Monday, April 30, 2007

Thank You Tannia!!

I was surprised and a bit overwhelmed this afternoon when I came home from work - the postman had delivered this lovely surprise (RAK) package from Tannia - what a lovely biscornu and such fantastic treats too! Tannia enclosed a note stating that she felt that I give gifts to so many, and she felt it would be good for me to get one... aw, how sweet!!! Thank you Tannia! As I said... I am just utterly overwhelmed!
This is for Barbara - a sneak peek at your Neighborhood Round Robin! Yep, I started it this afternoon! Can you tell what chart I am using?? I'll leave it as a surprise for right now. (But, I think I told An what I am stitching, so you could always cheat and see if she will tell you...). I must say Barbara, I just love your linen! The color is a lovely deep taupe (darker than the photo shows) and the quality of the linen is wonderful! I am enjoying this very much already! There will be another peek soon :-) (Sorry the ewe looks a little funny - I did not stitch her nose yet, have to dig out some DMC 838 first).

And... it is Monday.... another update of HOHRH - House 1 is starting to look more like a house. At least it has its windows now!



Oh... I keep forgetting to say this! I recently realized that at times when I leave a comment in a WordPress blog, my ID is coming up carolann03038. This is because I did set up the skeletons of a blog on WordPress a couple of months ago, but never went with it. So, when I go into Google Reader and start reading blogs, if the first blog I comment in is a WordPress blog, then my ID will come up as carolann03038. However, if the first one is a Blogger blog, then I am diverted to sign into Blogger first (as we all know...LOL), and then all my comments come up as Carol at that point.... So, if you feel I have not been visiting your blog, please doublecheck for "carolann03038" comments - I bet you will find I was there :-) But, tonight I am way behind! I just saw I have 100+ posts still to read! Tomorrow will be busy for me!!

Stitched on today: Barbara's Neighborhood Round Robin, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Christmas Ornament SAL Weekend...

Uh-oh! The Christmas Ornament SAL weekend snuck up on me... again! I dug around for a bit this morning, and virtually every ornament I wanted to stitch could not be done today... couldn't find the right fabric or floss.... but, I did come across this one, an old favorite from 1998 - sorry the scan is so poor, though...


Rejoice
Lizzie Kate
36 ct Summer Khaki Edinburgh Linen, Gentle Art Sampler Threads
Stitched 4/29/07


Originally tonight, I did not plan to work on 18th Century Band Sampler (Long Dog Samplers Mystery Sampler). Rather, I was going to start on Barbara's Neighborhood Round Robin. But, this also did not pan out. I thought I found the house I wanted to stitch. I gathered up the floss, got out Barbara's fabric... and changed my mind! Tomorrow afternoon I have slated time to go visit my stash again and look at charts :-) I want to stitch the right house for Barbara! So, tonight I did a row of black hearts on the sampler instead...




Stitched on today: Rejoice, and 18th Century Band Sampler

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Gardening Weather

Finally, we have some decent gardening weather. Mike and I were outside early today planting the morning glory, sweet pea and Velvet Queen sunflower seedlings that we started under grow lights three weeks ago :-) Some drizzle this evening assures that they have nice moist ground. Then, spent quite a bit of the day finishing a PIF gift... and on to And A Forest Grew :-)

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!! Thank you for the nice comments on the two fobs I posted yesterday. I appreciate your kindness.

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Friday, April 27, 2007

Thank you, Italian Post!

Finished another page on Mermaid Heaven tonight - six down, and two to go! I think the Spring Ride SAL will not start until mid May, so I may get another week in on this one before I put it away.

