The British in me loves a cup of tea.  One of my favorite things to do as a child was visiting my Aunt Doll, my Dad’s sister, whose real name was Doris.  Her 5 brothers nicknamed her Doll.  Aunt Doll must have had the patience of a saint, as she was always picking up my dropped stitches as she taught me how to knit.  She was an excellent seamstress, too, and I guess I developed my love of “anything with a needle and thread” from her.  She never did cross stitch, but I’m sure she would have been great at that as well. I digress!

Aunt Doll and I would share time together with a good cup of tea, black with lots of milk and sugar!  I wasn’t to learn the pleasures of coffee until I was considered an adult!  I still love my tea, and have discovered so many wonderful varieties.  But… coffee is my morning go to.  This time of year our Wawa convenience stores here in Virginia serve up the most wonderful Pumpkin Spice blend.  This with just a little Stevia (I ditched the sugar) makes my heart sing. When I can convince my husband to take an after dinner drive, I get treated to a cup.

I have a couple of tea designs, so now I thought I’d create something for the love of coffee.  I’m sure it will have a few tweaks by the time I’m finished stitching it, but I thought I’d share my vision with you. Here is “The Perfect Blend.”  I hope you will like it!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

The online Needlework Show is over and I’m happy I participated.  My designs are getting “out there” and I got to hear from so many of you.  Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words.  You don’t know how much they mean to me.  I wish I could have given everyone who entered a door prize, but I could only manage three.

What’s next?  I have a couple of projects that I’ve been working on (for a while)!  Is everyone like me or are there some of you who are disciplined enough to finish one project before moving on?  🙂  I designed a new piece this week with a “coffee” theme.  I’m really liking how it’s turning out!  Then I guess I have to get back to finishing the others.

Our new puppy, Sadie came to live with us almost 2 weeks ago.  I forgot how babies can be!  She’s just darling, that is when she’s not biting everything in sight.  I’ve got to sign her up for some puppy classes. Soon!  When do they stop teething???  Oliver would like to know, too.  She latches onto his ears and plays tug-o-war.  Poor baby, he’s being so patient while she tortures him.  I’ll post some new photos in a few.

In case you’ve not heard of it before, there is an online needlework show beginning tomorrow, October 15th.  It’s a wholesale show, but the public can check out what is available as well, on the general viewing pages.  If you find something you like, be sure to contact your favorite needlework shop and let them know of your interest.  I will be exhibiting my designs for this show.  See you all there!

www.needleworkshow.com

It’s been 6 months now since our sweet Maddi left us.  It hurt so bad, I thought I’d never get another dog. Lately it just seemed like Oliver needed some company, and the thought of having another girl around became a little more appealing.  My husband and I decided to get a rescue.  Oliver had been our rescue 8 years ago, and he has been a joy to us.  We were looking for a little girl Cavalier around 6 years old.  I fell in love with a photo of a girl named Claire.  The rescue group told me I had a chance of getting her, although there were several requests for her.  I waited and waited to hear back about Claire, or any dog for that matter.  Well, it’s been over a month.  So…while searching online, I found a site for Cavalier puppies.  And, guess what!  In 3 more days, a puppy named Buttercup is flying in from Missouri to us, her forever home.  I am so excited!  We’ve already changed her name to Sadie.  She’s just 8 weeks old and she’s a ruby colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  She has white markings on her face, chest, and the tips of her feet and tail.  Maddi was black, tan, and white, called tri-color.  Oliver is a Blenheim, tan and white.  There is one other color for Cavaliers, that is black and tan.  Here are some photos of Sadie.  Isn’t she adorable?

