Stitching Stuff

Over the summer, I did get some stitching done -- I didn't do any "finishes", but I have four pieces that are ready for finishing, whenever I get around to them.  (At my current rate of stitching...this will not be for a while.)  All of them are designed by Country Cottage Needleworks.

But here is what I did (pardon the wrinkles and hoop marks):

 "June Cottage"

"July Cottage"

I really enjoyed stitching these patriotic ones!  This next one was a favorite:

"Red, White, and Bloom"

I didn't change any of the thread colors for these first three pieces.  I loved the rich colors for "Red, White and Bloom"!

My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in August, and I stitched this next one in honor of that.  Bryan affectionately calls this our "love tapestry."  :-)  This verse is engraved on the inside of his wedding band.

"My Beloved"

I used a different fabric than the one called for, but of course I didn't write it down, and I can't remember what it is.  I also changed out a couple of thread colors.  And I did a lot of frogging...I ripped out the verse three times before I was satisfied with the color of thread.  (A true labor of love!)  And I changed the green twice. But I am happy with the outcome.

For those interested, here are the color changes:

Dandelion Stem (Crescent Colours) ----> Shutter Green (Gentle Art)  [except for the words - those were stitched with Weeks Dye Works' Periwinkle]
Blue Beadbord ----> WDW Dutch Iris (we called this our "love thread" - a variegated thread of blue and purple - his favorite color, blue - and my favorite color, purple -- yah, we're nerds like this)

I've been able to do a bit of stitching in recent weeks -- finally, something "normal"!  I finished up a few pieces that I started last year, and will share those later.  Something about kidney failure and chemotherapy made it really difficult to concentrate on small, detailed things...like stitching.  At least I can read again!  That was tough for a while.  And I can be on the computer again.  Just reading the screen was hard at times.  Oh, and I'm alive!  And getting well!  So there's that.   ;)

I'll tell you about my adventures in knitting later.  I took up knitting when I couldn't stitch.  I'm becoming a regular little ol' lady at the ripe ol' age of 36.  Saaa--weeeet.  

Belated Mother's Day

So, in honor of Father's Day this weekend, I am finally doing a Mother's Day post.

That's how I roll.

My mother taught me how to cross-stitch when I was about seven years old (I think).  For some reason, the age of seven sticks in my mind as the year...but I could be wrong.  Anyway, I've been stitching, then, for about 28 years!  (I am not ashamed to say that I am 35 years young.)

So I made another cross-stitch project for my mom this year (last year's gift was a card).  I was so excited when I finished it, I wanted to post it right away, but of course, being a gift, could not do it until after she'd opened it.  I found a design from Country Garden Stitchery that immediately reminded me of my mom.  There were purple posies (her favorite color) that were kind of pansy-like (her favorite flower).  At first I was going to make it into a bookmark, but half-way through I realized that she has a Nook -- she doesn't need a bookmark.  Darn technology.  But thankfully, since I'd changed the fabric from a 28-count to a 32-count, the design was small enough to make into a checkbook cover.  

So here's what she got:

The design is called Purple Olive Wildflower Patch; I found it in Country Garden Stitchery's Etsy store.  I used the Weeks Dye Works threads that the design called for, and a scrap piece of 32-count Lambswool Linen.

The back...I found the fabric at JoAnn's and I had the ribbon on-hand (I think from Stampin' Up!).

The inside...not the prettiest, I know.  But since I don't know how to sew, I was kind of pleased that it even turned out.  Glue can work miracles!  (Just don't get it wet, Mom.)

 I had the plastic cover leftover from when I made several covers with my stamping supplies several years ago.  I can't even remember where I got it!

For my own Mother's Day, I barely got a decent photo of me and my boys.  Hopefully they'll cooperate better when they are older!  But my hubby gave me a great day - new jewelry boxes (since the other one he gave me for my very first Mother's Day was ruined during our burglary three years ago) and a nice lunch out at my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Macayo's.

Hope everyone has a Happy Father's Day!  And for my fellow stitchers, it's IHSW weekend, too!  Happy Stitching to all of you!

May IHSW

So if you are not one of my stitching friends, you are probably wondering what in the world "IHSW" is...I will not keep you in suspense.  "International Hermit and Stitch Weekend" is found over at Joyce's blog -- it's fun because I know that as I stitch that weekend, hundreds of other stitchers are working on their projects, too!  Yes, I'm kind of a nerd.  But then we've been over that before.

