Boss of the Floss

New start........

2010-08-02T18:01:00.002-06:00

So I've been trying to hold out until we sell our house and move to celebrate with a new start. But, I've been absolutely dying to start this one!

It's Salamander by Ian Daniels (you can google for a picture) and I broke the chart up to fit into this gorgeous black box I purchased. It's roughly 10x14 and 4.5 inches deep; so a nice size. It has a glass insert and cutouts for photos only I'm stitching my Salamander chart on a solid piece of fabric to match the cutouts. I took a permanent maker and with the glass in place, just traced around the inside of the cutouts (onto the glass)..... see the next picture.

Here's my Salamander by Ian Daniels piece. What you're seeing is the start of her fingers and arm. On top of this is her other hand/arm with all the sparklie stuff falling from her finger tips. I can't wait to get to the top of this box and start on the bottom of the butterfly! I just started this last Saturday (a week ago, 7/24).

This is the bottom left insert of the box top. Notice the glass piece with the pen tracing of the cutout shapes? These are easy to do and once I'm finished it can be removed from the glass with nail polish remover. If anyone wants to try a piece like this, just remember to start at the top and work your way down (if your starting at the top of your chart) LOL - that doesn't make much sense does it? What I mean is I was starting at line 1, column 1 of my chart so even though I had counted down and over and thought I knew exactly where to start on the bottom left, if I had made a mistake in my calculations then once I had started stitching and worked my way up to the top - I would have been stuck with no where to go and no chart to stitch to make up the difference. So, once I realize this, I started with the top box, line 1, column 1 of my chart and stitched down towards the bottom of that box then moved to where the box underneath started and that's where I resumed stitching from my chart until I got to the bottom of THAT box....then I started working my way over and up. It's a perfect match for the cutouts.

The thrills of summer......

2010-06-29T06:17:00.003-06:00

go on and on around here. Staying up way to late and getting up a little earlier than usual. Totally worth it though; I wouldn't want to miss out on anything while the kids are out of school and home.

It's been 6 weeks or so since my last post, let's see - I celebrated my birthday, then my wedding anniversary, DD is home till the middle of August and we still have our house for sale. I'm still loving my part-time job. It keeps me busy and the time just flies by.

I don't feel like I've had much time to stitch but I think all those 30 minutes here and an hour there truly ad up. This is Evening In The Park by Chatelaine Designs.

Get out there this summer and enjoy all the laughter and late nights...happy stitching

It's a gorgeous day.....

2010-05-16T07:02:00.005-06:00

and about time too! The rain and drizzle has finally moved out; the sun is shining and it looks to be a perfect Sunday. We have Open House this afternoon - cross your fingers - you never know when that one person will see and fall in love with your home. So maybe today will be that day and we'll get an offer sometime this next week.

Here's an update of Linda Ravenscroft's Waiting For Neptune.

Hope you get lots of stitching in this week.

The most wonderful time of the year......

2010-05-05T19:20:00.003-06:00

isn't the holidays around our house but rather the transition of Winter to Spring/Summer. So much work to be done inside and out. Then add all the outdoor activities you've been dying to do while you were couped inside all winter and you have our busiest time of the year.

I also found the perfect part-time job (after looking since last summer). I hit the gym for my Zumba exercise class in the morning then go to work when I'm ready (I really love this one), I can wear shorts and flipflops (really can it get any better?) the owner buys me Sweetbay coffee and lunch every day (yeah, it's really great) AND he pays extra good. I'm the business manager/office admin. for a small business in town - they have 3 locations. And, I'm loving it! My only concern after the first 2 weeks was the amount of projects and work to be done and my adament plea that I only want to work part-time. I was reassured that once we got things organized and I feel comfortable with the work activities, I could hire an office assistant to help so that I could stick to my 20-25 hour week. I mean really now, it just doesn't get any better than that in my world.

Now added to this hubby and I decided to list our house for sell and upgrade. Keeping the house spic-n-span clean for Open House every weekend is wearing me down but I'm excited at the same time. I just can't wait to sell it; it's a beautiful home and I know some wonderful family will come along and fall as madly in love as we did. We have 3/4 of an acre in the middle of town - kids can hold their own softball game in the fenced backyard and not bother anyone. Just need a family with young kids to come along.

I was feeling so wornout and realized that part of it was because I haven't been stitching. I put away my ott-light and stitching utility tray that holds all my floss and accessories. Now the living room looks stream-lined and clean but all my joy is gone when I sit down. So I brought them all back out and I just put them up every Saturday and drag it out again on Sunday night.

Here's Waiting For Neptune by Linda Ravenscroft.

Waiting For Neptune....

2010-03-21T14:17:00.005-06:00

This is charted from artwork by Linda Ravenscroft. I would love to work on Evening In The Park and also start Salamander for my black box-top. But, I'm loving working on this one even if it's just a little here and there - it all adds up! So until something else ^screams^ louder - WFN it will be!

I worked in the nursery at Church this morning. I haven't seen any of my sweet little ones in nearly a month. I've had the flu and missed 2 weeks, then some of them were traveling, etc. As I was getting ready this morning I kept thinking they've probably grown so much since I last saw them and will be little grrranimals with all the new teeth they've cut! So I took my camera and I kept talking to Fox trying to get him to smile and do his little he-man-grrrr (it's so cute and completely adorable) anyway, I had the camera set to video so was pleasantly surprised when I got home and saw this tiny video clip. Note-to-self - really need to learn how to use my camera.....

On the quilting front, I've mailed 2 completed Love Quilts this month and pieced/quilted the top of a Whinnie-the-Pooh quilt (in yellow check fabric and blue striping); just need to put the binding on and it's ready to go. I have 3 other quilts ready to start. They are so much fun to work on, finding just the right fabric to match the beautiful stitched squares and then to see them all put together - it's just fantastic. So all you ladies who stitch for LoveQuilts - keep up your generous gift!

So we're in the South and can you believe it was in the 70s Thursday and it started snowing yesterday afternoon ^saturday^ and has snowed off and on since? It's coming down now in big fat flakes - so beautiful to watch. I think we've seen a total of 8-9 inches. But best of all is that we are just hovering at the 33/34 degree mark and so it's cold enough to accumulate on the lawns, houses and such but not cold enough to be anything more than slush on the sidewalks or roads.

We are leaving for Tunica, MS in the morning. It's about 30 minutes south of Memphis, TN. We have free rooms at the casino and will just relax and play for a couple of days. Our daughter is home from college for Springbreak so it's nice for us to get out of town for a couple of days while she is home to care for the dogs. Honestly, I would rather just stay home than have to board them so it's just a nice treat for me. She gets some alone time since she doesn't get much of that while she's at school as she has a room mate this semester - so it's good for everyone!

Have a fantastic week and happy stitching!!!!

Waiting For Neptune.......

2010-03-04T09:40:00.003-06:00

Linda Ravenscroft's beautiful mermaid piece. I haven't actually gotten to any of the mermaids but it's a great over 1 stitch. See the small pink flower I'm working on? At the top right of this flower is the tail of a beautiful seahorse!!! I can't wait to get there but I'm going to put this one up and give it a rest so I don't burnout. I'm already excited about picking it up again. Now what can I work on the next few days? I'll have to see what can call louder than this one.

Or maybe I'll make a trip to the Library today. It seems like forever since I finished a book.

I love March. It's the beginning of warmer days here and lots of bright sunshine. I can usually work in my flower beds at some point and just generally start being outside after long months of being stuck in the house. I think I'll plan a BBQ this weekend to celebrate!

Finally framed.....

2010-02-22T12:45:00.003-06:00

Once Upon A Tree Sampler is finally framed and hanging in the kitchen. This chart was featured in Just Cross-Stitch Magazine in 4 parts during 2009. It was beautiful as charted but I just grabbed from my box of silks and changed all the threads and beads. I love it!

On the exercise front - I'm going. Some days that's just as good as it gets; so I'm proud of myself for getting up and not talking myself out of it, but actually going. Today was TurboKick and while it was a great cardio class, I'm beat!

I think I'll go stitch for a bit and recoup. Have a great Monday!

Quick note on survival.....

2010-02-17T12:02:00.005-06:00

I survived Zumba and most of a toning class this morning. I don't know how the rest of my day will go, and while I'm very sore - it feels good.

I have a ham bone in the soup pot with white beans, finely minced carrots, fresh garlic and sweet onion. Add a nice crispy skillet of cornbread and we'll have a great winter dinner this evening.

I don't think I've posted this on my blog so here's my Chatelaine piece, Evening In The Park. It's stitched on Silkweavers 32ct Jobelan in Sudden Storm. It's a really softly mottled piece and is a wonderful companion for the colors in this piece.

While Dear Husband's away.....

2010-02-16T08:13:00.003-06:00

the wife will play. He's gone until Friday and I've planned something special for everyday. Usually I hibernate at home and luxerate in having the house to myself, staying up till all hours of the morning and sleeping in. If you can call 7:30 really sleeping in. LOL

This year I decided to step out of the box and try something new. I hit the casino with friends last night (it's ladies night). Broke even and had a great time; that's what it's all about!

Tonight I have a group of friends coming for dessert, manicures (and hand dips in one of those paraffin spa baths) and of course swimsuits and the hot tub. They will all go home loose-as-a-goose and ready for sweet dreams. Of course I'll stay up and stitch. Can't quite put down WFN and I even have a new start all ready to go!

Gym update - I need to get back into my early morning machine routine which consist of the elliptical, the treadmill then making a round of the free-standing weight machines. Who knew they were actually fun? I called Lisa, my exercise partner and we both decided we have to get back to it. Also convinced her to come to a ZUMBA class with me and give it a try. If you have the opportunity but have never tried one, your really missing something!

Today will consist of cleaning house for my guests, including bathing the dogs (you know they have to greet everyone who enters the house). Baking a homemade chocolate cake too, from scratch!

I think I'll turn the music up really loud and practice some Zumba routines while I'm cleaning......

enjoy today, no matter what you do!

2010-02-15T08:23:00.004-06:00

Here's an update of Waiting For Neptune (Linda Ravenscroft is the artist). You can see the beginnings of the scroll work on the left. I can't wait to work over to the tail of a seahorse or up to the tail of a mermaid.

Not everyone.......

2010-02-13T12:02:00.002-06:00

loves Valentine's Day but I do. We've made it into an elaborate celebration and had years where it was simply a quiet, romantic day spent together. It's all good - so Happy Valentine's Day, feel special and loved all day.

On a crafting note, DH will be out of town next week and I'm anxious to start my new piece. It's ready to go and these past few days I've been so excited about putting those first stitches in. Can't wait to get started and see it start to grow. ooh - it's Ian Daniels, Salamander piece for the black box.

The perfect little black box.....

2010-02-07T08:44:00.002-06:00

since I'm to fat for a perfect little black dress, I'll have to settle for a perfect little black box. ROFL

I spent the better part of a late afternoon and evening plotting the fragmentation of Ian Daniels Salamander chart to fit the openings for this box. I think it's going to be fantastic!

On a whiney note, I did my first Zumba exercise class on Friday and I'm still sore. It was great fun and I will be going back.

A couple of new starts....

2010-02-04T12:14:00.004-06:00

there are so many beautiful charts I would love to start. Here are two relatively new ones.

A Chatelaine, Evening In The Park stitched over 2 on 32ct. Jobelan from Silkweaver in Sudden Storm.

A Linda Ravenscroft piece, Waiting For Neptune stitched over 1 on 28ct. Lugana in Ivory.

