A Stitcher's Thoughts...

2009-07-17T06:42:00.002-04:00

Wow! Has time gone by!

I have come to the conclusion that when my mother passed away I went through some kind of breakdown. I couldn't cross stitch (and cross stitching has always been my therapy) and I didn't read (another favorite hobby), I just got up and went to work, came home and slept the remainder of the day away. I ended up getting divorced (my marriage had been over before mom's death, he was living downstairs and I was upstairs), moving out, getting re-married (my one big mistake since my divorce) because I was so afraid of being alone. And because I was so afraid of being alone I catered to him and gave him everything I could so that he stay... came close to financial meltdown because of it! I just can't believe what I have done and gone through.

And after I have come to my senses do I regret any of my changes?-- The only thing I regret is my remarriage. I do not regret leaving my ex-husband. We did not get along and rarely communicated without getting into an argument. Our sweet daughter spent her time in tears and never knew what was happening. Now, after the divorce and bitterness are gone, my ex and I have become good friends. We are doing things together with our daughter and having a good time together. He is in control of his life, I am now finally in control of mine. I have to admit that without my ex's help I would not have made it out of the hole I dug for myself. He was there for me as he wasn't when we were married. I am still putting my life back together and trying to get things caught up financially, but I am doing it and feeling good about myself again...finally. I have finally realized that I need to take care of myself and not depend on others to make me happy. That is my responsibility and my first priority. My new husband needs to do the same for himself. I can't not be the one to make him happy with himself.

I am still married to my second husband and whether or not we will stay married depends on him. I can't give him everything hoping that he will make me happy. I am no longer afraid of being alone. I now realize I am responsible for myself. Now, I need him to realize that he is responsible for his own happiness and for himself. I am not his mother and never wanted to be.

Now, after analyzing myself, I am finally getting back into my cross stitching! I am so happy as cross stitching has brought me so much happiness and peace within myself. I have my own little stitching area in my living room and it makes things so much easier. I have started reading again... I am feeling like a new person. My next post will be about stitching... I am just so happy that I am back!!!!!!

(Currently stitching: Firefly Fairies by Lavender and Lace, Madonna of the Garden by Mirabilia and who knows what else I will pull out!!!)

Wow!

2007-10-08T21:37:00.000-04:00

It has been awhile since I have blogged!! To be honest, I haven't felt like it, but then I haven't felt like doing much since my mom passed away. But it has been approximately 6 months and for some reason I feel like I am coming to life again. Much like a fresh new rose beginning to open. Guess it is true, people do need a time to grieve.

I have started stitching again. I was beginning to think that I would never get back into my favorite hobby, but it is also coming back. I have been working on Mermaid of Atlantis and Ivy both by Nora Corbett. My desire to stitch a Heaven and Earth Design is also coming back... thought that wouldn't hit me either, but, thankfully it has. I have picked HOPE by Selina Fenech back up and purchased a new QS chart by Ching-Chou Kuik-- QS Purple Silk Meramid. I just love the purples in this one. Just need to decide on the fabric for this one. Was thinking of stitching on 32 count 2 over 2, but I think that I am actually going to give 1 over 1 full cross stitch or 2 over 1 tent stitching a try...

Going to the Stitching Festival in Hershey, PA sure did help get me back into the stitching mood. I bought so much. I wonder if I am actually going to get everything stitched! I don't think so, but I love to look at the charts and dream of having them finished.

Will blog again with pictures... Just wanted to say Hi! And I am still around... And Boy it feels good!!!

A Day of Sadness in Virginia...

2007-04-16T20:28:00.000-04:00

Today, while at work, we get a call from my co-workers DD. Two people had been fatally shot in the dorm she used to live in... there was another shooter in a building shooting at people.... randomly or not, not sure about this yet. This was all happening on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The first shooting happens at 7:15am before everyone's day has actually begun. The second shooting occurs 2 hours later in Norris Hall where students are attending classes for the day. As the day goes on the death toll is climbing and the injured list is also increasing. My co-worker is near tears as her daughter is there on campus and who knows where this/these crazy people will end up.... The death toll is now approximately 20 people.

The police are still not sure whether or not it is the work of two different shooters or one. They are not sure whether or not the two different shooting incidents, that are only two hours apart, are related or not. The death toll is now over 20.... Our boss has my co-worker go home early; it is impossible for her to give her all to work, she is too worried about her daughter and the phone calls from friends and family keep coming in for her. A friend of hers is on the way to the school... she is going to bring her daughter home, after all it is the third incident at this school since school started in 2006. (When school started in Aug. 2006 a convict escaped from jail and ended up on the campus with a gun. Classes were cancelled and the campus put on lock-down. Then fairly recently there was a bomb threat at the school.) I still don't know what my co-worker has decided to do... stay here and know that DD is okay as she has been calling every 30-45 min. with updates and to let mom know that she is well... or to go down to Blacksburg and pick up her DD. I really don't know what I would do were I in the same situation. Her DD says that she is fine, she wants to stay at school. Exam week is coming up and then everyone will be leaving for the summer. Later on the news finally reports that the total death toll is 33. 2 have died from the shooting in the dorm, the remainder at Norris Hall, one reported dead so far is a professor. ID's of the those shot has still not been determined. The shooter has also taken his own life. The authorities are having trouble identifying the shooter as he shot himself in the head and his fingerprints are not in the system. He is reported to have had 2 pistols...

My question is this... WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO??? What is it with people who feel that they can solve their problems by shooting innocent victims. It is with shock, horror and sadness that we all listen to this on the news. The largest mass murder to happen... and at a college campus! I and others can not believe it!

And, Life Goes On......

2007-04-11T16:05:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, April 5, 2007 my mother took her last breath and passed away at 10:37pm at her home with my Dad and my sister at her side. She is finally out of pain (she was always in pain and it became much worse at the end)and is finally at peace in heaven above. The unbelieveable thing to me is that she is actually gone. I think I thought my parents were invincible and would always be around. The viewing and the funeral were on Monday, April 9 and Tuesday April 10, respectively. Both were very difficult (and absolutely beautiful), but , I just had to keep telling myself that mom was finally happy again and in a much better place. She had so many beautiful friends that were a pleasure to see again and some I was finally able to meet. We also got to see some people that we all thought we had lost touch with. Mom was such a beautiful and giving person of herself. It is difficult to imagine life without her... Love you mom and be happy.

However, life goes on... The dog has a yeast infection in one ear and a bacterial infection in the other ear. DD is having some problems finishing her homework in her classes, DS #3 is still planning to move to NC this summer sometime, I really need to make a dentist appointment for the tooth that has been bothering me all month, and my cousin and her husband will be back in the states on Saturday with their new baby, Matthew, who they adopted in Korea!! ... Life really does go on....

I was finally able to finish Stargazer and gave her to my niece for her birthday. She was in awe. My sister (her mother) is going to take Stargazer to be framed. I asked them to send me a picture as I would love to see her all finished. I would love to post a finished picture of her, but with everything going on I forgot to get the camera and take that final picture. Again, I asked my sister to take a picture for my finished album. The amazing thing is is that I have been able to finish some projects in the last year.... 2 (Celtic Summer and Mermaids of the Deep Blue) in 2006 and now Stargazer in 2007. Let's see if I can finish another one!!

