Quick updates:
First of all -- and most importantly -- I can't remember if I posted the update about my oldest son's lump. I'm at home on dial-up (ewwwwww) so I'm too lazy to go see previous posts. The bottom line is that the lump DID shrink (thank God!) so our doctor feels it was an infected lymphnode after all. *major happy dancing*
Now for everything else...
Today made 8 days that I have not smoked. Wow. I honestly can't believe I've made it this far. *patting self on back* We'll see if I can add just one more day to that total. Sometimes I have to make it minute-by-minute or hour-by-hour, but the ultimate goal is still one day at a time.
I have three -- count them, THREE -- finishes for 2008 now. *more happy dancing* Two were works in progress (WIPs) already and one was a quick stitch. The first finish is the Mill Hill kit "On the Range". The second was the "April" Lizzie Kate Flip-It. The third was "Horses" mini-block by Hinzeit. I'll be taking "On the Range" and "Horses" to the framer's tomorrow. The "Horses" will only cost about $12 since I have the frame already, and the MH one should be fairly cheap, too, since I won't have it matted or anything. I know, I know, I could easily frame these myself but with school starting tomorrow, I won't have the time or energy. Besides, I want both pieces protected by glass anyway. The frame jobs shouldn't be done for 2 or 3 weeks, so please be patient for pictures. :-)
Speaking of pictures, I took a picture of the "Racing" Hinzeit I finished not too long ago. I also took pictures of the rest of the stuff my mother stitched for me that's in various areas of my house and of the WIP picture of the LK Flip-Its on one piece of fabric. Maybe one day this week I'll get to transfer the pictures from my camera to my hard drive, then get 'em posted here. No promises but we'll see because it's such a PITA. ;-)
Well, that's it for now. Hope everyone is getting some great stitching time and that 2008 is a good year for all.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Still not smoking -- for now!
Okay, it's officially been 4 days and I have not smoked, nor have I murdered or harmed anyone. *deeeeeeeeeep breath* I'd sure love to have a cigarette. *another deeeeeeeeeeep breath*
Thanks for the votes for my next projects. :-) We'll see what gets started next but it'll probably be at least a few more days. Realistically, it'll be another week or two.
Feel free to check out my Photobucket account. I just spent the last hour or so cleaning it up. It's all nice and purdy for everyone to look at now. Lots of stitching pictures are in there from 2004 to present. The link is on the right-hand side of my blog under "Favorite Places on the Net" (or something like that).
Gotta run...hopefully I'll get some stitching time shortly. If not, maybe I can just poke someone with my needle. That should make me feel better. *mwah hahahahaha*
Thanks for the votes for my next projects. :-) We'll see what gets started next but it'll probably be at least a few more days. Realistically, it'll be another week or two.
Feel free to check out my Photobucket account. I just spent the last hour or so cleaning it up. It's all nice and purdy for everyone to look at now. Lots of stitching pictures are in there from 2004 to present. The link is on the right-hand side of my blog under "Favorite Places on the Net" (or something like that).
Gotta run...hopefully I'll get some stitching time shortly. If not, maybe I can just poke someone with my needle. That should make me feel better. *mwah hahahahaha*
Monday, January 7, 2008
As requested, here are some pictures. :-)
Okie dokie, let's see what we've got here...
Here is my Bent Creek Zippie kit "Snowman" all stitched and framed. He now sits with my other snowmen I leave out year 'round. That snowman collection just keeps growing and growing. Wonder how it does that? *hee hee*
Here is the small gift I stitched for my mother-in-law from the "All God's Chillun" leaflet:
Next, here is the picture where I have completed one more pattern of Heart in Hand's "Words of Wisdom". It's teeny-tiny but turning out very cute! That's a quarter in the picture to give you a size reference. Just 8 more of these patterns to go and it'll be complete!
Here's the WIP picture of Mill Hill's buttoned and beaded kit "On the Range". All of the stitching is done and the top 1/3 or so of the beadwork is complete, but you may not be able to tell in the picture.Now, here's my WIP picture of Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful". It's amazingly gorgeous and I am very proud of my work on this one.
I think that's it for my updated stitching progress pictures. I haven't done enough on square 6 of the Town Square afghan to warrant posting a picture -- yet.
Happy stitching, everybody! I'll be stitching my lil' non-smoking heart out in about an hour or so. :-)))
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Lots of stuff to blog about...
Well, as of January 5th, 2008, at approximately 4:45 PM, I smoked my last cigarette. *ahhhhhhh* With the help of Commit cherry-flavored lozenges, I have not smoked since then. WOO HOO! I can't remember the last time I made it this long without smoking. The nicotine gum seemed to just piss me off, quitting cold turkey never lasted beyond 8 or 9 PM, can't do the patches because of my skin allergy to the adhesive, and I'm too chicken to try Chantix or any of the pills/drugs on the market for smoking cessation. These lozenges are da' bomb!!!
My 15-yr-old son, Steven, was diagnosed with shingles last Thursday. Since the development of the shingles, he noticed a lump a couple of inches below his armpit. We had it checked out while at the doctor's office for the shingles and the doctor says if it's just an infected lymphnode, then the size of the lump will decrease by Friday, January 11th. If not, well...the lump has to come out. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Meanwhile, I thought maybe I had better not try to quit smoking with Steven's lump issue. I mean...what if it turns out to be something horrible? How would I cope with the added stress until our follow-up appointment on Friday the 11th? Blah blah blah...whatever. I finally convinced myself that whether this lump turns out to be something or nothing at all, there will always be a "crisis" to deal with. Might as well face life as a non-smoker. The sooner, the better. :)
Now for stitching updates! Yay! With my serious dedication to not smoking, I have stitched for hours and hours and hours. I got all of the stitching on the Mill Hill "On the Range" kit completed and have now done about 1/4 of the beadwork. For my Lizzie Kate monthly Flip-Its on the Tattersall fabric, I've done the border for the April stamp and have started stitching the word "April". I'll probably get that done and start filling in the space around "April" before bedtime. (Unless I get a bad nicotine craving...then I would just go straight to bed. LOL) On the Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful", I got another row of words done and two more steps/bands. It's now about 1/3 complete. WOW!
I guess the Mill Hill "On the Range" kit will end up as my first finish for 2008. Instead of having it framed professionally (why bother?), I think I'll just order a frame on-line and do it myself. Let's be realistic here -- How hard is it to frame a piece that's done on perforated paper? ;-)
Hopefully, Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful" will be #2 on my completed challenge list. Who knows?
Steven's shingles and lump, my quitting smoking, and some serious stitching marathons have kept my little pea-brain busy. The boys' school starts in the morning and mine starts a week from tomorrow. So, look for more rambling updates soon. Meanwhile, thanks for the comments, support, and kind words. They really mean a lot to me. For those of you who comment, feel free to post links to your blog(s), too. I'd love to take a peek!
My 15-yr-old son, Steven, was diagnosed with shingles last Thursday. Since the development of the shingles, he noticed a lump a couple of inches below his armpit. We had it checked out while at the doctor's office for the shingles and the doctor says if it's just an infected lymphnode, then the size of the lump will decrease by Friday, January 11th. If not, well...the lump has to come out. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Meanwhile, I thought maybe I had better not try to quit smoking with Steven's lump issue. I mean...what if it turns out to be something horrible? How would I cope with the added stress until our follow-up appointment on Friday the 11th? Blah blah blah...whatever. I finally convinced myself that whether this lump turns out to be something or nothing at all, there will always be a "crisis" to deal with. Might as well face life as a non-smoker. The sooner, the better. :)
Now for stitching updates! Yay! With my serious dedication to not smoking, I have stitched for hours and hours and hours. I got all of the stitching on the Mill Hill "On the Range" kit completed and have now done about 1/4 of the beadwork. For my Lizzie Kate monthly Flip-Its on the Tattersall fabric, I've done the border for the April stamp and have started stitching the word "April". I'll probably get that done and start filling in the space around "April" before bedtime. (Unless I get a bad nicotine craving...then I would just go straight to bed. LOL) On the Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful", I got another row of words done and two more steps/bands. It's now about 1/3 complete. WOW!
