a late TUSAL posting

Just got back from a wonderful week away, but I wanted to post my TUSAL pic before I forget!

The lovely pillow at the bottom is my exchange piece from Debbie in the Patriotic Exchange at Stitched with Love Exchanges.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

WIPocalypse again....

Wow...another full moon already! Time is just slipping by us...and I don't think I like it one bit!

This month I actually worked a little bit on an old UFO...when this design from The Scarlett House first came out I fell in love with it and bought it right away. I had the fabric and threads and put in a few stitches and then something else came up and I forgot about it. Then I decided to bring it to work as my "work project", but somehow I never seem to have any stitching time at work, so it got buried under a mound of other stuff. Well, I unearthed it the other day and wondered what the heck I was thinking to have ever put this one aside. So this is my meager stitching so far...please excuse the wrinkles...I just popped it out of the hoop for a pic...and actually I have stitched a bit more on it since...and hopefully will have a finish by the next full moon.

The design is  called Coverlet Birds and it is stitched on a piece of evenweave in a really pretty pale blue/gray color. The fabric is so soft...I think it is PTP, but not sure. I am using three threads from GAST as well.

I also stitched my bit on Katie's round robin. We are doing this with Every Stitch Counts, and Katie chose a Halloween  theme. I don't usually stitch much Halloween (even though I love all the cute designs), but this was fun...and Asher fell in love with it, so I think I will be stitching it again sometime soon! The design is from last year's JCS Halloween issue and it is called Happy Jack, from Mosey 'N Me...stitched on aida with DMC.

There was also another exchange piece for a patriotic exchange, but I can't show that one yet.

I hope everyone is enjoying the 4th...I think this will be a quiet day with some errands, some baseball and some stitching time.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

almost sidelined...always sidetracked

It's been a few weeks since I last found time to do an update. I feel like I have been really busy...and I guess I have, but I also kind of feel like I didn't accomplish all that much. And so it goes....

My boss (and friend) and I went down to Anaheim, California for the annual American Library Association conference a couple of weekends ago. This was my first national conference, and it was pretty amazing. The weather was great (although the conference rooms were like igloos!),the sessions were informative (it's always fun to meet other librarians from all over and share ideas), Disneyland was right across the street...and all in all, we had a great time. The one really bad thing was that my friend's mom called because she had been evacuated from her home...she lost it completely to the fires in Colorado Springs. But she is a feisty lady and already making plans for what she will be doing next.

So back to work. Everyone seems to be taking time off this week to stretch the holiday into a longer one. I wasn't clever enough to think about doing that! (we do have a vacation coming up really soon though). And besides I am pretty bruised, so might as well stay hidden away in my little cubby of an office.

Ah...and how did those bruises happen, you might ask (or not, but I will tell you anyway!) I just had to stay up and watch the end of a ball game one night last week, and while I was on my way to the kitchen (in the dark), and I tripped over the dog and dove nose first into the stone island in our kitchen. There was a lot of blood and moaning (from me)...and calling up to hubby who woke up and made the bleeding stop and cleaned up all the mess I'd made.So now I have a big bruise under my eye, other big bruises all over my legs and a very sore nose (though not a broken one, thank goodness!) So almost sidelined...but not quite.

Asher came to visit this weekend...I hadn't seen him in two weeks and really needed my grandma fix. We had a blast...made a Captain America shield and froze the bad guys, among other things. He's a rock star too, but only sings Queen tunes at the moment! So I got a little sidetracked from my stitching, but did manage to make a small start on LHN's Summer Band Sampler. It is stitched on a light green lugana fabric from Sassy's Fabrics with DMC thread.

I would love to stitch all of these...so far I have completed Autumn. They are lovely designs to work on.

And thanks to a sale going on at The Sampler Girl's website, I also got sidetracked on my way to post on this blog. But I got a few more lovely designs, including one I have been wanting to order for years...and I wouldn't be surprised if I go back to visit one more time before the sale is over!

