Monday, August 15, 2022

Stitching and Family

 I am going to start with a little stitching even though we all know I have grandsons on the brain.

 I never shared what I did with the doggie pillow that I stitched way back in the mid 1980's. I had thought I would frame it, but ended up with a flat fold stand. I figured it had been unframed for a very long time so it would be ok opened up some more. It is so hard to tell from the photo, but I found a military boot shoe string in Walmart to put around it to highlight the boot shoestring in the stitch. 

I love how it turned out.


I completed Lindsay a back to school ornament for her cabinet knob. Now, she has a full year of seasonal ornaments. The black school fabric is what I used for the back.


I am using August to stitch some smalls. I have a long list of things I want to complete. Miles needs a Christmas ornament and an M on my Christmas stockings for the family. I have a new bird to go with the Scattered Seeds one I finished earlier this summer to name just a few.

I am only sharing one thing though for now and that is a Halloween pattern that Carol at Stitching Dreams shared with me. I love vintage Halloween stitches...the ones that remind me of my childhood in the 60s.  This one does that.




I pulled it out way back on the 4th of July to take with me to Auburn. I took 2 pieces of fabric with me and thought I would decide when I got there. It proved a little harder so I will share my thinking.

I took a lighter piece because it looked more like the called for linen, but I had a darker piece that Arlene had dyed and sent as a present. It caught my eye for Halloween. I packed both. When I got to Auburn I started on the darker piece with the called for colors. The black cat and jack-o-lantern eyes and so forth called for 3371 which is a brown black color and frequently used in patterns such as this. I liked it but I wondered if the cat should actually be black, so I pulled out the lighter linen and stitched the cat in black. I liked it and after a while I decided I would stitch it twice. I would finish the darker linen with 3371 and the lighter linen with black. I am going to let Lindsay have one and I will keep the other one. I like both. I have finished one and am trying to finish the other one this coming week.




I have been busy squeezing the good out of the days of summer. I have been knee deep in a home improvement project. I am beyond sore! I have been loving on grandsons! I could never have imagined how wonderful 3 grandsons could be.

I have some pictures to share of them. It is all good over here in spite of the crazy in the world. I am just trying to keep the focus on what is right in front of me.

Here are family pictures.







Despite the times we are living in, I choose to concentrate on the goodness right in front of me as long as I can. 

I hope to do a treasures post, a stitching post, and a home improvement share post in the coming days. I have been busy and quite frankly tired from all of it. I could use a few days of rest.

August is a pretty month. The light is changing and I am trying to slow it all down.



 


17 comments:

  1. I like your last comment about concentrating on the good. I need to cross stitch that and put it where I can see it every day. Love all the stitches. You finish things so neatly!! I agree with you about 3371 vs black. Prairie Schooler always uses 3371...sometimes I just change it to black. I am working on BE YE THANKFUL by B Gervais. I am so enjoying it. I may just keep working on it until it is finished. Palmer is so BIG!! He is thriving for sure and so alert. I am glad you have your sweet boys to bring you joy every day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Arlene. I do love the stitch on the dyed Aida that you sent me. It turned out cute and the 3371 looks good with it. I do think the black is going to look good with the lighter linen.
      As for Be Ye Thankful, you should finish it if you are enjoying working on it. You will love having it out this year. It is a pretty pattern. I am just about to die to start Live on Less and may give in to it when I get some of the things I need to do for Christmas done. I am loving these little boys right now. I know that won't last forever but they brighten my days right now.

      Delete
  2. Love your dog with bootstring finish, Sandy! It is so darling. The monthly piece for Lindsay is adorable. I really like the Halloween piece. What a wonderful assortment of family photos you shared!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The shoestring is so cute in person. I saw it and just knew it was right for it. I am anxious to finish the other Halloween piece to compare. I think both are going to be very cute.

      Delete
  3. It sure is a happy time for your family! The baby is a delight and a blessing for the whole family. Enjoy your week! I'm liking the weather better here too....just a little change but it helps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never could have imagined how many boys I would have and how cute they would be:) The days are ticking off pretty quick. It has been a hot summer, but strangely I think we are going to have an early fall. Now, that may not happen at all, but I see some odd signs in nature.

      Delete
  4. Beautiful stitchery...love them all. That dog and boot especially. But the pictures of your family are so wonderful! That beautiful new baby boy! Oh what a blessing! And I can see the other two sweet boys love him already and can't wait to play with him! Everyone looks so happy! Thank you for sharing these delights with us!! God bless you all!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so sweet to see Tucker with the new baby. He has seen him twice already and just loves him. I can only imagine how crazy it will be around here in a year with 3 boys, but I can't wait:)

      Delete
  5. I'm mad with joy over that "baby takes a bow" pose! "Ah, my fans need a little smile and a wave! I'm also conducting another chorus of I'll be coming round the mountain.. "

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fun post, Sandy! Love the doggie stitch and the way you have finished it.

    The grandsons are all adorable and I love seeing the careful way Tucker is holding the new baby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are such a joy. They should be so much fun together as they grow up.

      Delete
  7. What absolutely delightful photos of everybody with your newest grandson!!! Isn't it fun to watch your own children as new parents?! You are so blessed.

    And your stitching, always the very best, with good finishes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am overwhelmed at the second child. Barbara, I can't tell you how much I prayed for him. He is going to be an amazing Dad. I almost lost it the other Sunday just watching him and the pride he has in this baby.

      Delete
  8. It is always fun to see your projects but - oh my goodness - look at those sweet children!! Of course that is where your energy goes!! Beyond adorable!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Now, you know why I am always tired and never have time, but it is all good.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awww... those three sweet boys! Just love them! (Of course, I am just a bit partial to trios of boys--ha ha!). They are so lucky to live near each other--lots of fun memories to be made with the cousins. Katie looks amazing--can't believe she just gave birth!

    Your re-do of the little dog turned out great, Sandy! And I'm sure Lindsay loves her back-to-school ornament. That grey fabric is PERFECT for the Halloween piece--makes me want to re-stitch mine :) I'm glad you are enjoying it--it's a darling design.

    Hope your August is going well--I know you're looking forward to the cooler days of September! ♥

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad you stopped by my little blog. Drop in again anytime.
Sincerely,
Sandy