I guess the Mill Hill "On the Range" kit will end up as my first finish for 2008. Instead of having it framed professionally (why bother?), I think I'll just order a frame on-line and do it myself. Let's be realistic here -- How hard is it to frame a piece that's done on perforated paper? ;-)
Hopefully, Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful" will be #2 on my completed challenge list. Who knows?
Steven's shingles and lump, my quitting smoking, and some serious stitching marathons have kept my little pea-brain busy. The boys' school starts in the morning and mine starts a week from tomorrow. So, look for more rambling updates soon. Meanwhile, thanks for the comments, support, and kind words. They really mean a lot to me. For those of you who comment, feel free to post links to your blog(s), too. I'd love to take a peek!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
One more finish for 2007
I got in one more finish for 2007 -- just a small snowman. It was from a Bent Creek Zippie kit. I got the frame stained yesterday and hope to get it framed tonight or tomorrow.
December 31st found me frantically ordering a bunch of stash I don't really need but just HAD to have. Now that it's 2008, I'm officially on the 10/25/50 Challenge wagon. *full body shudder*
Here's my 10/25/50 Challenge plan:
1. No ordering of any new stash unless it's something needed to complete a project I already have (like threads, etc.), or unless it's a deal I can't pass up (like an incredible price or limited edition type of thing).
2. Complete as many projects as I can instead of buying new stash. I don't know yet if I'm going for 10, 25, or 50. We'll just see how long I stay on the wagon and how much I get done. The main goal is to buy less and stitch more.
3. Try to stay on the wagon for six months. A year would be better but 12 months of no stash buying??? Are you kidding me?!?!?
4. Afghan squares count as one finish. Projects that are difficult to finish (like a framing job that makes one want to scream and hurl the entire project across the room, difficult ornament finishing, etc.) may be counted as two finishes.
That's basically it for my 10/25/50 Challenge guidelines. You can follow my progress at the top of my blog. It may be slow going but I'll get some finishes posted up there eventually. ;-)
Over the past few days, not only was I able to complete the Bent Creek Zippie Snowman, but I also got some goooooooood stitching time in. YAY!!! I had what I call "Project ADD", which is where I basically hop from project to project. Got a couple of hours in on my Mill Hill kit, got the second part done on the "Mother's Wisdom" project (over one - ack!), and got quite a few hours in on my beloved afghan. Ahhhhhhhh, that felt good! Still no school for about a week and a half, so we'll see how much damage I can do between now and then. *mwah hahahahaha*
Hope everyone's New Year is starting off great. I love reading your comments! Thanks for reading and posting. :-)
December 31st found me frantically ordering a bunch of stash I don't really need but just HAD to have. Now that it's 2008, I'm officially on the 10/25/50 Challenge wagon. *full body shudder*
Here's my 10/25/50 Challenge plan:
1. No ordering of any new stash unless it's something needed to complete a project I already have (like threads, etc.), or unless it's a deal I can't pass up (like an incredible price or limited edition type of thing).
2. Complete as many projects as I can instead of buying new stash. I don't know yet if I'm going for 10, 25, or 50. We'll just see how long I stay on the wagon and how much I get done. The main goal is to buy less and stitch more.
3. Try to stay on the wagon for six months. A year would be better but 12 months of no stash buying??? Are you kidding me?!?!?
4. Afghan squares count as one finish. Projects that are difficult to finish (like a framing job that makes one want to scream and hurl the entire project across the room, difficult ornament finishing, etc.) may be counted as two finishes.
That's basically it for my 10/25/50 Challenge guidelines. You can follow my progress at the top of my blog. It may be slow going but I'll get some finishes posted up there eventually. ;-)
Over the past few days, not only was I able to complete the Bent Creek Zippie Snowman, but I also got some goooooooood stitching time in. YAY!!! I had what I call "Project ADD", which is where I basically hop from project to project. Got a couple of hours in on my Mill Hill kit, got the second part done on the "Mother's Wisdom" project (over one - ack!), and got quite a few hours in on my beloved afghan. Ahhhhhhhh, that felt good! Still no school for about a week and a half, so we'll see how much damage I can do between now and then. *mwah hahahahaha*
Hope everyone's New Year is starting off great. I love reading your comments! Thanks for reading and posting. :-)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry (early) Christmas!
Hello everyone! I hope everyone is ready for Christmas by now. We are, and I can't wait to see the kids' faces when they open their presents. They're getting a few things they thought we didn't buy for them. *hee hee*
I finished my first semester in Radiology and got an A in everything except Radiation Biology. Dang it -- there went my chances to graduate with honors. No biggie...I'm still proud of myself and of my family. Without the support and understanding of my husband and kids, I couldn't have made it this far.
My last final was December 19th and I have done some serious marathon stitching since then. WOO HOO! My needle has been sssssssssmokin'! I started Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful". The kit was an early Christmas gift from my husband. There are 27 steps of bands, 8 sets of the lines with wording, and 6 smaller steps of stitching. Of a total of 41 steps, I have now completed 11 of them. It's looking gorgeous so far.
Last night, I completed Lizzie Kate's March stamp on the Tattersoll fabric. Yay, 3 of 12 are done. Just 9 to go! hahahaha
I removed the Bent Creek Snapperville from my WIP list. *sigh* I accidentally cut the dang fabric too short, so I had decided to stitch it on two separate pieces of fabric (half on one piece, half on another). The plan was to have it framed in two frames but joined by hinges, sort of like a book, ya' know? Well, I'm just not happy with that idea after all. Since I can't make up my mind whether to toss the piece, continue with the plan, or just start it over, I've decided to just set it aside for now and do nothing with it or about it. We'll see what happens.
School doesn't start for me again until January 14th. Between now and then, I have to take some of that time and get our taxes for the shop done. Otherwise, I'll be trying to juggle that and school at the same time. Ewww...no thanks! If I can stay motivated and get the taxes done, then a big majority of my time will be stitching. Well, children-permitting, that is. LOL! I also plan on getting some blog-reading done, too. I've missed reading everyone's blogs and just roaming cross-stitch related sites.
Merry Christmas to everyone and have a safe and happy New Year's. *hugs*
I finished my first semester in Radiology and got an A in everything except Radiation Biology. Dang it -- there went my chances to graduate with honors. No biggie...I'm still proud of myself and of my family. Without the support and understanding of my husband and kids, I couldn't have made it this far.
My last final was December 19th and I have done some serious marathon stitching since then. WOO HOO! My needle has been sssssssssmokin'! I started Shepherd's Bush "O Beautiful". The kit was an early Christmas gift from my husband. There are 27 steps of bands, 8 sets of the lines with wording, and 6 smaller steps of stitching. Of a total of 41 steps, I have now completed 11 of them. It's looking gorgeous so far.
Last night, I completed Lizzie Kate's March stamp on the Tattersoll fabric. Yay, 3 of 12 are done. Just 9 to go! hahahaha
I removed the Bent Creek Snapperville from my WIP list. *sigh* I accidentally cut the dang fabric too short, so I had decided to stitch it on two separate pieces of fabric (half on one piece, half on another). The plan was to have it framed in two frames but joined by hinges, sort of like a book, ya' know? Well, I'm just not happy with that idea after all. Since I can't make up my mind whether to toss the piece, continue with the plan, or just start it over, I've decided to just set it aside for now and do nothing with it or about it. We'll see what happens.
