A close finish

As I promised, I'm posting my almost finish of Blackbird Designs, Light Your Way. If I had any energy tonight, I would finish it. But, the events of yesterday (both personal and work related) and being on my feet all day today auditing, I can not even think to pick up a needle.

So here is an almost completed Light Your Way, my almost first Halloween design for 2006. Have I told you that I really love Halloween?



As far as the retail therapy goes, I bought the following Ewe & Eye & Friends designs, Old Rose & Camomille, Blackbird Sampler, Rose City Sampler, 3 Pink Houses







I want to thank everyone for their comments about my Nightmare on Perry Road, aka the Extremely DELAYED Home Makeover. The contractor came to the house contrite and blaming himself. The DH listened and then basically gave him a pass. I was shocked cause he really was vocal right up until the contractor pulled into the driveway. After he left I asked him why he reacted the way he did and he told me that he figures that it really doesn't matter, the windows will not be here any sooner whether he yelled at him or not. I don't think that he will be so forgiving in another 6 weeks if this happens again. On Saturday, we are going to the Pella Window store to pick out new windows, as I do not trust the Anderson dealer, who originally messed up the order. Does anyone know if Pella Windows are good?

A busy weekend...

Hello everyone!

This weekend, we took Mike back to college. I can't believe the summer is almost over. He starts school right after labor day but since he's in an apartment, he wanted to go and just hang out for the weekend with his room mates. The apartment is really nice and he's going to be pretty happy there.

Yesterday it rained hard and rained ALOT. And because we do not have siding on the house right now because our windows have not arrived yet, the house is still clad in tyvek. However, the rain got between the tyvek and the roof line and ran down the wall of our new room. We now have water damage on top of everything else that's gone wrong with this headache of a home makeover. Honestly, we are just sick of everything. My DH doesn't believe the excuses that our contractor has told us. Really, can a window distributor mess up an order 3 times?

Anyway, we have a meeting with him tomorrow night. I don't think it's going to be pleasant and I am so stressed over this whole thing. So, I've indulged in RETAIL therapy. I've bought a ton of patterns this week and a few quilting books. The patterns I've bought were mainly Blackbird Designs, I picked up Flea Market Sampler, Merry Christmas Ella Vaughan and Fond Hearts. I also bought a slew of Ewe & Eye and Friend house samplers. At least 8...I keep telling myself that it's better than eating. With my stress levels right now, previously I would have eaten my way through this time. I did that last month right before my Dad's death anniversary and I re-gained 5 pounds of the 30 that I've lost. So far, I've lost 2 of them and I have vowed not to eat my way through anything again because the weight comes on fast but it's slow to take off. All I can say is thank God for Paypal. I won't put anything on my credit card (bad experience and I vowed never to be in THAT place again), so paying through e-check has been a blessing....I think.

So Sunday began as a pleasant rainy day and I worked a lot on Light Your Way. I only have the pumpkin to stitch now. Then the water sort of ruined my stitching plans until the contractor sent someone to temporarily patch the roofline. Stitching was suspended until that happened. I went back to stitching after the worker-guy nailed up a cover up. Of course, the spousal unit had a ton to say and he really got me cranked up. To sort of settle down, I went stash fondling. I came across a lot of Heart in Hand patterns that I really like. I may have to short list one or two of them.

So anyway, I didn't take pictures of what I accomplished yet. Tomorrow I will so you can see how adorable Light Your Way is, and maybe you will be tempted to stitch it for Halloween too!

Thanks for visiting....I'm sorry to vent.

A couple of updates

Ta-da!!!!

I have a couple of updates for you! I made Mary Garry's Seasonal Momentoes,October, as a pinkeep....for now. I will be mounting this onto a little wooden box after I paint it and line it with some cute fabric.



Next up in Blackbird Designs, Light the Way. I am almost done with it and I am so pleased with it! I can't wait to get it in a frame! Sorry for the scrunchy fabric but I just took it out of the hoop.



Because I need to liberate some of my finishes from the confines of a dresser drawer, I decided to go out in the pouring rain on Saturday, to buy a couple of pieces of acid free foam core. Now, I didn't go just for foam core, I went out for a rotary cutter mat and some ribbon and trim. Plus some groceries. You should have been there to see me stuff 2 30 x 40 pieces of foam core behind the seats in a toy pickup truck (we have a very tiny Dodge Dakota)while trying to hold an umbrella in a driving rain. So in honor of that momentous trip in the pouring rain, I also mounted Homespun Elegance's, Button Sheep, in preparation for framing. It's got a ton of pins in it and I really admire the framers that use these itsy-bitsy pins for large pieces! My fingers are so sore and I only pinned a 5" x 9" piece. I couldn't image pinning a piece as large as Village of Hawke Run Hollow...OUCH!!!

A stitching update...