I hope all my American friends have a wonderful 4th..I think we may just lay low and relax...we'll see!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit today!

it's TUSAL time!

Time for this month's posting for Daffycat's Totally Useless Stitch-a-long! I'm almost halfway to the top of the bottom of this jar...not bad! It doesn't seem like I have been stitching as much as I'd like, but all those little orts add up!

Till next time, thanks for visiting!

hermitting time....

This past weekend was the monthly International Hermit & Stitch Weekend...and it's actually the first one in quite some time that I've actually had some time to really stitch! A good portion of my time was spent stitching a piece for a Patriotic exchange, so I can't show that one yet, but it was fun to stitch and I was pleased to get it finished.

This little pillow was stitched for a summer ornament exchange with Stitchers Timeout. It is Summer Spots from The Trilogy, stitched on a piece of random evenweave with DMC threads. I added the little bee button because I didn't have the one called for.

This is my part stitched on the round robin we are doing with Friendly Stitchers.Gillie chose The Drawn Threads' Cloister Garden. There are lots of specialty stitches in this piece...luckily I didn't have to do too many! It is stitched on a lovely lavender fabric with some kind of silk threads. It's hard to see the signature in the photo but it is easier in real life. Gillie did the very top part with the topiary trees before sending it along.

This last pic is Dawn of Spring through part three...the lovely sampler that Mouse is designing for us at Friendly Stitchers. I have fudged most of the specialty stitches (not my strong suit!) with beads, but am thinking about going back and doing them when the sampler is done. I also realized that I made a counting mistake in one of the other rows so I'll change that later as well. Maybe I should just start over!

I'm in the search of some Christmas ornaments to stitch for another challenge...it's fun hunting down the ones I want to stitch. More about that later.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!

WIPocalypse & catching up

I'm late with my WIPocalypse, I know. The past few weeks have been crazy! I'll show you a little stitching first, so if you don't want to read further I won't be insulted!

I was able to complete a couple of small things. First up is the first part of the "Waiting for Christmas" SAL. I'm not quite sure how all the parts will fit together so I will wait to "finish" this until I see. I used a piece of 32 ct. jobelan (color: Queen Anne's Lace) and Carrie's silk thread (color: New Vision). I really love this thread...it is wonderful to work with.

The second piece is another of the exchange blocks we are doing with Stitches Timeout this year. The theme for this one was Autumn, and I found this San-Man design called Just a Little Autumn. It is stitched on an unknown piece of linen with DMC. I forgot how much fun San-Mans are to stitch!

I also completed a piece for the Stitched with Love Exchange but it is on it's way to my partner, so I will show that one when the exchange is completed.

I also forgot to show this...I was the lucky person chosen when Tricia had her "scissors scamper" awhile back. She sent this adorable Lizzie Kate scissor fob, with the scissors...and she also included the pattern with a piece of fabric and some beads, so I can stitch it up and pass it along to another friend. It was so much fun to see everyone's scissor collections...I still don't know why I need (?) so many, but they are sure fun to collect! Thanks again Tricia!

So, it's been a few weeks since I posted last and like I said before, we have been busy. Our anniversary was on May 22nd, and we went to see Roger Waters that night. He is touring and performing "The Wall".  We had seen a piece about it on 60 Minutes the Sunday before and thought it would be a fun way to spend our anniversary. Luckily we were able to get tickets because it was a really amazing show.

The we headed off to Boston for the Memorial Day weekend to see our daughter. We were helping to host an engagement brunch for her and her fiance. We had such a nice time. We got to meet Kevin's family and everyone had lots of fun. The weather was great too, so we were able to get out and about a little bit. I didn't take too many pictures...I always forget that I have my camera with me! But here are a couple. We went on the Duck Boat Tour which was lots of fun. Our driver was a hoot! Part of the tour is on land and part on water.

We also went to the JFK Library which was fascinating, and Battleship Cove, where we got to walk through a submarine and battleships. I am in awe of the men who lived on these vessels during the war. There is so little space, especially on the sub. I kept banging my head (and I'm a shorty!), and the stairs are so steep. They make it look so easy in the movies!