2007-02-25T12:21:00.000-05:00

Wow!! What a day. I woke up in a bad mood... Katie had a cheerleading competition in Richmond, VA, it was snowing outside (and still is as I write this) and I really didn't want to drive 2 1/2 hours in this awful weather! It is supposed to turn to ice later on in the day. As I am being cranky and driving DH and DD nuts (yes, I was in rare form... tried to tell DH he was driving the carload to Richmond instead of me!) my cellphone rings... NOW who could this be??? Thankfully, I calmed myself down, answered the phone and lo and behold! The coach has cancelled our participation. Not great as this was a National competition, but in my opinion, better safe than sorry. Anyway, it was amazing, my mood did a 180 and I was fine... Go figure! However, I am still not happy about the weather!!! I hate snow, I hate ice! It just means that travelling around is difficult and school will more than likely be closed on Monday. Even DD would rather go to school! I know we aren't getting as badly as many of you, but I still don't like it.

This is what it looked like when I looked out the front door about an hour ago... you can still see snowflakes coming down...

And it is still coming down!

Oh well, that is life... I guess, I am going to be happy that I don't have to travel to the competition and sit down with a Marathon of Law and Order SVU and finish Stargazer. I am on the home stretch...just need to finish some stitching and then all the beading!

As you can see, I am almost there! Okay, so first a little nap! Then finish Stargazer! Guess the day isn't so bad after all!!!!

2007-01-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

Well... today my son came home... you may be wondering where has he been, college... nope. He has been someplace that I can not be proud of... After being in jail (yes, I wrote jail) for 1 year and 10 months he is finally home. It is only the first day, but he plans on getting his life back together and making something of it after putting DH and I through the ringer since he was 11 or 12 years old. I don't talk about it much as it all really makes me feel like a failure as a mom, but I have to keep telling myself that I didn't force him to make the choices he made in the past. I can only hope and pray that feeling lasts. I am mildly skeptical, but hopeful. We will see. But, man, he is one good looking young man!

Now, I have some more stitching updates... this is what I have been doing rather than spending my time on the net (I am making up for it tonight though)... My last update on Stargazer didn't show how much further I had gotten:

the bottom half of Stargazer, almost done and then a ton of beading to go....

the top half of Stargazer, done with the exception of the beads... again, another ton of beading to do!

And this is a full view of my almost done Stargazer.... should I say it again! Yep, a ton of beading! She is looking beautiful though!

Another project that I have been working on is Cirques des Cercles by Tracey of Ink Circles. I am stitching this on 32 count creme Italian Linen. The floss color I am using is Gloriana silk, Raspberry Parfait.

Not the best picture... should have made it larger, it looks better bigger! Oh well....

Time to get ready for bed. DD has a cheerleading competition in Richmond, VA in the morning and we have to leave super early. Ugh!

2007-01-24T11:03:00.000-05:00

I have really been neglecting my blog! Definitely not a good thing! So... what has been going on with me lately...

Mom continues to hang on... Those prayers from all over must be working because we have gone past the 6 months originally diagnosed by the doctors! She has lost quite a bit of weight and is now down to approximately 97 pounds from approximately 150 lbs. Her spirits are good and she is dealing with the pain as best she can. The doctors have re-vamped her pain medications a bit and that seems to be helping a little bit more. Even with the medication she still experiences some pain, but at least it seems to be bareable.

I will admit that I haven't been on the computer much... haven't really felt like it to be honest. Part of the reason is is that I don't want to be enabled. The other reason is is that for some reason I just want to spend sometime stitching, spending time with myself and a little with my family. For some reason I have been feeling this need to be alone. Not quite sure what it is....

Anyway... I have been stitching away on Stargazer by Mirabilia and I did start Mystery X by Martina of Chatelaine. I have been really enjoying Stargazer and have pretty much surprised myself with sticking with just this one project. I wonder... could I be changing to a one-at-a-timer? Lord, I hope not... there is so much I want to be stitching on... although I might actually finish more by working on one project at a time???

I have actually gotten much futher on this one, but haven't taken an updated picture yet. Infact, she now has a face and most of her dress! I am almost done with all the stitching and will just have the beads to put on... can't believe I will have finished one this year!!! Stargazer is being stitched on 28 count Opalescent Mystery Blue hand-dyed by Silkweaver.

I still haven't finished part one of Mystery X by Chatelaine, but this is what I have gotten done so far:

The colors are absolutely gorgeous for this one and the silk is so yummy to stitch with! I am still waiting for some of my threads to arrvie as they are backordered. I am hoping that I can keep up with this mystery and actually finish one! We will see. I had better get to stitching on this one before part 2 comes out at the beginning of February. Mystery X is being stitched on 32 count Belfast, Vintage Cream hand-dyed by Zweigart. The picture doesn't show it, but the fabric color is really a very pretty white/creamy color.

2006-11-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

Wow! It sure has been awhile since my last post. I will say that I have just come out of period of not feeling like doing much of anything. I did the things I had to do, go to work and take care of the family. My stitching and the computer (all my BB's and email) just got ignored. Thank the Lord, that period seems to have past and I am starting to feel more like myself... Now, to get back into stitching. Hope that feeling comes back soon!

Just found out that my cousin has asked his girlfriend to marry him.. I am so happy for him. I met his fiancee at my sisters wedding last summer and she is a very nice girl. My cousin, David, and his fiancee are a great couple! So, some happy news in the midst of some of the sadness...

My mother is doing as well as can be expected when one has terminal cancer. My sister and I met with the social worker (mom is in hospice) and she feels that mom is doing well... again, as well as can be expected. She (the social worker) seems to feel that although mom feels that she is ready to go to a better place she is still a fighter as she is still around and doing pretty well. Mom's disposition is great. She isn't depressed and is handling the issues that need to be settled well considering her immanent death. The main problem she is having right now is with my dad... She would like to have a DNR order and dad is fighting this with every fiber in his body. He is so pro-life. This isn't a bad thing, it is just that mom has decided that if her heart gives out she doesn't want any heroic measures taken. Point is, she doesn't want to be hooked up to a bunch of machines to keep her alive. I am sure, as Mom is, that when and if the time comes Dad will do the right thing. Mom has lost a lot of weight. She has gone from 145-150 to a mere 109 pounds. She is beginning to look like skin and bones... this is difficult for me. But her spirit is good and she seems fairly happy despite the situation. My sisters and I are doing all we can to spend time with her... and this feels good.

I have some pictures that I need to post. Before all this started I had been working on Cirque des Cercles by Ink Circles, Touching the Autumn Sky by Mirabilia, Stargazer by Mirabilia and Rapunzel by Jalynn designs. Oh, and I have been working on Watergarden by Martina Weber of Chatelaine Designs. Let me tell you, Martina sure has a way with color. I love the blues in Watergarden. Will try and get the pictures posted by the end of the week. Hopefully, doing this will get me back in the mood to STITCH!!!

What's been going on....

2006-09-01T22:36:00.000-04:00

Let's just say... nothing much that is new.

Two weeks ago Thursday, August 17 mom went into the hospital with chronic vomiting. The doctor's suspected a blockage, but wanted to run some tests. However, by Friday, she was in so much pain that she begged the doctor to operate, so Saturday, August 19 she was operated on. The surgeon found that her colon/intestinal track is full of cancer and he found a major blockage and removed it. He also removed a large piece of cancer that he felt would become a blockage at a later date. She is alot worse than I suspected... actually, I think mom hasn't been letting us (my sisters and I) know the whole story to keep us from getting worried. Dad feels that when mom went through radiation that it made the cancer worse.... I don't know, I don't want to speculate as I really don't know. The fact is... is that mom is alot worse than I thought... not only does she have cancer on her stomach and her liver, but the colon cancer (which started it all) is still there and still growing thereby causing more problems. All the chemo and radiation that she has gone through hasn't really done anything.

