Ninth & Tenth Finish For 2012

Yes, I'm still trying to catch up on showing you my finishes from last year! Hopefully I'll be done soon so you can see what I have stitched in 2013. Maybe someone can light that fire so I can back my butt into it. Otherwise, at this rate, it will be 2014 before you see anything that I have done this year ;o) LOL!

Finish nine is called Humble Gratitude by 4 My Boys -

This chart was handed down to me by Sharon after she finished it herself and I want to thank her for her kindness. I love this pattern and why wouldn't I seeing as there is a pumpkin in it ;o)

In honor of Sharon, I would like to do a RAK and send this pattern off to someone else that would like to stitch it. If you are interested, please say so in your comment and I'll pick a name (if more than one person would like it) and let you know in a few days. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you are the lucky person.

My tenth finish is Peep by Lizzie Kate -

This is just cuteness. The pattern came with the fabric and I used the recommended threads. I see this one finished as a cube. When will that get done? HA! I doubt anytime soon... A girl can dream though ;o)

There are six more projects left to show so expect pictures very soon! I also have my appointment with the Oncologist tomorrow so I will be posting an update after we know more as to what is going on with me. I'll be honest, your thoughts and prayers are certainly needed at this time :o(

Halloween Rules SAL - March Progress

I thought I had better post my progress before the month got away from me! I've had my block done for about a week now and here's what it looks like -

I still LOVE this piece and can't wait to stitch on it every month :o)

I know you've been anxiously waiting so stay tuned for my next post with pictures of Junior's nursery!

Halloween Rules SAL - February Progress

It's that time again and the second block is complete! Well, it's been complete for at least a week now but it's just taken me this long to post it -

I did make a small change to the piece of candy on the left hand side. It didn't seem very symmetrical to me. Call me crazy ;o)

Now I have to wait the rest of the month before I can continue :o(

As I write this, I'm in New Brunswick with my parents. I took the ferry from NS yesterday and they picked me up on the other side. My mom is throwing me a baby shower tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends, some of which I haven't seen since we moved to NS!

Junior is doing well, much better than his mother. It seems that I'm not as sea worthy as I was before I was pregnant :oS All I can say is that I'm glad it was a calm crossing because otherwise I might have spent the whole time in the bathroom. LOL!

Halloween Rules SAL - January Progress

Now that my 2011 stitching is behind me, I can finally share with you what I'm stitching on at the moment. I'm not sure if you remember or not but I mentioned that Nia and I would continue with another SAL this year. We had so much fun with Christmas Rules by Lizzie Kate that we decided to stitch Halloween Rules together :o)

So here is January's progress; the header and the first block -

I'm stitching mine on 32 count Lilac linen with the recommended threads and I just love it! Luckily these threads have a lot of variegation so they're really showing up nicely.

I did run into a problem but thankfully it was early in the game. I had to frog the grass under the gravestones because I thought they were supposed to be stitched in Blackbird. When I printed out the border, the symbols didn't come out very clear but I should have known Moss made more sense ;o) It helps to refer to the colored picture from time to time. Lesson learned!

Nineteenth Finish For 2011

Whew! I'm almost there ;o) This was a big finish, not only for me but for Nia too since this was our SAL. Here is Christmas Rules by Lizzie Kate in all its finery -

I'm quite happy with the results. It was stitched on 32 count Light Mocha linen with the suggested threads.

Now that I've started Halloween Rules though, I'm finding the threads have much more variegation so I think I'm even happier with this new SAL. All in all though, when the time comes to finish Christmas Rules, I'll be proud to display it on my wall :o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Eleven

I can't believe it, I haven't written a post since November! I have shamefully neglected my Blog :o( I do have some good excuses though... I'm making my way towards catching up on my Blog reading (30 posts left) and my email is 'almost' up to date ;o)

This block was completed last month, I just never got up enough energy to iron and take pictures of it. LOL! So here we have block eleven -

And here's what it looks like to date -

Right now I'm stitching the LAST block! Wow! Hard to believe that Nia and I are almost done :o( This was such a fun SAL to stitch together :o)

Since December 1, I have been decorating the house for Christmas. I now have my ornament tree up and I just love it -

I hope that we're going to pick out our tree this weekend. I'm SO behind with everything. My Christmas cards are sitting here expecting to be addressed and presents waiting to be bought and wrapped. Ugh! Where has the time gone???? DH and I have another trip to the 'big city' on Tuesday for another check up so there's a day gone. I just hope I don't have any more distractions so I can get all this stuff done.

