What Happend to My Weekend?

It is already Tuesday and my weekend just disappeared.  I swear it was just Friday! 

Things were crazy this weekend, so I didn't get to stitch much.  I spent most of the weekend working at my parents house.  Hubby resurfaced their patio in the backyard.  The project really became a family affair.  It was fun, but it was very hard work.  It really gave me a new perspective and a new appreciation for the construction work that Hubby has been doing these last few weeks in addition to his restaurant job. 

When we started, my parent's patio looked similar to this picture (which I borrowed from a search on google).......

And now it looks like this.......

It really makes a huge difference!  (Next time I'm there I will try to get a better picture so that I can show off Hubby's handy work.)  Of course, that took up most of our weekend and I'm still nursing some sore muscles that I didn't even know I had.

Even after all that work, Hubby did surprise me with a "date night" on Sunday evening.  He took me to our local city park where I was treated to a concert from a Pop singer gone Country.  (Country is one of my favorite genres.)  Then, after that, he took me out to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner.  I have to say, Hubby is really turning on the charm lately............I wonder what he wants??????

I also got a nice surprise in the mail at work yesterday.  I forgot that I had this on order from my favorite store of all time, The Attic,  located in Mesa, AZ.  Jean and her girls are the best!  I had decided to stitch my (LF) Hedgerow Birds on 40ct and that was the hold up.  There has been lots of trouble getting 40ct linen this year.

While waiting for the fabric (it is that new yummy fabric that Miranda is dyeing over at Weeks Dye Works), I found a few more must haves.  I know, I know, I'm still on that Blackbird kick, but as you can see from the other picture, I also got my grubby little hands on the Crescent Colors cottons and Belle Soie that were released for the Columbus market.  I also made sure to get the Lizzy*Kate Summer fob as well.  I just couldn't pass those up!

So, hopefully the rest of this week will just fly by without a major visit from Hurricane Earl. (Sometimes being on the Mid Atlantic coastline is scary!)  After all, I'm due for a relaxing weekend with my stitching since Hubby will be stuck with some double shifts at the restaurant. 

Happy Stitching!

Birthday Giveaway Arrival

Remember earlier this month when I decided to hold a give away for my birthday?  You know, in the time before the whole world came crashing down?

Well, it arrived safe and sound at Patty's house.  (Don't tell her, but it was me, not the mailman, that included some extra special items along with the frog......)

I also sent her some Kelmscott scissors, a cut of opalescent linen and a scissor fob.  After all, you must have scissors to go along with your frog.  And, who wants a naked pair of scissors?  Those scissors were just screaming for a fob!  So, I stitched up the fob from LHN's Needle and Thread.  I even decided to fancy up the backside with the year.  I filled the fob with crushed walnut shells, so it will also double as a pin cushion.

Enjoy Patty!

Happy Stitching!

Happiness is.....

.......a super duper Blackbird Designs haul!  I just love Barb & Alma's designs.  I will surely miss seeing them at market in St. Charles this year........

Happy Stitching!

Delayed Thanks

Back in July I sent a RAK to Sherry.  She had been on the lookout for a Flower Frog and had been unable to find one.  I looked at my stash and knew that I had the perfect frog for her so I sent it off with nary a thought. I knew it was meant for her.

Well, out of the kindness of her heart Sherry sent me a lovely thank you note and this..........

Summer at the Shore by Country Cottage Needleworks

I've been so caught up in all that has gone on the last two weeks that I've neglected to show her the appropriate thanks.  So, Sherry, this post is for you!  Thank you so much for the chart.  I will cherish it and your blogging friendship.  Right now I'm keeping your lovely note with the pattern.  Once I've stitched it up I will attach it to the back of the frame to remind me of the wonderful stitching and blogging bond that we share.  I'm happy that we have been able to become blogging friends.  If you are ever in my neck of the woods, drop me a line!

Thanks again!

