Calendar Poodle SAL

Monday, February 12, 2018

A Poodle A Month

Hi friends! A little different around here huh? I decided that after six years of the same look on my blog, I wanted a different look. Still pink though!😁 I mean, c'mon. I have not changed.What do you do think?

I have been thinking up a plan for a while now. I was hesitant to put it into action because it required some designing on my part. I do NOT think designing cross stitch is all that easy. I can think up ideas sure, but getting that idea all set up like a chart, um not so easy for me. I know there are free online charting programs. Since I have little, tiny charts planned I went the way I always do, the old school way, graph paper, pencil and eraser. Yep.

I have noticed for years that there are many varieties of cross stitch "calendar cats" available.  Um, hello? How about us dog lovers? I do believe Margaret Sherry has one. No one, and I mean no one has one that I want for the cubby shelf. A Monthly Poodle. Imagine that!😉

I am a bit behind. Here is the January poodle I came up with.
I stitched her on 32ct polka dot linen gifted to me by our friend Barbara. I used Anchor, DMC and Wisper for her pom pom. I stitched two over two and put in three little smyrna stitches in her hat.
White Wisper floss was used for the pom pom
The nose is a french knot in 3371
It is simple and sweet, says January to me, and I am happy.


I am back to stitching Pumpkin Farm from BBD. While I stitch that I will be thinking of an idea for my February poodle. tee hee!


All five of us saw Diary of Anne Frank, put on as a play by our local theater yesterday afternoon. I read this book as required reading in high school and again because I wanted to as an adult. Have you read this book? Our children never had. They were unfamiliar with Anne Frank. I am very glad we went and they know her story now also. Madeleine and I left crying. We were not the only ones in the theater. The performance was excellent! Have you ever seen this play?

I want to share with you a wonderful site I was just told about by my best friend Heather. It is a virtual tour of Anne Frank's House. There are so many wonderful stories and pictures there. I found the site fascinating! The link is HERE


I have been blessed. I have been blessed with the outpouring of love and support and prayers from you my friends. You have reached out to me with personal stories and your encouraging words. Thank you. Thank you so much for caring. I truly, truly appreciate you my friends. I have made so very many special friends. People who truly CARE and show it!! It feels good to have support as I prepare to have this cervical disk replacement next month.


I will be back soon with something else special that I have been working on. Until then, have a fantastic day my friends!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

39 comments:

Marilyn said...

The monthly Poodles will be so cute.
You are off to a good start already with January, it's too darn cute!
Marilyn

Annie said...

What an adorable poodle for January! Don't sell yourself short.. you've got the makings of designer in your blood!

Stasi said...

Your January poodle is precious...can't wait to see what else you come up with. I don't have designing software either, so when needed, I pull out the old scientific graph paper, pencil and eraser too!!!

Margaret said...

LOVE your January poodle! So cute! And it's so you! Thanks for that link to the Anne Frank house. I have read this book at least twice, like you. Also followed various stories about Anne's father in later life and stuff. I didn't know there was a play. Everyone should know about Anne's story. Continued prayers for you.

Clare-Aimetu said...

Loving the pink and your Poodle is so cute, great work

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh that little poodle is so sweet. I want to stitch him, too. Aww so cute. I think you did an outstanding job. I hope you do a monthly series, and if you do, then we all should have a little stitch along! I have you in my prayers sweet friend. Wishing you a most joyous day filled with many blessings. :)

Robin in Virginia said...

Your poodle piece is adorable and I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the other 12. I like the new look of your blog; your changes make it much easier to read. Continuing to pray for you, Vickie!

Parsley said...

Monthly dogs of any breed would be a fun stitch!

Tiffstitch said...

Great idea for your monthly poodles! Love January and hope you find a good idea for February. :)

Halland House Gifts said...

Great job in the poodle and new blog redesign, Vickie. Keeping you in prayer as you walk through your health journey. Judy

Purple Pixie Dust said...

I just watched the story of Anne Frank, what a horrible story but I now know what happened to her and her family. Never could read her book. Thanks for sharing that with me. I am sending you a hug prayer for your surgery and you don't worry all will be good. love

Linda said...

Your little poodle is adorable Vickie.

Linda

Carol said...

Oh, your poodle is adorable, Vickie--really!! I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the coming months!

I became obsessed with the Anne Frank story after my parents visited The Netherlands in the late 60s. I read the book repeatedly, saw the movies several times and saw the play. I've also read the book by Miep Gies called Anne Frank Remembered. I'm so glad you took your young adults to see the play--we must never forget...

Justine said...

I love your little poodle Vickie, you should organise a SAL with your monthly designs! I only read Anne Frank's diary fairly recently, it was so very sad to learn what had happened to her and her family. We must never forget.

Manuela said...

A wonderful new project. Your first poodle design and stitching looks great.
I didn't read the diary from Anne Frank, but I saw a film about her.
I like your new bloglayout.
Big Hugs, Manuela

Terri said...

I absolutely LOVE your pink poodle! It is SO cute!

I read The Diary of Anne Frank as a pre-teen and loved it! I may have to re-read it again, soon.

Barb said...