School doesn't start for me again until January 14th. Between now and then, I have to take some of that time and get our taxes for the shop done. Otherwise, I'll be trying to juggle that and school at the same time. Ewww...no thanks! If I can stay motivated and get the taxes done, then a big majority of my time will be stitching. Well, children-permitting, that is. LOL! I also plan on getting some blog-reading done, too. I've missed reading everyone's blogs and just roaming cross-stitch related sites.
Merry Christmas to everyone and have a safe and happy New Year's. *hugs*
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Here's the latest news...
Hello all! :)
Just this past week, I have two small finishes to happy dance about. One is Hinzeit's "Racing" mini-block and will be for one of Cody's Christmas gifts. He's 11 and will love it. I had purchased the matching Kay's Frame for it and it's now at the framer's. (I know, I could've framed this myself. Call me lazy. Hah!) The second finish is a Pine Mountain pillow kit called "Thoughts of Mother" and is for my mother as part of her Christmas.
No pictures for now, but soon! It might be a week or two before I get pictures posted. I gotta get through finals first. (ewwwwwww!)
This has been a great evening. I stitched for a little while on the Mill Hill kit called "On the Range", munched on walnuts, and drank some bottled water. I've got some homework and studying to do, but we have a winter storm coming this weekend. Looks like we might get iced in Monday and possibly Tuesday, too, so I'll get all of my homework completed anyway just in case. That will basically leave my time free to stitch if/when we do get iced in. Woo hoo! I'm ready -- we have plenty of food, firewood, and stitching stash. What else would I need? *big, huge grin*
Finals are 12/14, 12/17, and 12/19. After that, I'm out of school until January 14th. YES!!!! I am soooooooooo ready for the break. I'll be working a lot during the break to get the shop's taxes done and get caught up on some things, but you know I'll be a stitching fool during that time, too. :-)))))
I'm trying really, really, really, really, really hard to not start any new projects this weekend. Something tells me that I won't be successful. "Oh Beautiful" by Shepherd's Bush is calling my name. But, then again, so are a ton of other projects -- any of the Tall Guys, a few Hinzeit patterns, several other Shepherd's Bush kits, and so much more. *sigh* I'd better not die before I'm 185 years old or else I might not be able to get all of my stash stitched up.
Guess I'll sign off for now. Hope everyone is doing great and that the frog stays away from your stitching. :D
Just this past week, I have two small finishes to happy dance about. One is Hinzeit's "Racing" mini-block and will be for one of Cody's Christmas gifts. He's 11 and will love it. I had purchased the matching Kay's Frame for it and it's now at the framer's. (I know, I could've framed this myself. Call me lazy. Hah!) The second finish is a Pine Mountain pillow kit called "Thoughts of Mother" and is for my mother as part of her Christmas.
No pictures for now, but soon! It might be a week or two before I get pictures posted. I gotta get through finals first. (ewwwwwww!)
This has been a great evening. I stitched for a little while on the Mill Hill kit called "On the Range", munched on walnuts, and drank some bottled water. I've got some homework and studying to do, but we have a winter storm coming this weekend. Looks like we might get iced in Monday and possibly Tuesday, too, so I'll get all of my homework completed anyway just in case. That will basically leave my time free to stitch if/when we do get iced in. Woo hoo! I'm ready -- we have plenty of food, firewood, and stitching stash. What else would I need? *big, huge grin*
Finals are 12/14, 12/17, and 12/19. After that, I'm out of school until January 14th. YES!!!! I am soooooooooo ready for the break. I'll be working a lot during the break to get the shop's taxes done and get caught up on some things, but you know I'll be a stitching fool during that time, too. :-)))))
I'm trying really, really, really, really, really hard to not start any new projects this weekend. Something tells me that I won't be successful. "Oh Beautiful" by Shepherd's Bush is calling my name. But, then again, so are a ton of other projects -- any of the Tall Guys, a few Hinzeit patterns, several other Shepherd's Bush kits, and so much more. *sigh* I'd better not die before I'm 185 years old or else I might not be able to get all of my stash stitched up.
Guess I'll sign off for now. Hope everyone is doing great and that the frog stays away from your stitching. :D
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Finally! Lots of pictures, as promised...
Well, I was going to post these pictures and updates last weekend but my husband decided to shoot himself in the thumb with a BB gun on the same day my 11-yr-old son was suffering from strep throat. I thought it was rather inconvenient for my family to schedule their mishaps and illnesses when they knew I was trying to update my blog. ;-) Brad (the trigger man) and Cody (the strep kid) are all better now so let's try this again.
Here is the picture of The Silver Lining purple iris my mother stitched for me. She did a fantastic job, and over one! It now hangs on my bedroom wall where I see it and admire it every day. :)
Didn't she do great? I love it! My favorite flower is the purple iris and it goes perfectly with the other things in my bedroom.
Next is a little tuck pillow my mother stitched for me from a Paula Vaughan design. It sits atop my standing jewlery box where I get to enjoy it every day. You will see a crocheted doily underneath the pillow. I didn't make that -- I can't crochet to save my life!
Here is a picture of my work-in-progress (WIP) of Heart In Hand's "Mother's Wisdom". I have chosen the first ten charts and decided to stitch them on one piece of 32-count linen over one. There is a quarter in the picture so you can see just how teeny one finished rectangle is:
I do love over-one stitching but I'm really slow and couldn't do it without my OTT-Lite that has the 3X magnifier attached. I get some good progress done under the magnifier, pull my work out from underneath it to see the stitches regular size, and then say to myself, "Where the hell did it go???" LOL! The plan is to stitch all ten patterns on one piece of fabric (five in one row and the other five in a row below that), then get it framed and hang it on the hall wall between the boys' bedrooms.The next picture is of my Town Square afghan WIP. This has got to be the slowest project in the world. I keep putting it down to do other stitching. I swear it will be finished one day! There is even a spot reserved on one of the living room walls just for this afghan. I have a wooden quilt rack thing that hangs on the wall, and the afghan would drape/hang over a rod on the rack. Make sense? Anyway, here it is so far:
Next is a picture of a really quick finish. It's Pine Mountain's "Snowman Face" tuck pillow kit. I think it took a whopping 10 minutes to stitch. LOL! Regardless, it's still a finish and sits with the other snowman stuff I leave out year 'round.
Now for the WIP update on the Lizzie Kate Flip-Its (the year's series that begins with F-34). I've mentioned these - and perhaps included a picture - in a previous blog entry. These are done on one piece of fabric which is 28 count Tattersall (Graziano). The white borders are woven in. Here is January and February with the beginnings of March:
Another recent finish is the MKT/Katy Railroad logo for my uncle as part of his Christmas stuff this year. He worked many years for Katy Railroad and I think he'll like this:
Last, but not least, are the Birds I stitched for my mother. I finally framed it and here it is:
Well, that's all the pictures I've been promising. Hope you all enjoyed looking at them as much as I enjoy stitching them.
Last note -- Radiology school is still going strong. I do love working at the hospital, dealing with the patients...everything. It's a great journey and I'm usually in the top 3 of my class. I just wish I had more stitching time. ;-)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
I'm still among the living!
Hello all! :) Sorry I've been neglecting my blog lately. I don't think I've even picked up a needle in weeks. (That's going to change after I finish this entry! Woo hoo!)
