Can All Weeks Be This Good?

Last week was one of those weeks where everything just worked out.  I know.  Those are few and far between.  But it started off with a chat with my friend Suzanne, resulting in plans to get together this week.  On Wednesday I had a nice lunch with Sheila, Grace and Emily.  Then there was the good health news for Cosmo and an excellent job evaluation.  On Friday I went to The Stitch Store to stitch with my Virginia friend Maggie, who drove in for the weekend.  Terrie was also there and the three of us had a nice relaxing bonus stitch day.  I say bonus because Saturday was our official Saturday Stitch Day!  And now I can show off the sewing project that I hinted at in my last post.  It's a bunch of cute little thread catchers!  I made one for each stitcher in my group.  As you can see, each one is unique.  Everyone quickly chose the one they liked the best.  It's just fun to create something for people you like.  You can find the instructions for these on the blog "Needling Things".  Have fun!

Stitch Day was wonderful as usual and flew by quickly.  We had a lot of laughs and I think there were a few tears.  Quite a bit of stitching got done, along with some eating, shopping and talking.  And there was chocolate.  And cake.  It was great to have Maggie join us this month.  I'm sure we all wish she could be a permanent member of the group. 

Now that I've finished the Kitty Kalendar, my next goal is to complete Folk Eggs by Prairie Schooler.  I'm stitching egg #6, so it's looking good!  I also acquired some new stash at The Stitch Store.  Photos to follow!

Whiskers On Kittens

I know I haven't posted a lot lately, but when your latest crafty creation is a secret, writing about it is out of the question.  Yes, my latest sewing project is gifty in nature so has to be kept a secret until next week.  Then I'll post a picture.  Even though this project has kept me busy, I managed a big finish:  the Kitty Kalendar is done!

When I finished stitching the December cat, I realized that what I had left to do wouldn't take very long, so on went the whiskers and buttons.  This is a big finish for me as I've been working on this one (on and off) since last year.  All those little cat faces -- so cute!  Who can resist?!

So now I can return to my Folk Eggs and Holiest of Nights.  And enthusiastically begin a new one - Red White and Bloom by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I've had this one kitted up for a while, ready to go. 

This weekend is Saturday Stitch Day at The Stitch Store, when I get to spend time with my stitching buddies.  As an extra bonus, my friend Maggie will be in town to join us!  And I get an extra stitch day out of it because we'll be stitching together on Friday also.  So looking forward to it!

Some good news this week for you Cosmo fans.  As you'll recall, back in February we found out that Cosmo has diabetes .  We started him on insulin shots and a special diet.  That worked so well -- too well -- that the vet took him off of the insulin.  Cosmo went back for a fructosamine test yesterday and his sugar level is now in the mid-normal range!  We're managing his diabetes with diet alone and it's working well!  The other two cats are on this diet too, so I'm hoping that it benefits them too.  Great news!

Thank you for all of your comments.  I appreciate each one!  Please keep on giving me feedback!

TUSAL Too Late?

Maybe a little, but here it is.  It's the TUSAL for June.  It's hosted by Daffycat and you can find out more about the TUSAL on her blog.

I added quite a bit this month!  I finished the stitching portion on Val's Stuff Kitty Kalendar, and only have to sew all of the buttons on.  Yay!  A photo will be coming your way soon.  Plus, I think that this is a pretty cool photo, with Moxie making herself comfortable on my craft table. 
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Please Don't Diss Cross Stitch!

It's time for Blog Hop #4 at Stitching The Night Away, and the topic is a good one.

Do you experience this same assumption from society in general that just because you’re being crafty you’re also driven by some unseen force to be in constant 1950s housewife mode? and then…. Who actually does the cooking and the cleaning in the household? I’d also really like to hear some words from the men in the crowd who stitch on this topic. What sort of societal reactions do you get and what ridiculously wrong assumptions do people make towards you when they see you working on needlework?

This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart because I've been stitching for a long time and have heard all kinds of assumptions and stereotypes about people who cross stitch.  In fact, back in October 2011, I conducted a survey (very unscientific, but still interesting) regarding myths about us stitchers.  I then posted the results.  You can see that blog post by clicking here.