I have a couple of new craft projects in the planning stages, along with 1 new cross-stitch piece. I found these beautiful black boxes (about 10x15 or so) at Hobby Lobby. They are very, very nice and are lined inside with black felt like a jewelry box and also have a hinged lid. The top is cutout into various spaces for pictures but rather than having the entire lid cutout with a large mat that has individual cutouts (have I lost you yet?) these pieces actually have the wood top cutout, leaving behind the black wood outlines around the cutouts. There is a layer of glass under the cutout and a compartment to insert your photos into. Now I thinking I could stitch parts of Ian Daniel's Salamander chart to fit the cutouts. It's in navys and orange/peach/shimmer shades. It would look very nice sitting on the coffee table and would be a great place to hold all that damn remotes.

Pretty and functional too...

New beginnings.......

2010-02-03T15:27:00.002-06:00

are awesome! my bad, I've been neglectful of so many things since this past summer. I quit several groups and activities so focus more time on family and the things I really want to do. Time to reinvent my stitching blog and that means a beautiful new template. It's courtesy of Izzie Grace Blogging Backgrounds; you'll find her button at the bottom of my blog. They are free and she literally have 100's of beautiful backgrounds to choose from.

I've been traveling, stitching and quilting up a storm since last summer. I'll be back with pictures after tweaking my template.....

June is nearly over.....

2009-06-23T11:38:00.003-06:00

but what a wonderful month it's been. It sure doesn't seem like I've done much stitching or other crafting but I think a little here and a little there adds up to a nice bunch by the end of the month.

I've been working on my Love Quilt squares and really enjoying them, especially this time of year. The Aida is so nice to work with and the designs are usually so playful and light hearted that they make the perfect thing to work on during the busy summer months.

I'm also putting together my first quilt for Love Quilts. I received the squares last week and will wait until it's finished and sent to the intended child before I post a picture. It's a real pretty one too! Dusty pinks and blue colors.

June has been very busy around our house, my birthday and our wedding anniversary and all the usual summer stuff. We have enjoyed the college kids being home this year.............so much better than last year. We've termed 2008 as our summer from hell, what is it about turning 18? They think they are adults and can just do anything they like and run all over their parents to boot! Thank GOD this past year has been so much better and she thoroughly enjoyed her first year of college - took to it like a duck to water.

DH and I had such a wonderful time in Gulf Shores last fall we decided to go back this year. So, we start talking about it and planning a trip for the first of Sept. and invite my B&SIL to go with us. We are all getting so excited then our kids (ours 19, theirs 20 & 15) start complaining about how they would just love to go with us would we please go the first week of Aug. instead?

Trust me, I know - we are still in shell shock that they want to go anywhere with us and are looking forward to it too! I've rented a beach house for Aug. 1 - 8 which works out well. DD has to be at college Aug 9 for check-in. She is a mentor for her dorm this year so they have to show up a week before everyone else for orientation, etc. We are taking 2 of our vehicles to Gulf Shores so we can load them both with her stuff and she can leave it all at her Aunt's house (she literally lives less than 1 mile from the university). We will be back Sat. night and she can stay with a friend in the dorm then move all her stuff in on Sunday.

I'll leave you with some my favorite picture of Gulf Shores from fall of 2008. We went after the hurricane dumped a TON of sand - like a solid month after the storm surge and the sand still looks like snow drifts but it was completely relaxing and wonderful.

This is my favorite sunrise photo. It was worth getting up at 5:30 to make coffee and see such a glorious scene.

A finish.....

2009-06-01T15:24:00.004-06:00

makes a Monday seem like a great day!

I finished the stitching on Mirabilia's Crescent Dreams. The plan is to use the gingham fabric with white ribbon and make it into a doorknob hanger for the baby's room.

Of course I changed some of the design details as it's charted, but right off hand the only things I recall are changing the ribbon that hangs from the moon to 2 strands of the lightest yellow floss; I used Mill Hill 12299 petite silver glass star beads and the Mill Hill 03018 Antinue Glass Beads for the background in a matte baby pink rather than white.

Okay, I better get going and finish this piece out. I'm thinking it will be a nice idea to use it in place of the bow on my gift for her baby shower which is this coming weekend.

Have a wonderful week my fellow stitchers..........

Tada.........

2009-05-29T17:57:00.002-06:00

Leah's quilt is finished and already sent. I sent her a card with a message from all the stitchers.

Dear Leah, there are many mistakes in this quilt, as you grow and become aware of them know that there isn't another quilt in the world like this. It was made special for you. It carries our prayers and hopes for you and each time you wrap up in it your wrapping yourself in a huge hug from The Crafty Coven.

I'll just leave you with many pictures, and a few close-ups of the different sections. It was my first quilting experience and super fun!

Totally Useless Sal.......

2009-05-24T12:56:00.002-06:00

Here's a picture of my TUSAL Orts for May. Check the top-right sidebar for a link to the SAL info in Yoyo's blog.

Here are the projects I worked on while collecting these orts. Chatelaine's Taj Mahal; Chatelaine's Christmas Mandala; Mirabilia's Flora Fairy; Mirabilia's Crescent Moon and Stab and Stash's Dreamsleep. There was also a red and yellow race car for Love Quilts that isn't pictured.

Have a wonderful rest of the Memorial Day weekend!

Thanks Brandy.......

2009-05-22T17:42:00.006-06:00

This is an early birthday gift from my special friend Brandy. Gingher Designer Series scissors in the Ashley pattern (pink/purple flowers) and the most beautiful scissor fob (isn't that tea pot just adorable?) and thread picker in pinks and silver. I believe the fob and picker are from My Big Toe Designs (at least the box she packaged them in was). Brandy and I drink alot of tea so this was the perfect gift. You've spoiled me with such a beautiful gift. THANK YOU SWEETIE.

Here's a new picture of the progress on Leah's quilt. It's so pretty, I just know she's going to love it! It's all pinned and ready to machine quilt which I will start on right after dinner. I'm so in love with this I may have to make a visit to see Leah so I can snuggle with her in her quilt. Just to show how tenacious I can be, I stitched the left-hand column 5 times and ripped it out 4 to FINALLY get a straight seam. I don't know what was wrong with me but I'm glad it's over. hehe

Yoyo asked through the comments section about the charts used for Leah's quilt. All the pieces are from a leaflet published by Alma Lynne (but the designs are Gloria & Pat) and the name is 'For Every Little Princess (and Her Prince)'.

This summer has started off really busy around our house. Melanie is home from her first year of college. She had a great year but she's ready for a break and is glad to be home. Music to Mom's ears! So while I don't really feel like I have more craft projects going than normal, I do feel like it takes me longer to accomplish anything.

I started this Love Quilt square for Jamison back in April and just finished it today. Isn't the detail pretty, all those 1/4 stitches and backstitching were worth it. His quilt is going to be awesome!

My next square is a baby monkey for Travon. I'll get that started sometime next week. I want to finish Leah's quilt and get it in the mail then I have a small piece to finish stitching and make into a door hanger for a baby shower the first week of June.

Don't forget to check back on Sunday for the unveiling of The Totally Useless SAL aka The Mystery Ort Jar......happy stitching!

All's right in my little world.......

2009-05-09T07:42:00.002-06:00

DD is home safe and none the worse for wear. She has blossomed this past year and it's hard to imagine her first year of college is complete. She will be home with us for 6 weeks then off to Texas A&M at Corpus Christi for the month of July. She was selected for a slot in this summer's Governors Internship Program for high school Gifted & Talented kids and she'll be working on the campus during their summer program. It's like a free month long paid vacation. For those of you who are new readers, DH has a unique job and home unless he is actually working. So, he's been home and lot the past month and we've had a wonderful spring. I just know this summer is going to fly by.

This is a picture of my Taj Mahal by Chatelaine. This is my first Chatelaine piece and I'm really enjoying working on it. I decided to stitch it with the recommended silks & beads and it's been a fun piece. While the fabric is gorgeous (it's Fairy Morn by Sugar Maple Fabrics), looking back I wish I had chosen something without so much color. The piece it's self has so much color I feel like the two are competing. Nevertheless, I'm pleased and will pick it up again soon.

I've stitched quite a bit since this photo last weekend. I finished the building on the right and the trees directly above, plus the first section of the flower/column in the border on the right.

I've picked up Dreamsleep and been stitching on her for the past few days. It's such a gorgeous piece to stitch - all those deep browns and beautiful pinks.

We are going to see the new Star Trak moving this afternoon. I've been really excited about it and just waiting for the release date to get here!

I've joined The Totally Useless SAL from the blog of Dragon My Needle. It looks to be like a lot of fun so check back on May 24 for an update and picture.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Do you make your bed everyday.....

2009-04-29T14:08:00.002-06:00

it really does 'set the tone for the day'. The rest of the house can be a mess but if everytime I walk into the bedroom the bed is neatly made it just seems like the whole house looks better. It's like sneaking chocolate - just a nice way to spoil yourself. try it for a week and see if you agree.

So DD was home from college and I showed her all the fabrics and squares for Leah's quilt. (see earlier post for info. on Leah) and she says 'you've never made me a quilt'.....little stinker! So guess what my special summer project will be?

It's raining today, a good hard rain. We need it though, at least it's cool and everything looks so green and beautiful. Now you know I have to sweet talk the dogs to get them to go out - they don't mind the soggy grass but they are little princess puppies and can't go out when it's raining. grrr

We were decadent today and had ice cream, brownie with carmel sauce for dessert after lunch. Sometimes you just have to enjoy whatever kind of spoiling you can get. HA

I'm still stitching on my Chatelaine, Taj Mahal. Getting very close the last page of stitching, then it will be a beading project. I have a race car square started for Love Quilts and some needle books I want to start. Then there are the 2 new starts laying on my desk (though I solemnly swear not to start them until I have another finish), another Love Quilt square and 2 kitted up Chatelaines ready to go.

See, I do have restraint. Happy Stitching everyone.....

Turning into your Mother........

2009-04-28T09:00:00.002-06:00

do you ever just get smacked with the idea that you've turned into your Mother? I mean, it hit me that my blog is the most boring place around. But, by the time I share with friends by email, post on my favorite message crafting boards and visit in Yahoo groups it's just a little stale by the time I'm telling the story for the umpteemth time. See, turning into your Mother by telling the same story over and over (and worse, forgetting that you've already shared that particular event).

In stitching news, I'm working on my Chatelaine, Taj Mahal. Not too long before this is just a beading project then on to the category of a room remodeling project. At least that's what I figure it will cost to get it framed. I recently took a relatively small project (7.5x9.5) to Michael's for a framing estimate - a whopping $498! I could gold-plate a wall for $498!

Here are my last couple of finishes. These are more Love Quilt Squares.

This is a Zebra for Taylor.

And this is Maegan's Cat Theme.

They are so much fun to stitch!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you each find a few minutes each day to enjoy your stitching passion.

Happy Easter.....

2009-04-11T08:21:00.003-06:00

Spring is finally here which for us means days loaded with sunshine followed by days of dreary clouds and rain. But it's all good for the garden.

Here's a picture of pansies from my patio.

They are so pretty this year and I know they will still be gorgeous when it's time to pull them up and change them out to flowers that will take the very hot summer temps but we've enjoyed them all winter and spring.