I owe tons of pictures...just to name a few - the finished Bluebonnets for my mother, the framed Birds, and the superb Silver Lining pattern of a gorgeous purple Iris (my favorite flower) that my mother stitched for me. Get this - she even stitched it over one! *thud* I hope to get all pictures uploaded during this coming week while I am on break from school and hospital clinicals.
Radiology school is going great but it sure cuts into the stitching time, board time, e-mail time, etc. I do love Radiology and do very well most days, but other days...well, sometimes it's a bit overwhelming. I passed a competency test (we call it a "comp") on chest x-rays, which means I have those down pat. So if you need a chest x-ray, drop me and line and I can take care of you. LOL!
Hope everyone is doing great. I hope to be back within the next day or two or three to post pictures and update on any stitching progress I've made. Hopefully, that will be a lot! :)
I owe tons of pictures...just to name a few - the finished Bluebonnets for my mother, the framed Birds, and the superb Silver Lining pattern of a gorgeous purple Iris (my favorite flower) that my mother stitched for me. Get this - she even stitched it over one! *thud* I hope to get all pictures uploaded during this coming week while I am on break from school and hospital clinicals.
Radiology school is going great but it sure cuts into the stitching time, board time, e-mail time, etc. I do love Radiology and do very well most days, but other days...well, sometimes it's a bit overwhelming. I passed a competency test (we call it a "comp") on chest x-rays, which means I have those down pat. So if you need a chest x-ray, drop me and line and I can take care of you. LOL!
Hope everyone is doing great. I hope to be back within the next day or two or three to post pictures and update on any stitching progress I've made. Hopefully, that will be a lot! :)
Friday, September 7, 2007
The Bluebonnets are done!!!
A very happy dance going on here -- I finally finished stitching the "Bucket of Bluebonnets" for my mother. Woo hoo! Those dang bluebonnets were going to drive me crazy. (Like I'm not already crazy???) I haven't washed or ironed the piece yet but plan to do so this weekend. We're supposed to get so much rain and flooding that perhaps I could just lay the piece outside and let Mother Nature wash it for me. ;-) Anyway, I oughta be able to post a picture next week.
There's a small addition to my WIP list -- a little piece I'm doing for my mother-in-law for Christmas or her birthday. She loves those little doll things called "pick-a-ninnys" (if I spelled that right) so I found a cute bench with three of them in an old leaflet called "All God's Chillun" (again -- if I spelled that right). Like I said, it's a small piece but she'll love it.
Radiology school has sure kept me busy lately. How am I supposed to get any stitching done? Maybe I should go to my instructors and tell them that this schedule is not working well, that it's taking away too much of my stitching time. That should go over well, don't you think?
Back to stitching...this is my birthday month and I plan to shop for more stash this weekend or next weekend. Yay!!! More goodies in the mail! LOL! After that, I plan to slow down and not buy as much. *full body shudder* I'm running out of stash room. I either need to slow down on my stash purchases (which is hard but possible), sell some of what I have (ain't happenin'!!!), or make the boys share a room so I can take over one of their bedrooms (sounds good to me). In order to keep somewhat of a sense of peace and tranquility in the house, it's best that I let the boys keep their own rooms. *sigh* ;-)
Brad's little 2-yr-old cat is sickly and I have to take her to the vet today at 3:30. She's normally either super-playful or super-mean and she hasn't been any of those things. Today is day #3 and as of this morning, I knew she was really sick and not just being lazy or tired. She doesn't even want to play or bite me, which is a major red flag when we're speaking of the cat from Hell. Plus, she normally gobbles down a can of Fancy Feast cat food but last night she didn't even eat half of it. Poor kitty...hope she's okay even though she's not worth the vet bill. (LOL -- just kidding! I can already hear my mother griping about that last comment. hahahahaha)
I've been trying to blog at least every Friday even though my schedule is very limited. I love the comments some of the readers have been leaving. :) I'm considering making it to where I don't have to approve the comments. If someone comes along and posts something they shouldn't then I can always delete it. Meanwhile, keep reading and commenting. I'll try to post pictures soon.
There's a small addition to my WIP list -- a little piece I'm doing for my mother-in-law for Christmas or her birthday. She loves those little doll things called "pick-a-ninnys" (if I spelled that right) so I found a cute bench with three of them in an old leaflet called "All God's Chillun" (again -- if I spelled that right). Like I said, it's a small piece but she'll love it.
Radiology school has sure kept me busy lately. How am I supposed to get any stitching done? Maybe I should go to my instructors and tell them that this schedule is not working well, that it's taking away too much of my stitching time. That should go over well, don't you think?
Back to stitching...this is my birthday month and I plan to shop for more stash this weekend or next weekend. Yay!!! More goodies in the mail! LOL! After that, I plan to slow down and not buy as much. *full body shudder* I'm running out of stash room. I either need to slow down on my stash purchases (which is hard but possible), sell some of what I have (ain't happenin'!!!), or make the boys share a room so I can take over one of their bedrooms (sounds good to me). In order to keep somewhat of a sense of peace and tranquility in the house, it's best that I let the boys keep their own rooms. *sigh* ;-)
Brad's little 2-yr-old cat is sickly and I have to take her to the vet today at 3:30. She's normally either super-playful or super-mean and she hasn't been any of those things. Today is day #3 and as of this morning, I knew she was really sick and not just being lazy or tired. She doesn't even want to play or bite me, which is a major red flag when we're speaking of the cat from Hell. Plus, she normally gobbles down a can of Fancy Feast cat food but last night she didn't even eat half of it. Poor kitty...hope she's okay even though she's not worth the vet bill. (LOL -- just kidding! I can already hear my mother griping about that last comment. hahahahaha)
I've been trying to blog at least every Friday even though my schedule is very limited. I love the comments some of the readers have been leaving. :) I'm considering making it to where I don't have to approve the comments. If someone comes along and posts something they shouldn't then I can always delete it. Meanwhile, keep reading and commenting. I'll try to post pictures soon.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Fabrics have arrived!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! My order from Silkweaver's Fabrics has arrived! I took advantage of their back-to-school offer on three fabrics and added another three. They are all 18X26 cuts of fabric and they all arrived today. I'm so excited! Here's the picture of all six:
The colors and counts on the top row from left to right are Azure Sky (32ct Belfast Linen), French Vanilla Swirl (32ct Belfast Linen), and Buttercream (32ct Belfast Linen). The colors and counts of the bottom row from left to right are Hint of Heather (40ct Newcastle Linen), Rock Quarry (36ct Edinburgh Linen), and Chocolate-Vanilla Swirl (32ct Jobelan).
I'm very pleased with Silkweavers Fabrics. I'm also a member of their Fabric-of-the-Month club (FOTM) and that package is on its way, too. Yep, I'm a fabric junkie but ain't it great?!?!? LOL!
Haven't had much stitching time lately, blogging time, or time for much of anything really. School is in full swing. Between my college schedule, the boys' schedules, work, and everything else life throws our way...well, we've just been getting done what we have to, ya' know? Meanwhile, I did get a 97.7 on my first Radiology test so the hard work is paying off so far. :)
This is a long holiday weekend and I'm going to stitch a LOT. To whoever is reading this, be sure to take some time for yourself as well. Stitching is so therapeutic (except when the damn frog comes around!) and we all deserve a break. Besides, Christmas and shopping for presents is just around the corner, you know. *evil laugh*
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Two pictures...
