So close!

Oy yes, so close!
I am so close to finding out what getting that last star will unlock in Webkinz!
What do you think is floating around in that yellow?

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I needed and good laugh- thought you might too!

Manny

Say "hi" to Manny.

Manny, say "hi" to the people.

My daughter discovered the praying mantis under the seat of her bike in the driveway. Manny has been with us for a week or so now. The last mantis we had didn't last that long. Only a few days.

Manny likes flies.

I like Manny.

Laying Tool

This is my new laying tool. I ordered it from Tazlover (Rachael) from EMS. She makes them, so nice, and carves it all herself and everything! Isn't it awesome? When she asked me if I wanted my initials carved into it I said yes, and asked that my username's letter P be on it instead. It's just soooo smooth, and sooo nice!

*sigh*

My stash is very happy now.

between the pages

I felt the need for a "chatty post". A hodge podge of things, in a rather informal (what other style do I have?) way to get thoughts on the page...

Reading-
I tore through, Running with Scissors, in a day. Loved it, hated it (not really, just didn't like what happened to the main "character"- just a child) , it got my brain working. And that part made me love the book more. It's sort of like "a fix". I get a taste and want more. I used to read in that way as a teen. Back before there were bills to be paid, clothes (more than my own) that needed to be washed, dinner to make and all that day-to-day stuff that makes me push those things I like a little further down on my to get to list. I love to stitch but sometimes, I feel the need to go elsewhere outside my own head. Which means books!
Well I want to read, Dry,by Augusten Burroughs, but my library doesn't have it. I would have to fill out a little form to request it via interlibrary loan. It could be a week or more.... I also want to get my hands on Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer, which has a waiting list at the library- it could mean months of being on the list. And I don't think I will wait that long. I think I would just break down and either buy it or ask around to see if anyone has a copy they'd be willing to part with for about a week.


Blogging-
I had the perfect blog name for a new, more private and personal blog - in addition to this one-but every version I could come up with was taken.
Back to the drawing board.

Oh! Gotta scoot!

EMS Staff Exchange

I just heard from my partner Birthe that she received my package. It was a long 17 day journey! And that's only from Maine to Canada- who knew!
I didn't take a pic of the final ornament/scissor fob all done, just of the end before I trimmed and closed it. Not sure why. Just in a state to get it done I guess. I was soooo late getting it out. I had made a nice fob, front and back, but had trimmed it way too close and it started to rip while stitching it closed. Lucky for me the front was still intact. But the back bit the dust.
So, I salvaged the front and attached it to a card. Then did a whole new project for the hanging goodie, in blue. I think it came out pretty nice.


Odd though as I could swear I had taken a pic of it all done up. *shrugs. I'm telling you I am losing my mind!


So on with the details.....
This is what I received from Birthe. (Funny that we had each other huh?)
It's a nice lighthouse kit and an ornament with my initial on the front. I love it. I love how she closed it. (I am truly finishing impaired, it amazes me what other stitchers can think of and do with their hands!). I especially liked the note she sent with it too.
But I wouldn't post that.




This is parts of what I sent......


This is right side up before I trimmed and attached the back and hanging thread and all.

• Design by Ellen Maurer-Stroh, "Stitcher's Tools-Scissor Finder", a free design at EMS.


• 28ct Monaco, over one with two threads


• DMC Variegated 121 (the pic just doesn't do it justice)

And here it is, turned on its side, next to a very full bobbin for size comparison. Pardon how messy the threads are on the bobbin. But it can be tricky when you need to change threads and want it to continue with the color variations in the right places.

And this is the card I did up... (the attempted fob that got away from me)

• Designed by Ellen Maurer Stroh, "Happy Stitching", also a free pattern on EMS.
• 28ct Monaco
• Two threads over one using DMC

I also sent her a magnifying ruler, two heart frames, and scissors... I think that's all... Lol.