Little Things

"It is by studying little things that we attain the great art

 of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible."

~Samuel Johnson

Does this face look familiar?

When it's bedtime, but Mom is still stitching.

Happy Stitching!

Explorin'

I finally got a chance to go exploring all by myself. This wasn't the kind of looking around you do in a new place when you're trying to find all the things you need. This was the kind of looking around you do in a new place when you're trying to find New Happy Places. This was "explorin'." I'm happy to report the expedition was a success, and I returned with spoils.

Hobby Lobby never disappoints. I found this pretty paperboard box that I'm now using to hold floss for several summer projects at a time.

I found a quilt shop, and I was absolutely thrilled to discover they carry Cosmo embroidery thread! I have never, ever been able to walk into a shop and buy Cosmo, and now I can. Their variegated threads are just beautiful. I restrained myself and only chose a few fall colors, but I intend to build my Cosmo stash as quickly as possible!

I also found a local craft store that's sort of a cross between a big box craft store, an old Ben Franklin's (remember those?), and a dollar store. I wasn't sure it was my kinda place at first, but then I found the fat quarters. Oh my. Oodles and oodles and oodles of lovely fat quarters. I brought home a few. 

I was delighted with my finds. I've now got my route figured out, and can do a "craft crawl" in a nice, efficient loop that also includes my new LNS. There are also corn dogs on my route, so it's pretty awesome. I think I need to do this about once a month. For mental health purposes.

Maybe sometimes twice a month. Depending on how things are going...

Saturday Sampler: Christmas Ornament SAL Edition

I'm all caught up! Wooooooo! Good job, me! 

So, by way of review: In January, with a move halfway across the country only three months away, I did what any other reasonable stitcher would do, and... 

...joined a SAL.

Yes, I did.

I was on track from January through March (click the Ornament SAL label to see my finishes), but predictably, I derailed in April when we moved. But I'm all caught up and I'm so happy! One more thing: these ornaments are for a Christmas tree that will be in my pink/green sewing room, so that's why they're not in traditional Christmas colors. 

MAY, from the 2001 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue

Fabric: 28 ct. white opalescent linen
Threads: DMC Perle Cotton #8 Blanc, Kreinik braid #4 and #8 Aspen Green 089
Embellishments: Mill Hill beads #00479, Mill Hill Glass Treasure #12052


JUNE, from the 2018 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue

Fabric: 28 ct. Valor (PTP)

Threads: GAST Bayberry, DMC Blanc, Kreinik Braid #8 Aspen Green 089

JULY, from the 2006 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue

Fabric: 30 ct. 18th Century Stone (R&R)
Threads: DMC 315, 316, 778, 3051, 3052, 3726; DMC Perle Cotton #8 Blanc, Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid #60
Embellishments: Mill Hill beads #3005

*****
Off to decide what to start next! Happy Stitching!