The Dog Days of Summer

Hello my faithful readers. Once again it is time for an update. As you can see from my August TUSAL update from yesterday, I have not been stitching as much. That is because shortly after I updated everyone on my Christmas in July ornaments, I sliced off the finger tips of my right index and middle fingers, and couldn't stitch. I was slicing potatoes with one of those mandolin-style slicers. Thanks heavens for my DD. She was a trooper. She finished making supper and helped me out for the next week with housework and meals. I made a trip to the ER the next day because I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. But I am back to stitching with a vengence now.  They are all healed up, but the teensiest bit tender yet.

On to the updates now. First here is the ornament and card from my Christmas in July partner, Tricia.

I just love it! She did such a beautiful job, and her card is so pretty! Thank you so much, my friend! I have it out where I can see it everyday.

Here is my Silver Moon Tea from Mirabilia. She is almost half done now. Coming along much better since I restarted.

I really have to thank Barbara C. She sent me an on-line gift certificate earlier in July for the Birthday Thread Exchange for The Stitch Specialist Yahoo group. And then this lovely card and DMC threads came as well. Thank you so much again, Barb! With all you are going thru, this was so lovely and thaoughtful.

I just fell in love with this ornament from the 2007 JCS Ornament issue. This will be for my Dad for Christmas. We both have this bird visit our feeders, so I think he will like it!

Yes, I have started a new SAL. (You know I can't help myself! lol) It's called Confetti of Hardanger by Bee's Needleworks. Abi Gurden, owner of The Stitch Specialists Yahoo group designed it, and you can only stitch it by being a member of the group, and for a small fee. Part One is finished above, and will be starting Part 2 very soon. My fabric is 28-count Laguna in Queen Anne's Lace, with Caron Watercolors and Wildflowers in Moss and Autumn Leaves, and white DMC Perle cotton 8 and 12. I am pleased with how the colours look against the fabric.

I grabbed this magazine because I liked the Halloween and Christmas ornaments in it. I used to have a subscription to this mag, but wasn't thrilled with everything in it, so I only buy it if I like a bunch of projects.

This one I had on order at my LNS, and grabbed it a week ago. There are some wonderful Halloween charts in it, and my sister has asked for one or two. I think I can manage it, for Christmas. ;)

Now I am very excited about this next project! You know I love my gingerbread, and Hubby bought me this project! Isn't he a sweetie?! It's The Victoria Sampler Gingerbread Tree Etui Stitcherama cyberclass! It is a two-week class towards the end of September. I have all the threads organized, but need to prepare the fabric and start cross stitching. That will be today's job! I would like to have all the cross stitching done in time for the class, so I can concentrate on the specialty stitching and finishing. Wish me luck, and I'll keep you posted.

And last but not least are these cute charts sent to me by Joanne P. She was my partner for the Chocolate Exchange for The Stitching Hangout Yahoo group. I sent her some chocolate-related threads and fabric, which I hope she gets soon! She saw my Stoney Creek Witch finish, and asked me if I would like these charts. She won them as a door prize, said she wouldn't stitch them, and was looking to re-home them. I would like to work on them this fall. They would be a lovely addition to my on going Halloween decor. Thanks again, my stitchy friend. I will share progress pics when I start them. Just a note to all, I have been using my iPad to post to my blog. My laptop is not at all well, and I use it sparingly, only for very important missions. My Blogger app does not place pictures in the order I take them, so I write about them in the order they are placed. I have tried to manipulate them, but I end up frustrated, so it is my laziness and fear of deleting pictures that my blog is the way it is. Well, I have come to the end of another update. I am doing laundry, so in between loads I will be preparing my fabric for the Gingerbread Tree Etui. As well will be watching The Iron Lady from my DVR and The Hunger Games I downloaded to my iTunes account with DD later on. Hope everyone enjoys the last couple weeks of summer, winter for the southern hemisphere. It's lovely here in SW Ontario, where after the last month and a half it's been stifling, hot and muggy, I now have windows open and a cool breeze blowing gently. Chat soon, everyone!