Changes.....

So I finally changed the picture in the header. (I guess that's what you call it.) I'm going to try to do this once a month or based on how I feel. This way I can share with you another of my passions......photography!

I have a fabulous Nikon D80 which I absolutely LOVE. I took it with me to Arizona on our honeymoon and I try to remember to bring it when hubby and I go on day trips. (This particular picture was taken this past Sunday while we were on one of our day trips.) I also like to use my camera for my finished projects since it seems to capture everything so much better than my point and shoot pocket Nikon. I typically use the pocket camera for fun family stuff and for when I don't want to lug out the "big gun". I also keep the little one in my stitching bag. Of course my stitching bag goes where I do, so I have that little camera 99.9% of the time. You never know when it will come in handy!

In fact, I was able to catch these pictures with that little pocket camera. (Hubby said "Oh, you don't need the big camera" and then look what we saw on our day trip to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary!)




So, my lesson for you today is this: Listen to your instincts and ignore the hubby!

Happy Stitching!

Is This Really Happening?

It wasn't enough that I had a/c problems and now I may have to replace a part of my ceiling. It wasn't enough that water dripped in the closet (at least I didn't lose any stitching stuff). Oh no.....it wasn't enough....enough is never enough!

A STUPID CO-WORKER BACKED INTO MY CAR YESTERDAY!!!!!! Oh yes, I said it. I called her STUPID! That's what you get for not paying attention. She broke the front licence plate bracket and then chipped the paint in two places. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but my car isn't even a year old and now I have to have the whole front bumper repainted. What a pain! I did nothing wrong and now I have to suffer the hassle of getting everything fixed. I even demanded a rental for the time my car will be in the shop.


I know, I know, it could have been so much worse. It's just that I haven't even had this car a year! I take care of my stuff because I want to keep it nice. So, don't mess with my stuff!!!!

OK. Enough is now enough and I'm going to stop ranting and raving. Onto the real subject that should be at hand: STITCHING!!!!

I have actually been semi productive recently. I finished my second strawberry from the latest Loose Feathers. Now I will have one in 30ct and one in 40ct. Here's a picture of them (unfinished) with the fabric that I'm going to use as a topper. Hopefully I will remember to give them to the finisher on Thursday at the LNS.


I also finished a baby gift for the daughter of a good friend. This friend and I have been through so much together in both her life and in my own. So, I felt that I should stitch something for her new granddaughter. The baby isn't due until early October and the shower isn't until early September. But, I knew that I would be busy with models for the St. Charles market so I got it done early. I decided to stitch CCN's "Princess Parade". I recharted the words to the baby's name. I'm planning on using the same frame that is shown on the front of the chart if it will arrive in enough time. If not, I'll have to consider picking something else.


Then I started on "Winter Sampler" by LHN. I know that this is a 32ct fabric, but I'm not sure what color it is since it wasn't labeled. Here's a peek at how far I got last night. I know it's not much, but I was distracted and I kept stewing over my car's boo-boo.


Maybe I can get a little further on this tonight. Wish me luck!

Happy Stitching!

Organization to Disaster

Over the weekend I decided it was high time to organize the closet in the spare bedroom. So, early in the week I headed to Target to pick up some storage supplies and organization tools(plastic bins, shelving, storage for the DVD's, etc.). When I arrived home I was in the right frame of mind and I went upstairs to fulfill my obsessive/compulsive attitude regarding my cross stitching.

I began by pulling everything off of one shelf. The shelf was filled with a basket full of kitted and unkitted projects, Stitch Bow containers (that I don't like or use anymore), photo boxes filled with DMC and hand dyed threads, storage bins (that are similar to tackle boxes) filled with more DMC, Krenik and beads, as well as several books that I have already read. As I was working, I noticed that some of the boxes had condensation on the outside. Now where the heck did that come from? Then when I pulled out the books, one of them was soaking wet and it had started to mold. WHAT???? After emptying the shelf I started pulling down the sweatshirts and bike gear that was above the books. Half of my sweatshirts were soaking wet! OH NO!!!! So I went downstairs and grabbed the super powered flashlight that we just bought from Sam's club. (The bulb in the closet has been out forever and I just haven't gotten around to replacing it.) So, I pointed that "bad boy" flashlight up to the ceiling and had me a look around since the access to the attic was above the wet area. I didn't see anything, but knowing that both the hot water heater and the a/c were up there I was worried. Once I didn't see anything I began to search the ceiling outside of the closet and lo and behold........

