I enjoyed spending some time with you tonight. I havent been able to watch much lately since I have 3 grandkids under 4 that i keep often. Have you mentioned how you are doing healthwise? You are noticeably thinner and i hope it is by choice. ( i dropped 20 lbs with an autoimmune disease called Graves and i wouldnt wish that on anyone!) You look beautiful as always! Did you finish your autumn bell pull? It was so pretty. I also admire Tommy doing the AT. My nephew started but couldnt finish and he was in his 30s. So i know what an accomplishment that is! I wish i could go to the Garon retreat to meet you since i live in AL but we will be in Scotland.
Penny, so happy you were able to spend a little time with me through this video. I did finish my Autumn Bell Pull and fully finished it in time to display this past Fall. Thanks for the compliment on my appearance. The weight loss is by choice and I am healthier than I have been in years. Had a wake up call. Found out I was developing fluid around my heart and had an enlarged chamber in my heart due to the effort my heart was having to go through to pump my blood through all my weight. Cardiologist told me to lose the weight or he would have to drain the fluid. I started losing the weight with the help of a weight loss clinic. Now my chamber has reduced in size and the fluid has decreased around my heart. And a bonus is that my diabetes is in complete remission. All good things. Dena
Hi Dena love your new starts for your retreat and glad your hubby is home. I have been working on my Christmas in July projects and at the end of July I will send you pictures of my progress. Love seeing Cocoa and I know you and she are happy to have your hubby back home. Look forward to seeing more of your video's. Enjoy your retreat and have fun. Happy Stitching and be safe and kind. God bless Pat
Dena - I'm so glad Tommy's hike ended up working out. I think your Haunted Mansion turned out fabulous! Cocoa's summer do looks very beautiful on her; i'm sure she's enjoying it with as hot as it's been. Happy stitching! - TaMara
TaMara, it was a good hike in all and now that his buddy is more rested he is even considering hiking a little with Tommy again in September. However, I think his wife may weigh in on that. LOL. Cocoa is really enjoying her shorter hair cut with the heat. Even with that, she gets hot very quickly on walks so we go early in the morning and late in the evening which is confusing for her right now. Not what she was used to. LOL. Dena
I am so sorry you have to deal with the daily struggles of MS. I have a close friend who has it and she is a trooper. But she and her husband had to move away a few years ago to get to a climate that was good for her year round. Understand about the heat. Dena
You're too critical of yourself. Haunted Mansion turned out great!! If you hadn't told us about the trouble you were having, no one would've ever known, LOL!!!! 🙂
Hi Dena and Cocoa! As usual your stitching is great! I am still working on totem. Oh glad Tommy is fine and did his hike. Our friend did the AC trail a few yrs ago. He was almost finished and got lyme and ended up in hospital, then back to Canada a few yrs later he went and finished it. That’s what our friend did they brought their truck and truck camper and did that too.
Cindy, so sorry to hear your friend wound up with Lime's Disease. We had a scare last year when Tommy was afraid he had it, but thankfully, he did not. Hope you get a lot of progress on Totem this month. Dena
So lovely visiting with you while I do my morning stitching! ♥ Precious pup!! Gorgeous stitching!! Glad things worked out in the end for Tommy's hike! Now off for my morning walk on this gorgeous Nova Scotia morning. Take care Marion
Marion, enjoy your morning walk around the beautiful Nova Scotia this morning. Cocoa sends her greetings! Tommy was happy with his progress on the trail in the end and is thinking about returning in September to complete the last 70 miles he had wanted to get this year. I am preparing for my two retreats in July. I've packed for the first one and have set aside the items I will need to swap out for the second one. Whew! I will only have one evening to swap my clothes and my stitching as I will get home on a Sunday evening and leave out again on Monday morning. LOL. But I am excited about both retreats! Dena
Wow that was a scary situation for Tommy's friend and for Tommy. Glad he met up with some good people. Cocoa is so cute with her new cut.Haunted Mansion turned out awesome. You are too hard on yourself sometimes. Maybe its the way the beads were made. Hope you have fun at the retreats but I am sure you will. Happy stitching
Linda, thanks for the encouragement about Haunted Mansion. Now that I am farther away from the actual stitching of it, I like it a lot. Someone even commented that it is a haunted house and so the beads being a little wonky are appropriate. That made me feel a lot better. LOL. Dena
@@halfstitchcrossstitch2456 I agree with that person. I have a solution. Just send it to me and stitch another one.LOL just kidding but you did a great job.
