Don't forget Summer Knit on Monday, August 7th...

 In searching for new summer related projects to stitch I came across a gem somewhat hidden on the rack and it became my next stitch.  The chart is called "Nautical Mittens" and it's from Frony Ritter Designs and the chart retails for $5.00.  

These are the 6th sets of mittens Frony Ritter has published but the first ones I've seen for some reason.   I started stitching the sandcastle first. Several of the other mittens are Christmas related, but I've got Sara ordering some of those.  Stitched on 14 ct. Plastic Perforated Paper (the shop is on a never ending list of back orders which includes white PP)...anyway, the plastic works as well, in fact a little better since it does bend or tear.  Don't forget you can also use Aida or linen.  Anyway, since I stitch many hours a day I can finish stitching 1 mitten/day.  Winner, Winner!  But seriously these are really well designed and cute as a button because of the finished size of them.  They are approximately 1-1/2" wide and 2" high (not counting the white 1/8" ribbon which I cut a 5" piece and glued it to the back of the ornament and covered with navy scrapbook paper.  Because of their small size I decided to stitch them all. Seriously cute for your summer tree.  Can't wait to get some Christmas mittens.  

So now that I've finished this project I have to find another summer project.   I know just what I'm going to stitch.  New designer for the shop, Serenita di campagna and the piece is called  "Giochi

d'Estate"  Beautifully done summer scenes.  Below is a picture of it

It's so hard to believe July is almost over.  When I lived in O.C. the summer felt like it was a year long, and today I realized we have only one more month before it's over.  Of course with the heat, well let's just say I don't do well in heat and humidity, so I'm really looking forward to fall.     I hate to even go outside now.  I also love the fall designs so come on fall!  

On the home front Solomon, one of my grandsons, is working with me this summer in hopes I'll get the house completely furnished, pictures hung, boxes, emptied and yesterday we measured the room that will become my stitching room, so I've ordered a desk.  Once that gets in place I'm assuming the rest will fall in line, I'll get all the boxes out of the 2nd guest room and get it finished.  The desk is due to arrive on Thursday, so hopefully Solomon will be able to accomplish that next week since this week he's only working Tuesday and Wednesday.  Thursday he goes to get his learners permit, so that's exciting for him.  Anyway, we spent a couple of hours hanging pictures today.  Up until today the walls were bare.  It's so exciting to have something on some of the walls, and one brought back so many memories of events gone by.  In 2012-2013,  73 stitchers worked on a Blue Ribbon piece for Sara, Mary and me and I am the one who took it with me to hang.  I remember the day or night I should say, they presented it to us at Jamboree and how shocked I was to receive such a fantastic and gorgeous gift.  The remarkable part is not only that they gifted it, but how many people worked on it.  73 stitchers stitched part of this sampler, Quilted Garden, and not while they were all together at an event, but it had to be mailed around to everyone.  One wonders how they accomplished this and get it framed beautifully and presented to me in time for Jamboree.  But ladies it's hanging in my kitchen/dining room so I can look at it while I'm relaxing over a meal and marvel at the fact that 73 stitchers pulled this off without  the three of us finding out.  I've also hung the 70th birthday gift which was matted with the signatures of everyone that attended the event that year.  I have such wonderful memories of my times with the stitchers.  So again, thank you for making my day all over again.  I loved them then and I love them even more now.  

The desk arrived a day early so Solomon decided he would haul all the parts upstairs himself and start the construction.  Haven't heard a word from him since, except he did come down for a soda and had a smile on his face and said it's cool he can do it.  Fingers crossed although I know he can't finish it today but at least he knows what he's going to be doing next week.  This week we took over 2 cartons as donations to the Methodist church, made 2 trips to recycling as well as cleaned out the utility room so I can actually use the fabulous work bench that Bud had in there.  We got several bins out of the garage along with the boxes of samplers to be hung.  Although I know there are more because I haven't found my grandmother's yet.  So it's a slow roll, since I've lived here since last October, and the movers brought the rest of my stuff in April, but I'm O.K. with that.  I'm enjoying every moment but now with my stitched pictures, etc. being put up it looks so much more like a home.  And best of all, Solomon is a joy to have here and we are getting so much time together now.  His parents trained him well so he's polite and respectful....yes a joy!

I've got to get back to stitching so I'll end here.  Have a great week and hope to see you at Summer Knit on Monday, August 7th.  I missed Stitch 'n Bitch on Thursday as 2 men arrived at my door as I was getting my stuff together to leave and when I asked if I could help them they informed me they were here to put the new unit in my summer room so I now have better a/c (the portable unit didn't cool enough) and it also gives me heat in the winter.  Yea!!!  I've been sitting out there during the 94 degree days perfectly comfortable.  Win, Win!

Talk to you soon.