Here is my Once Upon a Tree Sampler. It's from Just Cross Stitch Magazine, done in 4 installments. I still need to put the petite white beads on the first part (for the snowflakes). They are in at the LNS, and I'll pick them up Monday when I'm out running errands.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Spring weather and soaking up some of the beautiful sunshine. It truly will lighten your mood and make you feel good. If you celebrate religious holidays, have a blessed Easter.

I've been stitching on Dreamsleep from StabnStash and will post a new WIP very soon. They have lots of new artist and tons of new charts up. They are also having a 20% off sale (most of their charts are now $7.99 to download) so check them out!

Happy stitching everyone!

Quilt Squares

2009-03-16T13:35:00.002-06:00

I've become addicted to stitching these quilt squares on 14 ct Aida!

This is charity stitching for Love Quilts. A special quilt of clowns and I thought he was so bright and cheerful with his orange hair and flappy flower!

Here's another LQ Square. It's for a special quilt all about snowmen.

As you can tell, I haven't washed these yet!

And the last one for LQ is EMS Zoo Babies. These are free charts from her message board. Aren't they just adorable? I picked 3 of the 'cold water' babies and made this square for what they term a 'any child' quilt. These are randomly stitched squares that they collect and catalog. Then when they need to put together a quilt in a hurry, they have these squares to design and piece a quilt.

Last but not least, I mentioned a little girl, Leah, in my last post. This is one of the squares from her quilt. There are many people stitching squares for her quilt and I will post them as they come in.

These colors were such a treat to stitch! So sunny and bright, made me feel like spring was here.

March sure started out cold......

2009-03-02T08:21:00.002-06:00

How did I let February get away without any posting? It's just been business as usual around here. We've had some of our coldest weather of the season the past few days. I'm so ready for spring, narcissus is ready to bloom, daffodils very soon after and tulips have started coming up!

My current project is a stitching/quilting project. A group of stitchers are each stitching squares for a little girl, Leah. Please pray for her recovery from a cancerous tumor on her kidney. She is only 3 and from pictures, you can just see her precious spirit and the special person she will grow into. One of our group members knows her family and got us all involved in being part of her miracle. Many of us stitch for Love Quilts and decided to adopt her as a group project and make a very special quilt for her. I'll post pictures of the squares as I receive them.

I have a new stitching finish but I can't show pictures yet. It's going into the mail today so I promise a picture later this week.

I didn't put much effort into vegetables last year but I'm excited again this year so I'll have tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, beans and cantaloupe. I'm lucky to live in town but have a huge backyard with plenty of space for a vegetable garden. I told the little boys who live next door that they can help me this summer. They are so adorable, 4 and 6 years old.

I hope your inspired to stitch and have a great week.

January is nearly over.....

2009-01-25T09:20:00.003-06:00

and it's been ages since I posted. I hope everyone had a great holiday season and a fantastic start to 2009.

For unknown reasons, my stitching mojo has just deserted me and I think it's adding to my case of Winter Blahs. You know when you just can't seem to concentrate on anyone thing, even those things that bring you pleasure. Stitching, reading, cooking - there just isn't any fun in those things right now.

The only way I know to bust through this phase is to Just Do It.....we could all benefit from this. Be good to yourself, take a good multi-vitamin every day, drink some juice or eat a piece of fresh fruit - every day. Weather permitting, get out for a walk - even a short one will change your perspective and shake things up - and make a point to count your blessings every day.

I'm trying my best to move past this and get back to my 'normal'. DH is on a business trip for 3 weeks and while I didn't think I would miss him to this extent, I'm now wondering how much his absence is affecting my mood. It will be good to have him home and get back into our normal routines.

Thank you to my sweetpeas; for all your encouragement and support.

Now looking forward to 2009 we have several weekend trips in the works. Some with friends and some just for fun. A trip to the casinos in Tunica, MS and a weekend to Eureka Springs with a stay at the Treehouse Cottages, a trip to Lake Tahoe in the fall...lots of fun things to look forward to; life is what you make it and 2009 is gonna rock! the power of positive thinking.....

Miracles Happen......

2008-12-18T15:23:00.004-06:00

from the 2008 JCS Ornament Magazine, this is Miracles Happen by Jennifer Cooke-Rabig of Ladybug Lane Designs. It's my absolute favorite from this years ornament addition. You can't really see the sparklies but all the white snow has Kreinik in it and it really does shine. All the white flakes and around the border are white beads - those didn't show up too well in this washed out picture either. You still have time to pick up a copy of this special magazine for your collection.

DH and I went shopping this morning, mostly just browsing and picking up some stocking stuffers, etc. We had lunch at Red Lobster, Seafood Stuffed Flounder. It was so good! Fish is one thing I never cook at home. Love the finished product but hate the smell as it cooks.

He is home until Jan. 5 and DD is home until the 12. I have a feeling I'll have all the togetherness I've been craving - and then some to spare. LOL It will make it easier to see her leave for college again. Then, DH leaves Jan 18 for a 3 week school.......I'll go stay with him a few days, probably the last part of the 2nd week. After all this holiday time together, it's a good thing and I'll really be glad when he comes home.^giggles^

I baked a batch of sugar cookies so I'm off to make icing and get those decorated.

Happy Stitching!!!!

Time to get into........

2008-12-14T22:41:00.002-06:00

the holiday season. I hope it has biten each of you, lifting your spirits and making your days a little sweeter. Nothing new going on, just enjoying the holiday season and having my family close to home.

DD is home from college, as she said - I'm yours for the next month. It's supposed to be icy and cold tomorrow but I think we are going out for some girl shopping. We need to hit the new Ulta makeup store and of course as it's next door to Target, we'll need to have a run through there too. Then we'll take our business to Best Buy; she needs new Ipod earbuds and heaven forbid they aren't the Apple brand. Then a nice stop at Books-A-Million, that's always good for an hour or so. By then I'll be pooped and ready to come home. She might could entice me into a pit-stop at Hobby Lobby. I'm sure of it, especially if we grab a Starbucks on the way. Man, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, LOL.

Be proud of me, after 2 years in the local Embroidery Guild I finally stitched a beautiful name badge for myself. Of course I changed the intended thread colors and the beads too. I'll post a picture tomorrow or the next day.

Thanks for visiting, have a wonderful week and carve out a little relaxing stitching time.

Thanksgiving Day.............

2008-12-11T15:03:00.002-06:00

has come and gone. Where do the days go? I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday with family and good friends. We love Thanksgiving around our house, it's the kick-off to the holiday season. Too much food, too much shopping and staying up late at night with friends, and too little sleep.

Our daughter will be home from college tomorrow and the ecomony and personal finances are starting to sink in with her a little. She is upset that her roommate will not be coming back in January - her parents just can't afford it. There are so many kids who aren't returning, it's sad. DD is going to the housing office in the morning to sign the papers to stay in her room, as a private room. This means she will get priority and be moved to the END of the line for new housing so anyone new who moves into the dorms in January will go to another room and she will get to keep her room by herself. This also means we don't have to pay for a private room - unless they run out of housing then they will give her the option of going ahead and paying to keep it private or having a roommate. She said there are many kids that she knows who won't be back in Jan. so it will probably work out okay. She took her last final this morning and has 4 A's and 1 B for the semester. My hard earned money at work - YAY!

So in stitching news, here's my newest little Love Quilt square. I call him Wacky Cat, isn't he just adorable? He's a freebie from http://pagesperso-orange.fr/anne-les-petites-croix/ I stitch so much over one stuff that it's a very nice change to work on 14ct Aida. You forget how relaxing and comforting it is stitching on the stuff.

I've been reading The Immortals book series; I'm up to book 3. They have a good story line and are easy to get into. And lots of hubba-hubba..........LOL

I've been trying to read a couple of hours every day as I've got book 4 of the Twillight series ready to start so I think I'll go pick up that book........

Hope everyone has a relaxing and joyful holiday. It's hard to do when so many things that we can't control are dragging everyone down and making everyone on edge, etc. But it's the only thing we can do; it's the days of our lives and we do have control over how much we smile (it's contagious you know) and whether we go to bed at night satisfied and happy with our lives.

God Bless you and your stitching mojo........

Playing catchup........

2008-11-18T08:33:00.003-06:00

First my stitching news. Of course I forgot to get pictures of the finished products before packaging and mailing; but, I stitched 3 little house/winter scenes and made into flat-folds and one reindeer ornament.

I've also been stitching on my RR Verdure piece from last year. It's such a gorgeous piece.

We've been so busy since my last update. You ever have those times in your life when everything runs on fast-forward? You skip along and everythings calm and clean, then before you know it things are helter-skelter? Nothing tragic or can't be fixed, but everything that could disrupt my routine was saved up this year and all hit the same week.

My car had costly repairs (but GM was wonderful and reimbursed me out of warranty for every penny) my big screen TV went out (needed a lamp projection bulb - those are consumer replaceables now) ceiling fan in our office blew up (that was interesting) our daughter's car was hit in the parking lot at college (with her sitting in it - we left Orlando, FL and flew home 3 days early to see about her). Everything's good now and everything's fixed but maybe next time it could be spaced out and not hit all in the same week.

Oh -then we had rescheduled our Gulf Shores getaway cause Hurricane Ike brought in a pounding surf that deposited snowdrift like mounds of sand (truly looks like snow) so that the neighborhood where we rented a house was literally closed to traffic and evacuated. Well, we rescheduled for the end of Oct. and had a really good vacation - except our daughter called on our second night to tell us (before we saw it on CNN) that there had been a shooting in the parking lot at her dorm and 2 people were killed. While we were horrified for the families who lost their child - we were worried about the safety of our daughter. I think it was a blessing that we were away as we couldn't drive the normal 2 hours to be with her and make sure things were okay. The police stayed in the hallway of her dorm all night and the next day until they had a handle on why the shooting occurred and had made arrest. I feel so guilty for worrying about my daughter when two other families lost their innocent sons. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. So tragic.

On a brighter note.......here's a picture of Don and I in Gulf Shores. The sun was so bright and most of the time the wind wasn't too bad. And the water - it was warm enough to walk in and so clear it sparkled.

We had the beach to ourselves and took long walks. On one of those walks we were lucky to be walking right at the shore line and the sun was behind us and with the crystal clear water, I looked out about 5 feet from shore and saw a group of sting-rays. Not real big ones (they were maybe 18 inches with their wings extended?) It's a good guess as the next day we saw one of them dead on the beach so I had to check. LOL Anyway, there were maybe 10-12 of them in the group and they were absolutely beautiful. So graceful like they floated through the water with their winglets furling and unfurling as they went. They didn't go fast, watching them was like in slow motion.

I got up each morning to see the sunrise. What gorgeous colors - as everyone knows, my favorite palette. Check out in the dark part of the picture - that's the sand mounds left from Hurricane Ike. They are still scooping it up and dump trucks full make the circle down to the beach to dump it. They were very nice and made all their noise working in other areas so we had mostly peace and quiet during out stay.

And a little later at sunrise..... You can see the oil platforms out in the Gulf they were lit up at night, actually very pretty. These pictures were taken from the deck of our rental home. Such beautiful colors at sunrise.

Here's a picture directly in front of the house of the sunset.

It was a perfect getaway and I can't wait to go back next year. Hopefully a couple of weeks earlier when the weather is just a tad warmer.

Thanks for visiting my blog - enjoy the upcoming holiday season and give all your kids big hugs just because. Whether they want them or not.

Kathy's Violets (Chatelaine freebie)

2008-09-19T07:52:00.003-06:00

I finally decided to work on finishing off some stitched pieces. Here is Kathy's Violets finished into a flatfold. I really like this option as you can display it on a table or shelf and just change them out whenever......

