~ Greetings and Warm Welcome to you, my friends! ~
I have been missing in action again....
everywhere. No videos, no blog posts...I do sometimes post on IG and FB, however I'm rethinking that avenue of posting as social media is just a bunch of negativity. We will see, what I decide. Many, many times I have thought over about pulling the plug on all of this, blog, videos, tutorials, social media, just delete and quietly leave. It's been on my heart for a long time. However, when I pray about it, I always get this feeling in my heart that God intends me to stay, be a light and not hide under a bushel basket. The world needs some light, does it not?
OK enough of gloom and doom....
I have had a very active and exciting summer!
First things first. I have NOT finished Santa of the Forest....
...SAD FACE...
I have not really even truly - day after day - stitched like I have done for most of my life. I don't know what is wrong with me. I think it's burnout. I don't really have much time for myself, and even though I intend to do less work each year - it seems that I might do SOME less, but really I'm still doing a lot.
Here is where Santa of the Forest stands as of today: September 29, 2023 (I have not stitched on it at all since August 16....ho hum!)
As a reminder or for those interested, I'm stitching him on 28 count raw Zweigart Linen 2/2 DMC and Kreinik Gold
That's really not very much left to do....
and I have resolved to pick him up again this evening, after I've written this blog post!
So maybe, possibly there might be a little progress on him the next time I swing in.
Again, time will tell.
I have stitched a couple of ornaments lately....
I tried my hand at a painted Needlepoint canvas:
Then I finished it:
I used a black ribbon because:
a.) matching the two color of reds that are in the ornament to a ribbon wasn't working out.
b.) Black is in the ornament but not a major part of the color scheme
I thought black would be dynamic personally.
I stitched up a couple of Mill Hill Santa Faces on is from Series I and the other from Series II, these I have not fully finished yet.
Besides an endless stream of finishing that I can't seem to get to the end of....the summer was enjoyed with my family. We went on a family vacation with Ellie and Jake to Colorado!
What a spectacular time we had. I have thousands of photos here is just a sampling of where we went and what we did:
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
ESTES PARK
~ we tried Rocky Mountain Oysters (bull's testicles) - the photo shows what we thought (mine is absent but I was a thumbs down).
THE STANLEY HOTEL
After 1 week in RMNP and ESTES PARK, we drove around the state for another week, we arrived first at: Montrose, CO and went to the BLACK CANYON OF GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK:
DROVE THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY to MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Mesa Verde is a night sky park so we went and observed the Milky Way one night:
Then we drove to THE GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK:
Then on to MOUNT EVANS:
AND PIKES PEAK:
Two beautiful weeks PACKED with pure natural beauty in God's great world! I believe that this vacation was the BEST vacation I have ever been on. Probably the most exhausting vacation because we hiked several miles each day, but the most beautiful and most lovely time ever!
Got back home and I worked my fingers to the bone finishing for 4 weeks and then I traveled to my favorite place on earth, ST. AUGUSTINE! My mother wanted to go visit my nephew - who is a new freshman at Embry Riddle University, studying to be a pilot. I drove her.
Here was our condominium. I have never stayed here - it is Ocean Gallery, right on the beach. It was very nice and we had a grand time!
Scenes from around town and the beach that I love:
.
.
Nombre de Dios Mission and Shrine of Our Lady of Leche:
And the most picturesque street in all of St. Augustine: Magnolia Avenue, with the arch of trees all the way down the street with hanging Spanish Moss....LOVE this view and always love going to see it each time I visit.
This was my 20th time in St. Augustine, Florida. And....we will be going as a family next MAY again! Can't wait....
it was nice travelling with my Mom, but vacation is just not the same with out my family.
Well, time is a wasting...I'd like to start stitching on Santa with my feet up. Katie just swung by to tell me our church's rummage sale - which she took a truck load of stuff to donate to the effort - WAS worth going to as it had TONS of Longaberger Baskets.....one of the things I collect (ha ha ha....!) SO I will be getting up early in the morning to go with her to get there in time to get THE best baskets! HA!
Thank you so much for hanging with me during these long absences. I will be better, as I'm thinking that my Blog may be the only way I will be sharing for awhile, and I truly love to share.
Until next time my friends....
keep stitching - and maybe send me some of your stitching mojo as mine seems to be missing...first time in 40 years I have had this dry of a spell in the stitching department.
All my love and a million blessings to you all,
Vonna xxxx
I post on IG sometimes but I'm not really a fan, too many adverts and people who have seemingly perfect lives, gave up on FB for the same reason, only in a couple of groups and that's it. Blogging isn't as popular as it was a few years ago but I still find it the most enjoyable way to share things, It's a shame that so many people jumped ship, I guess people want something that doesn't require the effort that writing a blog post requires.
