September --no progress

I haven't picked it up this month.  I have kept up with my Randje per Week alphabet.  And I have a Quaker SAL I am working on.  So there was stitching.  Eye is just to big to take anywhere.  One of my sisters (I have 4) had open heart surgery for 3 bypasses unexpectedly.  Went home to recoup and got pneumonia.  She is finally starting her cardiac rehab this next week(4 weeks post op).  She has finally turned the corner and should progress quickly.  I have stayed with her quite a bit so her husband can get out and do his chores and farm work.  They just started corn harvest last week.  She is finally able to get up out of a chair with out help.
Hope to have a picture next month with a lot more done!
Hello October!
Dede

July Progress

Just a bit of progress.  I was able to stitch a pot with flowers and a start on the tree.  July was so busy and August is starting that way too.  I have barely kept up with my Randje per Week and finished my spool project.  Our county fair starts on Tuesday so will be entering it and a couple other items. Hope you all have had more time to stitch!

Keep stitching!
Dede

June Whizzed By!!!

Who where did the month of June go?  It disappeared very fast!

I have only stitch a bit on my piece.  I completed 5 more motifs.  I have been side tracked with a couple SAL.  Managing to keep up on the Randje per Week.  We have reached the half way point.  Still love all the different styles of alphabets and numbers.  I also joined another SAL.  It is a Quaker Patchwork.  It is a closed group so can't show it till I am done.  You have to send a picture of your piece to receive the next installment.  I am on page 4.

July looks to be a busy month too.  Hoping I can tear myself away from the SAL and get a few more motifs done while watching the KC Royals.

Keep Stitching!
Dede

May 31st--- ALREADY?

My, my the days are whizzing by!  I have done some work on my piece.  9 1/2 motifs finished.  I know the corner deer isn't stitched yet--thinking I might put something smaller in that space and add my name and date there.  Just thinking about it.  I have been doing most of the stitching on this piece while we watch (I listen) to the KC Royals baseball games.  We started watching early last season and was so impressed with the team.  They show such great emotions--remind me of 11 year old boys when they are winning!  LOL.  A lot of joy in the way they play.  And haven't seen ANY diva antics from any of them.

I am keeping up with the Randje per Week.  I really do find a lot of pleasure in stitching the letters and numbers.  I think it will be a great piece to have for reference when I want to find an alphabet to use! Another 4 weeks and we will be 1/2 way done.

I hope you had a great Memorial Day!  We attended the small ceremonies at a couple of our local cemeteries.  Our oldest son and 2 of his daughters,my sister and one of her sons and his family.

Keep stitching!
Dede

April--I have progress!

I had no stitching on my piece for about 6 weeks or longer--hanging my head.  So at the beginning of April I was determined to get some stitches into His Eye.  I completed the border and it matched!!!!!  I was thrilled that I met up correctly.

Once I got that accomplished I went back to stitching on a few other projects.  I am currently working on a spool.  If you haven't seen them go look for them.  I had seen a fellow stitcher on facebook--she has bunches of old spools that she has made bands to put on the spools--so cute.  I have collected wooden thread spools for a long time...most come from my mom's stash.  None of my sisters do handwork nor sewing so I asked for them.  Anyway I plan to cover some of them.  I ordered a kit so that I could learn how to put them together.  The kit was released this spring from Milady's Needle " Rabbit Run".  I have it stitched just need to complete the edging then put it together. Here is a picture of Jancie Wright Greene's (a member of All About Smalls facebook grroup) spools.  I recognize several of these patterns from freebies.  No need to pitch those little strips of material!

I want to complete a little pillow for a Mother's day gift for one of my DIL.  I had made 3 little pin pillows from a freebie pattern several years ago.  One for 2 DIL's and for MIL.  So time to get one done for the latest new mother in the family. The heart buttons were some that my MIL had saved from baby cloths.

Hope you all are stitching away! I enjoy reading about your progress.  This month seems to have flown by....
Dede

March progress--none.

