A Little Finishing and a Question

I have some cross stitch finishes or not.

I do NOT want to let them pile up again.

I like to stitch far more than finishing. I wish that weren't the case, but I think it is having expectations that aren't reasonable.

Life has been rather busy lately and somehow they just piled up in the sewing room. I planned to spend the day in my sewing room last Thursday. I even wrote it in my planner! I will say that I enjoyed my day that I penciled in for crafting, but I found that just finishing them into pillows and stuffing them took longer than expected. My plan was to use what I had and I did that, but I stressed over every decision. This caused it all to take much longer than maybe it should have.

I am better than I was once, but still have a long way to go in the finishing department. The only way to get better is do it, so...

My first one I shared a while back. "Batty about Halloween" by Sandra Sullivan. I stitched it on 28 count...? with called for colors.

One of my problems with finishing is embellishing. I don't seem to be able to decide when enough is enough. I am simple, but I see things out there and think I need to do more...but, then I can't make it turn out to my liking. My husband said leave off the button, but my daughter liked it. I honestly don't know what I think yet. I know the picture is horrible and you can't see it to give me advice, but I was having computer /phone issues.

Next up is "Spell of the Moon" by Blackbird Designs.

I just went with the simple pillow backed in the same fabric as I used on "Batty about Halloween."

I felt the stitch itself was enough. See, I think I am just simple.

Stitched on 32 count Tin Roof by Weeks Dye Works in called for colors.

Then there is "Ye Old Crow Sampler" by Heart in Hand.

Stitched on 32 count ??? with called for color.

I did use some tiny buttons on this and the back is black and white homespun gingham, but I think I will add some black cording when I get some time to the sides. I loved stitching this one for some reason.

My next finish was a Christmas ornament from Just Cross Stitch's 2015 Christmas Ornaments. It was titled "Christmas Test Drive" by Mosey 'N Me.

My final finish is getting changed before I do anything else. I absolutely hated the ribbon. I had success previously with this finish, but the ribbon was too stuff. Again, I think some cording in the green would look tons better, so off the ribbon comes tomorrow. 

"Let Us Adore Him" by Country Cottage Needleworks. 28 count and called for colors.

I will share the two I am adding cording too again. I hope to do that this week and get those completely finished to my liking.

That is it for my finishes. I have spent the weekend ripping out my winter piece that I started. I am actually glad I made a costly mistake, because I was just not liking how it was turning out. Sometimes you just need to slow down I guess.

I have a question for anyone who might read and know. I want to know how or what Faye might be using to get a flat pillow finish such as the one below...???

Source: http://carolinastitcher.blogspot.com/2017/12/todays-picture-walk.html

As for upcoming stitches, I am putting my Autumn pieces aside until next summer. It is time for Christmas and winter pieces. I have some ornaments I want to stitch. I still have a Prairie Schooler Santa to stitch and then I will have two that need to finished into ornaments. I have some ideas but nothing in stone. Either way, I will stop and finish them before I move on. I am going to work on my winter monochromatic piece periodically until completion along with my Helen Keller piece. I was not liking having so many things in the rotation. I think I got off kilter with that.

I am slowing it down and trying not to look at everyone's finishing and just go at my own pace. It is hard to do sometimes!

One more thing...BLOG commenting.
If Blogger doesn't stop messing with me, I am going to give up. I can't comment on some blogs. I can leave messages on some with my Google account, on others I have to leave my name and URL (then jump through a million hoops to verify I am not a robot), and on some nothing at all.
I have read SOME are having similar problems, but not all of them seem to be the same as mine.
I thought it might have coincided with an update I did for Safari on my MacBook. I think that is why my photos were acting up...I have wondered if I had a different browser it would be better, but I am holding out that maybe it will all get worked out soon.

Dreaming of fall temperatures even though they are not coming anytime soon,
Sandy

Weekend Happenings

We had a fun weekend in Auburn.
A win this week,
fun with friends, and
meeting lots of dogs in the neighborhood all
made for a nice weekend.

The guys all played golf, and I walked into town and Christmas shopped. I don't think I have ever done that this early, but with the grand baby due soon and everyone with something to do I wasn't sure I would get a chance like this again.

I walked ---I am loving that part of the new house. IT was HOT, but I chose the shady route on the way to town and got a me a Toomer's lemonade (famous in Auburn) to walk back with. I went to shortest way back since I had packages to tote home. I will share some of that at a later date.

I will tell you that this picture had something to do with it. I left the house today and Gus did this. FORTUNATELY, he didn't do too much damage or he would still be sitting in his kennel box in time out.

Speaking of dogs, I took the dogs for a walk Saturday morning and every dog in the neighborhood was on a walk. We met 3 Goldens, 2 Boykins, and Gus's half brother. Yes, you read that right. In the neighborhood was another Springer from Lanewood Kennel. For a moment, we thought they were brothers, but his was born earlier. They had the same dad though...Gus Senior:) Gus and Forest really hit it off. It was fun to watch them interact. We will schedule some play dates later.

Dogs are so great. I couldn't tell you one person's name that I met this weekend, but I know all the dogs' names. I met more dogs that mentioned, but since we have a Golden and a Springer and Lindsay has a Boykin, those got more attention.

I definitely got in my steps Saturday with walking because we walked to the game as well.

I stitched on a Prairie School Santa that Arlene from Nanaland sent me. I am in love with these. They are so easy to stitch. I would like to do a whole bunch of them. I am doing them on this 40 count linen with one over two. I have to remember to look in my bag and see what kind of linen it is because it is a pleasure to stitch on.

I also started on my winter monochromatic piece by Little House Needleworks. It will be my last one in the series. I love the blue linen for it.

My thread came into day for the crow that I ran out of thread for. I am going to be working on it only until completion...then, fully finish it and put fall stitching away until next summer. I have so many still I want to stitch. It is an obsession y'all.

I was quite tired today. Mother is off on her trip and it is raining and cloudy here. I sat in my reclining chair and the next thing I knew I was asleep. I slept two hours. I think I must have really needed it.

I am off to get supper cooked and prepare to watch Magnum PI tonight. There is a story there for another day. Stay tuned.

Rested,

Sandy