Beatrix Potter and Prairie Schooler Exchange

Bea is finished!!

And I received this wonderful exchange from Suzanne. She was my partner for the Year Long Prairie Schooler exchange.

I love it Suzanne and I've hung it on my hutch in my kitchen where I can see it all the time.

Bea's progress and news

Ok...I'm back. Did you miss me? I took myself out of circulation for a few weeks, there's so much going on right now at Chez "What Are We Going To DO" that I became a tad overwhelmed, stressed, bitchy and most of all weepy. I have to say that my stitching has kept me sane. Thank goodness for linen, silks, DMC and a needle. And of course, all the blogs that kept me motivated to be creative and not hide under a rock.

This month, I've made significant progress on Bea: (sorry for the crappy photo, but if you click on it, it'll get BIG!)

She's almost done! I am down to one motif on the lower right side and the initials in 2 motifs. Plus, while I was pressing the piece in order to take a semi-decent photo, I noticed that some of the thread ends are working loose. I didn't double back my threads when I was ending them until very late in the sampler, so I may have to do some repairs just to ensure that nothing unravels.

It's very possible that I could see a finish in the next week or so. Hear the band warming up? It's going to be a Happy Dance!

I decided to stay true to the pattern and stitch the initials from the original sampler. I toyed with personalizing the sampler with my family's initials but my anal tendencies won over and I'm staying true to the original. I may break from tradition and add my initials above the bee motif on the lower left corner. I don't think Bea would mind and there is enough room in that space to make it look like adding my initials was intentional and not crammed into the space. I don't think placing my initials there will detract from the over all composition of the piece so I'm going to stitch them in that spot.

Before I forget, I am accepting signups for Round 2 of the Blackbird Exchange I am hosting. I hope you will join us for the next round. Stop by for all the info to sign up. Round 2 sign-ups will be open until June 15th. Shoo! Shoo! Go see what treasures have been stitched in Round 1! That should whet your appetite to come play with us!

I have been stitching every night for the last few weeks. Mainly on the projects that "Shall Not Be Shown". I've finished my Prairie Schooler piece, now for the finishing and the Blackbird Designs exchange is just about done. I am torn on the finishing for that piece, I have a couple of ideas clanking around in the ol' cranium but nothing that's won over my heart. But I'll figure it out very soon!

I've bought a bunch of stash but I'll save that for another post cause the camera is wheezing and is refusing to take another picture. And I've got LHN's Watermelon to show you and Blackbird's Petite Rouge sampler to show you too. Plus, Feed the Birds which is inches away from completion.

After getting my exchanges sent off to new homes, my focus will be the Wedding Sampler. I am combining Victoria Sampler, Heirloom Wedding and Heirloom Christmas patterns into the sampler. There's a section of stitching in the Heirloom Wedding that I am not fond of so I decided to swap that part out for a section from the Christmas sampler. Plus, I like some of the lace patterns from the Christmas sampler better than the Wedding Sampler. It will be unique for the soon-to-be Second Lietenant and his lovely Jenna. But I've got to get cracking, otherwise I'll be giving it to them on their 5th anniversary. I am stunned to think that the Wedding is about 100 days away! Geez, where's the time gone! So much to do!

Lastly, I want to thank each of you who've stopped by to read my drivel and keep up with my adventures. I certainly appreciate all of you who come by and honestly, it's a comfort and a blessing to know that you care enough to stop on by. I promise now that things are somewhat settled, I'll be back around a little more frequently.

Stitching and the Military Ball

First of all, I want to tell you how much I missed all of you!

This week, I finally got a chance to stitch. Yes, you read it right. I. STITCHED.
I worked on my 2 pieces that "Shall Not Be Shown" (exchange pieces) and I stitched on Bea.

Below is my progress (click and it'll get BIG):


As you can see, I am nearing the finish! YAY!!! I love Bea and I will be sorry to hang up my needle with her but honestly, Bea, you are quite the demanding girlfriend!! Every time I sat down to stitch, YOU cried the loudest and then pouted until I picked you up and stitched on you. And if I left you alone, you unleashed the frogs just to let me know that you were upset to be neglected. Because of you, I have 2 exchanges to complete in 2 weeks, you Vixen!

Now on to family stuff...you can stop reading if you don't want to hear about the Military Ball.