And here at home, our annual Rose Festival has begun...parades, lots of activities throughout the month of June. We stopped by the Fun Center with Asher on Saturday, so I'll leave you with a picture of him in a little canoe ride. He's so cute...loves to tell everyone that he's 3 1/2!

So, back to work where our summer reading program is just getting started. Always a very busy time for all of us here at the library.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit...hope you all have a wonderful day!

TUSAL and hermitting

Another new moon and another hermitting weekend...and very little stitching done...again!

I did get some things kitted up this weekend, and while looking for threads, found some long lost projects that will soon see the light of day...I promise! But this weekend was spent playing and laughing and reading books with Asher, and needles and little boys do not mix well! I did do a l;little stitching on an exchange piece, but I can't show that yet, so the only pic I have is of my meager orts. Not much, but pretty colors just the same!

Off to work soon...but a long weekend to look forward to. 

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

another blog hop!

The question posed this time is:

Do you use a stand when you stitch? If so, tell us about it and share pictures if you’ve got them. If not, would you like to try using a stand? Do you have any tips or tricks around using a stand versus not using a stand?

Well...I actually have two stands...one is a lap stand, and the other is a Lowery stand that my wonderful husband surprised me with one year for Christmas. I've used them both from time to time, and I actually do like using them. But the problem right now is that my good stitching light and both stands are upstairs, and I seem to be doing most of my stitching downstairs in the living room.  I know that I could easily bring the stands down and then back up but usually I just don't take the time. It's a shame really!
And I've never taught myself to stitch two-handed, which from what I've read is made easy with a stand.

So I guess I should be less lazy and put some more mileage on those stands! Can't wait to read what everyone else does!


Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:

1.	Cindy	2.	Stands - Love 'em or leave 'em?
3.	Stitching Stands	4.	How Do You Stand It?
5.	Faithfully Stitching's Blog Hop	6.	BLog Hop #2 stand or no
7.	Using a Stand	8.	another blog hop

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

Happy Sunday....

And Happy Mother's Day to all! We've been having a quiet day...had a nice breakfast out this morning...they gave a rose to all the ladies...really sweet. I spoke to my mom and my girls today, but won't see any of them today. Hubby and I will be going out to dinner later, and then off to see Iron Butterfly....talk about a blast from the past! The weather has been beautiful all weekend...warm and sunny...I'm loving it! I've been going through some stash and will be having a few giveaways soon. I have to get rid of some of this stuff that I will never stitch. And the Mariners finally beat the Yankees today...this day just keeps getting better. Off to find an ornie to stitch for May...hope you are all enjoying this great weekend! Thanks for taking the time to visit!

May WIPocalyse

It's WIPocalyse time again...I never seem to really work on a WIP for these...maybe next month. This month I started three new round robins. I posted a pic of the first earlier, but here are the next two.

This first one is being done with a group of stitchers from the Friendly Stitchers yahoo group.  I have chosen Yesteryear from Little House Needleworks  for my piece. It is stitched on a mushroom evenweave with DMC threads. I have done the top border and heading. I think I  will have to  stitch one block and the bottom border when it returns. I am also going to add everyone's initials to the bottom.

The second piece is being stitched with friends from the Every Stitch Counts group. This is the first robin for most of the stitchers, so we are stitching on aida for this one. I have chosen Papillon Creations' Simple Little Quaker for my piece. It is stitched on a capuccino country French aida with DMC variations and coordinating threads. Each stitcher will do one of the larger bits and I will add everyone's initials when I get it back. I have stitched one of the two center motifs.

It was too cloudy here last night to see the full moon, but I hope to get a glimpse tonight. It is supposed to be spectacular this month.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. We had a fun time with our grandson again, I got a little bit of stitching done and tonight we are off for some Mexican food. I think I will spend some quiet time reading later too.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

who's lost that stitchy feeling?