Well, there hasn't been a lot of stitching going on here. It's been a busy week. I finished up my Sampler House exchange and popped it in the mail on Wednesday. Of course, in my haste, I didn't get a picture of it so I am hoping that the recipient can post one for me! It seems that time just flies by at the end of the exchange and I am scrambling for goodies, a note card to include with the exchange and of course, there's finding a suitable envelope and getting it to the post office on time! I know, I know, time management. LOL!!
I've been working on another exchange and I've interspersed stitching it with Blackbird Designs, Light the Way. It's an adorable Halloween design from the book, Trix or Treat. I began it last year, but put it away because I couldn't finish it in time for Halloween. When I pulled it out this year to work on, I could not remember what color of Weeks floss I was using and, of course, the skein wasn't in the bag with the fabric. I tossed about the idea of scrapping it and starting over but I did remember that the fabric was an expensive overdyed R&R fabric. Looking at the stitching, even though it looked darker than the Onyx I was using, I decided that I did begin this piece using the original floss color. However, I still had a nagging suspicion that I changed the color and for the life of me, I could not remember what it was. So, instead of continuing with all this doubt, I've been ripping and restitching the sampler as I go. I stitch a little bit new and then rip and re-stitch the old. Fortunately, I only stitched the border at the top and halfway down the side and a few of the words, so there's not too much ripping to do until I am completely stitching new parts of the sampler. In fact, I've almost restitched it all.

And now, I am stitching with the original floss color and I actually documented it on the pattern so I don't forget again if I put this way for another year. Actually, I think I will get to finish it by Halloween this year, although, I may not get it framed in time to display it.
Speaking of frames, I did find one at Frames.com that I would like to use for Light the Way. If I am going to purchase it, I think I may buy a bunch of frames and having a finishing frenzy. I have about 6 things in a dresser drawer that need framing. I know it's not hard to do, it's just finding time to do it! And these finished works of the heart aren't doing any good sitting in a dresser drawer, right? They need liberation! And freedom! And they need to be loved and admired, right? Sounds like a plan...I better write it down before I forget.

There is only an other month or so until CATS in Hershey. I am so looking forward to a weekend away with a bunch of stitching obsessed ladies. I especially can't wait to meet all of you!
I've been planning what to bring....money, credit card, stitching, camera...does anyone bring a magnifier? I've gotten so used to stitching with one that I am afraid not to drag my tabletop Daylight magnifier and my clip on with me. I've signed up for 2 classes, a hardanger class and a beaded bracelet. I've toyed with the framing class too but only to procure the framing goodies. Maybe there will be a framing vendor there. I want to buy one of those gizmos that pushes the glazier points into the frame and I'd like to buy spacers to put between the stitching and the glass.

Well, I better get something else done...so bye for now. Stop again soon!!

A bit about Joanie

Ok, in a fit of Friday work boredom, here's a bit about me. Feel free to use the questions on your blog!


1. FIRST NAME? Joan
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, although my parents toyed with the name Emma (my grandma's name)
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Last weekend, all weekend because my Dad's been gone a year. And I miss him so much!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, I've been told I've beautiful penmanship
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Salami
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU: Yes, I like myself.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes, I've kept a journal since I was 10.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yes, with those who really know me, otherwise, I am pretty polite.
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Absolutely not. Get real.
12. WHAT HAPPENED TO QUESTION 12? It escaped with Question 51. Last seen, they were headed north to the border.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually not.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, definitely. But only through the grace of God.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate. It's a bonus if there is nuts in it.
16. SHOE SIZE? Ladies 7.5 Medium fit
17. RED OR PINK? I like both
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? That I always must succeed at whatever I do to my standards. It's very limiting because I don't take risks.
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Dad
20. DO YOU WANT THIS SENT BACK TO YOU? Absolutely!!
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? Brown shoes, blue jeans. It's casual Friday...DUH!!!
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? A chocolate chip cookie (sh-h-h don't tell my Weight Watcher friends!)
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Josh Groban - Closer
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Peonies and freshly mowed grass, burning leaves , baking goodies, freshly laundered clothing
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Tom
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and eyelashes. The windows to the soul.
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Very much! Yes, very much.
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Mixed - gin & tonic. Soft - Diet Coke with Lime. Wine - Merlot
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Football (GO STEELERS!!!) and anything to do with horses
31. HAIR COLOR? blonde (don't say anything!)
32. EYE COLOR? green
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Fettuccini Alfredo or a good steak
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy endings. I don't watch scary movies, I watch the news to be scared.
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? In the theatre - Pirates of the Caribbean II and on TV - Sahara (we rented it)
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? multicolored sweater
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Love kisses, hugs are great too! Everyone needs 12 hugs a day!
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Apple pie, no ice cream, please
41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Those who think it’s fun
42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Those who think it’s silly
43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Bible, The Purpose Driven Life, Spiritual Literacy, Chocolat
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Nothing. Its solid black.
45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Design Star on HGTV (I'm hooked. I want Alice to win but David will get the show cause he has talent and is a hunk.
46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Laughter, Rain, wind blowing through Aspen trees (it sounds like rain), my husband's voice, my horse's nicker, my son's giggle (yes, even tho' he's 19 he still giggles!)
47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles
48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Phoenix Arizona - I don't get out much
49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can draw and paint really, really well
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? June 24, 1957 in Rochester, PA

SO there ya go, a bit about Joanie!