Happy Stitching!

Getting Back in the Groove

Even though I was trying hard to be my happy little self, this beginning of this week wasn't very kind to me. 

On Tuesday morning before work I kind of fell down the stairs.  Now, don't be alarmed........I was only on the second to the bottom step.  I guess it was too early for my legs and feet that day.  My left foot just slipped right off the stair and down I went. I'm okay now, but I do have a couple of bruises on my left hip and just below my left knee to show for my tumble.

Then on Wednesday, Hubby decided to be "productive" and he did some work around the house which involved getting rid of a queen size mattress.  In the process of getting the mattress down the stairs, by himself I might add, he proceeded to knock the doorbell box off the wall and he broke the glass on the entry way ceiling light and the glass on the torch lamp in the great room.  When I asked if he vacuumed up the glass his answer was "Why?  I picked up all the big pieces!"  Of course, upon further inspection when I arrived home, I found several more large pieces of glass that he missed as well as shards scattered all over the entry way.  We are so very lucky that none got into the Puppy's paws!

That day I definitely had a Calgon moment!  Too bad we don't have a soaking tub!

Now, Hubby knows that I haven't been myself lately and he has been trying his hardest to do things to help out around the house.  I really can't be mad at him because he did go grocery shopping with out me telling him to and he did bring me home some goodies (like ice cream) that I probably would not have bought normally.  Then, last night, I came home to him "renovating" the kitchen.  He had gone through the pantry and all the cabinets and rearranged everything.  He also reconfigured how we had stuff on the counter tops and now we have a bit more space for preparing dinner and such.  In addition, there was a box ready for the dumpster and a box ready for goodwill.   I was so very thankful for what he had done.  I told him how big of a help he was being and that his actions would decrease my everyday chores.  I also told him to be careful because what he had been doing in the house the last few days has really turned me on!  (Maybe he will keep it up.......Boy wouldn't that be nice!)  My Hubby is sure learning fast what helps keep my depression at bay!

He's not the only one who has been influential in getting me back into my groove.  My BFF has been a great sounding board and prayer warrior.  I also meet with a group of friends once (sometimes twice) a week and they have all been very supportive of me.  Then there are all of you......my blogging buddies.  Each and every comment that was left on my last blog post has been a godsend.  I treasure you all for helping to lift me back up off my feet.  I can only hope to try and do the same for you all if you ever need it.  So, don't worry, this kiddo will be "keeping her fork".  After all, you never know when I'll need that fork to poke my Husband back into action!

Happy Stitching!

Just Life.....

There are many blogs out there that seem to show the "perfect life".  Well, my life is not perfect.  In fact it is far from being perfect.  And, since this is also a blog about my life, this blog will not always be perfect either.  My imperfections are shining right now as I think that I'm in a little bit of a depressive slump.

Take the last two weeks.........

As you all know, Hubby was in an accident.  The accident was on my birthday and overshadowed my whole day! Yet, as irony would have it, he hit the back of a beer truck while he was doing about 15 miles an hour. (If you knew hubby, you would know that he can't drink anymore due to medication and other different factors.  You would also know that the truck he hit was carrying his favorite kind of beer......how's that for irony?) Here's the $2,000 minimum worth of damage that was caused by the hand truck/dollies that were on the back of the beer truck that he hit............

I know it doesn't look like $2,000 worth of damage, but the "aftermarket" bumper alone was almost $500!  And, that doesn't even include the damage that you can't see from this photo.  Hubby is not a "do it yourself" kind of person and I'm no mechanic. (Good news to add........Hubby sold his truck to a "DIY'er" and that person is going to fix it up for half the cost.  So, the money Hubby got from his old truck will go towards the car tax bill that will soon arrive in the mail.  At least I won't have to worry where that money will come from.)

