Elfing around

I had a extra long weekend last weekend and 

it was FAB-U-LOUS!!! 

I was sewing, stitching, baking and cooking!

I put the finish on several smalls. 

I am super pleased that I finished these!!

Two of these I stitched in 2011... I am just getting my feet under me with finishing. I was so glad I found the perfect material for the backing at the Hooking Retreat in November.

I had great supervision through out the day.

Sharing my chair at the sewing table

Ummm, you spilled some.

SQUIRREL!!

...no, seriously there was a squirrel.

I was stitching this piece when I went to visit my Grandma Pat before she passed; it is a good reminder of the love between her and my Grandpa Percy. 

The wool plaid is symbolic to the West Virginia country life..... It's perfect, perfect, perfect.

And thanks to Marly's timely post, about lining up her plaid, 

I was focused on keeping the plaid aligned for this piece. 

The September Sampler I chose to offset the plaid to mimic the variegation of the stitching.

A pin cushion for me...

... a pin cushion for an exchange. 

I painted and waxed the little box too. 8-)

I enjoyed every minute in the kitchen baking and cooking over this extra long weekend.

 

Christmas colors in the kitchen...

 I baked banana bread, pistachio cake (mini loaves) and a new recipe found by my husband, Sam Adams Winter Lager Sugar cookies. I also made a couple batches of a spiced tea mix for gifts.

Looking forward to getting some more elfing done this weekend. 

I've been enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Maine winter landscape...

but the recent rain makes things less attractive and messy.

Headed out this morning with the hubby to lay wreaths on Veteran's graves in Holden. The wreaths are donated from Wreaths Across American which is the organization that places the wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. The wreaths are made in Columbia Falls, Maine.  

Continuing to remember and honor. 

Speaking of such....our Military Appreciation Group coordinated a holiday party at the local Veteran's home with food, festivities, including a magician and an Elvis impersonator, and gifts! It was scheduled for this past Thursday but the FLU hit several quads of the home. 

So the gifts have been sent and the food and festivities are being rescheduled for New Year's Eve once the health dept gives the all clear. 

It has been my gift of joy for the season to be a part of this...

I really don't need anything more. 

Really. :)

Hope everyone is enjoying wonderful moments of joy this holiday season 

with family, friends and community.

P.J.

Not much needling going on

Been in a bit of a fog of late; too tired at night after work to stitch or hook and too busy on the weekends to get any time in either.

We do have some holiday cheer spread throughout the house but keeping it simple. Wish I could find a simple style to stick with every year. I have always liked the colonial greenery. Anyway that is another lifetime....

Have an exchange project to finish for my hooking group and after that who knows. Might take a break.

Betty your package is going in the mail TODAY! YEAH!

Loving everyone's lovely stitching, hooking and holiday posts!

Be MERRY and Bright!

And the lucky elf is....

BETTY

 @ 

Samplings from Spring Creek!! 

 I will be putting together your package to send off. Crazy me doing this during all the holiday mailings, but oh what fun it is to send off a package during this festive time. :) 

 Congratulations Betty. 

 And to all a Happy Thanksgiving.

Is Stash-er one of Santa's Reindeer?

She would fit right in there with Dasher and Donner, Prancer and Blitzen, Stasher and Cupid.... 

you get the picture... hehehe.

So on to this little reindeer's stash from my hooking retreat. 

You see it wasn't all about rug hooking; Camp Wool also carries several designers of cross stitch and while perusing the wool and antiques we came across the cross stitch nook.

Found two PS Christmas patterns in the discount bin and the other PS I picked up at the Retreat fundraising "yard sale"; all proceeds went to the local food pantry. 

Some fun woolly things, including my first ever applique. 

The Gingerbread Man garland was too sweet to pass up, I picked this up at Attic Heirlooms 

along with the cast iron sheep and 

the ooooo, I am so excited mauve wools to add to my ship.

The lovely hand painted box and the wool under it was from a door prize at the retreat. We did not bring anything to participate as it was our first time; they drew our names and we declined since we did not bring something but several shops and ladies brought multiples to ensure everyone got something. So after everyone who had participated had drawn, the ladies insisted we pick something. What a nice group of folks.

And I picked up a few pieces of wool at Camp Wool to use on my Libby Hound rug.

And as always my GF had a few tricks in her bag.... 

She hooked us up with a cozy mug for java, tea or cocoa, 

which came in handy after that brisk walk Saturday morning. 

She is so good at putting these kind of things together.

In closing, I will show you my PS Seasons Greeting (over-one) that I put more stitches to last Tuesday. Those trees are beautiful but that's a WHOLE LOTTA GREEN.... I feel like I will never get done with them. And I still have the other side to do.

I am saving the little red cardinal for last; my little treat to complete.

Keep on Stitching and Hooking.

P.J.

P.S. I will draw a winner for the give-a-way on Sunday; be sure to leave a comment on the previous post. ;)

Give-a-way

My 205th post will be to celebrate my 200th posting with a give-a-way.  A small token of  my appreciation for sticking around and sharing the ups and downs of the needle and sometimes life.

Three charming St Nick cards that include the pattern on the back. You can write a stitching friend and they will have a pattern to boot. Or you can use them for yourself to stitch up.

Keeping it simple as I am a simple girl. 

Just leave a comment to be included in the drawing.

Wishing everyone a terrific week and much merriment in the holidays ahead.

Keep on Stitching.

P.S. 

Check out the adorable snowman tray I picked up at the local thrift for a whopping $3.50. 

I had to buy just on principle alone...

the stitching is so nicely done and they used little seed beads for the buttons and eyes.

Too sweet to pass up.

Stash post soon. :-)

Retreat - Part II

On Saturday morning after breakfast we went on a little walk down cemetery lane. It was quiet BRISK out; almost bitter cold but it was a nice walk. Along the path were the stations of the cross as you make your way towards the Brother's cemetery and the Shaker's cemetery.

After lunch we stopped in over at the Shaker Museum and over to The Bakery for some goodies.

Fun facts:

In 1875, the Alfred Shaker Community (“Holy Land”) built the Shaker Wood, Lumber Storage, and Carriage House. This building, moved from its original site and refurbished, now houses the Alfred Shaker Museum. (“Holy Land” was one of the longest lasting Shaker communities: 1793-1931.)

In 1931, the Brothers of Christian Instruction purchased the property from the Shakers, and are still in residence. Today, eight original Shaker buildings and a beautifully maintained Shaker cemetery remain on Shaker Hill.

It was really neat to think about how long this village has been here and that I got to be among the buildings and grounds. 

On to what you really stopped by to see MORE rugs. Here are quite a few of the works in progress that the ladies and gentleman were so graciously willing to share.

We were have a funny moment with a headlamp.. isn't her laughing face just delightful!

Next post will include stitchy things, my goodies from retreat and 

a GIVE-A-WAY!

P.J.