Visiting Frogs & Broken Curses

The frogs visited over the weekend and this time it was a good thing.  They only stayed a short while.  Just long enough to rip out the wrong color border and then I sent them on their way.

The correct color is on the upper left and the wrong color is on the lower right.

 After the frogs left I got to work finishing up October.

October
by Little House Needleworks
A Crescent Colours Cotton Thread Pack
Stitched on 30ct Mocha by Weeks Dye Works

 Next I had a great start on November.  Since it looks like the border is lining up, I guess that means the curse may be over.  Hubby is working at job #2 tonight, so I should be able to get through most of this pattern with little to no interruptions.  Yeah!!!!

A great start on November.

Happy Stitching!

What Was I Thinking?

Thanks for the wonderful comments yesterday.  It seems that the hot water heater is currently holding its own.  Good thing too.....I don't think that I could deal with anymore water.  Especially since it is above the closet that currently holds most of my stitchy stuff.  I would be devastated if something happened to it, so I think that my stash may have to be moved sooner rather than later!

After reading your comments I also took a second look at my goals for the next two months.  WHAT WAS I THINKING???  I sure do hope that I can get through everything!  At least I'm halfway through my first goal of "finishing" the personal exchange that I am doing with Karen.  I went home last night with those lofty goals embedded in my brain and I got to work.  Unfortunately, I didn't have everything that I needed to finish up my project, so I'll be making a pit stop in Michael's on the way home from work today so that I can get the two things that I need.  I should have that bad boy completed tonight and in the mail tomorrow.  (Ohhh.....I can't forget to take a few pictures.  After all, it has been way too long since I've had any pictures on this dang blog!  **Jots down another thing to put on the "to do" list.**)

Goal #2 almost finished!!!!  Hopefully I can work on finishing goal #1 tonight too!

Happy Stitching!

Finally, Some Stitching!

A week with out stitching and a girl can really go crazy!  But, I was feeling much better over the weekend and I managed to work some on my Blackbird Piece from the 2008 Shepherd's Bush retreat.  Here's what it looked like last weekend.....

And here is what it looked like after some stitching time on Saturday night and during the afternoon football games on Sunday.......

I actually accomplished most of my stitching on Saturday night while having a "stitch in" with my BFF.  Most of Sunday was spent sleeping on the couch.  I'm really an avid football fan and I typically spend my Sundays stitching and watching football, but I was still a little under the weather.  Plus, it was a rainy Sunday.  Rainy Sundays are always good for napping!

Of course, as you can see, I'm getting ready to work on the vase.  Here's where I have a dilemma.  Do I stitch "2008" in the vase because that is when I went to Shepherd's Bush?  Or, do I stitch "2010" in it because that is when I plan on finishing it?  I think I've already decided, but I would love to see what every one else things about this.

As a side note, I would like to thank all of you who commented or emailed me about the heartburn.  Well, it is MUCH better than it was last week and I'm no longer taking the OTC medication.  However, I've made a doctor's appointment anyway and if they give me anything to take I'll be sure to let you know.  I'm pretty sure it is anxiety related and it is just a reaction to what has been going on in my life.  I'm sure it will settle down soon enough.  After all, I'm supposed to go to market next week with Sharon Crescent of Crescent Colours and it wouldn't be much fun if I was sick!

Happy Stitching!

Nothin' Doing

Not much going on this week. I did manage to get a start on a new project over the holiday weekend, but I haven't stitched on it since.  It is a Blackbird Designs piece (imagine that!) from 2008.  I was lucky enough to attend the famous Shepherd's Bush retreat and I'm finally working on the project from that class.   It seems like a pretty quick stitch on 30ct fabric.  I'm hoping to do some stitching damage this weekend and possibly get a happy dance out of the whole situation.  However, if I finish or not, I'll be sure to grab a couple of snaps over the weekend so that you can see what I'm working on.

Work is busy with another tax deadline on the 15th and it is not helping that I have a severe case of heartburn this week.  I have a feeling that this heartburn was caused by all the anxiety I've been dealing with in the past month.  Anyway, I feel like everything is up in the base of my throat and I'm constantly feeling sick.  I finally figured all of this out yesterday, so I put myself on a regimen of OTC medication and I'm now on day two.  Boy, I hope this goes away fast.  Not only do I feel horrible, but I don't even want to stitch!  You know we can't have that!

