Happy New Year!

Well, another year is done. I don't think I met any of my stitching goals! I'm going to pare them down quite a bit. My tastes and likes have changed over the year. I'm mostly only doing smalls for exchanges and every thing else I stitch are BAP HAEDs. So my goals this year are:

1. Stick to a rotation for the HAEDs. I have 3 going so I'm going to work on one a month, then rotate to the next the following month.

2. Keep up on my exchanges. Get them done and mailed on time.

That's it. I think I may even be able to keep to these!

Happy New Year my friends and happy stitching!

Merry Christmas

Wishing all my friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Happy Holidays.

Told Ya

We had snow. This is what my Jeep looked like this morning.

And this is our holly tree. It is under there somewhere. We had to shovel out this morning because I had to go into work for the payroll. We have to print the checks tomorrow since Friday is the holiday. Everyone is off Monday. Even the Federal government is off. So my DH gets to stay home and I have to go in. Not fair!

I finally finished my LHN ornament. I added a yellow bead in the lantern. I thought the candle needed a flame. I just need to make it into an ornament.

Stay warm everyone.

Snow, snow, more snow and a gift

We are getting slammed with the snow storm on the east coast. We have ten inches so far and it's not suppose to stop until tomorrow morning. Good day to stay in and bake and stitch. I don't know what it is about snow, but it really makes me want to bake things. There is this sweet kid at work that whenever I ask him to take my place relieving the receptionist he always says okay no problem. I'm baking chocolate chip cookies for him today.

Now onto the gift. Our mailman just humped his way up to our front door and left a package. For me! It's the lovely box Angela at Hooked on Stitches made for her End of the Year Giveaway. It is just beautiful. I wish the pictures were better but everything is very overcast as you can imagine. So, drumroll please, HERE IT IS .........................


She not only finished the bottom of the inside, but the top too. I have all sorts of little things I can keep in it. Now I'll always know where my beading needles are! I just wish you could all see it in person. Pictures just do not do it justice.

Thanks again Angela.

Weekend Stitching

Yes, I stitched this weekend. March and I met for our monthly Stich n Bitch. We stitched on Home of a Needleworker Too first. I got some of the leaves done and finished the top border.





Then I started on LHN's Fa La La. I went with the recommended fabric. It is actually a little darker than the picture. Hopefully I'll have it done by tomorrow.











Finally, I started the 13th page of Fantasies of the Seas. I thought I would get away from all the black of the Astronomer. So what did I end up using? DMCs 310, 939, and 823, No they're not dark at all! LOL!

So a very productive weekend. I just took some gingerbread out of the oven. So now I have to go taste test it.

Thanks to everyone for their well wished for my dad. He is doing better and has been moved back closer to home to a long term care facility.

Happy stitching!

OMG I won!

I won Angela's last giveaway of the year. She made a lovely box with Needle Necessities by LHN on top. It is really lovely. You can go here to see it. I can't wait to see it in person. Thanks to Angela for her generosity.

The Astronomer HD

I finally finished page 1 of HAED's The Astronomer. Only 27 more pages to go. So as promised here is a picture. I also finished my exchange piece for the LizzieKate exchange, but I can't post a pic of it yet. Right now I'm working on Home of a Needleworker Too. March and I stitch on this as our focus piece when we get together once a month. Last month we worked on pinkeeps so we agreed that before we get together this month we can stitch two hours on it. I've done one hour and will do my second hour in a little bit. It's been snowing here all day, so while DH is working in his workshop, I've been stitching and watching movies. I've watched the Star Trek movie almost every day since we got it. I love this movie! If you haven't seen it, do so. Now we're watching My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn was so beautiful. A true classic beauty.

Well, off to stitch some more.

Can't believe ...

That it's been so long since I posted. With my dad being in a hospital 5 hours away in Johnstown PA, we've been spending a lot of time on the road. DH and I went up last Wednesday and took my mom to see my dad. She stayed in the hotel across the street until Sunday. DH and I stayed until Friday and then went to their house in Breezewood PA. While we were there we did get out and get some pictures before the snow started falling. Here are some highlights.

City Hall

Rosetta window

There is some really nice architecture there.

