A Finish and a Milestone

This week has been the most stressful week I've had in a loooong time. I think for me, it's the working, plus trying to get everything ready. The lack of time just steals away some of the joy. I'm glad to be on the other side of Christmas, looking towards the new year. I want to work on losing some weight, keeping up with stitching, and making more time for family activities and being together. Believe me, I have a much more comprehensive list, but I won't bore you with that here!

I finished Night and Day.

I have no idea what I'll do with it, so onto the "finished" pile it will get heaped. I'll have a mess of stuff to finish next year. I'm going to do the Christmas Ornament blog thingy too and hopefully that will help me reach my goal of having lots of hand made ornies for next year. Maybe I can even give some away to friends and family!

OK, the milestone is that I put Gathering Eggs on my qsnaps-and if you knew how long this baby has sat unfinished, you'd know why I say it's a milestone!

What has held me back is that the blue sky isn't up to my usual standard of stitching for myself--I know, ridiculous, right? Some of the stitching isn't as "tight" as I'd like it and I could pick apart many things that aren't perfect. I'm going to look at this like a teaching piece for myself. The blended threads, the large design, the eventual beading, etc. I've told myself that if I finish this, I will be worthy to start Fairy Moon. I LOVE that design, and I bought it many years ago. I want to do it, but dangit, I gotta do this one first. Thanks for all the comments to my blog, whether there is a photo or not. I'll be reading everyone's blogs and catching up this week. Have a safe and happy New Year celebration, wherever it may be!

Oh! I forgot to mention that my DH bought me this:

It's a 24 watt Ott Lite, floor lamp!! I have been needing this thing so bad! Now I can actually see what I'm stitchin'. Imagine that. Now I can see even more imperfections than before! :)

Nothing to see here!

Not at all. Not one pic of stitching, nor a photo---NUTHIN! I am unbelievably busy getting ready for my family to come tomorrow afternoon. Seems like between buying presents and working, the past couple weeks has been a blur, literally. I had to work today, and will have to the rest of the week too--BLAH! However, I have to ask one question:

Is there any more heavenly substance on this planet than brown sugar??

I'm baking, as you can tell. Seriously, I could just eat it all by itself, lol. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas, or whatever other holiday they may be celebrating. I will be back very soon with a photo of my finished LHN Day and Night. I never did get to start that "wintry" project I wanted to before Christmas. Maybe before New Year, right?

Enjoy and see you soon!

LHN Progress and Santa Pillow

Next time I post, I will have this thing finished. Here is where I'm at today. Ahhh, plain ole' DMC floss. Don't you love it? I do. After working with silk on the the little witch, I am enjoying the pull of cotton through the fabric and the great coverage cotton provides.

Remember Leisure Arts? Well, not like they're gone, but it seems I don't see anyone stitching their stuff. But I LOVE their designs and about 18 years ago (I know, I know, I'm old!) this was one of the first things I stitched. Just a little pillow, but I continue to love it when I bring it out every year. It was from a hard back book they published every year for a long time. I wonder if they still do? I have tons of them, lol!

I'm not big on finishing, but I've been reading up on how to do things, and I want to have some ornies for next Halloween and next Christmas. Anyone use glue on their ornaments instead of lacing? Fill me in and let me know your favorite finishing techniques for small items. Until next time...

Night and Day progress

I've not gotten too much farther, but it *IS* progress, right? RIGHT?? Why yes, yes it is progress! I feel put to shame by some people who start a beautiful design and 48 hours later are posting a finish. Sigh. I'm just so dang busy with my work season right now, that it's impossible to stitch too much. I really wanted to start a winter project before Christmas though.

Now, this fabric really is a greenish, but photographed very odd today!

I'm going to try hard to finish this bad boy up this week! I should be stitching something as a gift, but frankly, it's just too much pressure this month. I should know to stitch Christmas gifts sometime in June or July. Until next time.....

Some Holiday pics and Baxter

You know, I've done so little work on my LHN that it doesn't even warrant a post or a pic. But I was messing with my camera (terrible results!), and thought I'd post some holiday eye candy just to get me in the mood for Christmas. I hope to stitch alot more this week.

Today was my son's last day of school for the week and already he's starting with "Can my friend spend the night?" or "Can I go to Pop Pop and Nana's house to spend the night?" ARGH. This child hates to stay home on his time off from school and he's always messing with people's schedules, lol.

First, here's Baxter. He always has this sad-sack look on his face, yet wags his tail contstantly. He's the most awesome dog ever. He's about 5 and we've had him almost 3 years. I found him in my front yard.

My husband works Thanksgiving and for a few days afterward, so we wanted to start getting our stuff our and get the tree going. It's not done yet though-excuse the bare shelves!

Oh, I LOVE this one! It's a little cross stitching mouse!

Well, again, I hope to have more of my stitching to show in a few days, but I've been super busy with work. I'm already looking forward to April when my contract is up! Thanks for stopping by and tolerating my blurry macro shots. I'm trying to get the hang of the no-flash macro and aperture settings. Take care.

Night and Day, Doggie love, and Tag!