Two weeks ago, we attended the Cadet's final Military Ball. We had such a great time. It's such a special evening, filled with good food, an engaging speaker and awards. This year was no exception. Even though the Cadet didn't receive any awards, we are still very proud of him.

Here we all are..

And another family pic:



The DH and the Cadet:


And the Cadet and his lovely bride-to-be:

The Cadet received his assignment, upon his commissioning as a Second Lietenant in October, he will be going to Intel school in Texas for 7 months. From there, I don't know...one step at a time.

Right now, we are planning graduations, the DH graduates with his Masters in Education, the lovely Jenna graduates with a BS in Elementary Education and the Cadet will graduate with a BS in Criminal Justice. I am also hip deep in planning a girly-girl bridal shower in July and getting together a bunch of things for the happy couple. I started the wedding sampler (just basting guidelines cause I am waiting on thread) and I am putting together a scrapbook for them. Also, I am trying to gather recipes for a cookbook too. Somewhere in the midst of all this, I have to find a dress for the wedding, a restaurant for the rehearsal dinner and so much more, I just can't remember. Before you know it, the wedding will be here!!

Busy times!

So, I hope all of you are well and are finding more time than me to stitch. I promise though, I'll be posting more pictures soon. I actually put ALL my wips together in one spot (and I won't tell you how many I have...let's just say I have Stitcher's ADD) so I can pick and choose what I want to work on. I know the focus piece will be the wedding sampler but I hope to finish up some of the pieces that are 3/4 complete. This year, I haven't finished one thing except for a few exchanges! What's up with that!!!

Take care everyone, and to all you Mom's out there...Happy Mother's Day! I wish you a wonderful day surrounded by the love of your family. For me, it's going to be a quiet day...we will go to church and just spend the rest of the day at home. The David will be grilling steaks, the Cadet will make a phone call and so will my sweet MIL. And I'll be thinking of my Mom.

Have a sweet day, Mom's everywhere!

And there was light! And there are pictures!

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all had a great Wednesday. Life at Chez Chaos is, well, chaotic!
Today, the DH and I drove 2 hours to pick up his new truck. And 2 hours back again. The insurance company finally declared our little truck dead, they took their time cutting a check and today, we drove home a new-to-us '01 Silverado. It's a year older than the dead truck but it has less miles, is a full size pickup and has a manual transmission. All criteria that the DH had for a truck was met. He's happy. The down side to this whole affair was the truck was in Pennsylvania, 2 hours away. So, I had to take a 1/2 day personal to drive there with him and then drive the Explorer home. It was a weird day. I feel like I am on vacation but really I am not. It feels like Friday but I have to get up and go to work tomorrow. My reality is skewed right now cause I took time away from work in the middle of the week.

But there was light when I got home. The sky was brighter than it's been for the last week. Granted it was SNOWING (hello, Mother Nature, didn't you get the memo stating that it's SPRING? My daffodils are shivering!! Please send warm weather, soon!) but there was sufficient light to take some pictures.

May I present to you:

My progress on This is the Day:

Stitched on 36ct Lakeside Autumn Gold with the recommended thread. Tonight I started on the black border on the right side and finished stitching the black line under the alphabet. I am having fun with this sampler. I hope to make significant progress over the weekend cause I am sticking my ample backside in the corner of the sofa and stitching. All. Weekend. Long.

Next is Feed the Birds:

Honestly, this little sampler looks like a fast stitch but in reality it's not! I really thought that I would be done with it by now. Well, I am almost 1/2 way done. I am debating on stitching the checkerboard border or just leaving it off and putting a mat on it. The checkerboard screams 1990's! But it also adds charm to the piece. I'll have to see when the time comes. The sampler is stitched on 36ct Flax linen with good ol' DMC.

And this is my girl Bea! Only 4 more motifs to stitch and she'll be done! Can you believe it?

The motif on the bottom left next to the wheat motif should be stitched 2 threads higher than where I placed it. I am debating on ripping it out or just leaving it where it is. My OCD heart is telling me to rip it out and place it where it should be (and be accurate to the chart) but my lazy self says just to leave it. It's not affecting the placement of any other motif and I know that it doesn't affect the look of the sampler. It's just not correct. And it's a reproduction. So, dear readers, what say you? Would you rip it out and restitch it where it belongs? \

Ok, so that's all the news that's fit to type tonight. I am really tired and if I was honest with myself, I am a little anxious about work. I am sure that the work thing is actually nothing, I just have a tendency to build up things in my head. Well, time will tell... I think I am going to work a little on This Is The Day and watch some TV. And then turn in early.

