COMING BACK FROM THE FRAMER

 I sent Monet's Irises to L&M Framing in Cincinnati, OH a couple of weeks ago.  I got this picture from them the other day.  It is all framed and, on its way back to us.  She had sent me several pictures of frame choices, and this is the one we chose.  It was the last one she sent us.

It should be here on Wednesday.  At least that is what the tracking says.  I can't wait to see it in person.

Then yesterday, I got a call from Keepsakes.  SubRosa Santa is finished and will be flying back home.  That is if flying from the USPS is even a thing.  Barbara, from Keepsakes, said it turned out beautiful and if I didn't want it she knew someone who would take it.  I am planning on giving it to Carla for Christmas.  I wonder if that will happen.  Yes, it will because I don't need any more Christmas decorations.

WIPS brought into November

Designer:  Tempting Tangles - Project:  Quakers in France
This is my Gridiron Grind Project
for every point the Philadelphia Eagles score I stitch 10 stitches.
I did stitch for preseason games, but I didn't keep track.

9/13 - 24 points = 241 stitches, I stitched 241

9/20 - 24 points = 240 stitches and I stitched 240

9/28 - 7 points = 70 stitches and I stitched 89

10/4 - 20 points = 200 stitches and I stitched 200

10/11 - 17 points = 170 stitches and I stitched 193

10/18 - 14 points = 140 stitches and I stitched 185

10/26 - 21 Points = 210 stitches and I stitched 218

Designer:  The Primative Hare - Design:  A Christmas Carol:Scrooge

Designer:  The Scarlett House - Design: Pumpkin Pumpkin

I wonder why I picked 1 large, Quakers in France and 2 medium projects to stitch.  I don't have any smalls and I don't plan on starting anything else until I get one of these three finished.  I think that Pumpkin Pumpkin will be the first one to bet finished although I still have a lot of that to stitch.
 

2 Fully Finished Objects and 1 Stitching Finish

 I've been waiting for Bob to center 2 designs in hoops so I could fully finish them.  He finally did it on Sunday and I finished one yesterday afternoon and the other one this afternoon.

Curious Carrie Designs - Mini Sampler Series Winter
This was part of a series of seasonal series from Just Cross Stitch in 2025

Holiday Hoopla 4th of July by With Thy Needle & Thread

I finished the stitching on this yesterday afternoon before I worked on fully finishing Holiday Hoopla.

Pattern:  Cocoa & Cookies
Designer:  Primrose Cottage
Fabric:  18CT Sand
Floss:  Called for DMC alternative
1st Stitch:  09/23/2026 - Last Stitch:  10/05/2026
For:  I don't know, I don't even know why I stitched it other than I thought it was really cute
Notes:  I believe this was a 1st Friday Freebie from last December

WIPs brought forward from September

 I brought 3 WIPs forward from September.

Primrose Cottage - Cocoa & Cookies
This includes stitching I did on 10/1
Why am I stitching a Christmas ornament, because I thought it was cute. I think this is one of their 1st Friday freebies from last year.
 

Tempting Tangles - Quakers in France
This is my Grid Iron Grind project.  
My team is the Philadelphia Eagles.  During the preseason I stitched 5 stitches for every point the Eagles scored.  During the regular season I am stitching 10 stitches for every point they score.  This is a big project but as you can see the Eagles haven't scored an abundance of points.  The stitching is for 3 preseason games and 3 regular season games.  Yes, I only stitched half the horse because it is on a page break.   

The Primitive Hare - A Christmas Carol: Scrooge
I saw this stitched by a floss tuber, Sew Me Sarah, and thought Bob would like it.  Bob bought me the chart last year for Christmas.  I wish I had known that it had quarter stitches, I don't think I would have stitched it.  However, since it isn't as big as I thought and since I have the chart and since I have stitched quarter stitches on AIDA before I will continue to stitch this. 

I should finish Cocoa & Cookies in the next couple of days.  Then I am going to start Primrose Cottage's October 1st Friday freebie which is an Autumn design whose name I don't remember/

A Cross Stitch Halloween Display

 I don't stitch much for Halloween.  This year when I received the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue I fell in love with a design called Free Spirit.  I quickly stitched it and fully finished it.  Love it.  Then I was trying to decide how to display it.  I remembered the 2 lollipops I had stitched many, many years ago and thought they would be neat to display together.  I went on ETSY and bought a small wooden bowl.  Bob cut Styrofoam to fit in the bottom which I then covered with black tissue paper and pushed the lollipops down into the Styrofoam.  Then placed Free Spirit in the middle.  This morning as I was pulling out a few more Halloween decorations, I found another little ghost pillow I had stitched several years ago so I added him to the display along with 2 ghosts I made in ceramics.  I think it turned out good.

