Stitching and New Addiction

My how time flies when you are having fun. Here it is almost the end of January. Had planned to do a review of projects completed in 2008, but now that the month is almost over, I am not going to waste valuable stitching time to get it organized. As far as number of projects goes, there were less in 2008. That is mostly due to stitching bigger pieces, like A Quaker Christmas, a 6-part Shop Hop Sampler for The Sunflower Seed and a 4-part design model for the Sunflower Seed. I tend to do bigger projects now than I have done in the past.

It has been a rather strange week. Last Wednesday I was hostess for my church ladies group and made soup and homemade bread for them. Early this week we have had crappy weather and I have not hardly been out of the house since Sunday afternoon. Today was the first day above freezing since last Friday. We had little dustings of snow several times, but not the ice,etc. that other parts of the country have had. We feel fortunate to have missed it, but feel bad for those that have had to struggle with it. Missed my Monday night stitch group because they were predicting snow and I don't drive in it. Turns out that it did not do much, but by the time I figured that out, I would have had to gotten dressed in something other than sweats and grubby clothes.

Staying around the house has allowed me to get some stitching done. The second sheep, all the grass and the tree has been added to American Baby. Down to leaves on the second tree, some red berries on the trees and the name, etc. and it will be done.

Been getting some good work done on Valentine Row. Part of the tree trunk is still missing and have done one more heart and part of the "V" since this photo was taken. This seems to be going fast.

This is a little ornament that I started as a shop model for The Sunflower Seed. We have both the Red Letter and Green Letter Ornament patterns in stock. Anita decided we needed a model, so I decided to do the "Sled". She had some little scraps of fabric that she thought would work for it. Well, they almost didn't. We both thought there was more over 1 on them. Only the word "sled" above the sled is over 1. Should have this done by the end of the week.

Green Letter Ornament

by Blue Ribbon Designs

28-ct Lt Mocha Cashel

Called for WDW fibers

Did not get any stitching done on LHN "From Sea to Shining Sea" this week. On Tuesday I did work on the little angel that I am completing for a friend. Down to doing flowers and leaves that call for 1-2 stitches and quarters stitches and then you change to another color. The friend is in Texas for the winter and I want to have it done for her when she comes home the 1st of April. Still have time. Should be done by then. Has lots of back stitch on it too.

As I mentioned before I have been doing some crocheting when we have gone on long car trips. Here is the prayer shawl that I completed a couple of weeks ago. We prayed over it and 4 others at our Church ladies meeting last week. Most of them should have been delivered this week. I have another one started.

Did you notice my post title? Well, I know have another addiction. A while back when I was playing bingo at the Indian casinos 2-3 times a month, some of my friends accused me of being addicted to bingo and that I was going to spend my retirement money on bingo. Well, the bingo hall closed and I very seldom play bingo any more. Now, I have become addicted to Vera Bradley (VB) bags and buying them on Ebay.

It sort of started last summer when I was reading some one's blog about them buying VB's Little Travel Case at ebags.com and how it made a nice stitch bag. I checked them out and got one in the Pink Elephant design. Took it to stitching with me and everyone fell in love with it. So I went out and bough one for Anita and Reina for Christmas. Then about 3 weeks ago Janet went out and bought the Tall Zip Bag at our local VB shop. It is such a nice size for stitching stuff. The bag I had been carrying was falling apart and I had used it for at least 7 years. I started checking on ebags and ebay. In the last 2 weeks, I have bought 5 different bags, 3 from ebay and 2 from ebags.com. My first 2 attempts on ebay, I was outbid. Then I started getting lucky. Here are the photos of what I bought taken from the ebay web site so they are a litle small.

Little Travel Case

from ebags.com last summer

Tall Zipper Tote
from ebay
received last week

Katie Bag
from ebay
received today

Sherry Bag
from ebay

still waiting on

Since I had bought something from ebags.com last summer, I got an e-mail asking me to answer a survey and I ended up with 20% on my next order and they were having a winter clearance sale, so I was able to get 2 more Katie bags for a little over $12 each. Regular retail was $28 and the style has been discontinued. They are just the right size to care my Ipod and portable speakers in. Also will make a nice camera bag. Anita is using one to carry her new flip video camera and accessories. I am sure that I will find all kinds of uses for them. Now I am looking for a couple of other bags to use as stitching bags. The one I am discarding is very large and I will need more than one to replace it.