We have a 2 yr. old mini golden doodle that looks just like Coco, but ours is a red color. And her "summer do" looks just the same as our Wynnie"s!!!!! They seem to have the same kind of disposition too. Glad Tommy is back home safe and sound, and I know Coco and you are too. Love to hear about your stitching and your retreats, wish I could go with you!!
Please give Wynnie's hugs from me and a hello from Cocoa! We both are very happy Tommy is back home safe and sound. He is now preparing to run the Peachtree 10K race on July 4th. This will be is 39th year. So he is running a bit each day. Happy Stitching this month! Dena
Oh my goodness Dena, I felt so bad for Tommy when you were telling about his hiking partner, knowing the man was not doing well and wondering if something would happen on the trail. Thank the Lord the man finally had the sense to call it quits. Glad Tommy was able to catch up on his journey. Good planning for your retreats! Take care!❤
You are definitely ready for stitching Christmas in July and the retreats you're going to. I'm a little behind on my planning for July but will be getting it together by the weekend. Coco looks beautiful. I'm so happy that Mr. Tommy was able to complete his hike. Maybe he can continue with another friend.
Kanday, so glad you are getting your July plans formalized this weekend. I had a great start today with a finish, a new start for my 25/7 SAL and stitched on my first Christmas project of the month. So happy stitching to you! Dena
Haunted Mansion looks beautiful. Love seeing all the projects you are working on. Starting my 1st Christmas in July project today which is my July ornament.
Iris, great that you got your first Christmas started today. I worked just over 100 stitches on my Snow and Mountains today. May put a little more it it as I have a Zoom call tonight. Happy Stitching! Dena
Your haunted mansion looks fabulous. It should be one of those fabulous houses in the series! Remember it’s a haunted house it’s supposed to look a little crooked and I think it’s perfect!
Thanks so much for the encouragement on Haunted Mansion. I have begun to like it more and more the farther I get from the stitching of it. LOL. I appreciate your saying it is supposed to look wonky. Dena
Lovely to see so much progress Dena, I love the way you are so organised with all your challenges. Its great to hear Tommu enjoyed his hiking and is home to his girls safe. Happy travels over the next few weeks xx
Thanks so much for the compliment on my organization. LOL. It is great to have Tommy back home. This month's stitching started off with a big finish so I'm excited! Dena
Beautiful bag. Now I want to sew a project bag. Coco is sooo happy. Great summer! Happy stitching (Its getting busy here. With summer activities, love it. But no idea when I watch again).
Thank you for sharing your plans and stitching. Cocoa looks so pretty. Dena I think Cocoa was telling you thank you for taking good care of her, and bringing her daddy back home. ❤Enjoy your retreats. Safe travels and happy stitching.
Linda, that is a sweet thought that Cocoa was thanking me for taking such good care and bringing her daddy home. Thanks for that. Today started off great so I am very excited about July stitching! Dena
Hi Dena. So nice to visit with you and Cocoa. Her new hair cut looks wonderful. I am glad you were able to find a new groomer. Your Haunted Mansion finish is beautiful. I have a couple Mill Hill Buttons and Beads in stash but have never gotten my courage up enough to stitch them. I am very happy Tommy had a good hike and is home safely. I do feel bad for his hiking buddy though. I wish you safe travels and lots of fun on your upcoming retreats. Take care.
Crystal, thanks so much for the compliment on Cocoa's new do! Don't be afraid of the Mill Hill kits, just remember either do them on the provided paper or 28 count fabric. You should be fine! Dena
Ohhh the haunted Mansion is absolutely gorgeous!! You are your own worst critic! It's so beautiful! I know it's disappointing because you had something in your mind of how you thought it should look but let me tell you, it looks absolutely beautiful! I would have thrown it in the garbage halfway through if I didn't like it so hats off to you for finishing it!
