The Small Things

Ornaments aren't very big, aren't very hard to stitch.  So, June and I decided to support each other this year in the goal of one ornament a month.

I am happy to say that I completed, the stitching and finishing, on the first of what I hope will be twelve new ornaments for Christmas this year! 

Jenny Bean's Christmas Ornament 2010

Stitched on 40ct PTP Legacy

Using GAST ~ Oatmeal, Bayberry, Grecian Gold, Butternut Squash, Brick Path, Forest Glade, Endive, and Garden Gate.

You can see June's finish at Butterfly Wings.  She is actually participating in another monthly ornament group as well, so she has two finishes to show!

We have chosen our ornaments for February and I have decided on one of the BBD December Stockings ~ Deer in the Meadow.

Another small thing...but not really so small...

Do you remember this from last fall?

My little guy entered the PTA Reflections art program and came in third in visual arts.  His piece then went on to the Council level.  The theme was "Diversity Means".  He chose to draw an ocean scene.

I received a call Friday night that his piece placed at the Council level, moved on to Regionals, placed there, and is now at the State level!  It's a proud mommy moment.  I have to thank my friend Brett for encouraging my little guy to participate.  Funny how sometimes someone else can get our kids to do something! 

“Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
― A.A. Milne

I Can Finally Take a Moment!

I can finally take a moment to myself!  The last few weeks have been filled with tournament ball for my older boys.  I am so proud of them!  They played, won and lost like champions!  Supporting and cheering for each other all the way.

My Middle Guy!

And the Older Guy!

And we can't forget the Little Guy for being there and supporting his brothers.

Oh, and you have to love the smile!  Three teeth gone in about two weeks!

 

The boys are done now until fall, then the craziness begins again.  Congratulations to my oldest!!  He tried out and was one of only 9 chosen to play on a 50/70 travel team in the fall.  We're so proud of you!  The middle brother will be playing on his travel team and/or fall ball with little league.  And the little brother will be playing fall ball for the little league.

So, we kicked off our real start of summer by heading to the beach at Cape Henelopen State Park in Delaware yesterday.  It was a wonderful family day.  The perfect mix of sun and clouds, sand and surf, dolphins swimming by and watching the boys just be boys.

I have some stitching to share as well.  It is time to reveal the pieces from the exchange I participated in.  It was a teatime/picnic theme.  Here is what I sent to Jane (I had to stitch her a bunny as she loves them!)

And look at this beauty and goodies I received from Fiona!

She also made the pins!  Aren't they great!

There was a pack of needles - one can never have enough on hand!

Three packs of Silkweaver fabrics and ten Victoria's Motto threads!! I have never used either of these before and can't wait to give them a try.  Love all the colors!

An adorable notepad - another item one can never have enough of! 

And a yummy recipe for chocolate cookies that my boys can't wait for me to try!

Thank you so much Fiona!  Your really spoiled me!!

I also stitched one of the strawberry pinkeeps for myself, along with this watermelon design for summer.  My husband wasn't sure about the green fabric, but it reminded me of the rind on a watermelon!  The strawberry pattern is from Cinnamon Hearts and the watermelon was a freebie from The Sampler Girl.

Here they are pictured with three pieces from a previous exchange.  The other pieces were stitched by Sarah. A bowl filled with summery colors!

That's about it for now.  I am trying to catch up on the Mystery Sampler and just signed up for the next exchange round with Lainey.  The link is for her exchange web site and you can see all the wonderful things from this last exchange.

I've gained some new followers recently too!  Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by and happy stitching!

Tusal and More Finishes

It is that time again.  Here is my Tusal jar in all of its glory.

 

I promise that threads have been added.  I just keep squishing them down in the jar so they don't hang out all over the place.

I am also all caught up with the Truly Thankful series by Heartstring Samplery.  Here are the latest additions:

 

 

The frames are from the ready-made section at the Strawberry Sampler.

And I finally finished the patriotic smalls that I stitched some weeks back.  Just in time to display for the Fourth!  The fabrics they are sitting on show what I used as backing.  This first piece is backed with a denim looking fabric.  It's hard to tell from the pic.

 

Just to remind you how small this is: 

Here they are in all their glory!

Wishing all of you here in the States a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

And to our northern friends, a Happy Belated Canada Day!

I'll leave you with some pics from around my gardens.  Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

Birthday Boy and Some Small Finishes

Where does the time go?  It was just yesterday that he was a baby.  Now he is 11! 

We celebrated his birthday early, as my parents came down on Superbowl Sunday.  He requested a pound cake and yes, there are only two candles - but they are supposed to be an 11!  His brothers, of course, were teasing him that he was only two. 

On his actual birthday, we headed off to one of our favorite pizza places per his request and headed home for yet another cake.  One must have cake on their actual birthday!  This time, he chose another favorite - chocolate with chocolate icing.  We were joined by some of our good friends.  They have shared every cake since we moved here 7 years ago.  He's trying to keep his brothers and friends from blowing out his candles! 

He's growing, changing and maturing....but there is still enough little boy left to be excited about his birthday Legos!  Wish him luck - his baseball tryouts are on Sunday!

I busied myself today with some small finishes.  The fabric that the pieces are sitting on were used on the backs.  You should also be able to click on the pictures to enlarge them for a better look.

These were freebies from Jennifer.

I added a heart with our initials on one side and the year on the other. 

This one is from Christine.  A fun one to stitch up!

This one is from Carol.  Another quick stitch.

This is from Beth at Heartstring Samplery:

And one more - just because I am anxious for spring!

One final shot of them all together!

I have some other pieces that I finally have the frames for and I will try to get them together this weekend. 

Thanks for stopping by and for all of your wonderful comments!