Here's wishing y'all a great weekend!

Happy Stitching!

Positive Thinking

This hasn't been my week..........but, I'm trying to stay/think positive.

Traveled to a neighboring state for a Peach Festival that didn't exist..........but, we came home with lots of fresh picked peaches anyway.

Got my evaluation at work and raises stunk..........but, I was one of the lucky ones that did get a raise and I, unlike others, still have a job (that I love).

Tried to get my car repaired for the umpteenth time yesterday and it still didn't happen..........but, I'm so lucky to have a wonderful and reliable car.  The repairs are just cosmetic.

Had to take an unneeded day off of work since the car wasn't fixed.........but, I got to stitch while I waited for the car, then I got to have lunch with my BFF and I even got to spend quality time in the afternoon with my Hubby.

Awoke to the sound of water hitting the carpet at 4am this morning thinking that the dog was peeing on the carpet only to realize that my a/c unit is leaking again..........but, the water can be cleaned up and my a/c unit continues to run and blow cold air.

And the most positive thing this week...........I'm almost done with Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl.  Just a few more words and motifs to go!

The moral.........stay positive!  Happy Stitching!

Just Fixin' Update

I don't think that today is my day. At the first appointment I found out that they will have to order parts to fix the lumbar and the discoloration on the driver's side and passenger side leather seats. When I went to the second appointment, it was another dissappointment. They had already taken the tires off of my front wheels when they noticed that one of the replacement wheels was defective......for the second time! If it were me, I would have checked the wheels first to make sure that there was nothing wrong with them. But, then again, these are men we are dealing with! (Apologies to you men out there that actually have smarts!)

On the bright side, I did get lots of stitching in on my current wip and I promise to share pictures tomorrow.

Another great thing about today was that I was able to take my BFF (she's also my bestest stitching buddy)out to lunch. I just about had to drag her out of her office, but it was well worth it!

I hope you had a great Wednesday. Just remember, only two more working days until the weekend!

Happy Stitching!

All Good Vacations Must Come to an End

WARNING!!!! VERY PICTURE HEAVY POST!!!!

Whew, this post has been a long time coming!  Believe it or not, it has been three weeks since we left for vacation and I'm already ready for another one.  I hope that we get to go back to the OBX later in the Summer or in the early Fall.  Until then, here are some of my favorite pictures from the last day.

We spent Day 5 on the beach in Corolla.  Just hubby and me......we had some well deserved "us" time.  We got onto the beach with the truck and just drove until we found a spot that had our names on it.  There are some houses on this stretch of the beach, but the only way to access them is by a four wheel drive automobile.  I guess this person decided that when there are jellyfish in the water they can opt for a dip in the pool instead!

We finally found our perfect stretch of beach.  Believe it or not, we had this section all to ourselves.

There were lots of stretches of the beach that had amassed tons of seashells.  The shells were just ripe for the picking.  I picked quite a few clam shells of differing colors.  Hubby found a perfect hermit crab shell, without the hermit crab thank goodness.  I decided that each time we go to Corolla that I was going to pick up a few shells and display them in one of the ball jars that I purchased at an Estate Sale. So, every time I look at the jar full of shells I can remember all the fun that we had in the OBX.

The sand that day was almost like quicksand.  With each step you would sink into it deeper and deeper.  We saw many vehicles get stuck in the sand.  I didn't think this old car was going to make it, but he finally dug himself out and drove further down the beach.  We even got stuck on the way out.  In all the times that we have been down there we have never been stuck.  DH dug us in pretty deep, but there was a redneck kind soul in a Jeep that pulled us out.  If you want to know the truth, I think that was the only reason that guy liked going to the beach.  Why you ask?  Well, when we passed him earlier in the day he was sitting in the drivers seat of the Jeep.  And when we got stuck.....well, he was still sitting in the same place!  That is when you thank God for the little favors of a redneck strangers help.

After being pulled to safety we went on our merry way.  And, wouldn't you know it, we finally hit the tri-fecta!  There were wild Corolla Stallions heading up the dunes.  I was so shocked to see them that I had some trouble working the camera.  See the truck antenna on the left side of the picture?