You also know that we ended up with a new truck.  A bright shiny new Ford F-150 4X4.  It is one massively big truck.  I tried to talk Hubby out of it and talk him into something a little smaller, but he wasn't listening to that line of reasoning.  We tried looking at used trucks too, but with all the incentives and the Z-Plan, it wasn't in our best interest to go used.

Well, the new truck went with us on vacation last week.  Vacation you say?  That should bring a girl back into good spirits.  Well, did I mention that the week was spent with my FIL......Mr. Unhappy Grumpy Old Man himself?  Now, don't get me wrong, FIL can be a very nice man when he actually tries to be.  But, most of the time he is just an "unhappy camper".  It is very hard to spend a whole week with someone who hardly ever smiles, constantly grumbles, complains and sighs.  He didn't even help with the cooking or the cleaning up of the dinner dishes.  That was left to Hubby and me.  His version of a "Thank you for cooking such wonderful meals, cleaning up and making me feel like a king" was a comment on the last night that Hubby and I were there.  He grumbled "I haven't eaten like this in years" and then sighed.  To boot, he put us in the bedroom with the two single beds and he took the room with the queen size bed for himself.  See what I mean?

At least Hubby and I had some alone time last week without the FIL.  We spent time on the 4X4 beach with the new truck.  I was supposed to take the truck for a spin on the beach, but I chickened out.  However, the time spent on the beach was quite relaxing.  (Unfortunately, it was not enough to overcome dealing with the FIL!)  If you look at the right hand side of the picture, you can just catch a glimpse of Hubby relaxing in the sun. 

There wasn't much in the way of picture taking this time while we were in OBX, but I was able to get a couple of good shots of some birds.  I was disappointed that we didn't see any wild horses this time.  I was really hoping that Hubby would have gone on one of the Wild Horse Tours with me, but we decided that the $100 was better spent on other things now that we have a truck payment.  I was very frugal on the whole trip and just about all the money that I did spend was used to buy Christmas and Hanukkah presents for friends and family.

I guess I'm just having a hard time snapping out of a "Birthday Gone Bad" and a "Vacation With the Grump".  Unfortunately, this week hasn't been the kind of week to get me out of the slump.  What's the saying?  "When it rains, it pours"  Well, that's exactly how I feel right now!  I'm hoping that once I blog this out (and talk this out) of my system, I can get back on track to my normally happy life.

Any suggestions????

Happy Stitching!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Stitching!

Birthday Giveaway Winner

The winner of my Birthday Giveaway is Patty C. of Hanging On By a Thread. You were lucky number 12! Patty, I will need your snail mail info. Just send me an email when you are able.

Thank you all for your comments!

Happy Stitching!

Birthday Madness

I can't sleep. So I'm sitting here in the dark. It is reflection time for me right now. Or, maybe it's just heartburn from the day's events. I really should be in bed, but anxiety is creeping back in. It has been one crazy birthday.

My birthday was off to a wonderful start. Hubby gifted me with a Nook and a couple of Nook accessories. He knows how much I love to read, so it was the perfect gift. I short while later I sent him on his way to work and I started getting myself ready for the day ahead. I had just gotten out of shower and was getting dressed when the phone rang. I thought it would be my mom calling to wish me a happy birthday. But when I looked at the caller ID, I was surprised to see that it was Hubby. Now, I should warn you that my Hubby is quite the jokester. So, when he said "I've been in an accident.", I thought he was joking. Well, no joke this time! He was ok, but he thought the Tacoma was totaled. (There was only liability on the truck.). I still had wet hair, but I flew out the door in a flash anyway.

As luck would have it, the truck wasn't totaled. But, after having it towed to a body shop, they wanted $2,000 to fix it! Now, this poor little truck is 10 years old and it has been without a/c for the past two summers. Hubby has been wanting a new truck, but it really wasn't in the budget. After thinking things over, we decided to head to a local dealership to inquire about another vehicle. After all, why put all that money into an older truck that we won't have for much longer anyway?
Well, leave things up to Devine Intervention! We ended up spending the rest of my birthday at the Ford dealership. (Thank goodness my step-daddy is a retired Ford employee!). So, with the help of the "Z Plan", a few rebates, my good credit, a 72 month loan and a real low interest rate, I am the proud owner of a new Ford F-150.