So, once again, thanks for stopping by, I am tickled that you are interested in what I have to say. Leave a comment if you are inclined. I love reading what you have to say to me!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Hey! I'm here!

I am sorry that I haven't been a good blogger recently. For awhile, I was posting fairly regularly and then I had my mini-meltdown and went and had a small pity party.

Life is sure interesting in Chez 90%. Huh, you say? Well, there's a story about the 90%. On Thursday, my company cut all salaried employees pay by 10% for this quarter and possibly next quarter too. Manufacturing employees didn't take a pay cut, they are working a 4 day week. The company took away their match on my 401k that went to a 101k after the recession hit and now, it's just a k. No raises either. I am glad though, it could be worse. I could have a 100% pay cut. I AM Blessed and I am thankful!

But hey! Let's talk stitching now!

Disclamer: Sorry about the crappy photos. I didn't drag out the iron. Please disregard the wrinkles and the hoop marks.

Earlier this week I worked on Bea.

Only 7.5 large motifs to stitch and 2 very small ones to go till I get to dance. Can you hear the bagpipes tuning up? And the tubas and bassoons? They're getting ready! I think I may have a happy dance by the end of May at this rate. Stay tuned. My band is!

Remember when I said I was stitching a pillow for Valentines Day? This is as far as I've stitched:

It should look like this sometime in this decade:

But I took some liberty with my version because the DH has been stitched in my heart for about 34 years now. This year we celebrate our 30th anniversary.
I have to say that the border on this little pillow gave me fits. And I'll have to do some re-arranging to get all the motifs in. So, I guess you could say that I used Beth's pattern as a springboard for something totally unique to me.

Lastly, I caved and started a new piece (rolling my eyes). I was going through my stash to decide what I want to sell and give away cause my tastes have changed and there are things that I know someone would love. I came across a bunch of Merrily Beam charts from the 90's. I love them! They remind me of Prairie Schooler and Mary Garry.

So, since we love to feed the birds and that special species of bird, I decided to start Feed The Birds:

It's a fairly fast stitch in DMC. I am stitching it on my 2nd favorite linen, Flax. This is 36 count.

So, that's all from Chez 90%. I hope you get a Stitchy Sunday. Today it's very sunny and it's supposed to be in the 50's so I may go out and clean out the flower beds. Yesterday, the DH and I steam cleaned the living room and bedroom carpets. Out with Winter! In with Spring!

Oh and one more thing!!! Please sign up for the Blackbird Exchange! We have 8 talented stitchers so far and it's going to be very fun! You do not have to commit for the entire year, just the exchanges you want to play. I am working out a couple of cool ideas for my piece.

So come on! JOIN THE FUN!!!

Once again, thank you all for following my blog and visiting. I am very blessed by my cyber friends! Have a wonderful week. I am going to count my blessings and my stitches. How about you?

Let's Try This Again...

Last night during a wicked bout of insomnia...I figured out that it's caffeine that keeps Mr. Sandman at bay, I started this post. While I was out looking for a suitable Steeler logo to put on my blog, I got caught in one of those endless loops to download a spy-ware program. Nothing I did would close out the window for the download so I just closed down the computer. But in the process, I lost my post. So this is TAKE 2.

I want to thank Siohban (Notes From Blue Hen Hollow) for bestowing this Fab-U-LOUS bloggie award on me.

I am touched and well, quite pleased. Thanks Siohban.!

If you haven't checked out Notes From Blue Hen Hollow, you must leave my site now and go visit Siohban. You will be rocked by HER world! So, GO! SHOO!! Come back here later!!!

Oh, and I have to list 5 of my addictions...geez...there's so many but I'll give it a whirl:

1. Stitching & Stash...it's like bread and water to me. Can't have enough stash. And it's a day without sunshine if I don't stitch!
2. Horses...love, love, love them!
3. Chocolate...a new obsession. It's healing powers are a salve to my soul.
4. The silly internet and all your fabulous blogs! I spend WAY too much time reading your adventures and stopping by on the forums.
5. French Vanilla coffee...I start my day with a 20 oz tankard of Green Mountain French Vanilla. Ah, the nectar of the gods.

