The Christmas cat surfaced.
I know I looked throught that pile of finishes on Sunday. I was not that tired that I couldn't have noticed it. And I couldn't find it. So now, after we picked out that Santa ornament, and I planned the finish, and found the Aida Plus I had horded in my stash for such an occasion (OMG, does this stuff stink. Being stored in the package all this time was not good for it, but, in my defense, I am not the original owner, and I'll air it out), it showed up today. SON OF A GUN. I made an executive decision that I'd still do the Santa. SO likes Santas (I never knew this til Saturday night, as long as I've known him, it's still nice to learn new things about him. They're always things that I would never have guessed), he rarely ever asks me to stitch for him, and so, this is a small thing I can do for him, especially when he is supportive of my stitching like he has been. I'll just put the kitty together, put it on the tree, along with the other unfinished ornaments I intend to finish, and we'll be good. I think that's the best way to handle it.
Now that I'm done the lions, I don't really know what to do with myself. I wound a lot of the floss I had used on it last night, and then sat there, like a dummy. I've been up so late stitching lately. It was 10:15, and I didn't have anything to do, and didn't want to start something--I am weird about this, but I can't start a new project the day I finish one, I guess the finish needs to be celebrated--but I couldn't make myself understand it was OK to go to sleep.
Today, I grabbed SNN from December 2007. I am giving the chart to Suzanne, who has so patiently waited for me to finish these, so I need to get this finished, especially because I managed to find the snowflake fabric it calls for on Ebay, and I want to get it finished before the fabric gets misplaced. I think I will work on this this weekend. This and the 4th of July bandannas for the twins. I am using a Stitchy Kitty pattern for those, Paws and Stripes Fur-ever, but still need to decide if I should finish it as a closed bandanna or let the back of the stitching be seen. I am still not sure.
I am excited because I am meeting Regina tomorrow for a day of stitching. She is visiting the area and is staying at a place not too far from my favorite beach. We are meeting up. I can't wait. Cross your fingers that we get good weather--it's been cool and rainy here lately, not normal for the end of June. I think we'll be good though!
19 June 2009
18 June 2009
They're done, they're done-UPDATED!
The lions are done!
And they're gorgeous. The little cub has the look of one who is truly cherished.
They're finished! Woo hoo!
This is the finished piece.
And the finished piece in a frame:
And they're gorgeous. The little cub has the look of one who is truly cherished.
They're finished! Woo hoo!
This is the finished piece.
And the finished piece in a frame:
17 June 2009
A little calmer now
I'm calmed down some from this morning.
Perhaps it was that I played with the twins at lunch. And told Chancey I was making her a bandanna for 4th of July. She grinned at the idea. Robbie liked it, too. My boy likes anything I suggest that doesn't involve the vet. Now I have to decide who wears blue and who wears white. I guess that boils down to which one of them is messier, and that one gets blue. I'm a realist.
I also played with the cats. Mom informed me Robbie has been growling at Lily because she keeps trying to make bread on his back. Between you and me, I think he's becoming more confident in the notion she's not a funny-looking relative of his. When there was uncertainty, he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Not any more. Gus and Flicky were pretty even. Gus was upset that Robbie was so close, but that's a personal problem. Robbie is not allowed to mess with him (he's not allowed to go after any of them, really, but the yellow kitty is utterly off-limits), so he just has to man up about it and tolerate it. It's not like Robbie licks him; that's Chance's specialty, and he dislikes it. I guess Gus just dislikes these two dogs, so different from the ones we had when he was a baby. But I do love watching all the animals interact. It's like having 5 children, just funnier. And more relaxing (Seriously, can you yell at your kids to "Goliedown!" when they act out?)
Perhaps it was that I went shopping in the stash I left at Mom's. Not "left", really. I just haven't stitched enough to make room for it. I grabbed a patriotic chart from Homespun Originals, the Lighthouse Sampler from By the Bay Needleart, and 3 packages of Aida Plus that I got in a lot on Ebay. Not only did I shop for free in my own stash, my mother gave me her Visa card so I could pay for my framing this weekend (part of it's for her anyway). I got paid to shop, LOL.
