Just a bit more...

My friends, you are not at all surprised that I kept going on Be Kind and True tonight. I took a photo with the flash this time, as it shows the color of the linen a bit better. I am still loving it. Thank you for the wonderful feedback on this sampler. It is so delicate and pretty in real life.

Here is what Mike saw earlier today when he was working on his computer. He heard a noise and looked behind his moniter, and there were Lily and Anouk, snuggled up on his cable box - they like the warmth that it emits. My little girls are litter mates and are so tiny. It is hard to believe they will be six years old in June.

I've really not a lot to say again today. I am feeling a bit in a funk. The Red Sox are arriving in Spring Training in Florida now, though. Maybe that will bring me back to normal - but really, what I need is warmer weather like almost all of you have. Instead, we are getting more snow tomorrow night, followed by ice... oh yay. We did have some sun today, so that is one thing positive. It's not like me to be negative, is it? OK, I will stop!

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Be Kind and True **Mailed out a gift today

Touches of Spring

My additions to Be Kind and True today made me think of spring :-) Winter has a very firm grip on the Northeast this year. It looks like we have either bitter cold days or snowy days coming up as far as the eye can see... five more weeks until spring... I wonder if even then it will warm up, which may mean no daffodils this year. If it is too cold and snowy in March, mine will bud up and never open. Sigh...

Anyhow... back to work tomorrow!

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and Be Kind and True

A... B... C...

It's a snowy day week here, and after running errands in the morning, I was able to settle in and work on a gift (which is not finished yet, but I really want to mail it on Monday...) and got the partner names sent out for the HoE Biscornu Exchange... then settled in to watch NASCAR's Budweiser Shootout (another lousy night for Ryan Newman) and some movies while I stitched the alphabet on Be Kind and True. I am not sure I like the letters that are stitched in vertical stitches, as the coverage is not great. But I am sure they will be fine in th end. I couldn't wait for time to start this again today :-)

My stitching companion for the evening has been Miss Lily. She adores Mike, and spends all the time she can with him. But he went into the other room to program, and she "settled" for being with me tonight :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Be Kind and True

Thank you :-)

Thank you, dear friends, for your kind words and thoughts regarding the violent death of one of my colleagues. You are all so supportive and wonderful. I did stop doing homebased treatment a few years ago (except for one family), and this is one of the reasons why. More and more info is coming out about the crime... and it is really very disturbing.

I heard from Kajsa today that she has received a little birthday gift that I stitched for her. It is her actual birthday today, so Happy Birthday Kajsa! I experimented by using a dark Silkweaver Solo Belfast for this one. It is very brown. I was wondering if it was OK, but Kajsa assures me she likes and collects dark linens.... whew!


Garden Alphabet "K" Fob
Prairie Schooler
Silkweaver 32 ct Solo Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

And then, right back to Be Kind and True. This fun stitch is bring me peace in this troubled time...

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and Be Kind and True **Mailed out two gifts today

A new little start... and grievous news too

I came to the conclusion today that my current projects, excluding gifts and exchanges, are all really large. But I have a large pile of other projects that I just know won't take me long to stitch... but they keep getting pushed to the side. I decided today that I want to have a small to medium sized project from that pile worked into my rather loose rotation now. I am starting with this one, that has been staring at me, all kitted up, in the front of a clear Rubbermaid drawer in my stash for close to two years now...

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs - I am stitching it with all of the called for fibers on the called for R&R Reproductions 35 ct Marva's Blend linen.... and it sure is a quick start! I think I made a good decision today.

Thank you Judith! I received this lovely RAK from her today - Drawn Thread's English Garden Pocket! I saw this on her blog a while back and complimented her work. Judith said she would send it to me when she could... what a treat to receive it today. I just love it. How kind of her.

And I did say I had grievous news. I am absolutely reeling with sadness and grief. Last night, a colleague of mine was murdered by her patient! This is really hitting me hard. I heard this as Breaking News on TV last night, and had to wait for the name to be released this morning to see if I knew her... and I did. We did not work in the same building. She worked in another clinic in the same city, but I sent many of my struggling parents to her as she ran a fantastic Parenting Skills Group. This is devastating. I stopped doing home based treatment a few years ago. But such a risk as this exists anywhere...