I didn't touch my project all month.  I was working on BBD Christmas Garden.  Yesterday I did pick it up and put about 100 stitches in it.  Hoping I can do more soon.  Will have to start working outside to keep weeds at bay in the flower garden.
Keep stitching!
Dede

February Update

Nada, zip, zero--no progress.  I have not picked up the needle and thread on my bap (His Eye is on the Sparrow).  I had several other things I worked on.  first our Kansas Stitcher group had a challenge to stitch something for Kansas Day --which was Jan. 29th.  I stitched a sunflower biscornu. Then I stitched for me! Started on my birthday (2nd)--something that has been in my to do pile for 5 or 6 years.  Fell in love with these little birdies and darn it --they have been calling for a long time.  So I heeded the siren song and got with it.  Valerie Pfeiffer Trios. I plan on taking it to the framers this week.  I also started a Black Bird Design--Christmas Garden.  I belong to a group on Facebook that loans out of print BBD patterns.I put my name on the list for this one and low and behold it was my turn!  Because it is a lone I am devoting all my stitching time to it.  I want to be able to pass in on quickly.  I pulled threads from my stash of Victorian Motto Sampler.  Working on 40 ct Picture This Plus "Doubloon".

We had a nice tease for spring--upper 70's on Saturday (20th). Was wonderful to spend time outside without winter clothes and gale force winds.  Just soo pleasant.  Back to 40's but that is OK cause spring isn't that far away! Daffodils are poking thru!

That is what I have been up to--lots of stitching!  Keep stitching!  Dede

January 2016 Update on His Eye is on the Sparrow

Happy stitching in the New Year--wow--January is almost over already!
Posting an up date on my piece.  I managed to finish almost 2 pages since the end of November.  Happy about that.

I am working on a small biscornu to celebrate Kansas 155th birthday as of Jan.29.  I am working on edging and will stitch year on back.  Love these biscornus.

I am also doing a SAL with Randje per Week.  I stitched it in 2014--it was almost 6 feet long-all border patterns.  Sat out the borders for 2015.  This year it is a sampler of alphabets.  Free pattern that are posted weekly.  It is an international SAL.  Originating in the Netherlands.  I am inspired by all the wonderful stitchers and how they have added their person touches.  If you are interested just google it.  They published a book for each of the past SAL.

Looking forward to February!  Short month and then soon SPRING!  We are on the edge of a big snow storm the first of the week and am hoping we don't get drifts of snow.  One good thing about snow this time of year--it doesn't last as long as in January!  More sunshine takes care of that!
Keep stitching! Dede

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I wanted to wish all you stitchers a very Merry Christmas.  The week ahead will be full so thought I ought to post my wishes before it got away from me.

I started the Plum Street SAL several weeks late so have been playing catchup all along and finally this week I have almost caught up.  Hope to finishes Day 11 today in between wrapping presents and house chores.  Needless to say no stitching on the Eye this month.

A picture of the grand kids minus one.  He wasn't born yet so will get another family picture when they are all here for Christmas. Rebekah 9, Adam 3, Victoria 13, Jordan 11, and Kale 1.

Our sons and families at Thanksgiving.



Evan Marshall 2 weeks.

Wishing you all the peace and joy of the season!

November Update on my big project

I looked at calendar and duh--it is the 28th already!  We enjoyed out family Thanksgiving yesterday (Friday).  We had icy roads but the state road crews kept at it and they were OK (as long as you took your time).  Thankful that we have those crews to take care of the highways and that the kids made it here and back to their homes without incident.

I managed to finish a page  and 1/2 of another on my pattern this month.  Think I will spend today sewing in between a few chores.  One benefit of having a family gathering is you get everything done and you can relax a few days after it is all over! And we have plenty of food for a few days.

Hope you all had a great holiday!  Our family will have another addition on the 4th. Another grandson is making an appearance. I will have my hands full as I will be taking care of his 1 1/2 year old brother for a few days. I am including a picture of our kids and the grands too.

