Country Fried Stitches...

2nd Tis the Season update

2012-01-28T09:17:00.001-05:00

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Good Saturday morning, friends!

This weekend for me will be like much others, busy, running around, grocery, checking in with family, laundry and then back to work, but I've pledged to find some time to work on Tis the Season today. Some days throughout the week, I'm so wiped out by 6p that I can't concentrate well enough to pick it up. So, to make up for that, I'm just going to have to find more stitching time on the weekends! Or else I'll be working on this piece come NEXT Christmas!

I'm still enjoying stitching with the single strand of silk, but I'm wondering if the cardinal is starting to look a little thin? I shouldn't worry too much about it now b/c I'm certainly not going to take it out and restitch with 2 strands. The color I selected is Strawberry Shortcake instead of the called for Poison Apple. I like a really red cardinal and Poison Apple was much too sun-baked for my liking.

Now for my crisis of the day. The online photo editor I've used for years (and swear by) PICNIK, is closing in April! Do many of you also use Picnik? I honestly adore it compared to other photo editors I've tried. I'll be lost without it. It's so easy to use and offers me all the functions I could ever want. Boo. Hoo! I'd really appreciate any suggestions for a "you-don't-have-to-be-a-geek-to-use-it" photo editor.

And with that, it's time to walk to d.o.g.

Happy stitching,

Tis the Season progress

2012-01-18T18:15:00.000-05:00

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I'm happy to report that I spent a large part of MLK holiday on my rump, working on Tis the Season. It's being worked on 32 ct. linen with Belle Soie silks, one ply over two. I generally think one ply over two on 32 count is too sparse (especially with solid color blocks) but I think this is coming out well.

What do you think?

Blackbird Designs

This little cheerful piece has helped me find my stitching groove again. While the enthusiasm is still gurgling, I'm going to hop off the computer and settle in for the evening.

Happy Stitching Friends,

Round tuit

2012-01-15T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I found my 'round tuit' and whipped up a batch of suet for the birds. They've hung around the deck today much more than normal so they must have missed it. The cardinals are still learning to trust my back deck as a safe feeding ground so I was excited to catch this one sneaking in for a snack.

I think he has given me the inspiration to start my first new project for 2012:

Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs

A quick stash search reveals that I only have one of the 8 Belle Soie colours required, so I might be off to my LNS a little later today.

However you spend your day, here's hoping it's peaceful and warm!

Tea in January

2012-01-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!

I hope this post finds everyone healthy and happy in 2012. Considering that my last post was in October, I'd love to show and tell you tales of all the stitching that has been happening since then, but sadly, I haven't even made enough progress on Pinecones since then to share an update. In December, hubby and I took a quick 3 day trip to Columbus OH to see Andrea Bocelli in concert (swoon) and cruise the Winter Fest fabulous art festival. While I didn't snag anything worth bragging about, I always enjoy walking the aisles and aisles of beautiful hand crafted wares. We also darted away for another three day trip to visit family in NC. The rest of the year was just a blur.

Today is the official Packing-away-of-all-remnants-of-Christmas Day at my house. I hate to put away the dishes and nativity. They are always the last to go. Just to prolong it a bit, I'm blogging about it whilst enjoying a cup of very special tea. I've never tasted a tea exactly like it except for the first time I enjoyed it back in May. It is one of the signature teas served at the historic Caffe Florian on the magnificent St. Mark's plaza in magical Venice, Italy.

(Warning: memory lane straight ahead)

Setting: St. Mark's Plaza, Venice Italy
Circa: May, 2011
Subject: Taking tea with hubby

For starters, hubby doesn't drink tea. So, everytime we visit a place with a tea room of particular note, he knows he will be persuaded to join me for the 'experience', as he calls it. He's a great sport and even acts like he doesn't mind (plus they sell Coke everywhere).

salmon quiche and aperitif for me, club sandwich and Coke for hubby

Since it was late afternoon and we were quite hungry, we skipped the scones and went straight for the heavy stuff. After lunch, I couldn't leave until I had tried their tea. Can't come all the way to the Caffe Florian and not have a cuppa! You might be thinking Italy is all about espresso, which was true, except for the treasure trove of teas at the Florian.

From their marvelous tea menu, I selected one they called Te Mosaico Veneziano and it was stunningly brilliant. A black tea with orange rind and lavender flowers. I couldn't resist bringing home a small box of beautifully presented silk bags of this tea. Which brings me to the present. It may not be May and I'm definitely not sitting in the sun on the plaza of the oldest caffe in Italy listening to the orchestra, but the tea is just as brilliant as it was then.

Now, enough of that! Back to reality and off to the packing with me.

Happy Stitching friends!

Pinecone Update and Retreat Report

2011-10-22T11:20:00.000-04:00

***

Hello Friends. I'm back from Retreat and feeling lazy. REALLY Lazy! Must be the time of year but all I find myself wanting to do lately is lay around and watch the leaves turn color.

Retreat was wonderful, as always. Packed room with good friends, food and enough stitching to sink a battleship. Instead of taking three projects (one per day), like my normal, I only took Pinecones. Mainly because I was too lazy to pack more than one project but also because I wanted to get moving with this piece. My goal was to have it finished and framed by now, but ... (see lazy remarks above).

Gathering Pinecones

Hillside Samplings

The missing pinecone (in the 2nd position from left) was fly stitched and finished at one point but ended up twice as long as it was supposed to be sooooo out she had to come. I'm talking to myself about starting it again. It could be awhile...

Funny how I was drawn to all the specialty stitches in this piece but am not so sure about all of them now. My lighting has to be just right and I still find myself squinting to get all the over-one stuff just right. Once I finish the fly stitch pinecone, I might have to put it down for a solely cross stitch ornament, or something else along the easy lines. Like I said, I've been in lazy mode for awhile...

In closing, let me share my Christmas cactus with you. It's decided to bloom early this year:

Happy stitching to you, wherever you are...

taking 5

2011-10-01T16:33:00.000-04:00

Have you ever just needed to take 5? Or 10? I sure have. As I sit writing this I am reflecting on a summer that literally passed me by. I am not sure what I was doing that was so important but I missed summer 2011 altogether. The winds of fall are blowing with a little sprinkle in the air today and already making my bones ache a bit. Lord I dread winter.

I haven't had much time for personal creativity this past month due to setting the program for my chapter on Monday. The prep work that goes into these programs can be all consuming. I bow down to all you program chiefs out there. I don't know how you do it from month to month to month. All hail Education VPs!

And, lastly, I will shortly return to prepping the budget for my EGA chapter next year. I can honestly say that I will NEVER never NEVER volunteer to be treasurer for any organization ever again after learning how much work it is for even my small chapter. All hail Treasurers of the world! After October, I'll have two more months of treasuring to look forward to before some other lucky duck gets to take over.

Well that's my 5 kiddos. I hope this finds you all well and tucked in somewhere stitching. I'll be on retreat next weekend with the girls so I'll plan to update you on that in about two weeks.

Take Care!

Patriot Day 2011

2011-09-11T15:20:00.000-04:00

It's been two months since I've posted and considering today's date, I considered not posting, remaining silent in observation. Then, on the way back from church, I heard someone on the radio comment that the best thing we all can do for our country in these times is to do exactly what you would have done naturally, in rememberance of 9-11. So, it's Sunday afternoon. I've worshipped, eaten and now I'll blog while listening to the sounds of football in the background.

:-)

And, I have two really good reasons to write today. I actually have not one but two finishes to share!! Incredible, I know.

#1) I have shared before, but now I have all (read that again, slowly.... A.L.L.) the finishing completed. Since the stitching was finished a while back, it only qualifies as a finish-finish but I couldn't be happier. Of course, it is the GPA stitching slipper that I began way back when.. and have blogged about a time or two (or four)

scissors case, fob, thread board, tassel and slipper

tufted slipper base

slipper 'rear-end' with carved burgundy button (THANK YOU GIULIA!!!)

felt needle page between slipper layers

You may be able to see the small cording finishing the edges of the slipper top and bottom. I would be pulling your leg if I told you this was a quick finish. It was not. But, it might just be my new favorite stitching set. Which brings me to my next finish to share..

I started and finished the Quaker pin cube that I've been threatening to start for like EVER. I filled it with crushed walnut shells so it acts like a paperweight too. I love Love LOVE it for several reasons but the primary reason is that it is red (and it's three dimensional, and it's Quaker and..) Don't you simply adore stitching with red thread? Last week, as I was trying to finish stitching this little pretty and thinking to myself (over and over again) how much I enjoy stitching with red, the Sunday message was about the city of Jericho and Rahab and the red cord that spared her house. Funny how things just seem to "sync up", sometimes. Maybe I love stitching with red so much because it reminds me of how love is the red thread that flows through everything that is good.

Quaker pin cube stitched with random overdyed red from stash

Around the house, the table is sporting her fall colours now. I had the pleasure of having family visit recently so I added the second leaf to the table and two more place settings to make sure everyone had a seat at the table. It's such a joy to have a table full of family and love... Don't you agree?

Lately, I've found myself being grateful for everything (large and small) more than normal. I was even grateful when I discovered that if you press a half melted Milk Dud (because I left them in a hot car by accident) together with a peanut M&M, it turns out to be nearly perfect. Next time you need a little ooey-gooey perfect party in your mouth, try warming up a Milk Dud -or two- and stick them to a peanut M&M -or two.

Trust me - it's allllllllll good!!!

And lastly, I leave you with a picture of hope. It is of a bird house build with love by hubby and just mounted to the tree yesterday. We hope a couple of happy little lovebirds find it and call it home soon.

So, until next time friends.. hope you enjoy every minute of these beautiful fall days. Jingle bells will be ringing before we know it!

Pinecone Progress

2011-07-10T15:04:00.001-04:00

I have something to tell you, and you should sit down to hear it. I wouldn't want anyone to pass out with shock...

I've picked up Gathering Pinecones to see if it's possible to finish it and have it framed before September. Wouldn't THAT be exciting??? FRAMING!!!! Can't remember the last time I proudly waltzed a finished piece of needlework in to the framer.

I love these little Cretan stitch pinecones in the border:

They look a little funny without their tops on, but don't we all?

***

Hope you all are sneaking in some stitchin' this beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon.

***

Hugs,

4th of July 'round the house

2011-07-04T14:06:00.001-04:00

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Happy Birthday, USA!

A few things I'm thankful for:

I am so thankful today for all the past, present and future uniformed service men and women who work, fight and die to protect my freedom.
I am thankful for the founding fathers and their infinite wisdom.
I am thankful for every teacher who leads her classroom in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I am thankful for our government leaders and their quest to do what is best for my country.
I am thankful for my pocket sized Constitution of the United States of America. If it's been awhile since you looked over the Constitution, click HERE. In the current political atmosphere, the word "unconstitutional" seems to come up frequently. It helps to understand what IS constitutional in order to better understand what is NOT constitutional (aka "unconstitutional").
I am thankful too for my freedom of speech. I can not imagine living in a world without it.

I am also thankful to have marked many pesky little jobs off my "To Do" list lately.

Like finding napkins, tablecloth and silverware to match new dishes...

(better match in real life)

Making time to get a flower arrangement made for a special vase...

Having a lightening bolt of a great idea for organizing my espresso cups in the kitchen...

Finding appropriate frames for about 20 little pictures...

Hanging the pillow shams (I shared here several months ago) in my stitching room...

Finding an affordable, comfortable, attractive desk chair for my office nook...

!!!!!!!!!!!YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing is quite as good for my mental health as wiping out an extra long To Do list.

Hope you are enjoying friends, family and a fine cook-out wherever you are.

Guess Who...

2011-07-03T01:05:00.000-04:00

You know it's been awhile since you updated your blog when you log in and Blogger says, "Who? I'm sorry. No one by that name lives here."

My deepest apologies for dropping off the face of the planet, but two years worth of "I'll get to that later" caught up with me about a month ago. It all started with "Honey, have you seen the lid to this bowl?". Which precipitated the emptying out and re-organizing of the pantry. I threw away tea I bought when I was in college... 20 years ago...

You've seen this movie, right? The "Git 'r Done" high you get from cleaning out a small area makes you think you are Super Girl and should tackle the closets, junk drawers, laundry room, kitchen cabinets, garage, garden, deck, car and everything else that has been overtaken by "I don't have time to deal with this right now". Well, yes...that's exactly what I've been doing for the last four weeks, in addition to working very long days, six days a week.