Kathy's Violets.........

2008-09-08T07:05:00.002-06:00

I forgot all about this little finish. It's Kathy's Violets a freebie from Chatelaine Designs

It's stitched over 1 on 28ct lugana that I dyed a soft light teal. I stitched 4 X's for each 1 on the chart so the dimensions stayed the same. I'll be making it into a flat-fold so I'll take another picture once I do the finishing. I made some slight changes to the design - like using opalescent teal bead for the dew drops, making rhodes stitches in place of the algerian eyelets in the border, lavender and citron beads in the border and a little silver dragonfly in the center. It's a fun stitch. I'll get it made into a flat-fold after our vacation next week.

We are leaving Saturday for Gulf Shores, nice relaxing walks on the beach are just what I need.

Our daughter was home this weekend from college, we baked chocolate chip cookies and an apple pie for her to take back. I really miss her but she's doing well and having a wonderful time. It's nice to hear about her classes, teachers, new friends and all the other new things she's doing.

Thanks for stopping by...........have a wonderful day

Fairy Flora.....

2008-09-03T14:04:00.002-06:00

I've been wanting to start a Mirabilia chart for ages and have had the hardest time deciding which one. I finally settled on Fairy Flora and here's the first WIP. Of course, I changed the beads to delicas (they are so dainty and perfect) and I changed the recommended colors too. As this piece has such a bright background around her pale dress and wings, I decided on a plain fabric to compliment the colors and how they blend. She's stitched over 1 so finished size wil be 4/12" wide by 10" in length.

We've had rain (from Gustav) since around 8am yesterday. It's been a good steady rain and much needed in this area. It's helped cool the temps. off a little but it sure is wrecking havoc on my walking routine. I'll have to try and make it up this weekend.

Thanks for stoping by and have a wonderful week

Aug. 28 Dreamsleep WIP......

2008-08-28T13:17:00.002-06:00

It's been a busy summer and I've been meaning to post an update of Dreamsleep for ages. Here she is......

isn't she stunning? She is charted from the original artwork of Ian Daniels by Tammy at Stab and Stash. She has released a lot of beautiful new charts recently - why or why aren't there more hours in the day?

Anyway, Dreamsleep has been such a joy to stitch on, there are lots of rosie browns and pinks and golds in with all that brown. It's very nice watching the different sections take shape.

Melanie has been off at college for 2 weeks now and we are all settling into a nice routine. I try not to call her very much and she has surprised me by calling almost every day. Sometimes more than once in a day. She's doing great and loving dorm life so keep your fingers crossed everything continues in this smooth pattern.

We're taking a little mini-vacation in a couple of weeks and starting to get sicced up about it! We've rented a house on the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. My sister, my brother (and their spouses) are coming, along with my Mom and Stepdad (they rented their own house for more privacy) so I'm sure we'll have lots of laughs. We are all looking forward to just hanging out, visiting lots, eating seafood for dinner, going for walks on the beach and whatever else we decide we just have to try.

Then, 2 weeks after the 5-day vacation to Gulf Shores we are flying to Orlando, FL for a business conference. We look forward to this trip every year as it's always nice weather and you can stroll through the conference at your leisure. We always have such a good time!

Lazy Summer Days.........

2008-06-29T21:33:00.002-06:00

This has been a crazy summer. We've been so laid back it seems wrong to say it's flying by, but it sure seems that way. I can't believe we're at the end of June. It's my special month, my birthday and anniversary month. 46 years old and married 25 years. Now that doesn't seem possible either.

I've not been stitching as much lately but I think it's because the house just has more activity during the summer. There are kids coming and going at all hours. We've been walking just about every evening (after the sun goes down and it cools off a bit).........and I have the first tomatoes in my garden.

I've been happy and occupied - and that's a good combination!

Taj Mahal Update......

2008-05-29T12:54:00.004-06:00

May update WIP of Taj Mahal. This is still such a fun piece to work on. The over 2 stitching is a nice break from all the over 1 stuff and the silks just glide through the fabric, so smooth and easy. If I ever win the lottery I'll have to start my own hand dyed silk floss company with prices so affordable that every project could be done in silks.
I've hit a slump where I just don't want to stitch on anything. Nothing sounds appealing; except a new start of course.....hehe Truly, I think it's just the busy transition of spring into summer. Melanie graduates from High School tomorrow evening and we have tons of company coming; we have birthdays and an anniversary next week plus making a trip to Tulsa (about 2 hours away) to take my Mom for a Drs. checkup (everything's fine, just checking) so all in all I've just had a lot going on.

But I'm dying to start Evening in the Park and/or PIG..............and you know, a girls just gotta be able to stitch so if it takes a new start, well......LOL

Dreamsleep................

2008-05-13T07:10:00.004-06:00

Check out the new Dreamsleep WIP on the sidebar. Isn't she just gorgeous? I love stitching on this one, the browns are all pink/rose shades and the shading and blending is just beautiful. I did put it up this week to work on Taj Mahal but the break won't last long. If you look close you can see the folds in her skimpy little dress......and see all the purple shades.

On the home front, I've been doing alot of gardening and have all the flower beds in the front of the house in good order. Now to tackle the one in the backyard, I think I'll put it off until next week; so long as I get it done before the hot days start. I need to make another run to the nursery and hope they have some Lantana; I love this plant. It has dark shiney leaves and is loaded with clusters of tiny flowers and it grows from a thick stalk like a bush. Most common colors in this area are yellow, white, or red but there is a color called confetti (pink/yellow/orange) that is my favorite. It is a good choice as it will take the hot sun (100+ days) and not wither away. As long as you keep watering, it will keep flowering up until frost.

Hopefully the next time you visit Joyce (thank you sweetie) will have my slideshow added to the sidebar. Actually 2 of them - one for finishes and one of WIPs.

Lucy's first haircut......

2008-04-20T14:17:00.002-06:00

Lucy is now 7 months old and we had puppy spa day at our house this afternoon. She didn't like the clippers very much, and really didn't like it when you get close to her face but she was very, very good and doesn't she look like a nice doggie with her 'big girl' cut?

She's a Miniature Schnauzer but we call her our Greyhound on account of she has the longest legs. She's starting to grow into them and doesn't look that awkward anymore.

Gracie is getting a bath and shave tomorrow - I just couldn't face trying to do them both in one day.

Part 4 HD........

2008-04-18T14:46:00.002-06:00

I just finished Part 4 of Papillon Creations 2008 Mystery 'How Does Your Garden Grow'. If you click on the picture to enlarge it you'll notice I downloaded the wrong file option for part3....so no specialty stitches but that's okay, I still think it's lovely.

This is a mystery in 13 parts; 1 each month. You can access the download section by signing up for their newsletter at the above link.

Finishing on Truth Storykeep (Sara Butcher)

2008-04-16T11:43:00.003-06:00

Wow, 2 post in a single day. I decided to just pick something and work on it. This is Truth Storykeep by Sara Butcher. I finished the stitching last year and it's been laying around while I decided what finishing technique to use.

I decided to lay it on top of a stack of dinner plates in the hutch in the formal dining room.

Taj Update

2008-04-16T08:55:00.004-06:00

This is today's update of my Taj Mahal. If you look really close at the bottom left corner, you'll notice the first 10 or so beads. I just couldn't resist starting the beading!

I'm going through a 'funk' right now. You ever have those days or weeks when everything is okay but your just anxious and unfocused? I pick up a book (a good one too) and I start reading and find myself reading 2 or 3 pages and not digesting what I'm reading - or I want to stitch and find myself staring at the bags of projects and can't decide which one to work on. I've always multi-tasked well and I'm really bothered by this. I have a ton of stuff I would like to do; new projects to start, redesign this blog site, upload all my finishes to the new finishing blog Fantastic Finishes ; and alot of spring projects around the house (fun ones too) but I just don't want to start any of these. I told my husband maybe I'm a little depressed and just don't know it? Maybe I need to find a part-time job, just anything that gets me out of the house for a few days a week; nicely dressed with makeup, etc. Something to do that is concrete then maybe I'll use my 'free' time better. Right now it's like - it's all free time so I can do anything at any time I want; so I find myself sitting there and not doing any of it. Am I making any sense at all?

Dreamsleep WIP

2008-04-06T20:18:00.002-06:00

I keep forgetting to post this new update picture. It looks a little distorted in the picture - but it's not. It was a dark, yucky day so I draped it over the dining room chair (by the window) to see all of the natural sunlight that I could. The colors are gorgeous in this one!

Dreamsleep by Ian Daniels, Charted by Stab n' Stash.

2 Finishes in one day.............

2008-03-17T18:20:00.003-06:00

I'm on a roll........finished the stitching on this one last month but I'm just now getting around to completing it into an ornament. Based on my sloppy work, I'm gonna beg - yes, beg our local Embroidery Guild to have some classes on ornament finishing techniques. This will be mine to keep. Once I learn how to do a neater finishing job, I would love to stitch this pretty snowflake again. It's from the Stoney Creek Magazine, Feb. 2008 issue - Snowflake Ornament #1 in a new series.

I used Caron Wildflowers thread in Carribean, 1x2 on 28 ct.

New Finish..................

2008-03-17T13:53:00.002-06:00

I finished this today. It's the Friendship Tree by The Victoria Sampler (Thea Dueck). It was my first time at any type of hardanger stitch and I was surprised at how easy it is. Lots of fun too!

I love the finishing instructions for this piece and I think I'll pull out my Sara Butcher Truth piece (HAED storykeep) and finish it off this way, minus the fringe.

Dreamsleep WIP

2008-03-05T09:34:00.005-06:00

All I can say is WOW - this is such a fun stitch. For those of you who don't know, fantasy artist Ian Daniels is now being charted by Stab and Stash. Thanks to Tammy for the excellent charting job!

Needle Case for Brandy..........

2008-02-29T13:04:00.005-06:00

It arrived safely so I can post pictures now. All of us who know and love Brandy http://branlaadeestitching.blogspot.com/ know how much she cherishes her cats, all 6 of them. So I had to have the Brittercup Cat Charts for her and then, well, I just had so much fun designing and stitching this piece for her. I even found the little firefly trinkets and loved working them into the design. It's stitched on 28 ct Lugana hand-dyed a light teal. There is a place for your needles, scissors, and a large pocket to carry floss.

another Taj Update.....

2008-02-26T12:26:00.003-06:00

Just about ready to start putting some beads on this one. Then it'll be a beading project...

This one makes such a nice piece to come back to when I'm a little tired of 1x1 stitching.

Taj Mahal Update.......

2008-02-07T15:52:00.000-06:00

I've been working on Taj Mahal (Chatelaine) this week. It's such a nice, easy stitch. I'm approaching the 1/2 way mark. Once I finish this one, I can start Evening In The Park, wahoo! DH has been gone all week so I've just puttered around, reading and stitching.

I'm currently reading Agnes & The Hitman it's light chick literature, full of ribald humor.

After the last few weeks of dreary weather, I decided to treat myself so I scheduled a hair appointment and a pedicure today. It feels so good to pamper yourself. Besides, nothing nicer than comfy warm pj's and my stitching ottoman and seeing those pretty french manicured toes peeking out. http://www.crusiemayer.com/agnes/book.htm

happy stitching.....

Sarah's Key.....