ReplyDeletePlease don't pull the plug on us completely...some of us need your bright light. I understand your discouragement with social media in general though - I gave up FB several years ago. I still have an account for the rare occasions I post on Marketplace or someone tells me I need to look at something. I do do IG...but am newish to that community and limit it to mostly stitching. Blogging has been something that has always called me back as the relationships seem to be more substantive and, therefore, more enduring. No doubt you have not done much stitching with all of your busy-ness. Santa and your ornaments look amazing and I've heard Santa is a very patient fellow. ;-) ~Robin~
ReplyDeleteHappy Autumn Vonna ! I always enjoy your blog and all that you share. Your vacation pictures are gorgeous ! I love Longaberger Baskets, I hope you find some treasures at the church rummage sale. Your stitching will be ready when you find your mojo again. Sending blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteVonna, I loved revisiting the photos on today's post that you had shared on IG. I am glad your vacation to the west was amazing. Your trip to St. Augustine sounded lovely. Hope you score some of those beautiful baskets at the rummage sale. I hope you don't pull the plug altogether because you are a light and this stitching community would definitely be dimmer. Thinking of you, dear Vonna!
ReplyDeleteEven if you don't post much, please don't pull the plug on your blog. Many of us rely on your finishing tutorials for our projects. I hope you finish that gorgeous Santa in the Forest. I have been working on Mill Hill Santas also. I like the finished project. Your ornaments are so pretty. So glad you enjoyed your travels with family. Sending some stitching mojo your way.
ReplyDeleteI truly hope you continue this blog. I am always happy to see a new entry. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteHello Vonna: It warms my heart to see a post from you, I have missed you as many of us have.
ReplyDeleteLovely vacation photos, everyone looks so happy.
I would never try the oysters, ewwww, it's a guy thing Mike would eat them.
I do not do facebook or any other social media, blogging is what I like best easier to manage.
I am looking forward to seeing the progress and finish on Santa, we all have had a time where we have a bit of a stitching slump, your Mill Hill Santas are adorable.
The needlepoint design is stunning, your finishing is perfect.
God has us in his sights at all times, he only gives us as much as we can handle, he love us with all his heart.
Gods Blessings to you and your family.
Catherine
I really enjoyed seeing your daily IG posts of your trips. In terms of the negative comments, it must be difficult to focus on the positive when you have a negative comment. I hope you don't dwell on them and let that shift your mindset for the day!
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in Colorado, what wonderful memories your great pictures evoked, Vonna. Please complete that Santa masterpiece... he is quite
ReplyDeletea praiseworthy feat. As for the snarky individual that doesn't care for
Santas, the old suggestion, "take it from where it comes" would be befitting in this instance... whomever does not sound like a happy camper nor one near big enough to shed the light and joy you do.
Sarah Cannon, our dear friend, Minnie Pearl, once shared with me her
Dad's lifetime admonition to, "always be kind".... I have tried to take
that lesson to heart always. Just keep spreading your particular
grace and love, Vonna dear, and stay among us through your blog
to continue a very special corner of our world.
I am still working on the Head of Christ that you inspired. Going so
slowly and I will never catch up to your multiples of it...Blessings.
Mary
inspired. As for that snarky in
I was very happy to see your post. I got it a bit late, but that was probably my fault. I've been having trouble getting blog posts, and seeing yours makes me hope that the problems are finally sorted out.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will continue to drop in from time to time. I enjoy your stitching. It makes me envious at times because you do so much more than I can accomplish these days. But, most of the time, I revel in your work.
I enjoyed your vacation photos. They brought back some wonderful memories of the time what my husband and I made a very similar trip.
I am currently finishing up a fire truck, and plan to stitch The Virginia Sampler next.
I've checked just about every day for a new post from you; so glad to see you post again. I want to believe that God is saying not to remove your tutorials as they are such a blessing to so many of us. And your work is a gift from God!
ReplyDeleteSocial media is so mean. Someone told me I was toxic because my comment was not in line with worldy values. Good grief; can't we keep negativity to ourselves. Keep on with your good work, Vonna. Your stitching and blog posts are a joy. I've followed you for years!
Vonna, You are so giving and loving...we cannot do without you! Please, please, please stay in touch and blogging and keeping all that you do available to all of us and many who are just discovering your work! Prayers for YOU each and ever day!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family the most wonderful Christmas ever! Hoping you have time for all of us who love you dearly! Rest and relax after the bustling time of holiday giving! Pack it away and begin the new year with time just for yourself my dear, sweet Vonna! Love to you!
ReplyDelete