I always thought that colon cancer if caught early enough was curable. Mom was diagnosed approximately three years ago with colon cancer, had an operation, the doctors stated that they felt they had gotten it all, but that she should go through a round of chemo. After the first round, they had her go through another round of chemo. What weren't they saying... the doctors or mom.... ??? We then heard she was well. Nothing to worry about... not really. A year later, mom was diagnosed with colon cancer again, again she was operated on, again they got everything, and again she needed to go through chemo, but added the radiation as well.... Mom didn't do so well this time... she came down with chronic diarreha and spent a week in the hospital. And now, two and 1/2 months ago mom again is diagnosed with cancer, however this time it is on the stomach and liver.... and worse in the colon...nothing to do for her but chemo and radiation. Mom and Dad decided against the chemo and radiation as she didn't do well with the past round and they (at least Dad felt) felt that it made the cancer worse. I don't know, maybe the chemo kept coming back and they actually did get it all... maybe they didn't get it all and it continued to spread, who knows... diseases are still a mystery and the miracle of medicine is still a mystery... or maybe it isn't a mystery at all... maybe God is ready for mom and this is the plan. I prefer to think of it this way... because Iwould drive myself crazy trying to figure it all out and I get more peace feeling that God needs her with him.

What is new on the stitching front?? Will post tomorrow... with pictures. I finished Mirabilia's Mermaids of the Deep Blue and they look beautiful. Have also started a new project... or four.... :) One of my new starts is a knitting project, which is turning out quite well... I have to do something to keep my mind off mom and this is all perfect....

Finally....

2006-08-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

Where have I been? Yep, that is what I am wondering as well.... Haven't been here but have been around. To be honest I just haven't been feeling much like posting or being online for that matter...

We found out about a month and half ago that my mother has cancer of the stomach and liver and doesn't have much time left. They have actually given her 6 months or less. Mom did go and get a second opinion and the second opinion was the same as the original one. I have to admit that this has caused me to not want to do too much of anything, unless it totally takes my mind off of everything. Like going into another world by reading a book or stitching with the tv on. It is even difficult to pick up the phone and talk to my mother because some small part of me feels that if I ignore my mom's terminal illness it isn't actually going to happen... that things will always stay the same and mom will be around forever.

I broke down and called mom today... it had been two weeks and I know that when the end comes, if continue the way that I have been I am going to feel guilty that I didn't at least continue talking to mom on the phone and doing things "as usual". Needless to say, I am not handling it all too well.

Anyway, mom is doing well right now. She has been having some stomach pain and has to watch what she eats and make sure that she doesn't eat too much. I wasn't too happy to hear that.

My sisters and I, I am the first of five daughters, are going away the weekend of September 22 for a getaway with mom while she is still feeling up to it. Hopefully, this will be a happy time with mom and one that we can all pack away and remember the great times with mom. I have to admit that I don't know whether or not I am looking forward to it or not. Don't get me wrong... I love spending time with my family... it is just the reason that we are having this weekend. It is great, and defintely a good idea, it is just the reason behind it... always there the nagging illness that mom has.

Some ponderings....

2006-05-04T22:44:00.000-04:00

I can't sleep... here it is 10:42 pm, I have to get up at 3:30 am, and I can't go to sleep. I am going to be one tired puppy in the morning!

Finally joined the Fitness Club. DH and I have been working out this week, which is the first week. I am quite sore, but it isn't a a 'bad' pain, it is a pain that says "Yeah, dummy you do have muscles that haven't been used!!" I think it is going to be fun as it is something that DH and I can do together. He needs to lose about 80 pounds and I would like to lose about 10-15 pounds, so we are going to help eachother out. We'll see how this goes!

Haven't been in a stitching mood lately and I feel that it is really bringing me down. The obession in my life isn't grabbing me and saying "get that needle going!". I am hoping that one day, day soon it hits like a tornado. Have to admit that I haven't been doing much of anything.

Looks like the weather is getting better... think it is getting time to plant some flowers outside and plant some more grass where there were weeds. This is a good thing. I have been waiting for the warmer weather. It is also getting warm enough to turn on the air conditioner! Yay!

Wish DS #2 would move out... he is driving me nuts. His poor dog wonders where he is when is out with his friends, which is all the time. He is also getting a little tough to have around, because I am finding that I don't know where the respect is that I brought him up to have for others. Dealing with a 20 year old kid is getting to be difficult.

Work wasn't great today.... as a dispatcher for the school system buses I have to cover the runs with a substitute when other drivers call in. No huge deal... even though we are very short staffed with bus drivers, but today in particular I was have great difficulty in covering a run. I had a driver, but I had to make sure that the one student he transports to school (over an hour one way) didn't go to school today. There was the beginning of the problem! I couldn't get an answer from the school as to whether or not this student went to school. (Side note: I work on the special Ed side working with the Special needs buses. This student needs to go to a special school in another county) While I am holding on the phone awaiting this info my replacement comes in and says that she has found a driver for the bus. When I asked who, she told me that the student wasn't going to schoool and the driver of that bus run would cover the other bus run. She said this like she had been the one working on this all day... that she had been able to solve the problem in several minutes! That made me so angry.... the reason this driver was available, as I figured, was because he didn't have to travel over an hour away to the school as somehow this driver was able to obtain the info on the student that he wasn't in school where I was having trouble. My replacement for the evening shift spoke to the driver while I was still on hold waiting for the school go come back on the line! She calls the supervisior to let him know that he didn't have to drive the bus, that SHE found a driver. Get that... SHE FOUND A DRIVER! I had only been calling other people to see if they could help out off and on all day.... I will admit... I was mad! I still am... and that is why I can't sleep, because this whole thing has gotten my goat. I can't stop thingking about it! HELP...

Now, I am going to try and get some sleep... this computer has helped me get tired....

Wow! Time for an update!!!

2006-04-13T20:14:00.000-04:00

It has certainly been awhile since my last update.... I think I have had internet burnout! What have I been doing... Stitching, stitching, stitching... well and working too. I have been stitching rather than spending my time on the net... and it shows. I have gotten quite a bit done on Mirabilia's Mermaids of the Deep Blue. It is looking stunning if I do say so myself. My goal is to finish it by the end of April. I am hoping that this is one goal that I actually accomplish! Will get a picture up in the next day or so.

I also think that I have been experiencing HAED burnout. I have really been wondering how anything like that could happen. Didn't think it would ever happen... but there have been some new designs released that I have had to have and well... I am back in the loop so to speak.... and very happy about it. I also have been feeling the twinges of "I gotta stitch on an HAED!" Better pull out May I Have This Dance by Selina Fenech. I am afraid that I am going to be left in the dust if I don't get to stitchin'! However, Impossible Love 2 has been released by Selina Fenech and let me tell you it is a stunning piece of work. I have already purchased the chart, the floss and gotten the fabric all set out. I have even put in the first 20 or so stitches. I couldn't resist! Once I finish my Mermaids by Mirabilia I will begin working on Impossible Love 2! Maybe I can get a page done and then one more and then.... well you get the idea, I want to work on one chart by HAED and make some serious progress! I am getting tired of being a serial starter and getting nothing done.

