The wind is starting to howl and the rain is heavy. Just the beginning of Sandy. We spent the day getting ready for the storm. Took in the patio furniture, potted plants and anything else that could go flying. Did some cooking ahead, in case we can't use the stove. Just hoping that trees don't come crashing down on the house. As for the stitching, I started something new. Day after my last post this wonderful design arrived in the mail.

I couldn't wait to start it. It's a great stitch.

I pick it up every spare moment I have. I thought I would show my Halloween tree with all the ornaments. I couldn't get a good picture inside so I took it outside yesterday for some shots. You can click on any picture for a larger view.

It's starting to fill up in nicely. I will add more next year.

This is the pillow that Vonna finished for me. I love it. It's Hilda's Alphabet Brew by With Thy Needle and Thread.

I love Japanese Lanterns. I have a friend who grew them and surprised me with a bouquet. They are so bright and fallish. I will end with a picture of Stella. She is a year old and quite the big girl.

I hope everyone on the east coast stays safe and sound. I have family on Long Island and Staten Island and my prayers are with them. They are going to be hit very hard. I know that we will lose power, so I don't know when I will be back. Until then, thanks for visiting my blog. I love the comments. They mean so much. Until next time ..... Happy Stitching! Deborah

Bits of This and That.

Thanks everyone for all the great comments. I appreciate them all. I am thankful for all who stop by and read my blog. It has been a wonderful fall season in MA. The colors on the trees is spectacular this year. I spent some time last week in Ocean City, MD at the Salty Yarn retreat. More on that in a while. I stitched 7 Halloween ornaments and a pillow that Vonna, of the twisted stitcher fame, finished for me. Her finishing is wonderful. I asked her to do what ever she wanted and she did not disappoint me. Vonna, thanks so much!

I can't pick a favorite. I love them all. You can click on any of the pictures for a better view. I finished Baby It's Cold Outside and I really love it. This piece I started in Ocean City.

When I finished that piece, I went back to Chritmastide. I couldn't do that piece while I was away because I knew I would be frogging big time. Here is my progress to date.

I did pick up Plaid House from the framer. I like it much better framed.

A close up of the frame. I have used this molding before and I really like the rustic look of it. I went to Ocean City and had a great 3 days. It was busy retreat. We had 3 teachers. Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs, Theresa from Shakespears Peddler and Donna from By The Bay. All the projects were fun and different. I wasn't able to get a picture of Donna's project. It is a wool bag and she taught us stump work.

This is Belinda's design. She is known for doing a large project and then taking some of the motifs to make some smalls. We started on the ort box. Is't it the cutest?!

These are girls I went with. Sue is working with Belinda in the first shot and Nataly and Ellen are in the second shot. We had a great time.

Next up is Theresa's project. She wanted us to make a pin cushion by hand channeling our inner child. It as a fun quick project. They can be tailored to the person you are making it for. I will end with a few shots of Ocean City. We stayed at the Lankford Hotel and Salty Yarns is connected to the hotel. They have a wonderful shop that is really stocked with all kinds of stitchy goodness. I did get some stash, of course.

The weather was warm. Ellen and I had breakfast outside on the boardwalk the day we left. Does it get better in October than that. It has been another lonnng post and thanks for sticking with me. Until next time .... Happy Stitching! Deborah

Plaid House!

Thanks for visiting my little part of the world. The comments you leave mean the so much to me. It was a busy week here in Southern MA. I finished Plaid House by LHN. I used the natural linen called for and I must say I don't really care it. The piece looks good but the fabric wasn't fun to work with.

I started Christmastide at Holly House by The Scarlet House.

Please excuse the lousy picture. I don't iron while stitching. This piece is beautiful but will take awhile to finish. The house is massive. I picked up 2 pieces from the framer.

Ye Be Thankful by Cross Eyed Cricket. I used a plain black molding.

I did this piece last year. It's from Just Cross Magazine. I know that Paulette from PSS designed it. I just love the whimsy of it. Thought I would show somee Halloween finishes from years past. They are all hanging currently.

A close up of the molding I picked. I thought that I

Thanks for hanging in with this picture heavy post. Until next time ...... Happy Stitching! Deborah

My Favorite Time of the Year.

The weather is finally cooler. We are getting a lot of welcome rain. The leaves are turning beautiful colors. The mums and pumpkins are out front. It's my favorite time of the year. Because of the rain, I have managed to stitch a lot.

This is Be Ye Thankful by the Cross Eyed Cricket. The design is old ---- 1997. I have had it all these years and this was year to do it. It is at the framer getting a black frame.

I started Winter Plaid House by LHN. I am doing it on natural linen using some of the called for fibers. I changed the red and the green for what I think are more winter appropriate. Cheryl and I have been thrifting during the summer. I picked up this beauty for under 10.00.

It is hand painted from Portugal. I just love it. When Cheryl was in Canada she picked up this little beauty for me.

I didn't have a red frog. This a set. The very tiny frog sits on a little shelf. The whole frog is about 4 1/2 inches tall. I love the tulip shape. She is the greatest friend!

Just a little look into my kitchen for Halloween. I will end with a picture of my sweet Stella.

Until next time ...... Happy Stitching! Deborah