Some in my stitch group think they might have to do an intervention for me regarding my VB addiction. Now I have found out that one of the new colors is called "Purple Punch" and I love the color purple. LOL!! In the past, they had talked about having to do an intervention with my bingo addiction, but they never did. Now they may try to do it with my VB addiction. Even though they call me "fiber snob" and other names regarding my affinity for silk thread, they have not even mentioned the word intervention. I guess they know that it would be hopeless.

Time to close and head to bed. I work at the LNS tomorrow and we are finishing up getting things ready for Anita to go to the Nashville Market next week. Next week I will work my normal Thursday and then Friday, Saturday and Monday while Anita is gone to market. The best part is getting to see what she brings back from market first hand.

Thanks to all that stop by my blog. Comments are appreciated. I am still behind in reading blogs, but am making some headway. Don't leave as many comments as I should, but once I get caught up that should change. Everyone is doing awesome projects and I enjoy hearing about your stitching and the ups and downs in your daily lives. Hang in there and keep those needles flying.

Keep On Stitching

It seems that I may have created a monster. As you know, I have this wonderful group of stitchers locally that I stitch with every Monday evening. They are all reading my blog and every week, if I had not done a post during that week, I am bombarded with "Why haven't you updated your blog?" or "I made special effort to go check your blog and there is nothing new" or "You haven't done a blog in a long time". My problem is there are better things to do than battle with Blogger. Although girls I am going to try to do better. None of them have blogs so they do not know how aggravating that Blogger can be or how long it takes to do pictures, etc. to make it an interesting read. I would rather be stitching.

Remember my Yahoo STO group had a January 1st SAL, well another one in that group that is in Australia said they had a "guilt-free January" where you could start as many new projects as you want. I gave into my Stitchers ADD and started another project. Thanks Amanda!! Here is the beginnings of Bent Creek's Valentine's Row.

Valentine's Row

by Bent Creek

28-ct PTP Orphan

Recommended GAST fibers

PTP does not currently have orphans. Orphans are fabrics where there was some kind of issue with the dyeing process and they did not get the color they intended. Everyone that has seen this color thinks they should put this color in their line. Not sure that the color comes through very well in the photo, but it is like a dirty pink. My color name is chocolate covered cherries.

Here is my progress on American Baby. One tree done except for some red berries and both bunnies. Now another sheep and tree, plus baby's name. Coming along nicely.

Also continued to work on LHN- From Sea to Shining Sea. Now part 4 is out and I don't even have part 2 done. Had hoped I would have part 2 done before part 4 came out. Not to fond of the dye lot of the tumbleweed in part 2. I almost changed it and bought another skein at LNS and Anita talked me out of it. Will continue and see if I like it better when it is all done. Might have to rip out some of what I stitched last Saturday. Was stitching while watching the KSU basketball game on TV. They were playing awful, the TV feed was having technical difficulties so you were missing something about every 5 seconds. The longer it went on the tighter I pulled my stitches. Will have to go back and look to see how it looks after I have calmed down. LOL!!!

Been doing some model stitching for The Sunflower Seed. Did one small design model for use at February market. No photo. Then also did a store model of LK Valentine's. Not sure what fabric (I think it was 28-ct Lt. Mocha Cashel). I just took what Anita gave me. Used the recommended thread. The Cameo Pink on the border did not show up very well. Easy and very cute stitch.

Monday being Martin Luther King holiday, almost everyone in our Monday night group had the day off. Sorry Marcia. She was the only one that had to work and some dummy scheduled her for an afternoon meeting. She admitted that she was that dummy. Part of us spent most of the day at The Sunflower Seed stitching. What a fun day. I also helped with customers so Anita could take care of other business. Janet and I were there shortly after the shop opened, Reina and Reita came about noon, Jan came before 1 and Marcia after work. We had a pizza party as dinner. Love that Via's Pizza. Judy showed up as we were finishing the pizza. We had our usual hilarious day. Did not take down any notes and quotes. Part of it would not have been fit for publication.

My STO group had a small stitch-in here in Topeka yesterday, but I opted to spend time with my Monday night group. The STO group did come by the shop to do some stashing. Met Judy and Marcia. Now I have a face to put with the names. Glad to meet you both and be able to help you with your shopping needs. Come back and see us.