The Virgo in me is proud to say that as I sit here blogging at something til 2 am, the laundry is caught up, every dish I own is clean, the plants are watered, the fam is fed, the garden has been tended, the decks have been swabbed, the sheets have been changed, the pictures have been framed, car has been washed, oil has been changed, hair will be cut, and on and on... I'm ashamed to say how long it's taken me to get my round tuit.

As you may know (if you've been here before), hubby and I were on vaycay all of May. Then we have June (a.k.a. the month of "Wine and Roses") with Father's Day, Sister's Birthday, Hubby's Birthday and anniversary. So, as you can imagine, between prepping for our trip, then the actual trip, then celebrating something different every third day, there has not been much time for blogging.

However, for hubby and me, the Fourth of July is always the marker of the slower pace of summer. Personally, I can't wait. I've whittled my "To Do" list down to the bare nubbin's, and believe I can see some serious stitching time in my very near future.

I know.

I KEEP saying that.

:-))

Happy Fourth, friends!

Looks like Happiness to me..

2011-06-24T21:01:00.000-04:00

Without fail, these yellow and orange flowers cheer me up immediately, no matter what...

I hope they bring a little cheer to your corner of the world today, too!

Wishing you happiness...

Still catching up

2011-06-12T16:51:00.000-04:00

The older I get, the longer it seems to take me to get back in the swing of things after being away for even a few days. I told a friend the other day that I was so far behind I was about to lap myself and she thought that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard.

I'm glad she got a kick out of it...it makes me want to cry!

While I was away 'on holiday', my office experienced a 33% turnover (a resignation, a retirement, a promotion, etc.) and my boss was promoted to another office. We are were a two-manager office, so you do the math. I'm down a third of my staff and my 'better half' left me (former boss, not husband), so work has been nuts since the moment I walked back in the door. In an effort to just get my head above water I worked about 9 hours Saturday (which I thankfully haven't had to do in about 10 years!). It's going to be rough for the next three to six months, but I'm feeling very strongly about not giving work every second of every day. I want to STITCH something! ANYTHING!

One thing about being so far out of any kind of normal routine, I feel totally free to jump back in anywhere I want. I have a mound of WIPs I could use to warm-up with (don't want to pull a hammy). But I also have a couple of extra special PIGs (projects in grocery sack) that are calling my name. So, we'll see what happens after church today. I'm feeling very 'stitchy'. :-)

I'll leave you with a couple of vacation shots (until there are stitching updates to share...)

The window shopping in Venice was out of this world!

velvets to die for

and silks...

There were several of these Venetia Studium (click link to visit their website) stores throughout Venice and each featured a different color scheme in the window. And they changed the windows very frequently. I was mesmerized by each!

in every imaginable color...

I'm pretty sure those aqua crocodiles were made for Elton!

You know how I have kind of 'a thing' for paint chips? Well, the vibrant colors and orderly display of these silk scarves and shawls were almost more than my heart could bear. I wanted so badly to pluck about 40 of them off the shelf and stuff in my purse, but since Italian prison is not my idea of a good vacation, I admired them from afar...

silk shawls ($200 and up, each)

And just like that, it's over..

2011-05-29T16:47:00.004-04:00

***

Hi All! I'm back from vacation and anxious to catch up with everyone. I'm also anxious to catch up the laundry, mail, email, etc., but those pesky nuisances can wait a little while longer.

So, how was the trip? In a word, incredible. I'm a traveler and student at heart, so the past three weeks have been completely inspirational for me (and totally exhausting I'm afraid for dear hubby). I won't bore you with the minutia but hope you don't mind me sharing some highlights with you as I have time to edit pictures (around 3000) and review my travel diary. Yes, I am a nerd...but you knew that already, right?

Quickly, here's a nutshell:

Italy is captivating. It is chock full of the best, greatest, most unique, oldest, rarest and most precious treasures the world has ever seen. If you are into art, history, religion, architecture, literature, romance, mystery, comedy/drama, music, food, wine, photography, cooking, collecting, biking, hiking, sunbathing, etc., Italy is for YOU. I love(d) it all - seriously. For me, it was the total hedonistic experience.

Italy is also chock full of tourists from every corner of the world. More on that later.

Best things I did before the trip:

Set up a savings account (like a Christmas club) and saved (for years) for the trip
Lost weight - (like, a lot of weight)
Learned basic Italian
Packed an empty carry-on (for souvenirs, gifts, museum books, etc.)
Studied street maps of the major cities we were visiting
Used Rick Steves' website as a tool to plan the trip

Stupidest things I did:

Planned a three week, six city vacation to a place I'd never been instead of using a travel agent
Packed six pairs of shoes (I know, I know...)

What I wasn't prepared for:

Nerve wrecking noise levels in Florence and Rome
Encountering fellow tourists who were having a miserable time because they (multiple choice/fill in the blank): were having trouble communicating, couldn't understand the menu, had to walk too far, had to wait in line too long, wanted something in another size or color but it wasn't available in that size or color, etc.

Why do people go to foriegn countries on vacation and expect it to be like EPCOT? Come on people! You are in ITALY! They speak ITALIAN here (many also spoke English very well). And, SO WHAT if you had to walk half a mile to see the basilica of St. Peter?!? On several occasions, I found myself feeling angry at the B.A.Ts (bad attitude tourists) and feeling sorry for Italians who put up with them day after day after day.  The longer we were there, the more empathetic I became. While I was hesitant (nervous) to use the little bit of Italian I had learned at first, I quickly learned that ANY Italian was better than none at all and was GREATLY appreciated by the locals.

Imagine being a waitress in a small cafe in your hometown. You serve coffee and sandwiches for 12 hours a day. Now imagine that of the 1200 customers you will serve today, 800 of them will not speak a lick of English and probably half of those will get upset AT YOU for not understanding exactly how they want their coffee and sandwich. And you do this 6 days a week in order to barely scrape by.

One thing I noticed right away was the eye contact. I'm big on eye contact. When I'm having a face-2-face conversation with someone, eye contact is essential to me. If I'm not given eye contact in return, it honestly hi-jacks my train of thought. I can't carry on a conversation without it. I don't know why. Can't explain it. I carry on phone conversations just fine. But in person, I need you to look at me if we are going to have a conversation. So, what I noticed was many of the waiters, clerks, and hotel staff did not make or sustain eye contact with tourists. It struck me as peculiar - maybe a cultural thing..maybe not... I watched. It was definitely a pattern. Then what I discovered, quite by accident, is that the instant I began to sputter my broken Italian... Boom ... Eye Contact! They would look up from their order pads, key pads, cash registers, and smile at me! And talked to me in their best English. I'm sure my childlike language skills were amusing to them but honestly, I didn't care. By trying to learn their language in order to communicate clearly, what I had done was found a way to connect to a people who are overrun, daily, with thousands of visitors from every corner of the globe who don't speak a single words of their language.

I had a lot of fun trying out my Italian everywhere~ even in the gift shop where the two teenage clerks talked about how I had touched everthing in the store and probably wouldn't buy anything (yes, directly in front of me). I continued to browse quietly for a few minutes, then, in my best Italian, said "Do you take credit cards? I would like three of these in blue, please. They are gifts for my family back in the US. Will you wrap them? Thank you." The girls looked horrified. One dashed off to the stockroom, never to be seen again. The other couldn't have been more humiliated. She turned red, called me 'madam' about a dozen times, threw in a couple of freebies and gift wrapped every thing very nicely.   :-)    As I was leaving the shop, I threw in a "You have a great day", just for good measure. Big self-satisfied smile, exit, stage right.  Wished I knew the word for 'darlin'.
I hope this doesn't sound horrible. I wasn't mad at the girls. They were just being kids. I was just terribly pleased with myself. :-))

Other than shopping, and eating, and visiting churches, galleries and museums, we walked, a lot. In three weeks of pasta, pastry, cheese, wine and daily gelatos (plural), I lost five pounds.  Okay, so I was a little OCD about getting up early and beating all the tourists to the best places for the best picture taking opportunities. Many mornings, I would get up and out before 6 o'clock and run around all over the historic districts in order to get a few unhurried shots. This was one of my favorite things to do and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to photo-document their vacations and isn't on a fixed schedule. By 9:00 am., in Venice, Florence, and Rome, you were shoulder to shoulder with a million other tourists. You've been warned that pickpockets abound and traffic (in Florence and Rome) is a nightmare, so stopping in the middle of the street or bridge or evening making your way across a plaza to take a picture was not easy, if even possible.

If I haven't gushed enough for you to tell, I loved every minute of it. Except maybe toting my luggage off and on countless trains. I didn't love that part. I hated that part. I hated that part enough to think to myself, Why didn't I just book a bus tour? Then I'd just have to get my luggage from the room to the bus. Easy breezy, lemon squeezy. But nooooo...We had to be 'independent travelers'. Just two tourists, a train pass, six cities and increasingly heavy luggage. Yes, that part sucked. I'm sure my chiropractor will have a full blown fit when he gets a glimpse at what I've done to my back - but, what the heck, I may never get to see Italy again, so it was worth it!

That's enough for now. I'm off to the laundry room.

Here's hoping you and yours have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Let the SUMMER begin!!!

Roman Holiday

2011-05-22T05:00:00.002-04:00

***

Today we depart the ancient and inspiring city of Florence and head off to Rome for the remainder of the week. I'm sure by this time, my camera card(s) are full, my pants are too tight and I am wishing that I had brought yet another empty suitcase!

Monday is dedicated to Vatican City (there is a virtual tour of the Sistine and Pauline Chapels available on the website that will take your breath away).

Honestly, I can hardly wait. With tickets in hand, I've been anxiously anticipating seeing the world's most valuable collection of art (Popes have all the greatest toys), St. Peter's monument, the dome of the cathedral, and of course, the Sistine and Pauline Chapels. I could just faint.

The rest of the week will be focused on ancient Rome and all of it's magnificent offerings:

the Roman colosseum

Trevi fountain

the Spanish Steps

Of course this just skims the surface of what all there is to do and see in Rome. While we are taking in the Steps and surrounding area, I hope to be able to visit the Keats-Shelley Memorial House and also take tea at Babington's Tea Room. If we can't find time for tea, I know we'll find time for a pizza!

And what visit to the eternal city would be complete without a stop at Villa Medici:

and Villa Borghese too before heading back home, that is if I can find my way to the airport.. (hummmm..)

Movie suggestions: Roman Holiday, National Lampoon's European Vacation, and Eat Pray Love

I'm sure it will take me more than a day or two to get sorted away back home. Until then, Basta Pasta, amici! :-)

Bye-Bye Venice, Hello Florence

2011-05-17T05:00:00.001-04:00

***

After four magical days and nights in Venice, today we are training down to Florence in the heart of Italy.

Michelangelo Buonarroti's "David"

While I was designing our Florence itenerary, I had to make some tough choices about what to leave out. It seems that every single thing that was ever done in Florence, or by Florentines, or brought to Florence is simply put, incredible.

Trivia: Did you know that Pinocchio (and his creator) was from Florence?

Highlights of Florence

tour the Duomo (cathedral)
crossing the Ponte Vecchio (bridge) built in 1345
the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David
the Uffizi museum to see Botticelli's The Birth of Venus
the Bargello museum to see Donatello's David

(don't you just hate name droppers?)

Artists and architects, poets and engineers, musicians and philosophers seemingly burst from the Florentine womb spewing forth masterpiece after masterpiece. I could honestly spend all summer in Florence and never get bored.

Michelangelo was a fine sculptor and painter, but in my book, Leonardo was "the man".

It gives me chills to think I will be walking the actual streets that he walked five centuries ago.

Movie suggestions: The daVinci Code, Much Ado About Nothing

If I haven't already been forced to buy myself an auxiliary stomach, I plan to try every "Florentine" dish I see between now and Sunday when we leave for Rome.

Hopefully, we can squeeze in a side trip to Assisi, the home of St. Francis (or San Francesco, as they say...) before plunging head-long into Rome.

Friday the 13th - Che fortuna!

