Happy Halloween!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a spooky evening!

Blessings & Kind Wishes, Beatrix Potter Update and Frogs

I started LA-D-DA's, Something Wicked last weekend while watching Russell Crowe in *A Good Year*.

I don't know why I started another new piece, it just called my name and I caved. I've been in a Halloween mood so maybe that's why. Maybe it was because I think the boot is too cool. And I love the design. Do I really need a reason to add another piece to my eleventy-dozen WIP? Nah...what's one more.

I stitched the outline of the boot so that I could mindlessly stitch some evening when I am burned out and don't want to count. On Friday, I needed to mindlessly stitch until realized that I am off by 2 stitches somewhere near where the boot thins out. I found the error and I will have to rip out about 50 stitches on the thin part of the boot. It's just a pain.

Last night, I worked on Blackbird Designs, Blessings and Kind Wishes, while I watched Pretty Woman on TV. I stitched some of the vines around the storks and I worked on the left stork and almost finished the bird's body until...DUM, DUM, D-U-M-M-M! I realized that I mislocated the stork by one thread too far to the left of where it should be placed..DRAT!!! DOUBLE DRAT!!! Now, I have to rip out 3 hours of work. Dang you, Richard Gere! Why are you eye candy???!!!

Does anyone have any frog repellant? Send some my way, PLEASE!!! I've been invaded by frogs. Actually, I have to stop watching movies with stars that are easy on the eyes.

I worked a little on Beatrix Potter during the Quaker Challenge on Let's Stitch and I finally got a picture of my progress.

I love the sampler and the AVAS silk is wonderful. I find this sampler very relaxing to work on but I don't think I will stitch any more on Bea until 2009. I joined the Beatrix Potter SAL and it doesn't officially begin until January '09. So I decided just to put Bea to rest for a few months until the SAL officially begins and until then, concentrate on making some ornaments for the Cadet and Jenna and work on some Christmas presents. I will be making a lot of my presents this year since money is a bit tight with the DH on leave of absence. I better get busy cause before you know it, Santa will be here.

I ordered a bunch of stash yesterday. I really shouldn't have but I needed some retail therapy. Just a bit down and yes, clicking on a few OLNs was theraputic. But I have to watch my pennies for the rest of November. I bought a bunch of Lizzie*Kate cause I saw on Amy Stitches some ornaments made with Lizzie*Kate designs that were adorable. I bought new Plum Street Samplings Halloween patterns and honestly, I can't remember what else. I do know that my mailbox will be happy when they get here. I am looking forward to opening my mailbox cause it's like getting presents instead of bills for a change.

Well, I just wanted to reach out to you today. I am sorry for the rambling post but it just felt good to *talk*. I hope you are having a good Monday. After dinner, I'll be in my cozy spot with my needle ripping out either a witch's shoe or a stork and I hope you will be stitching this evening too! But not frogging. You make progress. I'll keep the frogs from you.

Don't look now....but I FINISHED something!!!

Tra-la-la-la-la!!! Happy dancin' in Upstate NY!!!!! I finished stitching Prairie Schooler's, Autumn Wind, last night and I have to tell you that I am more than happy with it!!! I am amazed! Here it is in it's completely finished state!

Prairie Schooler, Autumn Wind
28ct Lambswool Lugana
DMC
Stitched over one thread

I started this piece WAY back in (I think) 2005 as an SAL with Patti and Cathy. They finished their samplers a very long time ago but I am the turtle and usually get left in the dust during SALs. Funny thing about it though, that mainly happens because I have stitcher's ADD and generally move on to something that's more appealing to me at the time. But eventually, either guilt or guilt gets the best of me and I end up working on it again until that ADD strikes and it's off to the next shiney new project. Gee, now I know why I have eleventy-dozen WIPs...

But never mind, it's done now and I am swirling and twirling around my family room because it's GORGEOUSLY FINISHED!!!

I've also made some progress on Beatrix Potter but no pictures just yet.

Hello, hello? Are you still with me?

Whew! What a couple of weeks!!!! My life has been very busy so of course, my stitching has suffered. We did get through our hugh certification audit (with 0 nonconformances AND a 100% score! YAY!!!) and now it's on to an entirely different certification, one that my partner and I know nothing about. It never ends but I'll take the crazy as long as it means I will stay employed. After all, I MUST support my habit.
I did work a little on Beatrix Potter and I finished up a Halloween exchange piece that I can't show you just yet. That's been the extent of my needlework.
Can you believe October is over half over? I must start thinking about Christmas gifts. I need to decide on what I am going to make and get busy. I don't think I am going to stitch large gifts, most of what I am thinking of stitching are ornaments. Mainly because these gifts are for my Weight Watcher friends and a couple of my co-workers. Our family doesn't have any small children to buy for now, so the young adults get what they love..$$$ which is ALWAYS the right size and color.
Oh, and the Cadet and the lovely Jenna have set a wedding date...in September of '09, which gives me only 11 months to work on a wedding sampler. I know which one I am going to stitch, it's going to be Victoria Sampler's, Heirloom Wedding Sampler.


I love it and I know that they will too. I am debating on whether to stitch it on a cream backround so the hardanger stands out. What do you think? If you have suggestions, please tell me. I know that I don't want to stitch it on the platinum cashel, I don't like the color. And I will be changing out a couple of things on the sampler too. That means I better get the graph paper and pencils out.

Well, I've got to run...off to the big holiday craft show in Syracuse! This weekend has been one thing after another fun thing...a dinner Friday, a baby shower yesterday and now a craft show! I'll write more later!