Tomorrow my church ladies group meets and I am hostess. I decided to try a new soup recipe on them. So today I have made soup and have put a loaf of frozen bread in the oven to bake. It is a recipe for Taste of Home magazine called Beefy Bean Soup. My assessment of it is that is kinda like Spaghetti Soup. It is a tomato base with basil and oregano with beans, hamburger and elbow macaroni. Hope they like it. Also stitched on a piece for a friend. It is something that her sister started for her, but got cancer and was not able to finish. So glad to be able to finish it for it. It is difficult in parts to figure out what has been stitched and what hasn't. I have had it a while, so have made a pact with myself to stitch on it every Tuesday so I can hopefully have it done when she returns from her winter stay in south Texas.

Thanks to all have stayed with me during my fights with blogger. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate your visits. I need to do some dressing up of by blog, but that takes time and patience and understanding with blogger, etc. I have none of those and so it will stay as plain jane for a while longer.

Better go check the bread in the oven and get some more stitching done.

Happy Stitching!!!!!

Addendum to Last Post

OK, let's try this again. I thought I had things somewhat worked out last night when I clicked the "publish" button. When I went to view things, it was messed up. However, Google Reader has the text I had written. Will try cut and paste and see how that works. It's hard to remember what I wrote. Well, it won't cut and paste.*#%!! I will try to switch back and forth between windows and do what I can.

My STO Yahoo group decided to have a New Year's Day SAL. You know it is supposed to be good luck to start a new project on January 1st. Here is my progress on Willow Hill Samplings "American Baby" that I chose as my project. This is a more up-to-date photo than the one I was going to use last night. Because I chose to change the color of the sheep and bunny from the pattern, I have since had to rip out about half of each. Originally it was to be some Crescent Colour that I did not like. The DMC equivalent was a yellow color and the photo looked more whitish cream, so I chose to use GAST Oatmeal. What a mistake! It got lost in the base fabric. Took to Monday night stitching last week and Anita picked out a couple of colors for me. Nothing that I thought would work, however, she was right. Told Anita later that I should never question her suggestions for color. They are almost always right on. So the sheep, is now in GAST Fudge Ripple. Chocolate! Woo Hoo!! Have the bunny barely started in chalk. Had to see, but I need to put in a few more stitches, but I think it is going to be good too.

Here is the progress on LHN From Sea to Shining Sea.

This afternoon I finished a small little design model for Anita at The Sunflower Seed. Will take it to her tomorrow when I go to our regular weekly stitch group.

Finally, remembered to take a photo of another of the Christmas presents that I had been working on. Sandi and I decided to wait until after Christmas to do our gift exchange and we have yet to get together. We will probably do it sometime this week. Nothing like extending Christmas a couple of weeks.

Thimble Abundance

by Primrose Needleworks

28-ct R&R Apple Brown Bindy

Poison Apple - Belle Soie Silk

Most recently, I have found that during our long car trips it is easier to do crocheting with a dog in my lap than to do cross stitch. So I have an afghan going and have started making prayer shawls for the church. I finished a prayer shawl on Thursday night and have another one started, so I could work on in yesterday on our drive to Manhattan to the KSU basketball game. I still need to add some fringe to the finished one and get it to the church. Will take a photo before I turn it in.

Not going to tempt the Blogger Gods anymore. Things look like they are proper right now, so am going to publish. Thanks for enduring my issues. Thanks for your visits and comments. All are very much appreciated. Next time I am going to try to do a summary of the things I stitched in 2008.

Happy Stitching!

Stitchy Christmas Gifts and Other Stuff

Wow, it seems that I go longer and longer between posts. Part of my problem is that I dread wrestling with Blogger and what problems I might encounter trying to put this together.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years. It was cold in South Dakota, where we spent Christmas, but we did not encounter any weather issues in our travels. The morning we left home there had been snow here the night before, but not much. Trip went off without incident.

Want to share with you some of the stitchy gifts I received for Christmas.

Received this ornament from Martha. Right after the JCS ornament magazine came out I won a contest on her blog. She was going to stitch the winner the same ornament that she stitched for her grandchildren. I was the lucky one. I love Harvey.

This ornament comes from one of the Sunflower Stitcher, aka--Monday Night Stitchers. Sometime last year I found this little tree pattern as a freebie online and Reina saw the pattern at my house when she was setting up my Ipod. She asked to borrow it. Little did I know that I would get one for Christmas. Now I don't have to stitch one for myself. She did an awesome job. The trim around the sides are all beads done in little loops. Way more beads than I could ever do. The green tinsel on the tree are also beads.

