A Cozy Little Place for Stitching

january 31 - a january finish in january!

2012-01-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

So I've been trying to stay on top of my stitching, without getting crazy...and the end result is that I am enjoying every stitch and really relaxing...which is what it's all about, right?

At Stitchers Timeout, we always have a "January 1 Start" SAL, and this year I chose to stitch Autumn Band Sampler from Little House Needleworks. And I actually managed to finish in January! putting the last stitches in yesterday morning before work. I am going to miss stitching on this one. It is stitched on a fabric from Picture This Plus...I think the color is magnolia...and the fabric is wonderful to work on. I used the recommended threads from Crescent Colours...all my favorite autumn shades. The photo isn't the best, but you'll get the idea!

At Every Stitch Counts, Karen is designing a House a Month SAL for us. I was going to stitch them all on one piece and then decided to do them individually instead. I picture a basket full of little pillows, or maybe door hangers...not sure yet. Anyway, I'm stitching these on a natural aida...with DMC threads. Here is January's (I haven't added the beads yet, because I misplaced my beading needle, but there will be some berries in those little green bushes one day!

Finally, here is my progress on Nancy's Traditional Sampler. I'm not sure what band I am up to because Bands 1-6 are all together on one pattern...but I'm thinking maybe 3. I love stitching this piece and look forward to Friday nights stitching along with Ally, Gilly and Frances from Friendly Stitchers.

I also made some more progress on Dandy Dreams this week, but forgot to take a picture. Maybe my next one will be the finished piece!

Thanks for stopping by to visit, and thanks for your comments! They are always appreciated.

january 27 - friday update

2012-01-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

Well, this week has been another busy one. I'm in the middle of budget planning at work and am taking a much needed break right now, because if I don't I'll go crazy!

Thank you all so much for the good thoughts and prayers for my sister. She is having her surgery on February 6.

I am hoping to get a call from my LNS telling me that my March cottage pattern is in so I have an excuse to go over there tomorrow. I feel like buying something new!

I'm trying to remember what I stitched this week. I know that last night I worked on Dandy Dreams some more. I think maybe one more Thursday night and it might be finished! And I worked a little bit on the February cottage. Oh...now I remember! I started the little house SAL that some of us are doing at Every Stitch Counts. I was so proud of myself and thinking I would get it finished on the second day...when I found a mistake and had to take out about 1/3 of the stitches I had in. It was a silly mistake on my part, but not one I could work around. So that is on my list of things to work on this weekend. I want to get the January house done before the end of the month so I can get February's!

Before I forget, head on over to this blog for a great giveaway!

Anyway, I guess my break is over! I'll try to post some photos on Sunday night.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

january 23 - TUSAL, updates and prayers, please

2012-01-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

Well, this was an interesting weekend. Hubby was sick in bed with the flu all weekend, and it rained and rained. I tackled a cleaning/organizing project in the dining room that I have been procrastinating about for way too long, watched a lot of football (Go Giants!!) and got some stitching done.

This was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend, and it was the first time I have participated in that. On Friday, I joined some fellow stitchers from the Friendly Stitchers group and started a piece called Traditional Sampler. This was designed by Nancy, a member of the group, before I joined. I guess there was a SAL at that time, but a few of the members have resurrected the design from the files to SAL again. It's a really pretty sampler, and I am enjoying stitching it. I am a couple of weeks behind, but this is where I am so far

I am also going to try and keep up with stitching an ornament a month for 2012. I stitched and finished this one on Saturday. It is a design called White Christmas by Maria Warmke. It was in the November 2011 issue of The Gift of Stitching magazine. I used Weeks thread in Holly and stitched on 32 ct. red Belfast linen. The fabric underneath is what I used for the backing.

I also made a little bit of progress on my BAP...Quaker Christmas II. This is slow going, but it is fun to stitch

We had another color exchange for January at Every Stitch Counts. The color was blue/blue gray and this is the wonderful package I received from Pam. I especially love the little bluebird...it is hanging beside my stitching chair already! And there are all kinds of trims and threads and fabric, and a lovely pair of scissors, and other goodies as well. Thanks again Pam for a great exchange!

And here is my first TUSAL update of 2012! Lots of pretty colors in there....

Finally, I have to ask for prayers for my sister. She called last night with some bad health news and I know she can use as many prayers as can be sent her way. She has had a rough year, and now it is getting even rougher. Thank you.

And thanks for visiting, and for all your wonderful comments. They are very much appreciated!

january 20 - what i've been up to this week

2012-01-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

I've actually managed to get some stitching done this week! Only small bits on some, but a start is a start!

We are doing a Lizzie Kate SAL at Every Stitch Counts...any design, as long as it is Lizzie Kate. I had way too many to choose from, but thought I would start with The Art of Aging Artfully. I've seen Joyce's updates on her blog and love how it looks. So here is my small start:

I also accepted Becky's BAP Challenge, and decided to stitch Quaker Christmas II from ByGone Stitches. I stitched Quaker Christmas a few years ago and love it, so thought this would be a nice companion piece. I am a very slow stitcher, so this will not be finished quickly! But maybe by the end of the year...we'll see!

This is February's cottage...part of the Monthly Cottages from CCN. I skipped January because I wanted to be able to display this one during the actual month...I'm usually always too late for that!

And last night I stitched some more on Dandy Dreams. I really love working on this piece!

This is the third weekend of the month, which means it is International Hermit and Stitch Weekend. This is the first time that I am participating in this and I am looking forward to having time to work on all these projects. I'm also joining a SAL tonight with some friends at Friendly Stitchers and I am really excited about that too.

I hope you all have lots of stitching time this weekend too. It's going to continue to be rainy here I'm afraid, so the perfect excuse to sit by the fire with a nice cup of tea and fabric and thread!

Thanks so much for your comments and for taking the time to visit!

january 17 - feels like a Monday

2012-01-17T06:02:00.001-08:00

I love having a shortened work week, but when it's Monday that we have off, my whole week feels disrupted. All day today I've been wanting to do my Monday stuff! It's been snowing off and on since yesterday, but just flurries, and nothing is sticking where we are. The weather guys are saying that that will change sometime later today or tonight. I just hope I'm home before it does...I do not do well in this weather!

I did manage to get some stitching done this weekend. I only have one piece to show today, because I didn't have time to take more pictures. This is my progress on LHN's Autumn Band Sampler. I am really loving this piece. Autumn colors are my faves anyway, and the stitching just seems to flow.

It's time for a PIF. I won this on Joyce's blog, so now it's my turn to PIF. The guidelines are that I will have to send at least 5 stitching accessories within a year to two other stitchers. These can be any combination of things, such as threads, buttons, needles, trims, whatever you choose. If you are chosen as one of the recipients, you then have to agree to PIF and offer the same on your blog. So I will leave this open until the end of the week. If you are interested, please leave a comment on this post saying that you are, and I will pick two names on Friday.

I have been having so much fun looking at all the new starts that everyone has made with their various forms of the crazy challenge. My wish list keeps getting longer and longer! And I am looking forward to watching everyone's progress.

Thanks for stopping by today to visit.

january 9 - WIPocalypse

2012-01-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

Is it really the first full moon of the year already? I guess that means I should be reporting in...I am going to cheat just a bit and leave out the photos this time. That's only because they are in my two previous posts and that would be really repetitious, right?

Anyway, so far this month I have worked on 2 new starts LHN's and Myrtle Grace Designs Sweet Sweet Life, which I actually finished! I also picked up a project started back in October, Silver Creek Sampler's Dandy Dreams and got a bit more done on that.

Hopefully I will have lots more to show at the next full moon. How is everyone else doing?

I can't believe that I am at 300 followers! Wow....when did that happen? I'll have to route around in my stash and come up with some kind of giveaway soon.

Thanks so much to all of you for taking the time to visit, and thanks for all your comments. They are greatly appreciated!

january 6 - first finish of 2012!

2012-01-06T06:22:00.000-08:00

Well, I had my first stitching finish of the new year...another block for our block exchange at STO...the theme for March is cupcakes, so I stitched this little one from Myrtle Grace Motifs -
Sweet Sweet Life - I originally bought it to stitch up for my daughter, but never got around to that! I left out the words for this block though. I didn't have a chance to drag the iron out this morning, so please excuse the hoop marks!

Someone reminded me that yesterday was UFO day - or "wet noodle day" as we call it at Friendly Stitchers. Mouse does get after us if we don't keep up with our UFOs! Anyway, this piece really isn't a UFO but it was fast becoming one. I started it in October and wanted to get it stitched up really fast because I had borrowed the pattern. And then I fell and hurt my hand and I was sidelined for what seemed like forever. So this beauty went into the "later" pile. I still want to get it done quickly though, so I will be trying to work on it over the next few weeks and hopefully get it done and the pattern back to its owner. The design is Dandy Dreams from Silver Creek Samplers.

This is where I was before...

and this is where I am after last night.

I love the colors and the design, so I think this will be a fun one to finish.

So, Asher is coming tonight and staying until Sunday afternoon...I can't wait! Probably won't get much stitching done, but maybe he can help me organize all my threads. They seem to be everywhere! I hate to keep buying colors I already have plenty of, but the way things are now, it's just easier than trying to navigate through all the mess! I have lots of photo boxes that I have sorted with the threads I use most often...DMC, GAST, Weeks, Crescent Colours and Carries...and it would be a great system...if only I would put things back after I use them for a pattern. I must get more disciplined there....

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend to look forward to, with lots of stitching time!

Thanks for stopping by to visit, and for all your comments!

January 3 - hi ho hi ho it's back to work we go...

2012-01-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how some things just never change...some days I think maybe I am ready to retire...except I really can't yet. I really do like my job...it's just that sometimes toxic people can really mess up your day...

I finished my first book of the new year...Threadbare by Monica Ferris. It's the latest in her needlework shop series. I like these stories, although sometimes it takes me a while to get into the story. This one was pretty good though. I've just started Unraveled by Maggie Sefton. This is a really good series with some good characters...knitting mysteries. I've got a whole stack of Cozies waiting for me and I can't wait!

No stitching tonight, but I spent some time going through my stash looking for a design for a round robin. I think I've found one I like...it's a friendship sampler...I'll have to sleep on it, but I think it's a go.

I signed up for Becky's BAP challenge...I'm going to do Quaker Christmas II from ByGone Stitches. I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish it this year, but it will be fun trying! I have my pattern and threads...just waiting for some fabric.

And now I think it's time for bed...

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

january 2 - a quiet day

2012-01-02T21:04:00.001-08:00

Today was just the right kind of day to have before going back to work...quiet, restful...dare I say, lazy?

Spent the morning trying to get a few missing DMC threads from Michaels...their stitching section has dwindled to practically nothing here. When I was checking out, the girl told me that they had sent much of their stock to another local Michael's, so I guess I will be stopping there from now on. Then I headed to Barnes & Noble to get a couple of magazines and a procrastinator's daily calendar. Well...the magazines are so unorganized that I couldn't find what I was looking for, and the calendars were all gone. Guess I shouldn't have procrastinated so long!

I did get some stitching done while watching our Oregon Ducks win the Rose Bowl! It was a good game too...both teams played really well. And it was nice to see the Ducks finally win a Bowl game.

This is a scan of my progress so far on Autumn Band Sampler. The fabric is much more yellow than it looks. I am enjoying stitching this one lots.

Now I am off to hopefully finish my book before bedtime.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

January 1 - happy new year, thinking, & changes already!

2012-01-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

Happy new year! I hope everyone had a fabulous start to 2012!

We had a really good time last night, marking the new year with good friends, good food and lots of fun, dancing & just having a good time. We haven't done that in years...in fact, I don't even remember the last time we saw midnight in the new year!

Today, our day started with a trip to the emergency dental care place so hubby could get a tooth extracted. Fun! (not) Then it was home for hubby to watch football and off the LNS for me! It was a rare Sunday opening, and they were holding a couple of charts for me...the February CCN cottage and LHN's Elizabeth Hancock sampler. And then I had to buy a gazillion threads....some of which I know I have bought recently but put "somewhere safe". If anyone can tell me where that somewhere is, I would appreciate it. I know I can not be the only one who puts things there!

So, then I came home and read for a bit and fell asleep. And apparently I did some thinking while I was sleeping, because I woke up with all new plans for the new year.

Besides stitching, there are several things that I want to concentrate on for this year. One is working on my weight. I also have a stack of books already waiting to be read. And after my little fiasco with the threads today, it is time for some serious organizing of my stash. I also want to keep up better with my groups and participate more in all the fun things they do. And I have to pull out my sewing machine and start using it again for finishing.

So....the crazy 15 challenge as planned, has been scrapped. I still want to start those 15 projects this year, but not necessarily in the first 15 days. I might try to start a rotation, but not sure yet. I hope to start one new project each week, and hopefully still be able to take part in the fun SALs in my groups and keep up with my letters and posting and blogging. I have felt so disconnected this past year and I really want that to change.

We have a January 1 start SAL at Stitcher's Timeout, and I have decided to stitch LHN's Autumn Band Sampler for that, and I will get started on that tonight.

So we'll see what happens! And before I forget, Sarah is having a great giveaway on her blog...check it out...http://craftymoo-sarah.blogspot.com

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

December 31 - another year passes

2011-12-31T11:23:00.000-08:00

I can't believe 2011 is coming to a close...it has been an interesting year!

On the work front, we spent most of the year trying to find a site for a new library, and we may actually have an answer before too much of the new year passes. Health wise, both hubby and I are starting to feel our ages! Those old bones and muscles just aren't behaving as they should!

Somehow I have managed to get quite a few books read this year, and more stitching than I thought. I'm hoping to be able to keep up the momentum further into this new year.

We woke early this morning to take our daughter to the airport for her flight back to Boston. We had such a great visit, and I miss her so much when she leaves. But she has a good life there and she enjoys it, and that's all we ever wanted for her.

The tree is down...there are just a few small things left to put away. The house is getting back to normal. We are actually going out tonight for New Year's Eve...I can't remember the last time we did that! Usually, it is Chinese food and relaxing at home. Most years, we're lucky if we make it to midnight! So tonight should be fun!

So, I hope you will all ring in the new year with family and friends and that each one of you has a 2012 that is filled with love, peace, good health, abundant blessings, and many good memories.

Thanks so much for continuing to take the time to visit, and leave comments. I really do appreciate you all. Happy New Year!

december 29 - Christmas exchanges

2011-12-29T20:01:00.000-08:00

I participated in three different exchanges this holiday season.

The first was a "12 Days of Christmas" exchange with the Every Stitch Counts group. These are all the wonderful gifts I received from Chelle...

The second was a Secret Santa exchange at the Friendly Stitchers group. Christina sent these lovely gifts...

Finally, we had a holiday exchange with the Pens and Needles group. I received these wonderful gifts from Evalina...

This is a close-up of the lovely stitched pouch she sent...perfect for needles, I think.

