Fully Finished Gallery ~ March 2023 🖼

Welcome to Rachel's Fully Finished Gallery SAL for March. Go have a look and see what others have finished this time!

Maja at The Snowflower Diaries offered the Joyful World SAL way back in 2016, and here is March. I started stitching it in German for meine Mutti, although I still have to finish Oct - Dec. She saw the ones I stitched, but sadly never got to see them all finished. I will continue them in German and will think of her every time I see them.

At least I should have this one to show every month!

It's still available it you're interested.

I stitched this little one for St. David's Day. You can sort of see the sparkles in the fabric.

And here they are together, on the shelf I bought in Havre de Grace on St. David's Day.

Maybe you'll join in next time?

A St. David's Day 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Adventure

Since I couldn't make it to Wales that day, I went to the twin city of Havre De Grace instead.

My friend, Jeff, joined me in the adventure.

The big fish made up of lots of little fish.

These are just a few of the wooden carvings on the pier near the Concord Point Lighthouse.

And you can't be near the water without a mermaid!

One of the stores we went to was Washington Street Books and Music. It was like going to a movie museum. Later this year they are going to acquire lots of the Hunger Games clothing, that should be fun to see.

So sad, this was only a few of the stitched pieces I saw in the antique store.

I did find this treasure for only $10. I'm going to replace the duck with a monthly series I'm almost finished with.

All in all, a great day!

The Cream of Leek Soup and Welsh Rarebit that night was delicious, I need to make the soup more often.

Dydd Gwŷl Dewi Sant hapus! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

A Happy St. David's Day to you! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. To celebrate the day, people can wear a daffodil and/or a leek; the national emblems of Wales. 

"While preaching to a crowd in the village of Llanddewi Brefi, David is thought to have performed his most famous miracle: some of the crowd were finding it difficult to hear the sermon, when a white dove landed on David’s shoulder. As it did, the ground on which he stood is said to have risen up to form a mighty hill, making it possible for the gathering crowd to finally see and hear him. The dove became St. David’s emblem, often appearing in his portraits and on stained-glass windows depicting him. Today, a church stands on the crest of the special hill."

This is my display this year, with a newly acquired stitched daffodil cloth that I bought from Needleworkers Delight on a sale they had on their display items. It's so beautiful!

I made Welsh cakes today, and they turned out okay. I used a different recipe from the one I usually use and it made a smaller batch. I think my original recipe tastes better though.

And tonight? Cream of Leek Soup and Welsh Rarebit.

I just finished stitching this sweet little daffodil and painted the frame since it was too dark before.

An oldie, but a goodie, the series I have yet to fully finish!

I thought with the crazy weather we've been having that our daffodils might actually bloom in time, but nope. I have seen them in other yards, but ours just isn't warm enough I guess!

Today I'll be heading to Havre de Grace, which happens to be the twin city of Mumbles, Wales, where my cousin lives!

Fully Finished Gallery ~ February 2023 🖼

Not as productive as last month, but I have joined Rachel and her Fully Finished Gallery SAL for February. 

I know I've shown this already, but this is all I've got this time.

The mermaids had been stitched and waiting to be finished for about two years, oops. This was my first biscornu finish and won't be my last.

At least I framed the Moon straight away.

 I have plenty ready to be fully finished, I really need to set a date every month for finishing.

Happy Heart Day 🥰

Did you get to see all the love yesterday at Jo's Secret Stitching Sweetheart blog hop?! So many lovely pieces to see.

This is the stitching I shared. I made this for my DH, the "rocket scientist" for Valentine's Day. Very appropriate for him!

My Valentine display this year.

Roses, baked goods, and stitching, you can't go wrong.

I picked up this Bee my Valentine Box from Kupcakes & Co. They always make wonderful desserts and what we've had so far has been delicious.

That evening, we went to Father Leo's Valentine Dinner. This time it was at our church, which was much closer than last year's.

It was a lovely evening, we had friends join us this year so that was nice. I especially like the couples blessing, a mini vow renewal.

This time we were able to get the book we wanted before they sold out. Dining with the Saints is a brand new one, we got it as an early release. I got that one for Gman2, I thought he would appreciate it being in youth ministry. Hopefully he'll make us something... soon! 

On Wednesday, it was a lovely 66° so I sat outside with company.

And had a February finish, in February, amazing!

Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop❣

It's that time of year to share the love with Jo @Serendipitous Stitching and her annual Valentine Hop.

To see all the Secret Sweetheart Stitching, start at Jo's blog, follow the hop, then try to figure out who sent what stitched piece and leave a little love note. 💕

How precious is this, a Valentine Stocking! I wonder if it gets filled with sweet treats?!

I have no idea who stitched this, are you my Secret Sweetheart Stitcher?

And now it's time for kids' thoughts on love.

Love is a cookie ~ Tuana, age 3

Love is being nice even when you don't feel like it ~ Jack, age 4

Love is...ummmmm...pink ~ Ella, age 3

(although it really could be Vickie who says that?!)❤

Love is a heart. Love is a puppy dog and love is a cat. Love is a hug and love is a kiss. And love is a great big goodnight hug and hiss. That is all ~ Isabella, age 4

Goodies and fun with family 🧁

I went to a thrift shop today and these were my finds, all for a nice price of $12.25. I bought one frame for $1.25 and the rest were free, cool beans! And they're in good shape too.

The linen is my favourite count, 32 on antique white and white. I'll probably tie dye the white one later.

This past weekend we were in Canton visiting Gman1 & C at their new place. It's within walking distance of so many things, although we had to drive for lunch at Chaps Pit Beef. It did not disappoint, everything was good. DH drove past the first entrance since it's right next to a "Gentleman's" Club and he didn't think he should be turning into that!

Later that afternoon, we went walking around Canton and Fells Point and I found a mermaid with very shiny "shells" 👀! 

We got thirsty and just had to stop in one of the local bars for a drink. C and I tried this one - Lemon coconut raspberry white chocolate cake batter - surprisingly delicious and not too tart.

Finn checking out mini Finn that I made for C.

Just a block and a half away from their place, is Cup Love, and we had to check it out before it shut that evening. Nathan got cookie dough, C got frozen yogurt, and I got Elvis AND Barry White because I wanted to try them both... Elvis for the win!!!

Sunday morning Finn was being teased entertained by a birds on youtube.

That afternoon we went to a wedding venue in Havre de Grace with C's family to check it out.

What a beautiful place and it's a go!

We went down to the water where they'll have pictures taken for the wedding, it was just a bit chilly this time of year!

C's Dad photobombing us! I'm so glad we all get along so well together! 😆

The cool thing about Havre de Grace? Its twin city is Mumbles, Wales, where my cousin lives.

We finally got some snow yesterday, although it didn't last very long. This has been another crappy year for snow so far, maybe this month will surprise us?

Back to stitching, this is my 5th Santa for the year, it's nice to have something easy to work on.

The Prairie Schooler Santa Scene 🎅

I've had these Prairie Schooler Santas for a while and I finally decided to start them.

I'm stitching them on 28 count over one, that's what fits best in the little houses. I know I don't have them all yet, but these will keep me busy for a while.

Surprise, I have my "support" system helping me!

This is the first finished one from 1984.

I saw this finish before, I think it might have been on Pinterest? I found these little houses and ordered them because I really liked how they looked. I added the border inside, I know I'll need more of that.

My helpers, Ming and Maximus.

2nd finished, 1985.

Sitting next to me, so much easier.

3rd finish, 1986.

They stole my spot this time!

4th finish, 1987.

And now to work on my 5th one from 1988.

After that I might take a break and stitch something else, but I'm on a roll!