This has also been a stressful time as far as my weight is concerned... I am really self concious about it... don't get me wrong, I am not that heavy. It is all me... I could stand to lose about 10 to 15 pounds around the middle section, but I just haven't been all that happy with myself. Well, the real problem is... I tried on my bathing suit that I have and I look so frumpy. Didn't look good at all... to me. I mean I still wear the same size, but all the 'fat' has shifted and I bumps in different places... So, I decided to go look at bathing suits - BIG MISTAKE! That little outing didn't make me feel better about myself at all! Infact, it did the complete opposite, I felt worse. All these pudges where they shouldn't be... I think I am just going to wear shorts and a tank top when I take DD to the pool!

I really don't think losing weight will help all that much, I think I finally have to get things in gear and start a workout program. I am just not the workout type. DH wants to join a fitness club and have both of us go workout together. Not a bad idea as we don't do all that much together, and this would be good for both of us. Just need to get off our patootie's and get'er done! I might actually start to feel a bit better about myself.

DS and his dog have moved back home and he is driving me crazy. I love him dearly, but after having had him in his own place for awhile I have gotten used to having more space... and two dogs, both male, DS's dog is a pit ( a sweetie) and ours is a lab (another sweetie) just aren't doing too well together. Smokie, our dog, is getting a little upset at having his around all the time. Our coffee table has been pushed over more times than I care to admit with the dogs running around under the table and due their heights just lifting up and turning it over. It is actually quite funny, but DH is definitely getting frustrated.

Well, off to take some piccie's .... gotta showoff my stitching and the sweet doggies...

AHHHHHH!!! I Am Going Thru....

2006-02-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

through stitcher/chart overload!!! There are so many charts that I want to stitch and that I feel I have to/(actually) want to start that I feel like I am going thru some kind of overload. I have been trying to stay away from the HAED BB as I don't or didn't want to be tempted. I have a bunch of projects started and I just wanted to feel that I was accomplishing something. Well, my staying away from the HAED BB was very short-lived... I went there today and guess what?!!! Yeah, you guessed it! Michele went and released FIVE, yes FIVE designs (In defense of me... they were actually released on the 26th and I didn't see them until today! I can try can't I?) by Scott Gustafuson. They are, Little Red Riding Hood, Miss Mary, Hansel and Gretal, Little Miss Muffet and Pat-a-cake. And do I want one of the designs.... NO! I want all of them and I am feeling the pull to start... well, let's just say more than one... and then there is my favorite artist... Selina Fenech. Would if Greenman's Bride by Selina Fenech is released as a chart... soon (I hope). I am going to have to have that one as well..... See, what I mean... stitcher/chart overload. Yep, got it bad!! LOL!! Now, what am I going to do... Well....

I was a flossie fairy for Sonya... and I get to do it again.... and I get one chart in trade. That will take care of Little Miss Muffet then the others will come later. DD loves her... so she is first!! But, how many projects should one person have... I mean how WIPs??? There are some people that are so disciplined that they can keep themselves down to a small number.... I have got to figure something out. At least there are some things going for me... I don't have the chart (Little Miss Muffet), the floss or the fabric (waiting for that to arrive... it has already been ordered... last week {sheepish grin here}) so that helps out. And Greenman's Bride hasn't been charted yet, so that is very helpful... the other charts I want.... well, I'll hold off.... But, what to do about all these starts....

My "Special Day" and what I have been up to....

2006-02-17T22:25:00.000-05:00

Yep, it is now February 17 and it is my birthday. What did I do? Well, I did take the day off of work... I didn't want to work on my birthday and had been planning to stitch all day, but things didn't work out that way. While I was eating breakfast, I felt myself bite down on something hard. I couldn't imagine what was in my wheaties that was so hard. When I checked it out, I had broken my temporary crown in the back of my mouth! So, all day I have had a very funny feeling back there. I called the dentist and they would be closed today, so I have to go in on Saturday morning to have it repaired. Not fun! Then my stomach started feeling gassy and had sharp pains running through it. Again, not fun. So, I took some Tums and went to take a nap... just hoping that it would start to feel better. Thank goodness, it did as we were to go out for dinner for my birthday. Didn't get any gifts as money is still quite tight, but I was treated very well for Christmas so that is okay.

At around 4:30pm we left for dinner. We hate waiting for a table with a crowd of other people waiting. DH and DS's don't do well with waiting! So, we left early to ensure that we would get a table right away... which we did. We went to Logans Roadhouse and had a great dinner. We went there because 2 of my supervisors gave me a $50 gift card from there for my birthday and we could save a little money using the card. We really did have a great dinner. They have some delicious steaks... and DS's girlfriend says they have the best Salmon. I took my camera with me at the dismay of my DS's. They didn't want to have their pictures taken, but I prevailed and gave them no choice. I kept using the phrase: "It's my birthday...." and they had no choice! LOL!
Here is a picture of DD (10yrs) and I. She is such a cutie! I never have a problem getting her to have her picture taken... she really is a little ham!

Here is DD (again) with DH. She really is Daddy's little girl. She has him wrapped around her finger although he will deny it. He also has DD wrapped around his little finger. He is the only one who can get her to help out around the house... she has done her laundry, helped him make dinner, clean the kitchen, etc. Sometimes I am a little envious of their relationship, but they really do well together. I know she loves her mommy, but mommy knows what it is like to be a little girl and she doesn't get away with much with me...

Now when the boys were young it was a bit of a different story! I did get the boys with Katie.... but I really did have to do some work. (From left to right) DS #3, Daniel (18) really wasn't a problem as you can see by his nice smile. The little scar on his forhead happened when he and his brother raced to the car to try and get the front seat. He slid on the ice right into the edge of the car door. Of course there is Katie... such a beautiful little girl! And DS #2, Chris (20) who looks a little under the influence of something. He was a tough one to get his picture taken. He had his wisdom teeth taken out yesterday and is on a very strong perscription pain killer... hence the funny look on his face. He was feeling pretty tired and out of it. His girlfriend Alex also came with us for dinner. They really do look great together. I couldn't get Chris to move out of his seat (He and Alex were sitting across from eachother.) and sit with Alex for a picture opportunity. Not even "it's my birthday" seemed to work! Well, of course DD as more than happy to oblige and have her picture taken again! So, there you have Alex (DS #2's girlfriend and DD). We really had a good time and the food was delicious. Our waiter was a little strange, but did the job really well anyway. Sometimes it is just so difficult to get all "boys" to behave themselves. I felt like I and Alex were the only adults at the table with a bunch of kids. I am just glad the everyone had a good time! So, even though the day didn't start out well, it did end well with everyone at dinner.

What have I been up to in the stitching front. I have been doing a little of everything! I got the chart for Water and of course I had to start it right away. I thought that I would give a piece of 32 count Joblean a try, but soon decided that I wasn't ready for this... or maybe Joblean over one is not what I like to stitch on. Then I remembered that I had a piece of 25 count Lugana in Ice Blue and thought that I would give that a try. It was perfect! I am really enjoying working on this. I love how my stitches look on this piece! And the colors of blue and green are absolutely beautiful!

I also thought that I had better get some stitches in on May I have This Dance by Selina Fenech. After all, I was going to be stitching this on 32 count hand-dyed Lugana (which does shrink a little... meaning the holes would be smaller in my opinion). I had to see if I could do it. Well... I impressed myself!

Looks like for some reason I was able to accomplish stitching on 32 count Lugana, but couldn't accomplish 32 count Joblean. Must be the difference in the fabrics! Anyway, I know it isn't much to see, but I am proud that this design is going to look fantastic on this fabric! The floss color is pretty true to life, but the fabric has little bit more mottled yellow in it. Trust me... It is going to be stunning! I am also very happy with this project!