Thanks again to Chelle, Christina & Evalina for making my holidays so special!

Thanks for visiting!

December 25 - happy Christmas

2011-12-25T20:41:00.000-08:00

Just popping in to say that I hope everyone has had a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing day.

We were so fortunate to have both our daughters and our grandson with us this holiday season.

Right now, I am feeling very blessed, and very stuffed!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today!

december 24 - 'twas the night before Chrsitmas

2011-12-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of this month's collected threads for my TUSAL. Unfortunately, my large container with all my accumulated threads for the whole year has disappeared! I'm sure it will turn up, but for now I have no idea where it went off to.

Maybe it is hiding along with the three other items I cannot find...one of Asher's little presents (some bath toys that we can just pull out whenever they turn up), my daughter's stocking (which has been replaced, but I know I just saw it recently), and my tiny address book that has all my passwords in it.

I hate misplacing things...maybe I will finally get more organized in the coming year!

I am waiting at the hospital for hubby to finish his meeting, and then we are off to the airport to pick up our daughter. I hope everyone has a very happy Christmas, and if you don't celebrate, I hope you will have a relaxing rest of your weekend!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 23 - trying to plan

2011-12-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

The new year is looming before us and I am still trying to plan all my stitching projects for 2012!

There's the Crazy 15 Challenge, WIPocalypse, two round robins, at least 4 SALs that I can think of, plus trying to keep up with monthly ornaments!

I have a page here for my Crazy 15 projects. None are completely kitted up yet, but I think I have most of the parts for all of them. Just have to get them together! I posted a list of my WIPs this morning. Geesh! There are certainly a lot of them, and I am afraid that there may be more that I forgot about. I still am not sure what patterns I will be using for my round robins, but I have until mid-January for one, and hopefully February for the other.

I ordered threads and fabric for the Quaker Christmas II SAL yesterday. I had hoped to start that one on Christmas Day, but that won't be happening. I still have to get the pattern for the Elizabeth Hancock SAL. Hopefully, my LNS will have it and then I can get the threads. I think I have the fabric picked out. The other two SALs are both cottage/houses and those will be available monthly, so I hope I can keep up.

The last thing will be one ornament a month. I was just reading about a group that is setting up a challenge for that...but I can't remember where I saw it! It was only yesterday....I think at least one of my yahoo groups will be continuing with an ornament a month SAL though, so I should have no trouble getting the encouragement I need!

Is everyone else ready for 2012 stitching?

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 22 - missed a day :(

2011-12-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

Did anyone miss me? Probably not, as my posts have not been very engaging of late! This cold has knocked me out...I'm actually glad to be going to my doctor tomorrow for a check-up from the ER. Maybe he can give me something to knock this out of my system.

So, yesterday, I went home, curled up in hubby's recliner (which is like one enormous pillow...so comfy!) and fell asleep! I'd probably still be there if someone hadn't called!

But I wanted to share a few pictures...they are not very good, but you'll get the idea. Hubs went out and got our tree last week when I was sick, and he did a really nice job I thought! It's hard to see all the ornaments, but it is an eclectic mix for sure! Asher helped decorate it when he came over...he just loves Christmas trees!

This is our tree topper and it has been in hubby's family since he was a little boy. It is somewhat the worse for wear, but the inside bit still turns around and reflects the pretty colors on the ceiling. We all love it and it is the one constant that always says "Christmas" for us.

So, I have a huge collection of Santas, and I always used to display them all, on the mantle, or someplace else in the house. Well, last year, all of a sudden, the message got back to me that many people think all these Santas in a group are a bit scary! Christmas nightmares and all! So last year I only displayed a small grouping on the mantle. This year, I've only brought out a few. Asher wanted me to put a few of my lighthouses there, so we sort of compromised. The tree has some of the wonderful stitched ornaments I have received from friends over the years (and a couple that I did myself as well!)

Here is a closer look at the tree. The oval shaped Santa on the left is the first stitched ornament I ever received in an exchange (probably at least ten years ago) and it is still one of my favorites. The Mill Hill one in the center is one of the newest, as is the English Plum Pudding one on the right. I love displaying these each year.

And finally, I have to share this wonderful gift that my daughter sent me for my birthday! It's called a Thai Pad, and it is made in Thailand out of pretty silk fabric. It is like a little pillow/cushion to prop up Kindles or iPads or books or whatever you might have. It is the coolest thing! I have an easel stand but that works best on a hard surface, and most often I like to curl up in a chair or on the sofa to read, etc. This is perfect...trust me, if you are a reader or have a reader in your life, you should look into one of these! Thanks again Sara!

So I guess that's all for now. I do have some work to do! Hope everyone is ready for the weekend festivities. Remember to take time to relax!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit!

December 20 - making a list, checking it twice

2011-12-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

I'm almost afraid to say this, but other than stocking stuffers & a little something extra for the hubby ( he's getting a new radio/player for his car)...I think I'm done with my shopping! Of course there's still wrapping to do, but still....I'm pretty pumped up.

I'm charging up the camera battery...there are a couple of things I'd like to share. Still tiring way to easily, but I am starting to feel a little better. 'course, now I'm feeling a cold coming on...when it rains, it pours!'

So, until tomorrow...nighty night, and thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 19 - short & sweet

2011-12-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I made it through my first day back to work.

Got Chinese take-out for dinner.

Fell asleep watching football.

What a day!

Thanks for visiting!

December 18 - yes!!!

2011-12-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

I am finally starting to feel like a member of the living again! Having Asher here this weekend really helped...it's hard to feel lousy when I look at that face!

So, I got a good chunk of my cards ready to mail, some gifts ordered, some others bought and ready to mail tomorrow, and a couple of great toy deals. I at least feel like I'm starting to be ready for Christmas!

Tomorrow, my day starts with blood work, and then stop by the post office, grab something to eat (I'm fasting) and then on to work. It really doesn't feel like I had a vacation, but the next two weekends are long ones, so that will be fun. I still have to get all my challenge stuff ready to go...

Off to bed...thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

december 17 - first day out

2011-12-17T19:48:00.000-08:00

My first day out in nearly a week, and probably not the best idea. But, Asher goes home tomorrow and that means I have to get to the stores after that, so I figured I might as well get my feet wet!

It was a beautifully sunny and clear day, and that helped. Asher went to a Christmas party with hubby for a bit this morning, his mom stopped by for a visit before going to work which was nice, and then we took him to the playground again, which he loves. He's sound asleep,which probably means he will not sleep through the night and will have me up again really late, but I don't really mind. He is such a joy...99.9% of the time!

I can't believe I only have one more day of vacation before I have to go back to work. It doesn't even feel like I had a vacation! Boo hoo...poor me! I'm hoping this week will go by quickly at work, and slowly in the evenings, because I have an enormous amount of stuff to get done. And if I don't pick up a needle and thread soon, I might just go into shock!

Speaking of which, my little gift today was a package of stitching needles...which I can never have enough of. I like to thread up lots of needles each time I sit down to stitch. I was talking to someone a few weeks ago and she said that she usually uses one needle for each project. Only one? That would make me crazy I think...all that threading and re-threading. Oh well...to each his own!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thanks for taking the time to visit!

December 16 - unexpected pleasures

2011-12-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

Still not feeling well, but I made myself get up and moving because my darling grandson came over to visit! Yay! I miss him so much when he's not around. He is so into Christmas this year...he thinks the tree is the best gift! So we got into the ornaments and he helped put some on, then grandpa took him off to go play at the indoor playground nearby. By the time they got back, he was exhausted!

I (well, Asher) opened my gift for today, which was a little bag of Werther's caramel chocolates...yummy! Thanks, Chelle!

And thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit!

December 15 - a strange blogger thing

2011-12-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

Something weird is happening with my blog.

I have been trying for the longest time to change my text font to something more fun than the usual types. I was able to change title fonts, and others, but never the actual blog posts themselves.

Then, lo and behold, I made a post from my iPad...and voila!... My fancy text appears! I didn't have to do a thing. But when I posted from the computer yesterday...back to the old type!

It's a puzzle!

Thanks for taking the time to visit, and for all your nice comments. I have been trying to stay in bed and rest. This infection is really nasty ...

december 14 - i'm supposed to be in bed, but....

2011-12-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

Well, last night got lots worse before it got better! I went to bed with such bad chills I thought I was gonna die. Finally fell asleep (I think) but sometime in the very early morning hours, hubby woke me up and said - we're going to the hospital - apparently I was mumbling all kinds of gibberish (more than usual) and I was kind of hot and he was kind of scared. So off we went and they hooked me up to an IV, took my temp (103) and said it was very good that I was there. I am not a doctor/hospital kind of person. I always think things will pass and I can take care of myself just fine. My mother was like that...she never gave much credence to us when we were sick, so I think I grew up thinking I was always making too much out of anything. Anyway, several hours later, they told me that I had an acute bladder infection, gave me a pill and a Rx, unhooked me and sent me home to bed.

Which is where I am supposed to be, but hubby had to take himself to the doctor for his wrist fracture and one of our dogs was barking like a banshee, so I got up to investigate. There was this weird buzzing sound and funny smell, and I realized it was our doorbell...someone had pushed it in such a way that it got stuck. I hope it didn't burn itself out. I unstuck it but forgot to check it! Oh well, we'll find out later, I guess!

Anyway, since I was out of bed anyway, I thought I would post before my personal doctor comes home and restricts me to my quarters!

I wanted to share some photos with you. Please excuse any wrinkles, etc. These are scans, so they're not the best, but you'll get the idea!

This first is a photo of the adorable snow block I received from Renee in the Stitcher's Timeout block exchange...it's such a cute design. Thanks again Renee!

Next up are the first two blocks I've stitched for next year's exchange. I'm hoping to get them all done before the end of the year. We'll see. First is for the "blue" theme. It is French Country Butterfly from JBW, stitched on a blue opalescent with a variegated thread from Anchor. Not sure that you see all the sparklies, but it's pretty fabric!

This second one is for the "garden" theme. It is a design by Sam Sarah - Patti's Garden. It is actually stitched on a pale yellow fabric but I think it looks more white in the scan. Anyway, I used DMC for this and added beads because I am horrible with French knots!

And last, is the adorable ornament I received from Christine in the Friendly Stitcher's ornament exchange. It is a Mill Hill design and I love it! I don't do much beading and have never attempted on of the Mill Hill kits. This is just so festive in person...real Christmas-y reds and greens, and tiny little jingle bells! I can't wait to put it on the tree! Thanks again,Christine!

Well, time to get more water and head back to the cave! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

December 13 - a fly-by post

2011-12-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

In between sneezes and chills...hubby got the lights on our tree...looks pretty.

Spent most of my time sleeping or reading...finished the latest by Donna Andrews, The Real Macaw. If my head doesn't clear up soon, I see lots more reading and lots less stitching in my immediate future! Unfortunately!

Think it's time to go back to bed...thanks for visiting!

December 12 - not what I had planned

2011-12-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

Well, this wasn't the way I wanted to start my week! I had really bad chills when I went to bed last night, and didn't feel much better all day. Spent most of the day sleeping!

Jeff went out and got our Christmas tree today. It's really pretty and smells so good. We'll probably put the lights on tomorrow.

I also had a nice surprise in the mail. My ornament from Christine arrived! It's a Mill Hill ornie

& is really cute. I don't do much beading, and have never done one of these ornies. Can't wait to hang it on the tree. I'll post a photo here tomorrow.

I think I'll head back to bed...thanks for taking the time to visit!

December 11 - a quiet day

2011-12-11T18:36:00.000-08:00

Not as cold this morning...after nearly a week of freezing fog in the mornings, it was nice to see what was all around us. We had a very quiet day...spent time with the dogs, watched some football...

The party last night was fun...my husband works with some very rowdy folks, I must say!

I did get some stitching done...I'm working on some squares for next year's block exchanges on the Stitchers' Timeout group. I'm not a very fast stitcher, but not having to have these done until next year lets me enjoy every stitch instead of feeling pressured with deadlines.

And now I am going to enjoy every sip of this soy chai latte...thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

december 10 - saturday checklist

2011-12-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

papers to be shredded (our local police department provides this service every two months...what a big help!) - check!
hair cut and colored (boy, did I ever need this! I went to a new place that my husband told me about, and I am so pleased with the results! Thanks, Phan!) - check!
big pan of baked ziti ready to take to the party tonight - check!
laundry done - check!
litter box cleaned out - check!
recycling taken down - check!

I think it's time to stitch! What do you think? Jeff took the dogs down to the field to run around (their favorite place to go) and I am all by my lonesome. Awww!

But first, I haven't shown any pictures in awhile, so here is a photo of the ornament I stitched for the Friendly Stitcher's exchange. My partner has recieved it so I am safe to show it here. The design is from My Big Toe, and it is called Joy of Christmas. I used a Threadworx thread...I think it was Christmas Colors or something like that. I really liked working with it though!

So off to my stitching chair I go. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 9 - vacation time!

2011-12-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

Yes...we are officially off work for the next week, and I plan to get lots of relaxing time!

I found out earlier today that one of co-workers lost her dad this morning. He had been really sick for most of the past year, in and out of the hospital, but it is still sad. Another angel up in heaven to watch over the rest of us.

When I went to get a card for everyone to sign, I decided to go o our Friends of the Library bookstore which is only a few blocks from the library. They sell lots of handmade cards and they are just beautiful. And guess what I found while waiting in line? A copy of the Just Cross Stitch ornament issue from 1999...for .25!!! What a find for me...it was fun looking at which designers have been included still through all these years...some of their styles have changed and others were as recognizable as if they had just designed them yesterday.

So I just found out that we are going to a Christmas party tomorrow night. I think I had better get to the hairdresser first thing in the morning...I'm long overdue!

So, goodnight for now. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 8 - food, friends, fun

2011-12-08T20:56:00.000-08:00

I am really pretty lucky.

My boss and I have a great relationship...work-wise and personally as well. And we also have some really great people working at our library. Tonight we had our annual holiday get-together. For as many years as I've worked here (almost 18!) we've had a potluck breakfast. This year everyone seemed ready for something different, so we all met at a local restaurant for some food and good times.

It was really fun! Even though most of us chat all day, and our workplace is a pretty relaxed place...it's such a different vibe when we're away from the library. You just see a different side of people...and everyone has their own story. I'm glad we got a chance to share so many of them tonight.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 7 - the best laid plans....

2011-12-07T15:24:00.000-08:00

Our mornings have been very frosty this week...low lying frozen fog and cold temperatures. So as I ride to work with my seat warmer on (one of the best inventions ever, as far as I am concerned!) I have been planning my stitching evenings.

Well, so far, two days have passed and not one stitch has been stitched! Monday, we had our doggy to the vet. id not have a pleasant visit, being poked and prodded and shot full of stuff. And then we find out the poor thing has fleas to boot! Ick! We have been so lucky with our furry family. No-one has fleas since they were really little. But now we have to be on the lookout and be prepared!