Loretta at Stitching the Night Away has started a blog hop...sounds like fun! This is the first prompt:

    

Have you ever had a case of the “stitching blahs” where you just didn’t want to stitch? Or maybe it was more like you didn’t get to stitch because you were busy and that created a chain reaction sense of the “blahs” and led to even less stitching…. sort of like a case of “the Mondays” that we are all familiar with. How do you handle your stitching blahs and get back into stitching mode?

This does happen to me from time to time...usually because a) I have tired of the piece I am stitching on and need a break (in which case I just start yet another project which gets added to my growing pile of WIPs and UFOs!) b) we are just too busy with family things and time slips away or c) I am so pooped after working all day that I just fall asleep in the comfy chair. Usually when I am that tired I pick up a book and try to read instead of stitch, because I have found that it is much less painful to fall asleep with a book in your hands than with a needle and thread! Ouchy!

But one thing I have noticed, is that even if I am not actually stitching, I am thinking about stitching....browsing on-line shops, reading stitchy blogs, thinking about what I'd like to stitch next, playing with my stash...those kinds of things. And before I know it, another new project appears and I am back in the comfy chair...this time with needle and thread (and awake!).

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:

1.	Stitching Blahs? Who, Me?	2.	Losing the Stitching Mojo!!
3.	My Life and Stitches	4.	Stitching the Night Away Blog Hop
5.	It's a Blog Hop!	6.	Linda K's Creativity Works
7.	Dealing with the Stitching Blahs	8.	Cindy
9.	Faithfully Stitching's Blog Hop	10.	Blog Hop? Sure, I'm in!
11.	STNA Blog Hop @ Handmade Redhead	12.	Einschies stitching blog
13.	blog hop #1	14.	blog hop #1
15.	Milly's Stitches	16.	Cathryn's Place
17.	Stitching Blahs	18.	Who's Lost that Stitchy Feeling?

Thanks for visiting! Hope to see many of you join in!

april 29 - a lazy Sunday

This has turned into a lazy day...I got some stash straightening done yesterday...still have loads to do.

Then we had a surprise visit and sleepover with our grandson. 

After taking him back to momma today I have just been being lazy...watching baseball, reading email and blogs, ordering a couple of new Vera Bradley pieces....do I really need them? No, but....

I finally took a photo of all my scissors...Tricia was collecting photos of scissor collections on her blog (which has somehow disappeared form my blog list...grrrr!) Two of my Ginghers have disappeared too...I think they may be hidden deep in the crevices of the sofa but I'm not sure...but here's what I have left....

Anyway, it's time for dinner, so I'll be off. 

Thanks for visiting and I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

april 27 - friday finishes

Well, I guess this isn't really a finish, but the stitching is finished! This is the photo that disappeared yesterday! We had a freebie kit exchange at Stitchers' Timeout, and this is the design that Cheryl sent me. It is a design from The Workbasket called Pink Flower. There were supposed to be initials on the right side, but I left them off. I love the colors in this one...it was really fun to stitch up. Thanks again Cheryl!

And this is my April ornament. I finished it up this morning before work. It is a design I found in The Gift of Stitching magazine (November 2010) called The First Day of Christmas by Nancy Pederson. It is stitched on piece of red linen with Weeks floss - "Holly". My French knot pulled right out, so I used a bead for his eye! This looks kind of faded...it's really quite bright!

I am so glad the weekend is upon us. The weather is supposed to be clear and a bit warmer I think. This afternoon I am going to a Memorial service...one of my co-workers lost her husband on Sunday. He had a massive heart attack. I don't think this will all really hit her for a few weeks. It is such a reminder of how fragile life is, and how your world can change in an instant. Hug your hubby extra hard tonight!

Thanks again for taking the time to visit. I hope you all get to your stitching baskets this weekend!

april 26 - camera found!

It seems as though my sweet adorable grandson loves to hide things from me...he thinks it is so much fun! I found my camera pouch nestled in with all of his little trains!

So let's see if I can figure out how to do this in the new blogger view.... 

