stash.....

One Happy Flosskid.

the mail'n stuff

There was an exchange for some stitchie stuff, a post card and something, non stitching, that goes with it all........ the EMS Secret pal/stash exchange.



I sent to pandabear. Betcha' can't guess the theme!


Now for "the story":

I couldn't find a panda iron-on for the little canvas tote bag (purchased bag by-the-way, I am not that talented). So I used a fancy scrapbooking sticker on the front instead. It came out quite nice!

Also inside the bag were a few skeins of white and black DMCs, a beanie panda- you just see it's face a bit in this shot- whose arm is around a rolled up piece of white aida. The plastic figurine panda is looking on at the whole thing. In admiration naturally.
The whole package took a scenic route but did finally get there. See? It's all wrapped up in nice striped paper!



And this is what I received:


Melissa/babynurse sent me one of the biggest puffy envelopes I have ever seen!

Inside was a desert scene Dimensions kit called "Desert Hues", two tubes of aida, a homemade post card (wicked cute), a hanger, two handmade cards with with plastic canvas inserts and matching envelopes, and three more postcards! My favorite post card was of the gems and the stiched ornament she made too. I haven't taken a pic of that yet..... So pretty!



Other Stitchie News!
I mailed off a few packages.

This is the one received by Outi. Check out her pictures! I forgot to take a picture, *sigh, my mind is going I swear, but hers came out nicely. Plus I think I can only post 5 pics per post here anyways. It's a belated Bday gift, kind of..... A piece of linen, some linen threads, a skein of white (one can always use white!), a Mill Hill cat treasure and a funny kitty stamp. :) I love the expression on the cat's face. The card just screamed Outi, it had to go to her- don't you think? Her cat was a fabulous model for it of course.



Another package arrived at its new home in the Netherlands, at Barbara's house. I did remember to snap a pic of this one: Here is a pic she took.

Barbara was the winner from the completed exchange giveaway on Flossmoms.

I hope you are all having a great day!

Technically, it's Thursday.

Just a note about the Flossmoms essay for all you flosskids out there. Don't let the word "essay" scare you. Think from the heart and write accordingly...... ;) It's not the length or fancy wording that's being judged. If it's one line, that's okay. If it's more, even better. What ever you need to use to say what you feel.



Spring time! I forgot to write down the exact date I heard the lovely music of those little spring peepers but they have been singing their little hearts out.


And about those darn birds...
I sent another email and got a response. Not the one I wanted naturally, but a polite response:

Dear Angela,

Thank you for your inquiry. However, I have checked our records and find the item you are requesting has been discontinued and is no longer available. Our records also indicate that our stock has been depleted. I'm sorry, but we do not maintain a referral list for other sources.

Thank you for your understanding.

*name removed* then the contact info.

Looks as if I am at the mercy of eBay.

Flosskids Contest!

This came as a surprise to me, but there is an essay contest for flosskids to enter and write about their flossmoms. The lucky entry gets a gift certificate for their mom and themselves! So, flosskids you can Enter here!

Some of the details:

"Here in the US, Mother's Day is celebrated on Sunday, May 11th.

Take a moment and enter your FlossMom for a chance to win a $15 gift certificate at PatternsOnline.com for her - and a $10 gift certificate for yourself!

Email us at flossmoms@gmail.com with subject "Mother's Day Entry."
Include the following information:
1. Your EMS Name and your email address
2. Your FLOSSMOM's EMS Name
3. Why you think YOUR FlossMom should be our winner.

Note: Only ONE email accepted per match up. (so 1 per child) If a mom has multiple children they each can send in an entry. (So if a mom has five floss kids, they can each submit one entry for a total of 5 entries for the one mom - so get your siblings to enter as well!)

All entries must be received by Midnight, CST on Friday, May 9th. Winner will be chosen by my husband, someone who knows noone and will not be biased. The better the "essay" - the better your chances. The winning "essay" WILL be posted so keep that in mind when entering. "

countdown....

Just a reminder! The sign ups for the Biscornu Exchange close March 15th, 2008, at midnight (GMT +2).

The participants of the exchange will be entered into a drawing for free stash, what you ask? It's a mystery!


Mr Snowman says, "Psst! She's been known to snoop in wishlists!"

Biscornu Exchange!!!!!!

You can sign up here for the Biscornu Exchange on the Flossmoms forum (quoted below by Outi, the organizer of the exchange).

"The theme is monochromatic i.e. you can use only one colour when stitching the design - slight tone variations are allowed, as long as the colour stays the same, in case you wish to use hand-dyed/variegated floss. (As an example this and this apply as one colour, whereas this and this don't.)

The size of the finished item should be appr. 3'' - 4'' (or 7,60 cm - 10, 15 cm).

The sign-ups open now and will be closed 15th of March, 2008, at midnight (GMT +2). I will send the names out by email 17th of March.
The mailing-out date is 28th of April. "

I realize if you aren't already a member there that there is a bit of a sign up, get approved and then sign up for the exchange, so..... to help ease the hassle a little~
Out of all those who sign up and complete the exchange, I will be drawing one name for a mystery prize to be sent out by yours truly. Now who doesn't want to stitch, get an exchange goodie and possibly get more to "enhance their stash"?
So fly over there and sign up!!!!!!

test is in! (edited)

My son went to the doctor's last Thursday on his 4th day of a fever, sore throat, light cough with the sniffles. I was told it was probably a virus and to do all the things I was to keep him comfortable, rested and well hydrated. When I asked about a Mononucleosis test the doctor said that to test him then would probably give a false negative. But if he wasn't better or worsened they would have to see him again.
He went in again yesterday, he wasn't any better. It's positive- he has Mono (untreatable) with a sinus infection (treatable with antibiotics) to boot....