I got a new camera!! Thx to my friend in Idaho, Julie, who always knows me best. Thanks Jules. I love you! It's a Canon Powershot, and I have to say, I'm loving this thing. Here's a pic of what I'm working on now, mentioned previously. It's LHN, Night and Day:

Now, here's my baby...Jenny the Jack Russell. She's our 3rd and is 2 1/2, but we've had her since she was 6 months old. We had another JR live until she was nearly 18. I hope we have as many years with this one. We have another doggie too, and I'll show you him next time.

Here is daddy holding the baby, lol:

OK, now apparently I've been tagged TWICE! First I was tagged by Margie, and then Lori. Thanks ladies--very fun!

So, here are six random things about me ...

1. I toy with the idea of going back and finishing school so I can be a medical examiner.

2. I cannot speak any other language fluently.

3. I love to drive a stick shift, but don't have one right now.

4. I want to ride and/or drive a motorcycle.

5. I adore scary movies, haunted houses, and all things frightening.

6. I'm addicted to true crime stories.

So I left off some of the *really* quirky stuff, but that's so you won't get scared--hahahaha! Now, I know I need to tag some others here, but I first must find out who all has been tagged so I don't duplicate anything!

Next time, I hope to be way further along on my stitching. Have a great day everyone and I'll be catching up on your blogs between tonight and tomorrow!

22 Years and a new start!

Well, I celebrated my 22nd wedding anniversary yesterday. How unbelieveable. Twenty two years means:

Five homes
Ten vehicles
7 dogs
2 cats
11 jobs
1 son
9 Surgical procedures
Countless joys
Many tears

It truly has been "in sickness and in health" and all the other things we promised all those many years ago. In some ways, it doesn't seem like that long. We still are moving through this world together, just as we promised we would, through loss and plenty, it's been a ride, that's for sure.

Meanwhile, on the subject of stitching, I recently began this little project:

Boy, I just really wanted to work with some good old fashioned cotton floss again. Nice! I emailed Sharon Crescent about my Headache Fairy. She said Hoffman Distributing didn't put enough floss in the kits and lo and behold...lots of people had problems. She is willing to see if she has a match in her warehouse for me of the Dandelion Stem, but I have to pull some stitches and send the snippet to her. What a great lady! And wouldn't you know, I checked the Halloween Fairy kits at my LNS yesterday and they now include TWO---yep, TWO skeins of Dandelion Stem for the wings. Hmmm. Gotta love Hoffman.

My good friend Tracy brought me a little get well gift (I have some kind of chesty cough bronchial deal happening). It's by Lizzie Kate and she knew I'd love it!

Well, have a great week everyone and I'll post a pic soon of my new start. I'm already thinking of a new start after this new start is done. :p

Final Halloween Farewell and a near finish!

Wow, what a week it's been in my house. Our party was a huge success, but it did rain. :( However, it cleared up around dark so that the kids could go out back and kick up their heels. Kick up the heels they did for SURE! Most of the night time outdoor shots came out blurry, but rest assured everyone had a fabu time.

Here's my little "Jason" on Halloween. He insisted on a chainsaw--though Jason was never known to carry a chainsaw (was he?). This kid has had "I did it my way" written all over him since the day he was born.

Now, you Shepherd's Bush fans will know full well that I have to finish two more rows at the bottom but we're well into November and I'm calling this Little Witch DONE. I will finish the rows, but wanted to show her off here first. She was fun, but I gotta say, I'm not the biggest fan of the silks. That's probably akin to blasphemy in the stitching world but, there, I said it! I do love Shepherd's Bush though. Oh, and I added another little rose at the top of the vine instead of the pumpkin button she came with......

So, there you have it. I'll be back real soon with another start. But today I'm going to In Stitches to see if I can get a match for my Headache Fairy. I need to finish her too! Have a great Sunday everyone. Thx for stopping in!

'Ween Stitching and Bathroom!

As a few people have noted, yes, my favorite holiday ever is Halloween. It always has been, ever since I was a child. I have the most awesome little Halloween scrapbook album for my son. It's just 6x6, but each year is a picture of him in his costume and a little blurb of memories about the holiday. I am doing one for my sister's two boys as well. I'd give anything to have a pic of me in a Halloween costume, but I guess we just didn't take too many pictures during Halloween when I was a little girl.

Here are a couple older designs I have done. Man, I love my Halloween stitching. I really need to do a few more of the newer designs (don't remind me about my Halloween Fairy!) before next year. I so love seeing what everyone is stitching.

Hmmm, looks like I have yet another recently purchased Halloween design or two! I scored When Witches Go Riding, and a little tiny Trail Creek Farm Design. I picked up a LHN that was in the clearance bin. The floss is the red that is used in the Witches design.

Here's a couple more of my Meadowbrooke Gourds.

Here's my new bathroom. Before, it was all pink and floral and "cottage-y". I loved it, but it was hart to accessorize and frankly, these new colors go great with the rest of my house and I can easily change the theme with towels and art, etc. I just printed some stuff off the internet onto photo paper and framed it, lol. My husband painted, put a new floor down and freshened everything up. Ignore the deodorant, OK?