First, here is a picture of my stash haul. Sorry for the horrible quality of the picture but it's too late to take another picture now because the stuff is all put away. :) There are a few other things in the photo not mentioned because we stopped at another cross-stitch shop. *big huge grin*
Last but not least, here is the first picture ever of my oldest son at his debut high school baseball game. He didn't get to play so he's clean. LOL! I tried to get him to smile but he informed me that it's just "not right" to smile in baseball pics. *sigh* Go figure. ;-)
Sorry to cut this so short but I have to run. Today was the first day of school for the boys and I promised I'd pick them up. :)
Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment. I do have comments set that I have to approve them before they appear but this is due to me receiving comments that have nothing to do with stitching and are basically ads for whatever they are selling and promoting a website/blog for. (Dang, was that a run-on sentence?)
Take care and bye for now! I hope to post at least one new finish in the next couple of days. :)
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Stash shopping! Woo hoo!
Brad and I drove to Kansas today. On the way, we went through Oklahoma City and HAD to stop at Cross Stitch Haven. (I swear I have the best husband in the world!) We also shopped at Hobby Lobby even though they've downsized the cross stitch so much that it's depressing. But anyway, I got 22 skeins of DMC at Hobby Lobby and several frames. The DMC were 5 for $1.00 and the frames were half off. Can't beat that!
Here's my list from Cross Stitch Haven:
1. 32 skeins of Anchor floss
2. 3 spools of Kreinik
3. 1 DMC metallic
4. 2 DMC Perle Cottons
5. A Debbie Mumm needle magnet shaped like a heart. (I've become a magnet junkie on top of being a fabric junkie and a scissor ho', too.) LMAO!
6. Jobelan 28 count hand-dyed "Summer Sky" 18X7 (perfect for my beloved snowmen!)
7. Misty Blue Cashel for Just Nan's "Icy Hill" (already own the pattern -- hee hee)
8. A little snowman Mill Hill kit. It's supposed to be a pin but I will use it as an ornament.
9. JBW Designs chart "A Very Merry Christmas"
10. Redbird Designs ornament pattern with a brown cowboy hat -- dunno why but I loved it.
11. 2 package of John James petites, size 26
12. Just Nan chart "Making Friends" (I will stitch this on blue fabric, not sand like the model)
13. Just Nan chart " Needle In A Garden"
That's it! Wowee, I am soooooo happy! On top of that, tonight we were looking through the local phone book of the hotel we're in and we found several stitching shops nearby. We will most likely end up at least one of them tomorrow. (Er, later today.) See? I have the best husband in the world!
Oh!!! I almost forgot! Brad made a really funny stitching joke today. Well, funny to me. LOL! We were in the LNS and their DMC was priced at 60 cents per skein - the same as Anchor! Geez! So he turns to me and quietly says, "Gosh! At that price, the floss should come installed!" BAHhahahahaha!
Another funny thing happened at the LNS...most of us know that saying: "She who dies with the most stash wins." Well, the owner of the LNS and her sister said, "She who dies with the most stash didn't stitch fast enough." I know it could be a tasteless joke under certain circumstances but I was in quite the silly mood today (as usual) so it was hilarious to me.
I came back to edit this post because I forgot to say that I've been approved for the RingSurf group "Stitching Bloggers". It's just a ring of stitchers who blog but I think it's cool that you can surf from blog to blog of mostly stitching stuff. The link is at the bottom of this page if anyone else is interested in applying and submitting their blog for approval.
Well, it's time to get some sleep. We plan on being Kansas City tourists tomorrow and then the Pat Green/Sugarland/Kenny Chesney concert starts at 7 PM. It's gonna be a long day. Extremely fun, but long. :)
Here's my list from Cross Stitch Haven:
1. 32 skeins of Anchor floss
2. 3 spools of Kreinik
3. 1 DMC metallic
4. 2 DMC Perle Cottons
5. A Debbie Mumm needle magnet shaped like a heart. (I've become a magnet junkie on top of being a fabric junkie and a scissor ho', too.) LMAO!
6. Jobelan 28 count hand-dyed "Summer Sky" 18X7 (perfect for my beloved snowmen!)
7. Misty Blue Cashel for Just Nan's "Icy Hill" (already own the pattern -- hee hee)
8. A little snowman Mill Hill kit. It's supposed to be a pin but I will use it as an ornament.
9. JBW Designs chart "A Very Merry Christmas"
10. Redbird Designs ornament pattern with a brown cowboy hat -- dunno why but I loved it.
11. 2 package of John James petites, size 26
12. Just Nan chart "Making Friends" (I will stitch this on blue fabric, not sand like the model)
13. Just Nan chart " Needle In A Garden"
That's it! Wowee, I am soooooo happy! On top of that, tonight we were looking through the local phone book of the hotel we're in and we found several stitching shops nearby. We will most likely end up at least one of them tomorrow. (Er, later today.) See? I have the best husband in the world!
Oh!!! I almost forgot! Brad made a really funny stitching joke today. Well, funny to me. LOL! We were in the LNS and their DMC was priced at 60 cents per skein - the same as Anchor! Geez! So he turns to me and quietly says, "Gosh! At that price, the floss should come installed!" BAHhahahahaha!
Another funny thing happened at the LNS...most of us know that saying: "She who dies with the most stash wins." Well, the owner of the LNS and her sister said, "She who dies with the most stash didn't stitch fast enough." I know it could be a tasteless joke under certain circumstances but I was in quite the silly mood today (as usual) so it was hilarious to me.
I came back to edit this post because I forgot to say that I've been approved for the RingSurf group "Stitching Bloggers". It's just a ring of stitchers who blog but I think it's cool that you can surf from blog to blog of mostly stitching stuff. The link is at the bottom of this page if anyone else is interested in applying and submitting their blog for approval.
Well, it's time to get some sleep. We plan on being Kansas City tourists tomorrow and then the Pat Green/Sugarland/Kenny Chesney concert starts at 7 PM. It's gonna be a long day. Extremely fun, but long. :)
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
More stitching pictures!
Hi everyone! As promised, here are a few pictures.
Here is the Heart in Hand Wee One "Birds" that I stitched for my mother. (This is what I called "funny" when it was a WIP because it made me laugh to see those little birds all over the place.) I bought some fabric and plan on making it into a tuck pillow or tuck banner...eventually. ;-) I stitched it over 2 on 28 count linen. It was a scrap piece so I don't recall who the manufacturer is, nor do I recall the color name...but it's what I would call a light tan / khaki. It appears that the linen is "gauzy" in the upper right of the linen but it really isn't. It's very solid as it appears in the lower left of the picture.
Next is the quilt square I did for a 123 Member's grandson. It is not my design -- it's just what the boy wanted on his quilt and another stitcher e-mailed me this pattern. :) It was stitched on 14 count white aida and is 12X12 inches square in the picture.
Now here is the WIP of my Lizzie Kate stamps on one piece of fabric. This is the fabric I referred to a while back as "mystery fabric". Another stitcher has since told me the name. I'm sure I'll butcher the name but it is "Tattersol" or something like that. Just January and February are done for now but it's a very fun and pretty quick stitch! The "true" color and appearance of the fabric is as it appears in the upper left. I don't know why my camera screws up the photos sometimes. I'm sure it's not the user. ;-)
Well, that's it for now! We're heading out of town tomorrow to Kansas to see Pat Green, Sugarland, and Kenny Chesney! WOO HOO! The concert is Thursday, August 9th, so listen for my screaming. *hee hee*
I will get a ton of stiching done on the 960 mile round trip -- yeah, buddy! Happy stitching, everyone! :)
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Ramblings from my stitching mind...
