I'm sick of tea! 🫖😷

 Wow, I never thought I'd say that!

It happened before the snow/ice storm, I had a cough/cold/congestion, but finally went to the dr's after the storm. It's nice to have your doctor just down the road! So, I ended up having pneumonia and have been hunkered down at home. Just as well, it's been freezing all week. I've had enough tea (PG Tips and multiple flavoured ones) and honey, to be swimming in it! I'm still coughing, but slowly feeling better. One cup day at a time!

We ended up getting 10.9" of snow/ice, but I wonder if it was really that much.

DH had gotten the snowblower out before the storm, and it worked fine.

Until it didn't! The belt broke just after he started. Our neighbour had an extra belt, but it didn't fit. Oh well, it looked pretty out there.

That didn't stop us from having a visitor that evening.

It also brought the wind, which gave us this nice little snow pile on our deck.

We were nice and warm inside, and I had Mia and Maverick keeping my spot warm - even though I didn't ask them.

A funny before the storm - to be prepared, we put water in the tubs just in case we lose power. Because if that happens, no toilet flushing with having a well.

I was getting ready for bed and Maverick decided he wanted to go for a swim, by accident. He was freaking out and was having a hard time getting out. Luckily, he got himself out before I was able to get to him. Water was everywhere! I dried him up the best I could, although he was still a bit damp. Even though there's no more water in there now, he's still leery of it!

Obviously a doctored photo of silly Maverick!

I'm thankful that I've still been able to stitch, inbetween coughing! I've been working on this free chart from Primrose Cottage. It's so sweet! You just need to subscribe to their newsletter to get a free chart every month and to see all the goodies they offer! 

I changed up the colours a little bit, I didn't like the way 963 looked, so I chose Crepe Myrtle that I had in my stash. I also added a darker teal, you'll see later!

I hope you're warm wherever you are.

I'm happy that we're missing the next snow!

January's Antics 🌬❄

So sad, I saw this cute little piece at a thrift shop last week. 😕

Once again, I'm attempting to clean up my craft room. It's been a hot mess for quite a while and has only gotten worse with the holidays.

My power source? Peanut butter M&M's and tea helps.

Maverick and Mia were allowed in after I cleaned up a bit, no loose threads or needles!

I had to stop cleaning because I was going to visit Amy at Born to Stitch in NJ.

I stopped at IKEA on the way so see what I could find to help me with my table mess. I saw this tiered tray and thought it might help, we'll see.

We had to go into town to post something and oh my, it was flippin' cold! But we found some love. ❤

We stayed at her sweet Mom's house and little Lovie wasn't letting anyone do any crafting. Spoiled, cute little miss!

I can't believe I didn't take any photos while at the shop, but Thursday was a great day with five other ladies coming in to stitch and shop. Amy was busy all day! Sadly, I had to leave on Friday with the snow/ice storm coming. I needed to get things done at the house and do the laundry, just in case we lose power.

But before I left, I helped a young man pick out something for his girlfriend's birthday. (Her shop used to be a flower shop, so that's why he came in.) He was interested in getting something crafty, so we thought Mill Hill kits were the way to go with everything in there and with good instructions. He actually got two, one for him and one for her! I thought that was the sweetest thing! And Amy's close by to help them out if they need it. 

I think I was missed, they actually tolerated each other enough to both sleep with me last night.

I'm getting another cold, I had one last week too. This one is more coughing and congestion, it sucks! But I'm still stitching. I'm going to start this one tonight, it's the freebie from Primrose Cottage for January. Although maybe it should be snow or ice related since that's what we're getting after 1am. 

Originally, it was supposed to be 8-12" of snow, then snow and ice. Now it's 3-5", with snow and ice 3-5". So who the heck knows?! We'll find out by tomorrow night.

Hopefully we won't lose power, even with gas fireplaces, it gets cold in here!

My charger is charged, my electronics will be charging tonight and I have at least one light charged. We have water in the tubs so we can use the toilets, and water for drinking the important stuff - coffee and tea! And thankfully, we have a gas stove top for cooking.

If you're getting any of this mess, please stay safe and make sure your hands stay warm enough to stitch!

This was taken ten years ago when we had our last big snow. I don't think Nathan will be interested in playing outside tomorrow, works for me!

Fully Finished Gallery - January 2026 🖼 (And family stuff!)

Wow, it's 2026 already?

I'm not quite sure what happened to 2025, but I definitely dropped the needle on posting!

I've still been stitching every day, just not blogging about what I've been doing.

This will be my 8th year of stitching every day, some days were definitely more productive than others!

I have a few posts I'd like to finish, mainly about our family trip last summer, and our Christmas holidays. Not only do I post for stitching, but also for me to look back on for memories. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to my blog to find something I've stitched, finished, or a photo I've wanted to see again. And that includes things I've done or places I've been. I want to make this year a better year for blogging, and even though I know it's old school, I still enjoy it.😂 

So let's go!

Since Rachel is on a hosting/posting break, I created this little guy until she returns. 

