DebbieD
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debbied42.bsky.social
DebbieD
@debbied42.bsky.social
210 followers 37 following 130 posts
Retired English teacher. Francophile. Reader. Cross-stitcher. Childless cat/dog lady. Introvert, but will talk about books. Don’t ask for recs unless you are READY for that conversation.
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debbied42.bsky.social
I’m finally making a bit of progress on the frame of #theextraordinarybirdssal from @lolacrow.bsky.social. Thisclose to finishing the barn owl, but still missing one floss color.

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #slowart
Cross stitch project in progress. Pattern is Extraordinary Birds by Lola Crow Designs. Picture shows the top of the aviary, with a barn owl perched on the left side. Fabric is a hand-dyed opalescent Lugana in shades of blue.
November 23, 2025 at 3:02 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
A charming memoir about being a craftsman in our modern age where things are no longer built to last. The writing is gorgeous and the audiobook, read by the author is *chef’s kiss.

#booksky #memoir #nonfiction #greatread #bookrecs
Book cover of Ingrained: The Making of a Craftsman by Callum Robinson. Cover art is a piece of wood and four woodworking tools.
November 23, 2025 at 2:43 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Another toy successfully deconstructed. Man, life is hard for a black dog!

#dogsky #gsd #destroyeroftoys #tired #naptime
Black German Shepherd lying on a red and cream area rug. The fluffy remnants of a toy are scattered on the rug.
November 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Lem fell asleep right in the middle of destroying his new friend. 🤣🥳

#dogsky #gsd #fulfilled
Black German shepherd sleeping on a white carpet and a red/cream area rug. There is a stuffed toy behind his back feet, and the toy’s ripped-off tail is between his front legs. A piece of stuffing is hanging out of his mouth.
November 9, 2025 at 1:19 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Stitching has been mostly aspirational lately, as I’m my mom’s primary caregiver. She has COPD and dementia caused by oxygen deprivation. It’s sad to watch such a strong woman become so frail.

When I have a few minutes, I sneak in some stitches in these SALs.
Work in progress—cross stitch on opalescent green/blue lugana fabric. Aviary frame is being stitched in green and black and the owl in orangey brown. Pattern is Extraordinary Birds by Lola Crow. Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. This is a cross-stitch WIP on navy hand-dyed Aida. The stone archway and path are stitches in shades of gray, and night-blooming flowers are stitches in muted green and shades of white and yellow. Bats are orangey brown.
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
The three main reasons I do not get all my chores done.

#gsd #naptime #snugglycats
Sleepy black German shepherd on the floor and two black and white tuxedo cats enjoying nap time.
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Finished No Kings, a free pattern from Witch’s Garden Crafts. Made a slight alteration and stitched the flags upside down.

#stitchsky #craftsky #crossstitch #stitchingisresistance #ifinishedsomething
Finished cross-stitch piece. Fabric is opalescent white Aida and the text, stitched in red and blue, says, “NO KINGS IN AMERICA.” The American flags are upside down.
October 13, 2025 at 2:24 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
The carpet won’t be this clean and white for long, but Lem is enjoying a nap in our new living room.

#dogsky #gsd #doglife #snoozy
Black German shepherd napping on plush white carpet in our new living room. There’s a red couch and a wall of windows on the porch behind him.
September 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Lem and I took a walk down by the Rock River this morning. Lovely and peaceful.

#gsd #rockriver #beloit #dogsky
A black German shepherd is at the edge of a riverbank. The Rock River and the skyline of the opposite shore are visible in the upper part of the photo.
September 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Still in the midst of a cross-country move, but managed to finish part 5 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. It’s been a lifesaver during a stressful time.

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #slowart #movingmeditation #moongardensal
Cross-stitch WIP, parts 1-5 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Pattern is inspired by the first moon garden, Mehtab Bagh, designed as the perfect spot to view the Taj Mahal by moonlight. Garden path and stone arch stitched in shades of gray and flowers completed so far are stitched in green and shades of white and yellow. Bats stitched in shades of orange-brown. Full moon and stars in shades of white and ecru. Fabric is 16 ct. Aida in Starry Night, hand-dyed by Witch’s Garden Crafts.
August 30, 2025 at 2:45 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
This is a book that EVERYONE should read. I’m not sure if I recommend it more for women fighting to have their symptoms taken seriously, or their doctors. I knew the history, but the implications for care in the present shook me.

#booksky #bookrecs #nonfiction #brokenhealthcare #whyfeminismmatters
Book cover of All in Her Head by Elizabeth Comen, MD. background is pink and title is in a red font. Cover art is a line drawing of a woman in the style of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man”
July 23, 2025 at 12:57 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
A look at Christian mythology from Lilith’s perspective. A timely read as Christian nationalism raises its ugly head.

#booksky #bookrecs #mythology
#dailyactsofmicrofeminism #readingispolitical
Book cover of Lilith by Nikki Marmery. A nude woman with long, dark hair holds a giant pomegranate. Cover art also includes plants and a snake.
July 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Sneaked in some stitching at work yesterday. Luckily, my employers are old hippies and our politics align quite nicely. #craftsky #stitchsky #craftivism #sewingispolitical
Cross-stitch WIP. Pattern is No Kings in America by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Text stitches in dark blue says, “No Kings in America.” Needleminder says, “Fight evil, read books.” Fabric is 14 count opalescent white Aida.
June 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Usually, the birds clear off this tree as soon as the cherries are ripe. This is the first year we’ve gotten this many. I picked as many as I could reach from the ground and will leave the rest for the birds. #gardensky #abundance #flavorsofsummer
Close-up of cherry tree branches loaded with ripe fruit. Freshly picked cherries.
June 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
We are in the middle of moving back to our home state, so Lem has a much smaller area of the house to roam. No muddy paws on the clean carpet! He’s been getting lots more treats and walks to keep calm while things are changing. Here he is enjoying a yak cheese. #dogsky #treatyoself #gsd #asmrcronch
June 19, 2025 at 3:07 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Been poking along on this one for a while. No Kings in America by Witch’s Garden Crafts.