I actually didn't accomplish much, since I didn't have any time to "hermit" (and what mommy of young ones has time or opportunity to hermit? none that I know!).  But I DID finish my "May Cottage" (Country Cottage Needleworks).

Here's what I had on Saturday afternoon, having not stitched since Thursday night:

Only the top border and a tiny bit of the bottom border to go!

 And here's what I finished as of last night:

Ta-da!  Now to find fabric to match and get this baby "finished"!

I've already pulled the threads for the "June" Cottage.  Yes I'm nuts.  But, I just finished up BSF for the summer, so I have more time to stitch!  Though, as one of my teaching leaders said, "You are on vacation from BSF, not on vacation from God!"  I do have a summer Bible study lined up, so I will still be "in the Word!".  (But I will NOT be doing homiletics, as much I do actually enjoy that.)  ;)

I notice that I'm very "link-y" today.  Lots of links.  Click, click away.  It's much easier than explaining stuff.  Cause I'm lazy.  I'd rather be stitching.

Five Things Friday

Since it is now already March, I thought I'd better get back into the real swing of things on my blog!

So here is the first "Five Things Friday" of 2012:

1.  I've started my first real cross-stitch sampler.  (I think they are called "samplers" because there is a sample of alphabet, numbers, and different motifs that you stitch in them.  But if you're a real stitcher out there...don't laugh at my attempt at the definition!  Because that is not nice.)  

Anyway, this design is called "Margaret Cottam Aged 9" and La-D-Da is the designer.  (I love that name, "La-D-Da"!  And the designs are great, too.)  

The problem I'm having with this design is that for some crazy reason, I decided to stitch it on 40-count linen.  40-count (for my non-stitching friends) means that there are 40 stitches per inch.  40 little squares.  Except, I am stitching it over two threads, so really it's more like 20-count size stitches...but still...there are all those tiny holes!!!  My eyes start crossing after a while.  So it's official.  I'm getting old.  Even my bifocal  eyeglass lenses aren't helping much.  Needless to say, progress is slow!  But I do love working on this piece!  

2.  Paper plates.  These are my new favorite thing in my house.  Huge stack of paper plates at Target: $3.99.  Less dishes to wash: absolutely priceless.  This will last me about two weeks.  We don't eat on paper plates for every meal -- but my boys tend to eat a lot during the day, so these are awesome for their breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, lunch, dinner, second dinner...  ;) 

(Try not to notice our cluttery kitchen counter. No, I don't normally put the plates on the glass platter. I need to return the platter to Aunt Claire, and it's clean, so to prevent other, dirtier things being put on it - I put the plates.  And yes, that is a random potato in the background.  And my husband's yummy cinnamon rolls under plastic wrap. and the kids' allergy medicine.   Hmmm...I should put some stuff away, no?)

3.  Cilantro, anyone?  Yes, that huge bushy thing is our cilantro plant.  The smaller one to the right is Mint.  Basil used to reside on the other side of Cilantro, but he died in a freeze earlier in the winter.  :(  (That is what I get for NOT watching the 10:00 news!  I didn't know it was going to freeze, so I didn't cover my plant babies.)

I am not trying to neglect poor Cilantro -- two weeks ago, my boys were all sick with colds, and last week, I was sick with a cold myself, and during those two weeks, Cilantro decided to grow like crazy, and I didn't have time to trim him back.  So it's his fault.

Those of you in Tucson...come on over, we've got plenty of cilantro!!

Note the McQueen/Mater Pillow Pets face-off.

4.  Little Big Planet.  Otherwise known as, "The Girl Game" in our house.  This was my Valentine's gift from my hubby (yes, I did want it), but Ben thinks it's for him.  He's getting pretty good at it, actually.  

(By the way, he calls it "The Girl Game" because Mama dresses her little sack person like a girl - because...well, I'm a girl.)  

There's my cute little man with his fading temporary monster truck tattoo on his forearm and his tissue for the booger that he'd just "accidentally picked".  Love this guy!

5.  Whammer.  McSlammer.  Napping through brother's round of Little Girl Game.  Sat down on the couch and totally sacked out.  Ben was worried he'd fall off the couch, so he moved the coffee table over for him.  Such a good big brother!

It's good to be back, Five Things Friday!  Happy Weekend, Everyone!!

Stitching Weekend

So I tried to participate in the International Stitching Hermit Weekend.

I didn't get much stitching done.  Or "hermiting", for that matter!  (It's difficult to be a hermit while my two little ones are around...they always find me.  Not that I hide from them!  Well, not very often, anyway.)