This is a photo of my progress on Dawn of Spring... the lovely sampler that Mouse is designing for us over at Friendly Stitchers. I have discovered that specialty stitches and I do not play well together...I am having the worse time with the spider roses that are supposed to go in the insides of that row of diamonds. So for now, they are empty. I'm not sure what I will put in there, but it will be something!

I've also signed on to do four round robins over the next several months, and this is the first one that will be going on its way sometime next week. The design is Cottage Pinkeep Sampler from Midsummer Night Designs. It is stitched using Anchor threads (and one DMC!) on a piece of linen called "fairy dust". There are only three of us in this group, so I have done the border and the middle square.

So. I uploaded three photos this morning  and I have already lost one...not sure how!! And I guess I have to do all the "writing" part of my post first and then insert the photos because when I try to add words below a photo I can't get anything to move! I'm sure I am doing something wrong (surprise surprise!) but I am at work and don't have time to play with it now! If anyone has any helpful hints, I hope you will share!

Thanks for taking the time to visit and I hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

april 23 - a hermitting weekend

This turned out to be an interesting weekend. The weather was beautiful..sunny and warm. We really needed that sunshine after so much rain!

On Friday, I stopped at Acorns and Threads on my way home because I had an expiring "20% off any one item" coupon burning a hole in my pocket. You would think it would be so easy to spend...but, no! Everything I was looking for was not there. And then I started getting picky about what to buy. It was a little disappointing, but I ended up using the coupon for "Maxim & Zoya" which was on my wishlist and got some threads and two cottage designs that were waiting for me. And then I realized yesterday that I am missing one Anchor thread for a round robin, so I guess I will have to go back tomorrow...and how much do you want to bet that I find lots of stuff to buy then?

I planned on stitching all weekend, but Saturday morning found us out and about running errands...hair color, passport photos, oil changes, groceries...before I knew it the afternoon was upon us and my daughter called to see if we could watch Asher for the night because she got called in to work an extra day. Lots of fun, but not much stitching!

I did get a few things done though. I finished a Workbasket freebie called "Pink Flower" that I received in a freebie kit exchange, started Band 2 of "Dawn of Spring", started my April ornament, and did 99.9% of the stitching for my part of a round robin that I will be sending out this week. And then I couldn't find my camera :(...so I will get that last thread and try to make some more progress tonight and tomorrow, and then take some pictures...I'm sure the camera will turn up someplace!

I hope all you other hermitters had a productive weekend...can't wait to see your pics!

Thanks for taking the time to visit!

april 20 - lots of acronyms

It's raining...again...some things never change! But this weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny...and I am hoping to have my butt planted firmly on a chair outside stitching away!

So today we have TUSAL, PIF and IHSW...and also RRs on the horizon!

Today is the New Moon which means another Totally Useless SAL post. I am liking the way my jar is filling up, even though it doesn't seem like I am doing much stitching lately!

Babs has received the PIF I sent her, so here is a photo:


The design is a freebie from Appleseed Prim, stitched with Carrie's Silk Threads in Blue Dream. Those threads are such a pleasure to stitch with. I finished it off as a pinkeep.

And this third weekend of the month means another International Hermit & Stitch Weekend. I have several little projects I am planning to work on, so hopefully something will be accomplished and I will have some pics to show on Monday! I have three new round robins starting up very soon, and another this summer, so I think I will have lots to keep me busy!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned!

april 6 - WIPocalypse time again!

These monthly postings sure make it seem like the months are just flying right by!

I've actually accomplished quite a few things since last time...an Easter exchange (I don't know if this has been received yet, so can't post a pic), three PIFs (also, no pics yet), an ornament and my first band on Dawn of Spring (pictures in previous post), and another finish and WIP.

The WIP is Coverlet Birds from The Scarlet House. I started this last year in June or July and only put in a few stitches before something else came up (can't remember what!). So I picked it up the other day and have decided that this will be my "at work" project. I don't get much stitching time at work, but every little stitch counts! it is being stitched on a mystery fabric with GAST threads.


