Friday, July 25, 2008

Blogger Awards

Michele, honored me with the Kreativ Blogger award - thank you, Michele!

It's a nice pick-me-up to get this. Now it's my turn to pass the award on to others. Here are the rules:

1 The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2 Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3 Nominate 5 blogs.
4 Put links to the blogs.
5 Leave a message for your nominees.


I have tried to pick those that have not been picked before and that was hard. Everyone of the blogs I picked are ones that I love reading all the time. There are so many that I read it was hard to narrow the list to 5. Sorry to those that I left off. I still love you.

Hope you all have fun with this.

Picked up my QC from the framer yesterday. Will get a photo taken and posted either later today or tomorrow. It looks awesome and is so BIG. Not sure I have a wall big enough for it. Don't worry I will find one, so don't even try to talk me out of it. LOL!!!



Thursday, July 17, 2008

Stitchy Saturday Salad Supper

One of my Monday night stitching sisters, Janet, invited the group to her house for a stitching late afternoon and evening of stitching. She decided that we should turn it into a salad supper too. We all took salads to share and she provided our favorite lemon cake(actually this time it was lemon/lime) and drinks. No alcohol. There were 9 of us to stitch, eat and have fun. Not necessarily in that order. I have become the self-appointed documentor of all the funny and incriminating comments made during our times together. I started this at our overnight back in April. We always seem to say many funny things. Even funnier when taken out of context. However, there are no incriminating photos, since I got so wrapped up in our fun and stitching, I forgot to take any pictures. Never thought of it until I was driving home and thinking how I could put into words the fun time we have together. And we actually get some stitching done. At one point in time, Janet had to go bring a box of kleenex and put it on the table. We were all laughing so hard that our noses were running and eyes were watering. Then we had to orchestrate a uniform nose blowing that led to more laughter. Also, due to heavy laughter, we had one toot and one diaphragm blown out ( and not that kind) the one in your abdominal area.

Here is a list of comments overheard-- in no particular order--
  • ... is kind of Augusty
  • chicken or tuna salad ??
  • Are you sure you are not blonde
  • We got off on something else down there--- both ends of the table can't keep up
  • Pot brownies--exlax brownies
  • My butt hurts -- take an Advil
  • I'm not going in the hot tub with my Belle Soie
  • My floss never comes out even
  • Now you made me put it in the wrong hole
  • Oh, what's that sticking out there. I could see this. It was big enough

Apparently the following comments were made during our many conversations regarding men--sometimes we get a little racy.

  • Some parts are swollen more than others
  • Birth control-- tie it in a knot
  • Only enough blod to operate one of them

Even with all of our hilarity, we did get stitching done. It seems when we are together the time really flies. Our Monday night sessions go way to fast. So Janet started our Saturday session at 3 when the LNS-The Sunflower Seed closes on Saturday. When the first person asked what time it was, it was 9:45. We could hardly believe how fast the time had gone. That is what happens when you are with those that you enjoy and have fun with. Never a dull moment in our group. I had intended to do this report on our stitch session earlier in the week. All of the gals have been asking when I was going to do my blog. So here it is girls. Tried not to name names that would incriminate any of us.

Here is the latest photo of the progress on my Many Mansions Sampler. I have finished the first little house and planted some grass. Also have started a tree and a little bit of the big middle house. Had more of the big house, but had it in the wrong place so had to rip. Yuck!! Oh, I forgot to take a picture of a new start I made. The other day I just could not stop myself. I started LHN-Where There Is Life. The benefit for breast cancer done by Elegant Stitches in California. Got part of the border and 2or 3 letter done of the words. Am back to doing some design model stitching for Anita at The Sunflower Seed so there will be no pictures until they are published. I finished one small thing and have another about 3/4 done. They are companion pieces that will probably be released as one design.

I cannot remember whether I mentioned it before, but my church is putting together a 100th anniversary cookbook and I have been helping input recipes for that. So far, I have entered about 65 and the cookbook has about 400 recipes in it. I have about 30 more to do by August 1st. Seems like it would be an easy thing to do, but we have to work with a template. Some of the recipes have to be somewhat rewritten to work in the template.