I'm still reeling from the stressful day. I'm still not sure how we are going to pay for the increased insurance rates or the yearly car tax. Monthly by check I guess! So, it looks like there will be a few more PB&J's around here for a while.

Let me say, this was NOT the way I had intended for my birthday to go! At least Hubby wasn't hurt.

I guess I'd better try and hit the hay. The 6am alarm will come way too early in the morning.

Have a great weekend!

Birthday Giveaway Reminder

Just a little post to remind everyone about my birthday giveaway.  If you would like to join, be sure to make a comment on the birthday post.  The giveaway closes tomorrow (Friday) at Midnight (EST), so don't delay!

Good luck!

Safe Arrival

It turns out that my RAK arrived safe and sound and is now happily living with Nataly.  She just sent me a lovely e-mail telling me how surprised she was and how exiting it was to be the recipient of a RAK.  Well Nataly, I'm so glad that you like it.  And, it is just as exciting for me as the sender!

So, if you are like Nataly and you are interested in becoming a RAK recipient, just drop me an email with your snail mail address and your blog address.  You never know when you might find a RAK in your mailbox!

Happy Stitching!



P.S.  It is not necessary for you to be a follower in order to join in on the RAK fun, but I would hope that you might just want to follow anyway!

A RAK and a Birthday Giveaway

I know, I know, two posts in one day!  What can I say?  I'm hoping that this will be a good week!

Remember Friday's post?  Well, here is the finished project.  Not too shabby if I do say so myself!  Hubby even got into the act with this one and he picked out the button.  I don't know about you, but I think he did a great job. 

'Tis Green by La-D-Da

2010 JCS Ornament Preview

Stitched on 28ct Solo by Silkweaver

Limited Edition Belle Soie by Crescent Colours

This little pillow was put in the mail this morning, so I hope it goes by "pony express" instead of "snail mail" if you know what I mean.  I hope that my RAK recipient enjoys it.

Now, onto other business..........  While I was Estate Sale shopping this weekend, I picked up not one, but two self contained glass flower frogs.  So, in celebration of my birthday this Thursday, I'm giving you the gift! (You can also check out another photo of this frog on the earlier post.)

Here are your rules:

1. Make a comment on this post only if you wish to participate. 
2. For a second entry, let others know about my giveaway.  You may either blog about it or post it somewhere on your blog.  You must comment a second time telling me that you have done this in order to get the second entry.
3. For a third entry, in a separate comment, tell me about your most cherished birthday gift.  You must comment a separate time in order to get this entry.

Unfortunately, due to the high cost of postage, I can only award this prize to an address in the U.S..  However, if you live outside the U.S. and you would still like to participate, I will send you an alternate stitched surprise if your name is drawn.  This way everyone still has a chance to win!

The contest ends at Midnight EST on Friday, August 13th.  I will draw the winner over the weekend and announce it on Monday, August 16th.

Good luck!  Happy Un-Birthday to all of you!

Happy Stitching!

Seek and Ye Shall Find

*****WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY POST TODAY!!*****

Happy Monday!  I can't believe that we are back at the beginning of the week already.  Time is just flying by so quickly.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I wish it would slow down for an instant or two so that we can enjoy it that much more.  However, I really did enjoy my weekend, even if it flew by.  There wasn't too much in the way of stitching time, but there was plenty of quality time spent doing other things that I liked to do.

I'm going to be a little backwards today and tell you about Sunday first.  (Karen, I'm still being a tease and the piece de resistance is at the end of the post! LOL!)