And then last night I came home to find my hubby with a splint and softcast/bandage on his arm! Turns out he fell at the Transit Center (slipped on some spilled diesel fuel) and fractured his wrist. I can feel his pain, believe me! My wrist is still not right and it has been two months. I think he has it worse than me though...his is really swollen and very painful.

So maybe tonight I will have some time to put my needle & thread through some fabric...maybe...just maybe....

Thanks for visiting!

december 6 - stitching friends are the best!!!

2011-12-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

This is turning out to be a wonderful mail week for me! First, I received these wonderful squares from Ruth n the latest round of the Fair & Square exchange.

Ruth and I have been partners before, and I have also seen some of the other squares she has stitched. She always takes the extra time to really personalize the squares she stitches. She chose a design by Blackbird Designs and really changed it up for me. She added the books, and the letters and numbers are the call number for my favorite book, The Little Prince!

Then on the second square she added the codes for our respective libraries...isn't that too cool? The squares are beautifully stitched and I think I am going to make a pin keep for my desk at work.

This is also the month that our secret pen pals were to be revealed, and I received a wonderful surprise today from my pen pal, Gracie! She stitched me this lovely pincushion...the Blackbird Designs piece from this year's ornament issue. It is gorgeous and the back fabric is a beautiful maroon and gold.

I have been following Gracie's blog for awhile and I am really glad that she turned out to be my secret pal. I hope that we will continue to keep in touch.

I also got a wonderful birthday gift from Clare this week, but my camera battery died before I could take a photo :( Clare sent me some lovely backing fabric and threads, a beautiful pair of earrings, a wooden thread holder and a needle minder....the one with the crown. I seem to be collecting these and this was one that I was wanting! She also sent a lovely Sweetheart Tree design with maroon beads...I am not very good at beading, but I am determined to try these little berry embellishments.

These are the squares I sent to Ruth, in that same exchange. The design is a block from A Sampler Story by Brenda Keyes. Ruth has received these and likes them. :) so I am pleased.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

december 5 - hi ho hi ho it's off to work we go

2011-12-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

Well, one of us anyway...hubby stayed home today...the man never, well, rarely, takes a sick day, so I guess he is entitled! Besides, now he will be home to take one of our doggies to the vets this afternoon. Poor Eros has the worst allergies...he is constantly scratching and chewing on himself...it's uncomfortable to watch him. We've changed his diet and tried allergy medicines, but nothing seems to help enough. Hopefully the vet will have a solution.

My commute ended up taking twice as long as usual thanks to two accidents on the roads. It was really cold and there was this white frosty mist covering everything. The roads didn't really feel slippery, but then I don't drive like a maniac either! It always amazes me how some people drive like its warm and sunny and dry, when it isn't. Oh well, I got here safely and that's what counts.

It's evaluation time, and I had mine this morning. It went really well. I am really blessed to have a library director who is funny and smart and as much a friend as a boss. She was hired a few years ago, and really stepped into a minefield here. All of our best laid plans kind of got sidetracked and life has been crazy almost since her first day on the job. But, luckily, we work really well together and we both know that the other always has their back. I am truly grateful to have someone like her as my boss.

Unfortunately, I also had to give two evaluations last week. One went fine, as I knew it would. The other...not so much. At this point, I'm too tired to go into details except to say that she wasn't happy. I only even mention it because the whole experience just reinforced my belief that some things and some people just tend to sap way too much energy out of me. I was pretty much consumed with this thing for the last two weeks of the month...way too much time. But I learned my lesson, and now that it's done, I can look forward to next year!

I don't know if I mentioned that I have also joined Measi's WIPocalypse. I'll write more about that tomorrow, but before work this morning I had a few extra minutes and tried to start a list of all the WIPs I have laying around. Talk about scary! Without even having to think very hard I came up with 33! Some of these are carry-overs from last years' WIP challenge and some are carry-overs from the 2011 Crazy Start Challenge, with a few others thrown in for good measure. Obviously, I didn't do too well with the challenges last year!

So, more about that tomorrow...maybe even some pictures...maybe!

Thanks again for taking the time to visit and/or comment!

december 4- my LNS

2011-12-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

I realize how lucky I am to have a needlework shop so close to home. Even though I wish they were open more evenings, I love being able to fondle the fabrics and especially the floss up close and personal. I do still sometimes order online ...especially when I see good sales. And I get my DMC from Michael's or JoAnn's ( although their prices are almost as high as the LNS now!), but it is such a luxury to be able to touch everything (I am a touchy-feely kind of person after all!)

My LNS is Acorns and Threads in Portland, Oregon, and Jeanine has recently begun opening the shop on the first Sunday of each month. So, after bringing Asher back to his mommy today, that's where I headed. There were two patterns waiting for me...the second part of the La-D-Da sampler (one of my crazy 15) and the first of the CCN cottage monthlies...the rest of the considerable sum left there was spent on threads for the upcoming challenge pieces. I still need more, and also to find my fabrics, but it's a start!

Off to have a nice big mug of tea and a cookie!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 3 - Saturday in the park

2011-12-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

It has turned out to be a lovely Saturday here in the northwest. Our Oregon Ducks won the PAC 12 championship game last night and are their way to the Rose Bowl! Go Ducks!!!

And we ended up having Asher spend last night and tonight with us...what a wonderful surprise. It seems like he has changed again I only a week. This age is so much fun! He is off with his grandpa decorating the Christmas tree at the bus garage, then we're off to the park to enjoy some of this lovely fall weather. Time for grandma to settle in with a nice hot mug of tea and a good mystery for a little while.

Thanks for all your encouragement about this daily blogging and my choices for the 2012 challenge. Blogging friends are the best!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

december 2 - challenges challenges

2011-12-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

So...several weeks ago I signed up for the Crazy Challenge for 2012, even though I still have lots of pieces to finish from the Crazy Challenge for 2011. Well, having lots of UFOs and WIPs never stopped me from starting new pieces before, so why should I let it bother me now??? I've been waffling though about really doing this...do I really really want to add at least 15 more starts to my pile? Will I be able to keep up this year? (last year, I got off to such a good start and then went into a huge slump and stitched very little for months).

But this morning I started looking at people's lists and getting that itchy stitchy feeling, and I decided to plunge ahead...I think I am just doing the basic challenge...that's 15 new starts on the first 15 days of January, I think. So here are my 15...in no particular order... and, of course, I reserve the right to change my mind between now and January 1, but I think these may stick!

Star Sampler (Periphaeria Designs)
Autumn Band Sampler (Little House Needleworks)
Warm Winter Woolens (Little House Needleworks)
Bloom (Midsummer Night Designs)
Margaret Cottam (La-D-Da)
Metamorphosis (Ink Circles)
Button Button (Country Cottage Needleworks)
To Everything There Is A Season (The Drawn Thread)
Note to Self (Heart in Hand)
Ornamental Pumpkin (Turquoise Graphics & Designs)
ABC's of Aging Artfully (Lizzie Kate)
Morning Star (Blackbird Designs)
Persuasion Pillow (The Sampler Girl)
Jolly Jack (All Through the Night)
Forgive Quickly (Lizzie Kate)

So, now I'm getting excited! I know that many of you are also doing this challenge in some form or other, so I hope we can all encourage each other through the year. And I am really looking forward to seeing everyone's progress
(and watching my wish list grow in leaps and bounds once I see all your wonderful stitching)!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today!

december.1 - NaBloPoMo

2011-12-01T22:25:00.000-08:00

I am really going out on a limb here, but I'm going to try and post every day during December. It's been a long and difficult day, and I've decided that it is time to make some time for me. The theme for this month is "gifts" and I hope I don't sound selfish, but I think that this will be a gift to myself.

If I can just take a little time each day to write...something...anything...that can only be a good thing, right? I'm hoping that my hand feels better soon so I can get some more stitching done too, and then I'll have some pics to share too.

So, goodnight for now, and thanks for visiting!

november 29 - you say it's your birthday.....

2011-11-29T08:02:00.000-08:00

it's my birthday too!....so happy birthday to me! My wonderful hubby gifted me with a brand new iPad...how fun! Grown-up toys are so cool! I even have a book, so maybe I can actually learn all the really fun things I can do with this toy. And when I came to work this morning, my boss (who is as much a friend as a boss) had left me a wonderful goodie bag full of all kinds of luscious smelly stuff for pampering. I see a long hot soak in the tub in my future! And then, hubby also sent me these beautiful flowers!

I feel really spoiled today!

It seems like a long time since I have posted much of anything here. My hand is still sore from that fall a month ago and so things have slowed down to a snail's pace. I did get all my exchange packages ready to go last night though and have gone to the post office to send them all on their merry way. Now I feel like I can relax with my stitching, since nothing is "due" anywhere for awhile. December is also the month when those of us in the "secret pen pal" adventure reveal ourselves, so I've sent that along too. I really tried to confuse my partner, and had friends from all over the country mail the letters for me so she wouldn't know where I lived. Sneaky, huh? I am looking forward to seeing who has been sending me such lovely letters each month.

Did you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving? I hope so...ours was very nice. We had Asher stay with us for a few days which was a joy as always.

His mom and her boyfriend were able to join us for dinner before they had to head off to work...we skipped the traditional turkey and opted for steak and lobster instead. Yummy! And now I have to seriously think about Christmas...where did this year go?

I have some exchanges to share. I realized that I never posted a photo of this wonderful PIF that I received from Mouse awhile back. She stitched this beautiful pillow for me.

I love these pillows and keep a basket of them near my stitching chair so I can see them all the time.

This is the pillow I stitched for Jayne in the last round of our Blackbird Designs exchange. The design is Basket of Spells from the Casting Spells leaflet, but I changed the colors and made it un-Halloweeny! It is stitched with Vicky's silks in Dark Wisteria. Sorry, the photo makes it look kind of wonky!

And this is what Jayne sent me in exchange.

I think she said it was her first exchange, and wow! She really outdid herself. Any one of these would have made a wonderful exchange...but all three! I am still speechless!

The last of this year's blocks has been stitched for Stitcher's Timeout. The theme was "snow" and I stitched Snow Zone from Lizzie Kate, but I forgot to take a photo before I mailed it off :(

We also had an ornament exchange with the same group. Here is the beautiful ornie I received from Lynne. It is English Plum Pudding from JBW, and it is so pretty in person...the picture does not do it justice!

And here is the ornie I stitched and sent to Lavon. It is Noel from Log Cabin Needleworks. I stitched it on a Christmas Green jobelan with Weeks "Noel" floss.

There are another couple of ornaments floating out there that I will post once they have been received. Also, fair and square blocks from the latest round.

But now I have to try and put up a shower curtain so I must go!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

nov. 26 - TUSAL

2011-11-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

I know I'm a day late, but here is my TUSAL for November.

I managed to get a few small pieces done and finished so there are some ribbon and fabric bits in there as well!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

november 8 - a fly-by posting

2011-11-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make sure that my secret pen pal knows that I received her latest card in the mail yesterday. Next month is "reveal month"...I feel like I am on one of those decorating shows! This has been fun, but it's hard not being able to "tell all" to our partners. I can't wait to have a real conversation with my secret pals!

I'm trying to get little bits of stitching done. My hand is still really sore...I don't know how those football players get injured week after week and then go right back out to play! But I have lots of exchanges to get in the mail over the next few weeks so I'm plugging away!

I finished my December "snow" block for the Stitcher's Timeout exchange, but misplaced my camera so I'll have to wait to post a photo. I did take one with my phone but can't figure out how to get it from there to here. Did anyone say technologically challenged? I managed to finish Part 7 of Carol's SAL and just have the last little bit to do. I really love Carol's design and this SAL has been a joy to do. Hopefully, by the time I finish my other little projects I will have found my camera!

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to visit!

october 26 - just a quickie

2011-10-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to show my Totally Useless SAL for this month...not too much added...mostly threads from Carol's SAL and a couple of exchanges. Next month should include lots of ornie stitching...I hope!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

october 17 - it's dangerous being me!

2011-10-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here trying to type with basically one hand. Why would I do that? Well, not my choice...Friday night found me climbing onto our opened up sofabed to turn off our ceiling fan light (long story) when I fell through the corner where the frame and mattress meet. One leg inside the bed...the other (along with the rest of me) dangling and finally falling to the ground. I landed on my left shoulder and my hand, wrist and forearm...all of which are majorly bruised and sprained right now. I am not left handed but it is amazing how much I am finding that I need my left hand...little (but important) tasks hurt...a lot!I have a clunky brace on today but it still hurts. People here at work think I am a walking disaster in the making...just a few short weeks ago, I fell down the concrete steps near my house and messed my knee up pretty badly. That's finally starting to feel better, just barely tender now. I', working my way up from the feet, so I probably should be investing in a helmet sooner rather than later!

Of course, I couldn't get any stitching done this weekend, but I didn't really have time anyway. We have relatives visiting from Maine (not staying at our house, but close) so we met up with them on Saturday for breakfast and visited a wonderful Harvest Fest in Hood River. We brought our grandson, whom no-one had met and we all had lots of fun.

My LNS, Acorns & Threads, had its annual fall open house yesterday so I stopped by and picked up a few things and ordered a few more. They are also having a Staff Trunk Show and it is so much fun seeing all the wonderful pieces stitched by members of the staff there. Unfortunately some are older and the patterns are now out of print, but I am making a list anyway. I love treasure hunts!You never know what you might find!

Well, I'd better get back to work...hopefully I will be able to pick up a needle in a few days and get some stitching done!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

a little of this & a little of that

2011-10-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

Fall is most definitely here. It's been really raining off and on for the past couple of days. We did get a few sun breaks today, but they have been few and far between. We were on vacation last week and got lots of things done around the house, spent a few days with our grandson and still had some relaxing time. Vacations are just never long enough though! I realize that it would be oh so easy for me to just slip into the stay at home mode...just can't do it yet though!

Elaine was my partner for the last round of Fair & Squares. These are the beautiful squares she stitched for me. The design is from The Gift of Stitching magazine and it is really pretty. The colors are lovely too. Thanks again Elaine!

I stitched this design from a mon ami Pierre for Elaine. It is stitched with one of the variegated threads from DMC. This was a freebie and is a favorite design of mine. Elaine liked it too!

I also finished my needlebook for the Autumn Needlebook exchange at Friendly Stitchers, but I can't show that until it has been received. And Part 6 was stitched for Carol's SAL...the photos can be seen on her blog.

Only two more months until our secret pen pals are revealed! I received another nice letter from my secret friend. I am really looking forward to finding out who she is!

We will be seeing family this coming weekend. My SIL & BIL are flying in from Maine, and my other SIL and her partner are flying in from Las Vegas. Our Maine relatives will be here for a week. Their son lives in Hood RIver which is about an hour from here and it has been a few years since they have been to visit...the Las Vegas relatives are only stayuing for one night. We are bringing Asher up to see them since they haven't met him yet. In fact, he was born two months after we saw them last when we were back East for a reunion. Should be a fun and busy weekend!

