Actual stitching!

Some old, some new.

First off, I really need to learn how to edit photos on my phone. Many moons ago, before I had a phone that took pictures and I used a digital camera, I had an editing program on my computer. That program eventually went away and I don't even know the last time I pulled out my digital camera.

That being said, here we go. 

I stitched this piece over 20 years ago. (late 1990s)

The mat had faded and I never really like the pink I had behind the hardanger.

It was hanging in he guest bath so when we remodeled in there I thought it was a good time to give it an update.

I had a local frame shop cut me new mats, then I remounted it with a cream color fabric behind it.

Much better! It now hangs on my sampler wall in the living room.

(the piece does have glass - I just took the pictures before I put it back together so there wouldn't be a glare)

I thought I still had this pattern but I can't find it. I have no idea what the name of the chart is or who designed it.

This one is even older - it had to have been stitched sometime in the 1980s.. I can't remember which kid I stitched this for. My guess would be the first since it was a stamped kit and shortly after he was born I found counted cross stitch and I rarely did stamped after that. At some point I took it out of the frame and washed it. Of all the colors to fade, it was a bit of the pink. Anywho, I'm sure I used the frame for something else - and it would have been a cheap, premade frame probably wrapped around cardboard and taped with masking tape. I knew nothing about framing at that point - and there wouldn't have been money for custom framing. I came across it when looking for something else awhile back and decided to frame it for baby girl. It was a quarter inch too large for an 11x14 frame so I went thrifting and found this one. It was sliver and had some dings but I filled those and painted it. I padded this with no glass. I rarely frame without glass but it just seemed right for this.

This one is Liberty Sam from Lizzie Kate.

I stitched it last summer knowing I wanted to use this chalkboard to mount it on.

I finally got his mate - Lady Liberty (also Lizzie Kate) finished this summer. Not quite in time for July 4th but since I leave my patriotic up until Labor day I'll get to enjoy it a bit before it goes away. I used magnets so I can use the same finishing piece for the Christmas ones - someday)

(told ya I needed some photo editing help)

They would have probably been better if I had taken them outside but it's too dang hot for that here!

Last, but not least. I've managed to slip in a few ornaments. The two reindeer need buttons and charms sewn on but I will do that when I finish them. Not sure yet if I will do pillow ornaments or flat ornaments but they will be finished before Christmas!

(top left - Joy to the world by Little House Neeleworks,

top right Dazzlin' deer by Heart in Hand Needleworks

bottom, dear Rudolph by Lizzie kate)

I think my list of things I want to get done for Christmas may be longer than the time left on the calendar. 

Summer Fun

We have been busy around here.

Last week we had our grandson Tyler with us.

 He and Pa went zip-lining

Can't believe how much this kid has grown since last summer!

He asked us to measure him the last day he was here and

he's a full 2 1/2 inches taller than me now!

It's been so hot here we had to find some indoor activities.

Bella came along with Tyler this year -

she's just living her best life in the middle of my flowerbed!

She took to trying to catch a mole that had a runner across the back fence line.

Hubby had every ladder we own propped up trying to keep her from digging -

she ended up with some new neck jewelry before the week was out.

Been spending time with this little guy too.

This is my great-nephew, River.

My brother's youngest grandson.

It's been a minute since we have had a baby in the midst

and we are soaking it all in.

He and papa (my dad, River's great-grandpa) are becoming great buds.

He was just starting to sit up a couple of weeks ago -

he has mastered that and is starting to pull himself up now.

He's growing so fast! He was almost crawling last week, he's so close!

He can get where he wants to go - just hasn't quite figured out how to get the legs

and arms going at the same time.

Haven't seen him this week - he may be out-running me by now!  

He and his pawpaw (my brother) are getting to spend lots of time together.

If this ain't trouble looking for a place to happen! LOL

It's so hot here right now it's hard to get motivated to do much.

My flowerbeds have more weeds than flowers at the moment but it's just too hot to spend much time out there.

I've managed a little stitching - 

not that you would know it by my posts here but I'll show some next time.

I fully finished a couple of pieces, 

re-matted/framed a couple of previous finishes

and I'm working on some Christmas ornaments.

I hope you are all keeping cool where you are.