I had today off with plans but all I've managed to do is write a blog post!
We are nearly at the halfway point of the year. It sure has gone by fast!
I want to thank you for all your comments! Cheryl was the winner of the contest last post and I sent a e-giftcard to her and she bought herself a great pattern.
First up are the exchange gifts. Lisa of Wellington, New Zealand posted my gifts to her on the Facebook group we're in...
Here's the big stitched piece called Summer Sunshine...
Very nice woman to send to. I hope she liked the candy. I tried to find something that was only sold here in the US. I don't know if Mike and Ike jelly beans are worldwide.
I got my exchange gifts from Liane in Germany! I've heard horror stories of overseas packages getting stuck in our customs but mine was there for just 2 or 3 days and made it across the country in good time...
Take a look at what she sent me!! I squealed when I opened the box. A light minty green lugana tied up with a pretty bow; it's easily more than a fat quarter. The mini dough bowl with the two pillows on it, and the drum. But look at those stitched pieces!!
Both pillows are stitched over 1, the Old Glory on the drum is over 1 too. See the little stitched flag hanging from the bigger flag pillow? So dainty. I keep all 3 near my stitching spot to look at!
I haven't gotten back into my 61 new starts SAL but I have been stitching🙂
Disturbed Women by Lucy Beam. I added more top border and the N on Evaluation.
Here's my very first 61 starts project, a reproduction smaller by Soed Idee...
The colors are more muted than my picture shows. I just went to town on this. I wanted to get down to the flowers that had the navy blue floss. If it wasn't for the patriotic piece I want to get done, I'd spend a lot of time on this sampler.
And here's the patriotic piece I want to get done, Flowers of Freedom...
So I've got counting mistakes in the flags but that's fine. Those flowers have several colors in them so that's where I'm at. I'd like to be finished in time to FFO it and create a good sized July 4th display since I can add my new patriotic pieces.
O'Tannenbaum. All I added was part of the roof on the right, part of a star where the roof meets at the top, and a few of the red dots in the top border. There are many more of those red dots!
Last but not least is my compulsive purchase courtesy of 123stitch! I was feeling a little down (I don't recommend looking through 123stitch when you're feeling blue!) and came upon this Christmas sampler...
The fabric is darker than it's showing. The chart called for an xjudesigns fabric but I bought the PTP fat eighth. I went through all the fabric on 123stitch that matched the model's color and chose that. I only needed 2 overdyed floss that I didn't have. It's so cute!!
I also had a finish...
HOD's White Christmas. I tackled the backstitch on the words. I thought to leave it off but it looks much better! One down and 8 to go. I can see these on a small tree by themselves.
That's it for the stitching.
Here's something not needing an introduction...
I have this tall Thistle plant that grew right near my front window that's been attracting bees and these beautiful huge butterflies. They're called yellow swallowtails. He just ignored me while I took his picture.
Then I was over at the library today and saw these prickly pear cactus blooming these pretty red flowers. See the round pink things? Those will turn into fruit.
Lastly are these Joshua trees with their blooms...
Also at the library.
It's been pretty warm hereabouts. High 80s and into the 90s. It's finally acting like Arizona.
I think that's it. I'm sure I'm forgetting something😅
I'll keep stitching on Flowers of Freedom, and bouncing around on my WIPs. I'm stitching on a Halloween piece because it's Friday the 13th today, I'll show that next time.
Thanks as always for stopping by and leaving comments.
See you soon!🙋🏻♀️