2011-05-13T05:00:00.027-04:00

* * *

It may be Friday the 13th, but it feels like my lucky day. For just about as long as I've known there was a place called Italy, I've longed to see Venice. It feels pretty surreal, still, that hubby and I will be sailing down the Grand Canal to reach our hotel today.

gondolas near Hard Rock, Venice Italy

For such a small place, there are about 100 things on my "To Do, See, Buy" list. Glass beads (aka Venetian pearls), Venetian marbled paper, carnivale masks, Hard Rock t-shirts (but of course), and every other tourist-y thing they are all geared up to sell me. The challenge is always finding the nicest quality without breaking the bank. Ha! Who am I kidding - by now I'm sure I am broke as a joke, but I never let that stop me. :-)

On Sunday, I think we'll visit the neighboring isles of Murano and Burano to see the amazing glass and lace makers, first hand.

We're told Sunday is a good day to visit Mur-Bur since many tourists assume the shops are closed. That means that only 300 people rather than 400 will be sharing my personal space. :-) Gotta love Europe!

Burano (Venice, Italy)

Naturally, we'll explore St.Mark's square, the basilica (bas-ill-ee-catta), the Doge's Palace, the Accademy of Art and much much more, but first, perhaps a cafe at the Danieli...

Movie suggestions: The Tourist (Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie), The Italian Job

On the menu: since Venice is an island, in a lagoon, lots of fresh fish and fruit are on the menu. Yum. Gotta save time for a Peach Bellini at Harry's Bar, the birthplace of the Bellini.

Italian phrase for the day:

There are many tourists in Italy = Ci sono molto turisti en Italia.
Che bella! = How pretty!

Mama Mia, I'm in Milano

2011-05-11T05:00:00.012-04:00

* * *

It's Wednesday already so hubby and I are leaving tranquil Como shortly after breakfast and training to the fashion metropolis of Milano today. I think I'm looking forward to seeing our hotel as much as I am daVinci's Last Supper:

Leonardo's fresco at the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Milan, Italy

We should be checking in no later than 1pm (7am back home).

I'd have to pull the records to be sure, but I'm pretty positive that this is the most expensive hotel I'll ever have the good fortune of staying in. (omg/choke/cough/sputter she says as she clings to her souviner money)

But fear not! There will be shoe shopping. (whether you are a shoe fan or not, you're going to want to click that link).

Key phrases for the day:

I need these shoes in black in size 40.
My dear husband has our money.

:-)

I'm told that Milan has just about everything you can imagine, but from the looks of the super-mall located right next to our hotel...

I know this is going to be a different kind of shopping, altogether.

May the force be with me...and my VISA card.

For dinner, maybe Something (Pork/Chicken/Whatever) Milanese. Or spaghetti pomodoro? Or risotto primavera? Or maybe just a pizza. But, before I leave Milan, I MUST MUST MUST find the gelateria with the Nutella gelato. Are these people geniuses or what?

OMG - my mouth waters just thinking about it. mmmmmmmmm

Italy - Here We Come!

2011-05-06T11:30:00.000-04:00

Today is a very exciting day for the hubs and I. We are on our way to Italy! It's a trip that has been 4 years in the making, so to say I'm excited to actually be boarding a plane is the understatement of the century.

I've pre-written these next few posts to keep the "fam" up with our travels. Please feel free to follow along and experience la dolce vita with us.. Stitching posts will resume in June.

D (as in Departure) Day:

Arrivederci, USA!

Buongiorno Italia!

Saturday 5/7: We should be landing in Milano around 9 am Italy time (3am Eastern Standard Time-USA) and training directly to Lake Como for a few days. Barring all snags, we should be unpacked and enjoying a freshing beverage by noon-ish (6am back home/ five o'clock somewhere).

Lake Como, Italy

Perhaps a quick nap will be in order after lunch (a pesto panino perhaps?). I'm psyched to watch the sunset across the lake and enjoy our first Italian dinner tonight. I have not yet decided what I'll eat but I feel sure I'll be sipping a new-to-me red wine tonight. Maybe a Chianti??? And later (to help me stay awake past 6pm...) I foresee an espresso, or 'cafe', and tiramisu for dessert.

:-P (that's my tongue hanging out my mouth, btw)

Thank goodness I packed the stretchy pants. :-)

While here ("Base Camp Alpha") we will majoring in "Wining, Dining and Loafing 101". Lots of down time by design, but a couple of fun things to do (like shopping for pretty silk baubles in Bellagio and maybe even a bottle of Lemoncello) before heading off to the Fashion Capital of the World, Milano, next Wednesday.

If you'd like to see more about Lake Como, click HERE.

Until then, ciao amici!

Chicken Stitchin'

2011-05-05T18:44:00.000-04:00

What's kickin' chicken?

Isn't this pincushion just about the cutest thing you've ever seen?

I thought so too! My thanks go out again to my EGA chapter Education Crazy Smart Genius, Liz, for bringing this project my way. Since our Education theme is Traveling Around the World, Liz draws inspiration from folk needlework from all over the world. Our chicken pincushion was found on a Russian blog, so he is our Russian chicken. :-)

To make your own, you only need to stitch a rectangular shaped piece about 3"x7". If you want your chicken to look symmetrical, keep in mind that it's "spine" runs down the middle of your design (landscape orientation).

Click here for the tutorial and to see many different chickens. I "heart" the plaid one.

:-D

Speaking of birds! I caught one of the pileated woodpeckers with the camera the other day. They don't get too close to the house but this one seemed to be very intent of getting the attention of another woodpecker. My guess is that it was not paying too close attention to where they were. You can't miss those bright red heads!

Hubby and I are off for our great adventure tomorrow. I've set up a series of posts that should publish automatically while we are gone, to let all the fam know where we are and what we are doing. Feel welcome to follow along..

Arrivederci!

All things are new..

2011-04-23T19:59:00.000-04:00

Here's wishing you all a Happy Easter!

dogwood in bloom

Picture post this time.

More words (and a little stitching to share) next time!

enter the Dove

2011-04-16T20:12:00.001-04:00

+++

Rejoice!

original stained glass

designed and created by hubby

Yes, some girls have all the luck.. :-)

Not bad for a 100 year old...

2011-04-13T20:49:00.000-04:00

After a particularly hard day/week/month, I found myself surfing the bay of 'E' the other night for a little de-stressor. I shoulda known better. Look what showed up at my door yesterday:

1910 Singer "Red Eye" sewing machine

Beautiful, isn't it?

I've admired these antiques (from afar) for years. It needs a little dustin' and a cleanin' but for 101 years old, I think the old girl looks pretty good. I certainly didn't have any plans to buy (or "win") one, but luck must have been smiling down on me (or feeling sorry for me).

I've loved this particular model ever since I saw the one below in The Franklin Institute science museum permanent "Amazing Machines" exhibit in Philadelphia many years ago:

On the stitching front, I'm working on the cutest little "chicken" pin cushion you've ever seen. The project was presented as our chapter program last week - inspired by a Russian blog. Visit Saolya (click here) for more. She calls it a 'berlingot' but you may know it better as a humbug.

Adorable!

Hope you are having a great week, wherever you are!

Happy Day!

2011-04-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

Carmen sends her thanks and sloppy kisses to all who wished her a quick recovery. She had stitches removed today from all three surgery sites and biopies all came back clean.

She (and we) is glad to have this behind her.

:-))

A Rose...

2011-04-03T14:46:00.000-04:00

La-D-Da freebie

Sampler Threads: Old Red Paint, Antique Rose, Dried Thyme, Dark Chocolate, Old Hickory

on 18ct. sage green Aida

Stitchers Day Out

2011-04-02T22:44:00.000-04:00

Despite below normal temps, I enjoyed a perfectly lovely day with my stitchy BFFs at our annual Stitchers Day Out today.

I even managed to almost finish a La-D-Da freebie that has been patiently waiting for years.

In memory of my grandmother Rose

Although the color palette is gorgeous, I'm somehow less than pleased with how this turned out, so I may be donating it to the greeting card fundraiser.

And, thanks to a great suggestion from a chapter sister, I'll be trying to figure how to build a little black hat around my white rabbit for my contribution to the SAS 2011 teacup auction. The theme is "Stitching in the Magic City" and my little white rabbit is supposed to represent the 'rabbit in the hat' magic trick.

Overall - a VERY productive, friend filled day. Hope you are having a great weekend wherever you may be.

...out like a lamb...

2011-03-30T10:48:00.000-04:00

###

Here it is, the end of March and what have I accomplished so far this year? Not much. :-)

BUT, I am very proud to report that thanks to a discovery in the "housekeeping" department, I have cleaned all (yes, ALL) of my windows, inside and out, thank you very much. What is this wonder discovery, you ask? They are called e-Cloths and I found mine at Marshall's (aka Home Goods / TJ Maxx). The Window Pack has two cloths, one to clean with and the other to dry with. You just wipe the window with damp cloth to remove dirt, then wipe it with the other one to dry/shine. Think "Wax On, Wax Off". It takes all of about two seconds, uses water only and the windows are streak free and cleaner than I have ever seen them in 14 years. Seriously. Don't cha just love that? What else? I used these cloths on my curio cabinet doors and shelves as well as my china cabinets doors and shelves, glass tabletops, and bathroom mirrors and they all seem to be repelling, yes REPELLING, dust. These things might just be the best thing ever. Sure hope you all run out and find some (available thru Amazon too). They have made letting the sun shine in so much easier! (I don't work for e-Cloth, know anyone who does, or get paid in anyway for this endorsement, btw)

Carmen is resting comfortably today after a rough day yesterday. As some of you know, she had surgery to remove a few suspicious bumps yesterday. To add insult to injury, she also had a teeth cleaning and toenail trim while she was in sleepy-town. So, on top of three surgical sites (with stitches) to recover from, she also woke up with sore teeth and toes. Poor girl.

Rimadyl (pain med) is good

Mommy is home today, helping the girl recover with a little special treatment like rice/chicken/carrot breakfast. I'm sure she'll be in top form in no time. Dr. Fred, the v-e-t, said she had a very strong heart (and head). Hummm...can't image where she'd get that!

New this week at the feeder:

I just love these Purple Finches. They show up in the spring with their Gold Finch cousins and add a brilliant splash of color to an otherwise drab backdrop. One of my bird books says they look like they have been dipped in raspberry juice. To me, they look like someone has dyed them like Easter eggs. Very pretty.

On the stitching front, I'll be trying to finish up a very small "small" this afternoon. It is for the SAS teacup auction in Birmingham, so no pics. :-) But, don't worry... you aren't missing much.

This Saturday, my EGA chapter is hosting an all-day "Stitcher's Day Out" at a local place called Heritage Farm Museum and Village. We have been doing this one-day retreat for multiple years now and always have a great time. I'm really looking forward to it. Most years, there has also been a wedding at the chapel (just across the way from the Welcome Center we rent). I think we all have come to look forward to watching the wedding hustle and bustle going on around us. We certainly love watching the bride wait outside the chapel doors for the perfect moment, kiss her escort on the cheek, then start her walk up the aisle. So tender. So special.

from 2008 archives

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and are looking forward to April as much as I am.

Hugs~

Swan Sham

2011-03-29T14:16:00.000-04:00

***

Say that three times fast!

Isn't it nice to have friends who know exactly the kinds of things you like? And isn't even nicer when they surprise you with something out of the blue? One of mine recently ran across these pillow shams at an estate sale and knew I would love them.

And, I do. :-)

Greetings

2011-03-26T10:58:00.000-04:00

More greeting cards for chapter fundraiser to share. Just in case you are wondering how I am turning out these cards so quickly, it is NOT because I'm stitching that fast. I'm using bits and pieces of old stitched things to make these cards.

It really is a wonderful feeling to turn those odds and ends snippets I have lying around into something with a purpose! I'm very hopeful that all of the cards our chapter creates will be well received and the fundraiser will be a success!

Assisi birds border in Florimell variegated silk

Blackwork pineapple in WDW "Honeysuckle"

Thanks for dropping by! Your comments always brighten my day.

No good deed goes unpunished

2011-03-23T21:33:00.001-04:00

Have I told you that a young girl at work asked me to teach her how to stitch? She explained that she wanted to make a Christmas stocking for her son. Isn't it like the most exciting feeling in the world when someone approaches you to share your passion for needlework? I can vividly recall how I felt each time an acquaintance asked me to teach them. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it makes me feel like those people who answer the doorbell and see the Publishers Clearinghouse van, balloons, and giant check. I have those screaming, babbling crazy people jumping up and down in my head whenever I hear the words, "Would you teach me how to stitch?"

