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.

EMS Scissor Fob received

This reached Ljerka, in Croatia, in no time flat. It's my first scissor fob too!

• Pattern from: "Alphabet Mélusine aux marguerites" (Daisy Alphabet)



• Zweigart 22ct Hardanger Mocha



• DMC threads :367, white and 445

I couldn't stitch the whole letter as is done in the chart. It would have been huge, and not a good fit for a scissor fob. I love those letters so I know I will do them again, full size, maybe over one or something, but definitely do them as charted.

Here it is next to my pinky for size comparison. I take a small glove, if that helps.... And as a WIP, just before I trimmed (super carefully as I don't want to have my first attempt at a scissor fob happen again. Trimming it too close and having it rip as I started to stitch it closed.)

I loved using that color fabric with that yellow. I will have to pair them up again sometime soon.

Then yet another picture with a few skeins of DMC all wrapped up in the flowered cellophane with white tissue paper -with its matching card I made- all ready for mailing.

Sorry the pics are out of order. I have had my hands full today.

*howdy*

Yes, it's me. I am still alive.

I have a WIP that I can't share as it's for an exchange. Once I send it and it's received I will post. But I am late on it. *sigh.

The kids are home. Busy. Busy. Busy!

Food leaves this house at an alarming rate.

I have been spending most of my time either doing the bedroom furniture, preparing/buying food, or cleaning the damn couch. *Grr, don't want to go into that.
As far as the bedroom furniture- I bought two of these! And this(I have no idea why it doesn't have a back on it. Mine does.)

Bureau One- has had primer and two coats. Need to do the handles.
Bureau Two- primed and first coat, should be ready for the second one tomorrow. I hope so!
Nightstand: Done! Primer, first coat of paint, second and painted handle is on! Looks great!

DD's 8th bday party is coming up too.
Can someone please tell me where the time has gone?

Stitch'n... Eat?

We had our Stitch'n Bitch last night. I had planned on working on a project- with everything I needed in hand, those soft pretzels with cheddar cheese (*drooling, one of my all time bad-for-me-snack), a couple of "cool beverages" and off I went to the neighbor's. I walked up , it felt wonderful. The snow is melting quite well in most places. Still some areas in people's yards with two feet or so, but in my yard we just have a "lake".
Anyways- I was the second person to arrive at S.'s house and the other girls came along after. What a spread of food we had! I think we all over did it a bit, it's just been so long since we've had a stitch night. We had it covered: veggies with dip, chips with dip, mozzarella cheese sticks (YUM!), strawberries, grapes, potato skins.... I know I am missing a few things.
For me it was Stitch'n Eat. I never touched my project. The other girls noticed. But I was having a great time talking, catching up really. We haven't seen one of our "members" since just after Christmas. So many things can happen in such a short time!


Oh how my brain and body needed that.
We are set up for next Tuesday at B.'s house.
Can't wait.

solace

Can winter be done now please?

The chimney had jet black smoke pouring out of it and I called the furnace guy yesterday. He came over first thing this morning. It was a simple faulty nozzle that had been replaced but had been defective I guess. He fixed it free of charge.

I have started a (paper) journal, well sort of, just dumping my thoughts and feelings in it for right now. I think I need to try to point out at least one good thing each day.

Chris E. is complete: My stitching is really helping me right now too. It's on my mind all day. With the daily highs and lows it's the light at the end of the tunnel each day for me. Yeah for stitching!
(The close up was done with the fancy little flower button. Thanks Laura!)
A little tip I have learned is to use two different colored needles, this way as I had two colors going at once (a new thing for me btw, this is a project of many firsts) it helped me with dark golden yellow on one and golden yellow on the other. At least with this one anyways.
My daughter is in love with this design.

progress and random thoughts

How cool is this? I have never heard of -Kitchener stitch.

Sorry to bore you all, but, I find that by posting here I get even more motivated. It's kind of cool. :) I am pleased in looking back a bit to see how much I have done instead of focusing on what I haven't.
There's so much I want to do this year. And quite frankly I feel that it helps keep me sane. Go me.
If I could complete a project each month I think it would be great.



Non stitchie news- oil is being delivered tomorrow. The price has come down to less than $3 a gallon.
I had the furnace cleaned last week so I feel better. Things are changed and cleaned and hopefully will work even better.

It's 50-50 the Venus Flytrap will make it. *fingercrossed*

It snowed almost all weekend. And it will snow again starting Tuesday night I think. Right now the sun is shining but it's bitterly cold. My guess is there will be no school or a delay or something on Wednesday.
Oh to see daffodils!

Hey! There's two!