Well, I've added another project to the ones I kitted up and set aside not too long ago. I now have The Drawn Thread's "Sampler Gameboard" all kitted up and ready to go. Since there aren't that many colors involved, I even put the DMC in there so I can just take it with me on trips should my little heart so desire. :)
Mother's Bluebonnets are almost done. YAY! I am soooooooo tired of that project. I am stitching it on white 14 count aida. I chose the aida because that's how the cover model was stitched and that's how my mother fell in love with it. There are gazillions of fractional stitches which are a major PITA on aida. *grrrrrr* Plus, I had to make a working copy and mark out stitches as I go because of the numerous color changes. I can stitch Noah's Sub with the original booklet and magnets to keep my place, but I had to make a working copy for the bluebonnets. Go figure. ;-)
When the bluebonnets are done, I must start the Tall Guys and/or the Gameboard Sampler. It's a major battle to not start one of them now but hey, the day is still young. LOL! Seriously, I really really really want to try to get Mom's picture done first. What is the big deal about starting new projects? Who knows but I sure have been bitten by the "New Start" bug...bitten hard, too. *sigh* There would probably be 50 WIPs in my pile if it wasn't for the teeny bit of willpower I manage to have most of the time.
School starts in two weeks. While I am greatly looking forward to starting the two years left on my Associate's in Applied Science Degree (specializing in Radiology), I am somewhat hesitant, too. This summer has spoiled me with lots of stitching time and that time will be greatly reduced. True confessions from an addict. There is no hope for me. *hee hee* My schedule is now 12 hours - which is regular full-time college - as opposed to the massive schedule I had the last two semesters which totaled 38 hours (if memory serves me correctly).
I'm semi-active on the boards again and that, too, will suffer when school starts. It'll all be worth it once I get a paying job. *ka-ching!* More stash shopping! *evil laugh*
Speaking of shopping...I need to buy a few things to kit up a couple more projects. Of course some are snowmen. *big grin* I'm waiting until later in the month when perhaps there's a new release I just can't live without. Drema at Needlecraft Corner is having a 25% off almost anything sale all month long so I'm betting my order will be with her.
Oh, before I forget...one of the things calling to me is something I have not set aside...yet. LOL! I have some 40 count fabric that's calling my name for an over one project. Stay tuned -- it'll end up as a WIP soon. Mark my word.
Last thing...Brad and I are going to Kansas next week for 3 days to see Pat Green, Sugarland, and Kenny Chesney in concert! WOO HOO! We are leaving Wednesday morning so I hope to get a few more pictures posted by then. I also hope to have my mother's bluebonnets finished, too. (Shhhhh Mom, I can hear you screaming from here!) LOL!
To everyone who reads my ramblings, I hope life is treating you good. Now that my minor but aggravating health issues and horrendous computer problems seem to have passed, you won't hear me complaining.
Happy stitching to all and may the frog park somewhere other than our stitching!
Mother's Bluebonnets are almost done. YAY! I am soooooooo tired of that project. I am stitching it on white 14 count aida. I chose the aida because that's how the cover model was stitched and that's how my mother fell in love with it. There are gazillions of fractional stitches which are a major PITA on aida. *grrrrrr* Plus, I had to make a working copy and mark out stitches as I go because of the numerous color changes. I can stitch Noah's Sub with the original booklet and magnets to keep my place, but I had to make a working copy for the bluebonnets. Go figure. ;-)
When the bluebonnets are done, I must start the Tall Guys and/or the Gameboard Sampler. It's a major battle to not start one of them now but hey, the day is still young. LOL! Seriously, I really really really want to try to get Mom's picture done first. What is the big deal about starting new projects? Who knows but I sure have been bitten by the "New Start" bug...bitten hard, too. *sigh* There would probably be 50 WIPs in my pile if it wasn't for the teeny bit of willpower I manage to have most of the time.
School starts in two weeks. While I am greatly looking forward to starting the two years left on my Associate's in Applied Science Degree (specializing in Radiology), I am somewhat hesitant, too. This summer has spoiled me with lots of stitching time and that time will be greatly reduced. True confessions from an addict. There is no hope for me. *hee hee* My schedule is now 12 hours - which is regular full-time college - as opposed to the massive schedule I had the last two semesters which totaled 38 hours (if memory serves me correctly).
I'm semi-active on the boards again and that, too, will suffer when school starts. It'll all be worth it once I get a paying job. *ka-ching!* More stash shopping! *evil laugh*
Speaking of shopping...I need to buy a few things to kit up a couple more projects. Of course some are snowmen. *big grin* I'm waiting until later in the month when perhaps there's a new release I just can't live without. Drema at Needlecraft Corner is having a 25% off almost anything sale all month long so I'm betting my order will be with her.
Oh, before I forget...one of the things calling to me is something I have not set aside...yet. LOL! I have some 40 count fabric that's calling my name for an over one project. Stay tuned -- it'll end up as a WIP soon. Mark my word.
Last thing...Brad and I are going to Kansas next week for 3 days to see Pat Green, Sugarland, and Kenny Chesney in concert! WOO HOO! We are leaving Wednesday morning so I hope to get a few more pictures posted by then. I also hope to have my mother's bluebonnets finished, too. (Shhhhh Mom, I can hear you screaming from here!) LOL!
To everyone who reads my ramblings, I hope life is treating you good. Now that my minor but aggravating health issues and horrendous computer problems seem to have passed, you won't hear me complaining.
Happy stitching to all and may the frog park somewhere other than our stitching!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
I'm baaaaaaaaaack!
Hello all! :) It's good to be back. I will spare you all of the gorey details but suffice it to say I've been sickly and just too tired to worry about blogging. Combine that with the virus that forced me to format my hard drive and start from scratch again...well, it was just a really frustrating time for a while there. *grrrrrrrr*
About the finishes I posted below...those pictures are long overdue but finally I got them posted. You'll see the "Nurse" by Hinzeit for my RN friend, the "Here Mousey Mousey" for my cat shelf, and "Wedding Row" by Bent Creek that is now hanging proudly on one of my bedroom walls. Now I have since finished Heart In Hand's "Birds" for my mother and the quilt square for a 123 Board member's grandson but I haven't even taken pictures yet. (See how behind I am???) Anyway, I promise to try and get my blogging all caught up. I also want to take WIP pictures of what I have going so you can see what I'm working on.
That's all for now because I'm at work. Sorry I haven't been on the boards, e-mail, or anything but I'm back now. You should've known you couldn't get rid of me that easily. ;-)
About the finishes I posted below...those pictures are long overdue but finally I got them posted. You'll see the "Nurse" by Hinzeit for my RN friend, the "Here Mousey Mousey" for my cat shelf, and "Wedding Row" by Bent Creek that is now hanging proudly on one of my bedroom walls. Now I have since finished Heart In Hand's "Birds" for my mother and the quilt square for a 123 Board member's grandson but I haven't even taken pictures yet. (See how behind I am???) Anyway, I promise to try and get my blogging all caught up. I also want to take WIP pictures of what I have going so you can see what I'm working on.
That's all for now because I'm at work. Sorry I haven't been on the boards, e-mail, or anything but I'm back now. You should've known you couldn't get rid of me that easily. ;-)
Sunday, July 8, 2007
A small finish and time to start Christmas gifts!
Last night I decided to roam through my stash just for the fun of it. I found a teeny little thing I bought at Ginger's in Austin a couple of years ago. It's a small wooden cat with an opening in its belly area to put your stitching in. I stitched up the suggested phrase "Here Mousey Mousey". From start to finish it didn't even take me 30 minutes! :) I took a picture with my digital camera but it doesn't communicate with my laptop so I'll just have to wait until I'm at work this week to transfer the picture to my jump drive. Then I can post a picture here.