Thank you, Italian Post! Chiara finally received her birthday gift from me today!! I was getting worried about this one, after I recently learned some customs facts about Italy - there are many items that Italian customs prohibits in the mail... many are quite odd, including this one: "Haberdashery and sewn articles of any kind, including trimmings and lace; handkerchiefs; scarves; shawls, needlework including stockings and gloves; bonnets, caps, and hats of any kind." Of course, after it took almost three weeks for this wee fob to arrive in Italy from the USA, I was beginning to fear that customs had snagged it. Gratefully, they had not!!
The Little Bunny Fob
Bent Creek
32 ct Bay Rum Jobelan, Gentle Art Sampler Threads
Stitched 4/4/07 - 4/6/07



The chart for The Little Bunny was sent to me as a RAK from Karen recently. Now that I have stitched it, I would like to pass it forward to the first person who asks for it. There are still enough beads with the chart to stitch the design at least one more time. Please leave me a comment or send me an email if you would like to adopt this little chart :-) ***Chart has been adopted

And, the US Postal Service was right on target when it delivered this gift to Sharon yesterday :-) I am glad you like it Sharon - and you were so surprised to receive it! You are a darling, and you deserve this wee little gift- I hope you have a lovely birthday on Sunday!!

Bee Fob
Little House Needleworks/Country Cottage Needleworks
40 ct lambswool linen, DMC floss
Stitched 4/16/07 - 4/20/07


Thank you to everyone who commented or emailed me concerned about my lack of joy in blogging of late. It will get better, and I appreciate all of you! There are some "things" that have been upsetting, but I am so grateful for the support! I love you all :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started a gift, and Mermaid Heaven

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Dawn

Dawn is growing!
Beau, Lily and Ava have apparently found some place comfortable to sleep right now...


And, that's about it... just not enjoying this whole blogging thing lately.



Stitched on today: The Mermaid and the Sea, stitched on a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Wine, Wine, Wine...(But No Whine)

Just another little stitching update tonight. Bordeaux Sampler this time. This is such a pretty band - very delicate.

Other than that, life is just quiet and serene. I am, however, a bit nervous about some gifts that are out in the mail and have not arrived where they should - most especially one sent to Italy more than two weeks ago now. Hopefully all will arrive soon.


Oh, here is a clip of my brother in law on Two and a Half Men - when Judith (the bride) comes down the aisle and appears shocked to see Charlie (Charlie Sheen) in the wedding party, the camera goes to Ryan Stiles the groom - the grey haired gentleman pursing his lips tightly together over Ryan's shoulder is my BIL :-) You can see him again (he is the best man) a little later in the video at the altar. Sorry the lip sync is so poor on this!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Pudgy Birds

Just a quick stitching update tonight - still working away on the pudgy birds motif on Paradigm Lost :-)

Stitched on today: Paradigm Lost

Monday, April 23, 2007

Sloooow Progress

Progress on HOHRH remains rather slow. It is even difficult to see my progress tonight, as I stitched a lot of ecru tonight - between the orangey (Tiger Lily) bricks on the side of the house. At some point this year, as an opening in my rotation reveals itself, I may end up stitching this twice a week in the interest of hopefully finishing it this year.... started it in January 2005... :-(
Just got up from my stitching and saw Beau (my oldest, on the left) and Ava (my youngest, on the right) napping together on Mike's newspaper. Funny thing is, both have been having problems lately with slapping other cats.... now they are hanging out together. These are my two problem children lately.
FOR MY INTERNATIONAL RED SOX LOVING FRIENDS - I have a few...last night's back to back to back to back home runs, and some Yankee stuff too, to be fair :-)




Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Finished Band 3

I finished up the third band on the Long Dog Mystery Sampler, aka 18th Century Band Sampler. Yay! I look forward to having a new band to start next week. I just love Long Dog Samplers, although they sure are not quick, easy stitches.

***A non-stitching note that I add here as someday I may want to look back on it: Tonight the Boston Red Sox hit back to back to back to back home runs (that's four) in one inning against some unfortunate rookie pitcher for the Yankees. It was quite a sight! Kudos to Ramirez, Drew, Lowell and Varitek.

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and 18th Century Band Sampler

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Starting the Second Half...

