Hi everyone! I hope you are having a good week so far. We had an interesting weekend, the hot water heater refused to heat water so for 2 days, the DH and I went "pioneer", heating water on the stove and washing up using my hugh canning pot. I really hated washing my hair this way cause I felt I didn't get all the shampoo out of it. It wasn't fun and I have to tell you that I will never take my instantaneous hot water for granted ever again. We were bracing ourselves for a hugh bill but fortunately, the only thing wrong with the heater was a plugged nozzle. That was the good news.
The bad news is that we owe MEGABUCKS on our taxes this year. Oh my, I went into shock when the CPA's receptionist pulled out the bill...we've never had a tax bill this big before. :(
Anyway, this is not why I am posting.
First of all, I've got 102 followers! Oh my! That calls for a celebration! So, I will be picking another name on March 20th for my Sick of Winter GiveAway. And maybe, I'll pick another! So, pass the word.
Nextly (thanks Jan, I love that word) I am loving the Flippin' Crazy Challenge. So far, I've finished 2 WIPs and I am well on my way to finishing a 3rd. I've finished Snow Fairy and Her Sampler. Now, I am over 3/4 of the way done with Merrily Beams, Alphabets. I stitched a good chunk of it over the weekend. So thanks for the brilliant idea, Jayne!
I just want to take a minute and thank everyone who comes by Joanie's World. You will never know how much your visits make me smile. I can always count on you to lift my spirits and share my ups and downs. Thanks again!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Snowman Giveaway
Kathy posted pics of the Snowman Giveaway...so I snagged them from her blog.
I sent her a ton of things...yeah, I got carried away with the snowmen....but I love them so I wanted to spread the joy... :-) Go check out her blog to see...I so enjoyed painting the snowman and stitching the little pillow.
So...gear up for the I'm Sick of Wintert Giveaway...it's gonna be good...
I sent her a ton of things...yeah, I got carried away with the snowmen....but I love them so I wanted to spread the joy... :-) Go check out her blog to see...I so enjoyed painting the snowman and stitching the little pillow.
So...gear up for the I'm Sick of Wintert Giveaway...it's gonna be good...
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I Have a Few Pictures
but because I am brain-dead, I accidently deleted all the pics of the give-away that Kathy won. Just suffice it to say that she was quite happy with the contents of my give-away and I hope she'll post a picture of what she received. Damn. I was hoping to whet your appetite for the "I AM SICK OF WINTER" give-away. I'll post at tease for the Sick of Winter giveaway, I'm just starting to stitch something totally adorable!
Anyway, by some miracle, the blurry pics of Her Sampler survived the Great Picture Purge. Here they are:
These pictures were taken 2 weeks ago and now, the sampler is almost done. I only have the acorn on the lower right side to stitch and then, STRIKE UP THE BAND for a happy dance. Can you hear the orchestra tuning up and the angels warming up their voices to sing the Halleluia Chorus? And finishing this sampler will be #2 of my 2011 Wip Bust. I finished Snow Fairy too.
Now it'll be on to another WIP, BOAF's Friendship Sampler and Merrily Beams, Alphabets. Friendship Sampler has just the top border finished but I really screwed up the colors because I misread the color chart and I hate the coverage with the Charcoal WDW floss. But I'm not frogging it out because at that point, I'd just have to start over. I will frog out the Charcoal and sub in a GAST color that's very close to the Charcoal thread. I think I can manage that but to rip out all that Tropical Blue border to replace it with Cornflower, NO THANK YOU!
I have to tell you that I've been in a funk recently too. I hate February, It's the longest month of the year for me because by this time, I am very tired of the cold and snow. We had a bit of a thaw here in Upstate NY this week. Spring-like temps and SUN!! I was very encouraged to see Daffodil shoots coming up in my garden. That's encouraging. Today, we are under a wind advisory, it's snowing and cold again!
In other news...
My kids are in Japan and I believe settling in nicely. Mike will be very busy the next couple of weeks spinning up to speed on his job supporting Search and Rescue. There are a number of training exercises comng up and then....he deploys to Afghanistan this Summer. I know that's what he signed up to do but I can't help but be worried and scared for him. I guess he's just not playing War but is in one.