My birthday is just around the corner and I decided that I wanted to join the hip generation and get myself an iPod. Morris is going to pay for part of it as my birthday present from him. Last night Reina and I went out and bought a 4GB Silver Nano. She also bought me a case for it. That is burgundy color that you see. Also she bought we the wall and car charger. Then she came home with me and set it up and got it registered and taught me how to load the music. Now I have 223 songs from 16 CDs on it. Love it. Here is my new toy.

Speaking of birthdays, my little dog, Muffin, celebrated her 11th birthday last Saturday. However, we did not even do anything special for her. Talked about going and getting her an ice cream cone, but never did it. Probably would not be good for her girly figure. The photo makes it look like she has a little red eye thing going, but she really doesn't. That eye has a pupil problem where the pupil stays dilated more than the other one. Nothing life threatening.

My gardening and yard work is minimal. We picked our first tomato on Saturday, but no others are even turning. Will be a while before we have others. Here is a photo of my purple fountain grass in my perennial bed. The liatris behind it is almost out now. Well, it is off to bed for me. Normally I work at The Sunflower Seed on Thursday, but Anita switched days with me so I am working on Friday this week. Almost did not know what to do with myself today. Now my days will be screwed up since I will be working on Friday. I have trouble enough knowing what day it is anyway.

Thanks for stopping in to read all my rambling. I appreciate you stopping by even if you don't comment. I continue to behind in reading blogs. I think that is going to be a permanent condition.

Happy stitching to all!!!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Tag -- You're It!!!!

I was tagged by Martha Gone Stitchin' Instead of Just A Wishin'.. A little slow in passing this on. Still catching up with blogs. Have fun with this.

Rules: You must answer the questions using only one word. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your significant other? Morris
3. Your hair? Gray
4. Your mother? Dead
5. Your father? Maurice
6. Your favorite thing? Stitching
7. Your dream last night? None
8. Your favorite drink? Margarita
9. Your dream/goal? Rich
10. The room you’re in? Recreation
11. Your hobby? Needlework
12. Your fear? Blindness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Stitching
14. What you’re not? Rich
15. Muffins? Blueberry
16. One of your wish list items? iPod
17. Where you grew up? Kansas
18. The last thing you did? Stitched
19. What are you wearing? Tshirt
20. Favorite gadget? Magnifier
21. Your pets? Dog
22. Your computer? desktop
23. Your mood? Blah
24. Missing someone? Mother
25. Your car? Old
26. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
27. Favorite store? The Sunflower Seed
28. Like someone? Everyone
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Forgotten

I tag the following blogging buddies Julie (October Eves), Marianne (Stitching, Tea and Me),Jennifer (Ohio is My Dwelling Place)and Michele (X Marks My Spot)

Monday, July 7, 2008

Life After QC

It is hard to believe that I got QC done. My focus was so much on working on it and then when it got close to the end the focus was to get it finished. Now I am having problems figuring out what to work on next. Wednesday I took QC to our wonderful local frame shop. Total cost of the damage for framing is $95 including tax. Anita stopped by the frame shop and approved my frame choice. She always does such a good job of picking frames. I didn't want to spoil the piece by putting a yucky frame on it. It should be done in 2-3 weeks.

My stitching buddies have given me a new label. "Fiber Snob". In trying to figure out what to work on next, I was trying out several different WIPs. Going from stitching with Belle Soie to GAST or WDW or plain DMC is such a letdown. Now all I want to stitch with is Belle Soie. That can be a really expensive habit. Keep looking at projects and trying to see if I can convert them to Belle Soie.