The last stitchy gift I received has quite a story behind it. I received the pattern and birds eye maple Quaker box as a project at one of The Silver Needle's camps. So when I was going through my stash to find things to donate for our retreat prizes last fall, i put this in the bag of goodies. I was pretty sure that I would never stitch it. Was a lot of over one stuff and I don't do much of that. Anita saw it in the prizes and said you are not putting that in there and she took it. Little did I know she was going to stitch it and give it to me. I love it. Now I need to find some very small scissors to put in it. All the ones I have are too big.

Sampler Scissors Box

by Fancy Work

32-ct Lambswool Linen

Silk 'n Colors Fiber

Speaking of over one!! I am always trying to get into doing more over one stuff. Here is my latest effort in that direction. Had this done before Christmas, but the last time I tried to take a photo it was all blurry. Probably won't get finished into an ornament for a while.

2008 Christmas Tree

by JBW Designs

28-ct Raw Natural Linen

Belle Soie silk - 1 strand

Here is my progress on Aloha. All that is left is back stitch and we all know how boring that can be. Just need to sit down and get it done. The person I am doing this for is actually going to Hawaii the end of the month. Maybe I can have it ready to give to her by the time she gets home.

My STO Yahoo Group had a New Year's Day SAL. You know it is good luck to start a new project on New Year's Day. I started Willow Hill Samplings "American Baby". Here is my progress for a day or so. I have since ripped out the part of the sheep and bunny. (They are hard to see). They were in GAST Oatmeal and did not show up very well. I had changed the colors from the original because I did not like them. Took it to stitching on Monday night and Anita helped me pick out other colors. Now most of the sheep is back in with his head too. Looks really good. Told Anita yesterday that I should always take her color recommendations and not question because they were usually right on. I am sure that she will remind me of that many times as I stitch on her designs.


Have done some work on LHN From Sea to Shining Sea and My Mansions Sampler. The weekend before Christmas, I stitched up the freebie that The Sunflower Seed will have at the Nashville Market in February. Now I am working on another small little design for her. We have had to change a couple colors, so it is going a little slow for a small project. The Sunflower Seed was closed the week between Christmas and New Year's, so the Monday Night Stitchers had to take our show on the road for our get together on the last Monday of 2008. Thanks Janet for hosting us and for the wonderful Mexican Soup.

During our long car trips, I have found that I can crochet was a dog in my lap better than I can cross stitch, I have been working on both an afghan and a prayer shawl for the church. The prayer shawl is done except for tying on some fringe. Picture next time. Tonight I got another shawl started, so it will ready for the trip to Manhattan tomorrow for the KSU basketball game.

Have struggled long enough getting this together. Off to bed for me.Just checked the preview and it shows the previous two paragraphs messed up. If Blogger posts it that way I will redo that part later. It did this to me a while back and I could not figure out how to fix it. #$%*!! I guess in trying to fix the problems, I deleted the Amerian Baby photo and I am not going to go back and add it now. Will include next ##**^&*!!

Headed Out For Christmas

Plans are to leave Wednesday morning for South Dakota for Christmas with Morris's family. Right now we are receiving light snow, so will see what morning brings. Actually, it is morning when I writ this. I mean later this morning. Been working in the kitchen to make things to take with us to help his sister and brother with Christmas dinner and a Christmas Eve get together. It used to be aunts, uncles and cousins, but they are either all gone or moved away, this will be those that cannot be with us for Christmas dinner. I have made, a potato casserole, apple pie-type dessert, 3 pounds of hamburger into sloppy joes, sugar cookies and peanut butter balls. Also have plans to make the French Toast Souffle that I made in Branson at Thanksgiving. Like to cook, but hate the clean-up, so this has been a big job for me. Everything is laid out and ready to load in the car in the morning. Might not get as early of a start as we had planned. Will probably not be there in time for Christmas Eve services like we usually do. They have them at 4 and 6 and that is way to early for someone driving 9 hours.

This is going to be rather short compared to most of the posts I do. Have not had time to take photos of stitchy gifts I have received. Have 2 ornaments and a scissors case. The scissors case also has a story with it. Did give the last of the secret Christmas stitching gifts last Thursday to Anita. Here it is. She was very surprised.

Blackbird Sampler (freebie)

By Blackbird Designs

28-ct R&R Korty's Special Blend

CC Belle Soie Moss

If you have been following my Christmas stitching, I sort of had a theme going. Three of the designs were stitched in all one color using Crescent Colours Belle Soie. I really like working in one color and I lived up to my nickname of "Fiber Snob".

Guess I better go check my stitch bag once more to make sure I have enough projects to last until Sunday when we return home. ROFL!! LOL!! I could probably stitch on projects in my stitch bag for months and not get them all done.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Enjoy the time with families and friends, but most of all remember the reason for the season.

