Holiday Snapper Finished!

Bent Creek Holiday Snapper Series is finished! I am going to make it into a pillow.

I've been shopping!!

I went to my favorite LNS, which, sadly for me, is online and not in person. But I had a great time! In a couple of days I will be the proud owner of Little House Needleworks: Acorns, Through The Woods, Lavender Hill, Hollies And Berries and Little House Neighborhood!! I also ordered the Crescent Colors and Gentle Arts that go with Through The Woods. I am so in love with all the Little House Needleworks charts! I made a wish list that includes nearly all of them. I think I will pass a copy out to all my family members this year at Christmas. Too forward??? Well maybe I will try and control myself. If you have not discovered the awesome charts they have to offer then take a few minutes and visit their website. www.littlehouseneedleworks.com
Next, make out your wish list and then visit www.houseofstitches.com or your LNS! Happy Stitching friends!

Got A 'hall closet'?

Anyone else have a 'hall closet'? Actually, its a small bedroom that holds the Christmas/Halloween/Thanksgiving/Easter/4th of July decorations, several tubs of keepsake toys, all the prom dresses the dear daughters could not bear to part with and their china dolls, books that don't fit on the over stuffed bookshelves, broken lamp, the hugh Bread Box your youngest child will not let you get rid of because that is how she learned to spell B-R-E-A-D, suitcases, tent (still in the box) dear daughter won at a school function, couple of boxes of dust collectors I could not part, extra blankes/quilts, baby clothes, lighted 5' Fig Tree from daughters wedding, old broken stero, etc...You get the picture. Anyway, my question is....How do you clean it out???? I have tired several times, I end up moving things around but thats about it. My GOAL is to try and get some things out and give them to my daughter who is having a yard sale this week. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!

My Poor Neglected Blog...

I have neglected my blog for almost 2 months! Sorry blog!! Its always extremely difficult for me to get back into the 'work' mode after summer vacation. I am lucky though, most people don't even get a summer vacation. I have stitched alittle but not too much. Things are kind of getting into a routine now, so I hope to get started back with my stitching. I have some great fall projects I would love to start and a few UFO's I need to finish! I will try to stay focused on getting in some 'me' time which means computer and stitching!

Stitching Update, This & That

I have worked on my rotation pieces some the past few weeks. I can see progress on all of them and that is encouraging. I am working on the Halloween chart of the Holiday Snapper. When it is finished all I like is the Thanksgiving chart and the boarder. I am having a really hard time not starting another one! I have all my new charts from my last stash shopping at Cross Country Stitching and they are begging me to come play! School has started back so the end of summer vacation has arrived. It has cooled off the past couple of days and the hot, humid weather is taking a break. We could use some rain, the ground is very dry. I have been watching some of the Olympics and the opening ceremony by the host country China was so awesome I could not put it into words! I can not imagine how many total hours were spent working on that ceremony!! It was all very amazing and breath-taking! Thanks China!!!

A New Finish

I have a new finish to add to my 2008 Finishes! Can't post a pic. until it is with its new owner. It is a bookmark. I used a pattern from one of my Cross Country Stitching magazines. After a few of my own alterations, it is completed. This is my favorite magazine. I love the colors and the charts. I did not follow my rotation yesterday so no update on the Traveler. I have worked on my small UFO's, Holiday Snapper and Rocky Mt. Christmas, also the bookmark this past week. I was going to work on The Traveler yesterday but I had such a bad headache I was afraid I would have to frog out everything I put in. So I worked on Holiday Snapper and just like about an hour having the July square finished. I do plan on working on The Traveler today if all goes well. For the most part, I have stuck to my rotation. I know it has helped keep me motivated and 'on task'.

Weblog Award!

I have been selected by GoldenAngel to receive this Weblog Award! Thank you Golden Angel!! It is awesome! I am glad you enjoy my blog and felt me deserving of this award. Now I am to choose 7 others and pass this award along. All my stitching friends are awesome bloggers and I appreciate each and every one of them sharing their lives through their blogs. Several of my stitching friends have already received this award. So I will choose some who have not. I think all are excellent and deserving of this award.

1. Sonda

2. DawnB.

3. Lisa

4. Rene

5. Kathy

6. Chris

7. BarbCat

Kreativ Blogger Award

I was chosen for this award by Dawn B. Thank you Dawn! I am very honored to received this award. I had seen it on other blogs and now I am the honored recipient of the Kreativ Blogger Award! Thank you again Dawn! Also, thanks to everyone who reads my blog and thank you for your comments!

Now I am suppose to choose 5 blogs and pass this award on. This is difficult because I really like all my stitching blogger friends. These are five of my long-time blogger friends and I really enjoy reading their blogs.

1. GoldenAngel

2. Linda

3. Shelleen

4. Kendra

5. Rena

Stitching Rotation Update

My rotation has really helped keep me motivated. I am off on my days, which is really no surprise to me, but I am working on my projects that I listed. Friday I tried to work on Star Light, but ended up frogging instead. Saturday I worked on my Bent Creek which I added to my 'small UFO' catagory. I finished the Christmas square and started on the 4th of July square. I might continue working on that today even though I'm not really suppose to. For me, my rotation is working because I have my 3 large projects in their respective small storage tubs and stored in the corner beside the couch. That keeps them close at hand and organized where they are easy to pull out and work on. I have my small UFO's in a tote bag which I put away when I'm not working on it. The storage tubs keep my stitching safe from the #1 chi but the tote bag would be considered fair game if I left it sitting on the floor.

The Fortunate Traveler

This is not a very good picture but it does show the progress of my Traveler. The last picture is in my side bar so you can compare the progress. I am a slow stitcher and there are alot of blended threads and color changes. Some progress is better than none. :) After spending the week-end on it, I really don't want to leave it. According to my new rotation, today I will work on Caring Wings.

