Winter Festivities in Full Swing

The excitement of the holidays has bitten me.  I am like a little kid this time of year.  I love to hunker down under my favorite quilt and stitch the cold weather away.  We are well into our Hanukkah celebration and I have shared with you a few of the seasonal decorations I have displayed.

My beautiful Menorah burning bright.  This was a wonderful thrift store find gifted to my by my mom. It has beautiful swarovski crystals adorning the front of it.

It wouldn't be a celebration without a small giftie to myself. Dear Joan from Made by Mamajoan made these beautiful custon project bags for me just in time for the holiday. LOVE them. Visit her facebook page or Etsy shop and snag come of these great project bags.

I had one finish since my last blog post. Soul Sister by Plum Street Samplers.  It was a retreat project and every stitch reminded me of the dear friends I spent time in Virginia Beach.

More holiday decor.  My mantle is decked out in a woodland theme.

My most favorite Menorah.  It is very primitive and I think lends well to the woodland theme.

There is just something magical about candles by firelight.  We enjoy the coldest evenings in front of the fire.  So warm and cozy! Some of the best conversations happen when you unplug from technology.

Great Winter Farmhouse sign that I bought from Bre.  She has an etsy shop Mountain Town Boutique. Just love the simplicity.

Off the bake some cookies and enjoy some afternoon stitching! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.  Thank you for stopping by my little bit of the world.  Until next time, Happy Stitching!!!

Autumn in full swing

I am a complete fan of Summer. The hotter the better and so the cooler temperatures are giving me the blues.  I hate that the days are shorter and there just seems to be less time to do the things we love.  The benefit of cooler temps is sipping my hot tea under a toasty quilt and working on some stitching.  

I haven't taken photos of my current works in progress but do finally have photos uploaded from Dyeing to Stitch retreat.  The first photos are from Ann and Pat's beautiful shop.  It is filled with inspiration. Wall to wall models, easy to find charts and a full wall of threads. Oh the colorful threads always take my breath away.

The following photos are the beautiful projects designed by the very talented Paulette of Plum Street Samplers.  We received two full kits. 1 for Friday night and 1 for Saturday class.  I love them both but of course started Soul Sisters right away.  Paulette is a delight and I really found the weekend a relaxing time filled with stitching and laughter.

Of course, a trip to Virginia Beach requires a walk on the beach.  I enjoy everything about the ocean.  Being that I live in a coastal community I get to the beach several times a week but I truly feel at home by the water.  It's color is soothing as well as the sounds that wash away any worrisome thoughts.

I highly recommend one of Ann and Pats retreats.  You will NOT be disappointed.  They have one coming up in April and I hope to visit again during that time. 

Happy Stitching!

Still Stitching A Little (Susan this one's for you)

Welcome to my neglected blog.  It seems that instagram is the easiest form of social media to share my stitching and such but I recently met a wonderful group of ladies at the Dyeing to Stitch retreat in Virginia Beach.  So happy to meet you Susan, Martha and Nancy. It was lovely spending time together sharing our passion for needlework.  I was happy to meet several other fellow instagramers  Paulette of Plum Street Samplers (designer extraordinare for this fabulous retreat), Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery, Joan from Made by MamaJoan and her lovely daughter.  I also got to connect with an old friend, Luann.  Thank you ladies for such a special time connecting.  Ann and Pat did a wonderful job hosting this event and the weather was fabulous.

Welcome Summer-The Drawn Thread

Progress on Year of Hawk Run -- Carriage House Samplings

I have been stitching models for Cynthia of The Drawn Thread and working on my Year of Hawk Run Hollow Sampler.  I would love to fit in more stitching time but we are in the midst of college tours and applications for DS#3.  DS#1 graduated from UMaine in May and DS#2 is working at opening a second location for his bicycle business.  DS#4 is getting ready for driver's ed.  Amazing how quickly time marches on.  Our house as a little more space and a lot less noise and commotion which might seem peaceful to some and maybe just a bit lonely to others.  I am somewhere in the middle.  I am happy for their successes but a bit blue about being alone so much more. (#1 reason why I am working so much)

One happy papa!

The Danes are doing well.   Daisy had her 7th birthday and Maggie continues to amaze us with her puppy antics even though she is almost 4.  Maybe someday the zoomies will stop but for now its cheap entertainment.

How you will find Daisy most days

Miss Maggie playing catch me if you can

Unfortunately in true blogger style I am having trouble uploading pictures from Virginia Beach so I will try to post them next time.  I am hoping to post more regularly but we shall see if that rings true.

Happy Stitching Everyone

Nataly

Navigating change isnt always easy

If you read my previous posts you know that I changed positions within the same company.  I am a pharmacist for Stop and Shop-a grocery chain.  My previous position was per diem and it included lots of travel, sometimes more than an hour each way.  It was taking a toll since my days were usually 12 hours plus a commute.  The benefit was that I could choose the days I worked and when hubby travelled I didn't work.  That made it easy as far as managing the boys.
      My new position is local but I work more days. I thought I would have all this extra time to do things but the joke is on me.  It's more stressful than ever and working 5 days a week leaves little time to catch up.  What used to be my stitchy days are now loaded with appointments and chores.  An adjustment for sure. 
       I have done some stitching but not as much as I would like. And forget about finishing, that has taken a backseat to everything else that needs to be done. I finished Year of Hawk Run- Feb and March blocks, I did 2 models for The Drawn Thread which I can't share yet and two tiny pieces--- a LK kit called a Little Grey Hare and Scarlett House---stoneware Street. Here are the pics

Happy Stitching my friends!

Until next time

February is here

Hard to believe we are in the second month of the new year.  I have been finding little bits of time to stitch but can't seem to focus on any one thing.  I am grateful to be back to the Year of Hawk Run so I can focus on one thing.  Here is a picture walk of what I have been working on since my last post.

Year of Hawk Run Hallow

I started a SAL with my friend Ellen on January 1st. We are doing a block a month on CHS Year of HRH.  I am stitching it on 40ct Lakeside linen Sand Dune with NPI silk.  I finished block 1 and now it's back to model stitching and a pre-stitch for an upcoming class.

We had lots of snow yesterday so today will be clean up so we can start the work week tomorrow.  Oh what fun!  Quite honestly, I HATE snow and cold weather.  Looks real pretty from inside when you can be snuggled up but just plain yuck.  If I could move somewhere warm that didn't have large insects and reptiles I would definitely consider it but I hate those worse than I hate winter.

Happy New Year

So hard to believe we are starting a new year.  2016 has been a year of change for me.  I started a get fit program for myself which required more time working out and less time focusing on sedentary hobbies.  I have a goal of 50lbs of weight loss and so far have dropped 32lbs. 
I changed my job before Thanksgiving making for less time commuting and a better balance.  I am now back to fitting in some Stitching time and feeling a better balance.
My stitching goals are to enjoy the process.  Love what I am working on when I get to work on it.  I am continuing my model stitching.  I started Year at Hawk Run Hallow on New Year's Eve and hope to work on some of the many class pieces I have started.
I hope to do a regular bog post and share what's happening in my world.
Happy New Year and Happy Stitching everyone.