Tonight I officially started the second half of And A Forest Grew :-) I didn't start at the very left edge - I started with my favorite tree instead. I love the momma bird feeding her babies :-)

Jo has received the birthday package that I sent off to her :-) I really admire the Medieval Herb Garden that Jo stitched a year (or two??) ago - I was stitching Liz Turner Diehl's 17th Century Irish Garden at the same time - Jo finished hers, I still have not finished mine... I know she likes Liz Turner Diehl a lot, so I have had this design tucked aside for a long time to stitch for her - I am so happy she likes it!!
Queen Anne's Garden Biscornu
Liz Turner Diehl
28 ct Natural Irish Linen, DMC floss, Glissen Gloss blending filament
Stitched 4/15/07 - 4/16/07

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Friday, April 20, 2007

And, a rock was born...


Well, the Spring Ride SAL is beginning next month, so Mermaid Heaven shall have to get tucked away again quite soon. But, tonight I did manage to completely finish that monster of a rock on which the mermaids are sitting. I almost completely finished the page I am on, and expect that I will finish that next week. That will bring me a good feeling of success before this gets tucked away again for a while.... I will miss it (but I am looking forward to the Spring Ride SAL too - so maybe I can finish something else up fairly soon and make room again for Mermaid Heaven).

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started a gift, and Mermaid Heaven

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Thursday Update

Since it is Thursday, I was able to spend some time with Dawn again tonight. I am hoping my SAL partner will show an update of her own some time soon, too. Dawn continues to move along well and she is just so beautiful and delicate.

Nicole let me know today that she received the birthday gift that I stitched for her. I first saw this fob in Dani's blog a little while back. She had stitched this fob as a class at a festival in Canada. So, I figured I would never get a shot at it - until the two charts for it were recently released on PatternsOnline - I immediately grabbed them up and knew it was a perfect gift for Nicole to commemorate our two recent SAL's - Legends of the Dragons and Kingdom Sampler. I am thrilled that Nicole likes this :-)
This is the front of the fob, designed by Teresa Wentzler... below is the back of the fob, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams



Celestial Sun/Celestial Moon Fob
Teresa Wentzler/Dragon Dreams
28 ct Mushroom Lugana, DMC floss, Kreinik #4 braids
Stitched 4/12/07 - 4/14/07


And, a thank you to Dianne for this sweet ATC (Art Trading Card) that she sent to me. It took a very slow route from Pennsylvania to here... but it did arrive safely and I think it is so unique - and was so sweet of her. She captured the spirit of my Angus quite well :-)



Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

But, I don't even drink wine...


Here is this week's update of Bordeaux Sampler. I really am enjoying this band - this splash of the gold colored silk is just right for this part of the sampler. But, a confession - here I am, busily working away on a sampler dedicated to wine and the making of wine... and I do love this sampler... but, I don't really even drink wine! I do like wine. But my tolerance for alcohol is so incredibly low that one small glass makes me feel rather drunk, and then the headache and feeling tired... most folks will just drink a bit past that point so those symptoms pass, but I can't - LOL!!

I heard from Erin tonight that she has received the little birthday gift that I made for her. I know Erin likes fantasy themes, so I picked a little dragon for her... Dragon Dreams' newest freebie. Now, I don't think Erin is a fool, but she is an April baby, so I hoped the April Fool's theme would be OK :-)

'07 April Fool's Dragon Fob

Dragon Dreams (freebie found here )

Picture This Plus Mercedes Cashel Linen, DMC floss

Stitched 4/6/07 - 4/7/07


Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

New Template - Works in Google Reader :-)

It is Paradigm Lost Tuesday - here is tonight's update. I am now working on the motif in the bottom left of the sampler, which is full of little fat, pudgie birds.

