Stitching Progress

Progress since my last true stitching post. See, there IS more to my blog than just me whining on about things that usually are out of my control.

I've stitched sporatically over the last month, mainly because my work life spilled over into my personal life and my personal life got equally as crazy. But true to form, stitching provided me with a respite from the nuttiness of my job, my house and my family (when they've irritated me).

Apologies for the quality of the pictures, they are not as dark as they seem on your monitor. It's a combination of my tremendous digital camera and the lighting in the living room.

First of all is Blackbird Designs, Where My Heart Blooms. I'm working on the house now. It's a good car project because the linen is 30 count and fairly open weave so with my cheater glasses, I can stitch while the DH and I drive somewhere (usually to see Mike).



And a finish!!! This is also a Blackbird Designs pattern from the book Trix or Treat. called Merry Hallowe'en.

I started it in 2005 (!!) and the only thing I had to stitch on it was the word Hallowe'en. So yesterday, I spent the better part of 3 hours finishing it up. I have the frame so let's see if I can frame it before Halloween. It's stitched on some no name fabric with Weeks Dye Works cotton in Mascara. I was really unhappy with the thread, it was stiff and kinky. It knotted up terribly and would not lay flat even when I dampened the floss. I think that was the reason it took me so long to finish this little piece up. It didn't live up to the expectation of an easy stitch!

Prairie Schooler, Autumn Leaves. Stitched over one with DMC on 28 count Lambswool evenweave.

I am working on it as part of a stitching challenge for the month of August with the Prairie Schooler BB. I also started this in (gasp!) 2005 right after the pattern was released. I was part of an SAL with Patti and Cathy. They finished their samplers and I, true to form, bring up the rear. I love how it's coming out but I can't work on it for very long because over one and my eyes don't seem to get along for an extended period. I'd like to finish it before the end of September to be able to display till the end of Autumn. Yeah, right!

Another Blackbird Designs, Blessings and Kind Wishes. This is a gift for a far away dear friend. I am working it on the recommended fabric with the recommended thread. So far, I am enjoying stitching it. The Weeks thread isn't behaving any better than it did on Merry Hallowe'en. Does anyone else have this problem with overdyed cotton fibers?

Lastly is my Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler. I must be in the mood to work on her. Don't know why really.

So there you have it! I have been stitching when time and energy has allowed. I hope you like my progress and I welcome all feedback. Now, please excuse me, today is a vacation day and I intend to sit in my favorite spot cross stitching the majority of the day away.

Thanks for dropping by!

When Life Hands You Lemons - PUCKER UP!!

Although I believe that the saying states that one should make lemonade. Whatever.

First of all, my lovely SUV decided it needed new brakes ($675 poorer, I am no longer grinding grooves into the rotors) AND my WOOBIE, Joe, now has an *ow-ie* that is going to cost me plenty because he and Maggie cannot co-habitate peacefully side-by-side in the barn. Seems they decided to fence fight over the stall wall. Maggie whaled on her stall door which she completely knocked off the track bending the wheel mechanism inside the track so the door does not slide correctly AND the force of kicking said door tore the door latch off the stall wall where it was found across the barn aisle lying on the floor 12' away. She is physically ok, just pretty pissed off. Joe, however, is not. He kicked his stall wall (made of 2 inch thick oak boards) and has hurt his left hind leg. He is gingerly resting his leg on his toe and will not bear any of his ample weight on it except to take short, mincing steps to where ever he wants to go. Mainly, he is standing in one spot. If he wants to drink, he just swings his head to his bucket so he really doesn't have to move too far.

So this morning, I made the call to Dr. Wendy. She is coming Monday morning to check him out. In the meantime, I am syringing bute (horse aspirin) down his throat 2 times a day. God only knows what this vet bill is going to cost me. I swear, I've had this horse for 16 years and he's only seen the vet a handful of times in those 16 years until THIS year when we've seen Dr. Wendy 3 times in less than 9 months.

There goes the extra paycheck this month...eaten by the car and the horse. Can't seem to get ahead...blech.

Mike is home from Australia and is terribly lonely because his lovely fiance is there until mid-September. He also is unhappy because school starts Monday and so does ROTC and work. So his Summer abruptly ended this morning at 5:30 when he returned to Dunkin Donuts completely jet-lagged and in desperate need of caffeine.

On stitching notes, I have stitched but there are no photos because I can not find the camera that the DH took with him to Pittsburgh when he visited his family last weekend. It's MIA. I've worked on a number of things (my Hungarian Sampler, Blackbird Designs and Prairie Schooler) and made significant progress on a few. So this is just a tease until I locate my lovely temperamental, 2 pixel wonder of a digital camera and take some pictures. So stay tuned!

But! Have you seen these new designs from The Primitive Needle? TOO CUTE!! MUST HAVES! Love them so much. I can't wait till they are released.

Near Halloween

Witchy

So that's all from Chez Empty Wallet...stop by again soon, please...K?

Exciting News!

I have exciting news to share! The Cadet and the lovely Jenna are officially engaged to be married!

The ever romantic Cadet proposed to lovely Jenna on an Australian beach at sunset on Tuesday. And of course, the answer was YES! To say they are excited is beyond words.

The DH and I couldn't be more pleased.

Congratulations, Jenna and Mike!

Three years ago...today

Three years ago today, I lost my Dad. How I miss him....




He was a wonderful Dad, a good husband and a family man. I know that he is in Glory with our Lord and Savior, Jesus. I am happy for that but sad because he isn't here and I miss him so much.

How can I resist???

These are the new releases from Prairie Schooler. HOW AM I TO RESIST STITCHING THEM???? Especially the Halloween pattern, since I love Halloween and all things vintage Halloween? Move over Beatrix. I think the Witches are taking your place in line!







Rainy Saturday in Upstate New York. It's nice and I wish I had time to stitch today. Busy weekend. Insane work weeks to come for the next few months. I will post progress pictures of the Hungarian Sampler later today.

Have a great weekend filled with stitching and family and friends. And food, don't forget food!