Now, I have been stitching a little. I took my LizzieKate Exchange with me and almost have it done. I also stitched on the Astronomer and only have about 300 stitches to finish the page. And I just picked up the new LHN ornament Fa-la-la. Got the fabric too so all I need is the floss. Then it's away I go! Hopefully next time (which will NOT be two weeks) I'll have some stitchey pictures to show.

LK Exchange

I received my round 2 LK Exchange piece a couple days ago. Bev stitched not only one side, but both sides. They are from the Tiny Tiding XIII.

.

It is so cute. I have it sitting with my other exchange pieces. Thank you Bev.

I haven't had a chance to stitch much because we're spending so much time on the road going to visit my dad. I did finally put a few more stitches in the Astronomer tonight and I'm going to March's for our monthly Stitch and Bitch tomorrow. Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things.
Have a good stitching weekend!

TW News

Don't know how many of you have heard, but Teresa is hanging up her needlework design business. You can read about it here. It's truly a shame. I think I own just about every chart she has produced and I have stitched eight of them. I wish her well in whatever she ends up doing.

Finished

I just whipped this one out really quick. It is really cute. Now I have to finish it off as an ornament or pinkeep. Haven't quite decided. It's LizzieKate's EEK kit. I used the WDWs and GAs. Isnt' it just so BOO!

My Other Exchange

It finally arrived in Canada. Heather posted on the LizzieKate Exchange that she has received it. So here is a picture.I tried something new and a little funky. I hope Heather likes it. I tea dyed the fabric.

Going to Pennsylvania to see my Dad this weekend. He's been in the hospital for the last two weeks and it doesn't look like he's going home any time soon. He ended up getting a staph infection there. They had to excise the area. Ucky. So, we're going up to spend some time with hiim and my mom.

Surprise!

My sisters and I went to a PartyLite party at our friend's house last night. Didn't get home until after 11:30. My DH calls them Hen Parties. Any case, when I got home he gives me a surprise (no not that kind!) He made me this needlecase. He took a woodturning class a few years ago and recently he has been bitten by the bug again and doing a lot more. The wood is a block I picked out called Pink Ivory. I think it turned out great.

He even went to Michaels and picked up the chain. I see many more wood projects in his future.

One arrived

I sent both my exchanges out on the same day. The one to Lorna in England arrived yesterday, the one to Canada, not there yet. It amazes me that the one going overseas got there while the one staying on the same continent is taking longer. Go figure. Well here is the one for Lorna for Exchange Heaven's Halloween exchange.

It is stitched on 40 ct. RR. I can't remember the name of the color. I really enjoyed stitching it. I need to do one for me!

Astronomer Update

Well, I have been stitching on the Astronomer pretty much exclusively this week. I didn't get to stitch Monday or Tuesday, but got quite a bit done on Sunday and Wednesday. I'm kitting this as I go along so I'm missing a few colors I need, but a run to Michaels this weekend should solve that. Tomorrow is stitching day with March. Yay! I'm introducing her to Supernatural. I'll be taking season 1. Stitching and Sam and Dean. What more could a woman ask for?

Have a good stitching weekend.

Where to start?

First, I mailed both my exchanges today. YAY! A couple days late for the Exchange Heaven, but nearly a month early for the LK Exchange. I received my EH exchange from Sharon and it is so cute. Here it is.And the cute material on the back. She checked my blog and knew I like cats.


Next, I stitched on my HAED The Astonomer. I finally put some other colors besides black in it. I've actually put in a few more since this picture. I can hopefully get more filled in by the end of the weekend.

Well, time to rotate the laundry.

Have a good stitching weekend!

Our Stitch n Bitch

March and I had our monthly stitch n bitch at her house today. Actually first we went to our LNS InStitches today for the sale. I picked up BRDs Afraid of the Dark and Black Cats and Flying Bats. I also picked up some fabric and some Kreiniks. Then back to March's to stitch. We both work on LHNs Home of a Needleworker Too for the first couple of hours and then we switch. I was able to finish the plant on the side of the house. March finished the roof today.


I then switched to BRDs Peppermint Twist. I got the four poinsettias put in. Not as much as I would have liked, but it is looking really cute.


And now to answer the question burning in everyone's mind; what is this she is stitching? Why, it's Mirabilia's Shakespeare's Fairies. The green fabric is a little washed out. Hopefully I can get a better picture some time.
Have a good stitching weekend.

Retail Therapy

Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and wishes this week. It meant a lot to me. The stitching community is the best.