No, I have it. I had to put back the ladder my brother got out to do work for her and never put away. While trying to shove it between the water pipe and the wall, its rightful place, I knocked down a horseshoe that was hanging on the water pipe, right onto my shoulder. OWWWWWW. OWWWWWWW. Of course, I uttered a profanity. It fell on my shoulder. I don't know why there is a horse shoe in the house in the first place. The house is close to the DC line, not exactly horse country. My brother and aunt have horses, but they're in Southeastern Virginia, and I don't think this shoe would have fit either one of them. Anyway, it knocked sense into me, because I am going to get this project finished.
Perhaps it was that I played with the twins at lunch. And told Chancey I was making her a bandanna for 4th of July. She grinned at the idea. Robbie liked it, too. My boy likes anything I suggest that doesn't involve the vet. Now I have to decide who wears blue and who wears white. I guess that boils down to which one of them is messier, and that one gets blue. I'm a realist.
I also played with the cats. Mom informed me Robbie has been growling at Lily because she keeps trying to make bread on his back. Between you and me, I think he's becoming more confident in the notion she's not a funny-looking relative of his. When there was uncertainty, he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Not any more. Gus and Flicky were pretty even. Gus was upset that Robbie was so close, but that's a personal problem. Robbie is not allowed to mess with him (he's not allowed to go after any of them, really, but the yellow kitty is utterly off-limits), so he just has to man up about it and tolerate it. It's not like Robbie licks him; that's Chance's specialty, and he dislikes it. I guess Gus just dislikes these two dogs, so different from the ones we had when he was a baby. But I do love watching all the animals interact. It's like having 5 children, just funnier. And more relaxing (Seriously, can you yell at your kids to "Goliedown!" when they act out?)
Perhaps it was that I went shopping in the stash I left at Mom's. Not "left", really. I just haven't stitched enough to make room for it. I grabbed a patriotic chart from Homespun Originals, the Lighthouse Sampler from By the Bay Needleart, and 3 packages of Aida Plus that I got in a lot on Ebay. Not only did I shop for free in my own stash, my mother gave me her Visa card so I could pay for my framing this weekend (part of it's for her anyway). I got paid to shop, LOL.
No, I have it. I had to put back the ladder my brother got out to do work for her and never put away. While trying to shove it between the water pipe and the wall, its rightful place, I knocked down a horseshoe that was hanging on the water pipe, right onto my shoulder. OWWWWWW. OWWWWWWW. Of course, I uttered a profanity. It fell on my shoulder. I don't know why there is a horse shoe in the house in the first place. The house is close to the DC line, not exactly horse country. My brother and aunt have horses, but they're in Southeastern Virginia, and I don't think this shoe would have fit either one of them. Anyway, it knocked sense into me, because I am going to get this project finished.
Freaking out and venting.
I am on the last little bit of my lions, the blob of blue half stitches off to the side. It has gotten me cranky and freaking out. This must be done so that it can be washed, ironed and at my LNS on Saturday, along with several other projects. If not, it will not be ready for August. And that will make me mighty angry. I am not going to make it. I swear, I won't. Not with me working tomorrow and Friday at my PT job, plus my regular work.
Not that I'm not trying. SO made dinner for us last night so I could work; I went out in the kitchen and got, "I got this covered, go finish your project!" ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH. I was up til 11 last night, stitching, and then went to bed. I got to work 15 minutes early and just sat in the parking lot, stitching. Usually I leave the radio on, but the people on Cosmo Radio were arguing over something stupid, and I didn't feel like listening to it any longer. They've been upsetting me lately anyway, but my local station was playing their version of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" and that gets tiring, so I ended up listening. Anyway, I turned it off. Probably better. I find half-stitching to be difficult anyway. I think it's because I have a long run of stitching, but can't stop and cross every 10th X like I do normally. It's nerve-wracking, so I have to focus. It's my crazy manifesting.
I have come to a decision that I must not put myself in this situation next year for the fair. SO tried to tell me to do a little better planning last year, when I was running around last minute, but I didn't listen because I was convinced that my panic was due more to me spending the last three days before the entry date doing basically everything BUT getting ready: dental appointment for my makeover, hair cut, going to the beach for the day to relax and center myself. What was I thinking?
And then I goofed around this year, and didn't take my stuff for framing when I would have gotten the birthday discount. I guess I was laboring under the misconception that 10% off framing wasn't enough to make it worth my while? Now I'd kill for 10% off. If any of you are born in June, can you meet me at my LNS on Saturday with your driver's license? I'll love you forever and buy you some linen!