I heard from Barbara today that she has received the PIF gift that I have made for her - and in record time, as I posted it from Hooksett, New Hampshire just last Thursday morning.... and it already arrived in The Netherlands today! It took me a while to select something to stitch for Barbara - I wanted it to be special as Barbara is a dear friend, and I knew she had some favorite designers - Kathy Barrick certainly being one of them. So, I stitched this Chartmakers freebie for her, and I am so happy that she likes it!! I am busily working my way through my fairly long PIF list to do... so, if you are waiting for a PIF gift from me, don't worry, it's coming - LOL!! I am pretty much doing them in the order that they came in during sign ups :-)
House on a Hill Fob
Chartmakers (found here )
40 ct Natural Linen and DMC floss
Stitched 4/8/07 - 4/12/07


OK, I decided to change my template - this one, I just realized, is really rather bright! But.... it works in Google Reader! Yay!!! Hope that helps those who have found it to be difficult to leave me comments using Google Reader. I wouldn't blame you for feeling that way - it would drive me nuts too!!

FOR SPORTS FANS


PS - in the "fans behaving badly" category... THIS happened during the Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Monday - just amazing! What folks do with their rage... Yet, our two local sportscasters seemed to enjoy having fun with this (this is from our local broadcast of the game).


Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Paradigm Lost

Monday, April 16, 2007

Big Green Roof

I did it - I finished that big green roof on House 1 tonight - it took most of the time I had for working on HOHRH tonight, but it's finished.

My thoughts and prayers tonight go out to the victims of the college shooting in Virginia. I just heard one victim is from the Boston area as well. What a tragedy.

Did anyone get to see my BIL on "Two and a Half Men" tonight? He was on in the last five minutes of the show. He played the best man at the wedding. When Judith came down the aisle and looked shocked to see Charlie in the wedding party, the camera then went to Ryan Stiles (the groom), and there was Steve, right over Ryan's shoulder. They showed him twice more in the wedding lineup when Alan and the groom's former fiancee were making a ruckus in the closet. Steve figured he might get left on the cutting room floor, but no - he was actually shown quite a bit! Very cool for him!

Wow, I can't wait to see how much the big Nor'Easter (storm) we are having affects the Merrimack River by my office - it overflowed in May of 2006... and now again! I wonder how my clients are doing. When this happened last year, several had to be evacuated out of their homes in boats. Sigh.... At least I am no longer in that office in Haverhill that leaked so badly when big rains hit. I bet that one is leaking right now - LOL

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started a gift and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Mostly Secret Stitching


Blogger is going through another of its bouts with not wanting to post photos at times.. this is one of those times. If I had the energy to switch to another provider, I would, but for now.... This is all I have to share tonight - more of the Long Dog Mystery Sampler.... I dedicated a good portion of today's stitching time to a birthday gift, and I cannot show it, of course...

Wow, the NE is getting pounded with this storm. I am lucky in that we got about .5" or less of snow, and then some rain. Mike took the garbage out to the curb and said the driveway is icy, but otherwise we are not getting hit too hard in Auburn, NH. What I have seen on TV of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts is amazing - flooding everywhere! Stay safe, my friends!!!

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and 18th Century Band Sampler

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Half of a Forest :-)

I finally made it to the halfway point of And A Forest Grew tonight!

Thank you to everyone for your nice comments on the Chatelaine biscornu (Kathy's Violets). It took me a really long time to stitch that one, but it was worth it :-) You are all so wonderful and supportive, thank you!
Here is how my kitchen looked this morning - feeding time at the zoo! A few people have asked if I could post a photo of all six cats. Unfortunately, getting all six together for a photo is impossible... unless they are eating! LOL! So, here is the tribe - You can see Angus eating with Anouk... then my two blondes (cream, to be exact) Gig and Beau... with Ava eating alone... and Lily washing her face :-) That's the troupe :-)



I hope everyone is having a great weekend - we are preparing for a very, very heavy rain storm to come in tomorrow and linger through the week - hard to believe that the Boston Marathon is going to take place is such terrible conditions on Monday!!



Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Friday, April 13, 2007

Sweet Mermaids

The Spring Ride SAL will be starting up in May, but until then, I am really trying to get some time in on Mermaid Heaven. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish the rocks tonight. I need to dig out some more DMC 840 (and some 839 and 841 too), as I have run out....

Finally... I heard from Katrina tonight that her birthday gifts from me have arrived. I sent them via Global Priority Mail, but somehow they arrived by slow boat instead. I sent her a package of goodies, and this:
Kathy's Violets Biscornu
Chatelaine
Mint Green Cashel Linen, DMC floss, Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid, Miyuki Delicas Beads, Mill Hill Petite Beads
Stitched 3/30/07 - 4/1/07



I have to apologize to those of you who use Google Reader (as I also do). I recently learned that you cannot access the comments section of my blog using the Reader. I am trying to fix it, but cannot figure it out... anyone know? I might just change my template... Also, sorry! No blog reading today - that was one very long clinical seminar today, then out to dinner with Mike and started stitching quite late. I am sure I can catch up this weekend :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Mermaid Heaven

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Dawn Update


Blogger didn't want to upload this photo tonight - feeling lucky the other two still went up.... been a long time since Blogger has acted this way. Anyhow, here is Dawn for this week - she is getting shaplier. I think she looks a bit anorectic looking though.
I busted out and bought a threadpack from Jenna's new ONS. I was feeling a bit down in a biochemical kind of way last week... so I had a tiny bit of retail therapy. I have been dying to toss some business Jenna's way since she opened. This isn't much, but I bought something :-)


I got this Disney chart recently in one of the UK cross stitching magazines. I have no children and my nieces are 13-18 years old now. Having nobody for whom to stitch this cute design, I am offering this foldout chart to the first person who requests it - anyone want it?Chart adopted

Off to bed a little earlier tonight - have to get up early for a psychotherapy conference in Manchester. Wonder how the roads will be - we had a bit of snow this evening after a day of sleet... yep, they say it is April....

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Finished Part 4... and Biscornu Exchange Received :-)

I finished Part 4 of Bordeaux Sampler tonight.... all those over one grapes.... and now am on to Part 5, which is so much more enjoyable! What a treat it was tonight to stitch one over two again!

I received the FGBB Biscornu Exchange today from Dot :-) I don't know Dot's blog address, am still working on that! This is a cutie. It is the first one that Dot has ever stitched, and I am thoroughly impressed! She also sent me a pretty Wood Violet cashel by Dyeing4U (I already have some great ideas for it) and some yummy hand- dyed threads. Thank you Dot! What a nice exchange!!
And, I heard from Gill this morning that she just received the PIF gift that I made for her. I did not know that Gill is quite fond of the color purple, so this ended up working out quite well! I just love Indigo Rose designs, and have wanted to stitch one of the freebies into a biscornu.... so here was my chance. This is one of the freebies I stitched this month for the Freebie Challenge on the FGBB:

Twilight Biscornu
Indigo Rose
Taupe Cashel and DMC floss
Stitched 4/2/07 - 4/4/07




Thank you, everyone, for the wonderful feedback lately - on my little finishes, my WIPS and everything else - you are wonderful! Someone did write asking to join the Neighborhood RR I set up... I could not find an email address for you, Rob.... but sadly, the RR did fill up... if I hear of one starting up, I will be happy to let you know!

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Big, Huge Motif...Done

Ah, did it - got through that huge heart motif near the bottom of the sampler tonight. And, took a peek at the one to the left of it that Jo is working on... Jo, that one doesn't look any less daunting to me - LOL! I am very excited - Dani and her friend Kathy will be starting up a Paradigm Lost SAL quite soon. I look forward to watching the progress on that one too!

I stumbled across a Shepherd's Bush freebie online today - and don't think I have ever seen it before.. have you? If not, here it is: Noel by Teri Lyn Richards - I cannot wait to stitch this up!