Except for Free Spirit I have no idea what the other cross stitch designs are.  

2026 Fully Finished Christmas Ornament Gifts

I finally fully finished all the Christmas ornament gifts for 2026.  I have been working on them for several weeks, maybe a month.  I would do one step to them all and then put them aside for a few days, then do the next step until yesterday when I finally finished the last 4.  I am so glad to have these done.  Now comes the hard part, deciding which one goes to which person.  You will see I have names after a few of them.  That is because I knew when I was stitching them who they were for.  Baking Spirits Bright is for a niece who does a lot of Christmas cookie baking.  She makes trays and gives them to her fellow employes.  The Burgandy Frosty is for a friend who moved to Florida to remind her of our Pennsylvania winters.  The Blue Noel is for Kayla.  I knew I wanted to stitch it for her the moment I saw it.  It just looked like something she would like.  There are several ornaments that will break my heart to give away.  Winter Night and Baked Goods I would love to keep.  Unfortunately, I have so many Christmas tree ornaments I just can't keep them.  What I am going to do is write the name of the ornaments on a slip of paper, one for each ornament and they write the recipients names on other pieces of paper and have Bob pick names, and I'll pick the ornament name or the other way around.  

Barefoot Needle Arts - Baking Spirits Bright 
for Lori

Luminous Fiber Arts - Frosty
Stitched in Burgandy
for Linda

Luminous Fiber Arts - Frosty

Stitched in in Red - this was what the design called for

Luminous Fiber Arts - Stitched in Green

Lizzie Kate - Got Snow

Little House of Needleworks - Tree Farm 

Little House of Needleworks - Gingerbread Cookie

Little House of Needleworks - I don't know the name of this design

Little House of Needleworks - It's Snow Cold

Grandma's Kringle - Winter Night

Caron Collection - Blue Noel
When I first saw this design, I knew it had go to
Kayla

Little House of Needleworks - Seven Pines

I don't know the designer for this 
Baked Goods

 

A Fully Finish

 

Designer:  Sam Breir Stitches (ETSY) - Design:  Peanut Butter Cookie

 

          Nothing fancy about this finish.  Just glued to a piece of cardboard with felt on the back and a hanger.  This is the 2nd one of these I stitched.  I ruined the 1st one.  This will be a present for Bob when we decorate the tree.                       

End of August WIPs

 I have 3 WIPs as of August 31.  Of course, all 3 were new starts in August.

Designer:  Tempting Tangles Designs
Design:  Quakers in France
Fabric:  16CT white Aida
Floss:  DMC Alternative
1st Stitch:  08/16/2026
Notes:  I started this as my Gridiron Grind project
In Preseason I stitched 5 stitches for each point scored
During the regular season I will stitch 10 stitched for each point scored
if the Eagles reach the post season I will stitch 20 stitches for each point scored and if they make the Super Bowl, I will stitch 50 stitches for each point scored.

Yes ,I stitched this before, I ruined it when I was fully finishing it so I am stitching it again.  
Designer:  Sam Brier Stitches
Design:  Peanut Butter Cookie (Peanut Blossom
Fabric:  18CT White
Floss:  DMC

Designer:  Prairie Schooler
Design:  August:  Book #176
Fabric:  18CT Colour & Cotton Treasure Map
Floss:  DMC
1st Stitch:  08/01/2026
Notes:  Not a whole lot of progress for a month.  Last night I spent the night frogging the fence above the cow.  
This is the last PS month I have to finish.

I don't have any new starts planed for September but once I get the Peanut Blossom stitched, I may start another Christmas ornament.  I have a Prairie Schooler chart of Snowmen and Santas I would like to stitch.  I don't know why except that I like them and would like to have them stitched.

Back From the Finisher and a Fully Finish by me

Designer:  The Stitcherhood
Design:  Free Spirit
Fabric:  18CT White Aida
Floss:  WDW Onyx
1st Stitch:  07/24/2026
Last Stitch:  08/08/2026
For:  Us
Notes:  I finished this a pillow.  The
back is some fabric I have had for
a long time
It is from the 2026 Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue

 

Designer: Prairie Schooler
Design:  December Book #150
Fully finished into a flat fold by Keepsakes, Cincinnati, OH

One more month, August, and I will be finished stitching all 12 of the Prairie Schooler monthly designs.  I have started August and will post a picture of my progress at the end of the month.