I am also struggling with a few health issues (I am at that age, high cholesterol, high BP and pre-diabetes) and some other personal things and I am very thankful for my stitching because it calms my mind and I don't think about the things that bother me when I have a needle in my hand. And, I am trying to be positive, focusing on my many, many blessings. That alone lifts my spirits, as do all of you who come by my blog. I am so grateful for the internet and the stitching community. But if you would and are so inclined, keep me in prayer.
So, I am off to start my Saturday. My coffee is finished, the load of laundry is done and needs to go into the dryer and the vacuum is calling my name. Have a great weekend! And thanks for stopping. Come back soon!
Anyway, by some miracle, the blurry pics of Her Sampler survived the Great Picture Purge. Here they are:
These pictures were taken 2 weeks ago and now, the sampler is almost done. I only have the acorn on the lower right side to stitch and then, STRIKE UP THE BAND for a happy dance. Can you hear the orchestra tuning up and the angels warming up their voices to sing the Halleluia Chorus? And finishing this sampler will be #2 of my 2011 Wip Bust. I finished Snow Fairy too.
Now it'll be on to another WIP, BOAF's Friendship Sampler and Merrily Beams, Alphabets. Friendship Sampler has just the top border finished but I really screwed up the colors because I misread the color chart and I hate the coverage with the Charcoal WDW floss. But I'm not frogging it out because at that point, I'd just have to start over. I will frog out the Charcoal and sub in a GAST color that's very close to the Charcoal thread. I think I can manage that but to rip out all that Tropical Blue border to replace it with Cornflower, NO THANK YOU!
I have to tell you that I've been in a funk recently too. I hate February, It's the longest month of the year for me because by this time, I am very tired of the cold and snow. We had a bit of a thaw here in Upstate NY this week. Spring-like temps and SUN!! I was very encouraged to see Daffodil shoots coming up in my garden. That's encouraging. Today, we are under a wind advisory, it's snowing and cold again!
In other news...
My kids are in Japan and I believe settling in nicely. Mike will be very busy the next couple of weeks spinning up to speed on his job supporting Search and Rescue. There are a number of training exercises comng up and then....he deploys to Afghanistan this Summer. I know that's what he signed up to do but I can't help but be worried and scared for him. I guess he's just not playing War but is in one.
I am also struggling with a few health issues (I am at that age, high cholesterol, high BP and pre-diabetes) and some other personal things and I am very thankful for my stitching because it calms my mind and I don't think about the things that bother me when I have a needle in my hand. And, I am trying to be positive, focusing on my many, many blessings. That alone lifts my spirits, as do all of you who come by my blog. I am so grateful for the internet and the stitching community. But if you would and are so inclined, keep me in prayer.
So, I am off to start my Saturday. My coffee is finished, the load of laundry is done and needs to go into the dryer and the vacuum is calling my name. Have a great weekend! And thanks for stopping. Come back soon!
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
I'M TIRED OF WINTER GIVEAWAY!!!!!
I AM SICK OF WINTER!!!!!
Ok, who's with me on this! Are you sick of Winter yet? I KNOW I am! So in order to drive away the WInter doldrums and to offset the intense desire for retail therapy, I've decided to hold another GIVE-AWAY!
This Give-away will be a celebration of Spring. So, if you are game and are sick of Winter, come join the fun. Rest assured the give-away will be packed with goodies sure to drive Ol' Man Winter away!
All are welcome if you want to play along but once again, it would be nice if you were a follower but it's not required. Please leave a message on this post ONLY stating how tired you are of Ol' Man Winter and I'll draw the lucky winner on the first day of Spring, March 20th.
Come play!
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Good Snowy Tuesday!
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are staying warm and snug this blustery Winter's Day! We have been fortunate up till now with snow but this storm marching across the US will hit us with a vengeance this afternoon and into tomorrow. We are supposed to get at least a foot of snow and then brutally cold temperatures.
