Well….I had a stitching finish, a first for the year!!
Started: 12-31-25
And finished: 01-17-2026
May I present:
“Joy”
By: Shakespeare’s Peddler - Teresa Venette
Mine is stitched on: 28 count Dirty Linen
2/2 using the Limited Edition Gentle Arts Threads that Teresa designed the piece using
Isn’t it pretty? It really hits all my bells for some reason.
It will be framed and I am taking it to the fair this summer.
If you know me, you know I stitch several things twice 😂
I have lots of kids so, extras are appreciated and given away.
I’m thinking about restitching this in more traditional colors, deepen the dark pink to red, keep the GAST parchment (ecru) color, keep the light pink (I think) trade the blue for a gold color.
We’ll see….
I’ve got a lot on my stitching list 😂
I started a couple sets of these darling “Night Before Christmas” felt ornaments by:
Larissa Holland
I’ve made these before, but they make really awesome gifts and I’d like a set on my tree.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do these and her directions….FANTASTIC!
I get the wool felt I use from:
of course its another rabbit hole - felt ornaments 😂
My little stinker is teething….she’s cutting her molars….so she’s not very happy.
I know they hurt her, so I have been giving her frozen blueberry “pops”
Here she is after having one, she gets stained blue and so far so has a footstool and thank heavens we have laminate floors because lots of blue juice has been getting on them… I’m the kind of granny that we have fun…they are little once so we play hard, make a mess and I clean up later. My house is a wreck with toys…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
For Christmas we do a dirty Santa with our kids, Keith and I.
This year the present I got was this Bones Coffee and the mug you see.
I’m forever on a diet, and may I just say these flavors REALLY help my sweet tooth.
I’m in love with them!
My favorite flavors are: Salty Caramel Mocha, Toffee Almond Crunch and Blueberry Pancake 😍
Today via email I was notified of Valentine Flavors, I’ll definitely be trying them!
Here’s a link to their website:
Lent is coming…
And I’ve been thinking about what I want to focus on.
I’ve never done the daily Examen, so I am going to try very hard to do this daily.
You can see more about it if interested at:
And I watch and/or listen to several priests each day. One of my favorite’s is:
Fr. Michael O’Connor who is Pastor at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in St. Louis Bay, MS
He has a podcast called Pod Apostle and Our Lady of the Gulf shares their daily Mass on YouTube as well.
I am a huge fan….so much so I asked Keith if we could go to St. Louis Bay, MS for our 30th Anniversary in April and just go to Mass every day.
He was dubious that would be a good anniversary trip 😂 but honestly I’d love to go and just go to mass and see in person Fr. Mike, look at the ocean and be with my husband alone. It’s not far from New Orleans as well.
Anyway, in a recent podcast Fr. Mike said for prayerful contemplation and meditation one should have a crucifix that you hold in your hands and just look at it and meditate/contemplate Jesus.
So I bought this beautiful one. It’s made by St. Joseph’s Studio.
I also watch/listen to Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, he is in the order of FranciscanFriars of the Renewal. He’s on Ascension, he has a fantastic podcast. He said just last week that for meditative contemplation it is helpful to have a beautiful piece of art on the face of Jesus….
Which got me thinking about stitching Jesus’s face a 4th time and this time keeping it for me.
I don’t have a picture of all of mine I’ve stitched but it is a Vervaco kit and looks like this:
It is so beautiful when completed.
And I love Him so much, I can never think of another gift better to give someone - just give them Jesus. I’ve framed 3 and given them all away.
Maybe this time I can stitch one and keep it ❤️
I think that my chatty database dump is complete now.
My baby is wanting to go outside (in this 20 Degree weather)
And swing 😫
We will do it for a few minutes then I’ll get her back inside.
She needs some Tylenol, I can tell by her mood her gums are hurting.
Have a really blessed day!
I LOVE seeing Miss Cora but sorry that her gums are hurting. Blueberry Pops are just the thing. You are a great Granny! Love the Joy cross stitch and would keep it up all year. I look forward to seeing your felt ornaments. I keep looking at them but so far have not fallen down that rabbit hole.
