rest of my photos of some of my adventures these past few weeks.

Wild and crazy boat ride to Bowen Island with 15 girls and gays...lol!

Barnston island donkey.  Hubby called him over with a strawberry...so cute!

A young, loud baaing ram.  He took off after this.

My darling hubby bought me this gorgeous blue diamond, white gold necklace and a knife! Brawn and beauty as he says!!

No post is complete without a photo of Titus. 

Hoping to come by and visit people soon. I thank you all for staying with me and giving me support during a hard time.  Bloggy/stitchy friends are the best and I feel like a bad one not coming by...so I mean to make an effort this week! 


Hugs to you all and keep cool!!

Tumultuous Times

Hello everyone!

Thank you all for your condolences and prayers for the passing of my Grandma.  It was good to be back home and to reminisce fond memories of her with my family.  She looked very peaceful and I was sure she was there watching me while I read the service.  She was a very kind and loving grandma who looked after me quite a bit when my mom worked.  She always made my favourite deserts and being a typical Ukrainian Grandma, made us eat, eat, and eat!! 

Memory Eternal Anastasia!!!

That's what we say as Orthodox Christians.  

Here's a lovely photo of my Dad's parents. Doesn't my grandpa look like Clark Gable?!!

Now I have one grandparent left, Nana.  I spend my Sundays with her and cherish every moment.

Although this month has been tumultuous, yes we are still on strike, I have been trying to look on the bright side of life.  Stitching and crocheting has kept me sane and level headed.  It is as though crafting soothes me and lets me work through my thoughts and emotions.  So without further ado, enjoy my photos of some of the therapeutic work I have done and the photos of a beautiful Prince George I took during a few walks and hikes with my family.

A Bull Moose in the Forests of the World trails

Little country road by my house

Forests of the World lake

Forests of the World dock and lake...people fly fish here

close up of a moose butt!!

Red breasted woodpecker

Wildflowers picked by my railroad here in New West

Finally, I framed Magic Garden.  

Magic Garden Framed!!

Progress on BBD's SAL, granny stripe and Sarah Chapple

Eyelets were stitched outdoors in the heat of the sun

Onto the repeat colours now!

Sarah's pretty cherry tree with a delicate 4-sided stitched fence

Did I forget anything...or anyone?

Titus!! My little furbaby! I missed him and he missed me terribly!

Titus helping me stitch!

Again, thank you for taking the time out of your day to come here and comment.  I am horribly behind in my blog reading and hope to catch up next week.  I have a wedding to attend on Monday and a stagette tonight...then nothing for a time!

Hugs

Anne


Edited:

Oops! Forgot to mention that I was featured in Cross Stitch Collection's August issue!! I was so flattered they asked to interview me and they will be sending me a copy of the interview. Most people won't realize this, but when they sent me this, I noticed I sent them an unfinished photo of Hannah Brassington! Notice how there isn't any writing in the diamond?! 

 

Taking A Blog Break

Well, what a funny, in an ironic sense, this month has been.  

We are on strike.  The government refuses to budge.

Husband had infected root canal removed and the darn root was growing into his sinus and left a hole there.  Thankfully it is healing now.

Then, today, my Grandma Doll passed away.  I know she is better off and she passed away peacefully but I'm so sad I didn't get to say goodbye to her.  I am off to Prince George to be with my family and for the funeral.  Hopefully, next month will be a better month.

Hugs to you all....next post will be a happier one I hope.

Anne