New Rotation

I have decided to begin rotation stitching. I have thought of this an even attempted it in the past then did not stick to the plan. This time, I'm sticking to my rotation to the best of my ability. If I don't, I will never get my larger pieces finished! After consideration I have decided to do my rotation as follows:
Saturday: The Fortunate Traveler
Sunday: The Fortunate Traveler
Monday: Rocky Mountain Christmas
Tuesday: Rocky Mountain Christmas
Wednesday: Caring Wings
Thursday: Caring Wings
Friday: Small UFO until finished (I have alot of these and will stick with one until its finished and then begin another)

Once I begin working on a piece I usually keep working on it until I get bored. That is when the trouble begins because I then start looking for something new. I can't start anything else!! Maybe if I force myself to stitck to my rotation, I won't get bored....especially when I begin to see the progress. I also have several other larger ones I want to stitch so I must finish some of these I have already started.

Today I worked on my Fortunate Traveler and I was really happy getting him back out. I plan on working on him again tomorrow and Sunday. Then follow through with the rotation next week.
Wish me luck!!

Summer Sampler Finished!

Summer Sampler is Finished! This is not a very good picture but it was the best I could get. I am going to frame it and give it to my grandson. I am currently working on a UFO which is Starlight Snowman by The Stitchworks. Its almost finished.

UFO'S, WIP'S & SOME STASH - LISTS

I have added 2 lists on the sidebar. I need motivation to have more finishes this year. Maybe by seeing the lists, as long as they are, I will be more in a stitching mood! I also have a stitching partner in this adventure. Dawn is trying to finish up some of her WIP's so we are working together. Several of my pieces are BAPs so I need to stay motivated to put in more stitching time. The Stash list is only part of my stash. It does not included the magazines or all of the charts. I still have another tub full of charts! A very kind stitching friend cleaned out her stash and gave me alot of the ones I have! All of the Heart In Hand charts are kits with speciality floss! All I have to do is add the material, which I have. Some of my WIP's I started without having all the floss I need so I will have to order some DMC to finish them. That would be another list.

Summer Sampler

Summer Sampler by Sisters and Best Friends!



I organized my stitching bags (I have several) the other day. I decided to finish up some of my ufo's before I start any more. We will see how long this last....I almost had the Summer Sampler finished. I have everything done except the word 'summer' and the bottom border. I started this on aida and I think it must be 18 ct. I am using 3 strands of DMC floss. I plan on finishing it today. I already have a frame that I think will work. I will give it to my grandson. He really likes the crow..

Pillows stuffed!

I have the 3 pillows stuffed and ready to be given to my grandchildren! They look really good. Sad it took me almost 2 years to get them finished! I will have to get my daughters to take pics. since my camera decided not to work today. I have also framed my "Life's A Stitch". It looks very nice. I am trying to 'finish' some of my stitching. It is turning into quite an unfinished pile of cross stitching. I have a few more ideas I am going to work on this afternoon while I watch the Harry Potter dvds.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to all my American stitching friends!

Making Pillows!

I have started making the bears into pillows for the grand babies. I finished stitching them in 2006. Boy and I a slow 'finisher' . I got the material on Saturday and I have one pillow finished except for the cording that will go around the stitching area. I will get the other 2 finished today. I hope, and get the cording on all three. I added black bead eyes which are not in these pics. I will post a pic. of the pillows when they are all finished. I used a 'real' needle to attach the stitching and sew up the pillow. I forgot how bad those things hurt! I stuck my finger every other stitch.

New layout

I think I like this one. I still want to figure out how to add the third column. I have found a couple of websites that are pretty helpful. I will try that in the next few days. Although I am not sure what I would put on a 3rd column but I will think of something if I get it on here. Stitching news: I got my new magazine from Cross Country Stitching. It is really great. I love their charts.

New Look

I changed the look of my blog...again. I get bored. I also like figuring out how to edit my html. Still not the background I want so I'll keep working. If I 'totally' disappear..I come back..I hope! lol

New Stash Arrived

I placed my order at www.crosscountrystitching.com on Wednesday. It arrived yesterday! I did not expect to get it so quickly! I was pleased with everything. I loved the charts and especially the Red Ware plates. I also received their 2008 catalog and naturally I found more I want.

SBQ

This week's SBQ: Do you currently subscribe to any stitching publications or have youin the past? (Either in print or online) If so, which ones?

The only magazine I have every subscribed to is Cross Country Stitching. I love the charts and colors used in their patterns. I had let my subscription expire but I renewed it yesterday. I do have several Stoney Creek magazines and a few others I have bought but this is the only one I subscribe to.
Happy Stitching!!
www.crosscountrystitching.com

New Stash coming!

I have been stash shopping this morning! Yipee!!

www.crosscountrystitching.com

I went to Cross Country Stitching to renew my subscription and just could not stop there. I also ordered the Counrty Christmas Leaflet Collection, a pkg. of country round buttons, a pkg. of star buttons, large spool, round heart wire hanger, 5-star wire hanger with dowel rod, an oval flowerpot pick, 2 Red Ware plates - one Red House Welcome and one with a white sheep on it. I am totally excited about these items and my future Christmas stitching projects!! There is so much there I want so I will have to plan another 'trip' soon. I really enjoy stitching their designes. I love the colors. They have also started selling all DMC threads. Follow the link and enjoy their website. You can sign up to received a free catalog and a free magazine! Happy Stitching!

