Counting Bits of Joy

Now is the time to begin thinking of Christmas. Let's start by packing away the Fall and Halloween. Sad, these things aren't out a little longer. That being said...here is an example of a "quick" finish for a Halloween stitching project. The pillow was made in such a way that the pillow form can be removed from the "sham" and used for another season. When unsure of a final finish, try pressing under raw edges and using glass headed pins to hold the stitching on top of the pillow. This small Christmas sampler is in a frame which is also used for Spring and Summer stitching. Perhaps it also could be used for a Fall project. With a little thought and math, one only has to change the count of the linen or "tweak" the pattern to reuse a lovely frame throughout the year. Let the Christmas decorating begin and count every blessing!

So much to be thankful for...family, friends, health and home...so much more. A favorite little sampler by Blackbird Designs. An added thank you to Alma for her critique of this blog and photo editing...all while preparing for a house full of "loved ones". Look around today and every day and count your many blessings. Ask for no great things, only small things with great love.

In the "Era of Woodstock", some of us named our unborn children even though we were not aware of there gender. Personally, "Baby Moonglow" felt right. Knowing "she" could not walk thru life as such, Angela Christine sounded nice. Arriving at the hospital at 1 a.m. and giving birth at 4 a.m. was frightening. Never having been in a hospital, who could think what was to come. But when the nurse handed me my child, reality set in. "Congratulations, you have a son". What? Son? No, I'm having a girl! The doctor jumps in and says, "No, you definitely have a boy". Angela Christine quickly changed to Chris Alan and tears were flowing with the realization I had never even held a baby and knew nothing about little boys! The first month was shaky but by Christmas we both were doing well. There is a reason to save everything...this ornament is hung on my tree every Christmas. Some day it will hang on the "little boy's" tree. My dad...

While pouring coffee early Saturday morning, there was a very strange noise at my front window. So strange, the coffee had to wait...and anyone who knows me knows COFFEE comes before speaking! Going to investigate, who should be setting at the window but Annie. And she says "Let me help". Robins? Wow, we thought for sure some one was trying to get in! The pyracantha bush (which looks like a tree) is full of lovely orange berries in the fall. Cool weather must be here...that's when the robins pick the bush clean. Just how can those robins be so loud? There's word of the "snow", surely it's too early. For me it's off for a cup of tea...let the weather be what it is.

"Lucy Redd Sampler" is a reproduction sampler by Homespun Elegance which was stitched many years ago. Back in the day when I thought it necessary to keep track of the time spent in stitching. Finally, giving up counting the many stitches, it was completed! It was in the late 80's or early 90's and one of my first samplers stitched on linen...why isn't there a date on it some where?! Many samplers later, it is a good idea to "hide" your initials and date some where with in the piece. Even though it's not my design, it will always be a favorite and gives me "joy". How does one take a photo of a framed piece with glass? Photography eludes me...back to stitching!

Of course, she wanted tacos for her birthday dinner So gracious opening presents "Birthdays are wonderful!" Ice cream birthday cakes are the best! Happy Birthday...hope to share many more...love you to the moon!

F irst F riday F un...where is the camera? F orgotten? No where in sight. F rantic! What to do? Continue to enjoy a F all day with a jewel of a f riend. F ound treasurers at Red Cedar Gardens, and f unky planter from The Summer's Garden and Steve Hess. A little good JuJu and sight seeing in the Historic West Bottoms of Kansas City. F ood from favorite Mexican restaurant...Manny's! More shopping and back to the car. Oh yea... FOUND ...the camera in the car, just where she said it would be! Thank goodness one of us had it together so you could see a little bit of a F antastic day... F lamingos...should have brought them home for a gift later. F abulous F airy Garden "F" Sixth letter of the English Alphabet...I like the letter "F".

I have been frantically tearing thru the house looking for my copy of "Thank You Sarah Tobias" by BlackBird Designs. And in doing so, I found so many sampler patterns and/or kits that I plan to stitch. I keep thinking I should weed out a few but how can I when I still love every one of them?! Plus, where will I hang more samplers? I counted that I have at least 75 framed samplers...most of which, I have stitched myself. Yes, there are several that were gifts. Not too many people truly appreciate a hand made gift, let alone a stitched sampler...thank you to those "special stitchers...you know who you are and I think of you and appreciate you even more when I see your hours of stitching. I'm not going to worry about more wall space but please, let there be more time!

I really hope to get back into my stitching and this is a little progress... I should mention along with being new to blogging, I also have a new camera. My "jewel" of a friend is giving me little tips, but I may be hopeless...she's the photographer! I believe tonight is a full moon...too bad it's cloudy. Now I'm glad I was up at 5am this morning...the moon was beautiful!!

Never would I have imagined creating a blog would take days. Not for lack of thoughts...oh no, deciding on a name! Who would have thought there are so many "Joys" in the world. But with perseverance and encouragement from my friend...thanks Sharyn, here I am. I wanted to share the many joys that i truly enjoy such as counted cross stitch samplers...thus the "counting". There is a little bit of joy in every one's day...one only has to open a greeting card to verify that. And with a fondness, I remember my dad calling me "little bit". Oh my gosh, did I some how hit on a name?! My hope is to pass on my delights of stitching, gardening, family and friends. I know I have a lot to learn in this new world of blogging and hope to learn quickly. There appears to be so many wonderful people in this world of blogging so I'm jumping in!