Sunday was a wonderful day, even if Hubby was raring to go at 7:30am.  (So much for sleeping in!)  But, early to rise means breakfast at our favorite local diner.  As we were eating I started telling Hubby about the
Estate Sale that I had been to the day before (that was still going on) as well as a few Antique stores in the area.  I also told him about another sale that I missed that was right down the street.  I guess I peaked his interest, because he was raring to go.  So, after filling our bellies, we headed out for an Estate Sale/Antique Store Marathon.

First stop was the Estate Sale down the street.  Let me just say that they either had a raging sale on Friday and Saturday, or there wasn't much there to begin with.  However, Hubby was able to dig through the scraps that were left and he came up with a couple of items.  Not a bad haul for $4! After all, the box of blades would be at least that much.

Just look at this level!  It's made out of wood, unlike the aluminium levels of today.  Plus, it says "Sears Roebuck and Co".  Not something you see that much anymore.  As an added bonus, the level still works great.  (Yes, of course we tried it out first.)

Next we headed to some Antique stores as well as the sale that I was at the day before.  At the sale I picked up this great little wooden bench that had caught my eye.  I'm glad that I didn't buy it the day before since it was 50% off on Sunday.  I told Hubby that it was meant for me to have that bench since it was still there.  He just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.  As for the Ball Jar lids, I got those at one of the Antique stores that we rummaged through.  Hubby had to climb over a bunch of junk to reach them.

Here's a close up of the two frogs that I found yesterday.  The one on the left is clear glass and it is self contained.  The middle will hold a candle, but I think I'm going to find a way to make a small pin cushion that will fit in the hole.  The one on the right I found in an Antique Shop.  It is made out of "Vaseline Glass" which contains Uranium.  Apparently, it also glows neon green under a black light.  I just liked it because it was different than all the others that I had.  I have to say, I'm becoming quite the frog collector!

Now, here's where things get interesting.  (Yes, Karen, this is what I was teasing about on FB.)  On Saturday, I went on a ton of errands by myself because Hubby was working a double shift.  I took my wedding rings into the jewelry store for their check up and I had to kill some time while waiting.  So, I went over to an Estate Sale that looked promising.  As I'm walking through the house, it was easy to see that this family had a needlewoman (or man) in their midst.  There were small cross stitched pieces, mostly on aida or evenweave, as well as a few needlepoint pieces.  I felt so horrible about seeing all of that on the wall and knowing that it would not be loved.  I really wanted to buy it all up, but the prices on them were so ridiculously high.  It broke my heart to see them there!

So, I'm walking down the hall with my heart breaking about those lovingly stitched pieces when I see this....................

I couldn't believe my eyes!  Here was this grand piece hanging on the wall in the hallway.  It was almost as if it was sitting there waiting for me.  I kept running my hands over the frame while trying to decide if I should take it off the wall.  I was kind of afraid, because of the cost.  While it was 25% off, it was still more than I would normally spend.  But, it called out so strongly that I decided that I would endure Hubby's wrath for overspending.  I just figured that I could call it an early birthday gift to myself since my birthday is this week!

Here's it is a little closer (I kept the pictures large, but you should still be able to click them to see detail):

I just love the middle portion of the piece with the house nestled in the trees! 

This is a snap of the bottom of the piece.  I think that it was supposed to be a rose or a flower of some kind.

Along the edges you can see dark blue threads.  I'm wondering if this was mad into some kind of a purse or handbag at one point.

I'm just so thrilled with my Estate Sale find!  It really made my day....and my weekend!  I would really love to be able to get in contact with someone who could give me a little insight into this piece.  I wonder if it is really worth anything.  I'd love to find someone who could appraise it.  I checked into a few people, but no one has experience in this arena.  Antiques Roadshow, where are you when I need you?

Happy Stitching!

I've Decided

After writing yesterday's post, I think it is much better to give than to receive.  So, in that spirit I've started this little goodie from the 2010 JCS Ornament Preview Issue.......