I started working on my March Cottage (by Country Cottage Needleworks).  This is what I had as of yesterday morning (no stitching was done on Saturday):

And here is what I had as of last night (after watching the season finale of Downton Abbey...ummmm yeah - did anyone get much stitching done during that show??  Oh my...I was so excited at the ending, that I gave up trying to stitch and ate some popcorn with my hubby -- who was, amazing, actually sitting there, sort of watching it with me.  But mostly he was reading a video game magazine.)

I finished the February Cottage last week - here it is, un-ironed, un-"finished" -- but with the fabric and trim that I'll use for finishing it.

I'll post more on this on the Country Cottage Stitch-Along blog once I get it finished, with all the thread color details that only other stitchers care about.  ;)  

I tried a new stitch, called the Rhodes Stitch, to make the hearts.  I totally stole this idea from other stitchers on the Stitch-Along blog.  So I can't take credit.  But I was very excited to try something new!

Okay that's it for today.  I know I've been quite delinquent in my blog, dear friends.  Between internet troubles, sick kiddos and hubby, and other (more pressing) commitments - I am having trouble finding time to work on it!  But I have tons of ideas, so please don't give up on me.  Not yet.

Thoughts on Downton Abbey's ending??  Anyone?  I now know that I am not the only fan out there!!

Yay for frivolous, fun obsessions with fictional characters!

A mama needs something else to think about besides poop and dirty dishes.

BTW: the sentimental part of me was so excited about Mary and Matthew, I couldn't contain myself.  The cynical part of my thought it was a bit "too easy"...but then, their entire relationship has not been easy.  So we'll see what next year brings.

Stitching Update #1

Yes, I do more than just cross-stitch these days...it's just that stitching is one thing that I love to do, and love to talk about, and no one around me cares a hoot about cross-stitch!  I don't understand why my boys aren't into it!  Does wanting to play with my magnetic needle-minders count?  Ben figured out that the magnets are strong enough to stick together though his hand -- one magnet on top of his hand, one in the palm -- and he loves it.  "Mom - how do you think they stick together?  How do they do that?"

Ben's way of asking "why" something does whatever it does, is to ask "how".  We can't get him to understand the difference.  But we don't mind...we understand "Ben-ese".  

So on New Year's day, while the boys were having fun riding their new bikes with Daddy, I pulled out some patterns I'd "kitted up" last year...they should stitch up pretty quickly, so maybe I can actually complete them this year?  We'll see. 

FIVE of these patterns are from Country Cottage Needleworks, one is My Big Toe designs (I love that name!), and  one is The Sampler Girl.

So on New Year's Day, I stitched up the janeite bookmark by The Sampler Girl.  Love it!  And if you don't know what a "janeite" is...I am one.  :)  A fan of all that is Jane Austen.  So of course I had to take a photo of the finished bookmark on my favorite Jane Austen novel, Persuasion.  

I was proud of myself for learning a new stitch (nun stitch, I think it's called) from a diagram - this was for the edging.  I thought it was a fun way to spend New Year's Day!

Then I had to take a photo of my "orts" ("Old Ratty Threads" that you cut off as you stitch) that I'd kept for 2011.  I didn't start saving them until July - but I didn't do a whole lot of stitching before then anyway, so it's probably a good representation of what I did all year.  It's a fun way to see what you were up to.  Then I tossed the orts in the trash and started a new cup for 2012.  I know some people save them and do another craft project with them...I am not that ambitious!

Second 2012 finish!!  This pincushion was a freebie from The Cross-Stitcher magazine (Issue 238, Spring 2011).  I kept thinking that I needed a pincushion, and then remembered that I had one I could stitch and sew up!  That was really fun. I even attached a magnet to the back so that it wouldn't slide off my new, handy-dandy, hand-made lap desk that my amazing husband made for me:

The lighting in this photo isn't very good...but he in-laid two metal strips so I would have places to put my magnets for needles, scissors, laying tool...whatever else will stick to a magnet...

Then he attached the "pillow" with Velcro, so it would be easy to remove if it needs cleaning.  (He took me to Jo-Ann's to choose the fabric...that was a fun and weird trip!  At the fabric store, shopping with my hubby...)  And yes - he SEWED the pillow!  Not even I know how to run a sewing machine.  But he does!