I posted this entry, or sort of this one, in a hurry. I was on the phone most of the rest of the day (after the app't and the doctor's call with the test results) with the doctor's office, B.'s school, and family and friends. So I posted in haste and having reread it today- it was a mess. Hopefully you can read this a little better.

I had to arrange several things with the school. He has already missed 8 days of school including today. I arranged a few things with his teacher so he doesn't fall behind. I had the doctor's office fax a "out until further notice" note to the school. And gave them a heads up. It looks as though yesterday not including my son that 6 other kids weren't in his class (of about 24 kids)- all out do to fevers, which in case I didn't post it here then, was what he started with.

When I had Mono in '94, it started on my 18th Bday. I missed about 3 weeks I think. It was awful, esp trying to make up Midterms during regular class time. My Anatomy/Physiology grade never recovered. You can't miss that much time dissecting a cat. Just can't make up that kind of work at home! I was dehydrated enough then to be hospitalized and it took months really until I was really back to "myself". So keep my DS in your thoughts and prayers that he gets better very, very soon!

So sorry for the things I haven't finished (Bookmark Exchange, Surprise Send out to you Vicki) and the posts I haven't seen or made. With the water troubles, then B. being sick, etc. I just haven't had a second to take a breath. I will contact my Bookmark Exchange partner today- with an apology, yeah I think I should tell her it's me at least so she doesn't keep waiting..... It will come just later.

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.

explanations

I am not sure who has noticed what, but, I am still wrestling with my internet connection. There are days that I can't access anything. Others when I get halfway through something, then, "Poof!", bumped offline. Then what I try to get right back on it says that the line is busy (yes, it's dial up), and I have to more or less reboot and purge stuff to be able to get back on. And when I am about to head out for this or that , like van appointments, I just can't afford that time to do that.
So if you happen to notice I am not around much, take heart, I am trying!

I have pushed the send out deadline for the Bookmark Exchange to October 13. I couldn't even access flossmoms for a couple days at all and then after that only for a few minutes here or there. So I thought this was only fair to the stitchers.

It's been a while!

Since I last posted. Let's see.
Nothing in the stitching front. I have had lots of kids around the house. I am watching a few on top of my own for the summer. So it's a lot of busy work during the day. Lunch for 5 (including me) and that kind of stuff.
It's been fun so far. Ask me in a few weeks! But the kids are starting to figure it out. When I say something I follow through. No empty threats here! So yes when I say, "IF you do that again, you will lose videogames for the day", I mean it!And no you can't throw the ball on the roof. This was asked about 10 times. Must think I have a memory of a gerbil. *chuckle.
It's funny though. When I watch other's kids, I feel very close to them very quickly. The whole protection factor kicks right in.

I had my hair cut today. It's about t-shirt collar length. I didn't donate it. There is a bit of a thing we aren't so sure about. I know they sell what they can't use- like grey hairs. But whether it means they sell the whole donation from the one person, or that they separate and sell the strands they can't use and then use the rest for the children's wigs. We aren't sure. Even my hairstylist isn't sure now. I guess they changed the Locks of Love program a bit. So if they can't use my hair, yes, I have lots of white/grey, then I guess I won't bother with it. And neither will Hubby. He's been trying to grow his out so he can donate again.

Now on to stash goodness.
I ordered a few things. RAKs mostly for other people. A couple things for me.
I have a stack from Silverlining coming to me. And I placed my first order through One Star's Light. Great service! My computer wouldn't let me see or do the shipping options for some strange reason on One Star's page. So I contacted the owner and still managed to order what I wanted. Hurray for Paypal!
I ordered through 123Stitch- the color variations thread pack for one of my flosskids,(I bought the other pack at the craft store with a coupon of course) and a giftie "just because" for Ami.
Just love the puffy envelopes.
And a few words to fellow stitchers- Keep an updated wishlist. You just never know what could fall into your lap, er mailbox, someday. :)

Hey I am running a very simple exchange over to the Flossmoms site. It's a single thread exchange. Sort of a simple and quick way to get things going over there. I thought it could help us get to know each other.
So only a little over an hour from now it will be locked up and then names matched up and sent off..... Tomorrow anyways, for the matches and contacts I mean. *Le sigh, I am tired.

SBQs

SBQ was suggested by Cindy:

"Do you have a system for organizing freebie charts in your stash? If so, what is it? Do you print out copies of all of the freebies that you find on the web (that you think you might actually stitch) or do you maintain electronic copies of them until you are ready to stitch them?"
I do have a system, or, to me it is. I have folders organized some by holiday, some by designer/site, and others by other means. Any other person looking would be seriously confused. Say in the Holiday folder, there are folders for each such as Halloween, Christmas/Winter, Easter/Spring, and so on. The multi holiday ones would be in a separate non specific area inside the Holiday folder. Making any sense?
I rarely print them anymore unless I am just about to do them. I prefer for space and sanity that I store them electronically.

SBQ suggested by Danielle and is:

"If you had $500 to spend on stitching-related items, what would you buy?"
No idea. I guess I might finish off the entire sets of a few things like beads, and some Kreiniks. Maybe a nice lap frame that holds hoops. Other than that, I would be RAKing like crazy! The stash fairy would be dropping her wares all over the world! (Esp for my flosskids.)

Goodies for me and others

And here we are. A pic of the lovelies! One item is missing (it's an RAK, so it will be pictured at a later date). Several of the Kreiniks and beads are going to my floss kid Anne R . The others are going to someone else- to right a wrong. The book, patterns (Sitting Pretty and The Blues, by Valerie Pfeiffer) and one card of the Wisper is mine, all mine!