Floss Friday – November Stats and More

Last Friday came and went so fast…as do most of my December days. I missed sharing my stitching progress, so here it goes…

I stitched a pathetic 2,126 stitches on two projects during November.

My monthly assignment on Salute to Abigail.

And, a little progress on American Sampler.

Now we find ourselves in December where things are happening fast and furious. (very dramatic, I know!)

The first weekend in December is Jingle Ball. Jingle Ball is a virtual cross stitch retreat hosted by Stephanie Webb of Lindy Stitches.  She and 12 cross stitch designers provide not only exclusive designs, classes, speed dating, stitching rooms, but also entertainment throughout the weekend. The ticket to attend the Jingle Ball is only $15. That gets you the entertainment, meet and greets with the designers, the stitching rooms, access to the exclusives in each of the designer’s shops, and so much more. If you sign up for a class then you have the option to receive a kit of the project that the designer is offering, or you can get a .pdf of the chart and kit it yourself.

I signed up for two classes.

Primrose Cottage Stitches Merry Stitchmas on a mesh bag.

I ordered the kit for this one. It came with the bag, chart, Weeks Dye Works pearl cotton #5, a needle, a zipper pull and graph paper to chart your own initials.

I got the front stitched and my initials charted for the back. I will show you the back next week when it is finished.

The second class I took was from Annie Beez for her Christmas Pears. I did not purchase a kit but put it together with all of the called-for materials. Annie taught us how to put the pears together.

I’ve started stitching the chart ‘Noel’ and look forward to putting my first one together.

Another fun cross stitch activity has been receiving the GaRon Christmas box.

I look forward to receiving this box each year. The guys get an exclusive pattern from a wonderful designer and include all the  supplies and fun accoutrements to provide a nice holiday stitch.

Everything is always so nicely packaged.

Pattern, fabric, scissors....

All the floss you need to complete the chart. Also included is a nice
thread organizer, needle minder, needle, scissor cover and lovely card.

The chart is "Christmas Morning at the Atelier"
This is the fourth in a series from Twin Peak Primitives

That is all I have for today my friends. I'm finishing up the holiday decorations this weekend and will be back Monday with a few photos.

Enjoy your weekend and thank you for stopping by.

See you soon,

So Long November and Hello December

Happy Mid-Week, Friends!

And what do you think about facing the end of 2025? Has this year gone by fast? No? Just me?

Well, since my last post on November 21st, I had a birthday, we celebrated Thanksgiving, and got our Christmas tree.  Hubby gave me a gift. He says it was for my birthday, but I'm also claiming it as a Christmas gift as well. He is just too sweet!

I've shared before that we get our Christmas tree from Boyd Moutain Tree Farm. This is our 4th tree since living in North Carolina.  Our tradition is to get the real tree the day after Thanksgiving. This was also the tradition when we lived in Florida, although it was a tree "lot" and not a farm.

The grounds at Boyd Mountain do not change much. This year we were blessed with sunny skies and cool temps.

The tree is still drinking water but hasn't been "dressed" yet. I'll share all of my trees when they are fully decorated.

We took my main sewing machine to be serviced.  Nothing wrong, thank goodness, but it needed a good cleaning and oiling.  While there, hubby got me a new "embroidery only" machine. Now, I once had a sewing/embroidery combo machine. That machine must have been built on the Friday of a holiday weekend. I had so many issues with it, including replacing the mother board. My best friend bought the same machine, on the same day, from the same dealer. She hasn't had any issues with hers. For that, I am gratelful!

Anyway, I missed having an embroidery machine and my hubby suggested I try out a few while we were dropping off my sewing machine.

My first project testing the machine. Snowflakes.

In the hoop quilting. Really?

Oh boy!

Since the last couple of weeks have been so busy, I won't have a lot of stitching progress to show you on Friday. I will have November stitching stats and the GaRon Christmas box to share. Also, this weekend is the Jingle Ball hosted by Lindy Stitches. I've signed up for a couple of classes.

December.... and away we go!

See you soon,

Floss Friday – American Sampler Progress

Hello, Friends!

Here we are at the Friday before Thanksgiving in the United States of America. I managed to get my weekly food shopping done on Tuesday, and I got everything we need for Thanksgiving dinner except a couple of last-minute items.

My stitching time this week was dedicated to American Sampler by Crocette a gogo’.