2008-02-05T16:07:00.001-06:00

that's the name of the book I'm currently reading. It's fantastic and not to be missed. It shows you the darkest part of the human spirit as it makes you think and reassess your thoughts and beliefs, it will change your soul. Here's a link http://mapage.noos.fr/tatianaderosnay/sarahken2.htm

BAP Happy Dance

2008-02-04T17:12:00.000-06:00

It's finally happened - the last stitch has gone in and it's a happy finishing dance for this girl! It's Morning Rose by Linda Ravenscroft (charted by HAED; but now retired) she's 450x477, 14X19 on 25 ct cream jobelan and it's been a pleasure to stitch. I started this piece in Sept. 2005 and just finished today. I loved stitching on her, the background is made up of several different colors so not alot of solid stitching. The roses are stitched in 5-6 shades of pink; but, the think my favorite part to stitch was the iridescent wings, they are so delicate looking. My favorite of all the details is the dew drops on the leaves they are just amazing IRL.

Thanks for looking.....

Big teaser..................

2008-01-30T12:02:00.000-06:00

It's a big teaser! Only around 1800 stitches left so next time I pick her up will be a finish. It's Morning Rose (artwork by Linda Ravenscroft, the cross stitch chart is no longer available).

I have a new project I just can't wait to get started on so off to plan

happy stitching........

I had to share this with you.....

2008-01-26T17:38:00.000-06:00

I don't know where this originated as my Mother emailed it to me last week, but I want to share it with you. There are times in our lives when hardships and trials eat at us and make us doubt our selves. If your not a believer, don't worry it's a nice fable. I especially like the last sentence and will always be remindful of this.

QUILT OF HOLES

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the brig ht hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

Freebie from Chatelaine

2008-01-24T07:45:00.000-06:00

I've put some stitches into this freebie chart, it's Christmas Mandala from Chatelaine. It's stitched 1x1 but keeping the original dimensions, so for each 2x2 X - I've stitched 4 1x1 X's. Is that confusing? Anyway, I love how flat and delicate it looks. It's stitched on a very light aqua with a few slight changes in the gold threads and have completely different beads picked out too. Can't wait to actually start putting beads on.

Our new pup Lucy is a hoot! She is so cute, running outside with those big floppy ears. Gracie is very sweet to her and seems to recognize that Lucy is a baby. Lucy is teething but really good about only chewing on her toys. She likes to chew on Gracie though! She thinks she is getting Gracie to play with her but she's just too rough on Gracie. She runs up and bites on her, pulling on her snout or laying on top of her and trying to chomp on her - and Gracie lets her! I keep waiting for Gracie to nip at her and make her stop but she doesn't. Of course I get onto Lucy but they are gonna have to work that one out on their own.

New Puppy

2008-01-23T08:37:00.000-06:00

Here's our new mini-schnauzer, Lucy. We also have an 8 yr. old mini-schnauzer, Gracie. Gracie is a lady and Lucy is trying very hard to learn some manners.

It's been icy and cold here. No snow, just ice on everything. I even noticed some of my daffodils have broke through and are around 3 inches tall. The wonders of nature!

Yesterday I was in the backyard with the puppies and we have this huge oak tree with 100s of brown shriveled leafs still attached. Each leaf is covered with ice and when the wind blows they ring with a delicate chime like a huge crystal chandelier, so dainty and refreshing. I stayed out way longer than I should have - my nose and toes were numb.

I'm off to stitch on Morning Rose..............should be finished within the week.

Completed RR piece.......

2007-12-07T10:35:00.000-06:00

I finished Sheri's RR piece last night. It's for a HAED RR I was in this year with Nikki, Tash, Leigh, Terri, Michelle & Sheri. I'll get it into the mail today - I realized with Christmas so close I didn't want to wait and it get lost in the avalanche of additional mail this time of year.
Now, before you look at the picture I put it under very bright light so that you can see the delicate blending and shading detail. So, the actual fabric and texture of the stitches looks washed out, and it looks like coverage is an issue (but it's not) it's truly beautiful in person.

I'm going to put some stitching time into my Chatelaine Christmas Mandala piece. I'll post an update of it soon.....

happy stitching

2007 Christmas Ornaments

2007-12-06T13:50:00.000-06:00

These are the ornaments I stitched this year. Part of my 2008 stitching goals includes a little ornament stitching each month so I should have more to share next year.

I'll be mailing these the first of next week but I couldn't resist posting the picture now. If you look close, you'll notice on the 'Merry Christmas' ornament that I don't have the back or ribbon attached. I just got back from the store buying pretty dark green ribbon!

I've completed nearly all my Christmas shopping so I can relax and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.

happy stitching

It's been a frustrating day...........

2007-12-04T16:23:00.000-06:00

winter is on my mind, I'm so envious of all you northerners and the beautiful snow you've been getting. Makes it seem like the holiday season is truly here. I've been itching to start my Snow Princess & The Polar Bear chart (Ruth Sanderson by HAED). It has always seemed like a peaceful winter stitch, all that snow and starrey skies, I can't imagine working on it any other time of year. Guess I better get to a spot real quick like in my stitching where I can start it, sans guilt.

okay, just wanted to get everyone else thinking and dreaming about a new start...giggle

I'm a horrible blogger.....

2007-11-30T08:48:00.001-06:00

but in my defense, I've been really busy stitching. I stitched (and have put together) 6 or 7 Christmas Ornaments ^yeah for me^ and have been working on Morning Rose diligently. I have around 200 stitches left on the current page then only 2.5 more pages to go. I have started thinking of my 2008 goals and hope to finish MR by the end of January.

I love stitching this time of year. Curling up in my stitching haven and catching up on all the movies and shows I've been collecting on the DVR. I think I'll buy new PJs today something soft and warm and cheery. I love looking at the twinkling lights on the Christmas Tree while I stitch.

I have waited all year to start Snow Princess and The Polar Bear (Ruth Sanderson artwork, charted by HAED) it just seems like something to be stitched when it's cold and sunny outside. Preferably when there is snow on the ground, but if I wait for that I'll never get to start it!

I'm going to run like a whirlwind this morning and finish all my stuff (make a quick swip through the house, grocery shop, quick trip to the mall, stop at cleaners & library) then I'm gonna curl up in my PJs and stitch!

Seconds??????

2007-10-15T19:31:00.000-06:00

B, I'm so glad they enjoyed the new recipe (see last post). She has to keep up her strength for all those driving lessons!

This has been occupying my stitching time for the last week. It's a HAED RR piece with (as you can see) a black & white theme. The picture doesn't do justice - in real life the colors are darker and richer and there is no contrast. Isn't it gorgeous? I stitched Gathering Dew in the 4th slot.

It's a little late for summer.....

2007-10-13T10:33:00.001-06:00

but here's a recipe that is in a word - delicious. I love to cook in cooler weather and we had tomatoe and cheese omelets for lunch today. Omelets are the perfect companions for Tomatoe Pie - albent it is best with home grown tomatoes full of taste but is still really good with a firm, market fresh tomatoe. Tomatoe pie doesn't sound appealing - but I challenge you to try. Don't call it tomatoe pie just tell your family it's a casseroley thing that goes with anything.....

4 tomatoes, peeled and sliced - fresh basil & green onion chopped - 9" deep pie crust - 1 cup each of shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar cheese and mayonnaise (the real thing folks) salt & pepper to taste. Place the tomatoe slices in a colandar and salt them - let them drain for 10 minutes. You want to get rid of as much standing juice as possible. Layer the tomatoes and basil with onion in the crust. Season with salt & pepper. Combine the cheeses and mayo - spread over the top (like a crust) and bake at 350 deg for about 30 minutes. The cheese & mayo will be crusty and brown, the pie crust light and flakey. Let cool to room temp......refrigerate any leftovers.

The promise of fall........

2007-10-10T13:54:00.000-06:00

is in the air. It's a beautiful day here, the sun is shining and temps are in the low 80's, it's just gorgeous. We are slowly sliding into fall and I'm so ready.

I don't really cook alot during the summer, we grill out and have lots of fresh veggies, etc but truly cooking a meal doesn't happen very often. I love to cook and especially in the fall. Seems like everything good starts with fresh garlic, onion, peppers and mushrooms......they are staples in my fridge. Fresh creamy potatoe and cheese soup, fragrant pot roast and veggies prepared with fresh rosemary and basil, yum.

I think I'll cook a real meal tonight - spending time in the kitchen just makes me happy.

I've been naughty this week........my stitching time has been spent on Taj Mahal. That's naughty cause I'm supposed to be finishing my part of Tash's HAED RR. I'm about 1/2 way so it won't be much longer.

I'll get my courage up and do the finishing on my Christmas ornaments and will have pictures soon.

Chatelaine is on my mind........

2007-09-27T10:36:00.000-06:00

Well, Kim started it last week - this talk on the Coven board about stitching on our Chatelaine's. Now Kim got me started on Taj Mahal - and her stitching on it all last week made me just itch to get it out and put some stitches in. So, check out the new WIP to the right..... it really is a fun stitch (once I find my place and get acclimated with the instructions).

Now, how about this week of new series TV! I've watched Bionic Woman (loved it - nice new remake of an oldie); CSI: NY (loved it); Life (loved it too); Private Practice (yep, loved it); I missed Chuck so I'll have to DVR it some other time; taped House & Bones but haven't watched them yet. Looking forward to Grey's Anatomy & Journeyman tonight. I usually stitch while I watch TV but this week I've found myself to wraped up in the shows that I couldn't stitch.

I've stitched 6 Christmas Ornaments. Once I get my nerve up to finish them into ornaments with ribbons and such I'll post a picture.

Happy stitching everyone........

It's Ornament Time.....

2007-09-26T04:33:00.000-06:00

I've had the best time the last few weeks stitching up Christmas Ornaments. I'd forgotten how fun over two stuff is - just a nice way to shake up the stitching routine.

Nothing much happening, just plodding along. Melanie is so busy with school this year - seems like it's a club or board meeting just about every afternoon then homework. She is taking the ACT & SAT tests for the last time in October and also finishing up her applications for early admission to college. I believe she has 5 colleges picked out and we will see what kind of scholarships she picks up and where. Keeping our fingers crossed!

now get started on those ornies...........

WOW........

2007-08-20T09:10:00.000-06:00

I'm horrible at updates. There just isn't that much interesting stuff going on around here.

Today is the first day of school - my daughter gave me a hug and said 'today is my last first day of school', but she was happy and eager to go so I count my blessings. She's taking AP classes - a 3 hour biology (1 hr is lab), english, anatomy, statistics and oral comm. It's a tough schedule but she's excited. She only needs the oral comm and english to graduate.

We enjoyed a hot uneventful summer. Mostly just enjoying the teens and hanging out close to home.

Our weather has changed drastically over the last few days. We are about 15 degrees cooler than we were a week ago. So the evenings are pretty nice and we've started walking again. I think it's one of the best things I do for myself. Just making the time to walk, getting out of the house for fresh (humid) air - it just makes me feel better.

On the stitching front I'll have a nice new WIP of Morning Rose in the next few days. And this time, she'll have a face YAY!

My new resolution is to post an update at least once a week. Thanks for visiting with me and have a wonderful week.

Beautiful spring....

2007-04-29T09:50:00.000-06:00

it's finally here. My flowers are growing and some are just starting to bloom. Give them another month of miracle grow and sunshine and they'll be spectacular. I'm slowly but surely getting the beds in shape for summer.