Well. I tried to keep the crazy people subdued long enough to get my current student totally hooked. I reviewed all my Christmas books, selected about 10 for her to take home and study. She selected a very good classic, yet beginners stocking. One she should enjoy using for many years. She's a smart girl so I decided to start her out stitching "over two" on evenweave. She took to it like a duck to water. I was so proud. I watched her take her stitching bag to the break room like clockwork for her morning break, lunch break and afternoon break. She always asked me to join and I always said, I'll be right there. Famous last words. Most of the time, by the time I was free, her break was over. I did manage to arrange a few long lunches in order to show her how to use blending filament, attach seed beads, alter a design to suit her purpose, and share with her a few duplicate freebies I had stashed.

Every morning as she walked by my desk, she'd give me the progress briefing, always with a big smile. I'd make a point to cruise by her desk at some point every day so I could peak at her progress. Then, one day, when I walked by her desk, she didn't have the stocking. She had new, stitch-less fabric, stretched on a brand spanking new set of Q-Snaps. "What's this?" I said. Sheepishly, she said, "O that? I'm going to need your help later today. I'm starting something new". Very concerned for the safety of the stocking (due to all the blending filament cursing and growling), I inquired...."What happened?"

Much too perky, she responded: Nothing bad. I just want to do this other thing for so-and-so for Valentine's Day. And besides, I have all kinds of time before Christmas. OH! By the way, I went to your stitching store over the weekend and found this other thing I want to do for my Mom. It's really pretty and has all kinds of stitches in it that I've never seen before, so you'll need to help me with it too. Her birthday is in May. I've got time to get it done, right? And! Have you ever seen those overdyed threads? They are gorgeous!"

So, it was official. She had earned her BAP/UFO/WIP and flosstitute and underestimation badges, all in one week. Bless her heart - it was like I was having a conversation with my 25 year old self.

I just smiled and said, "I'm sure you will".

So, she's stitching three times a day plus evenings. I'm joining her for about 20 minutes a week. I had the same project in my stash (all kitted up) that she picked out for her mom, so we are having our own Stitch-Along. It's killing me to try to stay ahead of her so I have to throw a gorgeous freebie at her every so often to distract her! It's like tossing a wounded zebra to a lion. Is that so wrong?

She called me on it after (about the third time), so she knows my game, but she's lovin' every minute of it. So am I. I just wish I was getting as much stitched as she is! I must admit, when she finished up a gorgeous Valentine's heart shaped sampler that I've been dying to stitch for like, EVER, I was a wee bit green. Then I tried to steal it. Then I tried to guilt her out of it. But, nothing worked. :-(

Here is the project "we" are stitching at the moment:

Not much progress to show:

It only calls for two variegated threads, ecru perle cotton and one shade of DMC. I love patterns that maximize the use of just a few colors. The simplicity appeals to me.

So, I'm off now to finish Y and Z. Maybe I'll get a little more of the perle cotton satin stitched inner border done too.

Sweet dreams, my friends.

Spring Arrives

2011-03-19T13:56:00.000-04:00

^+^+^+^

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY

Enjoy the weekend and the first glorious days of Spring, friends!

Top o' the Morning to Ya

2011-03-13T20:42:00.001-04:00

I love Love LOVE St. Patrick's day. I love the leprechauns, shamrocks, jigs, and corned beef. I blame it on having a drop or two of Irish blood in my veins. So with St. Pat's celebrations this week, it looks like this week will be as busy, if not busier, than most.

I'm sneaking in a quick post now before you all think Fat Tuesday got the better of me.

In stitching news: I'm having a great time making a few greeting cards for a EGA chapter fundraiser. We plan on stitching card covers in a variety of techniques and then selling the bunch of them until they are gone. At $5/each, I think they will sell easily at our favorite LNS. (fingers crossed)

Here's a peak:

embroidery embellished felt appliques

scrap from hardanger project gone wrong

all cross-stitch design

The resident K9 is having a boo-boo issue that looks like it could entail surgery. We'll be seeing Dr. Fred (the v.e.t.) asap, and maybe taking a quick trip to the OSU v.e.t. hospital, if necessary. From the looks of it, I'd say I should go ahead and pack a bag. :-(

Therefore, there will be very little blog posting, blog reading, stitching, etc. until we get things back to the normal chaos level.

Happy stitching friends!

Mardi Gras planning

2011-03-03T21:02:00.001-05:00

***

Fat Tuesday is just around the bend friends. Will you be "observing" the holiday?

King Cake

(click here for recipe)

Considering the modern reputation of Mardi Gras, I'm not surprised that most people under the age of 30 don't even know that Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday, which of course is the first day of Lent. Growing up, we always called it "Fat Tuesday" and knew it was our last chance for anything tasty until Easter Sunday. Yes, Lent. Those 40 (or so) days of self-deprivation immediately following the big fat party we call Christmas-New Year-Superbowl-Valentine's-Mardi Gras.

Getting ready for Lent was like getting ready for a drought. If you knew you weren't going to get any rain for 6 weeks, you'd make sure everything was good and watered too.

As a young girl, too young to understand the deep meaning of the season, I remember my mother offering this completely inappropriate explanation of Lent - Lent was Jesus' way of helping us take off the 'winter weight'. Oh yes she did. Probably didn't scar me for life or anything.

Breakaway to the tennis match in my head:

Angel on the right shoulder: Don't eat those cookies. Jesus wants you to look good in your summer clothes.

Devil on the left shoulder: Jesus would not want those cookies to go to waste. If you don't eat them, somebody else will have to.

I'm sure none of that has anything to do with what's wrong with me today. ;-)

So, in memory of my crazy mother, I think I will follow Janice's lead (click here) and bake these wonderful cookies for the office next week.

Think SPRING, everybody!

It's a SIGN! (actually TWO SIGNS!)

2011-02-27T08:32:00.001-05:00

***

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree...
...a budding tree!

It really is true. Spring is coming.

He also sang for us this morning. What a blessing!

:-))

Clinging to Hope...

2011-02-25T15:53:00.001-05:00

It's almost March. Right?

Would anyone like to reassure me that Spring is 'right around the corner'?

Stargazer Lily

Stitch. Pray. Love.

2011-02-20T19:03:00.004-05:00

***

Up early this morning, way before sun-up, and took the opportunity to slip a few stitches in before church.

I'm the World's Best at taking a spare hour and turning it into "Top 16 Things To Do in the next 60 Minutes". But not this morning. I didn't make a big breakfast, start six loads of laundry, strip the sheets off the bed, etc..

Nope. Instead, I say to Carmen, "Carmen, what do you say we have two bites of yogurt and granola, call it breakfast, enjoy a latte and put a few stitches in that Assisi project before church? Shall we?"

Carmen said, "Sure, sounds great Mom.....whatever whatever....just put that foamed milk in my bowl and then you can do whatever you want."

So, here it is:

Assisi GCC (parts 1, 2, 3)

As you may have already guessed, the fabric color, count and thread choice was left up to each student (don't blame Marion for my borderline disasterous choices). Each thimble is slightly different from the next and I think I actually learned something with each one. The next and final part involves planning an original piece (small though), which I'll need to comtemplate tomorrow.

Loving that I'm nearly finished with this one. I had myself worried there for a few minutes that I wouldn't be able to 'graduate' with my classmates. My plans are to dive right into the Sashiko GCC before my needles cool off. :-))

If Congress doesn't do something soon about the 2011 budget, I might actually have plenty of stitching time (during my UNPAID lay-off) on my hands. :-(

Happy President's Day, friends!

Assisi GCC progress

2011-02-12T17:19:00.004-05:00

...

It's not much, but it's something!

I had hoped to have all the background, fill-in stitches done by today but...as you can see, I have a little more to go. Each thimble is a wee bit different from the other but the goal is to stitch each in such a way that you can't tell the back from the front (reversible). If I showed you the back of mine, you would know it is the back, so I think I'll just skip that pic.

GCCs (or Group Correspondence Courses) are one of the best things about belonging to the Embroiderers' Guild of America. They offer a fantastic variety of courses at bargain basement prices all year long. I still think the best way to learn any needlework technique is hand-to-hand, but as much as I would like to attend every retreat and seminar coming and going, I'm only able to make it to one or two a year. Participating in a GCC once in a while is a great way to sharpen my skills and keep my checkbook balanced (sorta kinda more or less..).

Furthermore, Ms. Marion Scoular is one of my personal all-time favorite people. She is such a delightful lady with a sparkling personality, amazing needlewoman, and superb teacher. I adore her, can you tell? So, I'm taking my time and trying to be extra conscientious with this particular class.

Two years ago (yikes), I signed up for Marion's "Finishing with Flair" course but was not able to keep up with the rest of the class. Instead of rushing through it and sending her an inferior finished product, I opted to drop out.
:-(

Does anyone else hear "Beauty School Drop Out" playing in the background?

One day, I hope to go back and complete it. I'd love to add another color to my GCC pin. :-)

My GCCs:

#1) Beginner's Hardanger (Marion Scoular)

how I fell in love with hardanger..

#2) Mariposa (Dakota Rogers)

I'd rather clean prison toilets for a week than stitch this again..

#3) Finishing with Flair (Marion Scoular) - not yet complete

#4) Assisi (Marion Scoular) - currently in progress

#5) Plum Blossom Sashiko (Lois Kershner) - next!

So while I've had a mixed bag of experience with the GCCs I've participated in, I have to say that by in large, they have been outstanding educational opportunities.

You can check them out at http://www.egausa.org/.

Hugs,

Is it Friday yet?

2011-02-08T20:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, so the Steelers lost. It's taken me two days to be able to say it out loud.

As I type, I'm reading a severe winter weather warning scroll across the tv. Yeah.

Tomorrow is a new day, right?

Groundhog Day and the 4 Day Forecast

2011-02-02T21:31:00.001-05:00

Stopping in to quickly say, "Hey, is it cold where you live? Again? Today? It is Groundhog Day, ya know?"

Loved that movie - not loving Mother Nature. Not. At. All.

I've been tending to a few 'necessaries' this week (like end of year financial reports, tax prep and other yucky stuff) and haven't made much progress on my Assisi GCC, however, I am sure I will be finished with Part 1 soon.

Thursday: evening obligation (no stitching)
Friday: Wear Red for Healthy Heart awareness!
Saturday: Stitch In Public Day at "AC Moore". Hopefully meeting lots of stitchers who don't know about EGA (and making a lot of hay with the GCC).
~~Sunday~~: SUPER BOWL Sunday: Watch the 6 time World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers hoist yet another Lombardi trophy high (in the house that JJ built, no less)

Victory is a beautiful thing.

Click HERE for a fun Stitch Your Heart Out chart.

May your toes be toasty and fingers be nimble.

Hugs! XOXOXO

What a difference a day makes...

2011-01-26T18:21:00.000-05:00

a splendid Winter day

January 25th, 2011

a bitter cold and treacherous Winter day

January 26th, 2011

They say it's been one of our worst winters on record. I believe it.

I'm settled in for the night. Hope to finish Part 1 of Assisi GCC tonight. Boy, I'd just hate to have to miss work tomorrow, with the refrigerator all stocked up and a bag full of stitching all ready to be worked. Yep, that would be a shame - to be snowed in for a day.

I hear it might be bad Friday too.

Yep. Horrible.

;-)

Stay safe and warm friends!

First (oops!) Second Finish of 2011 (edited)

2011-01-23T20:45:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!

And, well, you know how the rest of it goes... :-)

Leo d'Assisi

Threads: Florimell "Old Gold" silk, 801 DMC floche

Design courtesy of: Jos Hendriks (click HERE for chart)

Onward and UPWARD!

***Thanks to one keen reader, I'm delighted to point out that this is actually my SECOND finish of the year! Like, THIS year! My sweet little birdy nametag was my first.***

Snowed in Saturday (the sequel)

2011-01-22T12:48:00.001-05:00

I like to remain positive. See the bright side. Keep a sunny disposition.

I'm positive my blood is going to freeze solid; the bright side can only be seen on the weather channel; and my sunny disposition is vacationing in Phoenix, Arizona.

So...with another round of 'Artic Blast' here for another week, here is how my To Do list is shaping up:

Feed the birds...

and the "K9 unit", Carmen...

Wish me a Happy Birthday! Mom says I turn 11 (or 77) on Monday.

and the hubs: chili for lunch or dinner (Mom's famous chili recipe HERE)

Stitch (Leo d'Assisi nearly complete, getting caught up on Assisi GCC also)

Laundry (yes, the dryer is back from the dead) Yay hubby!