Link The #1 Chi

This is what our little Link looked like when he came to live with us. He is a little bigger then this now. He weighs about 7 lbs. and is a great member of our family. The cat plays with Link some but not as much as Link would like. lol He lays beside me when I stitch. Actually, he wants to lay right next to me. I have to scoot him over so I have room to stitch. His favorite toys are a stuffed Tigger, and a Milk Bone stuffed toy. He is paper trainned and a very happy dog. He is very friendly and loves it when we have company. I trainned him to be social by letting visitors give him a small piece of a doggie biscuit. The treat jar is on the counter, and he knows where its at. He is good with the grandchildren but we have to be very careful with their toys. Link will sneak off with a toy and chew/play with it. Well, thats all the news on Link for now. We are so proud to have him as our #1 Chi!

Caring Wings

This is an undated pic of Caring Wings. The spaces in her dress are for the gold thread and the beads. The material is 28 ct. hand dyed evenweave. I can not remember the color right off hand but I have it written down somewhere. My material has a little more lavender than the model. I matched it to the lavender in her dress. I looked back over my previous pics and was encouraged by the progress. Sometimes is hard to see. I work for a couple of hours and can hardly see any change. When looking back over the previous pictures, I can see a big change. Every stitch counts.

Update on Holiday Snapper

I finally got a couple of updated pics. of Bent Creek's Holiday Snapper Series. It was too large for the scanner so I did it in two pics. I have a little left on the Christmas block and then 3 more blocks and the outer boarder and I will have a finish. The 4th of July, Halloween and Thanksgiving are the last 3 blocks. My daugheter is going to make this into a pillow for me.

Frozen Redbud

With the humidity being so high and the air so sticky, I thought a pic of my frozen Redbud would be a nice post. The pic was taken in February. This tree is in my front yard. It has branches low to the ground and the grandkids love to climb on it. My 6 year old grandson has a great time climbing in the tree. So great, both my 3 year old grand daughters have learned to climb onto the lower limbs. They can get up, but need some help down.

I Am Stitching!!!

Back to stitching! I have not finished my spring cleaning but I needed a break. I started back on Caring Wings the past few days. I have almost all of the lower part of her dress finished. I have done some of the leaves that go around the bottom. I still have the golden floss and the beads left but I will do that all last. After I finished the bottom I will start on her arms and head. Then I will finish the leaves. The colors are beautiful. DD's favorite color is purple so she loves the dyed material. I plan on getting a few more stitches in today. It is really hot and humid. Perfect for staying in and stitching. I did move some ribbon grass to the front garden yesterday morning and watered all my flowers. They are already looking stressed and its not even the middle of June!

Summer Vacation!

School's out for the summer!! Yipee!! I love summer vacation! I finished the Dark Tower series and all I can say is WOW! I will have to read it all again sometime. That is one thing about King's books. I will find something I missed the first time thru. Summer plans-Sitich! lol I have to get back into my stitching. I have still been digging in the flower beds. They are looking good. I have some seeds to plant and some more plants to move around abit. The vegetable gardens are looking awesome! I love cooking vegetables from the garden. Link is still doing great. He is sitting here on the couch beside me watching America's Next Top Model. lol He likes TV. I have also neglected reading my friends blogs these past few months. I am anxious to see what everyone has been working on.

Spring Planting & More

Well, spring is finally here! We have the garden planted and with the high gas prices, we will surely be eating veggies. I have also been working in my flower gardens. They were in the 'after winter' state. There are spring blooms opening up all over the yard. I love flowers. I am still reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I am half way finished with the last book. They have been very good but I seem to have been very busy. I should have finished them before now but I have been outside after I get home from work instead of inside reading. On rainy days, I have been doing my spring cleaning. There is only one week left of school and I am sooooo ready for summer vacation. I plan on getting back into my stitching after I finish these books and get the house in order for summer. The #1 Chihuahua, Link, is doing great. He is the most beautiful dog! His fur is long and there are even a few little curls on his hips, tail and behind his ears. He is the most loving dog and is very smart. The #1 cat, Misty, still does not like him very much but Link is still trying to win her over. How she could resist that winning smile of his is beyond me. lol I guess thats about it for news around here. I have not been very dedicated to my blog or internet stitching friends the past few months. I guess I am just in a slump. Just seems like so much going on. You know the saying, "If it's not one thing, it's another."

Mostly Reading

I have been reading the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. It is an awesome series! Still no stitching news to report. When I finish with these books I will go back to stitching. I do have my stitching pretty much organized now so it will not be any problem to pick back up.

Ready for Spring!

I am sooooo ready for Spring! Yesterday was sunny and fairly warm. I have several flowers that have broken thru the cold ground. Everything is still pretty muddy from the rain and ice melting. The #1 Chi is going great. He has learned how to fetch his squeeky baseball. He also likes to lay in the floor and repeatedly squeak it...over and over and over... I need to buy quieter toys. I started on the Christmas square of the Bent Creek series. I could finish it today if I get around to stitching. I watched "The Messenger." and it was good and scary. Guess I'll check the guide and see what movies are on today while I stitch. I also went and got a new curly perm...easiest hair style I've ever had. lol Wash and go... my fav. Until later.... look for the sunshine!!

Stitching & Reading

I stitiched on Bent Creek and finished the Easter square. I have started on the Christmas square now. I decided to do it next. I have Halloween and Thanksgiving left when it is finished. I watched 'It' while I stitched. I started reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King. It is the first book in the Dark Tower Series.

Snow day!

We are out of school again for an ice storm. Some people in our area did not get power until this past Sunday, nearly a week after the last storm. They are predicting 1/4 - 1" of ice before this system is out tomorrow evening. We are staying in and staying warm. I plan on stitching on Bent Creek holiday snapper series again today. I worked on it some the other evening. I have almost finished the Easter square, about 30 more minutes. I think Halloween is next. I am going to watch 'It' while I stitch. I finished reading 'Duma Key' by Stephen King the other day. It was really good. Not sure what I will read next. Link, the #1 Chi is asleep on my right foot. He has played all morning and has decided to nap on my foot so if I get up, he will know. He follows my every step. He's a sweetie.