Got some great stitching done on a quilt square last night. I'm about halfway done and that's a very good thing. :)))
While I was roaming, the "New Start Virus" was trying to take hold again. I decided to pull some stuff I had kitted up that was calling out to me. This way, when I do feel like starting something new and I can't fight the urge then I can at least start something I need or really want to do. It's time to start getting some Christmas gift stitching done -- can you believe it??? Here's what I pulled and why:
1. Shepherd's Bush "School Roll" - I need to stitch 4 teacher's gifts by next May and thought this would be fun to stitch for at least one of them. I have a ton of teacher's patterns so I'll either stitch this once and do three different things or perhaps I'll stitch this more than once.
2. Hinzeit's mini-block "Racing" - This is for my youngest son Cody, age 11. I already have the frame so it would be good as a gift for him plus I have way too many Kay's Frames. Why have a small fortune tied up in these frames and just let them sit in my stash?
3. Name Tree by M Designs "Lisa" - I thought this would be a good Christmas gift for my sister. I swore I'd never stitch for her again (because I didn't think she really cared for the last thing I stitched for her about 5 years ago) but surely she'd like and appreciate her name in a pretty tree design.
4. Name Tree by M Designs "Charlie" - Same as above except this is my brother-in-law. Stitching both of these trees and framing them would take care of my Christmas gifts for them.
5. Whimsey & Wit's "No Place Like Our Place" - This would be a gift for my mother-in-law. Yep, that would knock out one more Christmas gift.
6. My mother reads this blog so I can't mention exactly what I have in store for her, but suffice it to say I'll call it "Funny". It's just a teeny thing so don't get too excited, Mom. LOL! ;-)
7. Another thing for my mother...I'll just call it "Brown". These little "key" terms help me remember what they are yet they don't give away what the project is. HAH!
8. Pegasus Publication's "Cowboy Corral" - I would do the "Cowboy's Room" pattern for my bonus son Wyatt, age 9. He is in the Junior Rodeo and rides bulls (EEEK!) so he'd love this for his room.
9. Jeanette Crews Designs, Inc. "Baseballbet" - This would be for my oldest son Steven, age 14. He's such a baseball player that I know he'd love his name stitched in the various baseball poses.
10. "The Original Railroading Book 1" - There is a "MKT Katy Lines" logo that I'd like to stitch for my uncle as a Christmas gift since he worked so many years for Katy Railroads.
11. Hinzeit's "Horses" - This is for my home. I don't have the frame but I did order it. It never came in. :( I figure that I'll just get a frame for it if that high-dollar Kay's Frame never arrives.
12. Hinzeit's "Rise and Shine" - This, too, is for my home. I won't be using the rooster and mailbox charms that came with it and I didn't order the Kay's Frame for it either. I do love the pattern but I am not a rooster kind of person.
13. Hinzeit's "Bath Time" - Yep, this is for my home and I have the Kay's Frame for this and it goes perfectly in our master bathroom because of the hot and cold faucets on the frame and my wallpaper border. (Can you tell I have a thing for Hinzeit patterns?)
14. Yay, another Hinzeit! This one is mini-block "Let It Snow" and if you think I have the frame for this then you are right! LOL! Of course this is for me because I am a self-proclaimed snowman addict.
15. Shepherd's Bush "Americana" scissor fob - I want to put this on my Glory Ginger scissors. Wouldn't that be gorgeous?
16. Holiday Sparrow Designs "Tall Guys - Valentine - Valentino's Three" - This is for me. I think I have all of the Tall Guys patterns and have them all kitted up, too. I love these guys! I'd like to line my hallway with the entire Tall Guys patterns. I didn't pick this one for any reason other than it was the one on the top of the Tall Guy pile. Once finished, I think they will fit in standard frames so I should be able to frame them myself with no problems, plus it would save a ton of money.
17. Redbird Designs "Monthly Minis" - I have all four of these for a total of twelve patterns. They are so cute and are all done in a Southern/Western theme. These, too, are for my home. I will most likely stitch them up on one piece of fabric.
18. Just Nan's "Icy Hill" - I got this at The Silver Needle (was it June that we went?) and it's been calling my name. :)
19. A iris pattern from Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch and Beading magazine. This would go in my bedroom. I have always drooled over this purple iris pattern!
20. Bent Creek's "The Red Thread" series - Silkweaver sent me the most beautiful earthtone 32 count Belfast linen called "Sugar Cookie" and I think this series would be perfect on it! I have the most recent addition to this series on order. It should be arriving any day. :)
Well, that's my twenty projects I pulled. Sheesh - I'd be set for how many years, even if I stitched nothing else??? I just love everything in my stash but the ones I pulled are my favorites (for now). LOL!
I guess I'd better quit blogging for now. This post is already novel-sized! LOL! I will find one of my rubbermaid containers to put these 20 things in and that way I can grab one whenever the New Virus Bug gets too fierce.
Got some great stitching done on a quilt square last night. I'm about halfway done and that's a very good thing. :)))
While I was roaming, the "New Start Virus" was trying to take hold again. I decided to pull some stuff I had kitted up that was calling out to me. This way, when I do feel like starting something new and I can't fight the urge then I can at least start something I need or really want to do. It's time to start getting some Christmas gift stitching done -- can you believe it??? Here's what I pulled and why:
1. Shepherd's Bush "School Roll" - I need to stitch 4 teacher's gifts by next May and thought this would be fun to stitch for at least one of them. I have a ton of teacher's patterns so I'll either stitch this once and do three different things or perhaps I'll stitch this more than once.
2. Hinzeit's mini-block "Racing" - This is for my youngest son Cody, age 11. I already have the frame so it would be good as a gift for him plus I have way too many Kay's Frames. Why have a small fortune tied up in these frames and just let them sit in my stash?
3. Name Tree by M Designs "Lisa" - I thought this would be a good Christmas gift for my sister. I swore I'd never stitch for her again (because I didn't think she really cared for the last thing I stitched for her about 5 years ago) but surely she'd like and appreciate her name in a pretty tree design.
4. Name Tree by M Designs "Charlie" - Same as above except this is my brother-in-law. Stitching both of these trees and framing them would take care of my Christmas gifts for them.
5. Whimsey & Wit's "No Place Like Our Place" - This would be a gift for my mother-in-law. Yep, that would knock out one more Christmas gift.
6. My mother reads this blog so I can't mention exactly what I have in store for her, but suffice it to say I'll call it "Funny". It's just a teeny thing so don't get too excited, Mom. LOL! ;-)
7. Another thing for my mother...I'll just call it "Brown". These little "key" terms help me remember what they are yet they don't give away what the project is. HAH!
8. Pegasus Publication's "Cowboy Corral" - I would do the "Cowboy's Room" pattern for my bonus son Wyatt, age 9. He is in the Junior Rodeo and rides bulls (EEEK!) so he'd love this for his room.
9. Jeanette Crews Designs, Inc. "Baseballbet" - This would be for my oldest son Steven, age 14. He's such a baseball player that I know he'd love his name stitched in the various baseball poses.
10. "The Original Railroading Book 1" - There is a "MKT Katy Lines" logo that I'd like to stitch for my uncle as a Christmas gift since he worked so many years for Katy Railroads.
11. Hinzeit's "Horses" - This is for my home. I don't have the frame but I did order it. It never came in. :( I figure that I'll just get a frame for it if that high-dollar Kay's Frame never arrives.
12. Hinzeit's "Rise and Shine" - This, too, is for my home. I won't be using the rooster and mailbox charms that came with it and I didn't order the Kay's Frame for it either. I do love the pattern but I am not a rooster kind of person.
13. Hinzeit's "Bath Time" - Yep, this is for my home and I have the Kay's Frame for this and it goes perfectly in our master bathroom because of the hot and cold faucets on the frame and my wallpaper border. (Can you tell I have a thing for Hinzeit patterns?)
