Trying to Catch Up.

Again family health issues have occupied my mind, while I wasn't in the right frame of mind to post here I have been stitching of course. Just so you know everyone is again healthy. Stitching always keeps me some what sane.
Since my last post I have worked on a few oldies and a couple of newbies. On my Brooke Books Advent Animals, I added Pierre Penguin

I also added the August fairy to my afghan, September is  (coming soon)

The latest installment for the Wednesday We Stitch Black SAL from The Primitive Hare was completed.

This was as you can see in honor of the blue moon in July. Wow! I have fallen behind, will have to do August installment soon.
Up next, a couple of finishes, this one I named Bats, Bats and more Bats(freebie).  I apologize to the great designer but for the life of me I can not remember who it is at the moment, I will continue to search for that information to share but here is the my version, stitched on 28ct Cashel called Crystal Brash.

I think a lot of stitchers can identify with this next design from Jeremiah Junction (another freebie) stitched on pink 14ct aida.

This cutie is a Joan Elliot stitched on a 20 ct linen from Legacy.  I saw an article about this fabric and was curious, so I inquired at my LNS (In-Stitches) and I was given a sample to try.  The fabric reminds me of burlap but is a lot softer and it is easy to see even without a magnifier. 

I used a combination of #5 perle cottons and 4 strands of regular cotton flosses from DMC. 

I had a couple of other new starts, one is again another freebie this time a SAL, it can be found at my good friend Connie Gee's blog.

Each diamond design is stitched with your own choice of colors. I have been using DMC variations and variegated, I'm loving the way these are turning out.

 I have been in a birthday card exchange this year and I shared the cards I received for my birthday but couldn't share the ones I've made so far until now. Here are the first three.

  

This exchange has been so much fun, I've learned some new craft skills in the process.
Last but not least is a new start "The Swim Instructor" from the Cricket Collection (freebie).

Those are all of the stitching I have done in my absence from posting, hopefully I will get a lot better with my updates. 

This next thing is not actual stitching but you will love it.  I am going to my very first retreat next month and I will be hitching a ride with friends and have to pack light, so I decided I needed a table stand to stitch with that is light weight and takes up next to no space.  I searched the internet and found a video on You Tube-Flosstube and I have become a subscriber of Pam Reid. This wonderful lady shared how to make my newest lap/tabletop frame. 

It is made completely of 1/2" PVC pipe and connectors from Home Depot, the cost... under $7.00

The clips are regular q-snap clips. 

Well I hope I haven't bored you to death if there is anyone still reading.  I appreciate all of you for stopping by and will share more soon.  Got to go make some more wonderful little xxs.