Btw, I promise to post a picture of 'the belly' soon ;o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Ten

I bet you thought I was behind didn't you? Well, not with my stitching ;o) I finished block ten at the end of October but just didn't post a picture yet so here you go -

And the full piece to date -

Again, sorry for the horrible pictures. Boy, it's been so hard to get good ones lately :o(

I'm SO proud of myself too because block eleven is even done! You'll have to wait for another post to see that progress. It's hard to believe that Nia and I only have one more block left to do. It sure doesn't feel like we've been stitching on this all year. This was definitely a fun way to stitch this project though :o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Nine

As promised, here is block nine of my Christmas Rules SAL -

And here is the project to date -

I can't believe that we only have three more blocks left! Even though I've been stitching on this since the first of the year, it doesn't seem like it's been that long. I've been enjoying every bit of it :o) Nia and I have decided that come the first of 2012, we're going to stitch Halloween Rules as our new SAL. I can't wait!

Remember to read the important note on my September 9 post! Again, thank you for all your comments. They've been a joy to read :o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Eight

I finished my block a few days ago but just got around to taking a picture today -

I wasn't happy with the individual picture I took so you just get the whole thing ;o) Laziness has settled in. LOL! Not to mention the muggy weather :o( I'm looking forward to September and the fact that fall is just around the corner.

I can't say that there has been a whole lot of stitching going on around here this summer :o( I'm back working on Bluebell though and should have a progress picture soon. Of course I'm anxiously waiting for the Halloween book and JCS Ornament Issue so that might put my mojo into gear ;o)

Don't forget to put your name in for my giveaway! You have until August 30. Remember; please leave a comment on that post only. Looks like you have a one in ten chance of winning ;o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Seven

I was going to write another post but I thought I had better show this off before the month of July passes by before my eyes!

I am officially caught up with my SAL :o) WOOHOO! Here is Block Seven -

Isn't that sheep just the cutest?

I'll even be nice and show you the whole project to date -

Now to take a quick breath, hopefully start a new SAL and then it will be back to Christmas Rules again ;o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Six

Yay! I'm not a month behind now :o) I finally got Block Six finished last night -

Sorry I didn't take a picture of the whole project to date. I'm too lazy to have to go iron it ;o)

I'm hoping my stitching mojo is back because I still have July's block to do and the next thing I'll know, it will be August. Plus Nia has been chomping at the bit because we are going to do another SAL together. This time we'll be stitching Nora Corbett's Bluebell :o) I'm really looking forward to that. More beads I know but at least not as many as Sabrina. LOL!

I want to thank everyone for their kind words regarding our loss :o( I've been having a hard time of it and that's part of my withdrawal from Blogging. I have started to catch up on my Blog reading and responding to emails so hopefully this means I'm getting back on track!

Btw, I see that I now have over 300 Stalkers!!!! WOW! Me thinks I will be gathering some stuff together for a giveaway soon ;o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Five

Bet you thought I was behind huh? Nope! I've had this block done since the fifteenth ;o)

Santa almost didn't get his cookie though because I had to frog the whole thing, along with the word 'Give' >:o( There was a lot of grumbling...

So here's the whole piece to date -

I'm still enjoying this SAL immensely! It's been so much fun and of course my partner makes it even more so ;o)

You're probably wondering why I didn't have my block done right at the start of the month. Well...I've been diligently working on Sabrina! That's right! May has been the month of Sabrina and I'm almost ready to reveal another progress picture so keep your eyes peeled :o)

Btw, there's still time to enter your name in the giveaway! Please see the post below for more details. Thanks everyone!

Seventh Finish For 2011

I wasn't kidding when I said that I have a lot to share. I've been holding out on you ;o) LOL! When things are quiet here at the Pumpkin Patch, you just never know what I'm doing or how fast my needles are flying...

Since I wanted to get into the 'spring mood', I thought this little freebie by Val's Stuff was perfect to begin with. This is Springtime -

For once I had the fabric but I didn't like the fibers she used so I changed it all up to my liking :o) I used all DMC and added a pink pansy button by JABC. But I didn't stop there! Oh no...

Today I finished it off into a little pillow -

Yay! I found the fabric in our local store that's closing down :o( I'm happy with the results but I was a little disappointed. I found the linen to be quite stretchy and a bit hard to work with while sewing so it's not up to my 100% satisfaction. LOL! Quality control is very strict here ;o)

Anyway, I plan on stitching this pattern again and basically just making a duplicate. How come you ask? Well, this one is going out to one of my readers as a thank you :o) How's that for a tease? Nope, I'm not going to reveal who that person is until the package has been received :oP

While I'm on the subject of pillows and duplicate projects, I thought I should share with you my second C Is For Cure by Lizzie Kate finish -

Again, just like the first one I did last year but this one will be staying home with me :o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block Four

Yippee skippy...block four of Christmas Rules is done!