Seeing as our LNS InStitches is having their 14th anniversary sale this week, I felt compelled to do some shopping to make me feel better. Below is the new stash. Had to get the new JCS Ornament issue. I've seen the CC Great Pumpkin Conspiracy on some other blogs and I just couldn't resist it. Some LKs rounded it out. The Christmas pattern is 5 patterns with the buttons included. Really nice. The purple fabric is from the remnant basket. I know I have something I can do on it.
This is the new fabric I ordered from PTP. It is 32 ct. belfast named Herald. I got it and some Gothic. Don't know what I'll do on the Gothic, but the next picture shows I'm already using the Herald.Any guess at what I've started? If no one guesses right by next weekend, I will reveal all.

Have a good stitching weekend!

I'll Aways Remember 09/09/09

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Rest in peace Squeaker. We loved you very much.

Quickie

I don't have too much to report. We've had a rough week cat-wise. Sam took Squeaker into the vet last Monday and they kept her on an IV to try and rehydrate her. Her kidneys are failing. She is down to about 5 lbs. We brought her home Thursday night with the intention of having all day Friday to be with her. We thought we would be taking her back today for them to put her out of her misery, but she was much more perky and had a good day, so we are just taking it one day at a time. Hopefully she'll make it through the rest of the weekend. We know it is going to be soon and I've already had a few tearful moments with her. She's been my baby girl for 16 years.

Okay, now that I have the depressing stuff over with, my stitching news is that I only have the border to finish for my Exchange Heaven Halloween exchange piece and then it'll be ready to be finished off. No pictures as it is a surprise. So I am stitching, just can't show it.

Hope you're all having a good long stitching weekend.

Hot, hot, hot

It's hot weather, it's hot in my kitchen, and the food I'm canning is hot. I just finished canning jalapenos. We start with the washing,

and then the slicing (note to self, buy a mandolin for slicing; 51 peppers are a lot)

then the boiling (that's what really heats up my kitchen) and the final result.

Nine half pints of pickled jalapeno peppers. Now my DH doesn't have to buy any. He even said it's really cool that we grew these and canned them ourselves. I even put four small bags in the freezer. Now I'm standing in front of the fan and letting it cool me down. Then I'm off to do something simple, like laundry.

Rainy day stuff

Couldn't think of a better title LOL!

So, I finished page 3 of CtS yesterday. I've already got some of page 4 started. The colors on this are so vibrant. It is moving along fast. Here is the piccie.

I love my new Needlework System 4 stand. I've just switched CtS to my 17 inch QSnaps and it is really helping. It's so cool!

Now, my next rave goes out to ABC Stitch. I ordered the new Mirabilia Shakespeare's Fairies. Not only does it come fast, but they always put the patterns in a plastic sleeve. It's been pouring rain here today, but I didn't worry about it getting wet sitting in the mailbox because of the way they package. This is such a beautiful pattern. My only beef is the treasures needed for it. I figured out they would cost $50.00 by themselves. That does not include the other beads. I'm going to adopt Missy's plan and substitute Swarovskis and others for the Mill Hill treasures.
There is a new bead shop in Old Town Alexandria that I will probably run into and check out and see what I can use in place. I don't know when I'll start this. I need to find fabric, fibers, ect. I have obligation stitching to do first. I'll get to it one of these days. It just really called to me.

Well, everyone have a good stitching weekend.

Stitching and Stuff

First the stitchey stuff. March hosted our Stitch and Bitch this weekend. First we meet for breakfast at IHOP and then go to her home. We work on LHN's Home of a Needleworker, Too together for the first few hours. Here is my progress. I put the "T" in the door and the chimneys and then started on the plant on the side. I also worked on BRD's Peppermint Twist, but ended up frogging most of what I put in. Didn't make much headway on it. Maybe next month.

I have made great progress on page 3 of CtS. I have one column to finish and then on to page 4. I already have some stitches done on page 4. I try to do this to keep from getting a break line in the stitches. It works pretty good this way.




And finally, look at what is holding my QSnap! Yes, it is a new Needlework System 4 floor stand. After 4 months of saving I was able to buy this. I went with the QSnap holder first. Now I'm putting away for either the chart holder or the large scoll attachment. I really love this. It is so adjustable. My only problem is that no instructions came with it. Just a small piece of paper telling you to screw the T-bar on.

