Autumn, Decisions

I haven't seen a hummer at my feeders for three days now.  They are heading out to where it is warm. The hummer feeders are left up for two weeks after I see the last one, changing the hummer water every two days.  It is there waiting for the late travelers.  Sad to see them go but I look forward to seeing them next spring.

Autumn began yesterday and as they say in Game of Thrones; "Winter is coming."  Winter is my favorite season.  So, winter stitching.

We have three daughters.  The first two are my gift daughters, gifted to me when I married my husband.  The youngest is our daughter.  For her first Christmas I made her this stocking from a kit by Current, Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  After her first Christmas it became a tree ornament and gets hung every year.

With our first Grandchild arriving in November, another one was made (well two).  We will not know who is arriving until the little one gets here. The request was for one in blue.  Youngest likes blue and wants it different from hers.  That is not a hint, as whomever is there gave wrong information with early ultrasounds.  If it is boy or girl has changed.  But everyone still has to wait to find out who is there.  I like it that way.

I begin my stitching from the center and the bear was dressed in blue.  I couldn't see the stocking blue, so I stitched the outside in the red.  The material will be the lining and the backing.

But, as a mom, I do what is asked.  I made another one in blue.  The red still looks more like Christmas to me.  I showed them to our youngest and she can't decide,

The little one will show up at the end of November so there will be time to finish with name and date.  They have time to make up their mind on which one to finish.

May you enjoy your day today with your threads.  Linking to Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts.

Dirty Dozen

Mary Etherington at Country Threads Chicken Scratch runs the Dirty Dozen.  It began in July and you either chose to work by number, color, or both.  I joined this year and wrote up my list using the number method.  I have shown it to you before and here it is hanging above my cutting table.  It is to be a constant reminder. 

The first number was 7 and that was my sheep blankets.  They are not finished but are moving along.  Even though you are to pick and work on a new project each month to finish, I will l not stop this project until it is done.  The two centers are now together, and I checked out the borders.  I have four made.  You can see a bit of the lay out.  Only one border fits, the other three I need to shorten, unknit.  Then knit the last four.

But I have to bury the ends and block all the sheep dog parts.  The first one will go under the towels today.  The ends have been buried.

The sheep blankets were number 7 and I added them to last month, number 10.  I didn't have any handwork there.  (I did but more on the framing side.  I'll explain more later.)  

This month is number 4, A Bountiful Life (Civil War Bride).  My mind is so scattered that I didn't remember that I was working on this block when we traveled to Ireland in April.  It was one of two hand projects that I came with me.  I have reevaluated it and am missing four berries.  That I knew, lost them on the plane.  

So today I will make up more berries and get them stitched on and I can begin the table legs and then the table.  I will use my Applipops to make the berries.  They are one of the great inventions of applique.  

I have been invaded by squirrels but cannot show yet.  Thank goodness for the Dirty Dozen list or I would never get anything completed.  Everything would be just parts.  Not that anything is done yet but getting closer.

Linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Enjoy your threads today.

 

Finish, Dirty Dozen

Jo at Jo's Country Junction has a stitch-a-long happening.  It is the Quaker Wisdom Berries by Erica Michaels.  My three are stitched and even finished!  These are the first berries that I have made.  A video by Vonna Pheiffer showed me how to finish them.  She is a wonderful finisher.  I see what I could have done better but I am very happy.

You can't see all the animals.  A bee for selflessness; a dog for loyalty; a dove for simplicity and peace; and a lamb for humility.

Mary Etherington at Country Threads Chicken Scratch hosts the Dirty Dozen.  July and August were dedicated to getting the centers of my sheep blankets put together.  It was going to be finished in July but it became too hot to work with wool.  The centers are now put together and I now will evaluate the borders.  I thought I had knit them all, but no.  I need to see what I have and what needs to be done.  This will continue to be worked on to get them finished.

For September the number is 4.  On my list that is the Civil War Bride and finishing an Advent Calendar.  I have the calendar out and now need to look at where I am on the Civil War Bride.  My plan of action will be set soon.     

Linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  I do have some slow stitching that I am working on.  Hope to show you next week.  Enjoy your threads.