Also have to show off a beautiful gift I received. Made by Capella - it's Temari, absolutely stunning. She weaves and wraps the perle cotton threads where they look like strips of ribbon (it's a beautiful craft) with beautiful bead strings to match turquoise and lavendar and clear pink - with purple tear drops on the end. It sort of reminds me of my current stitching obsessions, Chatelaine's Taj Mahal. Check out the thumbnails to the right for an update picture.

Tomorrow is our official SAL start for Circus of Circles (Ink Circles). Here's my floss toss, HDFibers Dragon Tears silks with Silkweaver 32ct Belfast Linen in Purple Fog. I'll try for a better picture next update.

happy stitching everyone - and enjoy this gorgeous spring

Mira SAL

2007-04-16T16:59:00.000-06:00

starts today - YAY. Stitching Queen Mermaid 1x2 on 32ct Mediterranean Linen and she looks gorgeous already. Sooz is a hard taskmaster so I better get a little more stitched before I post a picture.

happy stitching everyone......

Easter weekend........

2007-04-10T14:37:00.000-06:00

I stitched on Morning Rose as my BAP-SAL pick for the Easter weekend. There's a updated thumbnail picture on the right sidebar. She has gorgeous wings but they are confetti hell to stitch....but worth the effort. I also received my new Ink Circles charts, the 20th Anniversary one and Second Chances (the purple sampler). YAY..... I also stitched a little freebie from Debbie Draper Designs, Spring Flowers for a flat-fold class that's this weekend. I'll post a picture once we get them finished out.

Have a great week everyone.....

Back from vacation

2007-03-22T16:25:00.000-06:00

okay, this is one of those long, long winded things - sort of like being invited over for dinner, then having to sit through the slideshow from vacation....

We spent our spring break vacation at the Grand Canyon. We stayed 2 nights in Santa Fe, NM then 2 nights in Tusayan, AZ which is just 2 miles from the gate at the Grand Canyon. It's a 17.5 hour trip from our home and can you believe it - I didn't get any stitching in at all? We did so much chatting and looking at visitors guides and seeing what everyone wanted to do (ie: where to shop) - it was just a wonderful trip.

If you ever visit Santa Fe, I highly recommend http://www.innofthegovernors.com/ they are right in the middle of the tourist/shopping/visitors plaza. This is a picture from our room.....The staff was the friendliest and most relaxed of any hotel I have ever stayed in. We had a kiva fireplace in our room with shuttered windows that opened out on the plaza square. We had spanish sangria and listened to the bag pipes play on St. Paddy's Day.

Okay, one more picture this is of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, Mather's Point. It has to be seen and felt - it can not be explained. Just go, if you ever have the opportunity, just go and share the experience with your loved ones.

Okay, I promise to have new WIP's for my next update within the next few days.

tada.....

2007-02-27T22:01:00.000-06:00

I sent this to Sean on Friday. He's trying very hard to quit smoking so I sent him some Dinky Dyes silks and some gum. That should keep him busy for a day and his mind otherwise occupied..... aren't those just the cutest little ladybugs?

I am so blessed with beautiful cyber-friends. I received a huge package in the mail from B - 10 charts and 5 hand-dyed fabbies in my favorite pastel colors, dark blue and light blue and purples..... I'm still overwhelmed with her generosity.

I'm still waiting for my SMF Fairy Morn fabric to start my Taj Mahal. Again, I'll say it should be here tomorrow. I've been stitching on Morning Rose the last few days and seem to be getting no where fast. All I can think about is starting Taj... then I have a couple of mailart pieces to do quick like then Circus of Circles to start in a SAL and a BFG SAL in June/July.

I neglected my garden last year so I'm looking forward to digging in the dirt and getting it ready for planting. Talked to Cindy last night and we are planning on spending a couple of days a week (it's a fun way for us to get girl time together) starting in May picking blueberries and canning them; picking strawberries and freezing them; making jams to can then starting on the vegetables once they come out of the garden. Then towards the middle of summer the freestone peaches will be ready to pick and we'll start on those. Canned blueberries and peaches make the best pies. You just pour the syrup off and pat them dry and prepare as you would with fresh fruit.

happy stitching.....

RR....Happy Stitching......

2007-02-21T20:39:00.000-06:00

I finally finished the first block on my HAED RR piece and it's ready for the journey around the world and back. I wanted to get this block done so that all the wonderful ladies ^thank you^ who will be stitching on this can see the most important part of the piece. It's a fantabulous fun stitch.

This is my fragmented chart of Verdure by Linda Ravenscroft as charted by HAED. I realized if I chose it from my stash for the RR that I would never stitch the whole chart; so, the really large blocks will be done by me once it returns home. I'll let the stitchers do as much, or as little, as they like in the block of their choice - then I'll finish it all off. I decided since this would be the only stitched piece I would have that I had to have a whole wing - hence the border on the right, then I needed the little raindrop on the leaf at the left to balance it out, then I said to my self I have to have those little white flowers too and her whole headdress.....so it grew. I can't wait to see the updates as each friend adds to this........

This evening I've been working on a mailart piece for a special friend. he's quit smoking so I'm sending him a care package - floss for stitching and gum to chew. That ought to keep his hands busy......

I've been really good to myself too. The weather is starting to warm up so along with my haircut yesterday I had a french pedicure today. Nothing like having pretty toes ^with little yellow flowers^ to look at!

Nothing much going on.......

2007-02-11T17:56:00.000-06:00

just the same old same ole. I'm not very good at journaling but I'm making an effort to update more frequently.

Family is healthy and happy; stitching is going well; the sun has been shining most days and it hasn't been too terribly cold. We've been trying to walk every afternoon - Gracie gets so excited. She has a big yard to run in but she loves getting to walk with us - go figure.

I've taken my new year pampering to heart and my skin hasn't looked this good in a long time. I think part of it's all the water and milk I've been drinking. I'm letting my hair grow out a little so I can get a nice clean cut into an angular bob - just above shoulder level a little longer in the front than the back.

On the Melanie front, she won't be a senior until next year but we've been talking and making college plans already about the University of Arkansas (in Fayetteville). It's only a 45 minute drive from home so YAY for me. Most of the kids she pals with will be going there so she's getting excited and nervous at the same time. I'm so excited for her but nervous too - it's like sending them to school for the first time - all over again.

This is my piece for a HAED RR..... it's Verdure by Linda Ravenscroft. I tell you this is so much fun to work on. The colors and shading are just stunning. Practically every color is some shade of green. The next mailing date is March 5 so I've been working on this exclusively, trying to finish this block before the send off. I hope each of the ladies in the group enjoy this piece as much as I have and it makes them each want to stitch their own version.

I have a couple of mailart pieces in mind but can't start them until the RR gets sent on its way. I have several others charts waiting in the wings to be started - there just aren't enough hours in the day.

Happy stitching my friends - stay warm and well

New stash awaits.............

2007-01-06T13:54:00.000-06:00

waiting on the mailman that is. I've been very good to myself this week. I've spent around $325 on stash for 3 upcoming projects! I never buy and stash stuff - I wait until I'm ready to start a project, them I gather the supplies I need. Not this time!

I've always wanted to stitch a Mirabilia, and was gifted (thanks S) with the Queen Mermaid http://www.mirabilia.com/crossStitchFrames/md57.html and Tammy at Stab and Stash http://www.stabandstash.com/ gifted me with a gorgeous one-of-a-kind piece of 32ct Linen that will be beautiful for this piece. Here's the DMC color chart http://www.needlepointers.com/displaypage.aspx?ArticleID=31979&URL=http%3a%2f%2fyarntree.com%2f075dmcolors.jpg, the outer ring of color is a beautiful teal like 3808 or 991, it has splashes of apricot like 3778 and 3779 along with a lemon yellow like 727 and a little baby blue. You just have to see it - and you will once I start stitching. Just waiting on the beads to arrive and make sure everything matches okay.

Everyone I know seems to be starting Blackstone Fantasy Garden by Ink Circles http://www.inkcircles.com/html/blackstone_fantasy_garden.html so I had to have it too - and the recommended thread pack from Carrie's Creations http://www.carriesthreads.com/images/Blackstone_Fantasy.jpg - aren't they GORGEOUS. Ordered 32ct Jobelan in Parchment (DMC 543) for this one.

Now, I've always wanted to try a Chatelaine (enter Kim, who got me hooked on Taj Mahal). So, that chart and recommended silks and bead pack took a big chunk from my checkbook this week. I've ordered 32ct Jobelan in Ivory.

I've taken this pampering business a little too far.....I did manage to shave my legs 4 times this week (that's a record for winter time). And, the best of all is my face cream from Bath & Body Works http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2126960&cp=2484526.2413515&view=all&view=all&parentPage=family
this stuff is like silk for your skin. It is incredible - I bought a trial kit last year and am just now getting around to using it everyday. It seems pricey but a little bit goes a long, long way.

I've been stitching on my Truth SK, around 2000 stitches left. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.....

A little pampering never hurt anyone.....

2007-01-03T08:54:00.000-06:00

My pledge to myself for personal growth this year is to pamper and treat myself better. Nothing makes you feel more feminine and special than a little pampering. Nothing drastic, it's in the little things. Like taking the time to use (everyday) the fluffy good smelling lotions I buy; (don't laugh here) actually shaving my legs more often than once a week, it's winter but still; going to lunch with friends and socializing; keeping my eyebrows tweezed into shape (amazing how this lifts my spirits); wearing perfume even on the days I'm just puttering around the house; burning candles while I stitch just for the joy of it......I'm sure I'll find some other ways too.

We women always put the people in our lives ahead of ourselves, so this year be good to yourselves too........your loved ones will appreciate it.

Currently stitching on Truth Storykeep

Be Safe......

2006-12-30T11:26:00.000-06:00

Have a wonderful New Years Eve celebration and be safe. We are staying in, but having friends over. 4 adults and 6 teenagers - we'll eat mexican food, watch movies, play card games, snack too much, etc. I'll try to get a nice picture of everyone.

I'm so excited - I've been looking forward to my Jan 1 new start for MONTHS. I'm starting Snow Princess & The Polar Bear by Ruth Sanderson (as charted by HAED, of course).

A new beginning.......2007

2006-12-30T11:02:00.000-06:00

After serious and cautious consideration – your Contract of Friendship has been renewed for 2007. This includes a desire to acknowledge the joy in life - it's there, but sometimes we just don't see it for what it is. For each and every one of you…... I promise to be here for you during 2007 to support you through the ups and downs when things are heaped upon you. Remember, I’m only an email away when you need a shoulder to keep you from perpetrating evil upon others (this is mainly for J/M/A/E). I promise to listen without criticism when you need to whine – as I tend to do a lot of this. I solemly swear to hold your hand and walk with you when you can no longer see the blessings in your life......and, of course, you know I'll be happy to help point them out to you throughout the year.

More pointing the finger later.................now get to stitching and let's see some pictures.

Winter is finally here

2006-12-02T12:24:00.001-06:00

at least for a week. I'm so happy cause it just doesn't seem like the holidays without cold weather. Everyone in really cold climates, stay warm and safe and when your completely sick of the snow, think of me and how excited I would be if I could be with you.