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and started Be Kind and True



***Edited to add: The newstation article link keeps changing and is not very good - but the local paper did a lovely article on Dihrui here

Crazy Exchange for Sandie

I am hoping to finish stitching a gift tonight, so I will love you and leave you with this - Sandie in The Netherlands received my little Crazy Exchange today:

Robin on an Egg Mattress Pincushion
Bent Creek
28 ct Platinum Cashel Linen, GAST and WDW Floss

We are expecting icy roads in a bit, and then snow for a bit into tomorrow... glad I am home now and can settle in to stitch. I am really looking forward to Spring this year! (...which explains why I stitched a robin...)

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

Valentine's Day Exchange from Su

I was the lucky recipient today of an SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange from Su. I was excited to see a package from her today - I knew it would be awesome... and it was :-)

Su stitched this lovely hanging pillow ornament for me using an EEF chart. I just love it! Thank you Su! (I am sure Su will have a much better photo on her blog as soon as she reads my email telling her it is here).

She also sent me some trims and fabric, as well as some fibers and pearlized pins for future finishings. What a treat! Thanks Su - Happy Valentine's Day to you, my friend!

With our weather here still looking so much like Christmas... well, I kept going with A Quaker Christmas again tonight. Finally added a little bit of the gold floss :-)

Stitched on today: A Quaker Christmas

PIF for Joanne

I heard from Joanne tonight that she received my PIF today. I am still enjoying making fobs with initials on them, and am now busily using Garden Alphabet by The Prairie Schooler to get the job done :-) I wonder which alphabet I will move on to next, having now used most of Elizabeth's Designs' Nature's Alphabet... hmmm....


Garden Alphabet "J" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

PEACE last night, and Serenity tonight. I pulled this one back out - it has been a while since I last worked on it. Somehow it slipped to the bottom of my WIP drawer! Can't have that! Back to working on that border again tonight.

A friend of mine is looking for back issues of Quilt Sampler by Better Homes & Gardens. Does anyone have issues they would be willing to part with? I am sure she would love to chat with you about trading or paying for them. She is in Australia and is seeking issues going back to about 2004. She says she already has Fall/Winter 2007 and Fall/Winter 2006. If anyone can help, please let me know - we both would sure appreciate it! Thank you :-)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Serenity **Mailed out CE return exchange to Edda today

PEACE

Just a bit on A Quaker Christmas tonight... working my way down the left side. I still really love this one!

While I was taking a photo of Edda's return exchange that I will be mailing to her tomorrow, Angus jumped onto the windowsill I was using. Not a great photo of him (he is a beauty who does not photograph well, and he has a little of his breakfast in his whiskers..).... but I took a photo of him, remembering that some of you ask often how he is doing... I think he is doing well - hi from Angus :-)

Oh, I almost forgot! I know some of you have been looking for a Drawn Thread freebie called "Home for the Holidays" that was on her site for a little while in 2003, and then disappeared. Well, the Drawn Thread redesigned their website and the freebie is back.... click on catalog to find it - and there is a new freebie you can email them for too :-) The Drawn Thread

Stitched on today: Started a gift, and A Quaker Christmas

Valentine's Day Exchange for Carla

I heard from Carla late last night that my SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange for her had just arrived safely in Peru. It took a while, but then again... Peru sure is far from New Hampshire!!

February Blocks Pinkeep
Lizzie Kate
28 ct Light Mocha Cashel Linen, GAST/WDW/DMC Floss

The rest of the exchange included a quarter yard of Valentine fabric (which Carla commented on liking so much when she saw it on Ina's pinkeep just a few days ago - made me chuckle, knowing her own piece was on its way to her already), an LK chart off of her wishlist, a Sweetheart Tree needleroll chart and embellishment that just struck me as her style, a pack of post-it notes with her initial, some Altoids (so she can make a tin topper soon), some DMC Color Variations floss in Valentine pinks, and some classic Necco Sweethearts candy for the holiday. Her email to me was so sweet - I am so glad she is pleased. That pinkeep gave me absolute fits - it is still not perfect... but I had to leave it be before I ruined it in my centering struggles.

Thanks to all of you who left me comments and sent me wonderful emails, understanding about my lack of time for commenting in blogs. You all did make me feel better, but being the person that I am, I still do feel guilty.

I am off to do even more secret stitching ;-)

Stitched on today: Stitched a CE return exchange for Edda **Mailed off a PIF today

Busy mail day :-)

I am so glad that January is over now. January has many meanings for many people, of course, and I mean no offense to anyone... but for me, January is a dark, cold, snowy, wet month that is four weeks of drudgery. Made it through another one. February is not much better, but it's brighter and I have some dear friends with February birthdays :-)

The mailman was very busy here today - I received my Scissor Fob Exchange (Hooked on Exchanging) from Ina today. What a sweet exchange it is - thank you Ina!