Now for non-stitchey stuff. I was just offered a permanent position at work. I have been working as a temp for a year and three months. I'm going to accept it. It is more money, has benefits, and paid holidays. It will take a little getting used to. I have gotten used to a certain amount of freedom and flexibility with my hours. Now I have to work 40 hours a week. It will cut into my stitching time!
Well, gotta go. Have fun stitching!

She Did Get It

The moderator of the Lizzie*Kate Exchange let me know that my partner did receive the piece I sent. So, now I can post it. Here it is. This is my very first pinkeep. Now that I've made one, I want to make a lot for me! LOL! The ladybug ribbon at the top was too thick to do more than one bow. I'll pick thinner ribbon from not on. The pattern is the August Flip-it. It stitched up really fast. Only took me one weekend. Now I'm going to go sign up for the next round.

Look What I Got!

I received my Lizzie*Kate exchange from Karen. She made me a needle case. I don't have one of these. She said it's her first one. I think she did a great job. She even put two needles in it and she made the card that came with it. Isn't it adorable?!




The thing I'm worried about is that my exchange that I sent to Pennsylvania has not reached it's location yet. I sent it over a week ago. I've emailed the moderator to have her check as the person doesn't have a blog. Hopefully she has received it and just hasn't posted it to the LKExchange blog.

Well, back to stitching and watching Leverage!

Page 2 Happy Dance

Finished page 2 of CtS! I really wanted to finish this before the end of the month and I met that goal! Even after going in to work yesterday for three hours. I put a few stitches into page 3 after I took the picture.
I joined another exchange group Exchange Heaven. My first exchange will be a Halloween piece. I've been going through my patterns trying to decide what to do and I made a discovery. I have a sh*tload of Halloween patterns. There are so many to choose from! I will probably make it into a pinkeep. That is my new obsession. Once my partner in the LizzieKate Exchange receives hers, I'll post a piccie of that one.

Long time

Wow, it's been almost 2 weeks since I posted. I have been stitching. I stitched my Lizzie Kate exchange, finished it yesterday, and tomorrow it goes in the mail. Today I went back to my HAED. I have most of the dragonfly finished. I have about 1700 stitches to go on page 2. I hope to have it completed by the end of the month.

Thanks for looking. Have a good stitching weekend.

More CtS

I finished about 3 columns on page 2. There is a lot of confetti stitching coming up on the rest of this page. Oh boy. I really want to get this page done by the end of this month, but I have to work on my LK exchange piece this weekend. Maybe if that goes quickly, I can get this done. We'll see.
I have to brag about my garden some. I made fajitas last night using a green pepper from my garden. It was really yummy. If our cantaloupe and watermelons produce even half of the blossoms we'll be giving away a lot. They are loaded.

Well, I have to go stitch now!

Have a good weekend.

CtS Page 1 HD

Page 1 of Cts is finished - again. I restarted after Michelle at HAED reworked the pattern. I think the column is better, but the medallion is less defined. It looked better in the first version. It's almost like you need to fuse the two patterns together, but I'm not starting again! UH-UH, no way. I'm just going to keep plugging away. We'll see how it turns out.

Really, I have ...

I have been stitching. Honest. I just finished beading the third repeat of part 6 of AW. Only one more to do and all of part 6 will be done. I need to get my rear in gear (EEE that rhymes!) and get it done so I can go back to CtS. I also need to get my LKExchange done in the next couple weeks. Ahh, not enough time!
I wan't get any stitching done this weekend because we are going to Pennsylvania for Father's Day to see my dad.
I'll try to post more often. Have a good stitching weekend.

Brunch

We went to the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor for brunch today for our 23rd wedding anniversary. The DH made the reservations at the Pienza Italian Market (I had been there for a lunch with the office). He also made reservations for us to take the water taxi from Old Town Alexandria. It was so cool. We sat outside in the back. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Here are some pictures.

Water taxi
Old Town Alexandria

The new Wilson Bridge

The Gaylord Hotel
and Convention Center

The restaurant we ate at is in the large glass atrium. The views from the center are beautiful. The are also shops in the hotel. On the second floor there is a glass shop called Strictly First Glass and DH bought me a Swarovski black crystal cat. His name is Theo. I don't have a picture of him but if you go here you can see him. He is the cutest little black cat. We had a great day.