I stopped stitching just before MadTV came on last night.

Cats update

Here's a quick pic before bed.
The plan is to continue up the yellow tail, the swing and start the body of the second cat, Chris E.

tthe world's slowest stitcher

This is my first Margaret Sherry design.
I filled it all of the white last night. It was nice as I didn't have to count nearly as much.
I started this one in the top left of the chart, which is a new thing for me, so I started with the pinks and browns at the top. Typically I start from the center.
Most of this project seems to be rethreading; just not used to such short pieces of thread!
But at least it starting to look like a cat! Whoo hoo!
I will move on to the seat part so I can finish with the first kitty's tail, and then to the yellow cat. Still sort of wrestling out whether I chose the right colors or not for him. We'll see at soon as I start in!
Btw, the dark cat is Pidy, and the yellow one is Chris E. after my own two fat kitties. The likeness is uncanny!
If you pop on over to Angelsan's you'll see what it will be once done.... Yes, proof that I am the world's slowest stitcher! (Yours came out wonderful San!)

And the best part is normally I spend so much time agonizing over what to stitch that I don't get them started! By grabbing this while running out the door it was a release almost in that I just liked it, started it and didn't bog myself down with the details.
What a cool thing!


Post Office Visit!
Saturday I mailed out the item for the Valentine's Train (exchange) over at SanMan Originals message board. I will post a pic once it's received.


The Mail Race, hee hee:Let's see how long it takes two packages mailed at the same time to the same place, albeit one is much heavier than the other, to reach their destination in England. I mailed some threads to my flosskid Val, and a package of goodies to her kids (just 'cause). I forgot to take pics of course. *sigh.






Isn't this cute! When I was playing with my new camera after Christmas Pidy insisted that he sit on my lap and I took picture after picture playing with the flash settings. All I can think of for this one is, "MWhaa!", just so fitting for Valentine's Day!

...and still stitching!

I am still working on the Margaret Sherry Purrfect Partners Stitch Kit from the CrossStitcher (UK) magazine issue 196. Right now I just don't feel like taking a pic. Maybe I will take one tomorrow. It looks so terrible from the graphing I did on the fabric but it makes life easier with counting.
Now I remember why I don't like using kits: the threads are too short and it's a guessing game trying to figure out which color is which *sigh. I wish I did it on Monaco, I haven't used 14ct aida in ages. Maybe I will do this one again sometime. It'd look cute as a card or on a bag.

I am thinking about using those progress bars like so many others have in their sidebars. It would be cool to see for me, and may help with motivation to "see" how I am doing in the grand scheme of things.

I stitched.

It's been an awful day with the flossmoms site and email. I have created a temporary solution on the forum as I was maxing out over it this morning. Now on to better things with lots of pictures.

Last night, I stitched. I finished that da&% bookmark. It didn't really have that much left to do, I was so surprised with that. For some reason I had myself thinking there was so much more left. But- there wasn't!
Now all that is left (this is where I usually get hung up) is the finishing. I have to cut it up and make it look pretty.
I don't like cutting things up. I tend to mess up. Somehow I always seem to find a way to goof them up! Keep your fingerscrossed for me.
Today I managed a trip with B. (one of my awesome neighbors) to Joanns. They are having a sale today on DMCs -only 5 for a dollar! I need 10 of number 718 for my flosskid Val and they only have 3. So looks as though I will have to trek out to AC Moore anyways to get the rest. Too bad as I was hoping to get them at that deal. It was fun though. I needed a kid-free trip out with a girl friend.
Once we got back to our houses it was decided by the husbands (doesn't that phrase mean trouble?) that we were heading up to their house to watch the game. It was originally going to be me and kids there, with the husbands at my house. So having this incredible renewed energy to stitch I had to make a fast grab for something to stitch. My magazine was out with the free Margaret Sherry kit of the two kitties together. I made a photocopy to scribble on and out the door I went!
I am so happy. I got to stitch some more!

Oh yeah, the game?

• The clam dip with chips was good
• The Patriots won
• The kids had a blast playing all together
• I had a really good time.
• and I don't think that kitty will be blue.