I have also been working on Goldilocks by Scott Gustafuson. Thought I would give a piece of Light Ash Gray 20 count Lugana a try. After starting it and finding out that I really did like 25 count Lugana I had been debating on re-starting it. But, everytime I look at, I change my mind and decide to just continue on the 20 count. After all... I don't think it looks too bad.

So, this is what I think Goldilocks will be staying on. I personally do not like the large holes if they are going to show, but I will have this framed right up to the stitching... if I ever get this one and others done! I am such a slow stitcher.

I have also been working on a Non-HAED chart. I have been working on a sampler, which I am pretty happy with. It is called Sampler 4 Saisons by Anagram Diffusion.

I am stitching this on 36 count Edinburgh Linen, Antique White. The designer has suggested red and white for the entire sampler, but I visited another stitcher's Webshots album and he had stitched his using different colors of Gloriana silks for each of the different seasons. I liked that much better and went a purchased the chart... This was last year sometime. I did choose different Gloriana Silk colors than he did, but that is where our individuallty comes out in our stitching. Right now I am stitching "Spring" and am using Gloriana Cottage Woods. So far, I am very happy!

Well, there you have it... My Birthday dinner and what I have been working on... Was time for a stitching update.....

Some changes...

2006-02-16T12:27:00.000-05:00

Well one of the girls on the day shift has decided to leave. She will be going to work as an administrative assistant for the Sheriffs Department here in Leesburg. The working hours of 5am-2pm weren't working for her. Her DH had to go into work late so that he could get the kids on the school bus in the morning and that was causing him to have to work later in the evening. It is also a fairly stressful job and I don't think (total speculation on my part) she really liked it. I am sorry to see her go... she really was good at what she did. Anyway, while I am not crazy about the other two ladies on the day shift (they are a bit lazy and expect the new person to do it all!) I have decided to go to the day shift position. I will miss working with my co-worker in the evening as we get along really well, but I am getting tired of working the the night shift. I hardley ever get to see my DD and DH and I think that I would rather be at home. After all, I can stitch at home in the evening and don't have to stop to answer the phone... unless I want to! Also, things can get very slow on the night shift and since we aren't allowed on the internet any more, I find that I am really missing my internet time with my stitching buddies. Being at home will allow me some time to do that. I could go on and on with pros and cons, but I will just leave it the fact the pros outweight the cons at this point. Especially, now that I can spend more time with the family. S0, on Monday I will be working the 5am-2pm shift rather than the 2pm-10pm shift.

Another change... for me anyway... I really think that I am going to be able use my fabric (32 count Platinum) for May I Have This Dance. The stitches are so tiny, but with a magnifier I can see them and it is looking good so far. I will post a pic soon; there really isn't much to see, but you will at least see that the stitches are looking pretty good if I do say so myself! If I changed the fabric, I would want a 25 count from Silkweaver and it would cost $40. I really don't want to do that as I love the color of the fabric I am not attempting to use and I would rather save the money for more HAED charts! Like I need more charts!

I have got to come up with some kind of rotation. Lana (who was another serial starter) was able to do it... why can't I??? Be Mine has come out and I have to start it... I already have the fabric, a light pink 25 count Lugana... I just have to check for the floss... but then there is a sale this weekend at Joanns... so.... I did start Water and the colors are absolutely gorgeous! I had started it on 32 count Joblean, but the stitches of some just seemed to cover some of the other stitches, so I found a piece of 25 count Ice Blue Lugana and I am much happier. Maybe Lugana is the fabric I like rather than the Joblean. MIHTD is on 32 count Lugana and I am doing well with that.. that is why I thought I could do Water on 32 count Joblean. Oh well, another change. At some point I am going to pick some of my favorite HAED's and create some kind of rotation... I just have to do it!!! I want an HAED finisher blinkee!!

Oops... it is almost 12:30 pm... time to get ready for work.... see ya!

Some Thoughts....

2006-02-10T01:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I managed to get a few stitches into May I Have This Dance ... okay I'll be honest about 10 stitches of DMC 814 (I do love that color), but it let me know that I will be able to stitch over one on 32 count fabric! I have to admit that I am very happy about this as the artwork for May I Have This Dance was charted by Michele Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs and the fabric, Platinum was hand-dyed by Bob when they were the owners of The Blended Needle. The color of the fabric with the floss can be seen to the left.... I really do like this color... But, there is still a little hitch, I am having a little trouble trying to differentiate between some of the design and the background, which I would prefer to leave out. So, I ordered a new copy of the chart without the background... so now I have to wait for the chart and I really want to work on this one... now... Guess I will just find another project... as if I didn't have another! Hhmmnnn, actually I wonder if I went ahead and stitched the background, would that be too much or would it work with the design??? Something to think about... will take this question to the BB!

I have to wonder what the deal is with HAED... when I first started I was having such a difficult time stitching over one. Infact, I felt that I couldn't do it and that I had to stick with stitching over 2. Now, I seem to be able to stitch over one on just about anything... I still can not stitch over one on opalescents. The holes are just too small and I have trouble finding the next stitch place. But, I am now going to attempt to stitch Serendipity by Linda Ravenscroft without the background, on 28 count Cashel Linen! This is an amazing thing for me! And as I said above, I going to stitch May I have this Dance on 32 count Lugana that was hand-dyed. So, it has scrunk to be a little smaller. I am amazing myself! I never thought that I would be using so many different fabrics... yes, we really do improve with stitching. You know, it really is like the little engine that could. If you tell yourself you can do something, then chances are you will be able to do it! Just gotta keep reminding myself of that little fact, and not get so frustrated sometimes.

I somehow need to come up with a plan... I have been starting and kitting so many projects that I will never get them done in this lifetime... I really want to get some things finished so that I can hang them on my wall! Heavens my work needs to be displayed!!! Stitching over one is getting to be fun... that is another thing I never thought that I would ever say! And then....

I get home from work and Michele of Heaven and Earth Designs has released a design I have been waiting for Water by Teri Rosario. I could have found out sooner about it if I had been allowed to use the internet at work. (Today we were told: no more unless it was work related, due to some idiot browsing on porn sites!) Anyway, I have ordered it, but now I have to wait until the AM for it to hit my email inbox. This is going to be a fun stitch! So, what am going to do now... Well, start Water of course and then come up with a plan so that I can stitch on several designs and try and make my HAED goal!

Will I be able to make my HAED goal? At this point, I don't know. My main goal is to get an "HAED finisher" blinkie... but we will see. Bottom line, I gotta have fun and I am not going to make this a chore. I love my hobby too much to do that....

DH has finally gotten a contract signed and is getting ready to start a job... finally. I am just hoping that he gets more calls and has more work coming in! I need to get him out of the house. He is driving me nuts! That and he needs to bring money in... I am not one to be skin tight... I need just a little extra cash.... All in all, I can't really complain... things are going fairly well.... So far....

Let's see....

2006-01-25T15:49:00.000-05:00

DH got a call on some of his flyers that he has been passing out for his new deck business. This is a good thing! I sure do hate having money so squeeky tight.

A stitching buddy from the HAED BB sent me a chart, Friendship by Sara Butcher. I love this design and was so surprised to see it in my inbox! I felt so special. It really did help cheer me up... with money being so tight due to DH not working at the moment, I actually got a new chart!