I promise, going forward, this will change. I will start getting my things framed or finished in a timely manner, even if it means less stitching. I can handle it, I'm a big girl. Finishing makes me happy, too. This year, there will be no playing around before fair drop-off; no hair appointments, only dental appointments if it's an emergency and, if there isn't an outlet for a hot glue gun, a table for crafting, and A/C, I am not going to the beach til my stuff is entered, and that's final. I can not be this crazy 2 months before the fair. It isn't good for my blood pressure or my well-being. It isn't good for SO. And my stitching suffers.
Yick.
Not that I'm not trying. SO made dinner for us last night so I could work; I went out in the kitchen and got, "I got this covered, go finish your project!" ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH. I was up til 11 last night, stitching, and then went to bed. I got to work 15 minutes early and just sat in the parking lot, stitching. Usually I leave the radio on, but the people on Cosmo Radio were arguing over something stupid, and I didn't feel like listening to it any longer. They've been upsetting me lately anyway, but my local station was playing their version of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" and that gets tiring, so I ended up listening. Anyway, I turned it off. Probably better. I find half-stitching to be difficult anyway. I think it's because I have a long run of stitching, but can't stop and cross every 10th X like I do normally. It's nerve-wracking, so I have to focus. It's my crazy manifesting.
I have come to a decision that I must not put myself in this situation next year for the fair. SO tried to tell me to do a little better planning last year, when I was running around last minute, but I didn't listen because I was convinced that my panic was due more to me spending the last three days before the entry date doing basically everything BUT getting ready: dental appointment for my makeover, hair cut, going to the beach for the day to relax and center myself. What was I thinking?
And then I goofed around this year, and didn't take my stuff for framing when I would have gotten the birthday discount. I guess I was laboring under the misconception that 10% off framing wasn't enough to make it worth my while? Now I'd kill for 10% off. If any of you are born in June, can you meet me at my LNS on Saturday with your driver's license? I'll love you forever and buy you some linen!
I promise, going forward, this will change. I will start getting my things framed or finished in a timely manner, even if it means less stitching. I can handle it, I'm a big girl. Finishing makes me happy, too. This year, there will be no playing around before fair drop-off; no hair appointments, only dental appointments if it's an emergency and, if there isn't an outlet for a hot glue gun, a table for crafting, and A/C, I am not going to the beach til my stuff is entered, and that's final. I can not be this crazy 2 months before the fair. It isn't good for my blood pressure or my well-being. It isn't good for SO. And my stitching suffers.
Yick.
15 June 2009
Are squirrel nests like this?
It begins always with the argument that, "I better put this away in a nice safe place". Always. And then I put away the treasured object and, in due course, lose it.
I've lost my fair entry ornament. My sweet little blackwork cat that I finished on Christmas Eve. I could kick myself. I've looked everywhere. I tore apart my sewing room. And when I mean tore apart, I mean that I tore it apart. I have been through every tote bag I own, every bag of floss and fabric. I tore apart the closet, getting hit in the head with a bucket I bought to put a finish in. I am surprised SO didn't wake up when I started cursing once the stars went away. And it's not there. And I don't know about y'all, but I consider it to be adding insult to injury that I found everything I needed to finish the ornament, but not the flippin' ornament. I know I didn't take it out of that room, but it's lost in the vortex. And my room looks like a den of iniquity; I must clean it up tonight. And get the rest of the catch-all crap out of there.
SO was of the opinion I should keep looking for it, but I looked at him funny. He knows that look. I can not find it. I am wasting valuable time looking for it. I risk being hit in the head again, and that will not do. So, I dragged all my JCS ornament issues into the bedroom, and started looking. He asked me to let him pick one. That seemed like a heckuvan idea, so I handed him the stack, admonished him to take care of the older issues because they're valuable(our conversation went somewhere along the lines of,"Be careful you don't tear the pages in that one, it's $50." Him: "No it's not, it was $5.99." Me: "Yeah, but that was in 1997, I'd have to replace it on Ebay and it's $50. No, no, no, I didn't pay that much, I'm just saying."), and let him look. And I found out SO likes Santa Clause. I was leaning towards animals and Christmas carol lyrics, but he likes Santa. Whoda thunk? But he did have a hard time picking between the winning Santa from the 2006 issue, and a Pam Kellogg that had a kitty on it. I think the finishing was what decided it--the Santa looked easier.