I heard from Shelleen today that she has received a little birthday gift that I sent for her - whew, what a relief. It did not have far to travel, and I was getting pretty concerned about it. It is safe and she says she likes it - also a whew! I just adore Brightneedle designs, and have wanted to stitch this little fob for a long, long time... then Shelleen's birthday started to come close, and I knew I had a good chance to stitch it for her :-) This is another of the freebies I stitched up last month for the Freebie Challenge as well.
Bunny Hop Fob

Brightneedle

40 ct lambswool linen

DMC floss

Stitched 3/28/07





Stitched on today: Paradigm Lost

Monday, April 09, 2007

HOHRH

All I've got today is another update of Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. The roof of House 1 is going to take a long time to stitch. I only managed to get half of it done tonight. (This entry is a good example of my blog pretty much just being my personal stitching journal, as you can tell).

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Happy Easter

I decided to stick with stitching the Mystery Sampler (aka 18th Century Band Sampler) on Sundays, and I am glad I worked on it tonight. Now that I look at it, it is starting to take some form. I like the band I am working on now - a nice easy rhythm that is moving along so nicely.

Thanks for the feedback about my blog. It was good, I guess, to put that feeler out, and I am glad that so many do like the daily updates. I don't want anyone to misunderstand, though, that I was not criticizing any bloggers who feel WIP photos are boring. I did feel badly when I had read that statement, but do strongly feel it is great for different people to have different styles. That said, thank you, everyone, for your nice words!

As for the DMC, I have been keenly aware for a while now that it is so pricey anywhere else, and I sure am grateful that I do live where it is cheap. I was just wondering if anyone had run into those great 8/$1.00 or 10/$1.00 sales that used to be so frequent here. I pay either 24 cents at Joann's or 29 cents at AC Moore... haven't shopped for floss at Michael's in the longest.... so, the general feeling seems to be that the best we can find is more like 5/$1.00 now. I wonder if importing the DMC has gotten to be pricier for the stores now.... ? I am glad I did stock up a lot during those big sales, but with the amount of stitching that I do, I often realize I have to run out just for a skein of something :-)

Happy Easter - hope everyone who celebrates had a good one! Mine was so nice - I worked out a little longer and a little harder than usual, and feel good as result :-)

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and 18th Century Band Sampler

Saturday, April 07, 2007

In the Forest

I was working on And A Forest Grew tonight and am now very, very close to the 50% mark, which feels pretty great. Yep, this is yet another WIP photo of this large project. I was reading in a blog somewhere a few days ago that the blogger noted that she did not like to show WIP pics as she felt they are boring. I am sorry if anyone finds my daily postings to be boring. You see, my blog is designed to be my stitching journal. It is not meant to be boring to you. I like to journal my daily stitching progresses (for me). It made me feel quite bad to read that a blogger felt that way about WIP photos. But, we all do have different styles and personalities when it comes to our blogging, and I know I get a lot of comments and emails that the photos are inspiring. So, cruddy feelings about making anyone bored aside, I will continue to enjoy my journaling. I do appreciate the folks who are supportive of my progresses. Heck, I appreciate you all - again, sorry to bore anyone.

Has any other US stitcher noticed that DMC floss is rarely ever on sale anymore? I think it has been weeks (or months, really) since a good DMC sale. I found it for 5/$1.00 at two stores about a month ago. Before that, it was quite a while. Also, the price is up - I paid 29 cents for a skein last night. Is this just regional to NH and MA, or is it everywhere now?

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and And A Forest Grew

Friday, April 06, 2007

Rocks

Two weeks in a row... maybe I am on a little roll with Mermaid Heaven again. I was really looking forward to picking this up again tonight. I stitched rocks - well, a rock, that is. But, finally I seem to have broken through all of the many color changes and can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the rock. There is still a long way to go, though - lots of tail and lots of water. Thanks for all the nice comments when I pulled this back out last week - I appreciate the cheerleading!