Well, I have actually accomplished some gridding and it was fairly painless! I did not do the gridding of the 10 x 10 squares (that is so tedious and takes forever), however I did grid all the page lines on several projects... this is a major accomplishment for me. Hopefully, I will be able to do some cross country stitching this way. We'll see.

Well.... some thoughts....

2006-01-21T19:53:00.000-05:00

Things are better than they were... My father read the email that I sent and also had my mother read it. She thought that I was angry with her... Bobby, DH, explained that no, I wasn't angry, just hurt and that it wasn't about money. For some reason, a couple of days after the whole thing, my dad called Bobby and said that he would do what he could to help out. I and Bobby insisted that whatever help was given financially would be a loan. Dad tried to refuse, but I told him that we didn't want the financial help, unless it was a loan... and that as soon as the business started making money we were going to pay him and mom back. Does it make everything better, well, no, because as I said before, it isn't about money... it is about what was said and how people (my family) seems to feel underneath it all. Oh well, enough of that... I would much rather talk and think about stitching!!!!

But first, I did spend some time with DH making the fllier for his business. Looks pretty good if I do say so myself. If I knew how to link to a word document I would show you all. We put in pictures of some of the jobs that he has done along with the wording. Bob's Decks, Porches and More flyer looks fantastic... and I did it. They will be ready from the copy place on Monday and then DH and DS's will be going from neighborhood to neighborhood. Hopefully, we will get a call or two that results in a job!! Now for the fun stuff....

My decision has been made in reference to my fabric for the two charts I am getting ready to start. Blue Anemone is going to be on Sand by Silkweaver (see piccie in post below). It is such a lovely shade of, well, sand. I really think that she is going to look great! May I Have This Dance is going on the Platinum (see piccie in post below) done by the 'Michele and Bob' Blended Needle along with a chart done by Michele and Bob also. Brings things kinda full circle. It does help that the floss toss looks fantastic (as it does on the green (see below) but the Platinum does "pop" as one of my very special stitching buddies put it.

What I have now been doing is gridding the pages (not all the 10 x 10 blocks... that would take me forever and drive me nuts!) onto the fabric. I am hoping that this will allow me to jump from section to section. I get so tired of background all the time... I want to see some faces! I am actually accomplishing this without too much pain... I haven't really felt like stitching and doing the gridding is mindless after you have counted the page out. It really will make starting so much more fun... at least I hope it will. The only thing I am feeling a little questionable about is stitching over 1 on 32 count fabric, but I am NOT going to tell myself that I can't do it!!! I have found that if I tell myself that I CAN do it, that usually I am able to do it and do it quite well, infact. So, no more questioning myself, just will go and get 'er done... as Larry the Cable guy would say!

I recently sent Fudgey her Princess and the Pea Blackwork 'kit'. Not really a kit, the design was hand-drawn onto a piece of hardanger fabric and then a pretty thick book was sent with the design with the instructions on completeing each section. Let me say... when this is completed it is going to be BEAUTIFUL. It may just sell me on blackwork and this design in particular. I had wanted to treat her to the flossies as well, but she is going to convert it to Dinky-dyes silks. It is going to be gorgeous! I know that she is able to part with her projects fairly easily... just hope that this one makes it to the framer's and the wall in her home! Actually, I am joking... it is hers to do with what she likes... I just wanted to do something special for her. It has really made me happy..... I just wish I could have kept it a secret, but I was too excited about getting Fudgey something that she really wanted that I would have burst if I had tried to keep it quiet!!!

Michele went and released a bunch of new designs... this is the first time that I haven't bought a bunch. What a first... and not an easy thing for me either. I love Linda Ravenscroft's Return of the Unicorn. This will probably be one of the first ones I get my hands on when I am financially able. There are also a couple of QS's that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on and some Bernadette Lusk Designs... and let's not even talk about Sara Butcher... Sara Butcher's Friendship is stunning and a must have as well as Sara Butcher's Gwen, West of Eden and East of Eden. Well, there you have it... where my heart lies..... Those four, plus Patty Lewis's Follow Me and QS Frog Prince would've been in my mailbox today if things were like should be. This is actually a good experience for me... I think! :) It certainly has kept me gridding so far rather than going out and shopping on the net or out at AC Moore where they happen to have a sale going on right now! But, watch out, first job Bobby gets and I am there... clicky finger and all!

I have really rambled here... oh well, if you made it this far, thanks for reading and have a great rest of the weekend!

Fabric Dilemma... sort of...

2006-01-19T00:16:00.000-05:00

Today I received my fabric for Blue Anemone by Linda Ravenscroft and for May I have this Dance by Selina Fenech. Two fantastic artists with fantastic talent... I am very happy with the my fabric for Blue Anemone... The fabric for Blue Anemone is a 25 count Lugana called Sand from Silkweavers.

however, I have three choices for May I have this Dance. I am not sure which one to choose... One of the colors I am debating about is 25 count White Opalescent. I didn't post a picture as I think you can get the idea by looking at the picture... the link is above. My other two choice are colors, but they are 32 count and I have never stitched on 32 over 1. I know that I can do this as I have done some practice stitching and it looks quite good... but an entire project! I am hoping that some of my sweet bb stitching friends will help me out... I am kinda leaning toward the more yellowy one.... Would almost be perfect in the sense that it is a piece that was hand-dyed by the Blended Needle when it was owned by Michele and Bob... and now I would be stitching a design that was charted by them on their fabric. That would be kind of neat. At least I think so. Wouldn't be stitching the background if I used this piece of fabric.

The other color is a light green called Carols Meadow in 32 count Joblean, hand-dyed by Silkweaver's. I wouldn't be stitching the background on this one either. I like this one too... as I like the other choices as well.... The colors are pretty accurate on my monitor. The green may actually be a tad more minty looking IRL.

So, what do you think... which one should I use for May I Have this Dance? And do you think that my fabric choice for Blue Anemome will work out??? Please note: I really would like honest opinions... If you think I should go back to the drawing board don't be afraid to let me know...

What is it about people...?

2006-01-16T12:23:00.000-05:00

The people you think will never judge you are infact the very ones that do! I am sorry that this won't be related to stitching much... just have to get it off my chest.

Last week DH was laid off from work due to winter and the slowness of getting jobs with the company he is with. DH is a builder (a deck, porch, screened porch etc. builder) and the man he has been working for kept telling everyone that they were overbooked with work through March. Well, last week the truth came out when DH and several others were told that there weren't any jobs! What a shock. So, DH, who has been thinking of going into business for himself, decided that he had to get started now! All we needed was some start-up money and went to members of my family who we knew could help us out and invest-- Well, we certainly found out where we stand in family.

The fact that neither member didn't want to jump onboard with us is not the issue. Yes, I want to help you out or No, I don't would have been sufficient. The things that were said is what I and DH take issue with. I am not going to write what was said, it hurts too much. We are obviously deemed not worthy. A lot of this stems from things that have happened in the past... with our boys who have gotten themselves into trouble quite a bit with drugs, drinking and the people they have chosen to hang around with. Simply put... the local Leesburg Police force knows us by name! Not a good feeling. Member of my family know some of what has happened, but not everything and certainly not to the extent of some of the incidents. My Mother knows all.. and is one who has never judged us! My Dad and some of my sisters... now there is the problem. The general jist-- we are not good people. THIS COMING FROM MY FAMILY!

I have always known that I was judged by DH's family. His mother and brother always seemed to find fault with me... I am a Catholic, I am not the best housekeeper, I spend too much and the list goes on... but then my MIL has always had a closed mind... one that is still very hard to open up. But I never thought that my own family would be in the same boat!