I am trying to think of this on a higher plane, that maybe that ornament disappeared because it wasn't good enough. And it's being replaced with a more "Christmas-y" ornie. I don't know. I just want it back.
The lions are progressing. I am 99% finished. I just have a titch of back stitch to do on Mama's ear, and some half-stitching, in 3 very close shades of blue. That is proving a bit difficult, but I am doing it block by block. I am pretty sure I'll have it done by the weekend. I don't have a choice as far as that goes, LOL. It has to go to the framer. And it does go fast, it's just careful counting.
I've lost my fair entry ornament. My sweet little blackwork cat that I finished on Christmas Eve. I could kick myself. I've looked everywhere. I tore apart my sewing room. And when I mean tore apart, I mean that I tore it apart. I have been through every tote bag I own, every bag of floss and fabric. I tore apart the closet, getting hit in the head with a bucket I bought to put a finish in. I am surprised SO didn't wake up when I started cursing once the stars went away. And it's not there. And I don't know about y'all, but I consider it to be adding insult to injury that I found everything I needed to finish the ornament, but not the flippin' ornament. I know I didn't take it out of that room, but it's lost in the vortex. And my room looks like a den of iniquity; I must clean it up tonight. And get the rest of the catch-all crap out of there.
SO was of the opinion I should keep looking for it, but I looked at him funny. He knows that look. I can not find it. I am wasting valuable time looking for it. I risk being hit in the head again, and that will not do. So, I dragged all my JCS ornament issues into the bedroom, and started looking. He asked me to let him pick one. That seemed like a heckuvan idea, so I handed him the stack, admonished him to take care of the older issues because they're valuable(our conversation went somewhere along the lines of,"Be careful you don't tear the pages in that one, it's $50." Him: "No it's not, it was $5.99." Me: "Yeah, but that was in 1997, I'd have to replace it on Ebay and it's $50. No, no, no, I didn't pay that much, I'm just saying."), and let him look. And I found out SO likes Santa Clause. I was leaning towards animals and Christmas carol lyrics, but he likes Santa. Whoda thunk? But he did have a hard time picking between the winning Santa from the 2006 issue, and a Pam Kellogg that had a kitty on it. I think the finishing was what decided it--the Santa looked easier.
I am trying to think of this on a higher plane, that maybe that ornament disappeared because it wasn't good enough. And it's being replaced with a more "Christmas-y" ornie. I don't know. I just want it back.
The lions are progressing. I am 99% finished. I just have a titch of back stitch to do on Mama's ear, and some half-stitching, in 3 very close shades of blue. That is proving a bit difficult, but I am doing it block by block. I am pretty sure I'll have it done by the weekend. I don't have a choice as far as that goes, LOL. It has to go to the framer. And it does go fast, it's just careful counting.
11 June 2009
In other news
I am still slogging away on Mama Lion. I back-stitched one of her eyes today. Looking at it just now, she looks pained. But I guess I would look pained too if I were missing the top of my head and an ear. And the person who could offer me those essential items seems to be otherwise occupied.
SO bought us a new (to us) home gym yesterday. He already had a gym area in part of the basement, but I don't use that because I am afraid I won't do something right and injure myself, and look like an idiot doing it. This new one is a nice set up; it has leg equipment, which I love to use. We could actually work out together, which I need, because SO helps me with my form when I am lifting weights, and I need a firm trainer, because I goof off while working out (hence the reason I fear doing the workout wrong) but it's a little big for area he had wanted to put it in. The lady offered him a treadmill too, but he told her he had to see if this all fits in the house.
I walked in and he was on the floor, looking like an overwhelmed child on Christmas morning. Both pieces of equipment don't fit in the gym area, and he had apparently spent several hours trying to make it fit. He said, "My car needs a new battery, and I just spent the money on this." I kept my mouth shut, but, between you and me, the gym is a better investment than the battery would have been. I'm just saying . . .
We have a running thing about puzzles, because he loves them. The dishwasher is a puzzle to fill. He's good at shoving large quantities of dishes in, me, not so good. This is just another puzzle. I rubbed his head to get the thinking cap going, and told him we'd figure it out. And we did.