A water stain about 2 feet long was on the ceiling just outside of the closet. UGH! Here it is, 8pm on a Tuesday night and I'm calling Tori (our a/c guy). With a promise to come out Wednesday afternoon, I set to emptying out the rest of the right side of the closet.

All of the baskets on the shelves are filled with stash. The bottom basket has only Shepherd's Bush kits in it and those aren't even all of the kits I have! I never realized how much stash and junk was in that closet. The bed only holds the contents of the right side of the closet. Wait until I get to the left side!


Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon. I took the afternoon off of work (which didn't really bother me because we are so slow right now). Upon arriving home I sat down to watch the last day of the MLB Free Preview on cable. My Arizona Diamondbacks had a 3pm game against the Colorado Rockies, so it was great timing. I sat down and waited for Tori. Around 3:45 my angel arrived!

Tori went up and checked things out. Wouldn't you know it.....just a clogged drain. I was glad to pay Tori for coming out and fixing the small problem. That means my stash budget is safe. I still have money for the retreat I'm going to in October (put on by Dyeing To Stitch). Thanks Tori!

So, now you know why I haven't been stitching or blogging. But thank goodness the disaster has been diverted. I think my reward should be a nice new stitching start!

Happy Stitching!

Slow Going

We were finally able to get Louie back to his owner on Sunday. She was out of town and didn't get home until sometime late Saturday. Over all, Louie was really a good boy......just a little spastic at times.......and a little horny too! We told her all about Louie's adventures and even made a few suggestions that would make Louie's life (and hers) a little better. Hopefully she will listen and get that poor boy neutered. So, here are some parting shots of Louie. May he have a great life......at someone else's home!

On Saturday night he climbed into my husband's favorite chair:


Finally Louie took a break on Saturday night and layed at my feet. I took the time to snap a quick picture (taken while sitting on the sofa):


Bye, Louie! Good luck!

Due to Louie's delayed delivery home, I didn't get much time to stitch this weekend. Between that and going out to see "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" I was only able to get so far. At least I don't have to have this finished until September.

I guess I'd better get a move on! I think I will be receiving another model to stitch. I know it will have to be ready in time for fall market, so I hope it arrives soon.

Happy Stitching!

Devil in Disguise

Meet Louie.

Cute, right? He's a two year old, seven pound Yorkie that we were considering for adoption. One of hubby's co-workers is trying to find him a new home. She adopted him when she got her own apartment at college. Now she's back home and her parents don't want him in their house. Right now Louie is living with her boyfriend and spends most of the time in a kennel. She still lives at home and won't live with her boyfriend, so Louie has been a little neglected. That's where we stepped in. If (and that was a big fat IF) Louie got along with our dog then we would take him in.

So, on Tuesday evening Louie met our dog. Our dog is an eight year old neutered male. For those of you who don't recognize the breed, he is a Toy Fox Terrier (TFT). He's a little tall for the breed and he's twice the weight of a normal TFT (he's 15 pounds and he should be about 7 pounds). But, we love him just the same and we wouldn't want him any other way.


Being an informed puppy parent, I had us meet in neutral territory. Needless to say, everything went well for the first meeting. But then, I brought Louie home. He was a spaz! He wouldn't stop licking my dog's private area and when he couldn't reach that, Louie would lick my dog's ears or snout. My dog, being polite, wouldn't fully bite Louie, but he does keep growling and tries to put Louie in his place.

I tried disciplining Louie using the "Dog Whisperer" method and that didn't work. (Thanks Ceasar, I really could have used you right then!) So, yet again I tried to be pack leader and I put Louie on his back so that he had to show me his belly. (This is a method taught by the Monks of New Skete.) Boy was I in for a surprise. When I rolled him over I found the cause of his hyper activity. Louie was not fixed!!!! UGH!!! That killed the adoption for me right there. There is enough testosterone in our house with hubby and the dog. I don't need anymore! In fact, here is Louie preparing for "the attack".


Tuesday night turned into a nightmare with Louie! I think he may be the devil! "But he's so cute" you say. "How can you not love that face?" you say. After him lifting his leg twice in the house and terrorizing my puppy, I'm lacking the desire. I even made hubby take him outside to the "Man Cave" for awhile.