What's New

An Ice storm hit us on Tuesday. Many roads were blocked by huge trees and power is out to more than 8000 families including our oldest daughter. They are here. The grandbabies think it's great fun! They are feeling better after having the flu, ear infections and broncitis. Link the #1 Chihuahua is doing great. He loves to play and snuggle. The cat is not as impressed with his cutie pie smile. She snarls her nose and ruffles her fur. Link just laughs and takes off. He's trying really hard to get her to play tag but she refuses. DH got me the new Stephen King book, Duma Key for my birthday. I started it the other day. So far...Great! http://www.goodreads.com/ is a great place to list the books you have read and to review others have posted. Add friends or keep your site private. I am a life time book worm. I love books and I have enjoyed listing mine as a way to know what I read. I do know there are probably hundreds I have read over the years but have not added yet. If you like horror, try Duma Key.

Link is here!

Yesterday was a big day! Poor Link had a 2 hour car ride but did not seem to mind at all! He slept in the teen's arm all the way home. We took a new pet carrier but I don't think it will ever be used. lol DD #2 and grand daughter had put a banner across the front of our house that said, "Welcome Home Link" and they had drawn on it. It was adorable. We had everything all ready for Link. He was so cute checking everything out. He had a light lunch and fresh water. He is definately paper trained. I showed him where it was and so far no accidents! DD # 2 and grand daughter came for a visit. Then we went to visit Grandmother and Grandfather, and Grandmother took pics. Later we went to visit DD #1, grandson and grand daughter. She took pics. also. We kept all visits short and got back home. Link is such a cute puppy and I am very happy he is now a part of our family! He slept in the teen's bed last night. She got up at 5:30 and took him to his paper, which he used. This morning I got up and went and got him for breakfast. He ate and ran speedy quick to his paper. He is really smart! The inside cat has not warmed up to Link but Link really wants to be her friend. Link loves to be held! Right now he is dozing beside me. This pic is from Joyce, I don't have mine down loaded yet. He is so sweet and loving.

Welcome Link!

Today is Link's moving in day! We will be going to meet Joyce at 10:30 this morning! We have everything ready. DD and I made a trip to E & L Pets last night. We bought his Diamond puppy food, a new food dish, a new water bottle and a new toy! My 3 year old grand daughter and her mommy & daddy met us at the pet store. We had alot of fun picking out Links supplies. We also had fun looking at all the animals. lol The baby was so cute helping us choose. She came across the book section which was very interesting to her. She kept handing me books with different animals telling me, "You need this Mo-mmi" We also bought a new swing and a new ladder for the canary. I'm off the get ready now. Time for a road trip!

Getting our puppy Link

We will soon be the proud owners of a long coat Chihuahua!! His name is Link, which we will keep that name, and he is black and white. You can see his pic. on this website: http://www.mtnviewchihuahuas.com/ Click on avaliable puppies and he is the first one. We wanted nearly every one of them on the web page but had to choose. lol DD and I both love Link. After speaking on the phone with Joyce, we are sure looking forward to getting him. We will be meeting her next Saturday morning and he will be coming to his new forever home with us! He will be going to the vet soon for his 'surgery' since he will be a pet only. I will leave the breeding to those who are experienced and dedicated. He is CKC registered, about 4 lbs. and is almost 5 months old. We are very o.k. with him being alittle older. I was kind of worried about the 'tiny puppy' stage so this works out great. He is paper trained and has all his shots. He is also already on heartworm/flea prevention. Joyce said he has a great, playful personality with a wonderful temperment. Our cat, Misty, is sitting here staring at me. I think she knows something is up. lol

Puppy Update

OK. This is my final answer. lol I want a chihuahua!!! My grandmother had one, DH's grandparents always had 1-2. He perfers the Chi over the pom and I did have a hard time trying to decide on my own. I have not picked one out yet but it will be a Chi. DD is happy with the Chihuahua choice and just wants me to pick one out. lol So, searching the web for the perfect puppy. No stitching news but I am still reading, Stephen King's The Tailsman. Its sooooo goood!!! Cold here, 18 degrees. No snow.

New in KY

I stitched some on the Easter square for Holiday Snapper. It is almost finished. I have started reading S. Kings, The Tailsman.... again.. So I will probably read tonight instead of stitching. I read it several years ago and I almost never, ever read a book a second time. But it was really good, indepth, and I knew there would be parts I did not remember. It is long and I read really fast when the book is exciting. lol We got a few snow flurries, maybe 11 flakes. There is a chance for snow flurries later in the week. I want at least One Snow Day!! Can ya' tell I work in a school?!?! Well, have to give the lap top back to the teen. She says she needs it for homework.

What's Going On

Bent Creek saw some progress yesterday. I stitched on the Easter block while I watched The Rock with Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage. I have seen it before and its a great movie.
I noticed my little doggie was back on my weather pixie. I guess he will come and go with the weather.
I have been researching all the breeds and with the help of DD and I really like the Chihuahua and Poms. Now to find one, in our area, to fit our budget since some are very expensive. Ours will be a pet only. We want white with a little tan. We also need one that will be around 4-5 pounds only becasue we will paper/liter train since we work. I would not mind buying one that is already a 3-6 months old if it has be worked on with potty training. I think either personality will work great for our family. We do have an inside cat but she likes dogs. My daughter has a mini pin. who comes over to play sometimes. They get along great. With her winning personality, I am sure they will become friends.