I have another finish

Designer:  Sub Rosa
Design:  Santa Claus
Fabric:  18CT Vintage Country Mocha
Floss:  Weeks Dye Works called for
1st Stitch:  07/28/2026 - Last Stitch:  08/27/2026
For:  A Christmas gift for Carla
Notes:  I will be sending this to Keepsakes in Cincinnati to be fully finished into a flat fold.  I hope it isn't to big for a flat fold.  I love this project and really hate to give it away.  But Carla loves to read and I think she will appreciate a reading Santa.

I finished stuffing all of the Christmas ornaments this afternoon.  I have a Halloween pillow to stuff and then I will start sewing them closed.  I have to order some 2026 charms for them.  I was fully finishing the Peanut Blossom Cookie I stitched earlier this summer and almost cut it in half.  I plan on restarting it in the next couple of days.  

An August Finish

 

Designer:  The Stitcherhood
Design:  Free Spirit from Just Cross Stitch 2026 Halloween Issue
Fabric:  18CT White AIDA
Floss:  Weeks Kye Works Onyx
1st Stitch:  07/24/2026 - Last Stitch:  08/08/2026
For:  Me
Notes:  the fabric next to it is what I am going to use for the back when I fully finish it.

2 New Starts in July

 Once I finished His Name is Jesus and Mini Sampler Series Winter, I had 2 new starts.

Designer:  SubRosa
Design:  Santa Claus
Fabric:  18CT Vintage Country Mocha
Floss:  Called for WDW
I think I am going to give this to my youngest niece for Christmas if I can get it finished in time to have it made into a flat fold

Designer:  The Stitcherhood
Design:  Free Spirit
from the 2026 Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue
Fabric:  18CT White Aida
Floss:  WDW Onyx

Today I started August.  It is the last of the months I have to stitch.  I can't wait to get if finished and sent to Keepsakes to be made into a Flat Fold like the other months except for January and May which are framed and hang on the wall all the time.

Designer:  Joyful Expressions
Design:  His Name is Jesus
Fabric:  Be Stitch Me 18CT Vanilla Latte
Floss: Pirate + Robbin Cranberry
1st Stitch:  01/25/2026 - Last Stitch: 07/27/2026
For:  CJ

 

Designer:  Curious Carrie Designs
Design:  Mini Sampler Series - Winter
Fabric:  14CT Ice Blue
Floss:  DMC called for
1st Stitch:  05/1/82026 - Last Stitch:  07/23/2026
For: Me
Notes:  From Winter 2026 Just Cross Stitch magazine
May Monday Start
To be finished in the hoop in the photo

Fully Finished Object

Designer:  December Stitchery (ETSY)
Design:  Je T'Aime
Fabric:  18CT Antique White
Floss:  DMC
1st Stitch:  05/12/2026 - Last Stitch:  06/18/2026
For: Bob
Notes:  May Monday start
Fully finished 07/11/2026

I finished another May Monday Start

 

Designer:  Prairie Schooler
Design:  2026 Yearly Santa
Fabric:  18CT ? scrap from my stash
Floss:  Called for DMC
1st Stitch:  05/11/2026 - Last Stitch:  07/10/2026
For: Me
Notes:  This is the 3rd May Monday start I have finished.   I stitched on this 5 days in May and then another 5 days in July.  I am going to send this to either Faye Riggsbee for Keepsakes to be fully finished into either a pillow or a flat fold.  Haven't fully decided yet.

My 1st stitching finish of July

 I don't stitch a lot of patriotic, but I have had this chart in my stash for many years and decided that our 250th birthday was a good time to stitch it.  Sorry for the quality of the picture.  Is it me or is it my cheap old camera?

Designer:  With Thy Needle & Thread
Design:  Holiday Hoopla 4th of July
Fabric:  20CT Vintage Country Mocha
Floss:  Called for Classic Colorworks and WDW
except I didn't use the fuzzy stuff for his beard
1st Stitch:  07/01/2026 - Last Stitch:  0704/2026
For:  Me
Notes:  I would like to fully finish this in a hoop.  A 5" hoop seems too big and I don't know if there is a 4" hoop.  I will have to check ETSY.