Yesterday Louie spent time with hubby and drove him crazy. Again he wouldn't leave our dog alone. Louie even got out of the fence (hubby's fault) and hubby had to go chase him down. So, by the afternoon, hubby was well over it. His retaliation? It came in the form of my father-in-law's Miniature English Bulldog. Winston is 60 pounds of pure meat and muscle. (You only see is backside here, but it was the only picture I could find on short notice.)

Needless to say, but Winston put Louie in his place! Don't worry, no one was hurt during all this, but it sure did feel good to give Louie a taste of his own medicine!

So, tonight is the last night that Louie will be spending with us. His mom will be back and we are going to be more than happy to send him home. I have to say, I am a little disappointed. I would have liked to have another cute puppy in the house. Of course, that will take more time away from my stitching and we can't have that, can we? Seriously!

I was just able to have a new start this week since my finish last week, but as you can see, I really haven't gotten very far and its all Louie's fault.


It wasn't the project I had intended to start (another Mirabilia start bites the dust). That is a long story and I've done enough for now. But, I really needed to start this one since it is going to be a baby shower gift. (I'm replacing "Princess Parade" with the baby's name.)

So.....until next time.......Happy Stitching!

Laundry Day

On Saturday I got to spend a wonderful day stitching with the girls at the LNS. Before leaving I had planned to start laundry so that hubby had a clean uniform for work that afternoon. Instead he sent me off with a kiss and a promise to wash his clothes. My last words to him were "Remember to do a full load!"

When I got home I decided that I would continue laundry day. After all, I didn't want to spend all of Sunday doing laundry. I walked around the corner and BAM!

Oh, yes. He left it exactly the way you see it. And if you look to the left (on top of the washer) you will see his pitiful attempt to fold his own shorts. And that full load? Well, it consisted of his uniform, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Full load my *%$!

Of course I had to get the camera out of my bag to do a "laundry photo shoot". EVIDENCE!!! Hmmmmm........I wonder when I'll pull this one out. Do you think this will qualify as something I can use for stash enhancement bribery?

After having my fun, I folded everything properly and started a new load of wash. All in about five minutes! Then I sat down to work on "Bo Peep". No picture yet. I didn't get much further on her. I just filled in some of the missing single stitches so she hasn't really changed that much.

I also spent a little bit of time cruising the Internet and all my favorite stitchy sites. I found this new collaboration from LHN, CCN, Primrose Needleworks & Miss Crescent's Crown.

My favorite one is the last block with the sheep. Hopefully I will get a chance to stitch this one. Guess we will have to wait and see!

Happy Stitching!

Remembering

Today is my grandmother's birthday. Unfortunately she left us many years ago. I still miss her and think about her often. There are times that I still go to pick up the phone to tell her something and realize that she's not there to talk to.

I honored her (and hubby's grandmother too) at my wedding last year. I know she was there......everything was fabulous! From the black chair scare to the white draped transformation, to the beautiful weather, it all came together. Yellow roses marked her presence. She was there.

So, today I honor you and wish you a Happy Birthday. I miss you Mama!

I DID IT!!

I finished "It's Berry Time" by Blackbird Designs! (This is the latest Loose Feathers.) We have "Thursday Night Group" at the LNS where we all get together to stitch and well, you know! Anyway, I was intently working most of the night instead of talking like I normally do. After all, I didn't have much left and I thought I might be able to finish by the end of the evening. Unfortunately, I just wasn't fast enough. So, when I got home I promptly turned on my stitching light and continued. I was determined to finish before I went to bed! So, here it is:


Now I have to apologize. It was past my bedtime when I finished so this isn't really the greatest picture. I only had the light from my Ott and the flash on the camera wouldn't go off because of that. After all, I only used my point and shoot. I promise I will take a better picture with my "good" camera sometime this weekend.

So, now I have to decide what to start/work on next. "Bo Peep" is halfway there and I could continue to work on her. Then there is my "Shores". I only have two blocks completed on that one and it is in serious neglect. Oh, and there is that project that I started for my MIL that is only halfway done. But, there are also so many other new ones that are calling out to me "Start me! Start me!" I guess I'll just have to work on the Strawberry that accompanies this piece while I decide.

Happy Stitching!

I Think I Can

I think I can....I think I can......I think I can finish this by the weekend!