I truly missed stitching on this project for the remainder of March. Come to think about it, I wasn't really that smart this month either because now I have almost another four weeks before I can stitch on this again ;o) LOL! Here is what the whole thing looks like -

I wonder how Nia is coming along :o)

I've had a few people ask how I'm doing so I thought I should probably update you. I saw my doctor and as far as he's concerned, it's my Fibro that's been acting up :o( He did order a blood test for Rheumatoid Arthritis but he doesn't think I have it. He gave me a new prescription for my Tylenol 3 with Codeine because my other one was from 2008 (I think) so its kick was pretty much gone. I can honestly say that one of the new pills doesn't really do anything for the pain either :o(

Thankfully the pain has subsided but there are days, like today, when I can feel it in my knees and elbows. Not fun. I also got some new medication for my migraines and although it seems to work like a charm without knocking me out, the prescription is pretty expensive! Just to give you an idea, six pills cost us $22 and that was 'with' coverage. Oye!

I can definitely say that I am truly blessed by wonderful friends though and that has kept my spirits up during this time :o) At the first of the week, I received a package of charts and floss from one of my Stalkers -

Colleen (no Blog) is from my home province of NB and has been reading my Blog for awhile now. She did a RAK and I couldn't be more thrilled! Thank you again Colleen! You are too kind and just know this stash went to a good home. A thank you will be sent out soon ;o)

Then yesterday I picked up another parcel and this was something I wasn't expecting. When I read the return address and saw that it was from Tina, I wondered what she was up to... Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and found this -

ROFL!!!! Tina sent me a package of ECEs and Milka cream filled eggs (they even come with little tiny spoons!). Apparently she thought she could convert me... I'm sorry to say Tina but it didn't work :o( I guess I'm just an ECE girl at heart ;o) Thank you so much for the thoughtful package though. It really did put a much needed smile on my face!

Christmas Rules SAL Block Three

Oh Nia!!!! Guess what I got done today? ;o) Here is Block Three completed and just hot off my needle -

No, I didn't cheat ;o) LOL! This was such a quick stitch and a fun one at that. I had the time so I just sat my butt down and got to work. Here is my progress so far -

I actually took it out of my Q-Snaps and ironed it. I'm still not pleased with the colour when photographed though >:o(

I know Nia will call me a show off since I accused her of being one when she told me she'd have her block done by tomorrow :oP I guess I shouldn't have wagged my tongue. LOL! No doubt she will be close behind me though.

I've got a cute project picked out for this month and now I can return my focus to Chilly and Sabrina. Updates to come in another post.

Christmas Rules SAL Block Two

Oh vey! Since the first of the month, my stitching has been all over the place. I have been very bad ;o) First it was Sabrina and then I started a new small project (pictures to come later on). I was 'supposed' to start my SAL with Jenn but couldn't resist catching up with Nia on our Christmas Rules SAL. LOL!

Here is Block Two -

And here is the whole piece to date -

Sorry about the terrible pictures but it's been pouring rain this morning and now I see that it's turned to snow :oS Oh goody! I'm still not capturing the colour of the fabric. Maybe next month...

I also want to share with you a new friend of mine who arrived by mail yesterday :o) This is Pumpernickel -

Isn't she adorable???? This was the bunny that Julie made for me after I won her Blogaversary giveaway :o) Pumpernickel took a liking to my ivy so you can't see the lovely dark green petticoat that's underneath her orange dress. I just LOVE her! Thank you SO much Julie! I'm sure that Pumpernickel and I will have many adventures together ;o)

Btw, my mailing address (not physical address) has changed. I sent out an email to all of you who I thought had my address already. If you did not get that email, plmk and I'll send you my new address :o)

Christmas Rules SAL Block One

Yes! Yes, yes, YES! I did it! I met my January goals :o) I know it's not the end of the month yet but I doubt I'll complete another project in the next few days. LOL!

Here is block one of Christmas Rules by LK -

I love the little cardinal :o)

So here's what the whole thing looks like so far -

I apologize for the terrible pictures. You really can't see just how warm that Light Mocha fabric is.

Not only did I finish a WIP but I managed to squeeze in my SAL AND an ornament sized project during the month of January. I'm very pleased :o) Next month I'll tackle block two of Christmas Rules and start my SAL with Jenn. Sabrina is also going to be coming back out. I see there were some worries out there that Lady Of The Mist might take over but I'm a one woman girl ;o) "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" ~ Seinfeld.

On Friday I had another good mail day when a package arrived from Nia :o) We did a swap and this is what she sent to me -

I wanted one of the gorgeous table runners that she had on her Blog and I wasn't disappointed! Nia snuck in some lovely ribbons and those can always be used :o) Hopefully my package will get to her just as quickly. Thank you Nia!