I hope everyone had a good 4th of July.  Ours was just like any other Saturday.  We had grilled T-bone steak, dill macaroni salad, sauted mushrooms, and yellow beans for dinner.  Everything was really good.  Bob and I worked together on fixing it.

What have I stitched in June

 I've posted several finishes for June including Peanut Butter Cookie (Peanut Blossom), Prairie Schooler December, Luminous Fiber Arts Frosty.  By the way this was the 3rd time I have stitched Frosty and I plan on stitching him one more time in blue.

I have one more finish and 2 works in progress that I worked on in June

Designer:  Curious Carrie Designs 
Design:  Mini Sampler Series:  Winter from the 2025 Winter issued of Just Cross Stitch magazine
I started this as a May Monday start on 05/18 and stitched on it for 5 days.  I took it out yesterday and stitched on it for a bit.  I will continue to stitch on it until it is finished and then pick up another May Monday start

Designer:  December Stitchery (ETSY)
Design:  Je T'Aime
Fabric:  18CT Antique White AIDA
Floss:  DMC
For:  Bob
Notes:  Ignore the basting stitch around the outside.  I will use that to place it on my mat board.  This was my May Monday start on 05/12 and I worked on it for 5 days that week.  I picked it up in June and stitched on until it was finished.  I am going to finish it into a leaner and either give it to Bob when it is finished or put it away and give it to him for Valentine's Day 2027.

Designer:  Joyful Expressions
Design:  His Name is Jesus
Fabric:  18CT BeStitchMe Vanilla Latte
using Pirate & Robbin Cranberry
I am stitching this for CJ.  She saw the one I stitched for Barb and when Barb wouldn't give her the one I had stitched for her, CJ asked me to stitch one for her.  I hope no one else asks me to stitch this again.  I really don't like stitching it.  I've only been stitching this on Saturday and Sunday.  Now that I finished PS December I will make this my focus piece.

I hope to start PS August early in August.  That is the last of the PS months I have to stitch.  I also plan to send PS December to Keepsakes, maybe next week when they are back from vacation, to be fully finished into a flat fold.

I was wrong - I have another June finish

 When I posted PS December last week or so I didn't think I would finish another project in June.  I was wrong.  It's a small but it is a finish.

Design:  Frosty
Designer: Luminous Fiber Arts
Fabric:  18CT Buttercream
Floss:  DMC 814
1st Stitch:  06/17/2026 - Last Stitch:  06/29/2026
For:  Linda M.
Notes:  I am going to fully finish it into a little pillow and send it to Linda to remind her of her home state of Pennsylvania

Last June Finish

Just finished PS December a couple of hours ago.  

Designer:  Prairie Schooler
Design:  December - Book#150
Fabric:  Colour & Cotton 18CT Fawn Pale
Floss:  DMC
1st Stitch:  05/04/2026 - Last Stitch:  06/27/2026
For:  Bob & Me
Notes:  I will be sending this to Keepsakes to be fully finished into a flat fold.  I'll wait until later in July as I know the shop is closed for vacation after StitchCon

Now I only have the month of August to stitch, and I will be finished with all 12 months.  I'll wait a couple of months before I start it.  I was filing my copy of December away today and found I had already had a copy, and it was in the original card stock not the flimsy paper they use now.  

 

A Finish

 I watch a lot of FlossTube.  One of my favorites is CZStitch and the other week she showed this design in her haul.  I immediately went to ETSY and purchased and downloaded the chart.  My family has been making these cookies for many years, and they are a great favorite of my husbands.

Designer: Sam Brie Stitches on ETSY
Design:  Peanut Butter Cookie (we call them Peanut Blossoms)
Fabric:  18CT Platinum 
Floss:  DMC
1st Stitch:  05/25/2026 - Last Stitch:  06/09/2026
Notes:  This was my last May Monday start.  In June I am picking one of those starts and stitching on it until it is finished.  I stitched on it 5 days in May and 7 days in June.
I love it! 

I've been fully finishing

 These are some smalls I have stitched in the last couple of months.  Well one was probably a couple of years ago.  They have been sitting in the to be finished box and I finally decided to to fully finish them so I can start fully finishing 2026 Christmas ornaments.  

Hands on Design - Wear Love
Freebie

Hands on Design - Love Note
Freebie

Primrose Cottage - Hello Autumn
Freebie

Primrose Cottage - Lucky
Freebie

Primrose Cottage - Autumn Quaker

EastCoast Stitcher
Freebie
Helen is a Floss Tuber I watch, and this is one of her free designs