I had always felt insecure growing up in the family anyway. Always felt that no matter what I did, I could never measure up. Infact, to this day in 40's I still strive to get my family's approval. It seems I never can. When all this happend I feel that my insecurities have been confirmed...

My friends have never judged us in the way my family has......

What am I doing???

2006-01-13T12:15:00.000-05:00

Before Christmas I decided that I was going to concentrate on the projects that I already had going and maybe finish something. Well, that decision didn't last long. Michele and Bob have released so many beautiful designs that I just had to plunge right in and get started. You are probably wondering how many I am talking about.... well, one night I decided that I needed to change the desktop on my computer and I went to Selina Fenech's Site for a free background. I chose Hide and Seek . The design just called to me! What was I supposed to do? Let it scream.... So, into the floss and fabbie stash I go and before I know it I have started. I have to admit, the greens are beautiful and so far it isn't a bad stitch! Will stitch a little more and then will post a picture. I just love the green colors! Now, that isn't the only one... I also started Mask of Autumn by Jessica Galbreth. Just happened to have 28 count Joblean in Antique White in my stash. I was only going to try a practice piece to see how the black floss would work... didn't want any of the white to show through. Well, it looked great and I was so surprised at myself that I was actually stitching on 28 count and liking it, that I kept going. I now have a little black blob! I am not done yet.... I also found a piece of 28 count Lugana and decided to see how Tomboy in color by Selena Fenech would look. Before I knew it I had about 20 stitches going! And, even though I haven't started them yet, I will be starting Stardust by Selena Fenech (I just love this design!) on Saturday and May I have this Dance by Selena Fenech on February 1st. I have now become an official member of the Brat Pack SAL. I also have quite a few more that have been started, but when they start to yell I have them started and will just need to pick them up!

One thing I know that I have to do is work on and concentrate on Blue Anemone by Linda Ravenscroft. Will be doing that as soon as my fabbie arrives. That is one of my 2006 goals. I also have to finish QS Winter ACEO by Sara Butler. Yes, it is another of my goals! On one of these designs I will need to finish one page... my 3rd and final goal. It will be interesting to see if I can accomplish each one. At this point I just hoping that I can accomplish one of the finishes! (You see, I want an HAED finisher blinkee).

I am thinking that I have lost my mind!!! I am certainly following the rules for "Guilt Free January" and I am having fun. By February I am going to determine which ones I am going to focus on and I am going to try and stick with it... But that is by February.... for now I will continue to lose my mind!

2006-01-07T23:25:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am stitching on Blue Anemone and I am realizing that the entire background (almost, not entirely) is in one color of very beautiful light yellow. I really don't want to stitch all that yellow.... so I jump onto the computer and zoom to the Silkweaver site.... as if I needed anymore fabric. (Well, I don't have any 25 count hand-dyed Lugana, so I needed to order right? Right.) I ordered Sand and I think it will look great for Blue Anemone . What do you all think? Now, impatient Cathy needs to wait for it to come in. What a tough life we stitcher's lead!

Now, I am trying to decide what to stitch... another HAED or should I continue on Mermaids of the Deep by Nora Corbett of Mirabilia. Like I said.... we stitcher's lead a very tough life that is filled with many decisions! Think I will continue with Mermaids... it sure is calling me and I can see a finish in the future if I keep on stitching!

Now that the decision is made (thanks for the help) I am off to stitching and I have to get my patootie to bed eventually.

Oh What a Day!

2006-01-05T02:26:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, January 4, 2006 my day started out with a knock on the door... and there was the UPS man with my Dazor Circline Magnifier Lamp that my DH ordered me for Christmas. It is about time that it arrived!!! It took about 3 1/2 weeks for it to be delivered! But, the lamp is now here and working on my over charts from HAED will be much easier, I hope. I'll be able to see those tiny holes in the fabbie!

Then I log on to the HAED BB and low and behold Michele has released Blue Anemone by Linda Ravenscroft. Oh happy day! I love this design. I love this design so much that when Michele said she was working on this one, I immediately went and purchased the print. Now, I will be able to stitch it as well. Yes, I am very happy about this!

2005-12-27T21:00:00.000-05:00

Well another couple of days have gone by and I am still here in Cumming Georgia. While I have had a good time and Christmas was very nice with the whole family and I am now ready to go home. I just feel the need to have my stitching/reading corner back. I don't know there is something about being home... I also have to go back to work on Friday and want one day to veg out.

Don't know if I ever mentioned what goodies I received for Christmas. From my sister Patti and her husband Seth I received a gift certificate to Heaven and Earth Designs for one of their charts. I was quite surprised by this because people don't usually give me stitchy gifts! I also recieved an ornament of handblown glass in the most beautiful colors of blue and purple. From my parents I received a gift certificate from Herrschner's (another big surprise and most welcome!) I also got a beautiful red/rust color cotton sweater. Again, another great gift. From my DD, Katie and DS, Daniel I received two charms from each of them for my Pandora bracelet. Another fantastic gift! From DS, Chris and his girlfriend, Alex, I received some items from Bath and Body Works. (Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Body Spray in the Sweet Pea scent) Again, another great gift! And from my DH, I received my Dazor Magnifying Lamp with the caster base and (a very big surprise) a new IPAQ handheld! That was a shocker!!! So, all in all, I was very well treated.

I am sad to admit that I didn't get too much stitching done. I got so involved in my book and before I knew it I had to finish it!

I read To Protect and Defend by Richard North Patterson. What a great book. It took you through the law and politics of a 15 year old minor who needed a late term abortion and if she went to term to deliver the baby the size of the head would require for her to have a procedure that could render her infertile. It also took you through the politics of the nomination of a Chief Justice, who just happened to be a woman. Boy, can things get dirty. I was completely involved in the book, which did nothing for my stitching.

I did get Rendezvous restarted on the 27 count Linda, rather than the 40 count. I do think that I like it better. I would show you how beautiful it is looking, however there really isn't much to see.

I am really hoping that Michele and Bob of Heaven and Earth Designs answers my email soon. I am hoping to get a chart that hasn't been released by them yet. It is Blue Anemone by Linda Ravenscroft. This is what I will be using my gift certificate for. A special chart for a special gift!!! I am keeping my fingers, well, actually my toes, as I can't stitch with my fingers crossed!

DH wants me to get the packing done... we are going to be leaving quite early in the morning.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

2005-12-25T16:59:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are a Christmas Day and it has certainly been awhile since I have posted... Let's take care of that....

First, in my last post I had thought I was losing my 'stitcher's' mind... and I did. I have decided to restart Beauty and the Beasts (artwork by Selena Fenech, charted by Michele Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs) on 27 count Linda. I think I am going to be much happier with it. I just wish I could have decided to do this much earlier than I did! I mean, I almost had one entire page done... but out of about 45 pages that isn't too terribly bad. Anyway, gotta be happy with what I am doing.... I have also decided to restart Rendevous (Artwork by Selena Fenech, charted by Michele Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs.) on 27 count linda. Again, I wasn't totally happy with the coverage on the 40 count fabbie! This time, however, I didn't have that much completed... just a small portion. The cost of being happy! I have got to get moving on this as I would love to have it done by the time our 25th anniversary rolls around. I know, wishful thinking on my part, but we all can dream!!