I have been under the weather, over the weekend I contracted that nasty stomach bug that's flying around. Just suffice it to say that upchucking pizza in the middle of the night isn't one of the most pleasant experiences and one that I don't want to repeat for the rest of my life. I despise throwing up with all I'm worth so this episode was doubly icky. After that, it was ginger ale and crackers for the rest of the weekend. Food doesn't have the greatest appeal right now and do not even show me a picture of pizza. Blech.
Because I was sick on the weekend, I stayed home on Monday just to be sure that I wasn't going to spread my illness to unsuspecting co-workers (who, I am sure, are very grateful). Mainly, I was sore and weak and the sick day afforded me a chance for uninterupted stitching and movie watching. I stitched ALL DAY! Oh, it was heavenly! I worked on Her Sampler by CHS and I am happy to say I am 1/2 way done with it. I love, love, love the sampler and I am working on it feverishly because I want to get it framed right away! I have a 60% off framing coupon from Michaels that's good until mid-February. I'd love to frame Her Sampler and Lucy Minton this go round. Both are smallish samplers so I am hoping to get away with less than a fortune to frame them. Got to love the Michael's coupons. Usually, when I have Michaels frame anything for me, I take my piece in and order the frame and all the accompaning hardware, spacers, frame, glass etc. . I have the foam core cut to size for me and I take it home and stretch the piece myself. When the frame comes in, I take my stretched piece back to them for assembly. That way, I know it's done correctly. The store people look at me like I'm nuts and there's one gentleman in particular who thinks I am a royal pain but who cares? I get what I want and I am very happy with the results.
On the movie front, I downloaded RED. OMGosh, I about split a gut! It was very funny and I adored the entire cast. And I watched Secretariat. We saw it in the theater when it first came out. Each time I watch it, I get goosebumps. I adore that movie!
I do have a dilemna though, I want to stitch Valentine's things too. But it will take time away from Her Sampler! Oh, what's a stitcher to do?! I've been very good about stitching WIPs and not starting anything new. I am proud of myself. So far, I've worked on Her Sampler, Alphabets and BOAF's, Friendship Sampler.
I feel a little guilty about not working exclusively on the Friendship Sampler becasue there's another stitcher anxiously awaiting the pattern. I am seriously considering frogging out the Charcoal thread because it is so thin and the coverage is sparse. Has anyone noticed that the quality of Weeks Dye Works thread has deteriorated? I have thread from a few years ago that's plump and doesn't tangle. With the newer thread I've purchased, I find that I battle coverage and tangling constantly. My favorite overdyed thread is Cresent Colors and Gentle Arts Sampler Thread. I have a good supply of GAST and I do not need another collection of thread so I am resisting the temptation to purchase a lot of the Crescent Color floss. It is tempting, though!
And speaking of favorites, I have a new favorite linen. You know that I love Lambswool linen. It's got a very warm hue and I adore just about anything that I stitch on it. But it is a light tone. And I've been looking for a linen in a warm brown that is a bit darker. I've found it! Country Mocha Belfast! It is warm and no matter what thread color I stitch on it, the fibers seem to glow on the fabric. It is a "full bodied" linen too that feels terrific in "hand". The only drawback is that I've only found it in 32 count. But that's ok, 32 count fabric is very acceptable to me as a mid-range linen count. Her Sampler is stitched on a Vintage piece of Country Mocha. The shading is so subtle. I am in love. I bought a hugh piece of Country Mocha to stitch Blackbird Designs, Anniversaries of the Heart. I just need to pull all the thread to see how they look on the linen. I bet the fibers will look smashing. (Not too worry, I won't be starting this anytime soon but I AM prepared!).
Anyway, stitchy pictures will have to wait until the sun is out and I am home. Usually, I am at work when the sun shines. The weekends have been drab and overcast. So pictures are lacking. Please just be patient and there will be a very picture heavy post in the near future (crossing my fingers!) And thanks for hanging in there with me, friends! I really thought I'd lose followers since I haven't posted in a while. That means a lot to me cause I cherish everyone who visits. :-) I hope to "see" you soon!
I hope you are staying warm and snug this blustery Winter's Day! We have been fortunate up till now with snow but this storm marching across the US will hit us with a vengeance this afternoon and into tomorrow. We are supposed to get at least a foot of snow and then brutally cold temperatures.
