Just keep going, just keep going....

Life is still fast paced so I find myself humming this 'titled post phrase' gently and softly to myself.  Just keep going, do the work, are you living in JOY?....

And the answer is YES!  The youngest Grandson's Mit Hockey team won the tournament out of town yesterday and he scored 8 times in 4 games. Wish we could have been there for that but traveled in the opposite direction with PGD's basketball team.  No win for her team, but they played well with a lot of heart. Way to go little miss and little man!  I told his Mom to pat him on the butt and tell him "Good Game!" from me. LOL I know I am a wicked-funny grandma right?  LOL
We also fit in visiting with the eldest PGS#1 at his home this past Thursday night and brought him the requested Venison Stew Dinner with a banana cream pie for dessert.  It was a nice visit and the first time we saw his new to him Home since he moved there a little over two weeks ago.  Seems like a really nice place with many kind people around to help out.  I think it will be an awesome place for him to reside as he continues to do so well with his new surroundings, responsibilities and priviledges.  Just after arriving he had to have his wisdom teeth removed.  He was so grown up and understanding about all of that and I was able to attend him there with his other set of grandparents there too.  Way to go Bob!

Stash Report #6 finally has movement:

Fabric Used: 2.5 yards
Fabric Used this year:  2.5 yards
Fabric Added this week:   0
Fabric  Added this Year:  5

Net Gain of 2.5 yards

This added up thankfully with the fabrics &  linings used for the two finished January projects of the Twelve days of Christmas Apron and Hungry Hungry Caterpillar Pillow shown on January 31, 2016.  I've also slated another 2 plus yards on the current project, but can't tally those numbers in until it is totally finished.  But measuring the borders and binding cut and sewn so far I have 1.25 yards.  Maybe I'll be able to hit a ZERO mark by March, fingers crossed.  I'm linking this stash report post up with Judy from Patchwork Times.

For Slow Stitching Sunday that I'm linking up with Kathy, I have a huge section of preliminary Crosses to stitch on that I might be able to finish when we watch the Panthers vs the Broncos at my son's home this evening.
I'm not a huge football fan, I like to watch it for the commercials.  8~ )
So I'll be happily stitching away if the lighting is right during game time.   Note to self:  maybe bring that "Ideaworks" little portable lamp - just in case it could be helpful.

There are many threads hanging as I don't carry the threads on the backside when there is a break in the pattern.   Started to stitch some of the finished crosses above when I thought to let those threads hang out (park method style) until I could finish stitching them tonight or while traveling or visiting with friends, etc... a new to me technique.  Will not need to follow a pattern for this part now, just have to cross those slashes.(You can click on the photo if needed to see the detail of what I'm talking about.)

I plan on taking a little break from blogging so you won't hear from me for awhile.
Everything is fine.  I just didn't want you to be worried, but find life is getting too busy just now.
I'll be back.

Take Care,
Jane

Stash Report #4 of 2016 with my Slow Stitching Sunday link

Fabric Used this Week:    0
Fabric Used This Year:    0
Fabric Added this Week:    5
Fabric Added Year to Date:   5

Net Fabric for 2016 a Gain of 5 yards

With visit you local Quilt shop day happening on January 23rd this year, I just had to visit my friend, Carole and her Quilt Shop,  Fibre Junction located in Rouses Point, NY yesterday.  I had  a plan to purchase a couple of wool pieces I need for two different projects and hopefully have a nice cuppa tea while visiting her.  Eureka, Success and then some.  She and her shop never disappoint!

What came home with me you might ask?
I scored a total of 2 1/2 yards of 5 different wools (3 just lovely greens, a cream and a 75% discounted black and cream herringbone tweed as well as 2 scrumptious background fabrics totaling another 2 1/2 yards of cotton that were located in her discount bin at 40% off.  What a deal. Check it out.

Though this stash report shows me going further into obtaining rather than the using,  I feel wonderful with this purchase which will allow me to get a couple of whimm-pigs completed.


For my Slow stitching Sunday with Kathy, I'm still working on the Red Thread wording, only have 4 words left on that section then I'll be heading up the sides by the end of this month. FINGERS CROSSED!  Did I mention the words are the longer words?

THREAD... CONNECTS.... THOSE.... DESTINED... are all that's left.
Just in case you don't remember what it looks like, (as if I haven't shown you enough!) here it is, AGAIN....lol:





The last bit I wanted to share is a photo taken of the youngest grandson while playing Hockey at Lake Placid's Ice Arena a couple of weeks ago.

He's in the Mit division for our local Youth Hockey group and thoroughly enjoys the sport.  Since he is only in first grade, he's had a passion for this sport since he was two and has a natural ability!  I love seeing the kids "get it" when it comes to sports.  Increasing they talents, realizing they are part of a team and the friendships and dedication it takes to play sports are terrific to witness.

