July's Delphinium

 Hi friends! I have a finish to share with you. 🐞July's Delphinium🍉by Cottage Garden Samplings.

I stitched this one over two on 40ct lambswool linen with DMC, and VMSS. I changed the colors of the lettering a bit. 

I am making flat finishes out of all twelve months and mounting them with a magnet to this finishing piece I got from Hobby Lobby.

🌞🍉🌞🍉🌞🍉🌞🍉🌞🍉🌞

I am now stitching up one of Melisa's charts for the cubby shelf. 😁

 I came across a hand embroidery chart in my craft bin last week that I have had for years. I have come to realize that I am never going to do this! It has never been opened. 

I am offering this as a giveaway. This is open to any of my sidebar followers around the world. Just mention it in your comment that you would like the embroidery pattern. I will draw the name of a winner on Monday, August 5th.

📚This is the second book in the Mitten State Mystery series. I read the first one because the cover featured cross stitch, as this one does also! VERY misleading. I figured that out with the first book! Isabel is not a cross stitcher. She is a knitter! That being said, I do still like the series. They are cozy mysteries. Isabel is a charming character, very likable and smart. She has now gotten her private investigator's license. I especially like these books, because they take place in Michigan on the coast of Lake Michigan and constantly refer to Wisconsin. I find it funny that the "bad guys" come from Wisconsin and very often, Milwaukee! HA! Love it  when I recognize places and buildings and boats and things. 

Our Emerson is part of the local Leiderkranz, a German singing society that is just for men. He will take part this Sunday in the mostly German spoken Mass at Germanfest down at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee, where over 120 people from different singing groups will perform during the Mass. Every other year, there is a Catholic Mass or a Lutheran Service. (Emerson is Lutheran.) Emerson has been studying the German language for several years now. He also attends a local Lutheran church once a month that has a German Service. His interest in German would be his heritage. Brian is 100% German and I am 25%. If you care to, you can check it out here: 🥨 That is a wonderful benefit of living so close to downtown Milwaukee. All of the many, many festivals every, single year! Love it! And concerts I went to when I was much, much younger with my girlfriends. Good times.

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.  John 9:31

I decided to test out my lungs, and walk on the treadmill yesterday WITHOUT using the albuterol inhaler first. It works! I do feel just slightly out of breath afterwards now, but not the tightness in my chest I had a few weeks ago and much more out of breath. AND I can walk back at my usual pace and 15 minutes at a time again. My cough is decreasing daily. I am still spitting up phlegm daily, but much, much less. 

I am so glad you stopped by today my friends! Your comments brighten my day. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I hope it is not too hot by you. It continues to be hot here. Not for me!

Stitching and praying,

Vickie

Snow Tree

 Hi friends! I finally took the time to do the finishing on Brian's Christmas ornament.

🎄Snow Tree from Christmas Tree Collection VI by JBW Designs. 🎄  I tried to finish it in the same way it is displayed on the cover of the pattern. 

I used Vonnna's tutorial on rusched ribbon and beading. I fear the ribbon got a bit away from me. 🥴 Well, next time it will be better. Good thing Brian loves whatever I make. Hey, I do not think it looks bad enough to redo! 

I stitched this with the called for threads, two over two on 28ct ivory linen. Thank you for this pattern Gracie!💗 The little angel charm is from you also!! 😁

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I am now stitching up my monthly pattern for July, July's Delphinium. So pretty!

 

📚 This was a great read my friends. As you know, I usually just read "real books" when I am on the treadmill, and this book was so good, it had me getting on the treadmill and staying on! That's a good thing!! 😉😄 This is an historical novel that is set in 1947 in Washington DC, with the main characters being a young, successful black business woman and a white Southern Senator. They are drawn to each other, and of course, well, interracial love is not exactly well accepted during these early days of the Civil Rights Movement. I am not going to give away any more my friends. I read an advanced copy of this book. The book just came out this month. Look for it! Angela writes clean books. We should support such authors.

I have gotten back on the treadmill daily. However, I suffer from shortness of breath and tightness in my chest after walking not even at the pace I used to (which is not that fast) and for only 15 minutes at a time. I went to see my primary care doctor. She said my lungs are clear, but gave me an albuterol inhaler to use before the treadmill now. It helps. I have to do it every time. And I walk 3 times a day. 😞 I am still coughing up phlegm all day, every day. I am to take Mucinex every day until this stops. She said COVID coughs with or without phlegm last 6 to 8 weeks usually. Ugh. We do not know if I will need the inhaler after that.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,

And saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Psalm 34:18

Yucky hot here. Near or above 90 daily. Hope you are managing to stay cool my friends.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a nice weekend! I appreciate your friendship!

Stitching and praying,

Vickie

Angel

 Hi friends! I have a finish to share with you.💖Et encore un petit ange💖 

This is a free pattern I have had printed off for 5 years from mamou.over-blog.net! It is a Christmas angel I have made up into an ornament for this Christmas for my Mom. She is simple and sweet and I think she is darling. 🥰 I think Mom will too. All supplies are from my stash. The backing fabric is from the late 80's. I stitched her two over two on antique white linen with 816 DMC.

