This is my latest cross stitch finish. It is the January cottage from Country Cottage designs. It is done on a 32 count belfast natural linen. It was easy to do, took about 5 days of actual stitching.

It is part of a series of cottage designs that will come out monthly. I am going to do all twelve and rotate them in and out of the same frame monthly. I have two other designs, one finished and one not, that are going to be grouped with this one. Finished is 4 birds, one for each season. The other 4 (just started) are alphabets done for each season. Both designs will be rotated seasonally.

Did a 16 mile bike ride with husband, Jerry, the other day.. It was on a walking, running and cycling path by a dry wash. A lot of straight stretches with some hilly places where the path goes underneath an overpass. It was a crispy cool day, great cylcling weather. I really enjoyed myself. Can not wait to go again. I am really enjoying riding!! I am quite a site in spandex. Maybe one day I will post a picture of that, but not today.

Keep well,
Yours in stitching,
Adria

Dinner!

Had hanukkah dinner with son and his girlfriend tonight! Everything turned out great. I always make too much food, but he will take home the leftovers. We always enjoy spending time with our kids. If you ask me what I want as a present, I always say "just time with my kids, that is all I need."

Birthday and friends

I just celebrated a milestone birthday.  It was the best ever.

I spent the day doing the things I love.  I watched my husband play in a tennis match.  Went to the gym to work out.  Got a flu shot (finally) and a shingles vaccination shot and then went home and did some cross stitching.  I prepared some projects by wrapping threads, cutting fabric and stitching around the perimeter to prevent them from fraying.  At night we watched two of my favorite movies, Love Actually and the new version of Pride and Prejudice (my most favorite love story ever!!).



 My girlfriends took me out to a great birthday dinner last night.  On my plate there was a beautiful bouquet of yellow and pink roses.  When I opened the fabulous card I was overwhelmed by the sentiment and the generosity of the gift.  I have taken up road cycling (with spandex & all).  The gift certificate was for a local cycling shop and will be put to good use.  Thank you my dear friends: Ginger, Lisa, Cathy, Irene, Sherrie, Nancy, Terri, Deena and Emlee.  You will never know how much I appreciate your friendship and love.  Thank you all so very much!!

I am waiting for my January cottage pattern to come in from ABC Stitch.  It should be here today or tomorrow.  I have already prepared my fabric.  Can't wait to start!  I am part of the SAL for these patterns from Country Cottage designs which will come out monthly.  Some of the 100 or so participants are doing them on one piece of fabric, while me and others are doing them individually to put in a frame and will change them out monthly.  I am doing it on a Belfast 32 count natural linen.  It is a light brown color with darker flecks in it.  It should look beautiful.  Will post pictures of the finished project.

Yours in stitching and life,
Adria