I'm supposed to tag 5 others...so here goes. If you've been tagged already that's ok.

1. Liv N Laf
2. Maude and Mozart
3. Sampler Lover's Blog
4. Wandering This World
5. Stitching In Lobster Land

I hope you will play. But if you don't that's ok too.

Next is my progress picture of Bea that I promised oh, about a week ago. I LOVE this sampler and I am already planning on stitching her companion. I believe I am about 1/2 way done with Bea. I can't put her down.

I have to say though, I am THE WORLD'S SLOWEST STITCHER. That token of love motif? It took me 3 hours to stitch the inside of that blasted motif. I shook my head and was amazed at my progress after 3 whole hours. Geez. Anyway, the motif I absolutely dislike stitching is the passion flower motif that's at the upper right of the Token of Love one. I am stitching it a bit at a time cause it's all I can do not to cry at the sheer size of it and the amount of time it's taking to see any progress on it. Remember, I am a S-L-O-W stitcher even though I am stitching with only one thread in my needle and I don't have to obsessively railroad my stitches. Yes, I have OCD about railroading. It's why I am boycotting any fabric with a stitch count higher than 36. And that means I've only been stitching on 36 count recently. But I have to use a magnifier. I. AM. OLD.

I made it to my Weight Watcher meeting and unfortunately, the scale was not tipped in my favor. I gained a pound. Oh, you might say, big deal, it's only a pound. But you see, this pound leaves and comes back. And it's brought 9 of it's closest friends who've taken up residence on my caboose and kanga-pouch stomach. They've stayed. The one pound comes and goes. I am going to evict them all and the other 25 too that have decided that they are safe. The mantra at the meeting this week was...THIS IS MY YEAR!! And it will be!

I got on the treadmill yesterday and I have a date with it today. I am setting a weekly goal of one pound. And I am journaling...and I hate it but it's accountability. No sneaking a taste of cheese danish or a handful of crackers without writing it down. It's an eye opener when what you've mindlessly put into your mouth is documented on paper. I've done very well on the program when I've journaled so I think that's the key to my success.

Lastly, I want to say...GO STEELERS!!!! It's going to be Sixburgh tomorrow night!



Thanks for coming by and visiting Joanie's World. Leave a comment to say hi!

Beatrix Potter

It got sunny here in frozen Upstate NY so I took a picture of my Beatrix Potter sampler. I am almost done with the upper right motif and I made significant progress on the Passion Flower motif.

Bea has been my focus piece for the last few weeks.

I started a new piece tonight. It's from Heartstring Primitives called I Will Stitch You In My Heart.

Go to Beth's blog and check it out! I love it. I am stitching it on 32ct Flax linen with DMC. I plan on antiquing it and making it into a pillow that I'm going to hang on the headboard of the bed or if it's too big for that then I'll make it into a pillow. I don't have a lot stitched (only a bit of the left border) because the David and I watched a movie on TV. We need some couple time so even though I usually stitch while we watch TV, I didn't tonight.

Wow, I can't believe I've posted twice today!

Thanks for coming by to see what's doing in Joanie's World!!

Some stitching! Can you believe it?

I wanted to share some of my stitching progress during the holidays. I stitched fairly regularly from Thanksgiving on. I have to admit though, I didn't stitch according to my plan, I got stitcher's startitus and just went to town.

The first picture is a Prairie Schooler santa from Book 151, Santas & Snowmen, stitched with DMC on 32ct Lambswool linen. Sorry for the wonky photo, I was trying to get creative and it didn't work out so I cropped the picture. Who cares anyway about creative shots, the stitching is what's important, right?

Next is True Virtue. It's from an old JCS magazine. I worked on the alphabet. Sorry for the color, it's a bit washed out and not true. Damn camera.

Connie and I are SALing but we've both got off to a slow start because of the holiday. I got a little bored with the alphabet (there are 3 of them) and I really have to concentrate when stitching the rice stitches in the border in order to get the sequence right. I am working on it tonight. Stitching with good ol' DMC again.

Here's my progress on Beatrix. The SAL officially began on January 1st but I had a head start cause I started stitching right after the pattern was released. Over the course of November and December, I stitched the lower 2 motifs on the left side and the bird motif. On January 1st, I stitched the upper right motif and the beginning of a hugh floral motif. I am enjoying the sampler and I think with the added support of the SAL, I just might finish it before 2010. That's the plan anyway.