I started another piece last night, but don't have a photo to share yet. It is Dandy Dreams from Silver Creek Samplers. Hazel has let me borrow the pattern, so I want to get it done as quickly as I can. I love this design and love the colors as well. I'll post a photo next time.

And, finally, many of you commented on the little kitty in my TUSAL photo for last month. I love this little kitty, but it is not something that I stitched myself. It was stitched and sent to me by Pauline last year.

So that's it for now. Thanks so much for all your comments, and thanks for taking the time to visit!

september 28 - two SALs

2011-09-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

So, I have been in the midst of chaos since Sunday night trying to empty out the closets in our upstairs rooms. I don't know why I thought it would be easier...I mean, I knew I had a huge amount of stuff, but it was even worse than I thought...way worse! So now the floors are cleared, the shelves are cleared, and the bathrooms are stuffed with boxes and bags! Luckily, Jeff is on his way home from his conference and we are both off tomorrow, so we can do all the last minute things. He'll be home Friday when the guys come to actually install the carpet...I can't wait. I vow never to let things get to this point again. If they do, please lock me in a little room and don't let me out! I have made lots of discoveries though...patterns that I didn't think I owned so bought another, lots of freebies that really do have to be sorted, lots of designs I know I will never ever stitch, and lots of treasures that I was so excited to see. I see a big sale or lots of giveaways in my future!

I remembered that yesterday was the new moon, but didn't remember until this morning around 4am...so here is my pathetic TUSAL offering. All those blue threads on the top are the new ones. Before Sunday, there was like one little thread in my bowl, but on Sunday I got all caught up with Carol's SAL so I was able to have at least a little something to show. While stitching Part 4, I realized I was off one stitch in Part 2, so had lots of frogging to do...but now I am all caught up. Carol re-sized the photo for me, but I can't seem to get it over here to the blog, so please check out her blog to see my progress and all the other wonderful pieces that are being stitched. And here is my totally useless SAL for this month...

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

september 23 - just sharing

2011-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

I have had so many things rolling around in my head and just can't seem to concentrate on any one thing long enough to get anything accomplished. You know how it is when you have something niggling in the back of your mind that you know you have to do, so you can't really do anything else because you feel sort of guilty for procrastinating on the original thing? Well, I have been feeling that way for a long time about my "craft room" and the closet within. The closet is stuffed, and my shelves and files are in a state of disarray. But now I am being forced to do something about it because my dear husband called the rug installer the other day, and they are coming next Friday to install new carpet in our upstairs rooms...one of which is my space. They will move furniture around (except for the bed, which we will have to take apart), but they want all the "little things" put away and nothing on the floors of the closets. Think about how many "little things" there might be in all my stitching stash...yes, some are in boxes, but they are mostly small boxes which I have to find a place for. And then I tend to also make piles and stacks and never seem to get around to sorting through them. And the bags....oh dear. It is just too overwhelming to even think about! Hubby says we can do the closet together tomorrow, but then he is leaving for a conference out of town and won't be back until Wednesday. I think I am in trouble!

A bit of good news if you are the owner of a kindle and have wanted to get library books for free...overdrive (the company that supplies ebooks to libraries) is now supported by kindle which means more free books for us! And the best part is, it is so easy to use. Even I can do it, and I am certainly no technical wizard! Any new way to get books into my hands is always appreciated!

We are having a needlebook exchange on Friendly Stitchers and I received my needlebook from Val the other day. This photo does not do it justice...the theme was autumn, which is my favorite time of year anyway, and this is one of Val's original designs. It is so pretty in person...I know it will be kept out on my stitching stand all year long. Thanks again Val!

I also received my completed round robin back this week from Jinger. We are in a small group and we all stitched The Hunt this last round. Mine is stitched on a mottled gray fabric with GAST in Brethren Blue. It looks so much better in person, but you can get the idea. I wasn't sure about this design at first, but I really love the way it turned out. Thanks again to Jinger and Clare for stitching on this for me.

And I just realized that the New Moon is fast approaching (where did September go?) and my ort container looks pitiful...there won't be much to add to the TUSAL this month if I don't do at least some stitching this weekend. Maybe after a hard day of cleaning out the closet I will reward myself on Sunday (After hubby leaves of course!)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

september 9 - smiles and letters

2011-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

For a short work week, this one has seemed to last forever! It doesn't help that I have been battling headaches all week I guess. Anyway, bring on the weekend!

Isn't this the cutest little design? Sharon posted this one her blog this weekend, and I stitched it right up. I love ladybugs and this one really made me smile...which is what she intended, I guess!

I stopped at my LNS yesterday on the way home to pick up the JCS ornament issue. There are some really nice designs this year, and many from designers I wasn't familiar with. It's fun for me to realize that I can recognize some of the designers now by just looking at the ornaments. My to-do list just got measurably longer!

And when I got home there was a letter waiting from my secret pen-pal. She sent the prettiest hand-made card...the flower is stitched and so delicate! Thank you so much...whoever you are...no...I have not guessed yet!

I've signed up to do the Crazy 15 Challenge again this year, but I'm having second thoughts. I enjoyed starting so many new projects in January, and I was really sure that I'd be able to complete most of them, but I must admit that so far only a few have been finished, and some are really not even calling to me any more. I didn't choose small projects....well, maybe a couple, but most were medium sized, and I think that as my stitching time became more limited, even those just seemed too big. And then, of course, one must factor in the fact that I have startitis and zero will power when it comes to limiting myself...I see a design I love and start it, and just see myself stitching away...but much of that stitching is in my head! Every day on the drive to work I tell myself what I will accomplish that evening, and more evenings than I care to count, I accomplish zilch! But...I have finally stopped beating myself up about it and just do what I want, when I can and enjoy every stitch. It is my hobby, after all, not my job!

And since I am at my job, I suppose I should get back to it! Break time is over!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

September 1 - the simple woman's daybook

2011-09-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

For Today....

Outside my window...the sun is finally coming out
I am thinking...about all the things on my "to do " list
I am thankful...for my husband, who is always there for me
I am wearing...a sweater :(
I am creating...a mess on my desk
I am wondering...if I should out my shoes back on
I am reading...The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini
I am hoping...to be awake enough to stitch tonight
I am looking forward to...a relaxing weekend
I am hearing...the fan blowing over my head
One of my favorite things...a soy no water chai latte from Starbucks
A few plans for the rest of the week...stitch, read and get my hair cut & colored
A photo to share...one of my favorite spots along the Oregon Coast...Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach...(not my photo, I am at work)

Please visit other daybooks here...thanks Peggy!

september 1 - stitchy helpers

2011-09-01T06:09:00.001-07:00

There was a distinct chill in the air this morning...it definitely feels like September!

We all need our stitchy helpers, and we all have our addictions, don't we? One of my addictions are the special embroidery scissors put out by Ginghers twice a year or so. I can remember a time not too long ago when I thought to myself...why would anyone need so many pairs of scissors...wouldn't that money be better spent on more patterns, for instance? Oh what a foolish thought that was! Once I gave in and bought my first pair (I think they were "Sarah"...because that's my daughter's name...isn't that a good reason????), I was hooked! I do use my scissors...and switch them out from time to time. But mostly I just crave them and love to look at my little collection. And no...I do not plan on stopping this addiction any time soon! So here is the beautiful Alicia...if you look closely you can see the peacock feathers in the design...along with the lovely fob that Sue made for me. I think it's perfect for these lovelies.

And I also had a wonderful surprise in yesterday's mail. There was a sale at The Gift of Stitching shop awhile back and I ordered these three adorable thread winders. I don't really use thread winders (at least I haven't up 'till now), but they were so cute I couldn't resist (do I sense a pattern here???). So here they are...and I am really pleased with them. It's kind of hard to tell in the photo, but the lighter green one has a mermaid design etched in, and the cross has many Celtic designs. I love them!

I had plans to do lots of stitching this week, but every night I have been more tired than the one before. This week seems to be dragging on...maybe because we are having a long weekend coming up and we are all anticipating it...I'm not sure. I did stitch Part 2 of Carol's SAL, but I decided not to post photos of it here until it is done. Carol is posting progress photos on her blog though, so please take a look at everyone's lovely stitching.

Thanks for visiting!

august 29 - it's TUSAL time!

2011-08-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

It seems like we just did this, but it's another new moon and that means another TUSAL posting. I had to change containers...my original one has become too small. I'm on the lookout for something nicer, but until then, this will have to do! There are lots of bits and pieces this month. I don't feel like I've accomplished much but I have been putting needle and thread to fabric, and here is the result. Lots of pretty colors....

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

august 23 - SALs, Exchanges and New Starts

2011-08-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Life around here has been so hectic lately...if there isn't something crazy going on at work, there's something crazy going on at home! In fact, I actually started this post last week, but am just now actually getting it blog ready! But in the midst of all this craziness, I have found some time to sit and stitch...thankfully! I love SALs, even though sometimes I have a hard time keeping up! This weekend, Carol, from IStitch, sent out Part One of her Mystery SAL. I am lucky enough to be one of the participants (lucky, because I love Carol's designs and know that this SAL will be wonderful). I am stitching my piece on 28ct. lugana from Kiwi Illusions. The fabric color is "Sweet Violet" and it was sent to me a long time ago from a stitchy pal. It is a pretty purple color and really nice to stitch on. The thread is called "Sugar Plum" and is from GAST.
Edited: I have removed the photo of my SAL piece. It seems that some people may be enlarging photos from our blogs to try and duplicate this design. I don't want to enable anyone, so please go to Carol's blog to see all the in progress photos from everyone stitching along. Thanks!

The second SAL I am currently doing is with the Little House Needleworks/ Cross Country Needleworks yahoo group. I made a very small start on The Chocolate Shoppe, but was so happy when Carrot Cake arrived in my mailbox on Saturday because that is the design I really wanted to stitch! So I made a small start on the border and hope to get many more stitches put in this week. I love these little cakes!
I've also started a SAL with the Blackbird Designs group. We are stitching the new Loose Feathers design...Summer. I am having some problems with a few of the thread colors. One just faded right into the fabric, and all my greens look alike, so I will try to remedy that at my LNS before I get too much farther. This is my small start.... The Stitchers' Timeout yahoo group has bi-monthly block exchanges every year and these are always fun to do. The theme for September is "owls". I started stitching an owl block months ago...part of a design from Blue Ribbon Designs...but somewhere along the way it got misplaced. So I decided to start another little owl. This was a teeny tiny design from someplace I can't remember right now!. Well, guess what disappeared as well? So when the new JCS issue arrived with the cute Halloween ornaments I decided to sit down with my threads, fabric and magazine and stitch this one up until it was finished. I figured I wouldn't be able to lose it that way! so this is the owl that was finally sent off for the exchange. It is called Fall Owl and is designed by Casey Buonaugurio.

Here is the summer block that I received from Renee....sorry for the shadows in these pics. Thanks again Renee!

And here is the adorable CEC acorn that I received in the anniversary block exchange from Sue. Thanks again Sue...

I love these acorns! Some time back, we also had a SAL on Stitcher's Timeout. If I remember correctly it was a Fall/Halloween theme. I chose to stitch CEC's Acorn Autumn, and finally finished it this summer when we were on vacation. Another acorn design!
The other exchange that I have begun participating in again is the Fair & Square exchange, where each round, partners stitch a pair of squares for each other...one square is a design, the other is an signature square. I was partnered with Nancy this last round and since I knew she liked La-D-Da, I stitched their Tiny Sampler for her. It is stitched on a mushroom evenweave with DMC 4130.

Nancy sent me the greatest squares. This is another La-D-Da design (one of my favorite designers as well) called 'Tis Better. This design was on my to do list for this year but I never got around to it...Nancy did a great job with these and I really love them. And I also have another new start. I was lucky enough to win Summer Splendor from Diane Williams a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to get started stitching this. I'm missing one of the threads and hope to find it at my LNS later today. I just had to put in those first few stitches! Don't you all sometimes feel that way???? I also went overboard with stash buying these past few weeks, but I'll share that next time! I didn't realize there would be so much to share when I started! I guess when it rains, it pours!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

august 9 - the lost art of letter writing & an exchange

2011-08-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

I love writing and receiving "real" letters in the mail. E-mail is great, but there is nothing like having a handwritten (or typed) letter waiting for you in the mailbox. At least, I don't think so!
So...I was so happy when Parsley posted on her blog looking for people who would be interested in having a pen pal. Sign me up! This is also interesting because we are all secret pen pals...we won't reveal our identities until December. Doesn't that sound like fun? I received my first letter last week, and also sent a letter off to my partner. I'm not sure if I can keep the secret for that long, but I'll try!

There is also a yahoo group dedicated to writing real letters, and I am a member there too. This is not a secret pen pal, and there are about 25-30 of us in the group, I think. We don't all necessarily write to every other person, but I do try to keep in touch with as many as I can. We are all stitchers, and one of the other common threads running through the group is that many of us are avid readers. So when the idea of an exchange came up, we all thought a bookmark exchange would be a great place to start.

This is a photo of the bookmark that I received from my partner. Lisa stitched parts of a Victoria's Sampler design, and it is so pretty in person. I love lilacs, and the colors are perfect. She also included a wonderful lighthouse bookmark kit, so I have another bookmark to stitch (and I love lighthouses, so this was a perfect choice!)

This photo shows the bookmark I stitched for Lisa. I adapted Plumberry Sampler from Bent Creek for her piece. I haven't stitched a bookmark in a long time and this was fun to do. I also sent along a mystery book that I thought she might enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

july 30 - a quick TUSAL post

2011-07-30T13:18:00.001-07:00

We're on our way to the Maryhill Winery for a concert - Yes & Styx, but I didn't want to forget my TUSAL check-in. Not much added this month, and I think there is a needle in there as well!

Thanks for visiting!

Strawberries, TUSAL, & losing things

2011-06-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

We are finally getting some wonderfully delicious strawberries and I am taking every opportunity to eat them while they are ripe...in pies or just in a bowl...they are so yummy! I even stitched a strawberry for my anniversary block for Stitcher's Timeout...Berry-corn from Cross-Eyed Cricket.
And another month has flown by...which means time for the latest installments of our totally useless SALs! I didn't stitch much this month...at least it didn't seem like I did, but I managed to add a bit to my little jar. The colors all look so pretty mixed up together!
Do any of you have a problem with losing things...in your own house? I realized that I have lost two pair of my Gingher embroidery scissors...it's like they have vanished into thin air. I know they are here someplace, probably in the bottom of one of my stitching bags...but I just can't figure out where. It is so frustrating! I did finally find my kitted up Mary Wigham Sampler...after I had printed it off yet again and was on the lookout for new fabric and threads. I knew I had kitted it up when it first appeared, but it too was lost.And then I found it while looking for something else. Geesh! I think I need an intervention! So hopefully I will get it started...there is a SAL in progress over at Friendly Stitchers...and have a progress pic to show soon.