Keep stitching!

Halloween Cuties!

Since we live in a rural area (altho we live on a highway) we don't get any trick or treaters except for family.  Our grand daughters were off to Platte City, MO to stay with the other grandparents and help hand out candy there. I have a picture of the youngest grand daughter during the elementary parade town main street (Jojo was home sick.).  So I pulled a picture off face book that their grandmother had posted.  The little tricksters we had were all great nephews of mine that live in the area.  They get a lot of candy just from the great Aunts that they don't have to go to town to walk the streets.  LOL

 GD Rebekah--3rd grade

 Their cousin Kaleb, Victoria-13 , Jojo --11, and Rebekah

 Great nephew Ryan age 1

 Great Nephews Jackson-7 and Jacob-2

 Great Nephew Elias--almost 2 years

 Elias's big brothers August 5 and Ashton 7

 Grandson Kale-1 and Mom

  And our world traveler Adam-3.  They didn't dress him up as still suffering from jet lag that night!

Here is the finished framed project that I worked on in September.

Happy Stitching!
Dede

The end of October already???!!!!!

Wow this month has zoomed by!  I am happy to say I have spent most of my time stitching on Sparrow.  Next month will be another story as I prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. On a side note our son and his family return today from Italy after a 10 month stay.  So excited to see them!

I managed to complete another page.  Yes, I put 2016 as the finish date as I know I won't get it all stitched this year unless the house fairy comes to clean, decorate and cook for the holidays.  It helps that the Kansas City Royals had an extra long first game in the World Series this week (14 innings!).  We stayed up to watch it all and I stitched all thru it.  Replays are wonderful!  What I miss while stitching gets played again and sometimes again.  LOL

I finished the words across the piece and also the border to the words.  I plan on filling the empty space with the motifs next.

Happy stitching and Happy Halloween!

Dede's September Progress

I use to decorate more for Halloween but as I get older I don't like the hassle of getting out and putting away so just decorate for fall.  A few stitched Halloween pieces are hung but that is it.

Not a large amount of progress this month but I had a start and finish of another piece.  I have a small house done and working on the large house in Sparrow. Previous months progress and as of today:

I stitched Hands on Designs -Everyday Sampler Banner for one my nephews and his wife.  This is the second time I have stitched it.  I love the design and plan to do the actual sampler for myself. 

Keep stitching! Dede

August--a little progress

Boy it feels like August was just 7 days long!  This year is just speeding by!  I haven't made as much progress on my BAP but there is always next year.  I have accomplished a lot of stitching just not on this piece.

I managed to get one roof stitched, a window, door, and a little of the siding on the small house and that is it.  Ugh.  I already have a request from a sister to stitch something for her DIL birthday so will start on that Monday.  This weekend will be spent babysitting with our youngest grandson who is almost 14 months.  Busy walking and getting into things!  Should keep me on my toes!

I also entered 9 projects in our local fair.  I had 7 blues, 2 reds, and a reserve champion.  Very happy with the results.  There were even fewer entries this year.  I sure wish there was a way to get people to enter.  But I realize it is a hassel to drop them off during the work week and pick them up on a Friday morning.

Here is my progress and a compilation of my entries.
Keep stitching!
Dede

August Theme

Hmmm--that was so long ago!!!  Like 1975 maybe.  I really don't remember my first piece--I gave them away as gifts--  most were ornaments.  I was working evenings and nights (RN) with a gal that was a crafter--she did so many things.  She was doing cross stitch and I had never seen it.  I had started doing a little embroidery (using all 6 threads--gasp).  She got me started on the right path--even gave me some starter lessons in knitting and crocheting.  One of my first pieces was a rabbit in an apron and it had a saying about grandma's love--I gave it to my MIL. I will have to take a picture of it on our visit this week.   She still has it on display. All of my early stitching was on aida or hardanger (loved 22 count).  Here are a couple of first projects that I did.  I don't have them hung anymore but had them on my wall for years!  I used wooden embroidery hoops to display.  I need to take them out and make them into ornaments for my tree.  (And give them a good cleaning!) My first big projects were for my mother and MIL. They each got quilt pictures by Paula Vaughn.  Loved doing them but boy was that a challenge with all the color changes for the quilts (LOL--that is a piece of cake now).  I really was pleased with myself when those were done!