Here is a very pretty French freebie made into a pinkeep. I found it on 123 citrouille while perusing French blogs (can't read a word of French but like to look at the pictures). Here is the PDF. When I saw it, I thought I MUST stitch this cause I love redwork. And Christmas. It was a no brainer for me. I dropped Bea on her head and ignored True Virtue for an evening even though TV was whining to be worked on.

So here is my progress for one evening. I am stitching it with AVAS 4624 on what else, 32ct Lambswool.

And during my Christmas break, I did purchase patterns. I especially liked Sampler Girl's, Its a Wonderful Life. I had intentions of making it up as a Christmas gift but I umm, ran out of time. Silly me. I have a hard time figuring out how long something will take to work up and then put together.

Here's my progress:

Once again, in DMC but on an unknown piece of linen. You can see the little freebie ornament too from Sampler Girl. That was a very quick stitch and it's going to go to the Cadet and Jenna for their tree next year. Also in DMC.

So there you go, show and tell! Thanks for coming by!

What's been occupying my time

First of all, here's a picture of Olivia after she terrorized SweetieGirl, attacked my stitching and played with a chunk of wood for most of this morning. She jumped into the office chair about 5 minutes ago and promptly turned "OFF".

I joined a group, Seasonal Ornament SAL, that's stitching ornaments throughout the year. Vonna started it and the first ornament was to be for Thanksgiving. Ok, so Thanksgiving was LAST month...sue me. I chose the cornucopia from Prairie Schooler's, Autumn Samplers, and personalized it. I stitched it over one on 28 count Lambswool Lugana. It's tiny.

Lately, I've noticed that I am grousing more and more on what I don't have instead of being grateful for what I do. I am doing my best to be grateful for what I have and not to worry about what I don't. It's very hard for me cause deep down, I am a MATERIAL Girl. No, I am not Madonna, but I do like expensive things. Over the years, I've toned down shopping almost to the point of hating it. But when I do shop, I have a tendency to blow through a lot of cash in a short amount of time. This will be made into a pillow ornament and put where I can see it. ALL THE TIME.

Progress on Beatrix Potter.

I got back into her and I know I shouldn't work on her until the first of the year when the SAL officially begins but working with silk is a guilty pleasure. Bea is the only sampler I have in the Wip pile that's in silk now so when I need my silk fix, I go to her. Plus finishing motifs is like instant gratification. I am almost 1/2 done with her. Her sister is waiting in the wings to be started after I finish her.

Last is Blessings and Kind Wishes.

I hate the thread. And no, I will not get it finished for Christmas cause I hate the thread. I force myself to work on it. And right now, in the frame of mind I am in, forcing myself to work on a sampler that I am not enjoying is, well, just stupid. I will guilt myself into working on it (probably in small doses) so it will get done.

I apologize for the quality of the pictures and the wrinkly fabric. I just couldn't bring myself to dig out the iron and set up the ironing board.


So, there. I've been stitching. Next week, I start my glorious 2.5 week vacation. After Wednesday, I will be off until January 5th! YIPPIE!!! So I will be doing a lot of stitching and I will be working on some Christmas gifties. And finishing decorating and starting to bake. I am so looking forward to this time off.

I'll be more active on the ol' blog too so come back again. Thank you all for coming by! I AM grateful for all of you!

Pictures as promised

Thanks to all of you who've left me comments on my insomnia. Yes, I did go to sleep around 2AM and I slept until 6:45 when I woke up with a start thinking that someone was calling from the sunroom. The DH was up already, taking care of the critters and I thought it was him. But I was dreaming. So I got up and started the day. Tired.

Are you afflicted with the disease known as "Your eyes are bigger than (fill in the blank)"? I know I am! This morning while perusing the blogs as I drank my cuppa joe and ate my cereal, I came across this beautiful picture on Aline's blog.

And now, it's on my very short list of things to stitch. You have no idea how close I am to starting this. I must have bought it when this piece first came out and I stashed it away. I do know that I was a bit put off about all the lazy daisy stitches (not a big fan of that particular stitch) when I first got the pattern but now I'd just tough them out if I started this piece. I have the required Cresent Color thread and the pattern. I just need to go fabric diving for something suitable. Tell me I should start it. I usually wait until Christmas Day to begin the first new piece of the year but this is calling my name so loudly. (Tell me to start it.) And it's the perfect gift for someone I absolutely adore...so, tell me what I should do! (Start it.) Be strong and resist or be weak and begin it? (You know which way I am leaning...I just need that nudge over the edge, hee-hee!). Leave a comment, thumbs up or thumbs down.