The sun is shining and the forecast is good for the next few days and I am so ready for it. Our annual blues festival is being held this weekend...it is one of the largest in the country and goes through Monday. And it's all a fund-raiser for the Oregon Food Bank which is a great reason to head out and enjoy the sunshine and good music.

I hope that all my US friends will have a safe and happy holiday...and that everyone will enjoy a relaxing weekend with some time to sit & stitch.

Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I do appreciate it!

june 24 - finally found the camera!

2011-06-24T06:02:00.001-07:00

Well, I must say that when I misplace something, I do a really good job of it! I thought hubby had taken the camera on his little trip, but he came home...no camera. Since I couldn't really even remember the last time I had seen it, the search was on...well, off and on...there was too much else happening to spend too much time on this. Anyway, I finally found it, snuggled into a pocket in one of my Vera Bradley bags...those pockets are deep...and things can hide for sure! Which brings me to my point...and that is that I actually have a few pictures to share! This first one is a pillow that I finally put together for a friend. I had stitched this Lizzie Kate design from the Chocolate Lovers leaflet years ago...it's done on fiddlers cloth with DMC. I backed it with a pretty blue and cream floral flannel fabric and added some blue beads around the edging (which you can't see in this photo!). I love the little chocolate chip cookie button on the bear's lap!

This next photo shows the adorable block I received in the latest block swap at Stitcher's Timeout. The theme was any design from Bent Creek, Heart in Hand or the Trilogy. Lavon stitched this adorable snowman design from Heart in Hand that I was lucky enough to receive.

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Fair & Square blog. Stitchers are partnered up and stitch two blocks each round...one is a design, the second is a signature block with the stitcher's name, location, date...whatever. I joined in on many rounds some time ago, and then stopped for awhile when things just got too hectic. Usually the rounds are either holiday themed or just general (you stitch a block based on your partner's likes for example), but this last round was designer specific and the designer was Blackbird Designs. I love BBD and couldn't resist joining in.
These are the squares I stitched for my partner Shelley. The design is taken from the Honeysuckle Manor book and it is the Honeysuckle Pin Box. I stitched it on a neutral evenweave fabric with a variegated blue DMC floss. It turns out that this was quite a popular design among the other stitchers this round as well!

And these are the beautiful squares I received from Shelley. I was really blown away when I saw them. The photo does not do them justice...these squares are gorgeous. Shelley stitched a design from the Stitcher's Journey book...these are adaptations of the Tulip Pincushion and Tulip House Stitching Companion. They are stitched on a light mocha (much more beige than it looks like in this photo. The thread colors are soft and so pretty. I know I am gushing, but you'd understand why if you could see these in person! Thanks again Shelley for a wonderful exchange!

And finally, I mentioned Count Your Blessings in my last post...the traveling pattern from Shakespeare's Peddler that I was lucky enough to get to stitch. I stitched it on a buttermilk jobelan (a pretty yellow color which somehow looks gray here!) with various threads, changing the colors to reflect the colors on our house. The pattern has now been passed along to Nataly and I hope she will enjoy stitching it as much as I did.

So, my stitching mojo is starting to return and I hope to have some more things to show you next time.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I really do appreciate it!

june 10 - technology troubles and a traveling pattern

2011-06-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

First, I must apologize to anyone who was waiting on the fate of the traveling pattern Count Your Blessings.

We had a great weekend in Seattle.The U2 concert was more than amazing. There must have been over 100 trucks for all the light equipment and special effects stuff. And the Mariners game was fun too...I love games where the scores go back and forth and this one was like that and we came out on top which was great. We took Jeff's sports car and had the top down the whole time because the weather was so perfect...at least until we reached our exit coming home. That's when the skies opened up and we had to scoot over to the side of the road and get that top up in a hurry! It turned into a really nasty storm with thunder and lightning even, which is pretty rare for this area.

Anyway, something happened to my computer and it was out of commission. Then my cell phone got wet and wouldn't work. Jeff took the laptop to Minnesota for the week, and even my computer at work bit the dust (not that I would have had much extra time there anyway). So now it is Friday...the home computer is back up and running (yeah!), I got a new phone (which I actually like better than my old one - which wasn't even that old - I just have to learn how to post to blogger from it), Jeff is glad he has the laptop, and my computer at work is still toast (but I won't need that until at least Monday so I'm not worried!).So that's the long story of why I haven't posted yet this week. Now all I have to do is find the camera...hmmm...maybe Jeff took that too! He'll be home Sunday night, so I can post pictures then!

So...drumroll...the lucky stitcher who gets to stitch Count Your Blessings next is....natalyK! I'll email you, but if you see this first, please send me your address and I will get the pattern in the mail to you right away. Thanks to everyone who left a comment. Keep your eyes on Nataly's blog for the next chance to stitch this great design.

I have dog duty this week, and my babies look like they are ready for a walk, so I had better get moving!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

june 2 - a finish, a traveling pattern and TUSAL

2011-06-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that another month has ~~gone~~ flown by. I have been really busy at work between meetings and trying to get all the summer reading stuff ready for the children. Sign-up started yesterday...let the fun begin!

I haven't been stitching much at all, but I did manage to do the stitching on two ornaments (I'll wait to show a picture until they are "finished"), and a small Bent Creek piece. This is Are You My Mother?...a piece I've wanted to stitch for a long time. It's stitched on a pale yellow jobelan with Weeks and GAST threads.

I've also been stitching on Count Your Blessings from Shakespeare's Peddler. This is a traveling pattern and it is such a cute design and a great reminder to be thankful for all the things in our lives...big and small. I am not quite finished with it, but very close, so I thought I would post now to see who might be interested in stitching this one next. This is the pattern:

If you would like a chance to be the next stitcher, please leave a comment on this post and let me know that you are interested. All that is asked is that once you receive the pattern, you stitch it in a reasonable amount of time, sign your name to the chart, and then send it along to the next person. We're going away for the weekend, so I will choose the next stitcher on Monday.

Finally, it's time for the monthly posting of our collected orts - TUSAL! My little jar is looking pretty full...it looks like there is a lot of blue in there, but I can't remember what I stitched this month that had blue threads! Hmmm....one more mystery to solve!

And, just because...here's a photo of my little grandson. He came by the other night for a surprise visit and made his grandma & grandpa very happy!

Until next time, thanks for visiting!

may 3 - Sunshine and a New Moon

2011-05-03T06:53:00.001-07:00

Another New Moon, which means another TUSAL update. I did not do as much stitching this month as I had hoped, but I still seemed to almost fill this jar. I think I will need a new one for next month.

The dogs and I had a wonderful walk in the sunshine when I got home from work...yes, you read that right...sunshine! What a treat!

I had a wonderful surprise in yesterday's mail. I am participating in the latest round of the Blackbird Designs exchange, and my exchange arrived yesterday. Catherine stitched this beautiful pillow for me. The design is For My Daughter, but she made some changes to the design. It says "spring 2011" on the left side and is filled with something that feels like crushed shells. The thread colors are all beautiful muted pastels, and Catherine even added some pins to the pillow. This photo does not do it justice...trust me...it is perfectly stitched and I just love it. Thanks again Catherine for a wonderful exchange!

Well, I think I will go back outside and enjoy some more of this sunshine before it gets too late! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

may 1 - what a week!

2011-04-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

From the devastating storms in the southern United States to the joyful wedding of Kate & Will (has any couple ever looked so happy?) to the amazing news tonight of the killing of Osama Bin Laden...it's overwhelming! I remember so clearly that morning in September 2001 when I thought my BIL was in one of the twin towers and the sheer relief when I learned that he wasn't much much later in the day. We carry these experiences with us, even when we think they have long been buried, and I don't think we even realize the toll that takes. So I continue to pray for the victims of September 11 and their families, and the victims of the horrible storms this week, even as I also pray for a long and happy life together for Kate & Will...the circle of life...

I have been so negligent as far as blogging goes....I'll be amazed if anyone is left out there who even cares to visit any more! Something is going on with me but I am not sure what. I have just been feeling "off" for the past several weeks. Not really sick, but not really feeling great either...so tired some nights, it's all I can do to read a few pages of a book. I think that our weather is finally turning the corner towards spring, so maybe that will make a difference in how I feel. I hope so!

We had a sleepover with our grandson Saturday night which was lots of fun, as always. I miss him so much when we don't see him, and am always amazed at how much he changes in only a few weeks. He is truly the joy of our lives.

I have not been stitching much lately, but have been reading instead when I have the energy. Sonda wrote on her blog exactly what I have been thinking lately...guiltless stitching is such a pleasure! I started out the new year with those new and UFO challenges, and I have been stitching on some of those pieces, but it is starting to feel like more of a chore than a pleasure...you know...like I have to get such and such done by such and such a time. It kind of takes all the fun out of it! So I think I will stop setting "goals" for myself as far as specific projects go, and just set a goal to stitch as much as I can whenever I can and enjoy every stitch!

I do have a small finish to share. I heard (in a roundabout way) that my partner received her exchange piece in the Blackbird Exchange, so I can share a photo here. It is a piece form the Stitcher's Journey book...Summer Sachet. I hope she liked it! I finished it as a small pin pillow and added a little bit of lace and an old button.

It is getting late and I think I should be heading off to bed. Don't forget about Edgar's blogoversary...the link is in my "Great Giveaways" tab, along with other giveaways from generous fellow bloggers.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

april 11 - monday monday....

2011-04-11T06:24:00.001-07:00

We had such a wonderfully relaxing weekend...it was kind of sad to see it end! There were short glimpses of spring weather, but for the most part, we are not there yet. This morning felt really chilly and, as much as I love my big warm sweaters, I am getting ready for some lighter clothing!

I do have some stitching to share. We are having a spring/Easter SAL with the Stitchers Timeout group, and these are two pieces I stitched for that. The first is Bunny Egg Mini from Waxing Moon Designs. It is stitched with a Weeks fiber called 'Clam Shell' on a piece of buttermilk 28ct. jobelan...a really yummy pale yellow color (which looks gray in this photo!) Trust me, it looks much nicer in person!

The second piece is one I found in the latest issue of The Gift of Stitching. San-Man Originals was the featured designer this month. I used to stitch lots of Sandy's designs and have binders full of them...but then my tastes changed a bit and I began doing more Quakers & primitives & samplers. But reading the article reminded me of how much fun Sandy's designs are to stitch, so I stitched this one up. It is called Happy Quack, and it is stitched on a piece of medium blue 28ct. linen with DMC. I changed some of the colors because they didn't seem as bright as the ones in the picture.

This last photo is my progress so far on Apple Tree Sampler (my SAL with Babs). I'm on page 3 and will start the big tree next Sunday when I pick this one up again. Please excuse the wrinkles...I didn't have time to get the iron out this morning before work! Again...the fabric is more yellow than it appears in this photo.

I also started two ornaments and a square for an exchange, but I ran out of thread for the ornies and time for the square, so I don't have those finishes to show yet! I also haven't heard from my partner in the Blackbird Designs exchange, so I will wait with that one too. I think she should have received it by now, but haven't heard yet. I guess I will give it a bit more time before I start to worry!

I hope you all had lots of time to stitch this weekend too!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

april 3 - totally useless

2011-04-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

Another new moon is upon us...where do these months go?

We had our grandson for a sleepover last night and spent some time yesterday at a great indoor play area...the best part about this one is that they had a special section just for the little ones with the same kinds of activities but in a scaled down size. It was lots of fun!

I'm working on a small spring piece right now but don't have a photo yet, but I do have a photo of my TUSAL jar ...I think I may have to look for a larger jar soon! This month I have added threads from lots of small projects as well as a few finishing bits & pieces.

Thanks for visiting!

march 31 - a finish, a question & a puzzle

2011-03-31T06:19:00.001-07:00

I spent last night finishing two small pieces. One is an exchange piece, so I will wait to share that one. The other is the ornament I finished for March in our year long SAL at Stitcher's Timeout.This was a freebie here. I stitched it on water lily jobelan with GAST thread in Holly Berry. I really like the way these colors look together and I think I may use the same colors again.

So I have a question that I am hoping someone might be able to answer. I do my finishing by hand, and I usually use invisible thread. My question is...does anyone know if invisible thread is available on cards, instead of just spools? It is not the easiest thing to work with but I keep thinking that if I could only straighten out the thread some, it might be a tad easier. I have tried ironing it, and I've also tried using these little stick things (I forget what they are called)_ that are made to straighten thread. But I guess I am too butter-fingered or something, because I could not get them to work! Anyway, on the off chance that someone might be able to help, I just thought I would throw it out there!

Now to the puzzle. A few weeks ago, in one of my groups (or maybe even more than one) there was a mention of a place in (or maybe it was Spain) that was offering free threads (3) to try their new floss. So I sent my choice of colors and promptly forgot about it. I thought someone said the offer was over or something. Anyway, the threads came in the mail today, but I am puzzled. They look identical to the DMC threads of the same color number. Not just close but identical! Two were on skeins, one was wound on a bobbin. I was wondering if anyone else took part in this offer, and if you had the same experience when you saw your threads? I thought these were supposed to be something close that you might use in a conversion, but if I took the labels off I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Curious...

So I'm off to finish the laundry, finish the latest Monica Ferris book and maybe even do a smidgen of stitching.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

march 28 - guardian angels, PIF and catching up

2011-03-25T06:40:00.001-07:00

We had a near disaster last week. We moved my good stitching lamp back to the living room and it is placed near the front window. The lamp also has a magnifier on it. Jeff got home from work early and went up for a nap. When he came down, he saw a small spiral of smoke coming up from the blanket on the couch. The sun was shining directly through the magnifier onto the blanket. If he hadn't caught it, the whole house could have gone up in flames. No-one would have been home for hours. Just thinking about it gives me the willies. We haven't seen the sun here in a long time and I never thought about the reflection and all. Anyway, the magnifier now has a thick terrycloth cover over it...but I am very glad that our angels were looking after us that day!

I have been able to get some stitching done this week too. I finished the latest part on our specialty stitch SAL with Friendly Stitchers...this time the stitch was the "algerian eye stitch"...

I also finished two pieces from Midnight Stitching. The first was one of my crazy 15 challenge starts in January...A Prairie Girl's Sampler, stitched on bittersweet lite jobelan with a crescent color called "barn door".

The second piece was one of my crazy challenge WIPs/UFOs...Quaker Winter Slumber, stitched on an opalescent white linen with weeks thread in "eggplant".

I really love Marianne's designs and these were both such a pleasure to stitch. I finally got our taxes done yesterday.

I hate doing taxes because we always have to pay. But now that they're done I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and I feel like I have permission to indulge in my favorite hobby more. So I will!

I have been very lazy with the SAL I am doing with Babs...Apple Tree Sampler. I really like this piece and I love the colors, but somehow I am going at it very slowly. I did do a little bit more last night. I'm sure Babs is way far ahead of me!