Some of the more popular misconceptions I've experienced is that all stitchers are old ladies, that stitching is a silly hobby and a waste of time, and that it's a sub-standard art form.  I seriously doubt that the artists at Britain's Royal School of Needlework would agree with these assumptions.  If you have a few minutes, here's a wonderful video that showcases the famed school. 

As you can see, I'm always ready to defend my favorite hobby.  And I applaud men who take up this pastime. I will be very interested in what they have to say about what people think of the fact that they stitch.

Who does the cooking and cleaning in our house?  Well, I do most of it, simply because I work less hours than Mark.  But vacuuming and cooking a meal are not beneath him and he's always ready to lend a hand.  I'm also thankful that he takes care of mowing the lawn and a lot of the outside work.  Which means that I'm spared having to deal with that finicky and smelly lawnmower.  But no, even though I do stuff around the house, I am not a 50's style housewife.

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
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The Finish Line Is In Sight!

Last night I sat down to stitch and decided that I wouldn't stop until the November cat was done.  And finish it I did, along with a few stitches into December!  Yay!  When that one is done, it will be time to long-stitch the whiskers and sew on the button for each month.  I will be framing this one quickly so it can go into its special reserved spot in the craft room. 

Speaking of framing, I have two finished projects that are calling out to me:  LHN's America, and Bent Creek's Seasonal Sampling.  It's time for me to log on to American Frame and do some shopping!

This week I got to the 80 follower mark!  Welcome, new followers!  And thank you, everyone, for your kind comments.  I just love seeing what you have to say about my blog.  I'm cooking up a very special giveaway when I get to 100 followers.  That's a good number, don't you think?  This is going to be a REALLY good giveaway so don't miss it.  All the details will be in a blog post after I get to the magic number of 100!

And here's a little garden beauty for you.  I love summer!

Crafty Guy Has Been Busy

As some of you may know, woodworking is a hobby my husband Mark has recently taken up in the last few years.  I've posted picture of some of his amazing finishes on previous posts.  His most recent lathework finish is a wooden box, a gift for a graduate.  It's made from persimmon and has an oversized top that reminds me of a cinnamon roll.  Very nice work, I must say.  And much appreciated by the recipient!

At one of our stitch days, we were talking about bluebirds and bluebird houses.  Someone mentioned how these cute little birdies love the security of their own little house, and if you have one in your yard, plenty of bluebirds will visit.  I'm a bluebird fan myself, but don't see them often around my house.  I made sure Mark knew about this and before I knew it, he had made this wonderful bluebird house.  He went online and found building instructions from the Missouri Conservation Commission.  Now to put it up.  The information says that it should be put on a pole.  Hmmmm.  OK, that's a whole 'nother project, right?  If anyone out there has put one of these up, and has some advice, I'll take it.

Asiatic Lily

Ice Plant

Let's close out with some flower pictures.  I've been enjoying my garden this year, especially those perennials.  I love how they come back healthy and happy every year!

Deck Planter with Oregano, Begonia That Looks Like Shrimp and Giant Salvia.

I Guess I Do Have Goals!

Our latest Blog Hop question from Loretta at Stitching The Night Away is this:

Do you set stitching goals for yourself and how do you plan them out? (Weekly, monthly, annually?) What are your current stitching goals (if you don’t mind sharing)?
In addition to setting goals for yourself, do you have a special reward that you reserve for when you reach a stitching goal?

 Hmmmm, good question.  The only time I really set a strict goal for finishing a project is when I'm stitching something for a gift.  The reward for that is one we all know when we give a gift of our stitching -- the appreciation of the receiver.  I don't mean that to sound corny, but it's so true.

I'm the kind of stitcher who doesn't like to have a lot of projects going on at once.  Right now my WIPs number four. (OK, I'm not talking about UFOs.  That's a completely different thing.)  So the goal I set for my own non-gifty projects is that when I complete one, I can start another.  And most of us stitchers know how much fun that is!  I mean, who among us never gets a case of start-itis?  Beginning a new project is a reward in itself!  And there's always one "on deck", isn't there? 

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
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