Where or where has my little dog gone???

Ok. So when I chose this little weather pixie girl, she had a cute white poodle standing beside her. SO...Where's it at now? Went to local library and checked out a John Saul book, In The Dark Of The Night. Looks good and scary! Worked on the Holiday Snapper last night. Started the Easter block while I watched the Redskins loose to Seattle. It really was a good game, wish we could have won. DD is going to make my Holiday Snappers into a pillow if I ever get it finished. By spring sounds good then I will have a nice new pillow to chase the cat away from. She thinks all new fluffly-soft items are for her to sleep on.

SBQ
Are you starting something new to celebrate the New Year or participating in “Guilt Free January?” If so, what are you planning on starting?

I have to finish Caring Wings for my daughter before I start another large project. I also have my Fortunate Traveler and Rocky Mountain Christmas started. I don't feel exactly guilt free since these BAPS are a few years old.

I think my main goal for this year will be finishing Caring Wings and getting it framed. I also want to work on Rocky Mt. Christmas and Fortunate Traveler. I have several small projects started and a lot I have not started. I went from 'stash starved stitcher' to 'stash stuffed stitcher'. I also am reluctant to start new projects since I will have to order all my DMC online. It is much more expensive that way. Wal-Mart quit selling DMC and there is not a stitching store close to my location. So, I guess that sums up my goals and plans for this new 2008 year.

A new addition to my new blog look is my weather pixie. I picked this one because she has a dog!

New Year! New Look!

I have created a new look for my blog. I hope you enjoy it. The weather is coldddddd, down to 15 degrees. Snow flurries off and on all day but nothing stuck to the ground. Wind blowing very hard. Tonight is suppose to be about 8 degrees and tomorrow the temperature is suppose to warm up. This is cold! I have not done any stitching today. Actually, I have not done any this year! I do have 3 projects in my handy-dandy stitching bag at the end of the couch. Caring Wings and Fortunate Traveler are on evenweave. Holiday Snapper is on 14 ct. aida for the days my eyes and/or brain is tired. Happy Stitching & Happy New Year

Happy New Year!/Year of the 'Puppy'

I want to wish all my stitching/blogger friends a Very Happy Blessed New Year! I do have a new years resolution....I plan on de-cluttering my entire house. Wish me luck! lol I have 'hot spots' that are in need of attention. I have hit a few already during our Christmas break. My motivation you ask...I am going to get a new puppy this year! It will be strictly a house dog. Because we both work, it will be a toy because I want to paper/litter train and not crate train. I would love to go and get it right this very minute but I will wait for the sake of the puppy. Leaving a 'baby' home alone all day would be a very bad thing I think. I want to be home the first few weeks to train and keep down the stress of moving to a new home. So I am shooting for spring break. That is a long wait! lol I am really excited and having a difficult time deciding on what breed. So far, my top 3 choices, in no order are: Pom, Papillon, and Chihuahua. I like either the long or short coat for the Chihuahua. Poms and papillons, I like all the colors. The Chi and Pom are kind of winning out over the Pap but they are so cute! Decisions, decisions, decisions! Any suggestions?

Exchange Ornament

This is the exchange ornament I received from Barb B. It is a very nice nutcracker santa. She stitched all the info on the back which is red with white stitching. It was so nice and she did a perfect job! It is my first stitched nutcracker ornament and was in a special place on my tree. Unfortunately, the person I sent mine to has not received it yet. She had moved and I am hoping the mail service will forwarded it to her new address or returned to me. Thanks Barb B!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! We had a great Christmas with our family. DD got this new lap top so I borrowed it! lol It works so much better than our out-dated desk top computer. I have a very hard time getting anything to open on our old one. Maybe now I will be able to get to my blog. Even better, read other stitching news! lol The main problem with the lap top is my typing. I keep hitting the wrong keys. Have to get used to those. I finally got started back stitching a couple of weeks ago. I have been working on Caring Wings. It is really coming along. I hope to get some stitching in today. I will put away the Christmas decorations this week-end. Christmas break moves by way to quickly! We did not get any snow this year but I am still hoping for a few inches before winter is over!

Posting and Comments

I would like to thank everyone who leaves comments on my blog. I really appreciate every one of them. Also, I have a problem with blogger and comments....Some times it takes me several tries to get the page to display when I am reading comments on my blog and when I am trying to leave comments on other blogs. I get that blasted 'page cannnot be displayed' message alot. I sometimes try several times before I can get the comment to save. Then, sometimes it works on the first try! So, if my comments to you are showing up 3-4 times, please let me know! lol

Finished: And to all a good night!

I have finshed And to all a good night. It is a Lizzie Kate chart. My daughter is going to finish it into a pillow for me. I stitched it on 28 ct. lambswool linen. I ma getting better at stitching on linen. I really like this lambswool fabric.

A Finish!

I have finished another bear for WOCS charity stitching. This one is called Sandy Bear and its from 101 Bears with Personality.

Stitching and More..

I only have a few stitches left and then my little Sandy bear will be finished. I thought I was finished but I had forgot to stitch the flag on top of the sand castle. That should take about 10 min in all. I will post a pic when it is completely finished.
Other news: I have moved my blog links to Google Reader. My bloglines only worked part of the time and I missed alot of new posts. I am hoping this will work much better. I liked the format and adding the links was a simple process. My computer time is limited now that school has started and I need to know when my friends have added new posts. Now, hopefully I will see them quicker and not be a week or two late with my replies!