Kristine, thanks so very much for the kind words about Haunted Mansion. The longer I am away from stitching it, the more I like the finished project. LOL. Dena
Hi Dena , great stitching love to see all your progress. I'm chipping away on mine. I also have Shakespeare fairies and love to start soon. Take care ❤
Yvonne, I just made my working copy for Shakespear's Fairies so I will go up in a moment and get my first 25 stitches in it for my 25/7 SAL. Happy Stitching to you! Dena
Congratulations on Haunted mansion it’s more than fine a great achievement. Your hair cut is chic. Cocoa is so adorable. Love the swan the set is a must stitch. The drum is going to be fabulous I love the base fabric so suitable for the drum. Cannot wait to see the finished drums. Happy stitching
Neil, thanks so much for the congrats on my Haunted Mansion. Cocoa sends her love! I am very excited about the two drums I hope to stitch this month. Dena
Your Nativity piece is looking fantastic! Well done Tommy on his trail run! My sister just did one today and she is 83! Lol...not for me!!! Coco is so cute!
Hi Dena. Assumed your husband had gone hiking because you had to take Coco on all the walks. Know how you feel not announcing it. I am single and live alone. Very careful not say anything on social media when I am gone because it tells others the house is vacant. Look forward to jolly July stitching with you! Happy stitching!
Well, I am getting ready for retreat. I have packed my stitching bag and now am trying to decide what clothes to pack (I hear it will be very hot there). Happy Stitching. Dena
Oh look at that gorgeous puppy. We had a cocker spaniel many years ago and here in Zambia we have no professional groomers so poor Paddy usually looked like I had trimmed him with my teeth! But he never complained. Beautiful stitching and congratulations on Haunted Mansion. I have done a few Mill Hill kits but always on the perforated paper supplied - there’s way more stitching than you think! I am ready for Christmas in July stitching so tomorrow it’s all things red, green and gold! Thanks for sharing and happy stitching. x
Susan, I started out with just over 100 stitches in my Snow and Mountains for my BINGO board. I have a huge finish today (which will be in my upcoming video) and now am about to start my only non-Christmas piece due to it being in a SAL. Great start to the month. Dena
Fun video Dena, Glad your husband made it home.,Sad the his friend had to leave. Kind of a bummer for your husband good he persevered. We had primrose Cottage at Stitch West spring retreat here in Ogden Utah my “hometown area” ( sort of) They are Just a Great bunch of women. Kind and caring.I love a lot of there patterns. I started their Patriotic bigger pattern at the retreat. Take care and Enjoy 🌸💚🌸
MaryJo, we won't have Primrose Cottage folks in person at our Alabama retreat in July, but we will promote them as a focus designer. Them and Brenda Gervais (With Thy needle and thread) will both be highlighted. Hope you have a great time stitching on your Patriotic pattern during July. Dena
You've inspired me to pull out Bells On Christmas Day for 25/7 in July. Not Halloween after all! I've been busy with primitive hooked rugs. Glad Tommy kept up on his hike, he's awesome.
Thanks for sharing about your Bell on Christmas Day for 25/7 in July. Tommy had a great hike in the end and may go back in the Fall to finish the 70 miles he didn't get to complete due to all the delays with his hiking buddy in the beginning. It would be a short one week to 10 days and would include shorter days of hiking so I think he would really enjoy it. Happy Stitching in the month of July! Dena
Woo-hoo on your Haunted Mansion ❤❤ It turned out great! I really admire how you stuck with it until the finish. Looking forward to seeing your July stitches and your new 25 daily stitch progress 😊 I started my first HEAD in March, Beach Combers by Amy Stewart. Currently at 5%. Decided to push all my WIPS aside for monogamous stitching in July. Happy Stitching.
Jeannie, what a great plan to do a monogamous July (I guess you could call it Just One July! LOL. Will you be working on your Beach Combers for July? Dena
I enjoy your flosstubes and the little personable thoughts that seem to come so easily for you. One of these times,I’d love some tidbits about what you use and like in the way of stands and frames and what you like about them.
So glad he got to go and you were able to hold down the fort. Coco looks great. I think your haunted Mansion looks awesome. I hope you will be able to put it up so you can enjoy looking at it. I like Prim rose patterns too. Just discovered them in the last year. They have a live every Thurs morning. I am working so I watch it when I get home. Enjoy your retreats!