Ummm...so I LOVE this thing!!  I can stitch and watch Downton Abbey to my heart's content!  Well, not really.  I can stitch for maybe an hour in the evening (maybe, if I'm lucky).  And probably just listen to Bryan playing Call of Duty as I stitch.  But I'm not complaining!!  We'll take any alone-together-time that comes our way.  That is the desperate-tired-parents-of-young-children life that we lead.  

I even have a third 2012 finish...but you can see that over here if you're interested.  I'm pretty happy with this finish - I'm doing a "stitch-along" with these cottage patterns - there will be one released each month this year - and I love knowing there are other stitchers out there!  I'm meeting some great ladies!

Okay that's enough boredom for you for one day -- I'll come back later with some kiddo stories!  And a pic of my SWEET boots!!  Oh my husband rocks.

Finally...I'm back!!

Okay, so I've taken a MUCH longer blogging break than I'd intended.  But life has been so hectic these past three weeks - something had to be cut out of my time, and that something was the blog!  However...I am back now, and quite recovered from the busy-ness of the holidays, the start-up of the New Year (finally back in the swing of things)...and finally, more importantly, it appears I've recovered from strep throat completely.  Woot!

I've always wanted to say that.  Now I feel better.

So what's happened in the past month?  Ummm...I had my 35th birthday, just three days before Christmas...and no, I don't feel any different.  I don't even feel much older, though my body is disagreeing with me.  Are weird eye twitches normal for the 35th year?   Achy knees?  Pounds that refuse to go away?  Temperamental hips?  I blame my sweet babies for the pounds and hips...too much stitching  and reading for the twitchy eyes...and maybe my new boots for the knees.

Oh but they are SWEET boots!  I must get a photo up for you to see.

I don't know what Christmas gift I am enjoying most...my brown knee-high high-heeled boots, or the DVDs of Downton Abbey.  Hmmm...it's a toss-up.  The boots make me feel tall and skinny, so they might win.  But Downton Abbey....ahhhh...am I the only geek in Arizona who loves this show?  I can find no other girlfriends who even know about it.  Am I also the only one who does NOT have cable TV and therefore watches lots of PBS?

Anyway, I had a great birthday -- my in-laws were in town, and they spoiled me.  Well, Mom did -- she took me shopping!!  Clothes shopping.  I needed some new threads so badly - and not the needlework kind.  ;)

And my husband REALLY spoiled me!

This is me holding up my gift card to the Gadabout Spa!!  There's enough for me to get a manicure, pedicure and massage if I want.  But I am not into massages, so I think I'll get TWO manicures and pedicures.  Sweet!  The gift card even came with a pair of flip flops and a tote bag.  

We went to Chili's for my birthday dinner - my favorite, hands-down.  Chips and salsa, baby!  Even with strep throat.  I took Tylenol and drank lots of iced water.

See the gorgeous purple scarf?  My mother-in-law gave that to me.  And see the gorgeous man?  He's the one who gave me the sweet boots and Downton Abbey DVDs.  Yes he really loves me.  He bought me a chick flick.  A six-hour chick flick.  And he even puts the boys to bed on Sunday nights so I can watch the new season of DA. 

And I got some finishes in before the end of 2011!

Cross-stitching finishes:

The Angels Sang by Little House Needleworks

I finished it like a flat ornament, though it's too big for an ornament - it will hang on the wall.

This is My Joy, also by Little House Needleworks - I haven't "finished" it yet, but the stitching is done!

I've already had some 2012 cross-stitch finishes...but I'll post those another time.  This post is getting rather long!

And I finally finished reading David Copperfield.  Sigh.  I love that book.  (Remember that I'm a nerd!)  I won't give the ending away, just in case there is another person out there who has NOT seen any of the movie adaptations and really doesn't know how it ends (just like I was until New Year's Eve).  But suffice it to say, I was satisfied.  I love how Dickens weaves several threads of a story line together, keeps them all running separately for half the book, shows the reader how they're all interwoven throughout the last half, and at the end, wraps it all up neatly.  Magnificent!  Just like Little Dorrit and Bleak House.  

I am deciding whether or not I will start A Tale of Two Cities.  I freely admit that I've started it twice, and stopped twice.  I cannot get through the first chapter.  Which is weird - I would think that a book that is about both England and the French Revolution would be interesting to me.  And yet...there I am.  Putting it back on the shelf.

It feels great to be back in the blogging world!  (Thanks Eileen for the encouragement!)

Now I need to locate my children.  Well, I know where they are (bedroom)...I just am not sure what they're doing.  It's the quietness that I find alarming!!  

Nearly ready for Christmas...

I keep wanting to sing, "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat..."