All these games explain our weekends. Between practices, his Hockey and his sister, PGD#1  playing basketball, it keeps us busy traveling for their games besides the adventures which come up along the way.  All of them making nice memories!
Yesterday was another travel day with the whole family packed into the van.  So tack one up for another escapade!   Am starting to think our last name truly is the Griswolds, which friends have kindly referred to our tribe for years!  LOL
Stay warm and those of you that were snowdumped on, be careful shoveling!

Slow stitching today, ahhh....

Golden tamarack trees just brighten up the views everywhere.  Gorgeous contrast with the spruces deep greens.

This Asparagus on the roadside is so colorful that on Friday I did a U turn to capture it's brillance.
 I never knew the seeds were this color  -  RED.
The sky was a perfect blue and we had a great visit and beautiful 3 hour ride.

The tamaracks are spectacular on our ride to visit the eldest grandson in Tupper Lake this past Friday.  He is doing wonderfully with this transition and we are so proud.   Duh....., bad Grandma never took a photo of him while we visited!   The staff are impressed with how well behaved he is and he likes this new place immensely.  He's only there for 60 days during the intake process and then perhaps he'll be assigned to a home.  Fingers crossed.  It's nice that he is closer and it'll be easier to visit him.

Life has been fast paced this past week so not too much more has been completed on the WIP-be-gone or my Q-4 list.  That being the case, I seriously need to just be and breath today; so am planning on stitching February's design for the Red Thread.   Here's how it looks this morning.

I find hand stitching very soothing and zen-like.  When I stitch  I totally zone out and stop this monkey mind of mine besides progress some more on a project.  Ahhh....
Will be linking this up with Kathy's Slow Stitching Sundays and the stitchery link Party over at Super Mom No Cape.

Another day this past week the youngest grandchildren came after school.  We needed to dispose of the mammoth Sunflower that is in the lower raised garden bed and I urged Popi to leave it so the youngest one who loves Giant AND Jack and the Beanstock could use an ax and chop it down.








Of course the older sister wanted in on the action too.  Clearly you can see they got right into it!








Enjoy your "Funday", whatever your plans.  And remember to send praise for the many blessings you have. My brother is hosting his dirt bike invitational today so am happy it's warmer this weekend than last despite the drizzle.  ; )

Slow stitching Sunday again and it's still winter here....

Oh how quickly the time flies around here.  Can't believe it's Sunday again and not too much to share of what I've been able to accomplish this past week.  I hope to get my motor revved again to get done what I hoped to for March in the next few days.

Linking up with Kathy Quilts again today.  Finished up my bottom section of the Lizzie Kate Winter Alphabet which I had listed to get done this month (patting myself on the back here for a realistic accomplished goal).  Next month I hope to complete this design.  Only the upper two rows of letters left.

I did change the color of the smoke rising out of the chimney.  The design called for the aqua color which I thought that it was too pronounced, so changed it to a softer grey, DMC#452.  Looks better, there but not there.















The grand children received a new to them Snow mobile and are lucky enough that there is still snow to ride on.   Good for them, but I surely wished this white stuff would go away until next December, I've had enough of it and the cold.  Can you see that bit of brown in the background, I am hopeful that a tinge of green will be there in a week.

Both of them take turns and are becoming allies with this toy instead of fighting with each other.  It's nice to see them growing up and taking responsibility with their stuff.  The pink helmet came with the sled and their Mom had a leftover helmet from her days of playing like that which goes nicely with the little man's outdoor gear.  A huge plus of not having to buy additional gear to outfit them safely.

They'll come in after an hour or two with such rosie cheeks and sparkles in their eyes.  Am so glad the electronics are being put down, another win in my book!

Enjoy your day!  Jane

Just bead it, Bead it

Happily singing my rendition of the Michael Jackson tune today while progressing on the wool table mat.   Beads are all on, next trim the cream color to attached to the harvest red wool bottom.




Am linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday's on Kathy's blog.









Enjoy your week, I'm hoping mine will be somewhat productive.
Jane

Slow Stitching Sunday 3-8-15

Linking in this after noon with Kathy's quilts for a slow stitching Sundays after spending most of the day in Saranac Lake at a Hockey Tournament for the youngest grandson.   He did well, scoring 6 goals.  Yeah B!

Since it's late and now approaching evening, this is what I've been working on.  Not too much more to go before this one gets done.  Thinking of using beads instead of french knots which the pattern calls for.
Will need to audition which will be best.  

Slow Stitching Sunday

Linking up with Kathy for my stitching that's happening today.

Working on the binding......

one side a day is the plan.

It's still snowing, or should I say think it's snowing.  

Not a lot of accumulation thank goodness.  

Just enough to have perpetual grey skies with a little fluff floating down. 

Slow Stitching Sunday

Joining along with Kathy for the Slow Stitching Sunday and loving the progress made of the Lizzie Kate Winter.

Just noticed the upper left part of the V is weird, think I ran out of thread.  Off to check on it and get ready for the super bowl.  Meeting up with friends, our dish is all set and my portable project with hearts is all set.  

                                 Now who is playing?    

Just kidding,    

Go Patriots!