The house is taking a lot of time, but I am enjoying the project.

Fingers crossed I can finish November’s assignment soon.

I am itching to stitch some Christmas…just need more time in the day. Our sweet friend, Melisa, at Punker N Punkin Quilting blog has created some adorable embroidered Christmas designs. I would love to make some…again, need more time in the day!

In addition to finishing November’s assignment on American Sampler, I need to complete the self-imposed assignment on another cross-stitch project. Next Friday will tell how successful (or not!) I am.

Stitching will be set aside today because I want to bind another quilt. This will be #8 of 9.  I noticed that I still need fabric for #9…ugh!

I’ve started thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2026. Again…need more time in the day!

I hope you have a great weekend. What are your plans? Anything more fun than cleaning and organizing a garage???

See you soon,

 

The Florida Trip and A Weekend at Home

Florida was our last trip for 2025. Hubby got a good report from his dermatologist, and he doesn’t have to go back until next April. I worked from my daughter’s house during the week and then my best friend joined us on the ride back to North Carolina. 

I only have a few photos because we were enjoying our time together. It was a quick trip for her; she just spent the weekend.

We did some shopping and ate at a couple of our favorite restaurants. Most of our time was spent working on Christmas projects.

My friend used the main machine to make paper pieced snowflakes for a runner.

She will finish the runner at home.

I broke out my little Pfaff to make small primitive trees using wovens.

These will go in a dough bowl, along with one more that I have yet to make.

Today is food shopping day. I hope to get everything I need for this week, as well as for Thanksgiving. This year seems to be passing so quickly. Do you feel the same?

Hope you have a great day. I’ll see you soon!

 

Floss Friday -- WIP Update and Previous Finishes

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!

In today’s Floss Friday update, I have some WIP progress and older finishes to share.

First, this is my progress on November’s assignment for American Sampler by Crocette a gogo’…

I need to finish the flags and start on that monster of a house.

I completed November’s assignment on Salute to Abigail by Blackbird Designs.  This is a quick and fun stitch. 

I mentioned in my last post that I have stitched everything from the Sweet Land of Liberty book except Salute to Abigail. That is not correct. There is one chart, Liberty Rose, that I have not and will not stitch. It is in two parts, stitched on two different fabrics which need to be sewn together.

Here are the other projects from the book that I have fully finished…

In Full Glory, finished into a pillow.

American Eagle

Sweet Land of Liberty, also finished into a pillow.

There won’t be a quilt update next week because, you won’t believe it, but we are going on another road trip tomorrow….to Florida. Hubby has a follow up with the dermatologist and we are going to spend some time with the kids.  We are bringing my best friend back to NC when we return home. She’ll spend a few days with us before flying back to Florida.
The weather calls for snow next week, so I guess it is a good time to head south for a few days.

Enjoy your weekend and I’ll see you soon!

 

Scrappiness Is Happiness Quilt Finish and A Vintage Iron

Hello Friends!

Another quilt is off the “to be bound” pile.

Scrappiness Is Happiness was another quilt along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop. The blocks are from Lori Holt’s book of the same name.

 

I bound it by machine using the same decorative stitch I did on BloomTopia.

Completely machine binding a quilt is out of my normal routine and comfort zone. I admit, it is much quicker. And I’m all about finishing things right now.

Speaking of Lori Holt…one of the things she collects is vintage irons. She finds them in good condition and then replaces the cords and uses them for pressing seams and such.  Well, I found an old iron on FB Marketplace very cheap! I bought it, thinking if it didn’t work then I wouldn’t be out much more than a Starbucks Chai Latte 

It is a Knapp & Monarch Gad-About travel iron.  Not recommended for use due to the fact it doesn’t meet modern safety standards.  I completely understand that but still plan to try. It gets really hot and I love that the sole plate is solid, without steam holes to catch on seams.

I wouldn’t leave it unattended for one second! 

I have an idea for a pressing station next to my sewing machine. We shall see…

The last couple of weeks I’ve tried linking up to a couple of “Linky” parties but have been unsuccessful. So, I’m giving up on that. Anyway, I always do the right thing and visit everyone who posts – and leave a comment - but rarely get a return visit/comment. So, I’m not linking up any longer. I have found some lovely blogs that I will continue to follow and comment on, but no more linky’s for me!

I hope you are having a great week! Floss Friday is next and I hope to see you then.