Hot Off the Ironing Board

Wow, I can't believe another week has blown by. This week, I've worked on an exchange and I felt the need for a quick stitch. Most of my projects are BIG (at least in my terminology)and take forever to finish. So, I decided that since it's been awhile for a completed (stitched) project, I would do something relatively quick. So...TA-DA-A-A-AA-A! I present you with October from Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin, Seasonal Momentos:



Isnt't it adorable?!!

It's stitched with good ol' DMC on a piece of 32ct flax or natural linen. I don't know which cause it was a scrap that I had floating around in my fabric stash.

I bought this chart from the Bay of Evil for a princely sum specifically for this little Halloween graph. So I decided (for once) to actually stitch it instead of adding the chart to my burgeoning pattern collection. Hence, the chart made it to my *short list* binder. And, since my favorite season is almost here (Autumn) and since I LOVE Halloween (cause it's just a fun time for me and brings back lots of wonderful childhood memories of Trick or Treating), this little gem made it to my sewing basket last week. And today, here it is in all it's stitched glory.
I haven't decided how I am going to finish it. It's made into a door knocker on the chart but if I can find a little square box, I may mount it to the lid and work some magic with the box itself. Who knows?!

Well, maybe I am now on a roll with little stitching delights! And maybe I will be able to have more quick finishes soon!

On a more somber note, yesterday was the first anniversary of my Dad's passing. This weekend was rather a rough one for me, as I miss my Daddy very much. It's certainly been a year of tears for me. His passing, sending my son away to school, dealing with selling his house. Well, it's just Life, right?

Anyway, the day is beautiful and I think I will go out and get some horse therapy. They always make me happy!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

What a great stash day!

Today, was the best mail day!!!! I got stash instead of the dreaded bills.

Yeah!

In my mail was a RAK from Nicki. She sent me her Blackbird Designs, Quaker Garden, with leftover WDW.



I lamented that I wished I'd purchased this pattern when I had the chance and Nicki decided to send me her copy after she finished stitching it. I am so overwhelmed by her generosity. I just love this design. THANKS, NICKI, you made my entire day!

I also got a couple of cuts of linen from Silkweaver. I used to subscribe to their FOTM for Lakeside Linen. I really miss that FOTM because I got great quality linen each month. (Lakeside is my favorite linen, especially the Vintage colors). But I digress, in this order I got some Silkweaver Classics, Antique Gold, Boo! and Parkland. I love the Antique Gold fabric and will be purchasing half yard cut of it. The other 2 colors are ok. The Parkland is on the yellow side and the Boo! is just a light grey. I am going to use the Antique Gold and the Boo! fabric for a couple of halloween designs. I would like to stitch *Merry Halloween* from Blackbird Designs, Trix & Treats on the Antique Gold.



And Boo! will be used for Sheepish Designs, Scarry Wabbit.



I have the black fabric for Scarry Wabbit but I can't see the holes in dark linen anymore. I hate getting old! A light grey fabric will have to do the trick.

I don't know when I will get a chance to start any of these patterns though, as I am working on my WIPs. But it's sure fun to collect patterns and dream, right?!! They will certainly go in my Short List binder.

I also stitched a little on an exchange piece. I'm excited about it cause it's coming out nicely. I hope that the receiver will like it too.

And earlier this evening, I played with my horses for a little while. I brushed all of them and treated Peaches to a trip to the beauty parlor. That just means I did some mane and tail grooming. . Her mane grows so fast and it gets all matted and icky. I brushed it out, clipped it to a reasonable length and conditioned it. I washed, conditioned and brushed out her tail too. Her tail is SO long and it gets pretty dirty. I used to braid it up but she needs to have it loose to swat flies. Peaches is a high maintenance mare! But she is so beautiful!

Well, I have to go to bed. So, I hope all of you have pleasant dreams. See you soon in Joanie's World. Thanks for dropping by!

Did you see these?!!!

On Carriagehouse Samplings website under NEWS, there are pictures of Kathy's new designs. I really like them, especially the punchneedle designs. I'm not going to post all the pics, you can go out to the website and see all of them!







I have a punchneedle, never used it. I wonder how hard it is to thread? I really like the angel ornaments. I understand that the process is a no brainer and I really, really like the results. Reminds me of miniature hooked rugs.
Anyone out there try this? I hope Carriagehouse Samplings is at CATS. I want to buy a few of these patterns. Speaking of CATS, who is going? I'm making my list of purchases, it's not pretty. (OK Red, sh-h-hh-h!)

On the stitching front, since it's been hot, hot, hot, no not alot of progress with my needle. I have to be the most boring blogger on the earth. Stitching time is somewhat limited right now. This Fall, it should get better, as the hubby is going back to school and will be gone most evenings. So after the date with the treadmill, and taking care of the horses, I should be cozying up with my needlework.

Anyway, duty calls, so it's off to do some housework before it gets too hot. See ya!

Just a test

Blogger is throwing a hissy...just a test kids, to see if my blog appears after I republish.