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started a gift, and Mermaid Heaven

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Dawn

Here is Dawn, once again. Tonight she graduated from the small Q-Snap to the large one. She is just so sparkly, I adore her! She is not very large at all, and she continues to move along quickly.

Thank you to everyone who left such nice comments about the biscornu I sent in the FGBB Biscornu Exchange. So many have written here, in my email and on the Chatelaine Design Board (where it is also posted) that they love it, but fear they cannot make one. Please, don't be so worried! If you can backstitch and whipstitch, you most assuredly can make a biscornu! There are some fantastic tutorials right here on the internet. You can do it! I learned using this link at Annette's_Acre - please, give it a try :-)

Oh... before I forget, Mike's brother, Steven, will be on Two and a Half Men on Monday, April 16th at 9 PM eastern time. Mike's brother lives in LA and does walk on acting parts as a career... in this episode, Steven plays the best man at Alan's ex-wife's wedding. Take a peek on the 16th! :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

My first exchange has been received :-)

I just saw in LilChefKimi's blog that she has received the biscornu that I sent her for the biscornu exchange on the FGBB - I am sooo glad she likes it! I really wanted to keep this one:

Debi's Roses Biscornu

Chatelaine

28 ct Black Jobelan

DMC floss, Kreinik #4 braid, Mill Hill beads

Stitched 3/17/07 - 3/29/07

I almost finished Part 4 of Bordeaux Sampler tonight... I just have some little over one grapes to stitch on either side of "from grapes so red", and then it is finished. Next week, for sure! Now I need to remember to print out Part 5 for next week. The start to tonight's stitching was a bit of an adventure for me. Our satellite TV was giving us problems tonight (probably because we are in the midst of a spring snow storm), and I ended up going upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms to stitch since I wanted to watch the baseball game. I had to do over one stitching on 40 ct without my Ott-Lite. Yikes! The lamp in that bedroom is a tiny one... I was so glad when Mike finished working and was able to reset the satellite...whew, that was one way to truly appreciate my Ott-Lite!

I heard from Katrina just now that she has received the little birthday gift that I made for her - you are welcome Katrina - and welcome home from your trip too - I hope you had fun! Did you get to any good LNS's?? ...This was another of the freebies I stitched last month.


French Collection Fob


Passione Ricamo


36 ct Cream Edinburgh Linen


DMC Color Variations - Lavender Fields


Stitched 3/22/07 - 3/24/07




A few have asked what fabric and fibers I am using for Paradigm Lost, so I figured I would answer here. I am using Silkweaver's 40 ct Purely Primitive linen with Vikki Clayton's Konini silk :-)

Happy Birthday Beau - he is officially ten years old today!!


Stitched on today: Finished a gift, started a gift, and Bordeaux Sampler

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

A bit more of this...

OK, it's Paradigm Lost Tuesday again... I stuck with that large heart motif for another week. Since I focused on working on its center, it was not the same repetitive pattern that has been a bit boring the last couple of weeks. It's really growing now - Jo, are you getting as excited as I am about this gorgeous sampler making such wonderful progress for both of us now? Also, have you decided what colors of silk and linen to use for St Reatham yet? I know Carissa is tossing two silk colors around in her head... me, no clues yet!! I cannot decide on a color scheme for that one at all. I think there is still plenty of time, though - LOL!

Here is a beautiful tutorial from Argone for making a stunning needlework tin - it's in french, but the photos are wonderful - enjoy!

No blog reading got done at all today, and I missed seeing what my friends are up to. I might try to sneak a few in now, and then do the rest tomorrow. What a busy day at work. I had a new anorectic, straight out of the eating disorders unit at the hospital, to intake today. With her complex history, that took absolutely forever.... didn't even stitch at work today. So much to catch up on!

Thanks for the sweet words on the fob for Sonya - you all made me feel better about how it turned out :-)

Stitched on today: Paradigm Lost