This is the freebie Arabesque Initial from Passione Ricamo. I'll make it into a lined fold-over (eventually, once I get my nerve up to cut on it!). I'm horrible (read sloppy) at finishing. I don't know the fabric name but it is not such a bright pink as my picture. The floss is Eterna Mini-Twist Silk in Cabarnet (med pink to maroon) and is perfect with this fabby. The fabric was a gift from Tammy of http://www.stabandstash.com/om/

I've also been working on my Morning Rose (HAED). You can see the outline of her face. I'll keep plugging away on the background then probably move over to the left and work on her beautiful wings. I'll save her face for the last part, until I move up to the LAST ROW of pages. YAY

My friend Bonnie has me hooked on Mailart and she organized a mailart project for a group stitchers. I'm going to work on mine this week and hopefully finish it in December. I'll post a picture, but not tell who it's going to.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and happy stitching - don't forget to take time to relax and stitch a little during the holiday season. It's such a busy, stressful time for most families - especially moms.

What kind of car are you?

2006-11-27T14:02:00.000-06:00

I'm a Mercedes SLK!

You appreciate the finer things in life. You have a split personality - wild or conservative, depending on your mood. Wherever you go, you like to travel first class. Luxury, style, and fun - who could ask for more?

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

That was fun - here is the breakdown on models:

Ferrari 360: 386669 (10%)
Lamborghini Murcielago: 273654 (7%)
Mazda Miata: 251968 (6%)
Honda S2000: 97281 (2%)
Dodge Viper: 219569 (5%)
Chevrolet Corvette: 1090694 (27%)
Porsche 911: 599180 (15%)
Mazda RX-8: 246627 (6%)
Porsche Boxster: 57989 (1%)
Audi TT: 90630 (2%)
Mercedes SLK: 173949 (4%)
Ford Mustang: 359814 (9%)
Lotus Elise: 103301 (3%)
Nissan 350Z: 104457 (3%)

Post-Thanksgiving, recovery

2006-11-26T09:07:00.000-06:00

Lazy sunday.....getting everyone ready for work and school tomorrow. We were so busy we didn't get our Christmas Tree put up so maybe today I can coax Mel into helping - she'll be mad if I put it up without her. My plan this year is to only put up the tree, I'm not doing the whole house decorating thing. I'm tired just thinking about having to take it all down and store it again......maybe I'll get in the mood once our weather turns cold. We've been running about 15 degrees above normal here but next week that's supposed to change. Yea....

Do any of you stitch Christmas ornaments? I guess I need to buy a new stitching magazine cause for some reason I'm intimidated about trying to make one. Not the stitching part, but the put-it-together part. Dumb huh?

Then, theres the tree skirt that we've been working on for about 6 years now. Melanie and I get it out between Thanksgiving and Christmas to work on it. She asks every year, when are we going to finish this? It's a fun project for us to work on together while watching tv - its one of those felt pieces where you cut the shapes out, layer, stuff and sew it on with beads and sequins. She cuts pieces for me and picks out the floss and sequins, etc. My plan is that it's for her first Christmas away from home....guess we better get it out and start working on it.

Happy stitching ladies.......

Wonderful Saturday...

2006-11-18T20:20:00.000-06:00

It's been a great day, and the football has been pretty good too! I love watching college ball - it's one of the reasons why Fall is my favorite time of the year. Plus, I get a triple play - I get to watch and spend time with my hubby and stitch too....so there.

I've been working on some special gifts so I can't show you what I've been stitching on just yet - but soon. Well, probably not soon. They aren't Christmas presents, they are just because presents, so I will probably hold on to them until after Christmas. So, pictures soonish...

I've seen so many new kinds of cross-stitch charts - like the celtic intertwining hearts and knots stuff - the single color stuff. And I like it. Kim's new start of her Stitchin'spiration chart has me salivating......I can't wait to see WIPs you hear?

Have a wonderful weekend ladies and happy stitching.....

Freebie from Chatelaine Designs

2006-11-14T18:07:00.000-06:00

I spent most of my stitching time today on the Christmas Mandala (a free chart) from Chatelaine Designs. I don't like working with the braids so I used Petite Treasure Braid for the gold, BF032 in place of the silver braid in the tree and a #4 braid I had thats black with a strand of copper blended in for the outline of the pots. I can't wait to add the beads - of course, I picked different colors than it calls for so you'll just have to come back to see what they are!

I'm so glad Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We are staying home this year and I've just been estatic about it. Melanie is going to help me cook (along with my MIL) and my Mom and stepdad will be here for dinner.....it's my favorite holiday of the year.

Things have been going good and everyone's been very happy at my house - makes me wonder what's in store down the road. I'm always waiting for 'the other shoe to drop'. It's the Mom in me I suppose, when they're being sweet I worry.

Have a wonderful evening everyone and happy stitching.....

I'm pleased to present the following for your entertainment.

2006-11-10T17:43:00.000-06:00

I posted this on a stitching BB and thought what-the-heck, you could use a good laugh too.

Here's a recap of my morning along with my favorite pet-peeve:

I got all my cleaning and errands and hair (root touch-ups) done (looks good too!)....then I got BONNIE MAIL!!!! (a beautiful mailart pouch) I posted on that thread about fuming this morning and I wasn't going to share my petty pet-peeve but those of you who have been around me for a while remember my WORST PET-PEEVE.

People who walk their dogs on my front yard. Now, if you live anywhere in the vicinity of this neighborhood you have YOUR OWN YARD. Why do you feel the need to put a leash on your dog, walk all the way down to the end of this deserted, dead-end street and let your dog do his business in my yard. Walk him around your yard and let him do his business.

Seriously - I know it's absolutely not a major thing but it's just a little quirk that really irritates me. I don't walk my dog in other peoples yard? Why do idiots actually think this is okay neighborly etiquette?

Anyway - I got up this morning. Had coffee with Melanie and sent her off to school. Poured a second cup and went into the office to visit with my hubby and, you guessed it - visit my BB. I walk through the entry way, happen to glance out the little side window by the front door and see something on my walkway - it's beveled glass and kind of hard to actually tell what it is. So, I open the door, in my flaming orange nightgown (t-shirt style comes to just above my knees) and wild hair (gray roots and all sticking straight up) with my coffee cup in hand and there is a man - no more than 15 feet away. He has walked ALL THE WAY UP OUR DRIVEWAY, FOLLOWED THE SIDEWALK BETWEEN MY FLOWER BEDS, AND IS STANDING ON MY WALKWAY WITH A LEASH WHILE HIS DOG POOPS IN MY YARD

I hope your all laughing good now - I was so stunned I just dropped my jaw and closed the door. I told my husband and said you know how much I hate this and went on and on about how inconsiderate these people are and how it's my yard and my kids play in it. My husband (he's not real bright this morning and hasn't had his first cup of coffee) says - Melanie's grown up and doesn't roll around in the front yard and play anymore so what do you care?

Hubby says he probably didn't want to get his feet wet by walking onto the yard so he stayed on the sidewalk. Hubby has a sincere death wish - why would he even think to side with that idiot and try to take up for him? He and his dog shouldn't be in my yard at all.

I think I'll have to watch and see where he lives and one morning surprise him by returning all of his poop and laying it at his front door.

Anyway - hubby is forgiven and I'm not fuming any more...it's kind of funny and I'm kind of embarrassed about my whole reaction ^maybe a little^.....

Significant life struggles

2006-10-24T23:51:00.000-06:00

I made some new friends tonight and I've spent the last few hours thinking about the significant struggles that some people are faced with. I don't just mean health issues but significant life altering struggles. Like the old adage 'what doesn't kill us makes us stronger' I believe that these struggles don't just make us stronger their true gift to us is that they reveal our true character and uncover our darkest fears of humanity. It makes me wonder about my own soul - Am I as attentive to people and their needs as I could be, or should be? Would I love my child as much if it was a struggle to have her near me or to provide for her basic needs? Have a left an invisible marker that someone will connect with years from now when they have a significant life altering struggle in their lives? Will I have helped them recognize and value their humanity? I think of my daughter and all the kids that have spent significant time in our home - my daughter has gone to school with the same kids her whole life and our home is second home to 3 other girls. I hope by my interactions with them, I've planted 'markers' for them to discover as they grow - like I have for my own child.

It's late and I'm rambling but it's a provocative thought process....nite all

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2006-10-23T11:32:00.000-06:00

Rather late in the month, but October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (in the US)

My friends and I go once every 2 years (Val, Debbie & I) for mammograms. Val works at the hospital so she gets the clinic to schedule us together and we go on a Friday and then have a girls lunch together! We just made our appointments today so I want to remind everyone how important it is to go have a mammogram. As it is NBCA Month the clinics may have special pricing or even free screening if you don't have health insurance. It's certainly worth a call to find out - if not, most clinics have a special time during the year where your first mammogram is free or greatly reduced.

Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Friends - our female circle never ends.

2006-10-21T16:56:00.000-06:00

I got new pretties today.....

Found some of the over-dyed Mini-Twist Eterna Silks. I bought Cabernet www.eternasilk.com/im ages/skeins/cabernet.jpg Christmas Bouquet www.eternasilk.com/imag es/skeins/christmasbouquet.jpg Autumn Sonata www.eternasilk.com/images/skeins/autumnsonata.jpg & Charcoal www.eternasilk.com/im ages/skeins/Charcoal.jpg I can't wait to try them out - they feel absolutely incredible. You know how little ones finger their baby blankets? Well - it's sort of like that. I think I may have to have one of each color.

I learned how to use the scan feature of our printer. Here I am 23 years ago in my wedding dress. My sister and I went to 'The Old Mill' (it's on the National Register of Historic Sites) and shot an entire roll of black & white film. The scene in Gone with the Wind where she is sitting/leaning into the wood seat was filmed there. There's a pond with several bridges and seats of petrified wood.

2006-10-19T12:57:00.000-06:00

Oh I'm so in love with this wonderful fall weather. Finally, the air has a bite to it - nice and cool. I've been stitching away on Morning Rose - on that pesky cream background. Actually it's a blend of 5 cream shades. I'm also starting to get frustrated - a happy frustrated - but there all the same. I have so many charts all ready to be started and there just aren't enough hours in the day to stitch. I don't want to hurry and finish my current projects because I really enjoy them. Ah well, I'll just keep drooling over them and waffling between which one to start next!

Hope everyone has a wonderful stitching day.

2006-10-15T13:28:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone reading this had as wonderful of a week as I did. I'm in love with our fall weather and can hardly wait for the cold winter to set in. It's raining today - a nice steady rain all day and supposedly all day tomorrow. We needed it. My yard and flower beds are just soaking it up.

If I can put my stitching down for long enough, I have a wonderful fall project for my front flower bed. It's a rather big bed right at the house in front of the dining room windows - it makes a 90 degree angle between the house and the garage wall and is framed on the other side by the curving sidewalk to the front door. I want to pull up the big ugly green tree in the middle (it doesn't even flower it's just green all year long) and replace it with this gorgeous fountain I found.

It's not a fuufuu fountain - it's texturized on the outside and about 4 feet square with slits around 6 inches long on two sides close to where they met. The water falls out of the slits into the square below - it is 4 or 5 tiers high with each square as you go up getting a little smaller and set back from the front. Each layer mets from top to bottom at the back - I'm going on and on so I'll have to take a picture. Anyway, that's my planned fall project......now I'll have to talk Don into getting it for me as my Christmas present as it is VERY pricey.

Oh - some wonderful little Angel (whom I shall not name) has gifted me with Sheila Wolk's Revelation. For those of you you know what I'm talking about HAPPY DANCE - for those of you who don't google Wolk's gallery and have a look-see as it's to die for. Now I'm sort of bummed as I have 5 pieces currently going that I love and another 7 kitted up and ready to go that I love. I'm frustrated that I can't work on all of them as often as I would like. They are all HAED pieces and the going is slow.....but worth it.

