I started writing this on Remembrance Day, and I find it sad that so many ceremonies have been cancelled due to Covid.  Our minister did a tribute service on Sunday, as she knew our local ceremony was cancelled, and that was quite nice.  We should never forget all the sacrifices that have been made for us.  We did a minute of silence then, but will observe another one today, in remembrance...

On a brighter note, we have been enjoying sensational weather for the past week - more like May than November!  We're going to take our old girl (Mollee) out to the woods of our local conservation area for what may be the last run before the snow flies and we can't drive there (they close the parking lot).  Although we DID have snow in October - which is always a shock, no matter how often it happens, LOL. 

So far this month, I've been concentrating on finishing up things around my office - tidying, putting away supplies from finished projects, etc.  I want to make up some supply kits to go with a new ORT BALL GNOME chart I've created - we are doing our last OPEN HOUSE of the year on the 21st, and I'm giving everyone a free copy of the chart, so they may want the supplies to go with it (wink). 

ORTS are the little end of floss that are cut off when you finish stitching, so instead of tossing them out.  I sell a clear glass ornament that you can fill with Orts for a decoration... and now I have a Little Leaflet that tells you how to turn it into a GNOME ornament, or a GNOME figurine (the standing gnome has a tall green hat with lights and a star on top, like a Christmas tree, LOL).  Although I'm giving away free copies on the 21st, the chart won't be released until next summer, as it's too late to get into shops for this Christmas.

I am also stitching a second version of the OWL HARDANGER BOX I submiited to EAC SEMINAR 2021 (for teaching a class), as I realized when I was assembling the first box that I forgot to allow for some of the foamcore thickness in the lid (!!).  Rookie mistake, LOL, and I should have known better - but that's what happens when you rush!  Anyway, the fix is pretty simple, and I wanted to make another box up in a second colorway, so that is in my stitching pile for the coming week.  

Whenever I have a spare minute, I've been stitching a pair of geometric evening bags... I originalled called them SILVER MAZE and GOLD MAZE, but they aren't actually a maze, but rather boxes of all sizes, filled with shapes.  They're coming out quite nicely, and I hope to have them ready for release in January.  Silver is stitched, ready to be assembled, and gold is well over half done, so they're coming along well. 

Of course, I'm working on my designing too... PUDDLE JUMPERS (based on the artwork of Shelley McVittie) just went off to a SECOND stitcher, as the first one has apparently dropped off the face of the earth (sigh), stealing supplies from several designers and leaving us all in the dark.  It's very upsetting when this happens, as it sets the designer behind schedule, and weakens our trust and faith in others.  Fortunately I have some WONDERFUL stitchers who are reliable and fun to work with, who are willing to jump in and help out whenever they can.  That helps renew our faith in others, lol! 

It's now almost the end of November... we had a wonderful time during our OPEN HOUSE on the 21st, and I created a cute ornament design that I gave away FREE to everyone who came to see us.  I had little kits made up for those who wanted the materials to make their ornament, and sold quite a few of those as well.  This ornament - actually TWO ornaments in one Little Leaflet won't be released until next summer... though if you receive my newsletter then you'll get a sneak peek and early purchase option this month (wink)...

happy stitching, and stay safe!