I know you don't want to see a visual of Mt. Filth-i-mangaro

So that's what's happenin' in Wild Wonderful West Virginia, friends. I know - I have to take my own pulse every once in awhile, just to be sure. Stay warm and safe, friends!

Leo d'Assisi progress

2011-01-16T21:19:00.000-05:00

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Not bad, not bad at all!

Cross stitched with Gloriana "Old Gold" Florimell silk

Back stitched with DMC 801 floche

O my goodness, I loved it when I saw it, when I bought it and now that I've stitched a good sized piece with it, I'm in love with the Florimell silk by Gloriana. The variegation is so subtle, it doesn't look too stripe-y.

There is a very intricate border that will have to wait until Tuesday-Friday next week. Tonight and tomorrow, I'll begin working on the Assisi group correspondence course (by Marion Scoular) I signed up to participate in with my EGA chapter. I'm a little behind, so I've got some 'catch-up' to do.

Thank goodness for three day weekends!

European Starling

2011-01-16T08:07:00.000-05:00

Well, after a little more research, it is clear that I have European Starlings at the feeder. The only good news is that they are "non-breeding", according to the field guides I've seen.

Drats.

Assisi Lion progress report

2011-01-12T20:11:00.001-05:00

I'm amazed at how close I am to finishing the cross stitch on this piece having really only stitched on it on my lunch breaks at work. I'm close to getting to the back-stitch. Hubby has oral surgery tomorrow, so I'm off work. SURELY, (don't call me Shirley) I'll make it thru the cross stitching tomorrow. :-)

A couple of you have emailed me to ask about the pattern. If you like Assisi embroidery, you should definitely check out this site: Stitch Stitch Info. The lion pattern can be found there.

When it's done, I'm thinking I'll put it in my trivet that I change out for the seasons.

I like it.

I like it a lot!

Snowed In Saturday

2011-01-08T18:29:00.002-05:00

***

First things first - for leaving me a comment on my last post, I have TWO boxes of chocolates to put in the mail. Jane from Quiltsmiles in picturesque Adirondack, NY and Aubree from "For the Love of Cross Stitch" in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Ladies, please email me your snail mail addresses so I can pop your chocolates in the mail. The longer they sit on my kitchen counter, the less likely they are to actually make it to the Post Office! ;-)

(The cover was from 1995, btw.)

The overnight snow we had put the skids on all outside activities today. It might have also put the skids on most inside activities. :-)

nap-time with "Daddy"

While Carm girl and her Daddy took an afternoon siesta, I caught up on a little computer work, filing, picture editing, blogging (reading and posting), bird watching and stitching.

A new arrival at the feeder

backside:

I'm not 100% sure, but I think this could be a female red-winged blackbird. Maybe if she likes my home cooking well enough, she'll bring her mate with her next time and I'll be better able to identify her.

And, of course, I did what snow-days were meant for...
a little stitching :-)

Since I couldn't get off the hill today, I missed my first group meeting of the new Assisi GCC class that my EGA chapter is participating in. :-(

I figured the least I could do was a little Assisi warm-up. This gorgeous lion was a monthly education project from a few months ago. I triple love the finished look and would be thrilled to bring a finished piece to February's Show and Tell. <3

Now, I'm off to make a little dinner and take in a little Playoff action.

Stay warm!

A Finish on the 12th Day of Christmas!

2011-01-05T20:38:00.003-05:00

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my own self gave to me:

Stitched from Christmas card cover - Designer Unknown

Any ideas anyone?

Although it is very small, I have to tell you that stitching this little piece has brought me tremendous happiness as it marks a turning point. I'm stitching again. :-)))

It's been far too long and I must admit that I'm feeling more than a touch of the "I'm goin' to stitch everything I own in the next 24 hours" madness.

Oh the plans I have for 2011!!!

Shall I ramble a few off the top of my head?

The Biggies:

Birds and Bamboo tea tray
Giulia Punti Antichi's Italian Peacocks purse
Marion Scoular's Assisi GCC
Lois Kershner's Sashiko GCC
Sheila Hudson's "Monet's Parliament at Sunset"
BBD "Joyeux Noel"
VS's Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh (three separate designs)
Cherry Stitches Sampler
Jim Shore's 12 Days of Christmas
Lavender and Lace "AUTUMN" (to accompany Celtic Christmas)

and everything else way down there (in the left sidebar) under "Biggies, on Deck"

Little Seasonal Projects:

Valentine box of chocolates (February) scaled down for small tin

Remember this cover from Better Homes and Gardens Cross Stitch & Country Crafts?

A box of chocolates to the first commenter who correctly guesses the issue.

Bent Creek "Blarney" (super cute Leprechaun sitting on a sheep) for March
The Trilogy "Secret Flower Bed" (super cute square with bunnies, bees and flowers) for May
LHN "The Rain Fell" for April
LHN "With Liberty and Justice for All" for July
CC & LHN "September", "October", "November" and "December"

In honor of this Revival, I picked up a 'few' threads to celebrate:

Belle Soie: Mudpie, Sandy Beach, Rouge, Peacock, Noir

many various overdyed

So, now it's 8:30p and my new self-imposed computer curfew siren is sounding.

Happy stitching friends! Remember Little Christmas tomorrow, 1/6.

After Christmas Sale Find of the Century

2011-01-03T00:23:00.001-05:00

Do you love the Nutcracker ballet? Me too.

Have you seen it a dozen (or two) times? Me too.

We know the score, the story and sweet Clara...

But, have you ever seen a Clara doll? Neither had I, until just the other day. I was hustling my way thru the check out line at Home Goods with a few marked down napkins, sea salts, etc. and what caught my eye from behind the clerk? Why a beautiful little Clara doll, holding a Nutcracker!

"How beautiful!, I said to the clerk. Even from here, I can see how carefully detailed she is."

Yes, said the clerk.

She is very special.

Hand carved and hand painted in Russia.

Signed and numbered.

Marked down...half-off.

It was then that the pinball machine in my head (or something much like it) hit the jackpot.

"May I see her, please?"

Yes, Clara, you'll spend no more time on the metal rack at a discount store, wedged between broken bulbs and smelly soaps. No siree Bob. You and I are going to get along just fine.

P.S. Click here for better pics. Retails for everywhere between $750 (gulp) and $300. I joyfully paid a scant fraction of that for mine.

:-)

Ringing in 2011

2011-01-02T01:28:00.005-05:00

...

Beignets for Breakfast

Margo (My Up-tight Northern Alter Ego): "Oh my...aren't beignets nothing more than deep fried dough?"

Marti (My Southern Self): "Why yes, yes they are! Unless of course, you are lucky enough to be from the South..then they are beignets."

Truth be told, these little bite-sized chunks of love weren't plated until almost 11 pm tonight. However, I have been in a very 'Nawlin's' frame of mind the past week or so. Some weeks a girl needs a little more pampering than others. Wouldn't you agree?

New Orleans is much much more, but on the surface, it is a sensual city of instant gratification. It offers many, many ways to indulge your every guilty pleasure...food, drink, music, and that's just the beginning. I may never have a breakfast as memorable as the chicory coffee and beignets I had in the French Quarter many years ago..

The memories of the sights, sounds and tastes of NOLA come back to me at the most unpredictable and unlikely times. It is definitely a "total immersion" kind of thing. Like taking a bath in pure, leave-me-be-I'm-having-a-moment, pleasure. Wait - they have a name for it - MARDI GRAS!

I haven't visited since Katrina, and don't have any immediate plans. But, every once in a while, I feel an undeniable tug towards the Big Easy. Today, it was beignets. Yesterday, it was ACME oysters. Tomorrow, who knows?

...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the warm, gold and olive Christmas decor is giving way (slowly but surely) to wintry fresh, white and silver.

Hope your New Year is off to a Sweet Start!

The Good, Bad and Ugly

2010-12-26T19:32:00.000-05:00

The Good

Finally!

I think I've figured out which setting on the new camera is going to be best for bird pics (hi-def, thru glass, hi speed, low light, etc). It's been a real trial and error kind of thing.

The Bad

(wicked/sinful/decadent and loved every last bite!)

Click HERE for the recipe

Click HERE for a ton of other Italian epicurian delights from Lidia's kitchen

The Ugly

Oh yes - that IS what it looks like... my dryer... all over my laundry room. Do you know my least favorite aroma to fill the house on Christmas Eve? The smell of a small electrical fire inside my dryer.

Not to worry. Hubby looks to have it figured out. (???)

Okay - maybe we should worry just a little.

2010: The Year of "Other Stuff"

2010-12-25T23:00:00.001-05:00

...

Merry Christmas, friends!

It's late on Christmas night and the season of hustle and bustle is officially over.

All gifts have been exchanged, meals shared, desserts savored, dishes (and more dishes) done, and blessings counted. Only because I love a post with pictures as much as everyone else, I'm posting some (old) Christmas shots. I barely had time to turn around this holiday season (let alone take many pictures), and hubby had stomach flu on the one day I had free to put up a tree - so, sad to say, we didn't have a tree this year... BUT! The house still felt festive with the rest of it:

The stockings were hung

The table was set

Mary, Joseph, Jesus and admirers were present and accounted for:

And Jolly 'Ol St. Nick made me smile every time I glimpsed him in the foyer:

Honestly, the past twelve months have been the most hectic on record, for a variety of reasons, and I'm really REALLY looking forward to having one more day of 'holiday' before heading back to work. Just the thoughts of having a little down-time is thrilling. I've noticed that my attitude has started to improve (a little) knowing that the worst of my two work nightmares are practically over and I might have an evening here or there to put needle and thread to fabric again.

I sooooo love needleworking and cherish the time I (used to) spend with it that I can definitely feel the difference in my otherwise "sunny disposition" when I'm too busy for a long stretch of time to enjoy it. Such has been the case for the most part of the year. However, Hubby gave me a subscription to my very favorite stitching mag (Stitch with the Embroiderers' Guild) for Christmas (what a guy!) and I'm super excited about it! I can feel myself becoming re-energized about stitching and literally felt the mental shift today from "Go, Go, Go!!!" to "Ahhhh, I think I'll sit down for a minute".

Blue Jay

Tomorrow, Sunday, Dec 26th, is going to be a wonderful, peaceful, restful day. I'll quietly clean the kitchen; make cream scones for brunch and roast a chicken for dinner. I'll feed and watch the birds and stitch. I'll not go to the post office or the mall or Wal-Mart.

I might even take a nap. :-)

Peace, Love and Joy to you!

'Tis the Season..

2010-12-14T22:25:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays friends! This message is coming to you from the other side of the chapter Christmas party, and smack dab in the middle of a host of holiday 'festas'. I think I forgot how jack-wild crazy Dec 1-Jan 5 are. It definitely has caught me off guard this year. I feel like Tina Turner on the farewell tour - run out, do the thing, run back, wardrobe change, run out, do the thing, run back, wardrobe change...repeat. I love it, but jeeeez... I must be getting old because I'm already tired and it's only mid-December.

The normal festiveness of the chapter Christmas party was tempered by the sadness we all had in our hearts for a member who lost her husband unexpectedly last week. There are no words to adequately describe how his unexpected passing so profoundly affected all of us. He was our friend. He was her best friend. His passing (Our loss) will echo through our chapter for a long time to come.

As for the party, my many thanks again to the ladies (Annette & Marsha) who made my job as chairman easy peasy:

Annette, monkey (me) in the middle, and Marsha

White Christmas table centerpieces:

It was a beautiful day, filled with good food, fellowship, gift exchanges and door prizes.

In other news, despite the artic weather, the birds have really been enjoying the repurposed pumpkin from Thanksgiving...

I've been using both halves as serving dishes and it seems that the wide rim, deep bowl and bright color is just the ticket! Of course it's been cold enough to freeze the pistachios off a nutcracker, but ever since I've been using these 'bowls', the birds have been coming in droves. Including about 300 grackles I spent an entire day trying to shoo away.

Grackles!

I know - we're all God's creatures - etc., etc...

I'm trying to be non-discriminatory. Really.

As soon as the clock slows down a little, I have a million pics to edit, stories to tell, stitching, blogging and commenting to catch up.

...Just as soon as those Christmas cards get addressed and in the mail...

:-D

In the meantime, I'm wishing you all the very best the season has to offer.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-26T21:19:00.001-05:00

It's been another highly successful Thanksgiving here at manor. Family and friends gathered. They came, we ate and some even napped. The menu was traditional and made from scratch.   I was so busy in the kitchen, I failed to grab the camera for any braggin' shots but trust me, it was a sight to behold.  I'm thankful for my faith, family, friends, and feasts. A good time was had by all.

