It's been a few months since I last posted

Due to my mom's death in February I haven't felt much of an urge to stitch recently. However, lately I find I have been thinking about cross-stitching now and again, and I even ordered some long-desired patterns from 123stitch.com last week to try to tempt myself into picking up a needle. I don't know when I will start something, but you can be sure I'll post about it when I do.

And I have some good news to share, this month I became a great-auntie for the first time. :) Meet my nephew and niece-in-law's baby Natalie.

Dear friends

My elderly mother became ill and passed away earlier this month. I just haven't had the heart to do any stitching for ages. I hope to take it up again later, but for right now a break is probably the best thing for me. My best to you all.

The never-ending story

My progress on the Mary Wigham sampler has been very slow, I just haven't had much time to stitch, or when I did my hands would not cooperate. Ah, the joys of getting older! lol I knew that this would be a lengthy on-going project when I started it, but I had no idea that I would still be working it after all these many months. Long ago I had to abandon my original (and what I thought quite achievable) goal of stitching just one motif of the chart each weekend, and merely fit in stitching on it when I can. But I decided to no longer obsess over getting this sampler finished by any self-imposed arbitrary deadline. I am still quite appreciative that Needleprint.com offered this chart online for free, I only wish that the time I spend working it could equal their generosity.

Tiny treasures

Bought myself a teensy present at the crafts store this weekend: four gold-plated DMC embroidery needles. I've always wanted to try this kind of needle and since they were on sale for $1.99 it seemed a cheap treat. :) They are supposed to "slide easily through fabric and be more resistant to rust", so I shall see if this is, in fact, true. :)