Playing with Red

It's a rainy day out today although there was a sprinkle of snow last night.  Having a bit of rain is good for the flowers and it means it has warmed up a bit! I hope it continues to get warmer. Last night, I had a finishing frenzy and finished three pillows! Two are Christmas pillows and the other a BBD design. It all started with me reorganizing my sewing box and finding my fabrics.  I noticed I had a lot of great red fabrics, so I began to play.  It took me over 4 hours to complete but I am happy with the results.  

First up is Jingle Jingle, by Plum Street Samplers.  I won the chart from Pat, the Southpaw Stitcher last year and finally got it completed.  The jingle bells took an age to attach. Not sure why it takes me so long as I'm sure there's an easier way than the way I did it!

Stitched on fabric that came in kit with GAST threads

I used some cute striped ribbon that my dear friend used to wrap up some Christmas gifts she sent to me.  I think it works perfectly with the bells.  I used the pretty red with with star fabric on the right for the back.  It'll be a great door hanger for Christmas!

Next, I finally put together LHN's Baked Goods.  It has been over a year since I stitched it.  About time it was finished.  Unfortunately, when turning out the pillow and using a dull pencil end to poke out the corners, one of the corners actually poked out! So I used some ribbon and buttons to cover the hole...sigh.

Stitched on 40 ct. Creme Brulee with GAST and DMC

This will be a sweet ornament for our tree!

Continuing with my red obsession, I pulled out the "Bluebird" turned into a Redbird by BBD I stitched awhile back.  Originally, I bought a box to put it on, forgot about that plan and sewed on a black ribbon. I didn't like the black ribbon so I ripped it out last night.  I'm liking this finish much better than what I had.

Stitched on 32 ct. Platinum with CC's Cupid finished with little buttons from Mouse

I finished a little RAK for someone too on Friday night but can't show it yet.  I like the design so much I might just stitch one for myself too...hehee!!

Wonderful red finishes aren't they?! Funny how none of them are Valentine themed when it's Valentine's this Friday!! 

....wonder if my hubby will get me anything....hmm.

Friday night SAL with Maggee I spent frogging, yet again.  I was gabbing away to my hubby plus watching Treme when I started stitching Magic Garden's little bird with two threads instead of one thread.  I felt the stitches becoming harder to do and I couldn't figure out why until I was about halfway done! Out it came and there went an hour wasted.  So I stitched the bird and the little snail. I'll forgive the bird since he's so cute!

No other progress to report.  My granny afghan is getting larger but I think showing it will be boring.  I'll wait until it gets significantly larger and more interesting!

Hubby news.  He's on prednisone which is helping the inflammation although giving him a terrible tummy ache.  We are hoping this will help get rid of the pain for good.  We both want to say good bye to the pain for good!  Speaking of tummy aches, I ate some eggs this morning and spent the better part of the day feeling like I was punched in the stomach.  Too bad I'm allergic to eggs...I love them so much!

We took a walk last week by the river in an industrial area and found some interesting things along the river bank. Then I took another walk on Saturday and kicked myself for not bringing my camera since my cell phone is horrible for zooming in.  The heron was by the river and looking beautiful in the sunlight.  I got some grainy photos that aren't worth sharing.  But I got a few great shots of the ice blocks in the river that appeared to be moving backwards! It was very trippy to watch the river flowing backwards...strange I tell you!

1930's warehouse

old rope on a tree

Heart!!

Old Cola can my hubby found and was SOOO excited about!

That's all for now. 

Thank you all for taking the time to visit and comment.  I appreciate all the support and encouragement from you all!!

Hugs

Anne...and snoring Titus

November Blues

Good morning everyone!

I have been missing blogland big time.  It's report card time and here I am procrastinating writing a post! I have plans to get right to it afterwards.  But I just had to pop in and say hello and that I miss everyone.  This month has been overly trying for me in a number of aspects. Overwhelming to say the least.  Thankfully, we will be breaking in December for two weeks and I am counting the days!! 

Today I want to share with you a lovely giveaway win that I received from Shelly, An Arizona Stitcher. She sent me the most wonderful package and stitched me the most adorable little squirrel.  I marvel at her skills at making pinkeeps.  

wonderful little treats she included in the package

Adorable little squirrel with nuts

Titus sniffing and giving his approval

I have this sweet little friend hanging on my doorknob so I see it everyday.  Thank you again Shelly for such a lovely package and making me smile!

As for stitching, there has been some.  I stitch on Friday nights until quite late because I miss it so much.  I've almost finished Jingle Jingle by PPS.  I just need to add a couple of snowflakes in the background. I tried taking a good photo of the piece but the camera just wouldn't capture the true colours of the design.  Too bad.  The red is really nice and cranberryish!!

I've also stitched 1 of the 3 giveaway gifts and started the other two last night.  I won't include photos of those until they reach their new homes.  After reports, I hope to stitch on them this evening.  That's my motivation to get some reports finished!!

Hannah Brassington is now complete! Yay!! I will take some photos of her another time when the light is better.  The 1 over 1 stitching was a pill to do and I made a number of mistakes but I fudged along and went with it.  

I think I'll not start anything big quite yet as Christmas is coming and I have a few projects/exchanges I need to finish first.  I usually like to start a new sampler in the new year.  Gives me something to look forward to other than my birthday which I am dreading.  I don't want to get older!!

I truly appreciate all of your love and prayers for my husband.  He still suffers but we have found that if he avoids gluten and dairy, his thyroid doesn't instantly flame up and his pain is not as severe.  We still have many tests to go through to find out why there is pain, when there shouldn't be.  Most people who have Hashimoto's or thyroiditis don't have issues and can manage life with synthroid.  Not the case for my husband.  His form is very rare and the doctors aren't being very aggressive with his treatment.  That means we have to be demanding and aggressive.  We still have hope that the inflammation will come down and he can lead a pain free life.  Again, thank you for all of your support.  I really mean to reply to all of your emails.

I'll leave with a few favourite photos I took this month.  

 

Beautiful heron on the river logs

Titus looking like he's a vampire

Take care and hugs to you all!!

Anne