Kathyn, appreciate so much the compliments on Haunted Mansion and on Cocoa's new haircut. Now, I am preparing for retreats! Have a great month of July. Dena
I loved seeing Haunted Mansion. I think you did a super job with all of the "edits". Question, will you continue to do the Mill Hill Bead kits on fabric or will you just use the included perferated paper? I have to tell you that the segments that you show Cocoa and talk about Cocoa are very special to me. We lost our beloved Golden in December and we still are not fully recovered. In our 46 years of marriage it was our 4th pet that we had to say goodbye too. I don't think we'll ever have another. I just don't think I have it in me to say goodbye again. I know you understand that our pets are family members saying goodbye is so difficult. Thanks again for sharing and please know that it touches many people as you do too.
I am so sorry to hear about your Golden and it doesn't surprise me that you are not fully recovered. My hubby and I had decided no more pets after the one just prior to Cocoa (we had Riblet for 14 years). After 5 years my hubby decided I might need some company when he was going on his l long hikes. We discussed it and decided to get Cocoa. Now she is such a huge part of our life, but we have already said that when it is her time to leave us, we will not get another. Like you, they become our family. I am happy that you enjoy seeing and hearing about Cocoa. We just celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary, so we've been married longer than we were single for sure. LOL. Dena
I just love your Flosstube. I look forward to seeing u and coco. You do beautiful work! good for you that you don’t announce when your husband’s not there. Be safe always and you’re haunted mansion. Looks fantastic!
Thank you so much for the compliment on my Haunted Mansion! I really do try to be as safe as possible always, but especially when my hubby is gone hiking. Happy Stitching to you for the upcoming month of July! Dena
Hi Dena...Cocoa looks so sweet with her new hair do...the MH Haunted Mansion looks great...the wonkie beads adds to the haunted look...great job...wishing you and Tommy a beautiful July 4th...hope Cocoa's ears are not in danger...safe travels...your itinerary sounds great❤❤
Loretta, it is all good for Cocoa on the July 4th holiday as she actually loves to sit and watch the fireworks with us. She is not fearful of the noise at all. Dena
Hello Dena! That’s a great tote bag, I bet that was fun to have a “group crafting”! I will be doing “Christmas in July” again this year & have already chosen what I plan to work on. Take care.❤
Dena - That tote bag is amazing; I love all the space it gives you for holding projects and all the pockets to hold your necessities. I had to laugh when you mentioned that you needed to take Cocoa for a walk; as soon as you said that W word, Buster's head popped up from where he was sleeping on the bed in my office. I had to tell him that HE was not going for one right now. Happy stitching! - TaMara
TaMara, ohhhh, I will have to be careful not to say the W word in front of Buster either! LOL. Thanks so much for the compliment on my tote bag. Happy Stitching to you as well. Dena
Wow, all that stitching wonderful.l love seeing the progress on all projects but especially the larger projects such as nativity and by the bay. I have more larger projects which I have learnt through watching flosstube and yourself to vary and that has really helped me over the last couple of years. I am going to continue stitching on my polar plunge projects along with A Celtic Christmas. Until next time xxx
Sharon, I am thinking I may pick back up my By the Bay piece today and make some more progress on it. It is so close now to a finish I am feeling the itch to keep working on it until it is done. Who knows.....Dena
Fabulous video today. Your son and yourself should both be proud of yourselves on the weight loss, it’s not easy. JT looks so well and so glad he’s settling into new area. X
Sharon, we are very happy. JT told me this morning he is now down to 189 and is still trying to lose a little down to 175 or so. I am so very happy for him. Dena
Hi Dena! Your weekend at home w friends sounds perfect & your bag is gorgeous !! Thanks for shouting out my idea of the Christmas in July & Patriotic Stitching .. cant wait for July! Actually I started already decided not to wait. I started Christmas Rules this past week on my younger sister's birthday. She had passed from cancer 2 years ago & Christmas was her favorite holiday. So I decided to start early in her honor & have almost finished the 2nd section. I'll move to one of my Christmas WIPs this weekend that I havent picked up for awhile. Looking forward to my July stitching for sure & off to a good start. Hope your stitching plans go well also! Happy Anniversary & Happy Stitching! 😊
We must be so similar! I started three new starts yesterday, all Christmas projects, to take with me to my retreats. Needed some smalls to take. They were on my list for July to start them at the retreats, then I decided it would be easier to start them ahead and be able to pick them up and count off of where I get to with the new start here. LOL. Just can't wait! Dena