'Tis Green

by Lori Markovic of La-D-Da

28ct Solo by Silkweaver

Limited Edition Belle Soie by Crescent Colours

The picture is very deceiving and the colors are much more vibrant in real life.  I'm thinking that I may turn this into a pin cushion.  I've seen it all stitched up that way on other blogs and it sure is lovely.  Plus it would make a great RAK (hint, hint to those of you who emailed me with addresses)!  So, I'm putting aside the "regularly scheduled stitching" in order to continue with the giving.

Speaking of giving, don't forget to check out my sidebar for various giveaways.  I just put one there from Fiona.  She wants to celebrate 100 followers.

So, I'm sticking with my theory........it is better to give than receive!  Try it sometime!

Happy Stitching!

Is It Better To Give......

......or to receive?  I've always been of the opinion that it is much better to give.  That is the main reason that I decided to RAK, PIF and join exchanges.  I love to see/hear the joy that my stitching brings to others.  It is even more fun when I can combine my love of stitching with one of my favorite designers........Blackbird Designs!

A few months ago, I was so excited to see that there was a Round 5 to the Blackbird Designs Exchange.  I jumped at the opportunity to sign up and I eagerly awaited the name of my exchange partner.  In this round, I was honored to stitch for Ma Teakettle.   I received a beautiful email from her last night thanking me for her exchange.  Ma, you are so very welcome.  I really enjoyed stitching this for you!

Pin Box, Floss Tag and Double Sided Scissor Fob

from Honeysuckle Manor

stitched on 30ct Creek Bed Brown by R&R

GA Threads: Uniform Blue and Parchment

Also included were a set of handmade pins similar to those pictured above

(thanks to Faye for the pin making instructions!)

Yes, giving is a wonderful thing!  But when you receive something so beautiful, it sure does make you wonder if it really is better to give......

You see, I came home yesterday to an unexpected package in my mailbox.  It was my turn in the Blackbird Exchange!  I was honored to have Mare stitch for me.  She made me this beautiful bag from Souvenirs of Summer using a piece of 28ct fabric from her stash and DMC 4210 (Radiant Ruby).

See what I mean?  Isn't it beautiful?  I have some great ideas on how to make it part of a patriotic/summer display in my house next year.  In the meantime, I have it hanging on the door knobs of the DVD cabinet.  This way I'll be able to see it from my Happy Chair!

So, now that you have seen both sides, which do you think is better..........giving or receiving?  Tough choice, huh?

Happy Stitching!

What Happened to........

..........my weekend?  In a blink of an eye it was gone and now we are back to Monday!

..........my summer?  It's already the 2nd of August.  I don't know were the summer has gone!

..........my husband?  We went shopping, yes, shopping over the weekend because he has gone from a 36 waist to a 33 waist.  So, not only has he lost weight, but he has also gained the ability to go shopping with me for extended periods of time.  He hates shopping!  It's amazing how much better you feel and how your life turns around when you can get an illness under control.

..........Seaside Memories by The Sampler Girl (my current work in progress)?  This happened:

Seaside Memories

by: The Sampler Girl

Stitched on Lakeside Linen's 40ct Vintage Sea Storm

As you can see, it has gone from a work in progress to a happy dance! (Sorry for the crappy snaps, but today is real cloudy and this was the best I could do right before heading off to work.)  I finished it up last night after making some changes to the year and the area where the initials are.  The design had a place for a family of four, but since it is just the two of us right now I had to modify it a little.  I just added a few more birds in the empty spaces.  I really enjoyed this piece and it will be a wonderful reminder of the time we spent down there this summer.

What's next?  Well, I've sent off my Blackbird Exchange stitching this morning, so I should be able to show pictures of that in the next few days.  In the meantime, I'll be working on stitching a private exchange until my model stitching arrives.  I hope to have the private piece finished by weeks end, but you know how that usually goes!

Have a great Monday!  Happy Stitching!