The End of Summer Vacation

Well, summer vacation has come to a close and I was not ready! I had to take some time off from stitching and blogging to get some work done before school started back, which was this past Monday. The heat index has been up to 107 and the air was so humid it was difficult to even breath. Several people in our area are in the hospital with heat related illnesses. All schools have been told no outside sports practice until it cools down. Our school will not allow any children outside for recess this past week and probably the next unless it cools off. We have not had any rain in weeks. I have missed stitching and blogging and I am planning on working on my afghan today. I have a lot of stitching to get finished before Christmas, which is only 4 1/2 months away!!!!

Started Afghan

I started working on my Snow Buddies Afghan yesterday. I was only able to work on it an hour or so but it was soooo much fun! I am really excited about stitching my first afghan. It is a Stoney Creek chart book and very easy to follow. I did not scan a photo of my stitching yet because there really was not that much but I plan on making more progress as the week goes on.

They Came!!

They have arrived! I went up to see mom and dad and when I was walking home guess what I saw attached to my mailbox?!?! I really did not think it would get here till later in the week. I hurried inside and opened the box. There was a beautiful afghan and my Snow Buddies Chart Book! Yeah! Now all I need is the floss! lol I read thru the book and the afghan is stitched using 4 strands of floss and the count is 18. It is cream. I really think I might get this finished by Christmas. There are not alot of color changes, not as many as I expected anyway. The holes are easy to see the the diamond patteren is beautiful. I have some of the floss in my stash pile so I might see if I can get started today. We are suppose to have some rain so that is a perfect time to stitch!

I have had a good stitching week. I worked on Caring Wings, LK-And to all a good night, Holiday Snapper and started a bear for charity stitching. Today I am going to work on my Traveler. My Abby cloth and the Stoney Creek book-Snow Buddies is in the mail and will be here this week. Thanks Amy at Down Sunshine Lane! I will have to get some more floss before I start the afghan. I also need more floss before I start the 12 Days of Christmas. I think my rotation will have to be expanded...alot! I also searched through my stash this weekto see what Christmas ornaments I have. I will be in an ornament exchange and I am going to have to buy something new to stitch. That will have to stay a secret for now. I will have to wait and see what my new partner would like. I also have a new stitching area, again. I have my chair, table and lamp near the door and I really like it there. My daughter bought me a new organizer this week and I have used it to list the floss I have and the ones I need. Just have to remember to take it with me when I go shopping. It is a light blue leather and very nice of her to get it for me.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy week!

Problem Solved!

The addey cloth problem is solved! I called Amy at downsunshinelane.com. She is very friendly and helpful. Before we hung up, I had placed my order for the addy cloth and the pattern book for Stoney Creek's Snow Buddies! I would still love to know if anyone has stitched this on an afghan. I am going to make this one for my mom who collects snowmen and loves birds. She has several feeders and birdhouses in her yard. I plan on having it finished in time for Christmas. I will have to get very, very stitchy-busy to complete it!

Stitching On Addy Cloth

Has anyone ever stitched an afghan on addy cloth? I want to stitch the Snow Buddies from Stoney Creek. The model was stitched on 18 ct. addy cloth. When I looked up this fabric, it said the outer area border was the stitching area. So what about the part of the chart that is stitched in the center? Is it also made for cross stitching? If anyone has any answers or knows where I can find some information please post a comment. I have searched the web and can not find anything helpful. Also, has anyone ever stitched Snow Buddies on a different type of afghan? I thank you and appreciate any help you could give.

Finished Teapot!

I have finished the teapot! It shows up much better with the back stitching. I used DMC floss and stitched it on 14 ct. aida. This was a simple project and fun to stitch. It went quick when I had time to work on it. This will be sent to WOCS to be added to a quilt. There are about 8 others in the same magazine. They can be worked all on one piece or individually. They would make really cute ornaments for someone who collects teapots.

Progress on Teapot

This teapot is from Cross Country Stitching magazine. It will be for a charity quilt when I get it finished. It is kind of difficult to distinguish between the teapot and the fabric. I have not put in the outlining and there are still a few more stitches needed. The colors are very nice and I will try to get that a little better on the next scan.

New Stash Has Arrived!

I opened the mailbox and there they were! The first two ornaments in the new Sweetheart Tree 12 Days of Christmas series. My order from http://www.downsunshinelane.com/ had arrived! Yeah! Fast Service! I love them both and can't wait to get the rest of them.

SBQ: Storing WIP's

How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?

I store my WIP's in large ziploc bags. I keep the floss, pattern and material in the same bag if they all fit and the WIP is not too large. I keep my floss on floss cards or in small bags. For the Fortunate Traveler, I keep the floss in marked envelopes standing up in a gift box and the material is in a large ziploc bag. I have a copy of my pattern on a clip board and I keep all this inside a large navy Avon bag. (not the box of floss) lol The Avon bags I bought from my daughter and they are perfect for stitching projects. There are several pockets and it is very sturdy. I bought several of these bags and I have other kitted projects stored in these. Sometimes I just want to start something new and all I have to do is pull it out of my bag. The bags are also very handy to take places. My Rocky Mountain Christmas floss is stored in a small 3-drawer box. The material and pattern are in a ziploc bag.

Buying Stash

I have been shopping online at Down Sunshine Lane! Naturally, there were lots of charts I liked. This time, I ordered the first two designs in the Sweet Heart Tree's 12 Days of Christmas. My Christmas stash is very low and I have been looking for a 12 Days I liked for a while now. I was very happy to find these. The next two have been released so they will be ordered next. I have some 12 Days of Christmas ornaments my daughter bought me and I love them. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I can't wait to stitch these up and have them ready for my tree.

Bookmark Finished!

I stitched this bookmark for my daughter in honor of her being in the highschool marching band.

Yum Bear Finished

I have finished the "Yum" bear from 101 Bears with Personality. This is my first finish for charity stitching. I enjoyed stitching him and knowing that he will join other little bears on a quilt for a very special person.