No shopping for me this Black Friday - just wasn't in the mood to fight crowds and hustle about in the pre-dawn hours.   Instead, I packed away the Thanksgiving tableware and brought out the Christmas-ware. I do love to set the table. I'm thankful for time off work.

In the process of swapping seasons, I was compelled to clean out a few storage cabinets and re-arrange part of the pantry. That felt great! It was long overdue. I'm thankful for neat shelves.

Tomorrow, I'll be hard at work again on Christmas party favors.   I.may.never.make.another.favor.as.long.as.I live.

:-)

Happy Stitching friends!

Johnny-Come-Lately and Grand Central Station

2010-11-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

Other than brief glimpses, I hadn't seen a bluejay at the feeder all summer. Today, he seemed very hesitant and cautious, but he came anyway and I was glad to see him. Truly I was beginning to think something was happening to the bluejay population. They used to be very common in the woods around my house.

check out the nosecone on this guy!

He wasn't alone though. Every other variety of bird I've ever thought about feeding also swung by today. It was like Black Friday at the Mall.

hog eaters -- trying not to envision pigeons when I see these doves

my goldfinches are sporting their fall colors

this little guy is very skittish and scurries off every time I make a move for the camera,

so this was the best shot I could get of him today. His bigger 'red bellied' brother was hopping around too, but too far off for a good shot of him.

As you can see, it's been a very busy day at the feeder. I had an action packed weekend myself. Still looking forward to a "lazy" weekend sometime this year. Maybe 2011?

Have a great week friends!

40 years ago...

2010-11-14T00:28:00.000-05:00

...it was November 14, 1970. Mom and Dad were on a date, a year before they would marry, when their evening was cut short by the siren of the volunteer fire department. Mom sat in the car while Dad helped the other rescue workers do what could be done to sort through the wreckage. The DC9 carrying the Marshall football team, coaches, athletic staff, and local supporters back from Eastern Tennessee had crashed short of the runway.

They said the crash was "unsurvivable".

They were almost right.

The entire community became survivors that night.

A classmate and teammate of mine was just a peanut in her momma's belly (a cheerleader) in November 1970.

She never got to meet her dad.

Thinking of you Michelle...

I was on campus today and took the opportunity to visit the Memorial fountain.

It will be ceremonially turned off on Sunday, at the conclusion of another memorial service.

The fountain is not just located in the geographic heart of the campus, it also represents the true heart of the University. Every year when the waters are stopped, you feel it. You feel the pain, the loss, the silence in your heart.

We are Marshall.

An extra hour to play catch-up

2010-11-07T22:58:00.001-05:00

Who likes losing an hour of daylight? Not me, but...waking up at my normal time, I find myself with an extra hour before church. Hummm....should I run the sweeper? start some laundry? or enjoy a leisurely latte, snap a couple of quick pics and blog a little? Yes. Door #3 please.

If you've been keeping up with me here, you may realize I've been making favors for the annual Christmas party and therefore haven't been able to post many stitching pics lately. I'd really like everyone to be surprised. However... I've put a few door prizes together to go with our White Christmas theme that I'm just dying to share! So, since I'm really good at ~~breaking my own rules~~ making executive decisions, here are a few Christmas party door prizes (not favors) for your viewing pleasure:

I might have paid 25 cents for this milk glass compote at my local salvage store. Not sure what I would do with it when I bought it, I started to scour my many Christmas publications and the internet for White Christmas ideas. That was that a BIG mistake. Now, I have seventy-eleven ideas running around in my head that I would love Love LOVE to put together before December 11. Alas, I am still making the individual favors, so I must limit the time I spend on these door prizes.

The little blue bird was quick and fun. Machine stitching made fast work of the construction, but as always, I left myself a too-small hole to turn the thing right side out and stuff. Eventually, with the help of a chop stick and tweezers, I got it turned and stuffed.

As much as I loved making the little bird, I think the best thing about this gift is the perforated rim on the dish. Perfect to hold a pair (or three or ten) of your favorite embroidery scissors.

Different dish, same perforated rim:

This one just screamed PEPPERMINT CANDY BOWL to me, for some reason...so with a few cents worth of ribbon and peppermint, VOILA!

Even though the greenery is plastic, didn't this turn out pretty? I really like the hobnail vase.......A LOT......hummm...

Moving right along..

I call this one "Bon-Bons in the Bathtub".

Who couldn't use a little candle/teabag dish, candle, Moonlight Path gel, poof, and white chocolate truffles. Sounds like a good way to spend an hour or two to me!

You can't tell from the photo but this one is made like a goblet.   I liked it as a potpourri/candle holder but it would also make a great server for pistachios, mints, cocktail sauce, veggie dip, olives, whatever.

My challenge has been to spend as little as possible on door prizes since I shot the favor budget on, well, favors. It has actually been fun to up-cycle, repurpose, and use what I had on hand to put together door prizes I wouldn't mind winning myself. Wish I could show you the favors too. :-(    Sorry Charlies. You'll just have to be patient and see them in December. :-)

I'm working on about four other door prizes that I may have time to share with you before the party.  One of them is my favorite thus far... :-))

So, to say it local-like, "Y'all come!"

Hubby has been busy as a beaver lately too.   Several months back I showed him the bamboo DMC floss cabinet

that is being sold for $229 plus S and H. And maybe I might have suggested that he should tell Santa about it. Last week, he surprised me with not only a beautiful two-tone treasure chest (monogrammed, no less) but also a table to go with!

Not wanting the cabinet to get too much direct sunlight, the table will play host to my tea tray and elephant parade

while the chest will be situated close by, but not directly in the sun.

Check out the felt lining...

I love it very much. :-)

I'm ashamed that I have yet to show you the work table he made for me, but every time I photograph it, I'm too embarrassed by my mess in, on and around it to post it. As soon as I get a chance though, I promise I'll clear it off and share.

So, if you've made it this far, I really appreciate you taking time to catch up with me. And, I am wishing you and yours a beautiful season of Thanksgiving...

October Wrap-Up

2010-10-31T22:15:00.001-04:00

First, let me say, I'm not old. I refuse to be. I'm just pre-maturely...mature. With that said, Can you believe tomorrow is NOVEMBER 1!!! Geez Louise! October just evaporated. With exception to the little road trip hubby and I took over Columbus Day, all the stitching has been for party favors, so I don't have much that I can show you. But first...

These aren't the best photos in the world, but I love to see how beautiful the birds wings are in flight. Reminds me of fractal art.

And why I love their little bird feet is a total mystery to me, but I do.

I didn't intend to capture these guys in flight, but I was using the 'Running Man' setting on the camera (for fast action). It takes a series of shots, rapid-fire style, when you press the button (a.k.a. the big button, the Go button, the picture takin' button, whatever..). Are you impressed with all this technical jargon I've learned?

The sun was illuminating these mums yesterday and they seemed to be glowing. When we turn the clocks back later this week (boo-hiss!), I will feel sun-deprived almost immediately. So, I really tried to enjoy as much sunshine as I could this weekend.

And what, pray tell, did I stitch on this month, other than party favors?

Meet VooDoo Bob

design exclusive by: Haberdashery Designs

Yes - You guessed it - He's a pin cushion! He tickled my funny bone from the minute I saw him. He'll be finished as a stand-up doll. I can't wait to finish him but I'm sure it will be January. It might look strange for me to work on him during the holidays, with all the family visiting. They might start getting ideas about me. We might as well keep my crazy between us chickens. Right?

:-D

new at the feeder this week

2010-10-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

Don't know where these guys have been eating all summer, but they just showed up in force at the feeding bowl this week. I don't think I've ever seen them before. At first glimpse, I thought they were grey cardinals.

This chap and his cronies are eating me out of house and home!

Haunted Pumpkin Cottage

2010-10-27T19:51:00.000-04:00

Gooseberry Patch Haunted Cottage

Nutty Bar Cottage features candy corn Rose Window

freshly dug graves with fig newton and nutter butter tombstones

Sponsor Dino

2010-10-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

Are you a dog lover?

You know I am. I am also guilt ridden about not personally helping each and every stray I see trotting down the alleys, highways and biways. That's why when I see and hear stories like the story of Dino, I gladly go for my wallet. I might not be able to provide a warm, loving home and full belly to all the homeless animals I encounter, but I can certainly make modest but meaningful donations to causes like Dino.

click HERE for the Rescue Dino website

I warn you - don't read Dino's story if you aren't in a position to help. It will break your heart.

Welcome...

2010-10-23T23:02:00.000-04:00

...to the Mouse Hotel

I hosted a week long Fall Festival for the folks at work this past week. On Thursday, we decorated pumpkins.

complete with rubber mice and shredded paper 'rat's nest'

Courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Gotta love Martha.

Halloween Freakazoid.

My annual pumpkin carving co-worker is also a Halloween Freakazoid. The instant I told her what I'd seen on Martha's website, it was settled. We were making a Mouse Hotel for this year's pumpkin decorating contest. It looks incredibly creepy in real life. Perched on a black cake stand and nestled in a shredded paper rat's nest, it is totally Addams Family.

And, oh yeah, we sooooooo won the contest.

We have a WINNER!

2010-10-23T00:45:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for expressing interest in my little vampire stitching case!

I'm sure Count Stitchalot will enjoy life in...

Australia! with Anne! from Feather Stitching!

Congrats Anne!

And thanks again to everyone who takes the time to pop in here and leave me a comment. I do love them all!!!

Happy Weekend Friends

All thru the house...

2010-10-20T23:10:00.000-04:00

If my name was Rockefeller, I'm sure I would have a set of dishes to match every season, pre-season, post-season, holiday, moon phase, and mood. Yes. Dishes and salt shakers. Gots to have the salt shakers.

Seeing how fall is my absolute favorite season, I don't know how I've scraped by for so many years with such a woeful lack of autumnal tableware. Imagine my glee when I walked into Pier 1 (for a candle, mind you) and found the most perfectly perfect paprika hued luncheon plates and golden yellow leaf-shaped salad bowls:

fresh from their shipping crates.

I could not believe my luck! On the very night I needed a $5 candle, Pier 1 was putting out all their new, gorgeous fall tableware!!! Seriously! That kind of thing never happens to me. I am pretty sure my "Happy Dance" looked more like the "Not an Earthworm" dance that has only been seen once, years ago, when I found a baby snake in the basement. O yes. It was something to behold.

Did I mention that these dishes perfectly matched my (precious few) existing fall-ware pieces?

I would say I'm tickled pink, but maybe tickled paprika would be more appropriate.

But wait! There's more!

At this year's WV Pumpkin Festival, guess what I found!

Blenko Glass pumpkin

Perfectly perfect little artisan glass pumpkins - which fit perfectly in the golden yellow leaf-shaped salad bowls.

OMG.

I think I can die happy now.

Right after I change my name to Rockefeller...

Online Needlework Show

2010-10-20T20:15:00.000-04:00

As if you haven't heard...

As if you need a reminder..

The Online Needlework Show begins TOMORROW

Check it out!!!

Pumpkin Hollow & the Real Pumpkin House

2010-10-17T18:29:00.001-04:00

Have you seen this extreme cuteness new from LHN?

Love Love LOVE it!

But, have you ever seen the REAL Pumpkin House?

For more about our favorite Fall local spectacle, google Pumpkin House, WV.

Tis the season to be carvin'...

Columbus Day Weekend

2010-10-11T23:00:00.000-04:00

Camera practice down the Blue Ridge Parkway:

Natural Bridge, Virginia

Hope you had an awe inspired weekend too.

GOT NUTS?

2010-10-08T21:07:00.001-04:00

Hey there!

Whatcha been doing?

Me? Nuttin' honey..

I like BIG NUTS and I cannot lie.

You other brothers can't deny..

I love...

love...

LOVE me some acorn caps.

Hubby says if I pick up another single nut cap,

he's going to have me committed...

to the Nut Hut.

A long time ago, I had a friend who asked her mom what a "menage a trois" was. The mom, without missing a beat, told her that it was a fancy French dessert. I really think she thought so, but nevertheless...

Years later, my friend and I were catching up over dinner, at a fancy French restaurant. When the waiter asked what we'd like to try for dessert, my friend, without missing a beat, looks the waiter straight in the face and says, "I'd like to try a menage a trois".

I nearly choked to death.

So did the waiter.

Wonder what my friend would call this?

