Fully Finished Gallery ~ August 2023 🖼

Welcome to Rachel's Fully Finished Gallery SAL for August. It was a sweet finish this month!

Be sure to have a look and see what others have finished this time.

I've had this stitched for a while, but wasn't sure how to finish it. I had this frame and decided it would look good in it.

I couldn't get it to align, only to realize I was a stitch off. Luckily it was only three stitches.

I love this little guy from Mill Hill, he was a fun stitch.

I glued this little piece on the back so it would stand up. It's actually a place card holder I found online.

A rather small beehive to go with the gnome?!

That is all for now, I hope for more next time!

I'll have a retreat post coming soon, it was a fantastic one!

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.

Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop 2022 🐰

Welcome to Jo's annual Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop for 2022!

Please start there if you haven't already to begin collecting letters from the other participating blogs to put together the seasonal phrase.

I've added gnomes to my PEEP display this year, and then decided to stitch one to combine the two.

The fabric is actually a light green, but you can't really tell in the photo. He also looks like he's related to Cousin Itt from the Addams Family!

And here's what you've been looking for, the letter...

Now hop on over to Mary's blog, Le Coeur Celtique, for your next letter in the phrase.

We shall be spending Easter with my Dad this year, and honouring my Momma in her chapel on Easter morning.

Wishing you a blessed Easter this year.

Feeling the Valentine Love 💕

DH and I had lunch with friends the day before Valentine's Day and I received a lovely gift from my gf, Shana. I had gifted her a similar mug when she was going through something, and she gave me these lovely gifts just because.

That evening was spent with Cori, my chosen sister, and we both got chocolate to share with each other! It was the Super Bowl, so the tin was appropriate.

Here is her baby, Squirt, looking for love pats!

For the Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop, (Jo @Serendipitous Stitching's annual hop) my Valentine piece was sent to Cathy @The Stitching Grandma.

This is from Bent Creek. I got it from the giveaway table at a retreat, but I can't remember which one!

This is the Valentine piece that I received from Barbara @The Flashing Scissors, so sweet!

I also participated in Needlecraft Haven's Valentine Exchange and this is what I received. It was a non-stitching one and we were to give a compact reusable bag and some floss. This is the bag opened, I like to think the flamingos are enjoying themselves and having a drink or two!

This is what I sent my partner and this is her photo since I forgot to take one before I sent it!

Next up with the group, an Easter exchange!

Normally on Valentine's Day, DH and I really don't do much except flowers for me, a dinner I know he likes, and cards for each other, that's our norm.

This year I thought we'd do something different and join Father Leo for his Valentine dinner. He used to be a seminarian at our church years ago, so we knew him way back when!

He even has a food truck, which I've enjoyed too!

He also does a podcast as Shoot The Shiitake with Father Leo, he's got a youtube channel as Plating Grace , and he's even on EWTN's with Savoring our Faith. He's a busy guy!

I didn't take any photos of what we had, but it was a four course meal that started with a salad with berry vinaigrette, then a creamy caper penne pasta, followed by a long braised beef rib with garlic mashed potatoes and sea salt roasted broccoli. I enjoyed every bite, it was delicious! As for dessert... tres leches tropical style cake with an edible orchid, yum. Oh, and there was wine too!🍷🍷🍷

We had a great table sitting with couples we didn't know and Father Leo asked each table to talk about our engagements, our spouses favourite meal, and we were all blessed after reciting our vows again. It was a truly lovely evening together. 

I wonder if this will be a yearly event?!

An oldie but a goodie, our sweet boys 15 years ago!

And that's a beautiful end to a memorable Valentine's Day!

Scavenger Photo Hunt - Homemade 📷🪡🧶

Welcome to the third word of the Scavenger Photo Hunt for December. As always, anyone can join in with whatever inspires you and I can always add it after the sign up is closed. My excuse for being late THIS week? A getaway in Pennsylvania with my girl, Cori!

Now this blog is full of my homemade stitching things and other crafts, even and some baking here and there. Here are some other homemade items from friends and family. 

Handmade

These sweet gnomes were made from a new friend who sells them at our little local Farmers Market. She uses all scrap fabric, aren't they adorable? I bought them for Cori for Christmas. The red hat one is one that his hat comes off and all the little ones where hiding inside!

I made these for Cori, the nutcracker was from last year and I had forgotten to add my name and date on the back. The naughty one is truly appropriate for her, although she's really only a little naughty and mainly nice!

The blanket here is one that my Momma made from scraps of yarn she had leftover from making other blankets. This is my favourite one, even though we have ones from her that have lovely colours knitted together. I love the hodgepodge!

These sweet treats were baked and decorated by Cori while she was visiting her sister one year at Christmas. Her sister the THE ultimate baker!

I almost didn't want to eat them since they were so cute, but they were delicious.

I just received these from her sister tonight, the perfect time to post them!

These were made from my friend, Nina, friends since Jr High, too cute!

She has a laser printer and creates so many fun things.

That's it for now since I'm already so late. See you Friday for Stocking. Since it's so close to Christmas, I'll leave it open longer for those who are celebrating!

Happy Christmas! 🎄🎅