The piece I have decided to focus on now is a piece I started probably 5 years ago. When we did our Stitcher's Over Night back in April this design was done hanging on the wall at the B&B. It made me pull my in process project out of the depths of my unfinished projects. Here is a photo of where I am I on this. It was about half done when I picked it up this time. All the scripture, top half of the border and most of the alphabets were done.
In My Father's House
Designer: Margaret & Margaret
Fabric: 28-ct Natural Linen
Fiber: Anchor Floss
Back in the late 90's on some of our girl's stitching trips we toured a couple of museums to look at their needlework collections and they discussed "Mourning Samplers". Had never heard of them before. That is when I decided to do one for my mother, who died in 1996. As a part of her service they used the scripture.. "In my Father's house...", so I decided I wanted to use that in some way. It took me a long time to find a design I liked. Almost decided to chart it myself and add some type of border. Found a Cross My Heart pattern for the words, but did not like how they did the border, but in 2003 I found this pattern and it was just what I was looking for. Started it right away with lots of gusto, but got sidetracked with something else. Don't even know what. Probably a gift deadline of some kind. It is so pleasing to be back working on it. There is one more small house and a BIG house to do and lots of grass. I mean lots of grass to do. Janet, one of my stitching buddies said that I should target having it done by the time we go back to the B&B the 3rd weekend in October. OK, I will try.

In your comments to my post about finishing QC, several of you gave me permission to start something new, so I took you at your word. I started Precious Baby for my new great-nephew due July 17th. It won't be done by then, go figure. I am not that fast at all. I did get it started. It is going to be a bear to work on. Has a lot of half crosses and they are rather funky on my fabric. The blue line is the back end of an elephant.
Precious Baby
Designer: Bobby G Designs
Fabric: 28-ct Antique White Lugana
Fiber: Anchor Floss
Still trying to get current with blog reading. Yesterday I was reading Dawn's blog and she had a couple of freebie design links shown. Followed it to this. Dug around in my stash for fabric and thread and this is the result. Not sure how I am going to finish it.

USA
Designer: Trail Creek Farms

Fabric: 28-ct Lambswool Linen

Fiber: Recommended WDW

(subbed Whitwash for Angel Hair)

Blogger all of a sudden wanted me to double space the above. Cannot get it changed.

Saturday turned out to be a fun day. After a visit to Kohl's (nothing there I could not live without), Barnes & Noble ( 3 books later), I met Reina at the mall. Checked out the sale Clark's shoes at Dillards (nothing I could not live without) and had lunch. The big event was meeting Anita at the LNS -The Sunflower Seed, which was closed for the 4th holiday to allow one of my blogging buddies and Anita's customers from out of town do a little private shopping. Our special shopper was Michelle. She grew up in Topeka and was in town visiting her father. Through our blogging Michelle and I found out she was a former Topekan. Then she called the shop one day when I was there and we talked. Now we got to meet face-to-face. Oh, what fun. Actually after we met, we realized that last year when she visited Topeka and was in the shop, I waited on her. That was before blogging. It is such a small world. Michelle, we loved having the shop open for you and meeting Rob and your parents. Hope you visit in Topeka was a fun one. I know you went home with some great projects from The Sunflower Seed. Rob took photos that will appear later on Michelle's blog. Isn't this blogging thing just the greatest. Making new friends and enhancing our stitching world.

Thank you to everyone that visited to see my completed QC. That was quite an accomplishment and your kind comments are greatly appreciated. Now if I can just get the same focus on the coming projects.

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Keep on stitching!!!!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

TAA!!! DAA!!!

IT'S DONE!!!!!!! I finished this a little over an hour ago.

A Quaker Christmas
Designer - ByGone Stitches
28-ct Ale Cashel by Picture This Plus
Fiber - Crescent Colours Belle Soie
Enchanted Forest
Cranberry
Butterscotch
Started - evening March 28, 2008

Original plans were to go out of town to visit a friend today. Those plans got changed at the last minute, so stayed home and finished QC. After my Wednesday afternoon stitching group tomorrow, I will be going by the frame shop. Yeah!!!!

Now which project do I return to or do I start a new one. Already have one Christmas present project picked out and ready to go with fabric and fiber kitted up.

Have a great 4th weekend. Don't forget to keep on stitching!!!!!!!!!!