Here's a few more with a couple of close ups........aren't those horses magnificent?

DH also saw these birds resting on the shore and thought that they were a hoot.  I love their little mohawks!

Later on in the evening we went back to the Lone Pine Inn to see Ricky, Lucy and their hatchling(s).  Apparently Ricky and Lucy nest there every year.  In these first picture you can see one of the parents and one of the hatchlings.  The second picture shows both parents and you can see the wing of one of the hatchings.

 

After playing with the Osprey, we decided to grab a bite at one of the pizza joints before heading off to the Sound Side of the island for some sunset pictures.  Unfortunately, there were storms brewing so our sunset was not exactly what we were expecting.  However I did get a few good pictures in before we had to go.  (This is also where the picture in my header came from.)  I especially love the last picture.  I don't know where that guy was headed, but he had a cold Corona in the side pocket of his shorts!

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of my vacation.  I don't know about you, but looking at these pictures makes me want to put on my swimsuit and head to the beach.  I can't wait to go back!

As for my stitching, I always have high ambition while on vacation.  Unfortunately I didn't get in as much stitching time as I thought I would.  But, I think I got a great start on Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl.  I'll just have to put a little more effort into it so that I can get it finished and framed.  It will be another great reminder of a beautiful family vacation.

When Is Vacation Again? (Day Two Pictures)

My Friday didn't start out on a good note.  First I dropped off the rental car at Enterprise and then they gave me a ride to the collision center so that I could pick up my car.  Well........let's just keep a long story short and say that my car wasn't right.  I had to sit there and wait for it to be corrected......TWO DIFFERENT TIMES........and it still isn't fully right.  At this point, I'm just happy that I have my car back!  Right now I'm just waiting for a call from the collision center or the insurance company to see what we need to do next.  UGH!  I'm ready for another vacation already!!!!

Speaking of vacation, day two was a ton of fun.  We went kayaking on the Alligator River.  It was the first time that I have ever been kayaking.  (I've been canoeing before, but I was real young and did no paddling whatsoever.)  Let's just say that it was an experience and I don't "paddle well with others".  At least I don't paddle well with my MIL in the rear of the kayak.  We finally got it down at the end, but it was too late by then.  Next time I'll be confident enough to go solo!

We didn't see any alligator, but there were lots of jumping fish and tons of lillypads.  On the way out of the refuge we felt adventurous and hubby took us down a few dirt roads.  We ended up seeing a big black bear!  It was amazing!  Unfortunately, no pictures.  No one dared to take their good cameras for fear of them ending up at the bottom of the river so all we had were cheap 35mm waterproof cameras.  I took a few pictures of the bear with those, but I have a feeling all that you will be able to see is a small black spot.

After kayaking, we decided to spend the afternoon at the pool.  I ended up falling asleep on the lounge chair and I had a great cat nap before dinner.  For dinner we treated Hubby's mom to Mexican.  It was the least we could do since she shared the time share with us!  Upon returning from dinner Hubby and I went out on the golf course to take some pictures of the night sky.  Once the mosquitoes came out I headed inside and I picked up my stitching and set myself to work.  Not much got done and after all the excitement of the day it was an early night to bed......

Here are a few of the pictures I took that night........

This weekend will be interesting since I will be baby(dog) sitting my four-legged "sister", Zoe.  It should be fun since she and my pup get along like litter mates.  I just hope that there aren't any toy disasters this time!

Hope you have a great weekend.  Happy Stitching! 

More Kindness and Vacation Day 1

While I was reading earlier this morning I came across a few passages that I thought I would share in light of all the RAK's.  It read "Kindness is the mightiest force in the world......."(*).  Then I also found this, it reads "It is by continuing to give of ourselves that we continue to receive.  In helping others, we continue to enrich our own lives." (*)

That explains this package that arrived in yesterday's mail:

A BBD's pattern that was on my wishlist!  Remember when I said "Don't Count Out Lurkers" and I mentioned that I found a home for the stitched Bach piece that I purchased at an Estate Sale?  Well, the piece arrived safe and sound.  It has been lovingly reframed and it has a special place on a special wall in its new home.  As a thank you, my "lurker" sent me America the Beautiful.  Oh, I love it so!  Thank you so much!  This is just a reinforcement of everything that I have been working so hard for in the past six months!** 