I also got my ornament stitched for this month, but it is not finished yet, so I will show a picture when it is. And I stitched my exchange piece for the Blackbird Designs exchange, but I can't show that yet, because my partner might read my blog...I'm not sure.

And finally, there were three people interested in my PIF, so I decided to just send to all three instead of choosing just one. They are Babs, Fiona and stitchinpeanut. Please send me your mailing info and don't forget to pass it forward on your blogs as well. So now I should get back to work. We have a library board meeting this evening so it will be a later night than usual for me.
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

march 21 - Pay it Forward

2011-03-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

I completely forgot about this! When I finally got to check the computer this morning, I found that I was one of the three winners of Mouse's PIF. She will be stitching something for me within the next year! What a treat!

So the rules of the pass it forward are that I now have to make the same offer here on my blog...I will stitch something for someone and send it to them within the next year. (and then that person will pass it forward, and so on, and so on....)

So, if you would like something stitched and finished by me within the next year, please put a comment on this post.

I will check on Sunday, March 27 and pick a winner.

Two posts on one day! The sky must be falling!
Thanks for visiting!

march 21 - happy spring!

2011-03-21T06:11:00.001-07:00

It doesn't look much like spring here yet...still rainy and dreary. The weatherguy did promise a dry day soon though...one can only hope. I know this is the Pacific Northwest and it rains lots, but enough is enough!

My partner in the spring pincushion exchange received her parcel, so I can show what I stitched for her. I thought it was funny that we each chose to stitch the same design for one another! I forgot to include the threads I sent her in the photo! The design is Hello Spring from Lizzie Kate stitched on a very pale pink evenweave with DMC.

Our grandson spent the weekend with us, so very little stitching got done! We played lots of train games, and Saturday was a beautiful day (at least part of the time) so we got to spend some time outside. I guess I could stitch when he is involved in something else, but why would I want to stop looking at this face, even for a minute?

I did get to put a few stitches in late last night. Here is my progress on A Prairie Girl's Sampler from Midnight Stitching. I should have this one finished this week.

Thanks for your help with my questions. I think I have my email set up now so that I can answer comments (thanks Deb!) and I am trying Babs' suggestion about the fonts. I'm still doing something wrong...but one of these days I might get it!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

march 18 - a wonderful find and some questions

2011-03-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

My thread for Quaker Winter Slumber came in yesterday's mail, but...it doesn't quite match...too much bright purple. Of course I shouldn't be surprised...it has been a long time since I got the threads in the first place. I guess I could just cut out the bright spots, but I thought I would try to find some more instead. And this morning, I came upon a wonderful little quilt and mercantile store in the town right next to where I work! What a great shop! If I was a quilter I am sure I would be drooling over all the beautiful fabrics...I was anyway, and I don't quilt! But they also carry a small amount of Weeks and GAST threads and lots of Boyd's bears and Jim Shore pieces (little ones that I can actually afford to buy!) So I found my color (and it does look closer to the original) and also picked up a bunch more that looked very springy, as well as some adorable scissors. I am already planning my next visit to this great little shop!

I have a couple of techy blogger type questions that I am hoping someone might be able to help me with. First, I found the place to change to fun type faces, but they are only showing in my headings and sidebar. How can I get a fun typeface for the actual text of posts?
Also (I know someone has talked about this, but I can't remember who)...is there an easy way to comment to people who comment on our blogs? I am so grateful to anyone who takes the time to make a comment and I would really love to be able to send off a reply.
So...can anyone help me?

My grandson is coming for a sleepover weekend, so there probably won't be too much stitching going on at our house this weekend! He is much more interested in his trains and blocks! I hope it dries out at least a little bit so we can spend some time outdoors.

I hope everyone has a fun weekend planned!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

march 17 - spring?????

2011-03-17T06:13:00.001-07:00

The calendar says that spring is just around the corner and I want to believe it...really I do! But this has been such a dark and dreary week...gray skies, tons of rain, even some hail and crazy wild winds. It is perfect weather to find a comfy seat indoors though and have a hot cup of tea, so that is what I have been doing every chance I get! There was a spring training game on tv last night too which made me smile...baseball season will be here before we know it and I will be planted in my comfy chair watching as much as I can...just a bit of a fan am I!

Anyway, I have been doing some stitching this week. I'm in a Midnight Stitching kind of mood! I love Marianne's designs and these two are no exception. This one is Quaker Winter Slumber and I am stitching it on a white opalescent linen with Weeks thread in eggplant. Unfortunately, I ran out of thread :(, but some is onthe way so I will get back to this one very soon. I only have the bottom section to do and it will be finished. The original design is finished as a bellpull, but I'm not sure yet what I will do.

This second design is A Prairie Girl's Sampler. It was one of the pieces I chose for my Crazy 15 Starts Challenge. It is being stitched on jobelan (bittersweet lite) with Crescent Colors thread in Barn Door. I am really enjoying stitching this piece!

Sorry for the wrinkle marks in the photos. I just grabbed these off their respective hoops and q-snaps so I could take a quick photo before I left for work!

I hope you are all having a happy St. Patrick's Day...Irish or not. I think we are all a little bit Irish on this day!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

march 14 - before the day gets away from me

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post here before the day gets too busy and I forget. We're short-staffed all week so it should be a fun one!

Luckily, we had a very laid back and relaxing weekend and I was able to get lots of stitching time (and lots of napping time too!). I finally finished my January 1st start...Ellen Birdseye from The Goode Huswife. This was a design I had wanted to do for a long time and I was finally able to buy the pattern and get it started. It was a really enjoyable piece to stitch as well.

I also wanted to finally share a photo of Three Things Sampler from Moira Blackburn. This was a huge finish for me...it was started in 2005! It's one of those pieces that was so enjoyable to stitch that every time I picked it back up I wondered why I had ever put it down in the first place...the photo looks a bit blurry...it's hard to get a clear view since it is rather large. Hopefully once it's framed I'll have a clearer photo to share.

I also got one more of my block exchanges stitched recently. This is Summer ABCs from Lizzie Kate and it is for the block exchange at the Stitchers Timeout group. The theme for this one is summer.

We have a really fun exchange at Friendly Stitchers called Calendar Girls. There are groups of six and each month someone is the designated "pin-up girl" for the month. That lucky person gets lots of wonderful fabrics and flosses from the others in the group. This year, I was lucky enough to be the first to receive and this is a photo of all the goodies I got in the mail. It's hard to see everything in the basket but trust me the fabrics are beautiful and the threads are amazing...lots of fabulous autumn shades...my faves!

I also decided to stitch a card for this month's recipient...usually I just buy them but I thought I would give it a go and it was fun to do. This is part of Birthday Blessings from Lizzie Kate.

Finally, this is a photo of the lovely exchange I received from Elizabeth, also from the Friendly Stitchers group. This was a spring pincushion exchange...a stitched pincushion along with some spring colored threads. Elizabeth stitched Hello Spring from Lizzie Kate. It has little beads all around and I just love it. I'm already using it, in fact! Hopefully she will have mine by the end of the week and I can share a photo then.

Well, I guess that's enough of me for one day!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

march 11 - what's been happening

2011-03-11T13:06:00.001-08:00

I think I have to get over thinking that I can not post unless I have a photo to share. For one thing, I do not have a great camera and I am not a very good photographer, so photos can be few and far between right now. And to be honest, sometimes I just forget that I wanted to take a photo and then it's bedtime and then the next day and the next and so it goes...
But that doesn't mean that nothing is going on in my little world! These past two weeks have actually been fairly busy. I started off with yet another bout of the cold/flu monster, went home early from work two days in a row and tumbled into bed too tired to think let alone stitch!

My daughter and her boyfriend visited from Boston for a few days and we had a great time. He is a wonderful young man and they get along great and seem to be very happy together. Since she hardly ever gets to see her nephew (except on Skype...he actually thinks she lives in the computer I think!) we had Asher with us from Thursday through Sunday. He is so much fun and we all had a great time. We drove to the Coast one day...it was very rainy and blustery, but Kevin had to see the Pacific Ocean and we all enjoyed a great seafood lunch. We also got to celebrate both Kevin's and my other daughter's birthdays with a wonderful Italian dinner out. Lots of good food, laughter and love. We drove up to Seattle on Saturday and visited the Experience Music Project and the Space Needle which were lots of fun too. All in all, we all had a wonderful visit. I'm just always so sad to see Sara go home...3000 miles is too far away!

This week has been a flurry of long hours at work...finalizing our budget, meeting with the Library Board, and last night we had an evening program that went on until 9. I'm usually off at 4:30 so it was a long night! We had two professors from the local college so a talk about how to read a book for a book club...how to organize book clubs, run them, choose a book discuss, etc. It was really interesting and well attended, with people coming from towns quite a distance from ours. I don't belong to any book clubs, and I must admit that I usually just read books for enjoyment...I really don't like to pick them apart and try to find out what the author is really trying to tell me, but it was a fun discussion last night and I think everyone enjoyed it.

I have been stitching a few small things...another square for the block exchange and a spring pincushion exchange that got mailed yesterday. I threaded a bunch of needles this morning because I plan on parking myself in a comfy chair and stitching most of this weekend away...stitching and napping (and I guess I should do our taxes) sounds like a good way to spend the next couple of days!

I have taken a few photos and I will share them sometime this weekend...promise!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

march 4 - totally useless SAL update

2011-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, another month has passed and it's time for the new moon again...and with that comes our TUSAL updates. I love watching this little jar fill up each month! I thought I had set this to automatically post , but I guess I didn't do it right. Sorry to be late!

Thanks for visiting!

february 28 - mysteries solved, what's lost is found, and a few photos too

2011-02-28T06:27:00.001-08:00

It has been way too long since I have updated this blog...sorry for those of you who are followers. I was actually very busy stitching in my spare time, and have very little "leisure" computer time at work since we have been busy getting our budget ready for next fiscal year. Time consuming, but it is finally done and we are very happy!

Did you ever wonder why you lose followers on your blogs? I often wonder if I have said something to offend anyone, or if it is just that I have nothing much of interest to say most of the time. But the last time I tried to add myself as a follower to a blog that was new to me, I was told that I was already following the maximum number of blogs and would have to delete one to add another. I didn't realize that there was a limit, but I guess there is. So someone lost a follower because someone else was gaining one. So now when I see my list fluctuate up and down by one or two, I choose to think that that is the reason!

My daughter and her new beau are coming to visit this week and I have been trying to make some sense of my stitching room (actually my stitching storage room, since I rarely do any actual stitching in there!) because that is where the spare pull-out bed/couch is. I was going through some file drawers and came upon Papillon Creations' Love with a Capital L. I started this design long ago...I don't even remember exactly when...and I had the fabric and thread with my meager amount of stitching in a trunk in the living room. But I could not find the pattern anywhere. I had finally decided to just go ahead and purchase another copy because I really love the design, but I hadn't got around to it yet. Anyway, there it was, stuck in a folder with some freebies! I was so thrilled to find it! I really thought it was gone forever. Makes me wonder what other treasures are hiding somewhere in our house....

I do have a few photos to share. The first is my progress on a SAL that we are doing over at Friendly Stitchers. Each month Val (one of the mods) is posting instructions for two more specialty stitches that we are to add to the band sampler. I hadn't even made a start, but was able to get the first four bands done last week. The fabric is actually more of an antique white, and the thread is a Threadworks color that I had in my stash. I really don't do many specialty stitches in my pieces...I'm pretty much a plain cross-stitch kind of stitcher, so this is a fun SAL for me.

This next photo is my Heart in Hand square for the monthly exchange with the Stitcher's Timeout group. It is called Wee Joy. I used a piece of scrap evenweave ( I think the color may be bone) and DMC. I also changed some of the colors and didn't add the specialty stitches to this one.

I am trying to stitch and finish an ornament each month this year, and this is the one I chose for February. It is a design from Sharon Bennett (daffycat) and can be found on her blog. It is called Mistletoe Reindeer, and is stitched on a scrap piece of linen with DMC. I used red beads instead of white. This is the second of her reindeer ornaments that I have stitched and i think there is one more. I think these designs are so cute!

Lastly, I was the lucky recipient of this adorable little pillow from Becky. It is a beehive design from Little House Needleworks. I am always in awe of Becky's stitching and finishing. She comes up with the cutest finishes for her projects and her stitching is always beautiful. Thanks again Becky for such a lovely gift!

And finally, I said that I had been doing a lot of stitching this month, and the end result is that I have finally finished Three Things Sampler by Moira Blackburn! I started this in February 2005, so it took me six years off and on to stitch, but I love the finished project. I haven't had a chance to press it yet, but as soon as I do I will post a photo here because I really am proud of this one!

And now I am off to blow my nose and sneeze some more, because yes, I am getting yet another cold/sore throat thing. And it is raining so hard here today too. Maybe my boss will take pity on my and send me home early to a nice warm fire and a cup of hot cocoa. One can always hope!

Thanks for visiting!

february 9 - oops!!!

2011-02-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

I guess this will teach me not to try and upload photos before I've had my first cup of caffeine! I meant to just save these photos and post later, but oh well! Thanks to everyone who saw and made comments!

I just wanted to post a couple of updates...this first project is H is for Hearts from Sam Sarah. We had a "Heart SAL" with the Stitcher's Timeout group last weekend, and this is the piece I stitched. I used the called for fabric (for a change!) and I really like the way it turned out. I think I will probably finish this one as a small pillow...probably not in time for this Valentine's Day, but I'm collecting for next year!

I've also made a little bit of progress on Apple Tree Sampler. This is the piece that I am stitching along with Babs. I'm sure she is farther along than I am!

And finally, this is my progress on Three Things Sampler. I can finally see the finish in sight and am really excited! I have been stitching this piece on and off since 2005 (!) and every time I sit down with it I don't know why I ever put it down in the first place. I love the colors and really enjoy the stitching too. (sorry for the poor photo)

Tonight , I'm planning on stitching some more on Ellen Birdseye, so I should have another update soon.

Thanks for visiting!

february 3 - draggin myself through the day

2011-02-03T06:30:00.001-08:00

I stayed up late last night so I could pre-order the i-phone from Verizon - but if course they are having problems with the website! I tried for a half hour and then knew I had to get some sleep for work, so I went to bed. I've been trying to get in all morning, off and on, and there is still an error message. Maybe this is a sign that I should not bother with this particular phone! I'm thinking of maybe trying the Droid. Some of you must have smartphones (seems like everyone around here does but me!)...does anyone have any advice? Pros? Cons? Guess I'll keep trying....

Today is the New Moon, which means TUSAL Day, so here is my little jar. I read on someone's blog that they thought their photo was kind of boring so they were going to jazz it up a bit...maybe I'll do that next month...this does look kind of lonely!

So I'm off to City Hall to pay some bills, get some cash and some fresh air...maybe the outdoor air will wake me up a bit!

Thanks for visiting!

