Rusty. With a side of stash.

So, Monday I had the whole house to myself- Husband and The Kids were out for the day together. I had made up my mind that I was going to get a true-blue day off. No work at all. I made, well not so much "made plans", but "estimated" a movie, a book, possibly a nap, and maybe sitting outside with a book, would be the plan.

Here's what happened....

I enjoyed the peace and quiet of not being asked a single solitary thing and making food when and what I wanted at what ever time I wanted. Played on the computer a bit (farrrrrmmmmville!). I watched a movie, called "World's Greatest Dad" - great movie by the way. I had wanted to watch "Taming of the Shrew" (also in my Netflix queue) as it went with my suddenly intense desire to stitch something. I shared this need to stitch with two of my stitchie friends and hours later had watched said movie and started on the Jar SAL from SanMan Originals.

Oh what a riot! :

Ok, where are my scissors? Oh that's where I kept those. Uh huh, I must have had a pencil, oh yeah right with the rest....... It took ages to get started with cut fabric (oh so rusty on fabric sizes, as in how much would be needed for a project X big). Printed of charts. And all the other little details. But OH DIDN'T if FEEL GOOD once that needle started pulling thread through the fabric!

I am one happy girl now!

Yesterday (Tuesday) I opened the door to have a box handed to me. YIPPEEEEEE!

Thank you so much Jenna for my lovely mojo goodies! Kitting up one of my favorite designers, with my most favorite colors- purple and green- and the card! Pansies! I am just blown away.

And the needles were absolutely fantastic too, as the one I found and had started using was tarnished somehow.... Lol. :]

I have missed my stitchie friends.
I have missed stitching.

I have missed collecting and mailing things to people.

It's been about 2 years! Sheesh.

My rusty-self will take and post a photo of my progress at a later date. Not of the back though, yikes! My mojo may have returned but I am seriously lacking in skills now. :P

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.

The ABC's of Me.

I can't really give any sort of info as the two things I happy danced about have been mailed off to their new homes. So, until they reach them..... All I can really mention is that I have joined the Monopoly SAL. And the craft stores here don't have cuts of 18 ct big enough and since I was thinking about doing it on 36ct anyways I may just order that instead.

I will be running another exchange over to EMS- this time an Altoid Tin exchange. Sign ups start tomorrow.

I haven't been sleeping well lately. Here's hoping that eases up.
*********************************
Now for fun

Stolen from Sandra of Painting with Threads.

The ABC's of me
A - Available or single?:
Neither, I'm married.

B - Best Friend?:
I have many friends and they're all the bestest.

C - Cake or pie?:
Mmmmm pie. Especially pumpkin pie!

D - Drink of choice?:Coffee.

E - Essential item I use every day:
toothpaste ;)

F - Favorite color?:
purple

G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms?:
Um, no thanks.

H - Hometown?:
Saco Maine

I - Indulgence?:
Edy's Slow Churned Choclate Fudge Chunk in a sugar cone with chocolate sprinkles.

J - January or February?:
January. I will get presents!

K - Kids and names?:
Sorry I don't post those publicly.

~ Where did "L" go?~ I'll make it up then.....
L- Late or early?:
Usually early.

M - Marriage date?:
June 29, 1996

N - Number of siblings?:
One sister and three stepbrothers.

O - Oranges or apples:
Apples

P - Phobias or fears?:
Heights. Blood pressure cuffs.
*shudder

Q - Favorite quote:
"In two days tomorrow will be yesterday." (author unbeknownst to me)

R - Reasons to smile:
My kids, fresh windy days, each day being a new day.

S - Season:
Fall.

T - Tag 3 or 4 people:
Oh I'd say AnneR, Val, Kathy and AnnieB.

U - Unknown fact about me:
I collect Crayola crayons. :) Or have I already mentioned that? *shrugs

V - Vegetable you don’t like:
brussel sprouts (I tried, I really did); cauliflower (Hated it as a kid and refuse to try it now. I'm a grown up now and I don't have to!); kale (texture). Whoops sorry I thought that was plural.

W - Worst habit:
Procrastinating. I'll talk about that later.....

X - X-Rays?:
Ankle, arm, and dental.

Y - Your favorite food?:
Lots of those-Ice cream! Punky pie!

Z - Zodiac sign?:
Capricorn.
Chinese: Rabbit, I think.

a little quickie

A little quickie to post so you know I am alive.

I am stitching a Exchange item for EMS. It is for the very late Staff Exchange. I had stitched a nice item, but is had started to rip during assembly. So I stopped that, will probably put that on the card and include that in the mailing for the exchange. Now I am working on something different, so no pics... I think she may read here from time to time.


I have been caught up in the Initial Scissor Fob Exchange I am running over to EMS too. I have the one I will do picked out, I think. I have to print it off. It needs to go out in the mail on the 22nd so there isn't much time. I think if I have two hoops going at once it will help incredibly. Keep things fresh and get them both done as I can.

There is a box, one of those underbed storage types filled with things that need new homes. Just tastes have changed a bit, plus I need to make room. :) I think the only thing I could really trade for any of them would be fabric, since, if I follow the course I want to take, I will be stitching lots! Planning stage naturally. But still. It counts.

