Something about snowy days puts me in the mood to craft...perhaps because it is because I prefer observing snow from inside the warmth of my house. I am admittedly not a winter person but have really been trying this year to appreciate the beauty of winter.

As I type we have just had another snow move through and apparently there is more to follow tonight. It has been a very snowy February for the Hoosier State. It has given to some beautiful landscapes. Several morning we woke up to fog freeze glazing the trees like diamonds. Very pretty. But enough is enough...I am so ready for some sun and warmer weather.

As you can see my recent finishes are fall themed. Autumn is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors and the quietness of an autumn day. The Thanksgiving Sampler is a design by Frony Ritter from The Cross Stitcher magazine October 2009

I have put my first stitches on a new project. It is a freebie from DMC. I will be back when it is finished. In the meantime I hope you are surrounded by blessings and have been enjoying the beauty of the winter.

While we experienced some unseasonably warmer temps and rain over the weekend, we were quickly reminded here in Indiana that it is still indeed winter. It has been a very gloomy month and there is about an inch of snow on the ground. So it is proving good weather to craft and do one of my other favorite things...read.

Crafting first...I have been knitting on beanies for Covered with Love and since they look a lot like the ones I have posted before I didn't take pictures of them. I love knitting in the winter. Something about it it warms the soul.

I did finish the freebie from The Chocolate Cat that I was working on and am posting a picture. The chart is called Love Letters. Not decided yet as to how I am going to finish this one. Usually when I do a cross-stitch project I have a purpose in mind or someone I know I am giving it to, but this one I just stitched for the fun of it so am not sure what I am going to end up doing with it just yet.

I have been reading a book my kids' vocal coach loaned them called Tortured for Christ. It is writting by a pastor from Romania who preached Underground and suffered much at the hands of Communists. It has been a very insightful read thus far. A lot of self-examination with this one...How dedicated would I be as a Christian if faced with the things this man experienced? Would I be bold or would I cave if my life were on the line?

While I would love to say I would die for Him...would I really? Would I have the courage of my convictions to look down the barrel of a gun and refuse to deny Him? Would you? It is easy to say yes but I can't imagine being in that sort of situation, yet there are people even in our day and age find themselves in similar situations in various parts of the word.

It has been a hard book to read at times knowing the stories recounted are real. These things happened to real people not so very different from you and I. Sometimes as an American I can take my freedoms for granted. Lord forbid I ever get so comfortable in my "religion" that I forget there are many brothers and sisters that serve Him under persecution.

I started a new cross-stitch project this morning. It is a freebie from The Chocolate Cat. It won't take long to stitch up so I should be posting a pic soon.

Winter has arrived in Indiana and for some reason I am pulled more towards knitting when it is cold outside. So I have been working on some beanies for charity. There is just something warming about sitting on the sofa, watching tv, sipping a hot drink and knitting.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that everyone is getting a great start to the new year.

Don't faint....I am blogging two days in a row. You also probably should know this likely will never happen again. LOL Although I do promise to try to blog more often in the coming year.



Today I put my needle down and picked up my pencils and did a little sketching. I am not very good at drawing but I enjoy it. Here is what I sketched today.

Not so good at this blogging thing

I have had several finishes lately but have not gotten around to taking pics and posting until tonight. I am really going to try to do better at this. The first picture is one that I had shown in when it was a WIP. This is my Sun Bonnet Sue.

This is a pillow made for a very special little boy.

This is a set of pillows I made for myself.

The pattern was a freebie I found on the internet.

And a Mill Hill kit. A pin for a friend.

I just finished sewing up the pillows tonight so I have no WIPs right now. I am sure that will change very soon. I rarely go long without doing some sort of craft. Is everyone nearing completion on Christmas gifts and projects they are making?

I hope everyone is having a blessed and wonderful holiday season!

Wanted to post a lil brag. My son is getting ready to release his next CD. It is a Christmas CD and while I might be a bit biased I think it sounds beautiful. If you would like to take a listen you can hear sound clips by going to his website www.levimonk.com the clips will start playing automatically. Turn up your speakers and enjoy!