ReplyDeleteOh poor Cora, teething is no fun. Thank goodness for popsicles and acetaminophen. I have Teresa’s “Joy” pattern in my to do stash. I just love it. Her model was so pretty in person. Yours looks so beautiful and I have no doubt will win a ribbon. I absolutely love that Crucifix!! Would like to know exactly what website or such you purchased it from…I’ve been looking for one that looks just like it. I loved your Christmas card, thank you. I did not get any sent out this year. I hope all is going well with you. Hugs! Julie
ReplyDeleteTeething is no fun though if it’s 20 degrees out the icy air might just feel good on those gums :). My husband likes Bones Coffee and I love the mugs (I have all the Nightmare Before Christmas series)
ReplyDeletePraying for Miss Cora and the cutting of her molars. She is lucky to have Granny in her corner. Your first finish of the year, Joy, is a beauty, Vonna. I can't wait to see how you frame it. The crucifix you bought yourself is beautiful. The mug reminds me of one of the local potters and the coffee sounds good. Stay warm and cozy this weekend, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI just love that Joy finish, Vonna... I bought the chart when it first came out, but was too late for the threads so I really need to figure out good substitutions and get it stitched. Teething is the worst. My 8 month old grandson is dealing with it and it's so hard to see them in pain. Hope your weekend is stitch-filled and that the forecast storm doesn't hit your area too badly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing that you are able to take care of your granddaughter...you helped so many people with their projects for so long...I'm so glad that you are now doing something even more important! Bless you!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to change Joy's colors for a repeat stitch. Different linen color? I saw a finish with the family cat in place of the stag. Not much tames my sweet tooth. That's a shame. You had a few drinks shown to help with that but I did not make notes!
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Vonna: Congratulations on finishing Joy, I like your idea of changing the thread colors, the felt designs are adorable, I do believe I have stitched one of her birds in the past long ago.
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter is adorable, such a sweet face, you are so Blessed to be able to spend so much time with her, I hope she has her teeth some in quickly.
What a beautiful idea to do for Lent, you are doing the Daily Examen which is a beautiful read, how wonderful it would be to go to see your favorite Priest, I hope you have an amazing time.
An idea I had never thought of was to have a Crucifix to hold onto, we have many hanging on the walls in our home, I must buy one to hold, thank-you for the beautiful idea, stitching Jesus Face again for the fourth time amazing.
Stay warm it is so cold here it is a whapping -4 degrees, tonight -23.
Catherine❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Two of my favorite priests as well Vonna. In fact I pray my rosary with Father Mark Mary and Brother Malachi. We found the Pod Apostle and we do not live that far from him....would also like to visit his church. Love your stitches ...so pretty. Enjoy all those messes...I sure miss those days.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! I hope 2026is a great one for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your sweet Cora, sorry about the painful teething. Your Joy piece is lovely, congratulations! Last week I met a stitcher who mainly works on felt applique pieces, and I sure see the allure. Your anniversary plans sound nice, and as always you give me inspiration with your thoughtful words and faith.
ReplyDeleteYour Joy piece is beautiful. I look forward to seeing your color choices for the second stitch of this one. Always fun to see Miss Cora. Sorry about her teething discomfort and hope she feels better soon.
ReplyDeleteYou Joy stitch is lovely. I have the MMM Crafts 12 Days of Christmas. 5 are done and each year the others are on my list to do. Maybe this year but definitely before I look up/purchase the night before Christmas set! Grandbabies are so much fun. So glad you are in the Grandma club. R
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very blessed 2026!
ReplyDeleteGood to be able to catch up with your stitching again Vonna. I love that there are still some great stitching blogs out there to read - sometimes old school is the best.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you back "on air."
ReplyDeleteSo happy to find your new blog today! I've of course gone back and read all of your posts since October. Glad to hear that you are doing well after your hip surgery - my husband had knee replacement surgery several years ago so I know the importance of doing all the exercises and the icing. I babysat both my granddaughters 2 days a week until they were in school - loved it. Tiring but SO rewarding! We can't believe that they are 8 and 6 years old already! Love seeing what you are stitching on - beautiful pieces as always.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you have healed from your surgery and continue to improve your stamina. Grandchildren are such a joy and it is wonderful that you can spend so much time with Cora. Hope she is feeling better now. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to find your blog, Vonna. I’ve just spent some time to read all your posts! I’m glad that you're sharing. I’ve always loved your stitches and finishes. So happy to see you happy, recovering, and thriving! Looking forward to all the future content!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Lenten Focus. I am certainly going to check out Fr. O'Connor. Seeing your Jesus by Vervaco reminded me, I Have to make this for my oldest son. I so admired it when you first posted about years ago. I hope I can find a kit. Thanks for all your inspiration In stitches and in Faith.
ReplyDeleteVonna, you continue to inspire with your beautiful stitching and your love for Christ. I’ve said it before, but I am so happy you are back sharing. Happy that surgery is well and behind you, and that Cora is back with her Granny.
ReplyDelete