I am now stitching up Brian's Christmas ornament. Are any of you working on Christmas stitching?

📚Over the past few months I have been reading all three of these fun, light reads. I hope the authors (Juneau Black is the pen name of two female authors from here in the Milwaukee area.) continue this series. I was going to label these as clean reads, but then the third book included several swear words. A wolf character, who appears only in that book, has a loose tongue. Hoping this does not happen again in a future book, as these are truly enjoyable books. You can see above, the author's note from the last book. I shared it with you since it gives you a great idea of what the books are about.

I went to urgent care today. Got tired of being short of breath. The doctor prescribed a cough medicine and an antibiotic. I have bronchitis. 😒Guess that explains why I cannot breath with with any light exercise at all. Feels like breathing through a wet sponge. 😟Hoping this will kick this COVID in the 🍑!!!

My brother Jon is on a LOT of medication, (he is diabetic) but seems to be managing his breathing at home alright now. He has to use a nebulizer to help administer the medication.

 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  James 1:12

Thank you for stopping by my friends. I hope the rest of this week is a nice one for you. Take care now.

Stitching and praying,

Vickie

A Couple Finishes

 Hi friends! This is Colonel Sammy a free pattern from Notforgotten Blog

💖🤍💙I am happy I got him done, if only a day after the Fourth, considering I am dragging a bit, and napping daily. I changed every floss shade on mine. I used DMC and stitched mine one over one on 28ct mystery blue and mounted it on this sweet miniature board I had in my stash from Hobby Lobby.

🐝💗June's Honeysuckle🐝💗by Cottage Garden Samplings. 

I fell very behind on getting this done during the month OF JUNE, but I am glad it is done now. I stitched this one over two on 40ct lambswool linen with DMC, and 'Gypsy' Artiste. I am making flat finishes out of all twelve months and mounting them with a magnet to this finishing piece I got from Hobby Lobby.

I am now stitching an angel for my Mom's Christmas ornament.

Brian, Madeleine, and I have all tested negative. We continue to have that nagging cough though. I still have fatigue. I am napping when my body tells me to, and taking it day by day.

The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

How are you my friends? Healthy I hope?

I hope you have a wonderful, new week. I am joining the land of the living once again this week. We went to church again on Sunday morning. Monday I once again go to my physical therapist. I have been seeing good 'ol Leigh for my back pain, but cancelled my appointments for two weeks because of COVID. AND I am finally getting into the PA of a pain doctor on Tuesday. I wish it were the actual doctor, not the PA, but I actual have seen this PA in the past, through a different doctor, so I am familiar with him and comfortable with him. I saw him for my migraines quite actually. Still neurology, but a different issue. 

Thank you for stopping by my friends! I appreciate your friendship.

Stitching and praying,

Vickie

Dragging Along

 Hi friends! July is up and running.

💖🤍💙🐩July Cubby Shelf Display Most of these are stitched over one.

💖🤍💙July Corner Shelf 💖🤍💙

⭐Grand Old Flag by Blackbird Designs⭐

Emerson went on vacation. He brought back three gifts. The first two were for his Mom. The last one was for all of us.

 Emerson and Brian have recovered. Madeleine and I are getting there. We continue to cough and are congested. I am battling fatigue. I have to take a nap daily.🤒😴😔Brian has not tested negative yet. Madeleine will return to work next week.

I am stitching a small patriotic piece. I would normally have had it done. COVID has altered my life for now.

 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1Peter 5:10

Thank you for stopping by friends. I hope and pray you never get this awful virus. 

Stitching and praying,

Vickie

Chessie & Me

 Hi friends! I do not have any finishes to share with you, as the monthly piece I am working on, is not finished. 😉 I did set it aside a few days ago in hopes I would get one more patriotic piece stitched up before the Fourth. I am not sure that is going to happen!

The winner for the Summer pattern Giveaway: is Marilyn! Marilyn I have emailed you. 💗 

I will have another pattern to giveaway next time for all of my friends around the world.

📚Daughters of the Occupation by Shelly Sanders.  If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. This is a dual timeline book inspired by events from the author's own familial history. Be sure to read the author's notes which explain about her own Nana's childhood and survival of an anti-Semitic pogrom.

📚🎧Francine Rivers is a new author to me, and my, she is a talented author! I could not get enough of this! There are two stories being told simultaneously, a story written with the past interwoven with the present. Both women are struggling in their marriages and both women turn to our Lord and Savior during the struggles and confrontations. The Scarlet Thread really makes you think about your marriage and how our own selfish nature can destroy it.

My brother Jonathan was out of the hospital for most of the week and ended up back in ER again. 😢 Jon had a heart monitor for the first two days this time while also being on oxygen for three days and receiving steroids for days. I am very concerned he is going to go home and once again have coughing fits that make him unable to breathe and drop his oxygen to dangerous levels.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

My friends, take care of yourselves, be mindful of your health and others. This nasty virus has hardly gone away, and it is hardly "just a cold or just a flu". I know everyone wants to just get on with their lives, but the virus could care less!

I am so glad you stopped by. I appreciate your support over these many years. Thank you. 💕💕💕

Stitching and praying,

Vickie