I have also finished Traditional Sampler by Nancy Taplin. This sampler was offered last year (or maybe even earlier than that) at the Friendly Stitchers group. A few of us decided to resurrect it and do a SAL this year. I love this design, and it was such a pleasure to stitch. It is stitched on one of Sassy's fabrics (mineral ice) with Weeks Williamsburg floss.


I'm not sure what I'm going to concentrate next. I have so many WIPs and so many new things I'd like to start...it is kind of overwhelming! And in a search for something else last night, I discovered a whole bunch of other things I had forgotten I had. I think it may be time for some real sorting and purging, so I may end up having a massive on-line garage sale sometime in the future! The magazines alone are threatening to smother me!

Anyway, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned. We will have our grandson for a sleepover this weekend...still have to get his Easter basket together!

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

april 2 - just words...

the first words out of my grandson's mouth yesterday morning were "The sun's out gramma!"...and it was...but unfortunately it didn't stay out for long...in and out all day, mixed with clouds and rain...ah, the beautiful Pacific Northwest! but today, the sun is actually shining...and a beautiful sight it is, too!

I wish I was home, and outside enjoying this lovely day, but alas...work calls! We got to spend the whole weekend with our precious grandson and it was so much fun. At 3 1/2 he is really a hoot!

On the stitching front, I finished off two PIFs and sent them on their way today. Unfortunately I still do not have the address for the third one, but as soon as I do, it will be off as well. I also picked up Traditional Sampler this morning and put a few stitches in the last band. I brought it with me today and hope to get at least a little bit of stitching time this afternoon while here at work. I would love to finish this week before Mouse sends out Part Two of her band sampler SAL. So many pretty designs, so little time!

I also received my kit from Cheryl in the kit exchange that we did at Stitchers Timeout, and my Spring Exchange from Stitched with Love Exchanges. But no photos because my camera battery was dead...again! What a bummer!

Anyway, hopefully I will have some pictures to show next time! I can't believe it's almost WIPocalypse time again. For a long one, this month certainly seemed to fly by!

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!

march 28 - spring? really????

Well...after a nasty cold week, and two beautiful spring days, we are now back to cold and rain...and my old bones are feeling it! I want spring, and I want it now! No patience left for this nasty weather!

Stitching has really been hit and miss lately. I finished up stitching an Easter exchange, but I haven't heard if it has been received yet, so photos will have to wait. I'm also still working on stitching up three PIFs that are supposed to go out by the end of the month...hmmmm...I'm afraid they might be a tad late! But no photos there either.

I stitched up my ornament for March. Two groups that I belong to are having a year long ornament SAL and I'm trying hard to stay on track. This is another small design from the Folk Art Samplings leaflet from The Cricket Collection. I guess it is called Noel...at least that's what I am calling it! The fabric on the bottom is the backing fabric.

Mouse has graciously been designing a band sampler for us over at Friendly Stitchers, and I finally picked some thread and fabric to stitch up part one this week. The sampler is called Dawn of Spring. I chose a Jazlyn 32 ct. fabric from Silkweavers. The color is called Debutante which is a very pale lavender. The threads I chose are Gast...Highland Heather. The funny thing is that both my original and contrast color are the same. The difference though is in the dye lots. One is much much darker that the other! It's hard to see the difference in this picture but it is pretty obvious in real life! I also changed the bottom section a bit by omitting the cushion stitches. It is probably me, but they just didn't lay correctly when I tried them. Maybe I will go back and add them later on. Anyway, this was really fun to stitch and I am looking forward to the next part.

Has anyone else tried the new blogger interface? I thought I liked it until I tried to post. Once I added a photo, I couldn't get my curser to let me get to the next row. It kept wanting me to type right through the photo! Anyway, I have never claimed to be technologically savvy, so I am sure that the problem is with me. I just hope I can figure it out before this becomes the default for posting!

I guess that's all for now. Time for a nice hot drink and then back to work!
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!