Here's my progress on Blessings and Kind Wishes. See I got some of the leaves stitched and my storks grew legs. And I added a word or two. But this piece really is a struggle for me. Sorry for the wrinkles, I don't iron my pieces to take pictures of them.

And lastly, is my progress on Beatrix.

I stitched the floral motif next to the vine-y circle this week and the lower left 1/2 medallion yesterday. I also worked on the motif under the vine-y circle a late last night. She's being true to her word, the AVAS is luxurious AND she wasn't a bit of trouble.

Well, my oven timer just went off, I am making a pumpkin pie. Today, the DH and I are celebrating our Thanksgiving. Turkey breast with all the trimmings. We are going to the lovely Jenna's parents for the big day so the DH wanted a "test run" before Thursday. I know I'll be good today cause pumpkin pie isn't my favorite. Now if it was apple pie, then I would be in trouble!!

So thanks again for popping in, leave a comment or a dozen. I LOVE hearing from you!

Mr. Sandman, where are you? Plus stitching news

It's 1 AM in Upstate NY and guess what, gang! I'M AWAKE!!! Oh gosh, I've got insomnia. Again. More frequently then I've had in the past too. It's stress and about 12oz of caffeine too many. So, here I sit, cruising on the computer, waiting for that Mr. Sandman. It's cold here too so that's not helping. I went to bed, realized that a) I was cold and b) I was hungry. No point in tossing and turning. So downstairs I came, woke up Chrissy the Wonderdog when I turned on the light and proceeded to boot up the computer. Next I went and got a banana. But it's not enough and I am seriously contemplating making hot cocoa. You know the warm milk, sleep inducing aid but I can't decide if I need the extra calories right now. See, I went to WW on Thursday and I am ashamed to say and honestly, I can't believe this either, I GAINED 4 pounds in a week. Yea, yea, I was not a good Weight Watcher during the week but I didn't think I was SO BAD to have put back on EVERYTHING that I lost over the previous 3 weeks. But I did, the scale doesn't lie, and I am sad and upset with myself. So now, I am watching and journaling and walking on the treadmill...and praying that I stay in control over Thanksgiving weekend which will be a veritable food fest.

Anyway, I got a ton of stitching done tonight. I broke my promise and stitched on Bea for almost 5 hours even though I should have worked on Blessings and Kind Wishes. Yes, I didn't do too much today other than fight the crowds at the grocery store and do a couple of loads of laundry. But in my defense, I needed to just decompress and she softly whispered, "Me, stitch on me, I have luxurious silk and I promise I won't give you trouble." The little hussy...yea, she seduced me and we shared a lovely evening together. I completed an entire 1/2 motif on the left side and started a second. I am almost at the 1/2 way point with her. Picture tomorrow, promise.

On Friday, I stitched on Blessings and Kind Wishes but for only an hour or so because I really wasn't enjoying the process AT ALL. My storks have legs now and there's a little more done on the vine encircling them. I am thoroughly disappointed with the Weeks Dye Works thread I'm stitching with though, it's very thin and well, crunchy to my touch. The floss is not covering well (actually it's skimpy) and it's knotting up terribly even though I ran it over a damp sponge before using it to see if I could get it un-kinked. I got so frustrated with it that I put it down. I have to work on it though, it's a gift. And even though I am 1/2 way done with it, I'm not feeling the love. I don't want this piece to be a chore because it's a gift and I don't want to resent having to stitch it.

I've got a question for you stitchers out there....I want to bead the edges of an ornament. I backstitched both the stitched piece and the backing piece and I will lace them together. When do I add the bead to the lacing? After I lace the backstitch or as I am lacing? Or in the middle, after I put my needle through the first backstitch then add the bead and finish lacing the 2nd backstitch? Help! Describe how you add beads to a laced edge.

Well, I broke down and made cocoa. And after I drink it, I'm going back to bed. Hopefully, the DH hasn't hogged all the blankets. He does that, you know, and I get left with the sheet. It's not warm enough even if it's flannel. So thanks for stopping by and tomorrow, I'll post some stitchy pictures. Stay warm.

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.

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!