Saturday was a BIG mail day for me. I received two awesome packages!
My Birthday present arrived from Val. She has told me she had mailed it out. I had no idea what it would be, just a hunch that it was stitched. Her stitching and finishing is impeccable.
She stitched a design by a fellow EMSer, Cariad837 aka Linda and it's absolutely beautiful. A pin cushion and scissor keeper set. Just awesome!!!!!!
They are covered in beads. It's amazing to the touch. So WOW.
Now for the pics

Designer: Happy Hours Needleworks
Design: "Lace Collection"
The pin cushion:



The matching scissor keeper:


The next parcel I received from the "Ride the Love Train" at San Man Originals' message board. This is where you agree to "get on the train" and will be sent something by who posted before you. Then the person who posts after you is who you send to.
I will be sending to Canada.
I received from a nice lady named LaDawn. (THANK YOU AGAIN LADAWN!)
It was gorgeous! A giant super shiny red, bubble envelope came filled with a cute pair of Valentine's socks, a little box of chocolates, a nice card, a small zipped purse, Valentines stickers, three pieces of coordinating floss and a card!
She had wrapped it up in tissue paper with the fancy heart printed cellophane over that. It was sooo perfect. I felt so spoiled.
I don't know why I am so in to Valentine's Day this year. The colors, the gift giving/ goodie making... all of it. And I don't normally do much of anything for Valentine's. Maybe with the weather as it's been and the bad luck of late it's just what I need.

I now have the threads for the freebie SanMan project I have been dying to do

thank to KnittyKitty who ordered it for me.


The bad news. My dryer isn't working. I will have to call a repair person Monday it seems, if they are open during the holiday. If not I will just leave a message. I can still wash things. I'll just stick to shirts that can be hung on hangers and go that way. It'll be just too cold to hang stuff out on the line.
*sigh

stitchie good times

I am struggling to make the bookmark. I am just not in the mood to cross stitch! I may have to do blackwork or something if I am to get the thing done in time.

On other stitchie things:
The black/charcoal grey mix Webkinz blanket is coming along. I stitched on it more last night. This pic is of the day before or so I think. I added some stripes to it, a thin one on the end, and a thicker one in the middle. I will add another on the other end. I am not counting or anything, just winging it. It's good mindless stitching.
Here's the test swatch for DH's navy blue afghan. It's the original yarn I picked up, with the same stitch and a (much)larger sized hook,a Q hook.I love how it looks! It feels like a dream too. I am not sure if I will stay with this size or not. And yes I know it's all bumpy, this is my second time "really" crocheting. Check out how much yarn I have used. With the smalled sized hook I had nearly finished the first skein and hadn't even gotten the second row done!

not so productive

I stitched for many hours last night on the Bookmark Exchange for the Flossmom forum(during yeah Heroes!, and beyond) to come to a conclusion. I just don't like the design. So having found another "back up" design I am going to cut yet another piece of fabric and restart. Later, maybe during Craft Night, I will spend the 3 or so hours frogging the first two starts. Mustn't waste valuable fabric!
So back to the drawing board. Another floss toss... Then start stitching again. But I think I will stick with the grey Monaco I was using.

Campbell's

This picture was taken before last night. I stopped when I got a call from Iowa. (see I had stopped midstitch)
At bedtime last night, I had started the lettering and only got as far as the "c". I had finished that strand of thread and decided it was time to call it a night anyways.
I will post a HD probably by tomorrow afternoon! (I want to press it before the picture is taken)
I hope my Mother-in-law likes it......

stitchie updates

Well I have been working here and there on the Campbell's redwork. I haven't taken any recent pictures yet. Keep thinking I will as soon as it's done! (*laughing)
I also have started knitting a little something for myself using the parrot and black Boa yarns. I am thinking I may be able to come up with a nice striped effect. But I didn't count how many rows I had done, or plan at all with an idea of when I would do a color change. So *shrugs, I guess I will just keep winging it. The desire to knit the other day was so strong I couldn't even stop long enough to form a plan! I also may have started it a bit wider than I should have. But being as flexible as it is I don't think it'll matter in the end. Once I put it on it'll stretch like crazy anyways! Plus it won't match my coat either. That' s the point I guess. Just like the flashy glasses case I bought. It isn't normally my style. I am a plain, neutral type. But I bought this almost tin foil shiny pinkish glasses case with silly handles that make it look like a purse! My logic was that I needed a hard case if I am going to be swapping between glasses throughout the day. And being "standoutish" it may help me keep track of it! (the biggie was that it was only $3.88)

redwork WIP

I worked on this a little before and during ER last night. It's a bit wrinkled because I am stitching in hand. I don't typically do that because my left hand cramps up. But this is too small to use a hoop for. It's also old fabric and I don't dare put much strain on it.

I am using one of my sharpest sewing needles and DMC498.

Really hope to have this done by Valentine's. So many other things I need to wrap up and have been dieing to start.

The Linabear Giveaway was mailed out yesterday and should be received in about a week. It may be taking the longest journey I have ever sent before. Once it reaches its destination I will put up the pic I took.

Now to go and assemble a crib. Then on to taxes.

*bleh