This month was a good finishing month, only because I didn't have these pieces finished before Christmas!

We had an extra special Christmas this year, my cousin and her family came to join us from Germany.

Which meant I wanted to make each of them an ornament, included her step-daughter, who wasn't able to be with them.

The last time C and little H were here, H celebrated her second birthday. This time they added the boys, her husband and baby B! He turned seven months old while they were here and even got his first two teeth!

This is for little man B, I thought it was cute and appropriate with his name.

This is for C's step-daughter, F, who I have yet to meet. I hope she likes hot chocolate!

I thought this was perfect for C and her husband, M. There was no way I could fit their names on it, so I added their initials.

It was wonderful to have them join us and such fun with the little ones!

I had something else in mind for Miss H, but found out she LOVES the Grinch. I had the perfect pattern from Brookes Books, so I had to stitch it. She chose for him to hold a little bell instead of the stitched small ornament.

Maybe next year I'll have to stitch her Max.

BIG smiles! Isn't she adorable?!

And of course, I had to stitch a giraffe for my daughter-in-love, C. 

I guess this was more of a birthday present or even could be considered a house warming gift. They just moved into their new house at the beginning of January.

They're only about 11 miles away from us, and the house was move in ready. It's so lovely, with lots of room to grow! 😉

That's it for this month. I hope I can be as productive next time.

I think my next post will be more of my cousin's visit with us, we were pretty busy!

Fully Finished Gallery - Sepember/October 2025 🖼

Welcome to Rachel's 

Fully Finished Gallery SAL for September & October 2025.

This is a great way to make sure I actually fully finish my stitched pieces! 

Please consider joining this monthly SAL, it just might inspire you. 

This was made for our cousin's baby, due in December.

This was at the baby shower in September.

BUT, little Naomie decided to come early @33+ weeks! Both Momma and baby are doing fine, but they're not quite sure how long she'll have to stay in the hospital.

We had fun decorated onesies and this is the one I chose!

In October, I finished this fun one.

It's with my other Halloween stitching, but the Mill Hill tree is in the other room.

I found this kit online and thought it was cute.

For only $10, it came with the wood pieces (four of them!) floss, needles, a threader, a pair of scissors, and felt for the back. It was for a beginner, but I love the pumpkin!

I decided to stamp paint the pieces, I was happy with how it turned out.

Mia approved, but she did try to bite it earlier. 😖

Christmas is coming up fast, I hope to be finishing some ornaments next!

A Visit to NJ and a Retreat!

In July, I went to visit Amy @Born To Stitch before heading to the Stitch NJ Retreat.

Her sweet Momma got a new puppy, this is little Lovie!

She is the biggest, little ball of fluff! And no, she's not spoiled at all. 😜

I was at the shop when she was filming her Flosstube with Eda, and having Mel @December Stitches as their guest!

There are more new cute designs, be sure to take a look @December Stitches! It you see anything you like, let Amy know.

If you know me, you know I don't really watch Flosstube. I guess I'm just old school and still prefer blogs, which I find easier to follow and doesn't take as long. (Even though I'm way behind on my reading!)

But having friends who make them, I'll watch them every once in a while, sorry it's not more!

Amy roped me into this episode for a few minutes near the end. It was fun, but I'll keep blogging! 🤣

Born to Stitch Flosstube #10

AND, she's planning a retreat next March after the Nashville Market, so exciting! RETREAT INFO HERE!

 

This one is new to the shop since I've been there, I love it!

I might have gotten a few things!

Some were gifts that I didn't show.

Of course you can't not take a Bruce photo while there.

Including me!

After that, I headed to the Stitch NJ Retreat, hosted by Arlene @Works by ABC.

I didn't take as many photos, but here's a few.

My stitching set up - I seem to keep adding more accessories to "help" me stitch!

This was our goodie bag, nice treasures! I think this is everything, but I might have taken something out and forgot what it was... sometimers. 🤷

And this was the vending room on Saturday.

The lovely Corrin @Grace Notes Fabrics.

Sew Pretty Pins

Bags by KraftyKim

Annette @Mind Your Needle

Pinny and Tunny

Jenn @Silvercatspaw Studio

And of course, the host of the retreat - Arlene @Works by ABC!

A few items I bought from them. I know I got fabric too, but I don't remember where I put it.

I love the daffodils - for St David's Day in Wales!

The room, with our table in the corner.

Our table - 3809, is fine!

What a lovely surprise seeing Danielle and Jill! I met them when they blogged, way back when! 😂

And Stephanie @OhSewCrafty, she still blogs too!

   

And who doesn't love the give-a-way table tables?!

I found a few things I couldn't leave behind.

There were so many donated raffle prizes to choose from (sorry no photos) and this is what I was lucky enough to win!

I love the kitty project bag, but haven't decided what to get from 123 Stitch yet.

The money collected for the raffle went to SAVE, $6,525! I think she said it was more than last year. I was happy to contribute! 

Who knew NJ could be so much fun?! 😆