I haven't progressed as much as I had wanted to in the last two days, but what do you expect? I hadn't talked to my mother in a few days, so I spent an hour on the phone with her Monday night. Then last night I went to help my FIL with the bookkeeping for his business. (Lesson: NEVER let a stubborn man do the bookkeeping for his business. It will only end up a disaster!)

At least I'm now in the home stretch. After I finish this, I'm going to stitch the strawberry that goes along with it.....TWICE! I've got enough extra fabric that I'm going to stitch it on 40ct and I also have a piece of 30ct for a slightly bigger strawberry. I guess I'm going to have to get some more scissors so that I can show off my work. New Dovo's here I come!

Happy Stitching!

Holiday Finish

This beautiful finish is brought to you by my best friend Sheryl. She was able to finish it before the holiday. I even got to help pick out the frame. Hopefully it will be back from the framer next week.

It is from the Red, White & Blue Leaflet by The Cross-Eyed Cricket. I don't know all of the specifics, but I have to say that this is a fabulous piece. Congrats Sheryl! You really worked that one up fast and in style!

And in the spirit of the holiday, I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th filled with fun and fireworks!

As for myself, I've been very busy over the weekend. I spent a wonderful Friday at some Outlet Stores in the area. It's normally about a 45 minute ride, but due to the holiday and local amusement park traffic, our ride took about 20 minutes longer than we expected. It didn't dampen our spirits in the least! I was a good girl and bought hubby a new pair of Oakley's so that I couldn't feel guilty about spending more money in the Coach store. We all know I really didn't need that purse! Of course, it just called out to me.....it was destiny. I can't help it if the lining of the purse was my favorite color! (It's purple, of course!) It just jumped into my hands and forced me into the checkout line. Can you sympathize with me? We all know how those purchases go!

Saturday was spent at one of our local festivals. I'll have to make a separate entry about that later since I took a few pictures while I was there. Hubby & I were going to stay for the fireworks, but they let him off early (he was working there). We were both so tired by 6pm that we decided it wasn't worth it. I ended up watching fireworks from NY and Boston on TV instead.

Sunday was spent at the LNS. On the first Sunday of every month we have a get together where you can either stitch on a Loose Feathers Design (Blackbird), any Shepherd's Bush Design or an ornament. This month I chose to keep working on my current Loose Feathers "It's Berry Time".

This is where I was on Thursday evening before I started talking and stitching at the LNS for our weekly get together. (Sorry, the lighting wasn't too good!)


And now, here's my wip as of Sunday night:


It's all those eyelets and the few lazy daises that are taking so long!


And because I was asked, here's a current picture of HAED's "Bo Peep". As you can see, I'm at least halfway there. Now, if I could only finish my Loose Feathers, I can get back to this until the symbols make my eyes cross.


Happy Stitching!

MySpace, Facebook & Twitter

In the "old days" (and I'm not really that old), we would pick up the phone to call our friends and we would send letters to loved ones that were far away. Now we just jump onto the Internet and share our thoughts and feelings with the world!

Here's an interesting quote to ponder that was left by a friend of mine on Facebook. Jane Doe (not her real name)"wishes people would stop being fake. It just makes them look stupid in the end." WOW! That is a heavy quote to bear if it is directed at you. Thank goodness she's not mad at me!

One more thing to ponder today......with this new age of instant gratification and posting to the whole world, anyone is bound to eventually see what you write. It's out there forever. However, it really could become a problem between friends and loved ones. Heck, it could even cost you your job in some cases!

Take Jane Doe's quote for example. I could make the assumption that it was in regards to my sister. (After all Jane & my sister are friends and they have been known to have a tiff or two.) My sister didn't see it so, I passed that information onto her and boy is she pissed! I've now ruined a 25 year friendship. But, I later find out that my assumption was wrong. Now what? I've got to help get them back together and take all of the blame. UGH!

So what's the moral of the story? Easy.....don't make assumptions......just because you read something doesn't mean that it relates to you as an individual, even if you may think that it does. I know that I am personally guilty of this. Heck, I did it just last night!

Many things go on in our daily lives that we don't always share with all of our friends. Maybe things are going on with co-workers or a friend of the family. Maybe we just need to rant and rave about something that has bothered us since the beginning of time. Maybe we are just full of PMS or BS at that moment! Who knows? No one does unless the facts are directly told to you. So, I won't tell my sister about that post even though I could assume it may have been in regards to her. Why? Because you know what they say about assume........it makes an ass out of u and me!