Gifted Gorgeousness

*sigh* my planned day off yesterday turned into about two hours.  Because of the uncertainty of another shutdown, we were scrambling to finish a couple of big projects before the end of the day yesterday.  Fortunately, it turned out to not be necessary and we're done worrying about funding until September 30th.  And those two projects are done and dusted, but WHEW! it was some work.  I was able to get out and get my out-of-the-house errands done during the two hours, so that I don't have to worry about going out in the lovely wintery-mix that's been going on all day.  Right now it's sleeting, a few minutes ago it was snowing and I can see blue sky off in the distance.

While doing everything else today, I'm also participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count.  Easy and fun, you don't have to just sit and stare at birds, if you see one while you're out and about you can log it.  Mom had four roughed grouse make an appearance for the count - I don't have anything as neat as that, but the regular ol' "background" birds need counting too.  If you're interested, the count runs through tomorrow, click on the link and register.

Yaaaaa, I've made a SAL check-in!  Yesterday was the official check-in day for .  Jo at Serendipitous Stitching hosts the SAL as a way for us to thank all the people that have given us stitching gifts (what better way to say "thank you" than to use them) or to show things we're stitching for gifts or anything else we can fit into the general theme of the SAL.  I have one stitching project and one yarn project.  The stitching project is Nephew Jack's birth sampler.  It's a Dimensions kit called the Savannah Birth Record.  I did switch out the fabric for a piece of 28-count Cashel from my stash but otherwise it's as kitted.  Right now it's here:

My non-stitching piece is a crocheted hat for DSon.  I've been working on it off and on and am about ready to start the ribbing.

It's a horrible picture, but it looks like a hat.  The bobby pin hanging down there in the center is my fancy stitch marker/holder (not as fancy as a lot I've seen but much cheaper and I don't worry if I lose one).

No other stitching to show.  I'm still doing lots of card planning - I may take tomorrow morning and do some test cards so I can get rid of the scribbley drawings - and I bought some paint so I can give the dot mandalas a try.  I've also jumped on the 2016 bandwagon and have pulled the yarns together to do a crocheted temperature throw.  If nothing else I'll get lots of practice changing yarn colors.

And last, but definitely not least, a Jack photo:

He is, so far, a very happy, contented baby.  I just wish folks thought my chunky thighs were as cute as his. 

February (hopefully not my only post this month)

I'm back to work after the furlough, and as I suspected, doing two plus jobs at the same time is exhausting - mentally and physically.  I've done a little bit of crocheting and have everything but the final details of this year's Christmas cards done.  I've also come up with some ideas for future cards, that I need to put together before I lose my idea sheet (or buy a bound notebook so I stop drawing them on bits of random paper), so I guess lots going on but the thing that's been taking most of my free time?  I have become completely fascinated with watching people make dot mandalas.  I'm sure I'll jump in and try it someday but right now, I'm just watching (fortunately I can watch while stitching).

The brightest spot right now? If you've been reading for the last few months, you already know it's  Jack.  He's two months old now!  Here he is celebrating:

I'll be heading back up to Michigan in about a month for his christening and can't wait to see him (and the rest of the family too).

All of my stitching has been Jack related too.  Here's where I am on his birth sampler:

Three more animals and a ton of back-stitching and this will be done.  I need to see if they want it framed or made into a pillow or wall hanging or...

Once the sampler is finished I can start his stocking.  Here's the stocking DNiece picked:

It's needlepoint done with wool and embroidery floss.  Fortunately, it's a kit so I don't have to hunt down anything except the backing fabric.  The kit came with felt for backing, but I don't think that will be sturdy enough, so will go looking in the near future.  I saw a navy with snowflakes and swirls a little bit back that I think will be perfect.

Next weekend is a holiday weekend (President's Day) so I've taken Friday off so I'll have a 4-day weekend!  Having just come off a 36 day furlough, I'm not sure why that sounds so great, but I'm looking forward to it.