Holiday Countdown Stitch-a-Long, part 2

Hi everyone! 

I can't believe how quickly the last 3 weeks has gone. Last time I teased a secret project:

I'm thrilled to report that, while I can't show the full result, I finished and even framed the piece so it's ready for Christmas. Here's another tease: 

In my haste to finish, frame, and wrap it I didn't even take a picture with beads! But I promise to share the final-final after Christmas. :)

The next project, that I *can* share, is this little kit. My mom recently moved into a senior living facility and needed to downsize, so I inherited a bunch of craft kits. This little "Happiness" sign will go great outside her apartment door, and it's only 5x5 so should be pretty quick to stitch up:

In a perfect world, I would also finish two small needle felting kits before the holiday, but let's be honest... it's probably not going to happen. 

This is our last check-in of 2025; we'll be back in six weeks. I want to wish all of my fellow stitchers -- 

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, Helen -- and everyone else reading this the happiest of holidays, however and whatever you celebrate. This stitch-a-long has continued to inspire and motivate me to pick up UFOs, WIPs, and dusty kits from my stash and get them done. I've loved cheering everyone on, doing happy dances with them, and being inspired by the beautiful and amazing project they work on. I'm grateful for you all and wish you all the best in 2026!

Holiday Countdown Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! I'm late in my time zone because we just got back from a weekend away for our TWENTIETH anniversary. Seems unbelievable. We spent a long weekend in a cozy cabin at Bay View State Park, hearing the pouring rain on the roof and gazing out to to Padilla Bay. 

Last time I decided I would start stitching some sugar skull ornaments. 

I don't know what I was thinking. These are SUPER detailed and very, very involved. But I did manage to finish the front of ONE of them. AFTER Halloween! 

(Still, it's beautiful and I will definitely stitch the others... next year.) 

Then I figured it was time to set them aside for a while to work on some Christmas presents. I can't show these to you for a few more weeks (wink, wink), but I finished embroidering an ornament and stitching a picture that I even found the perfect frame for on our weekend away. 

So what's next? In the short term there are more craft projects to finish between now and Christmas -- some cross stitch, some needle felting, some embroidery -- but of course I can't share them here. 

Here's a teaser of the project that's next up: 

Three weeks from now -- in DECEMBER, can you believe it? -- I'll attempt to tease some progress. In the meantime, don't forget to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Spooky Stitchin' Stitch-a-Long

Hi everyone! Life has been extra weird lately. I had a "Quick Check-in" meeting dropped on my calendar a couple of weeks ago, and when I joined it was my manager and a representative from HR telling me my position was being eliminated. Sigh. Honestly, I'm still in the angry phase, but I had been looking for a new job for a while. I knew when my manager came back from her 8-month maternity leave my days were numbered. So now I'm applying for jobs and trying to figure out what comes next. 

The sad thing about being laid off is that you can't relax or enjoy the free time... at least I can't. 

I have been doing some stitching, however, so have not one but TWO spooky finishes to show off! 

First, I finished and framed the spooky moth shadow box: 

Just noticed that the top two aren't quite straight, but the good news is that they are just pinned in there so easy to adjust!

For some extra spookiness, I stitched the "skulls" on the moths' backs in glow-in-the-dark floss: 

Because I finished that, I decided to start a kit I have had in my stash for who knows how long. I'm not even sure WHERE I got it, but the price tag says Epicurean Boutique. It's a pattern from Penny Lane Primitives that was kitted up with all the necessary felt. I thought I'd work on it slowly but surely, but I ended up finishing it: 

yes, those eyes are terrifying

Now, there's another week before Halloween, so I'm going to get started on these sugar skulls:

Y'all know how much I love felt-and-sequin kits! I doubt I can finish all 4 in the next 3 weeks, let alone by Halloween. But we'll see.  

Don't forget to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks stitch-a-long, happy dance time!

Hi everyone! I'm just going to cut to the chase here... it's happy dance time!

I finished the stitching on the pink bird: 

Then I laid all three out together: 

And your eyes don't deceive you; for whatever reason the green one is wider... despite being the same number of stitches. But it didn't really matter... because it stitched up just fine!

I'm SO PLEASED with these ladies!