Happy Stitching everyone....

2006-10-06T20:40:00.000-06:00

Happy Dance coming on......This is a HAED chart Morning Rose by Linda Ravenscroft. I finally have an update to share, just one more row to go and it will be finished.

Happy Stitching everyone...have a great weekend.

2006-10-05T22:13:00.000-06:00

Special message for 'J'

Death is inevitable - the greatest testamant to a person who has passed on is being remembered in the soul of those who knew her. Through all of lifes ebb and tide, joy and pain the only things that last are memories of those gone before us - they leave their marks in our soul, invisible to others, but so necessary to who we are. This is how life moulds us into the person we are becoming year after year. So, the most loving tribute we can honor someone with is our acceptance that they are always with us and reborn everytime we reach out and touch another human being and leave our mark on their soul. You've been on my mind today with your caring attitude and thoughtfullness - your Grandmother would be so proud of the person you've become. You've left your mark on my soul, invisible to others, but so necessary to the person I am becoming - more caring and thoughtful of others.

Thank you.

2006-10-04T21:52:00.000-06:00

I've had reason to ponder recently - why is it that females have a comfortable zone in clicks? Where does the aggression come from to defend the territorial bound of said click? I don't know - maybe I'm not really female - huh? Or, maybe I'm just not all that good in groups. I don't really think that is it either. I can have multiple friends that fill the same need and still be willing to make another new friend in the same 'click'. I have several best friends but they are all different - they know each other - but we interact differently. On some human level we recognize a mirror image of ourselves and we seek to find the person who fits that bill.

Like Valerie. My bestest friend. We can, and do, go months without speaking and then just randomly pickup with whatever is going on in our lives. I have done all of the following to her: Called her in the middle of the night because of an extremely sick child - she came and comforted me. Had surgery and a hospital stay - she came and spent the night we me in the hospital just to be there incase I needed anything. We go to lunch through the week, walk after work and shop on Friday's - her day off. She has called me late in the evening when work had her so down she just had to lock the bathroom door and cry - what can you say? You just listen and offer comfort.

My next bestest friend is Debbie. She's the trouble maker - always ready to shop or go to lunch. Valerie and Debbie and I are all friends with girls the same age so we've bonded and watched our girls bond. It's been a lot of fun. Debbie is the one always ready to play putt-putt or football or soccor or basketball or any outdoor activity with the kids. Valerie and I hate her - she's just way to perky. She's also the one who's husband was killed in a freak accident several years ago. Valerie called me and we came home from vacation that afternoon. There was nothing we could do but we were there for her and the girls to offer comfort. We all grieved together - mothers and daughters. As painful as it was for us, I know it was the hardest for Debbie and her girls but I think it helped them move on knowing how much we loved their Dad and to see the deepth of sadness that we felt with them. Remember this if you are ever in this type situation - don't shy away from the family because you don't know what to say or do. Sometimes for them to just know that your there, crying and sad with them is a blessing and a comfort.

Now - my nextest bestest friend is Karen. She's the one I call when I want to spend the afternoon at the garden center or lunch and an afternoon strolling around Williams-Sonoma or any cooking, tea, wine, landscaping, gardening store. I haven't seen her in a while - I think I'll take her to lunch tomorrow or Friday.

Then I have my new stitchey friends. We aren't as close but I know given the same time frames as I've had with V, D & K that we could be. There's Brandy and Nikki and Joyce and Stacey and Selma and Marleen.....and many more that I am just getting to know.

I guess the pondering of female relationships brings me to this; I'm the kind of girl who always has room for one more - the group is never filled to capacity and almost no one is ever excluded because I don't want to take the time to know them.

I'm feeling very blessed and satisfied right now - and it's because of all the above people and the joy knowing them has brought me. I will try over the next few days to connect with each of them - on our special level - and spread some of my joy to them.....good night all...

2006-10-03T13:39:00.000-06:00

Random Thoughts.........

This is my DD [in the middle] and some of her friends. They are all in Partners Club and spent a day at the local State Fair. Sponsors paired each of them with a disabled child from the area and they took them on rides and played games on the midway. As you can see, they are a wonderful happy bunch of kids. They had a great day and made some new friends.

I got my DH to walk with me this morning. This sunshine was truly magical - weather permitting it's way better than going to the gym. I read somewhere that UVB rays on your skin causes your body to manufacture endorphins [happy hormones]. It's been really hot here [92] but I still should make time each morning for a walk. It really clears my mind and does make me feel better - or maybe it's just the relief of getting back home and having a cup of coffee!

Why do men pick tomatoes off sandwiches? I made a yummy lunch on sour dough bread [turkey,swiss cheese, hard salomi, lettuce, tomatoe, onion, s/p] and he PICKS THEM OFF before he eats - after 23 years I guess I really should know better. But, duh.

Many of you know I retired last year [at 42] - but the last 5 years that I worked I had 6 weeks of paid vacation. So, spring break from school just sort of became "The Girls Holiday". Melanie and I would go somewhere for the week by ourselves or with other moms and daughters. We went with 2 sets M&D's last year to Winter Park, CO to ski. Of course, we had a wonderful time. Well, this year we have decided to take a family vacation during spring break - before the weather gets soooooo hot that all we want to do is go to the lake or the beach and veg-out. Mel only has 1 more year of high school - then we will be on our own. She's not real excited about it - but she will get there. We are going on a driving vacation - to Amarillo, TX - Santa Fe, NM - Grand Canyon Village, AZ - Sedona, AZ - Albuquerque, NM then home. We are staying 2 nights in most places and have broken up the driving where the average is only 5 hours a day. Wahoo - I hate driving.

Suggestions of things to do are appreciated. We don't want to miss out on something because we didn't know about it......

Happy Stitching everyone...

2006-10-02T16:25:00.000-06:00

Today has been the longest........

and saddest day in recent memory. I'm just going to create my own email group of stitching friends and get off of the message boards. I just don't like conflict and all the hurt feelings that go hand-and-hand with it. On the plus side, I think I'll get to know 8 or 10 ladies alot better and the 200 or 300 on the board and just not have to navigate through the blah..........I've felt sorry for myself all afternoon, hubby took me to lunch today to get my mind off of stuff.

Has anyone else been watching the new show Heroes? It comes on tonight and it's not too bad. The first night was just setting the scene and linking all of the characters. I hope tonight is as good......

On the plus side, I really need to work on my Truth Storykeep. I'm about 1/2 way through with her and she is just gorgeous. I have the Temptation Storykeep to stitch as a matching piece. They will be lovely together - if I ever get them both finished.

I've been working on Morning Rose all month and I'm just about ready for a break. I'm almost done with the 15th page (of 25) so I'm over 1/2 way. Just need to keep stitching.......she is really so much fun to work on. The colors are all so vibrant and blend together so well.

2006-09-21T06:35:00.000-06:00

Crabby Old Woman....

When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee Scotland , it was believed that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. And this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet:

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, ....one day, be there, too!

Crabby Old Woman
What do you see, nurses . What do you see?
What are you thinking ........... When you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman ............ Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, ............... With faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, . "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice .... The things that you do,
And forever is losing ............... A stocking or shoe?

Who, resisting or not, . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? .... Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, .......You're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am .............. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, ........ As I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten .With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .............. Who love one another.

A young girl of sixteen ...........With wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon now ......... A lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at twenty, ........ My heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows . That I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now, .............. I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide ............ And a secure happy home.

A woman of thirty, ............... My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other ............... With ties that should last

At forty, my young sons . Have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me ......... To see I don't mourn
Again we know children, ......... My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, ............ My husband is dead,
I look at the future, ................ I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing ......Young of their own,
And I think of the years . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old woman................ And nature is cruel;
Tis jest to make old age ........ Look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles, ............ Grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone . Where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass A young girl still dwells,
And now and again, .............. My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, .............. I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living ........ Life over again.

I think of the years ............. All too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact . That nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people, ...... Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman; . ......Look closer....see, ME!!

2006-09-18T08:27:00.000-06:00

Birthday Calculator...

Today I learned how to add clickable 'thumbnails' with text headers into my sidebar. Learning this stuff is more complicated than it looks! I think I'll add a section of finished works.....

Try this link to The Birthday Calculator - http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp

Here's info for my birthday...

Your date of conception was on or about 13 September 1961 which was a Wednesday.
You were born on a Wednesdayunder the astrological sign Gemini.Your Life path number is 3.Life Path Compatibility:You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 3, 6 & 9.You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 2, 5 & 11.You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 4, 7, 8 & 22.The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2437821.5.The golden number for 1962 is 6.The epact number for 1962 is 24.The year 1962 was not a leap year.Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/5/1962 and ending 1/24/1963.You were born in the Chinese year of the Tiger.Your Native American Zodiac sign is Elk; your plant is Mullein.You were born in the Egyptian month of Mesore, the fourth month of the season of Shomu (Harvest).Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 4 Sivan 5722.
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 22 April 1962.The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 29 April 1962.The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 7 March 1962.The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 10 June 1962.The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 17 June 1962.The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Saturday, 29 September 1962.The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Thursday, 19 April 1962.The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 6 March 1962. As of 9/18/2006 10:18:51 AM EDTYou are 44 years old.You are 531 months old.You are 2,311 weeks old.You are 16,175 days old.You are 388,210 hours old.You are 23,292,618 minutes old.You are 1,397,557,131 seconds old.Celebrities who share your birthday:
Staci Keanan (1975)
James 'Munky' Shaffer (1970)
Max Casella (1967)
Ena (1966)
Bjorn Borg (1956)
Sandra Bernhard (1955)
Gary U.S. Bonds (1939)
Thomas Mann (1875)Top songs of 1962
I Can't Stop Loving You by Ray Charles
Big Girls Don't Cry by Four Seasons
Sherry by Four Seasons
Roses Are Red by Bobby Vinton
Peppermint Twist by Joey Dee & the Starliters
Telstar by Tornadoes
Soldier Boy by Shirelles
Hey! Baby by Bruce Channel
Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler
The Twist by Chubby CheckerYour age is the equivalent of a dog that is 6.3307240704501 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)
There are 261 days till your next birthdayon which your cake will have 45 candles.Those 45 candles produce 45 BTUs,or 11,340 calories of heat (that's only 11.3400 food Calories!) .You can boil 5.14 US ounces of water with that many candles.
In 1962 there were approximately 4.2 million births in the US.In 1962 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile.In 1962 in the US there were approximately 1,523,000 marriages (8.5%) and 393,000 divorces (2.2%)In 1962 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.In 1962 the population of Australia was approximately 10,846,059.In 1962 there were approximately 237,081 births in Australia.In 1962 in Australia there were approximately 79,090 marriages and 7,245 divorces.In 1962 in Australia there were approximately 93,163 deaths.Your birthstone is Alexandrite -->The Mystical properties of Alexandrite
Alexandrite can assist one in centering the self, reinforcing self-esteem, and augmenting ones ability to experience joy. Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Pearl, Moonstone, OpalYour birth tree is
Hornbeam, the good taste
Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, tends to egoism, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads reasonable, disciplined life, looks for kindness, an emotional partner and acknowledgment, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with her feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.There are 98 days till Christmas 2006!There are 111 days till Orthodox Christmas!The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waxing crescent.

2006-09-07T17:27:00.000-06:00

My first finish for 2006
the inset of the fullsized Luna chart by Ian Daniels, charted by HAED. This was an easy stitch and didn't take too long to finish.