After much debating and yes, some argueing we went down to Cumming, Georgia to visit my sister and her husband. I really did not want to take the drive down and would have rather had a quiet Christmas at home, but Bobby and Katie really wanted to go... so, here we are... and they are having a great time! I am doing what I would have done had I been home, so it is all good. Daniel and Chris opted to not come. At first I was quite upset by this, but now I am glad that they didn't come. They really would have been completely bored I am afraid! It is said that there is a reason things happen, how true in this case.

I did have a great Christmas. I got a new IPAQ from DH. Never thought he would have gotten me one. My old one wasn't working properly from day one... and then the battery wouldn't hold a charge for long! I also got a Dazor Circline magnifier lamp. Yes, I have wanted one of these for quite sometime. Should make stitching so much eaisier. My sister, Patti got me a gift certificate to Heaven and Earth Designs. I was so excited by this. I don't usually get stitching stuff for Christmas. My mother also go me a gift certificate from Herrschners... another stitchy gift and another welcome surprise. Katie and my son got me some charms for my Pandora charm bracelet... another fantastic surprise! There were some other little things, but all in all very good.

I hope that any of you reading this had a great Christmas and/or Hanukkaha. If you travelled to your destination my prayers that all was safe and uneventful.

Am I Losing my Mind???

2005-12-12T01:29:00.000-05:00

I think I am losing my mind, my stitcher's mind that is... I have started Beauty and the Beasts (artwork by Selina Fenech and charted by Michele Sayetta, Heaven and Earth Designs) This is a chart I love, I like it so much that I have gotten the print as well. Anyway, I started it on 40 count fabric over 2 and I like how it looks, but I am still not completely happy with it... It isn't looking as detailed as I think it should. I know that this is my hobby and that ultimately I need to be happy with what I am doing, but I feel like I am a crazy stitcher person! I mean, I am almost done with the first page and I am not completely happy with what I am doing. What is wrong with me?

On another note: I actually ended up deciding to restart Storykeeper. I have restarted it on 25 count Lugana 1 x 1 and I think that I am happier with it. The colors are more vibrant and it has more of that 'painted' look. I may have just made my decision on what to do with Beauty and the Beasts.... Stay tuned....

What a weekend!

2005-11-28T00:07:00.000-05:00

And in some ways not the best!

Friday was okay~ even though I had to work I didn't mind as the office was closed due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Just had to be there to answer the emergency phones and was able to get some stitching done. Just did fill in work on Beauty and the Beasts, but you can sure see it coming together. I am loving working on this piece.

Saturday~ I had planned on getting alot of stitching done. However that didn't happen! DS#2 and his girlfriend went to Nags Head in NC to see her aunt and were on their way home. They wanted me to pick up their dog (a very sweet pit) and I didn't mind doing the favor for them... BUT... I had to drive over an hour to get to the kennel where he was... so DD and I went to the boonies to pick up their sweet little baby. That killed the morning as we didn't get back until 1:00pm. We also were lacking anything in our stomachs, so had to take the time to prepare and eat lunch... Get this so far... no stitching... After lunch, DD decided to work on her crafts and I went on the computer to check email and my favorite Bulletin Board, Heaven and Earth Designs. I was then going to throw some laundry in the machine, do some cleaning and off to stitch land! Not!!! DD (10year old) cut the palm of her hand with a pair of scissors... badly. She is actually a leftie and for some reason was trying to cut the tape with the scissors in her right hand. The scissors slipped and went right into her left hand! I didn't worry about it too much, I had thought that she had just done a small cut, sort of like a small paper cut. You can't believe how wrong I was! As DD was running to bathroom she was dripping blood all over the floor and her hand, which she had in a cupped postion was full of blood. We immediately washed away the blood and it filled up again! I tried to call the Peditrician and couldn't get the number right... my brain went blank! DD is screaming because the blood won't stop flowing and I was getting scared and didn't want her to go into shock or worse pass out from blood loss. I got her in the car and rushed to the emergency room... I had her hand full of papertowels to soak up the blood and for her to apply pressure hoping to stop the flow of blood. At the emergency room we found out that she had a deep pucture wound and had cut through a capillary that was a bleeder. She ended up with three stitches on the inside and 2 stitches on the outside of her hand. She cried, but took it like a trooper! I took her out for a goodie to reward her for being so brave. By the time we got home and had dinner, I was exhausted and just vegged out.... so again...no stitching.

Sunday~ had to get some laundry and cleaning done. Then we had promised DD (before the hand incident) that we would go see the new Harry Potter movie Saturday afternoon. Thanks to our emergency room visit, the movie was out and we planned to see it Sunday. So, we had dinner out and went to see Harry Potter tonight. Family Night... We had a good time with some much needed family time.... but again... NO STITCHING!

When I get home from work Monday night... I am going to get some much needed stitching in... I need it to keep me sane!

The Decision is made and....

2005-11-27T00:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have made my decision... (see previous entry for my stitching quandry). I am going to stick with the start I have done on 40 Linen for Storykeeper, a design by Heaven and Earth designs. It reallys does look so nice, the stitching is so beautiful. No, I am not patting myself on the back (well, may-be a little) it is just that there is something about stitching on the 40 count linen. It is such a beautiful piece of fabric.

Anyway, after making my decision, I took StoryKeeper to work with me to stitch on. Work was very slow as it was Thanksgiving Day and I don't think anyone would have called anyway. I stitched for approximately 6 hours of the 10 hours I was there. It looked nice too... and I realized that I was closed to finishing a page. After taking a nap when I got home I decided that I would stitch some more. After all, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel to actually finishing stitching an entire page. As I was stitching in a different area, I realized that I was 2 stitches off in the width of the project. At first I had tried to figure out a way to fudge my mistake.... but there was no way. I would have had to fudge for the entire length of the project. I felt like crying, I was so angry. I took all the stitches out, but did not have the heart to put it all back in again... Besides Friday arrived and it was time to work on Beauty and The Beasts! Ahhh, saved by the bell! Will pick up Storykeeper again.... just not sure if it will be on Monday or Sunday night. I just hate it when the frog appears!

To restart or not...

2005-11-24T05:25:00.000-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! Just wanted to get that out.... I am here at work, yes, I had to work today and DH is going to his mother's with DD and DS#3. Don't know why I really don't mind working. As a matter of fact, I would rather work and that is terrible considering this is a holiday and time to be with family. What is up with me??

I have been doing some thinking about one of my projects. Storykeeper by Heaven and Earth Designs. I started it on 40 count cream linen, but I am not sure that I am happy with it. It looks great, however, I am not totally happy with the coverage on the fabric. I am seriously debating on whether or not I should start if over again. This is what I have so far:

The darker colors seem to show quite a bit of the fabric color and I just don't know.... It isn't that I have so much done that it seems pointless to restart, it isn't that it looks horrible, it looks quite good (if I do say so myself), it is just the coverage with some of the darker threads. A large part of me is thinking that it is a large design and I have to be happy with what I am doing... so the best thing to do would be to restart. I just don't know.... I love this design! Will think on it a little more! (to see what the design will look like, one day, you can see it here: http://www.heavenandearthdesigns.com/storykeeper.jpg

I am going to try this again....

2005-11-23T01:10:00.000-05:00

I had tried doing a blog once before and never seemed to get it off the ground. I have decided to give this another try. I really want to try and change my template to one that I would like to use and one day I will figure it out... anyway, enough about my new beginning and on to what this is going to be about. What is this about, well, basically my thoughts on anything, but mainly my stitching. We'll see how this works out. Gotta figure out how to get some pictures going and how to personalize this blog more towards my personality! If anyone out there has any hints, please, let me know....