New Project

New WIP- "Yum" Bear from 101 Bears with Personality. I am also going to stitch the "Sandy" bear. No pic. yet. I have the bear and the watermellon stitched up but that is all. I have also worked on my Bent Creek Holiday Snapper on the Arbor Day square.

SBQ Needle Mania

How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?

The only project I have ever used more that one needle for is my TW-The Fortunate Traveler. I have 7 needles I keep threaded for that one. I don't park them on the piece of material I am stitching on though. I switch them out and keep them on an extra piece of material stuck through a small scrap of paper with the color number or symbol on it. I thread up the ones for the area I am stitching in and switch out the colors as I go. This seems to make the stitching much faster for me.

LIfe's A Stitch Finished!

Started and Finished, LK-Life's A Stitch yesterday. I did not get the border on that came with the chart. I did mine on aida and it just would not work on this. I frogged it out several times and finally gave up. I added the small running stitches as a border in honor of my mom who would sew all my clothes when I was a little girl.

Spring Sampler Finished!

I have finished the Heart In Hand-Spring Sampler. Don't look too closely! It is so bad! This was my first experience in working on 32 Count Belfast Linen. 32 count made my eyes cross and the linen was unreal! I am definately going to have to practice! I loved the flosses which were Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art Sampler and Olde Willow. Working with these was also a first. I have the Summer, Fall and Winter Samplers kits so by the time I get to Winter, maybe I'll be a better 32 ct. linen stitcher!

Caring Wings

I have updated my Caring Wings photo. If you have never tackled a larger project, I would recommend Caring Wings from Mirabilia. The chart and color changes are easy to follow. I am stitching mine on 28 ct. hand dyed evenweave. I matched the lavender colors in the chart when I selected the material. When finished this will be framed and given to my daughter. She picked out the pattern.

Butterflies and Flowers

I have changed my theme, yet again. This one more reflects 'me' than the last one. The pic. of the butterfly and the butterfly weed is one I took. I have them growing in the flower bed by the back deck. I dug them up out of my neighbors field a few years ago and transplanted them in my garden. I suppose they have an official name but we always called them butterfly weeds. They are just begining to bloom now.

SBQ May 16,2007

If you could only stitch one more piece what would it be and why?

I would have to choose a Teresa Wentzler chart but I do not know which one I would choose!! I like the castle and dragon themes she uses so I suppose it would be one with a castle and a dragon! lol That is as close to an answer as I can get. If I had to choose now, I would stay up all night trying to pick one!

Field Trip

If you are looking for a great family trip, try Holiday World in Indiana.
http://www.holidayworld.com/ We spent yesterday there with DD and her highschool band friends. It was great! You will never find a Cleaner, Friendlier park anywhere! Check out their website! They have free Pepsi products along with free gator ade and free sunscreen. You help your self to their ice/fountain drinks at the many stations around the park. The food is good and at a resonable price. There is even an air-conditioned nursuring mothers building! There are lots of trees and shaded places to rest, which we did! lol The rides are great and Splashin' Safari is an awsome water park! Take extra clothes and rent a locker. This is great for 'kids' of all ages. We had a blast!

SBQ

How do you choose a project for an exchange? Do you pick solely onwhat you know of the taste of the recipient or are there other reasons you pick the piece you do?
I choose mostly by what the recipient say's she would like. Then I stitch a piece I feel she would like.

Stash List

Bent Creek-
1. The Weathered Garden
2. The Littles-Snowman
3. Waxing Moon Desings- Bring On The Snow
4. The Trilogy-Secret Birdhouse
5. Celtic Cross
6. Bookmark-Composers -Finished 6/5/07
7. Dragon Dreams-Spot of Tea
8. Cross Country Stitching-Ladybug Garden
9. Sisters & Best Friends-Summer Sampler
10. Dames of the needle-Alphabet Sampler
11. Just Nan-Summer Stroll
Lizzie Kate
12. November Flip-It
13. Friendship
14. Treat Time
15. Life's A Stitch - Finished 05/25/07
16. Horray for the USA
Teresa Wentzler
17. Noah's Ark
18. Unicorn
19. Peacock
The Stitch Works
20 Star of Wonder
21. Starlight Snowman
Heart In Hand
22. Easter Bird
23 Be Nice
24. Dog Sampler
25. Wee Rooster
26. Little Snowman in Drifts
27. Spring Alphabet Sampler - Finished 05/07
28. Summer Alphabet Sampler
29. Fall Alphabet Sampler
30. Winter Alphabet Sampler

Lily of the Valley

My lily of the valley and columbine are blooming. I now have a few roses blooming also. The cold wave that went blasting through a few weeks ago ended the blooms on both of my lilac bushes.

Hearts In Atlantis

Just finished reading Hearts In Atlantis by Stephen King. Great Book! Love the references to the Dark Tower series.

Digging In The Dirt

DD and I spent yesterday afternoon digging in the dirt, well actually it was partly mud. She enjoyed creating her own mud hole with the water hose. Sunk herself half-way to her knees. Did I mention she is in 9th grade? Some things it is good if we do not out grow them. We planted marigolds, periwinkle, snap dragons, cladiums, and impatients. The week before we had planted yellow and pink lilies and a bleeding heart. We have also moved a few plants around. We moved some curly mint, apple mint, sedum, and ribbon grass. Also moved some siberian iris to another area. Going to try and get the bee balm seeds planted today. It has rained so hard I was afraid they would wash away. My giant columbine is blooming and so are my pinks. My hugh deep purple irises are blooming also. We have beautiful little blue birds, robins and finches at the feeders. The humming birds are getting their little bird tummys full at their own feeders. Maybe I will get around to listing all the different kinds of plants, bushes and trees we have growing on our small piece of God's beautiful earth.