February 1 - January round-up

2011-02-01T15:54:00.000-08:00

After last year, when I hardly did any stitching at all, I am really pleased with the start I have made for 2011!

I managed to reach all the goals I set for myself...I started 15 new projects in that crazy challenge, finished up my last bit for our The Hunt round robin, stitched and framed a birth sampler for my great-niece Lena, finished one WIP/UFO from my list - Flying Monkeys, and stitched and finished one ornie for someone's tree next year (maybe ours, maybe not!). And I stitched and finished the snowman kit from our exchange at Stitcher's Timeout.

All in all, I stitched at least a little bit every day of the month...woo hoo! I hope February will be full of stitches as well! I have lots more stitching to do....

Thanks for visiting!

january 30 - Sunday already????

2011-01-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I last posted...this has been a crazy busy week, so very little computer time (but I did make sure I made time for at least a little bit of stitching each day...it truly has become my sanity!) We are entering into the "programming" phase of our new library...working with architects to decide what we want and need in the design. We still don't have a site...that is in the works...but the process is moving along, which is positive. It also means lots more meetings...and they just tire me out! They're very informative, but tiring just the same! And budget time is also almost upon us, and my director will be out of town most of next week...so we have to fit lots into a little bit of time. I t does make the days go by faster though!

So, let's get to stitching! I started my SAL on Apple Tree Sampler last Sunday. This is what the design will look like when finished..

and this is how far I got last week...the fabric is more yellow than it appears here.

I hope to get at least a little bit more done before the day is done!

I also stitched and finished my ornament for January. It is a freebie from Samplerbird Stitchery called Holiday Spirit. I have seen it stitched so beautifully on many other blogs and yahoo groups and decided to do it too. It was a quick stitch and fun to do. I added some white beads but they are hard to see in the photo.

We had a "Snowman Kit Exchange" on the Stitchers Timeout group...anyone participating was to send a kit to their partner, including a pattern, fabric and threads to complete the design. I received Heart in Hand's Mr. Byrd from Mar and she was kind enough to also include a piece of finishing fabric, so after he was stitched I made him into a little no-sew cube. I had some snowman ribbon in my stash and it worked out perfectly. I love snowmen designs, but I really don't like stitching with white thread...so this obviously causes problems! But I loves stitching this chubby little guy...he was lots of fun.

Last up is a photo of Clare's finished sampler The Hunt. We have been doing this as a round robin and I finished my bit this week and it is on its way back home to her. Her's is stitched on a white evenweave with Silk n Colors thread in "faded ink". I hope she likes the way it's turned out. It looks much nicer in person!

We are off to the store in search of a room dividing screen thingy...the one we have has shutters and they are starting to fall apart. Also, it is kind of tall and Asher loves playing with the shutters. I'm afraid it may fall on his little head!

So off to shopping, and then some stitching!

Thanks for visiting!

january 23 - a lazy Sunday

2011-01-23T13:45:00.001-08:00

My grandson just went home after a fun sleepover at grandma & grandpa's house. He is so much fun. Here he is enjoying a bagel....

I did a little bit of stitching this week...some work on Clare's round robin which I hope to finish and mail off this week, a bit more on Waiting for the Harvest, and some more on Three Things. I only have a photo of Three Things...sorry it seems a bit slanted...I had to tack it to the wall to get a photo!

Today I am starting a SAL with Babs...Apple Tree Sampler. So I am off to watch some football (Go Jets!) and get started.

Thanks for visiting!

january 18 - the tale of the e-readers

2011-01-18T14:21:00.000-08:00

Back to work today - I decided to bring one of my small pieces - Waiting for the Harvest - with me and actually have had a few moments to take a break and stitch a bit! I think I will just leave it here for the week and see how much I can accomplish.

Yesterday, we I rearranged the furniture in the living room (the second time since we took our tree down this year!) and was able to make room to bring my stitching lamp back downstairs. What a treat! I love stitching in that room and it has been such a hassle not having the lamp there for the past couple of years. I was working on Three Things yesterday, and forgot how much I love working on this piece. I don't know why I keep putting it down! But this year I am determined to finish it and so I have put it number one on my "UFOs to finish" list. I will post a photo at the end of the week to show how far I've come along.

So, I know that many of you love to read, and I'm sure that some of you have e-readers, right? I received one last year for Christmas (a Sony Reader) from my husband, and I was really enjoying it, but somehow, after our trip to Maui in April, it stopped taking a charge. Jeff thought that maybe it had water damage. Of course, this is the one gift that he has ever paid cash for, and we couldn't find the receipt anywhere.
Fast forward to this Christmas, and guess what? Jeff buys me a new improved Sony reader for Christmas. Except that it wasn't so improved. I had so many problems with it from the first day that they ended up sending me a new one within the first week. But it still wouldn't work properly. So I decided to stop being frustrated and just return it and get something else.
They were very nice at the Sony store, gave me back my money, and off I went to Barnes & Noble to get a Nook. I brought it home (not the color model) and began playing with it. Troubles again. I couldn't get a consistent connection to purchase books and the library download was giving me problems as well. And my fingers were too big for the keyboard...I kept hitting all the wrong keys. So, back to Barnes & Noble I went and got my money back.
I finally decided to give the Kindle a try. My main reason for not wanting to get a Kindle was because Kindle does not support Overdrive, which is the system that gives us our library books to go. But after really looking through the books available from the library, I realized that there really weren't that many that I wanted badly enough to suffer through the craziness I had experienced with the Sony and the Nook.
So off to Amazon I went, and within one hour of opening the box I had downloaded 2 books with no problem. I now have about a dozen on there, most of which (including all my Jane Austen's) were free! I am so happy! And I even have a little Vera Bradley bag that it fits perfectly in. So I am now a happy Kindle camper and would recommend these to anyone looking for an e-reader. (it will even read the book to you!...I'm excited to try this while stitching. How nice it would be not to have to stop and change the CD all time!)

I want to thank everyone who has been leaving such wonderful comments during the challenge. Please keep after me to finish all these new starts!

Thanks for visiting!

january 17 - challenge wrap-up

2011-01-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that January is half-over and with it, the crazy 15 new starts as well. I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's new starts...I found that I am stitching some of the same designs as others, but I have also found so many more really wonderful designs to add to my wishlist...and even a couple that I had in my stash and had totally forgotten about!

My day 14 start was Olde Shaker Tune from Homespun Elegance. This was a design I had for so long that I forgot I had it and bought another copy! It is one of my favorite hymns...one I find myself singing at the strangest times. Anyway, here is my start...

And for the last day, day 15, I started Dickens' Mittens...The Last Word. I had hoped to do this one last year, but never got around to it. In our last round robin group, my partners each stitched one of the Dickens' mittens for me. I hope to finish this in such a way that I can hang the mittens from below this piece. It doesn't sound like it makes sense, but I have a picture in my head! Here is my start...

Yesterday was football Sunday (Go Jets!) and I pulled out Ellen Birdseye to work on. This was my January 1st start. I am really enjoying this piece.

Happily, I do not have to go in to work today, so after some early morning errands, I am hoping to meet hubby for lunch and have the afternoon to stitch. I have pulled out my Three Things Sampler to work on today. This is where I left off last time...

I hope everyone is having a great day.
Thanks for visiting!

january 14 - tgif

2011-01-14T06:37:00.000-08:00

For some reason, this has seemed like a very long week. Maybe because it is the first full week I've worked since before Christmas!

So last night I heard that my zodiac sign has suddenly changed...what's that about? I've been an archer all my life and now I'm this new "Ophiuchus" thingie...what is it anyway?

This morning my director and I went on a little field trip to another library to see how they do things there...very interesting. They have a completely different work model where staff does much more "roaming" and much less time at actual desks. It's very customer oriented which we love, but I know that selling that idea to some (most) of our staff might be very difficult. This is all part of our process to find a site to build a new library, and discover what we really do want it to look and feel like. It's a time consuming process, but fun at the same time.

Last night I put the final stitches and the little button on Flying Monkeys from Glory Bee. I started this one last July and don't know why it took me so long to finish it. It's a quick stitch and a cute design. It is stitched on a melon colored evenweave with GAST and Weeks threads. I'm not sure how I will finish it yet, but I think I want to have it at work with me...love that saying!

My start for Wednesday night was Ira Rae Crow, the companion piece to Ida Mae Crow from The Goode Huswife, which I started one other day during this crazy challenge. Same fabric and threads. I hope to finish these and hang them in our bedroom. Even my husband thought they were a cute pair!

This was my little bit of progress from that night.

Last night's start was Thirty Birds from Hands to Work. I first saw this on a blog and fell in love with the design. I don't really like the fiddly little birds all over though...they are stitched over one and that is difficult for me, and they don't look like much when they are being stitched...but once done I think they will look good. I am stitching this one on a white evenweave with DMC threads.

This is my progress from last night. My scanner wouldn't work for me this morning and the room was kind of dark so this doesn't look white, but it really is!

So only two more days to the challenge. I have more than 15 projects on my list, but I think I know which two I will be starting. Of course that might change! I think I will keep the list up anyway, just in case I happen to finish so many things that I am looking for more to do...yeah...right...

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned. We have a dinner to go to tomorrow night, and lots of football to watch all weekend. It's supposed to be really rainy, so hopefully many stitches will be stitched!

Thanks for visiting!

january 12 - update

2011-01-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

Well, the Ducks lost the game in the final seconds...a real nail-biter, but they'll be back next year!

I didn't get much stitching done since Monday. I've been really tired and a little bit dizzy (dizzier than usual, I mean!), so it's been hard to concentrate. But I did make tiny starts on two more projects. I started "waiting for the Harvest" on Monday, and I tried to stitch it on the black linen...I really did...but it just wasn't working. The weave was very uneven and I could barely see what I was doing. I may get a piece of black evenweave and try again some other time. But in the meantime, I found a piece of brown fabric and am still using that pretty autumn thread.

Last night, I decided to start another design from primitivebettys, "Live Laugh Love"...

I have loved this sampler since I first saw the pattern and finally bought it, and have now started.

We didn't get all the snow and ice that was predicted, just lots and lots of rain, but the temperatures are getting warmer, at least for the rest of this week. And only 4 more days to this challenge...and then on to finishing everything!

Thanks for visiting!

january 10 - game day

2011-01-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

Today's the day of the "Big Game" - Oregon vs. Auburn for the BCS national championship. So everyone (or nearly everyone) in Oregon is a Ducks fan today. Can't wait to get home, grab a sandwich and settle in with my stitching and football! So today's start is Waiting for the Harvest from Blackbird Designs. I received a piece of black fabric and beautiful autumn colored silks in an exchange last year, and I thought they would be perfect for this design. We'll see how far I get tonight! My grandson spent a good part of the weekend with us, so not many stitches were stitched, but he is such a joy and we had a blast together. He makes me laugh all the time! On Saturday, my start was this Lizzie Kate design from the "boxer" series...Did you ever stop & think... Sunday's start was Olde Pewter Letters from primitivebettys. I love this design and have wanted to start it for quite some time. And finally, these are two blocks stitched for a block exchange with the Stitchers Timeout group. We do one block every other month. I wanted to get a head start on these because I knew I had signed up for these crazy challenges and would be busy busy busy. I actually stitched these two at the very end of last year. We can use any kind of fabric and threads we want...I stitched both of these on fiddler's cloth. January's theme is "chocolate" and this is a Lizzie Kate design. March's theme is Prairie Schooler.

Go Ducks! Thanks for visiting!

january 8 - bring on the weekend!

2011-01-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

It is looking pretty gray outside...we are due for some nasty weather this week. I'm not a fan of snow and especially ice, so hopefully it will not be as bad as predicted.

For now, I have a few things to share. My Thursday start was 'Tis Better from La-D-Da. Here is what I accomplished right before bedtime. Please excuse the hoop marks!

And this is my Friday start..Ida Mae Crow from The Goode Huswife. I wish I had more time last night, but again...just a few stitches before bedtime.

And the reason I have not made much progress on any of my starts this past week...my first finish of 2011...Gabrielle Rose from La-D-Da. I am really pleased with the way this turned out. It is stitched over one with one thread on 25 ct. ecru evenweave and DMC threads. And the best part is that I finished it on time to mail it and have it received before the Christening...happy dances all around!

We are off to breakfast, and then late,r my grandson is coming to spend the night. I think there will be plenty of football, playing with trains and puzzles, and probably not much stitching...but my start for today will be one of Lizzie Kate's Boxers - Did You Ever Stop to Think - so I may get a few stitches in after all!

Hope you are all having a great Saturday!

Thanks for visiting!

january 6 - silver linings & a winner!

2011-01-06T11:23:00.001-08:00

This post may be a little long because I didn't have time to post yesterday. This cold/flu/sinus infection/whatever has really knocked me out...again. And as a result I took yesterday and today off from work. So, in between sleeping...a lot...I have been getting in some extra stitching time this week that I didn't expect to have (the silver lining!) As a result, I am almost finished with the birth sampler! I've only had to do a little bit of frogging and readjusting a few stitches, but I love the way it is turning out. This is where I was as of bedtime last night. Sorry it's a bit crooked!

I also kept to the challenge, and put a few stitches in another project... The Lighthouse Teapot. This is one of the Silver Needle Night kits that I purchased a long time ago. I collect both teapots and lighthouses, so I thought it was perfect. It is stitched on 10ct. blue tula with mostly perle cotton threads. Everything was included with the kit.

And, in keeping with the challenge, this is my new start for today. It is another design from La-D-Da, the last one in the Stitch Your Heart Out series. I started out with the intention of buying all of these but it didn't end up that way. I did buy my favorites though (I think I even bought one twice!) and will just stitch those (eventually!) I may not post a progress picture of this one until tomorrow because I don't want to start it until I have finished the sampler.

And finally, the twelve days of Christmas are over, and I have put all the entries for my little giveaway into the basket. And the winner is...Bonnie! I just emailed you, but in case you don't get the email, please send me your address and I will get your package out as soon as I can get to the post office.

And now I'd better get back to bed!

Thanks for visiting!

january 4 - first new moon of the new year

2011-01-04T06:58:00.001-08:00

It's the first new moon of the new year, and that means it's time to post our "Totally Useless SAL" or TUSALs. I emptied my jar from last year (which had pretty slim pickins!) into a larger container and am starting fresh for this year. With all the new starts this should start filling up pretty fast! You can still sign-up here, but you have to hurry!

Thanks for all the lovely comments on the baby sampler. I really like the way it is turning out. I finished one of the birds last night and started on the flowers. Until this is finished, it will be my main focus, especially since I put myself on this ridiculous deadline...that was I thinking?

But I did make a small...well, tiny...start on a new project this morning...Pumpkins and Peacocks from The Goode Huswife.

When I say a tiny start, I really mean it...there are maybe thirty stitches here! But I don't think I like this fabric. It was a piece I had in my stash and I thought it would work, but I'm afraid the two green threads will just vanish into it. It's a very dark green fabric. You might be able to see a bit of it in this photo...probably not. So I can either change the greens or start over on new fabric. I'll think about it some more today.