I have been under the weather, over the weekend I contracted that nasty stomach bug that's flying around. Just suffice it to say that upchucking pizza in the middle of the night isn't one of the most pleasant experiences and one that I don't want to repeat for the rest of my life. I despise throwing up with all I'm worth so this episode was doubly icky. After that, it was ginger ale and crackers for the rest of the weekend. Food doesn't have the greatest appeal right now and do not even show me a picture of pizza. Blech.
Because I was sick on the weekend, I stayed home on Monday just to be sure that I wasn't going to spread my illness to unsuspecting co-workers (who, I am sure, are very grateful). Mainly, I was sore and weak and the sick day afforded me a chance for uninterupted stitching and movie watching. I stitched ALL DAY! Oh, it was heavenly! I worked on Her Sampler by CHS and I am happy to say I am 1/2 way done with it. I love, love, love the sampler and I am working on it feverishly because I want to get it framed right away! I have a 60% off framing coupon from Michaels that's good until mid-February. I'd love to frame Her Sampler and Lucy Minton this go round. Both are smallish samplers so I am hoping to get away with less than a fortune to frame them. Got to love the Michael's coupons. Usually, when I have Michaels frame anything for me, I take my piece in and order the frame and all the accompaning hardware, spacers, frame, glass etc. . I have the foam core cut to size for me and I take it home and stretch the piece myself. When the frame comes in, I take my stretched piece back to them for assembly. That way, I know it's done correctly. The store people look at me like I'm nuts and there's one gentleman in particular who thinks I am a royal pain but who cares? I get what I want and I am very happy with the results.
On the movie front, I downloaded RED. OMGosh, I about split a gut! It was very funny and I adored the entire cast. And I watched Secretariat. We saw it in the theater when it first came out. Each time I watch it, I get goosebumps. I adore that movie!
I do have a dilemna though, I want to stitch Valentine's things too. But it will take time away from Her Sampler! Oh, what's a stitcher to do?! I've been very good about stitching WIPs and not starting anything new. I am proud of myself. So far, I've worked on Her Sampler, Alphabets and BOAF's, Friendship Sampler.
I feel a little guilty about not working exclusively on the Friendship Sampler becasue there's another stitcher anxiously awaiting the pattern. I am seriously considering frogging out the Charcoal thread because it is so thin and the coverage is sparse. Has anyone noticed that the quality of Weeks Dye Works thread has deteriorated? I have thread from a few years ago that's plump and doesn't tangle. With the newer thread I've purchased, I find that I battle coverage and tangling constantly. My favorite overdyed thread is Cresent Colors and Gentle Arts Sampler Thread. I have a good supply of GAST and I do not need another collection of thread so I am resisting the temptation to purchase a lot of the Crescent Color floss. It is tempting, though!
And speaking of favorites, I have a new favorite linen. You know that I love Lambswool linen. It's got a very warm hue and I adore just about anything that I stitch on it. But it is a light tone. And I've been looking for a linen in a warm brown that is a bit darker. I've found it! Country Mocha Belfast! It is warm and no matter what thread color I stitch on it, the fibers seem to glow on the fabric. It is a "full bodied" linen too that feels terrific in "hand". The only drawback is that I've only found it in 32 count. But that's ok, 32 count fabric is very acceptable to me as a mid-range linen count. Her Sampler is stitched on a Vintage piece of Country Mocha. The shading is so subtle. I am in love. I bought a hugh piece of Country Mocha to stitch Blackbird Designs, Anniversaries of the Heart. I just need to pull all the thread to see how they look on the linen. I bet the fibers will look smashing. (Not too worry, I won't be starting this anytime soon but I AM prepared!).
Anyway, stitchy pictures will have to wait until the sun is out and I am home. Usually, I am at work when the sun shines. The weekends have been drab and overcast. So pictures are lacking. Please just be patient and there will be a very picture heavy post in the near future (crossing my fingers!) And thanks for hanging in there with me, friends! I really thought I'd lose followers since I haven't posted in a while. That means a lot to me cause I cherish everyone who visits. :-) I hope to "see" you soon!
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