Stitching My Stash

Since I have admitted to you (and myself) that I have plenty of stash, I realize the need to get some of it stitched up. I am going make a list of the charts I hope to complete this year. I will work on the list as I go thru my stash this week-end. School is almost over for the year so I should have alot more stitching time. Baseball season is in full swing and I like to stitch as I watch the Cincinnati Reds. Hopefully we will have a wonderful season! I also plan on sitting in both DD's yards and stitch while the grandbabies play.

SBQ: The Wagon

SBQ: Are you on “The Wagon?” If so, how long have you been on and how “serious” are you about it? If not, have you considered it?

I have acquired a nice stack of stitching stash so I suppose I am. I need to finish some I have started and I have alot I need to start!

Heart In Hand

I started this Heart In Hand kit this past Friday evening. It came with 32 Ct. Summer Khaki Belfast Linen, Gentle Arts, Weeks Dye Works and Olde Willow floss. Can we say, "Wow!" Now I get to add 'linen' , '32 count' and dyed floss to my list of have stitched. If you look closely at the picture, which seemed to turn out scanned better than any I have ever scanned, you will notice it appears a bit crooked here and there. It appears that way to me. Just coming out anywhere near where I was suppose to was a miracle. I tried my best and even frogged it out a couple of times. I am not used to linen. The 32 ct. was a bit small even for my new glasses. I had the material so close to the lamp it is a wonder it did not catch on fire. I have the summer, fall and winter kits also. Maybe by the time I get to winter, I will be a better 32 ct. linen stitcher! lol I must add, these kits plus several more were given to me by another stitcher. She is a very kind, thoughtful lady and I appreciate her gifts so very much.

Just Keep Swimming

Rain, Rain, Rain! We have had several inches of rain these past 3 days. We need a boat! Last year, we had our vegetable garden out at this time. This year, our garden has not been planted. It warmed up for a couple of weeks but we did not plant ours. Lucky us, because then we were hit with freezing temperatures. Those who had planted gardens were scrambling to save their tender new plants. The past couple of weeks we have seen hail, snow, sleet, and thunderstorms. We are more fortunate than those who have seen serious snow/ice storms, sever thunderstorms and tornados. I am afraid we will skip spring and go straight to hot summer temperatures. My little flowers are so confused!

Working on blog

I have put my progess pics on the sidebar and I will update them from there for now on. When I update them I will put the date and make a post. Those are the four I am currently working on. I have a few UFO's I should pull out but I am making such good progress on Caring Wings I want to finish it first.

Happy Anniversary!

Joe and I have been married for 28 years today. That is a very long time! lol Our love has grown as we have grown. We have laughed, cried and worked together. We have raised 3 beautiful daughters and now have 3 beautiful grandchildren. I hope for many more.

Changed My Layout

Well, as you can see I have changed my layout. I updated to the new layout format. It does seem to be user friendly. I have seen a few of my friends with this layout and really liked it. I don't mean to copy, but there was just not a lot to choose from. Going to put in a pic. just to see how it looks. This is our faithful family pet.

Happy Easter

Blessings to you all on this Easter Sunday.

Bent Creek Holiday Snapper Series

This is the progess on my Holiday Snapper Series. I have worked on Arbor Day some since this pic was taken. I love the colors.

Caring Wings Update

This is my Caring Wings update.

The Fortunate Traveler update

Here is the latest progress pic. on my Fortunate Traveler. I have stitched alittle more since this picture was taken.

Log-In Problems

I have not been able to log in to my blog for quite a while now. I finally got in tonight. I hope this means what ever the problem was with blogger, it is fixed. I could not get in to the old blogger so I finally gave in and switched to the new version. I got this page and wanted to post so everyone would know I am still here and still stitching. I will try to upload new pics. as soon as I can. Hopefully, everything will work. My page looks the same but I have not tried to use anything yet. Wish me luck!

Afghan - First Finish 2007

This is my first finish for the new year! The afghan is finished and has been given to my daughter. She loves it.

Celtic Cross

This is a free patteren I got of the internet. It is the first Celtic Cross I have worked on. The colors are dark & light blues and yellow/golds. It is make a nice ornament for the tree next year.

Caring Wings Updated

Progress on Caring Wings! I really enjoy stitching on this piece. I love the colors.

Happy New Year!

I want to wish all my stitching friends a Happy New Year! May 2007 bring you all blessings of good health and happiness. I have spent my week-end working on Caring Wings and Celtic Cross. I am almost finished with the afghan. I am going to start my Rocky Mountain Christmas today so the start date will be Jan. 1, 2007. I have not put together my list of goals for the year but the short term goals for the next 3 months are to:
Finish the Celtic Cross - freebie from online
Finish Mirabilia - Caring Wings
Finish the afghan -colors are blues and purples
Finsh Bent Creek Snapper Holiday series
Work on Teresa Wentzler - Fortunate Traveler
Start Rocky Mountain Christmas

Caring Wings

This is an update on my Caring Wings progress. I really love the colors and the fabric. I received a new stitching lamp for Christmas so I am excited about putting it to use. I really needed it to work on this fabric.

Celtic Cross

This is my first Celtic Cross. I plan on making several into ornaments for next year. The problem with this one is... I have started it too close to the top of the fabric. I will probably just start over and not try to take it out. I am stitching on an off white, 28 count material. The colors are deep blues, yellow and gold.

Holiday Snapper series

Bent Creek Holiday Snapper series.
I am working on March now. Happy Holidays is in the center. I am doing them all on a piece of cream aida. I plan on making them into a pillow.