First off, that little poodle design is just delightful!! Now about Anne Frank. When I was in grad school in gifted ed, we had to do a project about a gifted person. I chose Anne Frank. It was a wonderful project to be involved in and I even got an A. The teacher said no one else had ever chosen her for the project. I felt honored to share her story with my class mates. I will be going to the site you mentioned. You are still in my prayers. I will keep you there until all is well again!

gracie said...

Like the monthly poodle idea. We are all keeping you in our thoughts for the surgery.

Jenny said...

Oh Vickie...

Your January poodle is the most adorable design ever! I absolutely love her! Oh yes my dear you have designing talents for sure! I can hardly wait to see what you design for February! This is going to be such fun! I am so proud of you.

I have always loved Anne Frank and the play sounds wonderful. I am so glad you enjoyed it! I would have left crying too.

I am praying every day for you my dear friend! I am praying this surgery will take away all your pain!

Sending hugs and love to you!

MartinaM said...

Hi Vickie
You're right, after 6 years you can change something, and it looks fantastic. Wow, your January Poodle did you a great job, he looks great.
Yes, I also read the book by Anne Frank, and on the last holiday we were in Bergen Belsen. the concentration camp where she died. That's really close. And I read Miep's book - what a bad time.
I wish you all the best and pray for you.
Big Hugs, Martina

butterfly said...

Love your new look blog , and the sweet little poodle is just so cute , well done Vickie.

Julie said...

So cute your January little pink poodle is, love the hat with the cute pompom! Well done... looking forward to seeing what you come up with for February .... pink hearts??
much love x

Carolien said...

Hello dear Vickie,

Your poodle design is very very cute. Did I say VERY cute? ;)
As a Dutch girl/woman ... yes of course I read the diaries of Anne Frank. Several times. It's part of our heritage, which is good. I visited the Anne Frank house when I was a child and we took our children to see it as well. Again Dutch heritage. Impressive and sad but that needs to be seen and remembered and honoured as well. Horrible, horrible wars ...

Take care, my friend, and have a good week.
Hugs, Carolien

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Your new blog layout is lovely Vickie,very easy on the eye.
What a pretty little poodle design you made,she is so sweet.I look forward to more of your designs :)

I read the Diary of Anne Frank when in 1973.It was the 29th printing of the original book.My book which is very fragile now has been read a number of times since.
I have not been to a concentration camp,our elder son has been to Auschwitz in Poland,an experience he cannot really put into words even though it was a decade ago.

Mary said...

Vickie, your poodle is darling!! How smart of you to design your own little poodles for your cubby! I can't wait to see February's design. I read Anne Frank's Diary in High School, I think it should be required reading. I'm glad you got to go out and enjoy yourself even though you and Madeline had a good cry. I'm praying for you that you have a good result with your surgery. Hugs, Mary

moreofhim said...

Oh, Vickie! Your poodle is adorable! I want to stitch one, too!! You are so talented!

Believe it or not, I have never read the story of Anne Frank. I have been seeing more and more about her and I think it's time for me to read her book. I love the site you shared - so inspiring!

I am praying for you, dear friend, that this surgery will go perfectly and will relieve you of all your pain. God is good and He is with you!

Blessings - Julie

Cindy's Stitching said...

The poodle is so cute.

diamondc said...

Hi Vickie: I love the new design to bits, the fabric is perfect and that little hat oh my what a sweet hat, so perfect.
I am praying that you are relieved of pain soon very soon.
Diary of Ann Franek is an amazing story, one that is not taught in schools much anymore.


Blessings
Catherine

Angela Tucker said...

Your January poodle is perfect. And pink!! Your calendar poodles will be fantastic. I have read the Diary of Ann Frank many times. A terrifying time to live.

I have marked March 15th on my calendar. I will hold you in my heart, Vickie. Hugs.

Brigitte said...

Oh my, Vickie, this little poodle is just darling. Awesome design and stitching you made. And the polka dot fabric is absolutely perfect for the little doggie. And a pink dress and hat, of course, lol.

Honeybee said...

That poodle is darling!

Beth said...

Like the look of your blog, and your poodle ornament is adorable!

Penny said...

A poodle a month -- what a cute idea! And your January poodle is adorable in pink! I can't wait to see February's poodle. : ) I've never read the Diary of Anne Frank but need to do that. Thank you for the link!

RJ said...

Your poodle is so sweet Vickie. I can't wait to see one each month. They are going to be so wonderful in your cubby. Thank you so much for the pattern. I have a friend that I must make one for. RJ

Ele said...

Your january poodle is adorable Vickie, well done!

FlashinScissors said...

Wow, Vickie! I especially love your January poodle, he’s so cute!
Well done, a great design!
Hugs,
Barbara xx

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

The January Poodle is so sweet, those years would look great all done in French Knots!

I am surprised that Anne Frank is not required reading in all schools. She was an incredible young woman for her time and reading her diary makes young people realise that the Holocaust happened to people just like them.

Stitching Noni said...

I love your January poodle! So cute!
I read Anne Frank at school also... and have read it again since. I really do think that schools should still get the kids to read her story... the bravery of that one girl was amazing. I haven't seen the play but I am so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Take care, and look after yourself
Hugs x

Lili said...

Your blog look is very pretty!
How great idea for the cubby shelf! Your poodle design is adorable!
Lovely finish! :)