What's next? Well, as you know I love Halloween. So my next project is this "Spooky Moth Shadow Box":

It's stitched on perforated paper, then you cut out the moths and mount them in a shadow box. It's not a TON of stitching, and I love the colors, so I hope that I'll finish it before Halloween. I've "kitted up" the project, and I'll report my progress at our next check-in at the end of October!

Now I'm off to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 8

Another three weeks has flown by -- it's crazy how fast time passes sometimes!

Last time I had just barely started work on the pink bird: 

:

I'm sorry to report that, well, I haven't made much more progress on it. Also, weirdly, it looks yellow in my photographs. Must be the lighting in my house!

really, this Aida is baby pink

I love the colors -- pinks, peaches, oranges, violets -- and I love how this is coming together. It's just been my second priority, craft wise, for a while. 

What was my first priority, you ask? This silly gift for my husband: 

When we went to Crater Lake a few weeks ago we stopped at the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood on the way home. Timberline Lodge was used for the exterior shots of the fictional Overlook Hotel in The Shining. I found this pattern on Etsy that has the famous hallway carpet pattern as the frame, and the words Jack Nicholson is typing over and over. I adapted it to say "Wil" instead of Jack. I thought it would stitch up quickly, but took a lot longer than expected and I hadn't even finished it when we pulled up in the parking lot. I'm not sure what I will do with it -- either frame and hang it in the hallway at home, or stitch it onto one of his packing cubes because travel makes us both less dull. :) 

I have another project I'm going to start on October 1 (because you know I like a spooky season project!) but between now and September 30 I will be stitching away on this pink bird. Fewer distractions, so hopefully I'll get at least half of the stitching done. 

Now I'm off to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 7

Just got back from a fantastic weekend away, so posting this later than usual on Stitch-a-Long Sunday.

Last time I had finished the blue bird, and "kitted" the pink bird: 

Well, I made only the tiniest dent on pinkie, but as we always say, all progress is progress!

Life is alway extra crazy at the end of summer -- trying to do all the summer things before it's over. So I can make no predictions as to how much progress I expect in the next three weeks. But we'll see! Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 6

Three more weeks? What??? Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. 

Last time I had been working on the blue Groovy Chick:

I am happy to report that I have finished the blue chick:

I love those eyelashes! (And I'm sorry the picture is so washed out.)

Pink bird is "kitted" and ready to go: 

By our next check in I hope to have made a good start on pinkie, possibly even to be halfway. I have a mini-vacation between now and then, not sure if I'll bring this project or a different one along. So we'll see. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 5

Hi everyone! As always in the summer, I can't believe 3 weeks have gone by. 

Last time I had started the Groovy Chicks series, and finished the stitching on the green chick:

This time I started on the blue chick, and I think I'm about halfway done: 

I keep feeling surprised at how the paisley patterns are taking longer to stitch than the simpler patterns on the chickens, but I really love the colors on these. Hopefully I'll finish the stitching on the blue bird by our next check-in and be ready to take on the pink one!

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens -- and Groovy Chicks -- Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hi everyone! Determined to post ON TIME this time. :) 

Last time I had actually stitched up all three of the Funky Chickens: 

So this time I decided to start in on the Groovy Chicks pattern, also by Satsuma Street. 

I love the colors and patterns on these, and decided to stitch them as designed -- on pale green, pink, and blue fabric. I started in on the pale green one and finished the stitching: 

The paisley patterns are fun, but more detailed to stitch and a little more complicated. Still, I like how they look and I feel like these birds will have more personality than their chicken pals. 

I'm now going to start working on the blue bird, and hope to be halfway done by our next check-in. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 3

Hi everyone! Somehow I got my weeks messed up and forgot to post an update on time. Summer does that to me...

Last time I had gotten the stitching done on the rooster and chicken #1: 

I had two cross-country flights and got a LOT of stitching done. How much? Well, I stitched all three of the chickens: 

And then, well, I stitched them up: 

It was surprisingly challenging to stitch them together, but I'm still pleased by how they turned out. I stuffed them with a mix of fiberfill and, for weight, dried soybeans. They sit with a satisfying solidity, though I don't know what I'll ever do with them. 

Next up, I'm excited to say, is the Groovy Chicks pattern, also by Satsuma Street. I thought the chickens had personality, but these birds are verrrrry vibrant!