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #slowart #movingmeditation #craftivism #sewingispolitical
Cross-stitch WIP. Fabric is 18 count white opalescent Aida. Needleminder says Fight evil, read books. Pattern is No Kings in America. So far, the text reads, “No Kings in.” All stitches in dark blue.
June 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Part 4 of The Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts complete. I love the full moon!

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #slowart #movingmeditation #moongardensal
Cross-stitch WIP, parts 1-4 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Pattern is inspired by the first moon garden, Mehtab Bagh, designed as the perfect spot to view the Taj Mahal by moonlight. Garden path and stone arch stitched in shades of gray and flowers completed so far are stitched in green and shades of white and yellow. Bats stitched in shades of orange-brown. Full moon and stars in shades of white and ecru. Fabric is 16 ct. Aida in Starry Night, hand-dyed by Witch’s Garden Crafts.
June 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
Part 3 of the Moon Garden SAL complete. Packing for a big move doesn’t leave much time for stitching, but this WIP is reminding me to take a few minutes for myself every day.

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #slowart #movingmeditation #moongardenSAL
Cross-stitch WIP, parts 1-3 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Pattern is inspired by the first moon garden, Mehtab Bagh, designed as the perfect spot to view the Taj Mahal by moonlight. Garden path and stone arch stitched in shades of gray and flowers completed so far are stitched in green and shades of white and yellow. Bats stitched in shades of orange-brown. Full moon and stars in shades of white and ecru. Fabric is 16 ct. Aida in Starry Night, hand-dyed by Witch’s Garden Crafts.
May 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
debbied42.bsky.social
My family is going through a hard time with Mom’s dementia diagnosis. I made these for myself and my sisters to try to keep us laughing through the turmoil. I love how the color choices make each one unique.

#craftsky #stitchsky
#stabbingthingsistherapy
Three versions of the same pattern that reads, “This too shall pass, but, like, holy fuck.” Left is on azure fabric with floss in metallic gold, green, dark pink, and shades of yellow. Middle is on 14 Count Aida in a color called Fairy Mist. Stitches are done in dark yellow, green, and shades of purple and blue. Right is on a coral fabric. Stitches are done in dark yellow, green, brick red, and shades of coral.
May 4, 2025 at 3:35 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Finally starting the frame for the newest SAL by @lolacrow.bsky.social. My camera is not catching the color and sparkle of the fabric, but it’s gorgeous!

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #WIP #newstartenergy #extraordinarybirds
Fabric secured in a Q-snap. Fabric is 28 count opalescent Lugana hand-dyed by Seraphim Fabrics. The name of the color way is Earthangel and its subtle shades of green and blue. Needleminder says, “Duck around and find out.” The first few stitches are in and the pattern is called Extraordinary Birds Stitchalong by Lola Crow Cross Stitch.
May 4, 2025 at 2:47 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
When we adopted Lem from a shelter, he refused to get in any car. This morning, I opened the door and asked him if he wanted to come with. He raced to the car and jumped right in. This is the look of a dog who knows he’s getting a pup cup. 💚

#dogsky #gsd #dogsincars #getinloserwearegettingcoffee
Black German shepherd sitting in the backseat of a vehicle and watching the road ahead.
May 4, 2025 at 2:32 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Lem smelling the flowers this morning.

#dogsky #stopandsmelltheflowers
#rhododendron
A blooming rhododendron bush in the foreground with a black shepherd running around on the lawn behind it.
May 3, 2025 at 2:29 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
On a roll and finished with part 2 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Oh, the darling bats! 🥰🦇

#craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #slowart #movingmeditation #moongardenSAL
Cross-stitch WIP, parts 1-2 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Pattern is inspired by the first moon garden, Mehtab Bagh, designed as the perfect spot to view the Taj Mahal by moonlight. Garden wall is stitches in shades of gray and flowers completed so far are stitches in green and shades of white and yellow. Bats stitched in shades of orange-brown. Fabric is 16 ct. Aida in Starry Night, hand-dyed by Witch’s Garden Crafts.
May 3, 2025 at 2:09 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Just finished part 1 of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Stitching on dark fabric is hard on my old eyes, but I’m poking along slowly and channeling joy into every stitch. #craftsky #stitchsky #crossstitch #movingmeditation #moongardensal
Cross-stitch WIP, part one of the Moon Garden SAL by Witch’s Garden Crafts. Pattern is inspired by the first moon garden, Mehtab Bagh, designed as the perfect spot to view the Taj Mahal by moonlight. Garden wall is stitches in shades of gray and flowers completed so far are stitches in green and shades of white and yellow. Fabric is 16 ct. Aida in Starry Night, hand-dyed by Witch’s Garden Crafts.
May 2, 2025 at 3:37 AM
debbied42.bsky.social
Loved the book, esp on audio. The story is HEAVILY based on Ana Mendieta, a Cuban artist whose art is powerful & disturbing. A major theme of the book is how women of color are left out of history, and I was disappointed that the author presented this as pure fiction.

#booksky #femalerage
Book cover of Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González
May 1, 2025 at 3:14 AM