Nope--I think my stitching has taught me patience, given me relaxation, and feelings of accomplishment.  I look at others needlework projects, especially in museums and think of the hours that were put into their pieces.  I have great admiration for all those young 8, 9 , 10  etc year olds that stitched samplers.  In awe of them.

 Great topic!  Thanks!
Keep stitching!

July Update==Not!

I did not stitching this month on His Eye is on the Sparrow.  I have too many irons in the fire.  Had 2 wedding pieces to finish and worked on one of the parts of  Sheperd'sBush Fold (Needle Roll). Here are pictures of the projects I finished and had framed. Our county fair is next week so have been busy finishing up some other pieces for it.

                                                 Nebby Needle--Forever and Always

                                                                 Sunflower Seed,

Sheperd's Bush Fold

Keep stitching!

June Theme

We have already taken our "holiday".  We went to Italy to visit our middle son and family for 2 weeks.  He is there on a job assignment with 4 other fellows.  So we took advantage of them being there to visit.   Italy was interesting and lots to see but since we were mainly in big cities it was way to crowded for this rural Kansas gal.  They are living in a suburb of Milan.  Never did get into Milan to tour.   We went to the Vatican and saw some beautiful tapestries as well as all the other art and sites in Rome.  Explored Venice, Florence, Pisa, a castle (somewhere), an old village, and a little of Switzerland.   I did take a Shepard's Bush Fold piece and managed to stitch while sitting in airports and then a little in the evenings when at their apartment. I so wanted to find a cross stitch/needlework shop but we were never near any (that I know of!)..  Closest I got was a button and lace shop!  

This is the finished piece.

I have finished stitching 2 wedding pieces for June so now it is back the EotS!

Keep stitching!
Dede

Dede's not so much May progress!

Well I confess--I got sidetracked.  I only put in a few stitches for the month today!  I did manage to finish the horse after frogging the tail.  I had packed everything away while we were gone on our trip.  So out of sight out of mind.  I have pulled it out now so maybe I can get some stitching done on it tomorrow too!
My excuse was we were gone to visit our middle son in Italy.  He is working there for several months and we took advantage and went over to visit with them and tour some of Italy and a tiny bit of Switzerland.  Let me just say crowded!  Was fun to see and experience but happy to be home.  We did get to see the tapestries at the Vatican.  Wonderful and of course the chapel.  But I think the most inspiring was St. Peter's Basilica....just awesomely beautiful.
Here is a picture of my progress.

Keep stitching!
Dede

May-Favorite stitching gift

I would have to say it is my large plastic thread case--given to me by my hubby and oldest (only son at the time) for Christmas way back in 1978.  It held the large floss cards--loved that size.  At the time it held all my floss.  Since then the floss cards have been downsized and I have added several small plastic cases for the over flow.  I really hated that they changed the size of the cards. The smaller cards are so bulky with a full skein. It does have a lid but the hinges gave up a long time ago.
My family has given me gift certificates over the years and an occasional pattern. They don't have a clue as to what I use besides needles and thread!  LOL

Happy stitching!

Dede

April Progress???

I hang my head--I haven't done much on my project if any--can't remember!  And the next two weeks I will be away so nothing will get done.  I hope to spend at least a week once I get back to working solely on my BAP.  I love stitching it but decided to finally start another piece that I had purchased about 2 years ago from Nancy's Needle.  It is a fairly quick stitch so should finish it before July (in time to have framed for local fair).  Anyway back to HEIOTS.  Here is a photo as of 4-27-15.

Beautiful spring green in Kansas.  Love this time of year except for the storms.
Keep Stitching!
Dede