A sextet?

I'm a little acorn, round

Lying on the cold, cold ground

Everybody steps on me

That is why I'm cracked you see.

I'm a nut (clap clap)

I'm a nut

I'm a nut (clap clap)

Yes. I know. My crazy is showing again..

Halloween/Bite Me Giveaway

2010-10-03T23:44:00.002-04:00

My stitching/finishing mojo is still going strong, or you could say kicking butt and taking names! Awhile back I saw a vampire etui and thought it would be adorable for Halloween or for a Twilight fan. Recently, I began looking for it on the internet but found nothing. The more I searched and thought about it, the more I thought, "How hard could it be to just make one?"

Famous last words.

It would be one thing if I was a huge Halloween or Twilight fan, but I'm more of a Fall fan than a Halloween fan. So, all you Edward fans out there, here's your chance:

case closes with ribbon closure

click pic for a better look

If you'd like a chance to win this Vampire etui complete with blood red scissors tassel and Vampire Pez, leave me a comment on this post. If you'd like two chances, comment now and let me know you've re-posted on your blog or website.

I'll draw a winner on Saturday, Oct 23rd in order to ship in time for Halloween. There could even be a few more pieces to the set by then! It feels like it needs a biscornu pincushion/pillow and a "Team Edward" (thank you Plum Street Samplers!) needlebook. Yes?

Have a great week friends!

September Wrap-Up and some comment replies (edited)

2010-09-29T23:50:00.001-04:00

(the following post was edited after I realized I had apparently been sleep-typing when I originally wrote it. Sorry ladies. I'll try harder next time!)

Good evening friends! I'm in such a great mood since my horrible work situation has resolved itself. Well..it didn't actually resolve itself, but now that it's O.V.E.R., my creative juices have been in overdrive. I'm telling you this so I will be extra mindful to enjoy every minute of the office between now and the next major change.

Does that happen to you? If your creative power is suppressed for any length of time, does it come back with a vengence? Mine has. Yay!

For starters, let's talk about a couple of comments from recent posts. In all honesty, I almost wet myself when I read Giulia's comment about my her set. Seriously?! Giulia, as in the G in GPA, took the time to compliment my work of her design? Shut. Up. Okay, so maybe I'm a little star-stuck. Sue me.

I triple-love reading comments from everyone! It probably is true of all bloggers, but knowing someone has taken time out of their day to share a little friendship/sunshine with me is just like unwrapping a wonderful, warm, fuzzy gift, that is the perfect fit. :-) Thank you all for dropping me a line! Please come again soon.

Moving Along -

Anonymous W (maybe Wendy in VA?) wanted to know more about my tassels. Here's the secret:

A good ol' (unused) toothbrush makes all the difference in the world! You can see from the fuzz that mine is about ready for retirement. After you make your tassel, you brush, brush, brush the skirt until all the strands are separated. It is time consuming, but close your eyes and try to pretent that you are 10 again and Barbie has been driving that convertible without a hat and desperately needs all the tangles brushed out of her golden tresses. Then you are going to trim, trim, trim, until the bottom is nice and even. I like to use a pair of long skinny scissors for the majority of the trimming. (don't know what they are called but they remind me of hair dressers sheers). Then, when you are getting really close to having it the way you want it, grab your best embroidery scissors and make sure every thread is trimmed. No matter how well you trim the tassel skirt the first time around, you are going to want to brush and trim your tassel a few times before calling it 'done'. They will look fuller if you start by brushing the inner most strands first.

I've learned that for my taste, some of my older tassels were simply too skimpy so now I make sure I use enough thread for my tassels to be nice and plump, like me!

I like to make my tassels with the cording coming from the center of the top knot instead of coming out of either side, but I have made them about every whichy way. These "flop-over" black tassels were fun and easy. Just lay a skien of floss across a closure, like a tassel, remove paper wrappers and wrap the neck. Easy peasy.

And as Forrest would say, "that's all I know about that".

Jeanine in Canada writes the Italian Needlework blog. She is probably, at least partially, to blame for the sad shape of my checkbook lately. Ms. Jeanine also attended National seminar earlier this month and I was a delighted to meet her in person. Jeanine asked me to share where my newly acquired Italian stuff will live. I brought home several pieces of woven linens and a few painted beads. Until I have a little more time to photograph the other things, I'll show you the largest piece now.

Multi-color table runner:

My newest arrival is the small multi-color table scarf situated between the two lady chairs in the "Drawing Room".

I'd love to tell you more, but I keep falling asleep. Logging off friends. More later!

Sunset, 9/29/2010

Christmas Stitching

2010-09-25T12:35:00.002-04:00

Happy September 25th! I'm overjoyed to be sharing my progress on my GPA Christmas sewing set with you today (please click on pic):

design by: Giulia Punti Antichi

cross stitch in Belle Soie silk: Cranberry and Collard Greens

tassels and cords in various shades of olive and burgundy DMC and Anchor cotton floss

thread board by Bloom Woodworks

That's the scissors case on the left, the thread keeper in the center and scissors fob on the right. Since taking this photo, I've added the rouched ribbon to the center of the thread board for holding a thimble, made and attached the tassel to the scissors case and have only a small bit of construction left to do on the slipper itself.

HOOOTIE HOO HOOT!!!

I learned something very interesting about finishing from Carolyn Standing Webb at National. Something I never expected to learn. I learned that I can get paralyzed by the FEAR FACTOR. I will allow projects to linger in purgatory (stitched but not finished) much longer than necessary because I'm afraid of screwing it up. She had a very carefree, cavalier approach to her finishing and I was shocked. She produces some of the most beautiful smalls and 3D pieces I've ever seen. I imagined that she painstakingly slaved over the construction of her pieces with tweezers and a microscope, all while wearing white gloves. WRONG! CSW is an excellent finisher (and designer) and I'll do well to coming close to finishing things as beautifully as she does but I'll never again fret over, "but what if I ruin it"? Well then, you'll either stitch another one or throw it in the garbage! Thank you Carolyn for teaching me to Get over it and Get ON WITH IT.

I also (re)learned the importance of trial and error. So many times I'll decide not to bring home that button or ribbon because I'm not sure it's the right size or color only to return home to find that it would have been fine. Returning to the store days later to find the button or ribbon gone. If I'd only bought the thing and then returned it later if it didn't work out. I'm also guilty of staring at a display of thread for hours trying to decide which colors would be "perfect". WHO CARES? Just pick a starting point and jump in. If you hate it, pick other colors and do another one!

The pile of thread I bought to find the right shades of burgundy and olive green was impressive! If fact, Ken and Barbie are planning an expedition to summit it's peak next summer.

I didn't even bother writing down which greens and which reds ended up being used in my tassels and cords. They are truly unique, one of a kind, never to be reproduced tassels. Now, do I still fear that I'll regret that decision someday? Like when the dog decides to chew a tassel off something? Absolutely. But, for now, I'm thrilled to be getting so close to completing the whole set.

Christmas will indeed come early if I can finish the slipper today. I'm sure you'll hear a big WOO-HOO if I do!

Blessings!

Edgar's Giveaway and Moon Shots

2010-09-23T20:52:00.000-04:00

By now, everyone may know about the famous Birthday Hobbitt give-away at Edgar's place, but just in case, do yourself a favor and click HERE to throw your name in the hat. You'll be glad you did. Don't forget to wish him a happy birthday!

In hopes of getting one half decent full moon photo last night, I stayed up way past my bedtime and took about 100 shots. These two are okay for video, but in print, not so much:

September 23, 2010

I must read and learn more about my camera before the next full moon.

Week in Review

2010-09-19T09:49:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a week! I can't believe it was a week yesterday that I arrived back home from San Francisco. My o my how time gets away from me.

Besides working all week, I attended chapter meeting on Monday night and was reminded that I had not posted my little airplane Assisi finish here.

It's not much to write home about (is this all I could get stitched on a cross-country flight? I must be out of shape!). I thought it might make a cute soft ruler/floss tag or maybe even an envelope front for some mail art... I stitched it with the new Florimell silk thread from Gloriana which I talked about in my last post. I can not overstate how fantabuloso this thread is. It goes for about $1/yard. The color above is Autumn Arbor and is so much prettier in real life. Below is Poinsettia and Old Gold.

o yes they are that gorgeous! And you should feel them!

Wednesday was my 'official' birthday except I tend to celebrate all month long. (Don't cha know about half the stuff I bought in San Francisco was 'for my birthday'!) Hubby, sis and faa-ther were so generous and thoughtful. Hubs sent flowers to work and had flowers at home, took me to my favorite local restaurant for dinner, gave me a new filter for my new camera (which was an 'early' birthday present from him last month), scored some of those wonderful Anniversary beans from Bucky's (aka Starbucks), brought home an honest-to-goodness birthday cake, and gave me one of the sweetest cards ever! Sis and Dad put together an enormous gift box o'camera paraphernalia for me. I can't wait to use the mono-pod, case, album, et.al.

Really, I was totally spoiled this year. :-D

And rounding out the week, my EGA chapter hosted its big fund raising event last night, the Basket BINGO!

I baked peanut butter blossom cookies for the baked goods sale and MAN did they smell good. I was rushing around and forgot to save any for home, so I couldn't tell you how they turned out.. But, since they sold out, I guess they tasted ok. It felt good to be cooking in my kitchen again after being away from it for awhile. I also had some help in the kitchen from Flat Stanley.

Flat Stanley is my XSDN*, Hannah Faith's 3rd grade project currently. She sent Flat Stanley to me from her school in Texas so he could have adventures with me here in WV and then return with his stories to TX. He and I grabbed a venti early Saturday morning,

then dashed off to the grocery for cookie supplies,

retuned home to whip up a few batches,

and then headed to BINGO.

He did a great job helping me play my cards, but sadly, no BINGOs for me all night! I did however win a nice doorprize and The Sister won 4 times (2 prizes for herself and 2 for others from her workplace). She was born under a lucky star.

After church today, I think I'll take Flat Stanley to the local no-kill animal shelter so he can pick out a Flat Spot. I'm sure my XSDN won't mind if Stanley comes back to TX with a best friend!

I promise to post a few shots of my stash experience from National next time. Airline luggage weight limits rained on my bookstore parade, but I was pleased with the few books I did bring home.

Until then friends, I hope you are stitching as much as your heart desires.

Cheers!

*XSDN = extra special darling niece

National Seminar Report

2010-09-12T19:55:00.002-04:00

What an amazing whirlwind trip to the enchanted City by the Bay I've enjoyed this past week! Like most vacations, it was just too short and long overdue. The weather was perfect and I mean perfect. Such a refreshing change from the oppressive heat and humidity of the East.

The Seminar committee put on an amazing week of classes and activities which kept us all hopping. I would have loved to have spent another week traipsing around the Bay, doing all the wonderful things there are to do, but alas, the week zoomed by and just as soon as I adjusted to the three hour time change, it was time to come home. Hubby and I will definitely return to this region some day in order to take in all the city has to offer.

My roommate/travel buddy/stitching sponsor and I rode a cable car down past Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square on Sunday to take tea at the Crown and Crumpet.

The finger sandwiches, crumpets, scones and sweets really hit the spot. If you click on the link above, you'll see the actual table where we had our tea.   Such a charming little place.

Our hotel was well equipted to handle large conventions and could not have been more accommodating.  I loved the doormen in their top hats and coats. So dapper!

My two classes were very different but good all the same. I love Marsha P. Gomola. She's a quirky little thing, but exceedingly patient, friendly, organized, professional and her love of teaching comes through in her classes. Even though I didn't get very far with my Acorn Accessories stumpwork set (because somebody had the hairbrain idea to modify the charted acorn woodpecker to more resemble a downy woodpecker), I enjoyed every minute of her two day class. I especially enjoyed meeting Anne, the creator of the fabulous Gloriana threads who was also a student in Marsha's class.  Anne has recently acquired the right from a famous French silk thread maker to apply her overdyes to their silk thread.  The combination is to die for! Anne has an infectious enthusiasm and was a delight to be around. She even asked me to suggest a name for a new blue. Yes, I almost squealed. Without much thought, I suggested Federal Blue.  Watch for it in a LNS near you. And while she was showing me all of her newest color 'experiments' (seriously, I could have died on the spot!), I urged (okay, begged) her to create a signature Gloriana color, perhaps a delicious red. I can't wait to get my hands on more of the Florimel silk she's just produced. It's better than butter.