So that's it for now. Don't be surprised if I post LOTS more Halloween pics. We're having a get together tomorrow. It's supposed to rain and I'm really upset about that! I have a wonderful back deck and yard and that's where we usually congregate and have fun. The house is little and no room! ARGH! Wish me luck! Happy stitching!

Li'l Witch and a Li'l Eye Candy

Here is some more progress on my Shepherd's Bush Little Witch! I'm really pleased with her. I'm doing another rose at the top of the stem like someone else I had seen, because I don't like that pumpkin button they provided. I have a Halloween Bird design that calls for it, so I'll save it for that. :)

I've included a bit of interior Halloween eye candy. I decorate everywhere, and I'll post pics of my bathroom (yes, I had my husband repaint specifically for Halloween, lol) and the top of my kitchen cabinets sometime soon. For now, I just took some shots of some of my favorite things to look at.

The box that the skulls are sitting on is like a Halloween version of the one used at Christmas time where you take a decoration out every day up until Halloween. It came with a black tree and handmade decorations. I'll show you that soon too!

I love this little guy. He's so heavy and his little arms and legs just flop there. He's got the coolest face I've ever seen on a skull.

I collect Meadowbrook Gourds and have several more, but here's one. He has a green light in him. These things are great.

This is just a cheapo plug in, but he's very effective at night and is a great mood-setter! Uh, Halloween mood that is.

Thank you everyone for all the great comments on my last post! Glad you enjoyed peeking at the yard goodies. I have a costume to start sewing and will be super busy this week with prep and planning and pulling together everything. Enjoy your week and I'll check out everyone's blog tonight or tomorrow! Happy Stitching!!!!

Halloween Happenings and Little Witch

Where has the past week gone? Yikes! I had promised some Halloween decorating pics and I have a few for you. But first, here's a bit of progress on my Shepherd's Bush Little Witch. I think it's going pretty quick as I haven't actually spent alot of time stitching on it. The other is Cricket Collection Boo. I'm a sucker for sheep. I did him back in 2001, which is a long time, but he graces my walls on a constant basis because I love him so.

Next up are some pictures of my home, which gets all decked out for Halloween! My favorite holiday finds my husband and I out in the yard constantly tweaking and adding and fussing until the holiday is over. Ha! Most of our decorations are handmade, handstuffed, handpainted.

Here is "Front Porch Guy"


Trick or Treater (boy, does he cause some second looks)




Front Door Wreath


My husband made this coffin and the suit and hat are from Goodwill

This is Michael Myers in an upstairs window. I love this one!

Are you guys decorating? Get to it! I have lots more, but honestly, I didn't want to overload anyone, lol. I hope you enjoyed my little bit of Halloween.

I'm bummed about my Halloween fairy because the thread I got is SO different from what the rest of the wings are. AAARGH. So, it looks like I'll have to make a trip up north to a fantastic cross stitch shop and bring in my fairy for comparison. I just want to get it finished, but it realistically may be a while. Have a great stitchy week and I'll have way more of my little witch finished next time!

Contest over at Stitch Pink !

There's a cute wallet/necklace combo up for a contest prize over at Stitch Pink. Go take a peek! If you haven't joined, please do. It's a great site. Get your mammograms done this month, in case you've neglected to do so previously. SO many of us are touched by breast cancer in some way or another. Either you've dealt with it yourselves, or you have a friend or family member. It's too common.

I lost my beautiful Granny, Sarah Jane - referred to as Janie by all who loved her - to breast cancer in January of 2005. It had returned in her bones 9 years after previously undergoing chemo and radiation sucessfully.


I was thinking of her fondly today. Remembering how her skin smelled of powder and how her hands felt so soft all the time. The way she laughed. Strange how we retain those sensory things. I'm so thankful I can recall those memories at will, along with all the other great things I fondly remember about her. Above is a little 6x6 scrapbook page I made to honor her. Probably my favorite photo of her. (the ribbon scanned funky but is actually a very pale pink). Now I need to STITCH something pink. She adored pink and red...

STITCH PINK

On My Wishlist

Isn’t this neat?  I have it in my new wishlist gadget, over there on the sidebar.  It’s called “Something Wicked” by La D Da.  She’s one of my absolute favorite designers.

I’ve made a little more progress on my Little Witch.  I need to pick up the Halloween Fairy because I wanted to finish that by the time the holiday was here!  Now that I’m busy working from home again, time for stitching is slowed a bit.  I hope to catch up this weekend.  I was so spoiled having the summer off.  Man, I miss it.

My camera is so awful.  I had lots of Halloween decorating pics to post, but they didn’t turn out well.  I snagged my DH’s work camera, but I’m not that familiar with the settings.  Since it was dusk, I used the dusk setting and wouldn’t you know they turned out too dark?  I thought dusk meant that it would compensate for it!  Oh well.  I’ll take some more tomorrow, because we do some good decorations around here and I’d like to share some peeks all the way up until Halloween (my favorite holiday in case you still didn’t know!)

Well, I hope everyone is gearing up for the upcoming holiday and getting out all your jack –o- lanterns and skeletons and witches.  Time is coming for the black and orange, scary movies, candy, parties, costumes, leaves, pumpkin patches and pumpkin lattes!