In other happy news, I thought I'd share about my vacation.  Day One we got up early and headed to the OBX (Outer Banks, NC for those of you who have never heard the term "OBX" before).  We were there well before noon so there was lots of daylight left to burn. Hubby decided he needed "alone time" and went to play a round of golf.  That ment that MIL and I went shopping.  I love visiting all the little shops in Duck. (Yup, Duck is the name of the town!)  My favortie shops have artsy things and handmade jewelry that you just don't find at home.  I didn't buy anything for myself that day, but I did find a Hanukkah gift for my mom and step-dad.....handmade, of course.  (I love it when I can get ahead of the game!)  After a fun afternoon of shopping, I was able to sit down and put a needle into my new start, Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl while watching some fireworks out of the sliding glass doors in the great room.  See, I told you I was going to have a 4th of July start!  And with fireworks to boot!

Day Two tomorrow!  That is if I can remember to grab the memory card out of my good camera!

Happy Stitching!

(*) Both quotes were found in ODAAT.
(**) I've been dealing with much more than I let on in my blog, but one day I will let the words flow in hopes that I can give hope and help to others who may find themselves in similar situations.

Best Laid Plans and a Coffee Buzz

Last night definitely did not go as planned.  Best laid plans and all that mess, right?

I got home around 5:30pm last night and sat down with my book (Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah).  The thunderstorms were rolling in so I figured that it was easier to calm down my 15 pound four legged son while reading instead of  while stitching.  He is just a hot mess during thunderstorms these days (he's 9) and that doesn't go well with a needle and thread.  Anyway, just when the storm's biggest deluge arrived, Hubby walked in the door.  It seemed that his 6pm meeting got cancelled at the last minute.  So much for my quiet time!  At least he cooked dinner even if it was only a Red Barron frozen pizza.

After dinner I pulled out Needle and Thread by LHN since Hubby was around.  I managed very little in the way of progression.  I got the owl, part of the bed and part of the scissors done before I gave up and gave into a cat nap.  By 8pm I was asleep on the couch and by 9pm Hubby woke me up to send me to bed.  I guess things finally caught up to me as I slept the whole night through and didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 6am.  I even hit the snooze button a few times this morning after it went off.

Still sleepy this morning, I thought I should give myself a real wake up.  (First of all, I should tell you that I'm not really a coffee person.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Starbucks Vanilla Latte or Frauppccino.  But, I'm not an every morning, multiple cup during the day coffee drinker.)  I dug a Newman's Own Extra Bold Blend K-cup out of our coffee bowl and put it in the Keurig machine.  I put a spoonful of sugar in the bottom of the cup and hit BREW.  While it was brewing, I fixed myself one of those thin sliced "Everything" bagels from Thomas' and slathered it with Philly cream cheese.  Yum, yum!  When the coffee was ready I grabbed the Vanilla flavored creamer and poured a healthy dose of it into the coffee.  Then I sat down to GMA (Good Morning America for those of you who don't know) and had a nice, quiet and peaceful breakfast.  Well, here I am..........HOURS and HOURS later.  Wouldn't you know it, I'm still jittery from that coffee this morning!  I sure do hope that I will be able to sleep tonight.  With the luck I've been having lately I'll be back up on the "up all night" wagon. 

Sheesh!

Happy Stitching!

Shopping, Stitching and a New Start

Whew! Where did this weekend go? Just yesterday it was Thursday and I was getting permission from the boss to play hokey on Friday! I guess that's what happens when you have fun weekends.....they just go by so fast!

First on Friday I had to decide if I was going to call out or not. I've really been good at saving all of my comp time this year and work full 40 hour weeks whenever possible. However, with nothing to do at work it is so easy to skip a day or two.  So, early in the morning I sent a text message saying "See you Monday!  Have a great weekend!".  (I'm so lucky to have such a great boss!!!) 