Merchandise Day on Wednesday was a lot smaller than I expected it to be, but the Italians came with their glorious woven linens, Assisi embroidery and Deruta beads.

So, I was happy!

My dear friend and mentor Marion Scoular does not normally travel with a companion, so I volunteered to help with her table on Wednesday. It pleases me to no end that she was so swamped that it took me and another helper working as fast as we could to keep up with all her customers. Marion is beloved by needlewomen everywhere! I will forever be grateful to EGA for giving me the opportunity to meet her and study needlework under her mentoring.

My Thursday-Friday Finishing Class was just what I needed to sit down and go through the many pages of finishing instructions for the GPA Christmas Sewing set. I can't say that I learned anything from the class but it did renew my enthusiasm for finishing and bolster my confidence in my own finishing skills. I WILL have the most precious Christmas sewing slipper set put together by the end of this month! :-)

And, that is that. A good time was had by all. The flight home was just long enough for me to finish a small Assisi piece. Some of the most amazing cloud formations welcomed us into Atlanta.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

This is what I found upon my dog walk this morning. Looks official to me. Fall is here.

This upcoming week will be a busy one with chapter meeting on Monday, birthday on Wednesday and big fundraising event on Saturday, but I can honestly say that I feel refreshed and renewed and ready!

What a difference a week makes!

Have a great one friends, wherever you are.

An Ode to September

2010-08-31T23:47:00.003-04:00

September has been my favorite month for as long as I can remember. Recognizing now (and reconciled to the fact) that I was a strange kid, I always looked forward to school starting. The advent of September way back then meant new shoes, sweaters in gorgeous hues of Autumn, jeans that were actually long enough for my ever-growing legs, notebooks full of nothing but possibility and erasers that had yet to know a mistake. It was the most joyous month of the year.

Flash forward 20-30 years and September now means the end of the fiscal year. It's a busy time, but usually accompanied by a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and even victory. Every year, the goals set by the Powers That Be get steeper, our resources get slimmer and the element we serve gets more difficult to manage. It really does take a special breed of person to do what we do with sensitivity and integrity, and I am proud to call my business associates friends. September gives me the unique opportunity to review the year in both hardships and accomplishments in the face of hardship. While I am quick to recognize accomplishments throughout the year, there is nothing quite so impactful as reviewing the whole year in one staff meeting and recognizing the role each team member played in our success. I love it. Plus, we enjoy a rare moment of civility with one another and take time to share a great breakfast! This year, my Year in Review annual victory speech will be slightly tempered by one empty seat. There is nothing to celebrate in losing a staffer, even if it is the best thing for all parties involved. It's a sad, sad waste. With that said, knowing exactly how my team will enter into a new fiscal year, I feel refreshed, hopeful, confident and even excited. In their faces, I see the inextinguishable "BRING IT" determination that is as much a part of their DNA as is the color of their eyes. They slay dragons, grab tigers by the tail, protect the most vulnerable amoung us and do it all with a smile, everyday. It's my honor and privilege to work side by side with them.

September also gives me the "right" to go shoe shopping. Not like recreational, amateur shoe shopping. More like major league shoe shopping.

They don't call me Imelda for nothing.

September ushers in new car models (yes, I've been having the convertible-sportscar-mid-life crisis for the past 10 or 15 years). I got behind a white Mercedes SL550 roadster tonight that was as sweet as a new-born babe's bottom.

Note to self - buy more lottery tickets.

Oh excuse me while I get that pesky silver spoon out my mouth..

September skies are a special shade of blue, reserved only for the 30 days between August and October.

September brings back my favorite tv characters, Mer-Der-Steamy-Dreamy-Bailey-Owen-Christina and those interlopers from Mercy West. Trust Fund Baby Avery can stay - the rest (who are still breathing) must go. Can it be true that this is the final season? If the creator would just hear me out, I think I could change her mind.

September returns football to us. As Hank would say, "Are you ready for some football?!!" Pre-season is great but actual MNF is vunderbolten, farfignewton, betterthantwochocolatemartinis, great.

And then there is something about the air in September. The first cool morning, the first brilliant humidity-free Fall-ish afternoon...I breathe deeper and with pleasure.

Considering my deep seated affinity for the 9th month (and sapphires), maybe being born in September was a fore-gone conclusion...

Georgia faction up for a visit beginning Friday, and I leave for Cali on Saturday so I'm sure it will be mid-month before you hear from me again.
Until then friends, I hope you too find reason to celebrate September.

Camera practice

2010-08-28T21:17:00.001-04:00

While I'm learning how to use my new camera, there will be practice pictures posted here periodically, pardon the alliteration. Feel free to ignore, or make suggestions regarding the photos. For those shutterbugs out there, I'm using a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. It's been 20 years since my last photography class, so I'm way behind the curve. Lots to learn.

Portrait with Flash (too harsh):

Super Macro:

Priority:

Natural low light:

Sepia tone:

a fly-by

2010-08-26T21:17:00.001-04:00

Hi Everybody! This is just a fly-by posting.

I was off work with hubby who had oral surgery today. Oh yeah, nuttin' but fun. However, it was one of the finest days I can remember all summer. The weather was beautiful, I wore jeans and sandals all day, and even had time to go to the store and make a delicious dinner before 7:30P. The heat and humidity have finally loosened their grip on us so even the evening dog walk is much more enjoyable.

Tomorrow is MIL's 94th birthday (shhhh....you didn't hear it from me).

Tomorrow, we'll spend the evening with her and probably some fried chicken.

As a very early birthday present to me, hubby gave me a new Canon digital camera to take with me to SF! I'm super excited to learn all about it. Susan, over at Plays With Needles, has posted some helpful info about some online photography courses which she credits for improving her camera skills, which I must say, were fantabulous to begin with. Skip on over there and check her out. O the eye candy she feeds us!

This weekend is my last before leaving for San Fran on the 4th. Which means laundry, laundry, packing, checklists, etc. Family from Georgia will be in a week from tomorrow, so if I'm smart, I'll go ahead and pack this weekend. With a pre-7 am flight, I'm thinking I won't be up for any last minute preparations.

My classes at National are #1) Marsha Papay Gomola's stumpwork:

which should only take me about seventy-eleven years to finish.

and #2) Carolyn Standing Webb's Finishing class which I will use to put together the stumpwork set, in the year 20next-to-never.

:-)

I couldn't be more excited.

Enjoy what's left of your summer friends. The ol' blue marble is coming 'round the bend, rolling right on into Fall.

Aahhhhhhhh. I like the sounds of that.

And the Winner Is...

2010-08-21T00:24:00.004-04:00

Lindsey!!!

Congratulations Lindsey!

Your total prize package includes three gorgeous skiens of Watercolors by Caron, a Sekas Fall Leaves chart, a Just Nan lil bird kit, a mother of pearl ruler, a Annie's Keepers organizing sample pack and a tiny little JABCO blackbird stick pin. Sekas charts, Watercolors, mother of pearl tools, and new organizing systems rate really high on my 'Gotta Love It' scale.

Here's hoping you'll enjoy them to the fullest!

I'll be emailing you privately for your snail mail address if I don't hear from you today.

Thank you one and all for your sweet comments! I sincerely appreciate it when you take time to leave me a comment. They warm my heart everytime I read them.

Have a wonderful weekend Friend!

2nd Blogoversary Giveaway

2010-08-15T15:27:00.000-04:00

Well well well. What do you know. I TOTALLY missed my own blogoversary yesterday! Should give you some clue about how totally consumed I've been by my work lately. I'm not even going to get started about the whole nasty mess, but believe me when I say that I'll be so glad when October rolls around.

But my lack of awareness should not negatively impact you nice people, now should it? No. I agree.

So even though I'm a day late (and a dollar short), I'm offering you a chance to enter my "Where's My Head 2nd Blogoversary" giveaway! Due to my total lack of planning, I don't have a picture to post but consider it an adventure and enter anyway. :-) I will promise you that it will be stitching-related and it will be NICE!

To enter, leave me a comment on this post only along with your email address if you don't have a blog (and I don't have it already). I will consult the oracle next Saturday morning, 8/21 for a winner.

Until then friends, stay cool and find time to stitch!

Being between KC and SF is better than...

2010-08-07T23:37:00.001-04:00

being between the devil and the deep blue sea, or between a rock and a hard place. I've just wrapped up a business trip to Kansas City and am counting the days till I leave for EGA National in San Francisco!

Kansas City was one of the weirdest trips I can recall. Very intense meetings, in a somewhat remote historic (a.k.a. haunted) hotel, topped off with a dash of Lady Gaga. Strange, I'm telling you. Strange. The girl can sing though, despite all the weirdness she cloaks herself in. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing out to buy any of her current releases but if she ever records any "vintage Blues" albums, I might just change my mind. Flying home through some of the worst storm systems I've ever seen wasn't any fun either. On the upside, both of my flights afforded me the opportunity to renew my relationship with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Sts. Jude, Christopher and Patrick!

For those of you interested in quilting, check out this link: Pickle Dish, KC Star quilts.

Glad to have KC behind me, San Francisco is calling my name. I can't even begin to say how excited I am to have the whole week to immerse myself in four of my favorite passions - needlework, travel, sightseeing, and friendship. I regret that hubby won't be coming too but like he said, "what would I do at a week-long stitchers convention?" He's right, but I'll still miss him. I'm sure he'll find something to busy himself with in the Dave Cave while I'm gone. Thanks to his busy hands, I'm the proud owner of a new solid wood work table for my 'drawing room'. It beats the heck out of the sawhorses and plywood I've been using! As soon as I have time and daylight to take a few pics, I'll share.

On the stitching front, I've sent a few small pieces off to the State Fair. If a friend hadn't volunteered to take them, I wouldn't have sent anything. This past year has been crappy-poo-poo for stitching so don't be holding your breath for the 'ribbon report'. Me thinks 2011 will be better!

That's all for me for now friends. Big day tomorrow.

Hope you are staying cool wherever you are and finding time to stitch!

And we're back!

2010-07-30T21:43:00.001-04:00

I'm very happy to report that the laptop is back from it's trip to the doctor's office and seems to be feeling better than ever. My head is still spinning over the fact that July (and more than half of this year) is gone. G.O.N.E. Despite the heat, I've really enjoyed this summer. I've been blessed to see old things with new eyes and with deeper appreciation. Maybe it's 'maturity' (or maybe my last nerve took a leave of absence) but for the most part, regardless of how hectic and crazy life has been this year, I've remembered to breathe deeply, keep a sense of humor and count my blessings. My evening walks with Carmen give me breathing room and time to meditate/pray. Here's a peak of what a typical summer evening walk looks like:

So we walk, every evening. Rain or shine. Heat wave or freeze warnings. We walk. We have discovered many things on our walk. Many wonderous, beautiful, and perfect things like brand-spanking new fawns nestled down in the brush just off the walking path,

protective mama

Indigo Buntings,

ruffled hearts disguised as leaves,

sunsets,

wildflowers,

and grass. Yes grass. As it turns out, our neighbors have the best grass in the whole wide world. So, without fail, every evening, we go through this routine:

Carmen's hearing/vocabulary test

She can also spell as well as a 5th grader.

Stay tuned...

2010-07-29T19:31:00.001-04:00

Hi friends! It's been a very busy week and I could go on and on, but I won't! The good news is my Texas family is back home safe, my Dad is home from the hospital, my MIL is not in the hospital, and I've not killed anyone. The bad news is my laptop has a bad virus...and there is one more day in this workweek! Hope to have the laptop fixed tomorrow. Going to Kansas City on Sunday for business. I'm very hopeful to be back in Bloggerville soon. This message comes to you via iPhone. Technology--can't live without it!

how to give yourself a heart attack

2010-07-24T18:09:00.000-04:00

Recipe for self-induced heart attack:

1 pair white pants with black buttons

1 bathroom break

1 sideways glance

Mix three ingredients together, in tick season, and 30 seconds later, PRESTO: near heart attack.

not a tick

Doesn't this thread pattern look like a tick to you? It sure did to me! And might I add that when you are 'in the library', it's never a good time to think you see a TICK ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR PANTS!!! Talk about shuckin' and jivin'. I was shuckin' the pants and talking jive simultaneously, until of course I realized that the 'tick' was just the black thread used to sew on the black button. I'll try to remember this trick next time I'm out of coffee and need an adrenaline kick.

Geez Louise.

Note to self, when using black thread to sew on buttons, never but never allow the back side to look like a bug.

Amen.