14. Yay, another Hinzeit! This one is mini-block "Let It Snow" and if you think I have the frame for this then you are right! LOL! Of course this is for me because I am a self-proclaimed snowman addict.
15. Shepherd's Bush "Americana" scissor fob - I want to put this on my Glory Ginger scissors. Wouldn't that be gorgeous?
16. Holiday Sparrow Designs "Tall Guys - Valentine - Valentino's Three" - This is for me. I think I have all of the Tall Guys patterns and have them all kitted up, too. I love these guys! I'd like to line my hallway with the entire Tall Guys patterns. I didn't pick this one for any reason other than it was the one on the top of the Tall Guy pile. Once finished, I think they will fit in standard frames so I should be able to frame them myself with no problems, plus it would save a ton of money.
17. Redbird Designs "Monthly Minis" - I have all four of these for a total of twelve patterns. They are so cute and are all done in a Southern/Western theme. These, too, are for my home. I will most likely stitch them up on one piece of fabric.
18. Just Nan's "Icy Hill" - I got this at The Silver Needle (was it June that we went?) and it's been calling my name. :)
19. A iris pattern from Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch and Beading magazine. This would go in my bedroom. I have always drooled over this purple iris pattern!
20. Bent Creek's "The Red Thread" series - Silkweaver sent me the most beautiful earthtone 32 count Belfast linen called "Sugar Cookie" and I think this series would be perfect on it! I have the most recent addition to this series on order. It should be arriving any day. :)
Well, that's my twenty projects I pulled. Sheesh - I'd be set for how many years, even if I stitched nothing else??? I just love everything in my stash but the ones I pulled are my favorites (for now). LOL!
I guess I'd better quit blogging for now. This post is already novel-sized! LOL! I will find one of my rubbermaid containers to put these 20 things in and that way I can grab one whenever the New Virus Bug gets too fierce.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy 4th of July!
I don't know why my last post doesn't have double-spacing between the paragraphs but it's really annoying me. *grrrrrr* I have edited and re-edited and re-edited but to no avail. Oh well, if that's the biggest problem I have this week then I'll be thrilled.
That "New Project" virus has still got a massive hold on me. If you've been reading this blog even semi-regularly then you may have noticed my WIP list at the top has grown by a project or two. Like I need another new start??? *sigh* Still, my Tall Guys are calling out to me. Must...resist...tempation. (or maybe I'll just go ahead and give in) LOL!!!
It's mid-afternoon and I've been totally worthless all day. The good news is that I didn't do any shopping for more stash. LOL! Well, it's good news for the bank account but bad news for me. No biggie -- my latest order from Drema should be here in about a week. Also, I did offer to grant a couple of wishes at 123. That felt good because normally nobody wishes for what I have and I was beginning to get a complex. ;-) I also listed some charts for free at XS from little kits I've stitched and I've already got 2 out of 4 of them spoken for. Yay! Okay, so I haven't been totally worthless.
On a more serious subject...a "certain somebody" from the boards and I have agreed to NOT talk about each other on the boards anymore. Can you imagine how much more pleasant e-life would be if a lot of people would make the same agreement and honor that agreement? It's one thing to say what's on your mind. It's another thing to be hateful, mean, and hurtful. I took a step back, took a breather from the boards for about a week, and thought about my posts and actions. I decided to change some things about myself and not post negative things about people...period. Whether a person is liked or disliked, that person still has feelings and a heart and should be respected as any other human being. Just a lil' something there for you, the reader, to ponder. (Disclaimer: I'm not pointing the finger at any particular person or people or board. This is just a generalization of board life as a whole. If you feel defensive because of my words, well then maybe you should re-evaluate yourself and your behaviors. If the shoe fits...)
Okay, enough serious stuff. I think I hear some projects calling me. :))) Time to go stitch but I can't stay up late tonight because I might be at the dentist at 8 AM with my broken molar. Yuck! Go ahead...envy me. ;-)
That "New Project" virus has still got a massive hold on me. If you've been reading this blog even semi-regularly then you may have noticed my WIP list at the top has grown by a project or two. Like I need another new start??? *sigh* Still, my Tall Guys are calling out to me. Must...resist...tempation. (or maybe I'll just go ahead and give in) LOL!!!
It's mid-afternoon and I've been totally worthless all day. The good news is that I didn't do any shopping for more stash. LOL! Well, it's good news for the bank account but bad news for me. No biggie -- my latest order from Drema should be here in about a week. Also, I did offer to grant a couple of wishes at 123. That felt good because normally nobody wishes for what I have and I was beginning to get a complex. ;-) I also listed some charts for free at XS from little kits I've stitched and I've already got 2 out of 4 of them spoken for. Yay! Okay, so I haven't been totally worthless.
On a more serious subject...a "certain somebody" from the boards and I have agreed to NOT talk about each other on the boards anymore. Can you imagine how much more pleasant e-life would be if a lot of people would make the same agreement and honor that agreement? It's one thing to say what's on your mind. It's another thing to be hateful, mean, and hurtful. I took a step back, took a breather from the boards for about a week, and thought about my posts and actions. I decided to change some things about myself and not post negative things about people...period. Whether a person is liked or disliked, that person still has feelings and a heart and should be respected as any other human being. Just a lil' something there for you, the reader, to ponder. (Disclaimer: I'm not pointing the finger at any particular person or people or board. This is just a generalization of board life as a whole. If you feel defensive because of my words, well then maybe you should re-evaluate yourself and your behaviors. If the shoe fits...)
Okay, enough serious stuff. I think I hear some projects calling me. :))) Time to go stitch but I can't stay up late tonight because I might be at the dentist at 8 AM with my broken molar. Yuck! Go ahead...envy me. ;-)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Bent Creek's "Wedding Row" is finished!
This is my latest finish -- Bent Creek's "Wedding Row". Please pardon our loveseat in the top of the photo and our ironing board at the bottom of the photo. ;-) I will take another picture after having it framed and it was delivered to the framer's yesterday. Just three short weeks and I'll have it back. (sarcasm intended)
I did start something new. *sigh* I started Lizzie Kate's Stamps from 2003 on that mystery fabric I got from Cross Stitch Haven recently. I'm lovin' it and I'm not even done with the first square! Just 11 more to go after this square is done. LOL!
My BC Snapperville is pretty much dead in the water. I screwed up and cut the fabric too small so I decided to stitch half on one piece of fabric and the other half on another piece. My thought was that when it's complete, I can have it framed in two frames but joined in the middle like one of those "book-style" frames...you know the kind -- where the two frames meet in the middle with a hinge and can open and close like a book. Then I'd set it on a shelf. :) Well...I got the first half done, started the 4th of 6 squares and I have messed it all up. I've pretty much decided I either need to frog what I've done on the second half or just toss it and start fresh on the second half. Meanwhile, there it sits...
Mom's Bluebonnets are coming along nicely and so is the Sub. I haven't stitched on the MH kit in a week or so but I did sort the floss and the beads this past weekend. My afghan is on hold - as usual - while I get other stitching projects done. I've got to start the quilt square I promised but it isn't due until early September so it's not like there's any rush. I do want to have it done before I go back to college on August 20th though. I have promised myself I will start it on or before this coming Saturday. It looks like an easy stitch so surely I can get it done in a week or less if I just stay on it.
I've added my finishes for 2007 so far on the right side of my blog. If you scroll further down, you will see a link to my Photobucket albums. There you can find and view almost all of the finishes.
Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July. We plan to (safely) set off some fireworks, eat, and I'm going to stitch until my fingers fall off. :D
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