Ina sent me so many goodies, along with her beautifully stitched fob. I put close up photos of the fob in the exchange blog. Everything she sent is so thoughtful - including a little catnip pillow for my furbabies :-)

I also received a surprised package from my dear friend Jean. I knew Jean was sending me some GAST floss - I had no clue she was sending me this much - I am set for life with some colors now! She also hit my wish list and sent me two charts I have wanted very much - Still Waters by Plum Street Samplers, and Quackworth 2007 by Ink Circles! Oh Jean, thank you. You are such a dear. I am speechless. Mike and I also love the tea and coffee - we drink a lot of both here.
And, if that were not enough, Karin sent me a PIF - this beautifully stitched ornament from an Historic Stitches chart. Her stitching and finishing are impeccable, and she made the glorious bead atop the tassel too. Great colors! Thank you, Karin!

As for stitching today... some of what I did was Houses of Hawk Run Hollow... I have a full cow now... and a squirrel??... large mouse?.. funny looking monkey? I don't know, but my cow has a friend!

Goal Review Time:
January Goals:
1. Continue to work on Serenity -yes
2. Continue to work on A Quaker Christmas -yes
3. Continue to work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow -yes
4. Continue to work on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace -yes
5. Stitch both Scissor Fob Exchanges (I ended up with two partners...) -yes, both Ina and Sandra have received them
6. Stitch and send Frosty Friends Exchange -already stitched and mailed off on 12/24/07
7. Stitch and send Winter House Exchange by January 10 -yes, and Stephanie has received it
8. Stitch and send Winter Quaker Exchange by January 15 -yes, and Pat has received it
9. Stitch and send Lauren's NRR to Annemarie by January 15 -yes, a couple of days late, and Annemarie has received it
10. Stitch some gifts -yes, I stitched three gifts
11. Stitch at least one PIF -yes, and Robin has received it
12. Stitch and send next Hello Neighbor Group One RR to Nicole, if I get one in time to finish it... -no, I still do not have one from this group
13. Continue to stitch on Spring Ride SAL -yes
14. Stitch an ornament -yes
15. Stitch and send off SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange by Feb 1 -yes, Carla just received it tonight, so I will post photos tomorrow
16. Stitch and send off Crazy Exchange Valentine's Day Exchange by Feb 1 -yes, and Ina has received it
17. Start a new Crazy Exchange -yes, I mailed it on 1/31/08

February Goals:
1. Continue to work on Serenity
2. Continue to work on A Quaker Christmas
3. Continue to work on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
4. Continue to work on Dawn, Fairy Spirit of Grace
5. Stitch and send Winter Exchange to Myrna
6. Stitch and send Biscornu Exchange (Laura’s Group) to Pixie
7. Start Judith’s Neighborhood Round Robin (due to mail 3/15/08)
8. Stitch some gifts
9. Stitch at least one PIF
10. Continue to work on Spring Ride SAL
11. Stitch an ornament
12. Stitch and send CE return exchange to Edda
13. Start SBEBB Tea Time Exchange which is due 3/8/08

I just heard from Carla that she received my SBEBB Valentine's Day Exchange for her tonight. Whew - that was a long trip to Peru! I will post photos tomorrow - there is enough in today's entry already.

Stitched on today: Finished a PIF, and Houses of Hawk Run Hollow **Mailed out a gift today

Scissor Fob Exchange for Sandra

I heard from Sandra right before I went to bed last night that she received my Hooked on Exchanging Scissor Fob Exchange yesterday. It only took two weeks (exactly) to reach Barbados. That is pretty good, considering how laid back life is in the Caribbean :-) Sandra writes that this is her first scissor fob, and I feel so honored to provide her with her first. I am also pleased she likes my choices for her...


Petite Exemplary No. 1 Fob
Ewe and Eye and Friends
32 ct Putty Belfast Linen, DMC and GAST Floss

The rest of the exchange that I sent to her included a half yard of fabric with daisies and bees (Sandra requested floral fabrics and fabrics with bees on her wishlist), a pair of gold Mundial stork scissors, three skeins of variegated floss, a small Halloween Mill Hill kit (also saw she likes Halloween), and a spool of sheer cream ribbon for her upcoming finishings. Enjoy Sandra!

I had forgotten that I picked up Celtic Winter from the framer last Friday. It was ready a week before that, but when I went to pick it up, there was a large dent in the gilt on the frame. The framer was so sorry she had not noticed it, and she took it right back to reframe it. It took Mike and I a lot of discussion to decide how we wanted her centered in the frame. I like how it finally turned out...