Oh, What Fun It Is......Stitching

Well, I guess I am feeling adventuresome, after the problems I had with blogger the last time I tried to do a post. Here's hoping this time works a lot better.

It is getting to the time that I can show Christmas presents that I have been stitching on for the last few months. Last night (Monday) the Monday night stitchers, aka Sunflower Stitchers had their Christmas Party at The Sunflower Seed. A fun time was had by all. Sometime late last summer, Janet had just finished stitching Carriage House Samplings--"Matter's Choice". Reina mentioned that she wanted to stitch that sometime. An idea popped into my head to do it for her as her Christmas present. I proceeded to stitch this for her. I finished while in Branson at Thanksgiving and picked it up from the framer last Friday. Here is the finished product.

Matter's Choice

by Carriage House Sampling

30ct WDW Mocha

CC Belle Soie - Cranberry

About 3-4 weeks ago at stitching one night when I was not there Reina asked to borrow Janet's pattern for Matter Choice. She agreed to get it to her. Later that evening, I got a call saying "were you stitching that for Reina?:". So e-mailed Janet and then she had to proceed and tell Reina stories as to why she was not getting the pattern to her. She bugged Janet several times about it. Since this all had taken place, I had to give Reina's Christmas stitching present to her at stitching. To start things off, I pulled out my copy of the pattern out and handed it to her, saying "I understand you are wanting to stitch this". Her response was "Yeah, I want to do that". Then I pulled out this wrapped present and told her that she needed to open this part of her Christmas early.

Her is her reaction after opening the gift.

Got a big "thank you" hug and an e-mail the next morning saying "you really got me, girlfriend". She is a hard one to pull a fast one on, so this turned out great. Everyone had lots of fun with it.

Our little party included pizza and lots of laughs, but not much stitching. I left there with, homemade toffee, peanut clusters, cranberry orange bread, peanut brittle, cinnamon candy , needles and 40-ct fabric and thread to do a new little design. Oh, you girls are the best friends a girl could have. Can you tell we like to eat. Besides the pizza, we had other treats as well, including more chocolate. I had made peanut butter balls. That turned into a whole other subject. You can guess where that headed with this group.

Another treat we received was a poem written by our own resident blonde. We did not know she had such talent. If you remember my write-ups about our retreats, this will make a little more sense.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

(with apologies to Clement Clark Moore)
by Jan

Twas the night before Christmas and at the Sage Inn,

Nothing was stirring, nary a needle or pin.

The stitchers were nestled, all snug in their beds,

Visions of linen, dancing in their heads.

When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,

Twas the mower again, dirt all a-scatter.

Elevator music was blaring once more,

Their ears started to bleed, it was such a bore.

And what to their wondering eyes did appear,

The ghost of George Custer, becoming quite clear.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the tote bags, with chocolate and stitchwork.

With Sampler, with Weeks, and with DMC,

With all kinds of linen, he filled with glee.

Then he winked and he said, as he grabbed the doorknob,

"I left lots of Belle Soie for that cute fiber snob".

And we heard him exclaim, as he rode out of sight,

Happy stitching to all and to all a good night.

We all left stitching Monday, knowing that whatever else happened we had just had one of the best Christmas celebrations that we would have all year.

Now onto the serious stuff. Stitching progress. Making good progress on my ALOHA. There are 2 full flowers and 2 partial flowers left to do and a whole lot of back stitching. Have not stitched anything with back stitching in awhile. I guess I had forgotten out tedious and boring it can be. This is turning out very nice.

Part One of "From Sea to Shining Sea" is done. Since this photo was taken, I have finished the box on Part Two and some stitching in the box. Like someone else said in their blog I might have to change the cloud color in Part two. It doesn't show up very well. Have I said it before? I love stitching with Belle Soie silk.

My part of the design model for The Sunflower Seed is done. Talked to Anita today and she said she was going to change one of the colors, so was ripping out part of it. I knew she was bothered by one color, so I am not surprised. Said she would have another one for me to stitch soon.

In my STO Yahoo group, I through out the idea of starting a new project on January 1st. They have jumped on it and several are going to join me in a "Start-A-Long". There were several choices in my stash, but I chose "American Baby". It is for the daughter of my college roommate. She is just like one of my kids. She has a new baby born the end of October, so thought I should get on this.