But we have no goose, and he is not fat.

And now I'm being silly.

I feel as if I've been lazy this season...I have yet to add more ornaments to our tree (see last post) and I think I just WON'T.  Christmas will still come if our tree is not fully decorated.  I have a friend who didn't even bother putting ornaments on her tree this year - just the lights and the star on top - and it looks lovely.  And it's much less stressful for her, and there are less things for the kids to get into.

What a smart lady.

I am all about cross-stitching this season, not decorating.

I started the lovely "This is My Joy" pattern (also mentioned in last post) by Little House Needleworks.  I LOVE it! I'm about half-way through.  The thread is silk, and oh it is lovely to stitch with.  

Glides through the linen smoothly, and it's so soft. 

I love the variegated look of the hand-dyed threads - see how the little sheep has different shades of green?

(The thread is Crescent Colours Belle Soie, by the way - color is Collard Greens.)

I got my "bake on" yesterday -- baked up some cookies and bars to give to the neighbors, and then put this sinfully delicious pudding dessert together -- just for me.  

Just kidding.  I'll share it with my family.

Maybe.  If they say "please" and put on puppy dog eyes.

Pudding dessert always makes me think of my sweet Grandma - she made this when I was growing up and we always loved it.  I'm so thankful that she gave me the recipe before she passed away.  

I miss her so much!

Ben's preschool had their annual Christmas pageant, "Happy Birthday Jesus," on Thursday night -- he is the little guy in front with the orange shirt on under the tan "robe" (he and his class-mates were Inn Keepers - the row behind them were the Shepherds).

"There's noooo room for you at the inn!!"  

(That's his buddy Gabe to the left - they've known each other since they were practically born, just three weeks apart.)

Then Ben decided that it was time to flip his robe up over his head.

Gabe thought the result of the "flipping" was fun.

Meanwhile, Sam was rolling around on the floor, having a grand time.

"Is it over yet?"  

What troopers they were!

And so, with my stitching project half-way finished, the pudding dessert complete, and the Christmas pageant over, I think we are now about ready for Christmas.

Now I just need to get my house somewhat cleaned up - family is coming tomorrow!  Then it will REALLY feel like Christmas!  Yay for Grandma and Grandpa!  (and Uncle Doug!)

Merry Christmas everyone...

and to all a good night.

(couldn't help it - sorry)

Christmas-y stuff

We FINALLY got our Christmas tree up, thanks to Ben and his constant prodding...

No "day of rest" for us on Sunday afternoon!

Don't judge us for our style - Ben went to town decorating the tree himself:

He was quite meticulous about how he added each one to the tree, and explained in detail to his dad why he'd arranged them in this way:

But Bryan can't really remember what Ben said about it, because it kind of didn't make sense.  Apparently it made perfect sense to Ben - which is really the important thing here, isn't it?

These are shatter-proof ornaments, by the way.  They are taking the place of my lovely lavender and silver glass ornaments, which will not reappear until the boys are past the taking-the-ornaments-off-the-tree-and-throwing-them-inside-the-tree phase.

Oh, someday I'll get my beautiful purple and silver tree back.  But I'm quite happy with our brightly-colored hodge-podge tree for now.

I did add some of my own ornaments, up high and (hopefully) out of reach.  I finished up a Hallmark series this year.  I am actually not "into" angels - but these were so pretty, I went for it.

the last holiday angel in the Hallmark series

I'm contemplating adding more ornaments, but so far have had little motivation to do so.  For one thing, I've been concentrating hard on not going through another bout of strep throat.  So far, I seem to be failing.  I'll let you know it goes.

Also, I've been working diligently in the evenings to finish this sweet piece:

excuse the hoop-marks

And it's funny, because I'm not really "into" angels...hmmm...well anyway, this is a Little House Needleworks   design, "The Angels Sang".  I just love the simplicity and country-style.  So homey and warm.  I'm stitching it on 30-count Straw linen by Weeks Dye Works.  I think I might frame it -- but am also considering making a wall-hanging with some twigs/branches -- something "earthy" if that makes sense.  We'll see!

As soon as I finish my angel piece, I'm starting another design by LHN - a brand-new one called "This is My Joy" -- just picked it up today at the needlework store.  Can't wait to begin it!  I've never stitched with silk threads before (I chose the Collard Green and am going to stitch it on 30-count Cocoa linen by Weeks Dye Works) and I've heard silk is amazing.

excuse my very bad with-flash photo

Okay now you're updated!!

And just "who" are "you"??

;)