I hope by our next check in ... which I will actually do ON TIME ;) ... I'll have one of the birds stitched and possibly start on a second one. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 2

Hi everyone! It's Mother's Day in the US so I am already running behind. But I wanted to post a quick update and encourage everyone to check out the other bloggers in this stitch-a-long! Last time I posted my wip: Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street.

And now, three weeks later, I've completed stitching on the rooster (bottom) and made really good progress on chicken #1 (top): 

Still loving how much these colors pop against the black fabric -- worth the extra challenge of stitching!

I have another trip with a pair of long flights before our next check in, so I am hoping to finish the stitching on all three. Of course, last time I had a work trip scheduled it was cancelled three days before, so maybe I won't be flying to the east coast!

I'm going to head back into the kitchen and prep the Indonesian dishes I'm making for Mother's Day dinner. Once I have things simmering I'll head over to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Hawaii, April 2024

 This is a placeholder post where I'll create the omnibus for our Hawaii trip in 2024.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! Last time I decided to start working on some smaller pieces -- easier to manage in the busy summer time. First up, Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street:

I went on a trip over the past three weeks (more on that later), but I still got a very good start on the first of three: the rooster. 

I love how the colors pop on the black Aida. I'm using Cosmo floss and, well, I don't see much of a difference from good 'ol DMC. But I'll see how I feel as I finish each of these pieces. 

By our next check in I hope to have finished the stitching on the rooster and be well on my first chicken. 

Now, about that trip....

We just got back from 10 days in Hawaii where I was running the final race in my 50 State Half Marathon project. The race itself was fun, and I took it as a "victory lap" -- high-fiving kids along the course, thanking volunteers and police officers, cheering for other runners, and enjoying the time. 

One of my all-time favorite craft projects is a jacket that I embroidered for myself, filling in the states as I went along. I used different colors of floss per year, and finally got to fill in my last state. I very rarely wear it, but it makes me smile to look at the map and think about each of the races I ran. 

I'm now going to run over and check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- it's always inspiring to see! Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Hapalua Half Marathon Race Report

I have been planning to run this race as my 50th State for years. I didn't want to run the half of a full marathon -- I wanted the half to the be focus. The fact that Hapalua means "half" in Hawaiian makes me smile. 

Race expo was at the convention center -- a little ways away from our hotel -- but it was well signed and very well organized. We got our bibs and t-shirt, and then went to look at merch. 

The race design included the names of EVERYONE who pre-registered. The men's shirts had all the men's names (a little confusing at first...), the women's shirts had all the women's names... and the big towels and the photo banner had both. Really nice touch, and fun to find our names!

The next morning we rode down in the elevator with another couple and a random guy headed to the gym. I said, "I think we're headed to the same place!" and she laughed. Wil said, "She's running her 50th state!" and the woman said, "OMG, ME TOO!!!!" and we both SQUEALED and the random guy quickly exited the elevator. 

We hadaed to the start corrals, just down the street from our hotel. We admired Duke, his arms full of leis, in the moonlight. 

Finally, we started. There was a surprising amount of random city miles, out and back to Ala Moana and Honolulu Harbor. 

But eventually we looped back and around Kapiolani park and then an out and back along Diamond Head Road. As we passed the zoo I heard a "running guide" telling some tourists that Hawaii has a lot of "hobby joggers" and a bunch of us insulted him (and his slower-than-us tour group) right back. 

It was hot -- especially on Diamond Head Road. But on the way back we had a nice breeze and I was grinning because we were almost done.

We stopped a lot to take pictures, thanked all the volunteers, and did a lot of smiling. 

And then I was crying because I could see the finish line and I had almost finished the project!

As we entered the finish chute we held hands, had our names called out, and then someone gave me a medal and a bottle of Gatorade and I was just so very happy. And crying. 

The race had a huge runners zone in the park with food and drinks and, very cleverly, a big screen running on a 15-minute delay so people could watch themselves crossing the finish line. I'd never seen this before and I think it's a genius idea. 

It hadn't been fast -- of course. But we did it and had a lovely morning. Walking back to the hotel felt surreal... I had thought about this day for years and it was finally here! We had a dip in the pool, went up to the room, and eventually headed out for a very fine celebratory mai tai. 

Our server delivered possibly the best mai tai I'd ever had, and asked, "How do you feel?". I told her I felt great, very happy, and that I NEVER NEEDED TO RUN AGAIN." It was the first tiem I'd said it -- maybe even the first time I had THOUGHT it, but I think it might be true.