My husband woke up early Sunday morning with a nagging feeling that he needed to start the day right away.  Good thing!  Our water heater had exploded and was spouting water through the ceiling (and everywhere) in the utility room.  Oh, joy!  Thank goodness for ServPro!  They were out within a few hours to dry things out.  And…they are still drying out on Tuesday!  I just finished washing a ton of dishes by hand using boiling water from the stove.  Not enjoying the sponge baths, either.  We had to go out and buy a new water heater, but since the install would cost more the unit itself, I have to wait for Ken to finish things up.  That’s the easy part!  Now we wait for the insurance adjuster, and who knows how long the repairs will take.  Oh well, enough of the pity party.  🙁

Happy to say that I finished 2 new designs for Christmas.   They were rather quick to stitch, which I really enjoyed and hope you will, too, since we all have so many things to do for the holidays.  I hope to have them ready to go around the first week in October.  Here’s a look at “Come Ye Faithful”  and “The Christ-mas Tree.”
 

Last night we got THE call!  Our daughter, Taryn was on the way to the hospital to have her baby.  We were a little surprised as he wasn’t due for a week.  (I always managed to deliver late rather than early!) Taryn called us at 3:15 this morning to say that everything went well and we have a healthy new grandson.  Nathaniel Kenneth Peek has made his way into this world!!!  We may have been the first to hear the good news, but the world got to see him first.  Here is his Facebook picture.  The world is a different place!  It’s a 14 hour car ride to visit the new little family.  Why do children grow up and move away???  We’ll be off in a couple of days to meet Nathaniel and make some precious memories.  Much to do, but can’t wait. Have a great week!

I hope you’re all enjoying your summer.  It’s been a hot one here in Virginia Beach.  I’m so looking forward to some Fall weather.  I love having windows open and hearing the chatter of birds and other creatures outside.  I especially love the sound of tree frogs!

We’re still anxiously awaiting the birth of another grandson.  He has a name now!  Nathaniel Kenneth Peek.  Kenneth after his Grandpa Ken, my wonderful hubby, and Nathaniel, just because.  He’s already been nicknamed Nate.  When we get THE call, we’ll be heading to Kentucky to meet the little guy.

I have lots of stitching to take with me in the car, a long 14 hour trip.  (Though I do really love road trips.)  I’m stitching a new design called “Seasons” that I hope to have ready for the first of next year. Along with that, I have a little Christmas design called “Come Ye Faithful” at my wonderful framing shop.  I have another holiday piece ready to be stitched, just waiting for the fabric from Picture This Plus to arrive.

Our dog, Oliver has been having a rough time of it.  Shortly after Maddi passed, he had surgery to remove most of his top teeth.  He had a bad infection from periodontal disease.  Sorry little man that I didn’t brush your teeth.  🙁  He got over that and now he has some sort of allergy with sneezing fits. We’re going to get a diffuser for some essential oils.  I’ve heard they’re wonderful.

Back to my stitching.  Have a great weekend!

Oliver

It’s been a very busy month of July for me.  Our daughter Taryn, her husband, and son were here last week.  She’s expecting another boy in late August, though she wishes it were any time now!  We had a baby shower for her on Saturday and it was great to have the whole family together.  Sadly for me, she lives in Kentucky so we don’t get to see her as often as I’d like.

I’ve finished two new designs.  You’re able to see them on my home page.  One is for Halloween, a piece called When Witches Go Riding.  The next is the design I created to honor our little Maddi.  She was our 12 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who passed suddenly in April.  It brings a tear to my eye when I see it.  Since Maddi was a girl, it’s stitched in pinks.  So that no cat lovers are left out, I also include a cat version done in blue for boys.  (We had a boy cat named Kelsey who graced our lives for many years, so this piece was dedicated to him.)  That way you can choose dog or cat, male or female.  If by chance you owned a sweet little bunny who passed, I’m sure there’s a way to alter the paw print for her/him as well!

I hope you’re having a fun (and not too hot) summer.  Be well!

Hello everyone!  This will be my first post to my Stitches Through Time blog.  I’ve been planning and making preparations to open this business for a while and the time is almost here.  I’m so excited!  I hope you will all like the designs I’ve created.  I’ll have much more to show you in the future.  Soon I’ll be releasing the design I created in honor of my little girl dog Maddi, who passed suddenly in April.  I have to say, it brings a tear to my eye each time I look at it.  The holidays will be here before you know it and along with them I have a Halloween design I’m waiting to reveal.

Maddi

I’m looking forward to many happy days of stitching.  Blessings to all!