With that done, Hubby and I spent the morning together exploring.  I found an estate sale that ran Thursday - Saturday (they usually go Friday - Sunday in our neck of the woods), so off we went.  It was one of the better sales that we have found so far.  I found a great frame with this odd looking sand sculpture in it.  I pulled out the piece only to find that it is a thin layer of sand on plywood.  I'm not too sure about it, but I know that as much I love southwestern type stuff, this is not my cup of tea.  I think that this "sculpture" may end up the in Goodwill pile!

Saturday found us at a few more estate sales in neighboring cities.  Both of them were busts.  (It made me so happy that I found the great frame the day before!)  On the way home I remembered that the local Farmers Market was having its opening weekend at our city park so we stopped by.  We were on the late side, so much of the good stuff had already been sold, but we did manage to get a few ears of local Silver Queen Corn, a huge Zucchini, some Peaches (grown out of the area) and two Sweet Potatoes.  Oh those Peaches were good.  Nice and juicy!  Next time I will have to remember to bring my camera.....

Saturday night was spent stitching with my BFF.  I decided that I wasn't in the mood to stitch anything that was in my bag and that I needed a new start.  I think that this was fueled by my earlier purchase of the frame.  You see, I found a great stitchy piece of a desert sunset two years ago while on my honeymoon in Arizona.  I thought that this piece would fit perfectly in the frame and boy was I right.  I was going to stitch it on 36ct instead of the called for 32ct, but then I noticed that it was full of blended threads........36 would be a bust!  So, I spent much of the evening looking through BFF's Crescent Colours stash and I came up with an alternative.  Then after some discussion on the piece I decided not to start it until I went home and measured the inside frame dimensions.  Again.......BUST!  Instead I spent the rest of the evening working on my second (yes, second) Needle and Thread by LHN.  I'm almost done!

Sunday morning after some measuring, thread pulling and more measuring, I decided to dump the 36ct on my new start Desert Sunset by Fireside Originals.  Using the 32ct will work so much better.  It will be a perfect fit for the frame that I bought on Friday.  That means that all the work that I did with choosing thread color is out of the window since I'm going to go back to the original plans.  Even with the original plans, I didn't get very far with it this weekend.  My intention is to make it a surprise for my husband, so I can't work on it when he is around.

Whew!  What a weekend!  In closing, I'm going to leave you with the best find that I made all weekend.......at another local farm stand.......and boy did they taste as good as they looked!!!!

Happy Stitching!

 

Color Woes

Today I'm playing with color. I wish was better with it, but practice makes perfect. So which yellow do you like best? The window and flower on the left (Ye Olde Gold) or the one on the right (Queen Bee)? I initially picked Queen Bee, but now I'm having second thoughts. HELP!!!!

Happy Stitching!

Eta: Oops,sorry! I'm posting from my phone again and the picture is sideways!!!! So, the darker color is Ye Olde Gold and the lighter is Queen Bee.

Don't Count Out the "Lurkers"

Remember when I posted about my latest Estate Sale find? You know, about this stitched piece?  I asked if there was anyone who might want it....  Well, I am happy to announce that this piece will have a wonderful home with a lovely couple who not only enjoy the fine art of stitched pieces, but the art of music as well.  It just so happens that a "lurker" stopped by the blog on that very same evening as my post and sent me an email offering this piece a good home.  I'm so very glad that I picked this up last Saturday!  Not only do I have a great frame, but this piece will be finding a new life in a new home.  I'm so thankful to my "lurker" for rescuing and adopting this great piece.  I will try to gently remove it from the frame this weekend so that I can get it in the mail soon.

In other stitchy news.........

I'm sorry to report that there were no grand finishes on BBD's Seaside Retreat last night. (And no pictures either!)  I still have one motif left.  I've also decided to pull out the date and restitch it in a slightly different manner.  In answer to some of the questions/comments, this BBD piece has not been released yet, so don't go looking for it in any of their books.  It was a piece that they designed for a retreat that I went to last fall.  Personally, I think that we should all gang up on Barb & Alma and get them to release a book of their class pieces.  What do you think?

I just thought I'd let you know that I'm working hard deciding on what to do for the giveaway.  I dug through the ever increasing baskets 'o stash and came up with a design that I hope you will like.  I have several from this designer in my stash, but this will be the first time I've actually stitched one of her designs.  Hopefully I will have enough time tonight for some quality time in the floss box(es) and fabric drawer.

Happy Stitching!