And finally, I thought I should probably start on one of the UFO's, so I am starting with a small one...Flying Monkeys from Glory Bee.

It was so cold this morning...I still have a chill even though I've been inside for hours! Think I'll make some hot cider and take a break (I've been so hard at work!) and stitch for a bit before the library opens!

Thanks for visiting!

january 3 - the best laid plans

2011-01-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

I was all set to start a third project from my list today, when I realized that I have less than two weeks to stitch up a baby sampler for a christening gift for my nephew's little girl. Ack! So I (luckily) found a perfect pattern that I already had, ran to Michael's on my break for some threads that I needed and will get started tonight. I wanted to stick with my challenge, so I just added this design to my (already too long) list. The design is called Gabrielle Rose and it is from La-D-Da.

I will be stitching over one on 25ct. ecru evenweave. so it will be rather small. I'm not sure yet whether I will frame it or finish it some other way. I guess I should just worry about stitching it first! This is as far as I got so far.

I also brought one of my UFOs to work on while on my break, but that didn't happen either. Oh well, tomorrow is another day!

Thanks for visiting!

january 2 - second start of the new year

2011-01-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it is official. Now both my husband and I are battling this sinus infection/respiratory bug and it is no fun. The meds help me feel a little better as far as the congestion goes, but I feel groggy and a bit sick to my stomach at the same time. Icky.

We did some errands today and then I came home to watch football and start my second project.

This design is from Midnight Stitching. I am stitching it on a peachy colored fabric called Bittersweet Lite. The fabric was a gift and I am not sure who makes it but it a very soft jobelan and such a pleasure to stitch on. I am using Crescent Colours "Barn Door" for the thread.
The photo below shows my progress so far. The fabric color looks very pale in this scan. It is much more vibrant that that.

Thanks for visiting!

january 1 - part two

2011-01-01T19:43:00.000-08:00

So...is anyone else having trouble posting to blogger? It seems like everything has changed overnight...the way I upload photos and move them around...color changes are not showing up, and I can't type where I want to. Is this just me, or is there a glitch somewhere here?

I hope it looks back to normal tomorrow!

Thanks for visiting!

january 1 - new year, new start

2011-01-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

We took the outside lights down today, and the Christmas tree as well. I hated to see it go...it was such a lovely tree and it still smelled so good! But everything got packed up and put away until next year.

I did get a little stitching done. My first start for the "Crazy 15" challenge is Ellen Birdseye by The Goode Huswife.

And this is a photo of my progress so far. I am stitching it on a piece of 32 count linen in a stone color with DMC threads.

december 31 - some blog housekeeping

2010-12-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

It's the last day of the year, so I guess it's a good time to take stock of what has gone on for the past twelve months! This has been a crazy and busy year and I am looking forward to some quieter and calmer days ahead, at least I hope so!

When I look at my sidebars, I see that I have done quite a bit of reading this year...and not so much stitching. I did actually complete more pieces than are show...some ornies, and a few other small exchanges, but nothing really major this year. There just didn't seem to be that much time for stitching in my life this year.

But I, like so many of you,have embarked on not one, but two crazy challenges for 2011...starting and finishing 15 new projects and finishing an additional 15 UFOs/WIPs. Are we all crazy? Undoubtedly yes! But the journey will be fun.

Thanks to Annette's help, I placed some tabs at the top of this blog, and I have listed the projects I plan to do there. Of course,because I am so compulsive (I guess) there are more than 15 on each list.Maybe I am just optimistic, ,more likely, I am just nuts!

Unfortunately, I am also starting out the new year with a chest and sinus infection...but I did go to the doctor's this morning and after taking some meds and sleeping most of the day I am finally starting to feel a little bit better.

Jeff and I just got back from a lovely dinner out. We always go for Chinese food on New Year's Eve and it was delicious. Plus, we have lunch for tomorrow!

So I'm off to get my project ready for tomorrow. I'll try to post progress pics each day...at least for the new starts. I am really excited to watch everyone's progress on all the new projects.

Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and leaving comments. I have spent the past couple days at work finding lots of new blogs to visit (I know...I should have been working, but it's the holidays!) and I hope to have time to continue to visit with all of you.

I wish all my readers a very happy new year, filled with love, friends, family, fun, good health and peaceful times.

Thanks for visiting!

Tabs...can anyone help?

2010-12-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hello again from the most dysfunctional blogger on the planet!
I have been seeing many of you adding tabs under your headers for new pages. This seems like a great idea and a way to get some content out of the sidebars, but I can't figure out how to do it!

I see "pages" under add a gadget, but I can't seem to move them, or be able to tell how they really work. For instance, how do you add content to your pages?

I know you are all much more savvy than I am when it comes to this stuff, so I am hoping that maybe someone will be able to help.

Thanks so much!

Happy Christmas...and a giveaway

2010-12-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

I have been so neglectful of my blog and all my blogging friends lately, but I couldn't let today go by without wishing all my readers the happiest of Christmases (and the happiest of whatever other holiday you may celebrate with your families). I hope you all find love, joy, good health and peace in the coming year.

And in the spirit of sharing, I would like to have a little giveaway. The actual items will be a surprise, but there will be one item for each of the twelve days of Christmas. The drawing will be open through January 5th and I will select one winner from the holiday basket the next day (or the next, if I forget!). Anyone can enter; if you are a follower that would be nice, but it is not necessary. Please make sure to comment on this post only, and please leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner.

Thanks again for visiting my blog...good luck...and happy Christmas!

november 17 - finally...a winner!

2010-11-17T06:45:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry....I have been away from the computer for most of the past week and am very late in posting this.

There were 26 guesses for my duplicate design giveaway, and half of you were right! The design I purchased twice (this time!) was "Olde Shaker Tune"...although the more I think about it, I'll bet I have an extra copy of "My Sunshine" someplace as well...and if I ever find it I'll have another giveaway!

Anyway, the winner is...Jackie! I'll email you for your address Jackie and get the pattern right out to you.

Must get to work...thanks for visiting!

november 8 - a simple woman's daybook

2010-11-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

for today....november 8

outside my window...it is foggy and damp
i am thinking...my warm cozy bed
i am thankful for...an unclogged nose
i am wearing...lots of brown (again!)
i am remembering...that work deadlines are coming soon
i am listening to...air whooshing through this huge vent over my desk
i am going...to take a break & enjoy a cup of hot tea
i am currently reading...Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
i am hoping...to get outside and enjoy some fresh air today
i am looking forward to...a short work week
one of my favorite things...freshly baked bread
a photo to share...my grand-puppy Coda...isn't he cute?

thanks for visiting!

november 9 - a small finish & a winner

2010-11-08T06:13:00.001-08:00

So...I actually stitched a little this weekend! Something I realized while stitching...I am a very slow stitcher, and I also think I enjoy it more when I am that deliberate with each stitch. So often I am rushing to try and get something finished for a deadline, and I don't think I have as much fun with my stitching then.

Anyway, this little piece was stitched for a block exchange with Stitcher's Timeout. The theme is Christmas Trees, and this is an old Bent Creek design called "Happy Christmas". It is stitched on a scrap of shiny aida (there's a name for this type of aida but I can't remember what it is) with sampler and weeks threads. Sorry the picture is a little bit crooked!

And I did remember to draw a winner for the card making supplies. The winner is Peg C! I will be emailing you for your address and will get this in the mail by the end of the week. I hope you find some things that are useful in the kits.

Thanks for visiting!

november 4 - another giveaway

2010-11-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to get the mail today because I knew there would be a small package from Joanne at 1-2-3 Stitch...three wonderful charts that I ordered the other day. Well...just to prove that, yes...I am getting older...it turns out that I already have one of the charts I so happily ordered! This is not the first time that this has happened (and I'm sure it will not be the last!)...,but hopefully one of you will get something good from my mistake.

So, here are the three charts. Which is the one I already had in my stash???
Please just leave a comment on this post with your guess (if you are interested in having the chart) and I will pick a name from all the correct guesses next Thursday.

"My Sunshine"
from La-D-Da

"Olde Shaker Tune"
from Homespun Elegance

"Sachi the Elephant"
from La-D-Da

Good luck! and thanks for visiting!

november 2 - an exchange, a ? & a giveaway

2010-11-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Looking out the window, I see people wearing t-shirts...it's supposed to be in the 70's tomorrow. Is this really November?

Several posts back, I posted a photo of a square I stitched for an exchange with the Stitcher's Timeout group. The theme was pumpkins. I was lucky enough to receive this adorable sqyare that Shannon stitched..."Autumn Blackbird" by Waxing Moon Designs. I think it was a freebie too!

My question...is there any way to automatically translate blogs into English? Sometimes I will see a "translate" button on individual sites, but I was wondering if blogger has some sort of setting that will do this all the time. Does anyone know?

November is my birthday month, and this year is one of those big "0" birthdays, so I thought I would have a few little giveaways throughout the month to celebrate. This first one is for anyone who is into card making. I used to have a co-worker who did some designing for the Cardmaker of the Month club, and she talked me into joining. But after a few shipments I realized I would probably never get around to making the cards, so I quit. Anyway, I have a couple of those kits to give away. There is card stock, and lots of embellishments, as well as instructions, included.
I know that many stitchers are also into making beautiful handmade cards, so if you are interested, please leave me a note on this post to let me know. I will leave this open until the weekend, and pick a name on Sunday.

Thanks for visiting!

november 1 - a simple woman's daybook

2010-11-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

for today....november 1

outside my window...it is dark and very wet
i am thinking...about having a nice hot cup of tea
i am thankful for...an end to this horrible cold I have been suffering with
i am wearing...lots of brown
i am remembering...that the dishwasher needs to be emptied
i am listening to...the World Series celebrations
i am going...to brave the rain and take the dogs for a walk
i am currently reading...Paper Thin Alibi by Mary Ellen Hughes
i am hoping...to get some stitching done this week
i am looking forward to...seeing my grandson this weekend
one of my favorite things...chicken udon soup
a photo to share...the original Batmobile...very cool!

thanks for visiting!

october 31 - october round-up

2010-10-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

I can't believe this month is over...mine has been pretty much a blur. My daughter came to visit from Boston on the 6th. We had a really wonderful visit, and she got lots of time to spend with my grandson, which she loved. Then she went home and the month just went downhill from there! I got a bad head cold and it has just hung on all month. I finally went to the doctor last week - my boss literally threw me out and told me to go home! - and I think it is finally starting to clear up now. I've taken the meds, used my Neti pot, done everything I'm supposed to.The doctor said I had very bad congestion and a sinus infection. I'm still a bit stuffy and so tired...I have literally spent most of the past three weekends sleeping! Hopefully November will bring healthier times!

It is actually a beautiful day today...crisp and clear, no rain. Temps are supposed to hit 70 mid-week. Usually Halloween is very rainy here, so this is a nice change.
I have not been stitching at all, but must get busy soon as I have several exchanges to get ready in the coming weeks. I have spent some time reading in between working...it is safer to fall asleep with a book in hand then a needle...trust me, I've done both! I've read some fun additions to some of my favorite series...they are listed in the sidebar on the left.

I've also been catching up on some blog reading...I am continually in awe of the wonderful projects all of you are completing. My wish list just keeps getting longer! Maybe I'll have some finishes to share soon too!

So, until next time...thanks for visiting!

october 4 - a simple woman's daybook

2010-10-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

for today....october 4

outside my window...my cubby still doesn't have a window :(
i am thinking...about a friend who has had too much sadness in her life lately
i am thankful for...a wonderful husband who made it home safely after a long trip
i am wearing...a bright pink sweater
i am remembering...trips to Radio City Music Hall with my grandma
i am listening to...the loud, steady hum of air blowing through the vents
i am going...for a walk soon
i am currently reading...Fiber & Brimstone by Laura Childs
i am hoping...for dry weather all week
i am looking forward to...my daughter's visit
one of my favorite things...autumn in the Pacific Northwest

thanks for visiting!

october 2 - saturday - short & sweet

2010-10-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful fall day here in the Pacific Northwest...temps a little cooler, humidity gone, leaves starting to change...it was so quiet early this morning when I was out with the dogs. Quiet, crisp and beautiful!

Hubby is home, safe & sound. I got to the airport just in time...his plane was actually 1/2 hour early! He's still not feeling great, which worries me, but I think once we get a handle on the diet and meds, he'll be feeling much better.

I'm almost through Season 3 of "The Closer", finished "Wicked Appetite" by Janet Evanovich and ready to start something new. Must admit, I was a little bummed that no-one signed up for my PIF, but I'll try again some other time.

Don't forget the "31 Days of Halloween"...and thanks for visiting!

october 1 - some fun giveaways

2010-10-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

There are some really fun giveaways going on right now in blogland.

Now that it is October, you can join in on Missy Ann & Annette's 31 Days of Halloween. Just click the picture at the top of my right sidebar for more info.

Then scroll down a bit and check out the other great blogs and giveaways listed.

Have fun! and thanks for visiting!

sept. 29 - and so it goes

2010-09-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well...hubby has been gone for 4 days now, and as they say...the best laid plans...

I did tear my closet apart, but half the stuff is still all over my bed (which is why i have been sleeping my 2-4 hours a night on the couch. I have made myself so tired by not sleeping that I haven't got much energy to do anything but walk the dogs and sit glued to the tv. My daughter got me hooked on "The Closer" but I have five seasons to catch up on, so that is what I have been doing. I'm halfway through Season 2. Normally I would be stitching while watching, but for some reason I just don't have the energy, so not one x has been crossed so far this week. I did get a package from "Stitches n Things" with my order from the Labor Day sale...some wonderful Blackbird Designs patterns and several others. I'll take a photo later if I can find my camera under all the mess in my room. I am determined to get the rest of the clothes put away or bagged up for Goodwill tonight.

I haven't even been checking emails or blogs because hubby took my little laptop with him, but I did have a few minutes this morning here at work, and when I checked Patti's blog I realized that I was one of the people chosen for her PIF. I am really excited about this, and in the spirit of paying it forward, I am offering to do the same here. I participated in one of these once before, and I must admit that I was a little late sending out one of my PIFs (due to a very stressful situation here at work and my total lack of memory), but I have since begun writing everything important (and what is more important than stitching?) in my datebook, so that won't happen again. So if you want to take a chance...

Here's how it works - the idea is that 3 of you join my "Pay it Forward" and then I will send a handmade gift (made with love!!!) to each one of my THREE participants within the next 365 days! Each of those 3 people must also agree to host a PIF on their blogs and ask for 3 people to join their PIF's - To Pay It Forward - and so on and so on and so on. So, this is me, asking for 3 people to join my PIF. Please leave a comment on this post if you are interested. If more than 3 stitchers comment, I will take those names and draw three. So...if you are interested, please post here. It's Wednesday, so I will check back on Friday, October 1 and see what happens.

Thanks for visiting!