A start, a finish, a few more bottles and June's TUSAL

We survived what was left of Tropical Storm Andrea with about 2-1/2" of rain.  We didn't have any problems with flooding, but there were a number of trees around the county that came down due to the wet ground and wind.  We also seem to be surviving the cicada invasion - the rain the last couple of days kept the noise to a minimum but now that it has cleared off, they are back in full force.  In case you haven't seen them, I saw this wonderful specimen resting on the mailbox this morning:

We have another three to four weeks left in this cycle and then quiet again because of the number of cicadas singing at one time there is a constant, very loud hum coming from the woods. On a cuter side, the finches have started bringing their babies into the feeder station.  Although, they are only babies by age as most of them are the same size as their parents.  Our crow family has added two new members.  One of the youngsters has been trying, very determinedly, to pull a rose off the bush the last couple of days.  I am not sure what the attraction is but every time they come in it heads straight for that flower. 

Of course, none of that has anything to do with the blog title so I should probably get back on track.

My start is Wee Garden Gate from Heart in Hand Needleart.  I bought this back in the Dark Ages when it was first published back in 1998.


Wee Garden Gate by Heart in Hand Needleart
Stitched on 32-count Lambswool with DMC

I was able to start the gate because I finished Autumn Blackbird by Waxing Moon Designs.


Autumn Blackbird by Waxing Moon Designs
Stitched on 28-count Summer Sky Jobelan with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads

I was able to stitch a few more bottles on 99 this week.


99 by Ink Circles
Stitched on 32-count Golden Oak with DMC

And last, but not least, here is my June TUSAL.

If you're interested in the TUSAL, hop on over to Daffycat's blog for all the information and to join.