American Baby

by Willow Hill Sampling

28-ct Heritage from Picture This Plus

Recommended Fibers - GAST and CC

Tuesday we got around 3 inches of snow and now they are predicting freezing rain for Thursday. Don't like this part of winter. I have been staying home since I don't like to drive in the yuck. Trying to get some cooking done for various things. Have made 2 types of soup, peanut butter balls, sugar cookies and a potato casserole for Morris's office Christmas lunch. It is getting down to crunch time on Christmas preparations. The tree is up, but not many other decorations. Most of the gifts are bought, but not wrapped. No cards done and may not do any. Might do some after Christmas. Not sure where all my time goes, but cards does not seem to come to the top of the "to do" list.

Thanks to everyone for there comforting comments regarding the loss of my stitching friend. She would have loved our party Monday night. We miss you Joann.

Blogger is now messing with my spacing. Tried to fix it in HTML, but still wants to double space somethings and center everything. @@!!##$^&*!! Guess I am not smart enought to outsmart Blogger.

This has turned out longer than I planned, so sorry. Hopefully, I will find time to do one more before Christmas.

Happy Stitching.

FINALLY, At Last - Part 2

OK, here we go with Part 2. That ***** Blogger really messed me up. Sorry guys.

On the stitching front, I finished 2 more Christmas presents. Both were taken to the framer last week. Below is "Thimble Abundance". The other one I cannot show until after it is given as a gift.

Here is another Christmas present that I started right after we got home. It is for a person that loves Hawaii, so I thought it was appropriate. Since this photo was taken, I have completed ALOHA and have 2 of 7 flowers done. It has flowers from Hawaii in an arrangement below the word and in both of the "A"s.

ALOHA

Mar/Apr 1991 Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine

28-ct Antique White Cashel

Anchor Floss

Still working on "From Sea to Shining Sea". Here is my progress. Have Part 2 in my bag. Thought I would get the first part done and start the second while we were gone. As you can see, it did not happen.

This afternoon I finished as much as I could on The Sunflower Seed design model that I have been stitching on for a long time. Now Anita will put the finishing touches on it. It will be released at market the first part of February. Told her the other day that I was ready for the next project. It seems that I do a better job of getting things done when I am spending part of my stitching time working on something for her.

Tomorrow is my day to work at The Sunflower Seed. When we are not busy, we are preparing to get the inventory done. Last week I got the itch to do this little JBW Christmas Tree over one. So I came home and started it right away. NO picture. That will come next time. I have the border in and over half of the tree done. My eyes started getting crossed after awhile. It is looking so good being so small. Of course, the silk person (slut) that I am, I am doing it with Belle Soie. The girls in the stitch group really do like calling me all those silk names.

Speaking of the stitch girls, we are having a Pizza Party as our Christmas Party on Monday night. It will be a fun night. Just heard the weather forecast and it is supposed to be really cold. We will be having so much fun we won't even know it is cold.

Remember the Purple Quaker Cow!!! Several of you wanted to know the reaction of Joann when I gave it to her. It is with heavy heart that I write this part. She was sick off and on around her birthday so I did not get it to her until after her birthday. She was at the shop on Wednesday, November12th. So I gave it too her. She was so thrilled and pleased that done it just for her with her fabric using her favorite color. She just hugged it to her body and said "I love it". Later that evening she called me to tell me it was hung right by her chair and she was so pleased that I had stitched it for her. Sunday morning I got a call from one of the other stitcher girls to tell me that Joann had passed away the night before. We were all very saddened for our loss. Our group has a big hole in it now that will take a long time to fill. We know now that she no longer has all her health problems and is stitching up a storm watching over us. I have photos of her with the Purple Cow, but I just don't feel right posting them her. We miss you Joann.

Hopefully you all can follow what I have said since I had blogger problems. Still working on decorating my tree. Next time I will have pictures of my tree. Having problems getting into that too. Today was a cooking day. Made Carrot Pineapple Quick Bread for use at a fellowship coffee at the church on Sunday. Also made Paula Deen's bake Macaroni and Cheese. Morris does not like it and he left this morning with his buddies for Colorado skiing, so I made it today. Will take a container for lunch at the shop tomorrow. Still need to make something for Monday night at the shop and I am making soup for my church ladies group on Wednesday. So will keep busy on the cooking front. I have sort of gotten out of the mode of doing much baking, etc. for Christmas. Used to do a lot, but ended up eating way too much of it myself, so I cut way back. Also need to make sugar cookies for Morris's barber. He loves the ones I make. He usually gets almost an entire batch.

Well, off to bed with me. I have had too much stress with this stupid blogger.

Happy stitching.