Basically we are going to move things around. The entertainment area goes in the small area the home gym was in, the gym equipment in the other part. Which I am stoked about. The small area is warmer because the heat duct comes down there, and the lighting is better. Since we spend so much time down there, and I stitch, the better lighting makes it easier, and I don't have to have my stitching light on. I have to work tonight, or I'd help him shift things around, but he'll get it done. If not, I'll help him tonight.
SO bought us a new (to us) home gym yesterday. He already had a gym area in part of the basement, but I don't use that because I am afraid I won't do something right and injure myself, and look like an idiot doing it. This new one is a nice set up; it has leg equipment, which I love to use. We could actually work out together, which I need, because SO helps me with my form when I am lifting weights, and I need a firm trainer, because I goof off while working out (hence the reason I fear doing the workout wrong) but it's a little big for area he had wanted to put it in. The lady offered him a treadmill too, but he told her he had to see if this all fits in the house.
I walked in and he was on the floor, looking like an overwhelmed child on Christmas morning. Both pieces of equipment don't fit in the gym area, and he had apparently spent several hours trying to make it fit. He said, "My car needs a new battery, and I just spent the money on this." I kept my mouth shut, but, between you and me, the gym is a better investment than the battery would have been. I'm just saying . . .
We have a running thing about puzzles, because he loves them. The dishwasher is a puzzle to fill. He's good at shoving large quantities of dishes in, me, not so good. This is just another puzzle. I rubbed his head to get the thinking cap going, and told him we'd figure it out. And we did.
Basically we are going to move things around. The entertainment area goes in the small area the home gym was in, the gym equipment in the other part. Which I am stoked about. The small area is warmer because the heat duct comes down there, and the lighting is better. Since we spend so much time down there, and I stitch, the better lighting makes it easier, and I don't have to have my stitching light on. I have to work tonight, or I'd help him shift things around, but he'll get it done. If not, I'll help him tonight.
Patriotic Freebies
4th of July is my absolute favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween. I love Christmas. I am even getting into Valentine's Day (something about a card with 'Baby' on the front of it turns me in to a teenager). But 4th of July has it all. Americans are proud to be Americans. Everyone wears red, white and blue. You don't have to send cards. You don't have to buy a gift for anyone. You can go swimming. You can eat a hot dog. There will be explosions, for which no one will go to jail. That, kind hearts, gentle readers, is the ultimate holiday of the American holiday calendar.
And, in that vein, I thought I would share some of the best patriotic freebies I've run across lately. I hope you enjoy them. I certainly love them!
Cindymae has some great freebies. I love the patriotic ones. I am thinking of doing the tree in the center of a grapevine wreath. Wouldn't that be cute?
Plum Street samplers offers us this one . Really cute!
And we have these from Needlecraft Corner. You have to pay for the kits, but, it's not a lot to pay for the fibers and fabric you'd be using anyway. I totally blame "Liberty for Ewe" for my passion for all things involving patriotic sheep. Could you resist that little lamb?
This is sweet! Not patriotic as it stands, but make the little lamb's ribbon red white and blue, and it's perfect for the holiday. July 4th makes me feel ewe-phoric. They also have these to do as primitive stitchery. Heck, there is lots of great clip art on that site. Go to town!
A whole blog of freebies
Several more.
A couple nice patriotic ones by Gloria and Pat. There are a lot of lot of cute freebies on these pages.
And, in that vein, I thought I would share some of the best patriotic freebies I've run across lately. I hope you enjoy them. I certainly love them!
Cindymae has some great freebies. I love the patriotic ones. I am thinking of doing the tree in the center of a grapevine wreath. Wouldn't that be cute?
Plum Street samplers offers us this one . Really cute!
And we have these from Needlecraft Corner. You have to pay for the kits, but, it's not a lot to pay for the fibers and fabric you'd be using anyway. I totally blame "Liberty for Ewe" for my passion for all things involving patriotic sheep. Could you resist that little lamb?
This is sweet! Not patriotic as it stands, but make the little lamb's ribbon red white and blue, and it's perfect for the holiday. July 4th makes me feel ewe-phoric. They also have these to do as primitive stitchery. Heck, there is lots of great clip art on that site. Go to town!
A whole blog of freebies
Several more.
A couple nice patriotic ones by Gloria and Pat. There are a lot of lot of cute freebies on these pages.
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