DH, the kids and my MIL and I had a nice mini-vacation. We stayed at the North Conway Grand Hotel. I did most of the kids back-to-school shopping (they go back to school the 26th of this month) and got a little R&R time in too. The pools were nice. The weather was very good, unlike the last few days we have had.... drip drip.

*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?

..ya know?

There are many things I have in my stash, bought and free, that I would love to do, but haven't for one reason or another gotten to. An example of this is the Dragon Dreams "Dragon of Hope" design , which Annie is working on now. I saw that gorgeous little purple dragon on her blog, *sigh, and I want to make it so badly. I have no idea what I would do with it when I am done, but it's on my to make list. Someday.
Well I think someday needs to move up a bit. My sister would love it. Just know it. I love it. It could go on a journal, or on the wall or on a throw pillow.... My son might even like it too. And this goes for the whole series of Generosity/Elemental Dragons!
Wonder if a bellpull style of them all could be pulled off and have it look nice with me and my brand new finishing skills, *chuckle.
Thoughts to ponder.

I managed a few half crosses on Cats- nothing WIP picture worthy. The first I have touched it since February. I didn't cry. It felt sort of peaceful actually.

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

flossbox findings

One word,wow.
Emily, of The Flossbox, (a site with tons of interesting info and wonderful free patterns) posted about a comparison she did of a few crafts such as cross stitch, knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and more to see what people are really doing for crafts.
The results are so interesting.

White stuff

The snow started Sunday night and stopped for a short time this morning. This was taken about 10 minutes ago. I wish I had one of those digital cameras that took video too, it looks so pretty coming down. The still camera never shows the falling snow very well.
Surprisingly there was no delay in starting school this morning. Many towns canceled or delayed today too. But not ours. So the kids hopped on to the bus encased in fresh snow from playing in the snowbanks while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Now the kids are really going to be nuts in anticipation for Christmas!

My son went in to school today. It will be his first full day of school in over a month. Running 10 miles up to go and get him/drop him off everyday has been brutal on the schedule (and gas tank). Not to mention hard on him. We had him alternate most days , ride in on the bus in the morning and I would get him at 11:30 one day, then drop him off at 11:30 and have him ride home on the bus the others. That way he wouldn't keep missing the same classes.
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts for my DS.

I have Pamela Kellogg's Christmas Biscornu pattern (only one of them left there btw!). I am dying to stitch it up! But I have to rake the snow off the roof, shovel a bit, tackle some housework and decorate the tree. Oh to have more hours in the day!

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!

an afghan

DH asked me (which he never does!) to make him an afghan. He wanted it soft like DD's sweaters and navy blue. DD's sweaters are something chenille like. Erm, too expensive.
SO it began- the search for an easy pattern and the yarn to go with it.

The pattern was this and called for thick yarn. The thick yarn was Homespun which has a bumpy texture, and I have used before, but the color is not so uniformly navy blue. So I grabbed several skeins of it on sale this weekend at the Knitting Festival (aka a sale at AC Moore). Then while at Michaels I grabbed more of it (yeah coupons!) and some of the Caron Simply Soft Quick which is about $3.50 a skein, and is only a 3ouncer (50yd) but the perfect shade of navy blue! It is sooo soft!
DH after "inspecting" them decided on the SQ. So I returned the other yarn and picked up a few more of the SQ. It's going to be expensive.
So the other possible option is to use a different pattern, so loved the fast one, *sigh, and possibly use the regular Caron Simply Soft with the Quick as stripes or edges or something....... Could pose a challenge as they are different weights.

I am going to try and crochet this one- two the girls at Craft Night have done these and wow, they look great and seem to be faster than knitting. Never mind the fact that it's easier to rip out rows of mistakes in crochet than in knit for me I think.

the other updates:Started round three on the Bookmark for the exchange, and again, not liking it so I am going to change tactics completely and do something totally different. Let you know how that goes!


I have put aside the baby blanket. I got too frustrated. Other things to work on at the moment.

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.

A little this and that

Well I have been on, I swear. We can watch those YouTube videos now! Hello, enough old cartoons and drum solos to last for hours of enjoyment.
I am still sorting out the activation with Roadrunner. And seems that I can't comment on Blogger, it sort of hiccups, but, I can zoom around the internet now!

Let's see, in crafty news, I have done:

A little shopping for my flosskid Poppy. :)

Knitted all the parts for a baby sweater, as of now it isn't assembled. I need a little help from my neighbor Knittykitty.

Knitted, ripped out completely, restarted, ripped out a row, and now pausing the matching baby blanket. Seems I am goofing the purling somehow and I just don't trust myself to try it later at night. Maybe I can squeeze some time during the day. *cough, yeah! Maybe!

I have received the name to send to for the exchange going on at EMS. It's an exchange to start your Christmas stitching. Sounded like fun, especially since I can just buy stuff and send than stitch....

Started cross stitching the piece I wanted to do for the bookmark exchange. I made the mistake of starting it on 14ct aida, and simply put I hate it. So I will still do the same design I had started, just on another piece of fabric. I haven't decided yet which type or color fabric, just that it'll be at least a 28ct piece.
No pics yet, just seem to be eating camera batteries lately.....


Oh and wish me luck. I am job shadowing on Thursday morning. Not a clue what to wear just yet.