Celtic Winter
Lavender & Lace
Silkweaver 28 ct Blue Diamonds Reflections Lugana, DMC Floss, Petite Treasure Braid, RG Wisper and Mill Hill Beads
Stitched as a SAL with Katrina J. in 2005-2006

Now, I have to say that I feel terribly guilty and at a loss. I have been a terrible blog commenter, and I don't know what I am going to do. I love my blogging friends and reading everyone's blogs. But... well.... doing so and commenting often affected me professionally! I was finding myself sitting in my office and not doing any paperwork and just surfing blogs... and that is a baaaaad thing. My job as a psychotherapist in private practice entails a lot of paperwork. Documentation is key to success, reimbursement and good ethics. So, I really cannot ditch my paperwork. It was hard to catch myself back up. I don't want anyone to think poorly of me or to think I am not interested in you any longer. That is the furthest thing from the truth. I do find pockets of time to read, but commenting is at a minimum. Even my dearest online friends hear from me much less now... since I realized how destructive this has been to my work. My sincerest apologies. I don't know if it will get any better - the paperwork will always be there. But I will sure try! I appreciate all of you that visit and comment in my blog. I have considered shutting my comments section off, but was advised by one of you not to do that... I was told you would all understand. I will still visit you, and will comment whenever I can. I use my free time in the evenings to stitch and run HoE, of course, so commenting needs to come from other pockets of time as I find them... thank you, friends! I do love you all, even if I don't get to comment as much as I want to!

Now I am off to do more secret stitching... it's my "half birthday" today :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and started a PIF **Mailed out a new Crazy Exchange for ???? today

Valentine's Day Exchange for Ina

Ina emailed me this morning to let me know that she recieved the Valentine's Exchange that I sent to her for the Crazy Exchange. Yes, Ina again :-) I drew her name for two seperate exchanges this month. Her email is very sweet and I think she likes what I sent to her.

Valentine Pinkeep
Glory Bee
Free chart available here
30 ct Natural Linen, GAST Floss

This is the back of the pinkeep - I love this fabric, but am sorry it is a little out of focus

And, this is the entire exchange that I sent to her. Enjoy, Ina! Happy Valentine's Day to you all (a little early).

Now I will disappear and start a gift for a special stitcher...

Stitched on today: Started a gift

Crazy Exchange from Edda :-)

The postman delivered another surprise for me today. Edda chose to send to me in the Crazy Exchange. And she stitched the sweetest little mattress pincushion using her own color scheme. Her over-one stitching is just perfect, and her colors are lovely. Then... she also included some skeins of hand dyed fibers, including one similar to Caron Wildflowers that is dyed in Scotland. And pretty striped fabric too. Thank you, Edda! I just love it all. And, I already have a couple of ideas spinning in my head for my return exchange for you.


I chose to keep working on A Quaker Christmas tonight... after I finished a new Crazy Exchange, that is :-)

Stitched on today: Finished new Crazy Exchange project, and A Quaker Christmas

Exchange Sent/PIF Received

It was a good mail day today. First, I received an anticipated email from Ina (no blog) when I got to work this morning. Ina received the HoE Scissor Fob Exchange that I sent off to her a while ago. It took a slow plane to The Netherlands, but it is safe and sound with her now. Thanks for letting me know, Ina!


Garden Alphabet "I" Fob
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Natural Belfast Linen, DMC Floss
I remembered to take a photo of the entire exchange before it left here... along with the fob, I sent Ina a pair of Mundial gold lion's tail scissors, a half yard of fabric, a small HIH chart, and a Mill Hill bead kit (I saw in her profile on Crazy Exchange that she likes autumn themes). I am glad you said you liked the exchange, Ina. I had great fun putting it together. Enjoy!!

I got mail today too :-) I received this lovely PIF from Joanne. She sent me a pinkeep using a By the Bay Needleart chart that I have long loved, and it is so nicely put together. And.. wow, Joanne! She also sent fabric with the names of flowers on it (she must know I love gardening) and two skeins of yummy Milady's Teal floss by Crescent Colours. I feel very spoiled! I see your name is coming up soon on my PIF list too, Joanne :-) I hope I can send you a package you will enjoy as much as I am enjoying this one. Thank you so much!!

I was so happy to learn that I am not the only one who is disappointed with the novel, Atonement. I saw clips of the movie on You Tube today, and they do look more appealing than is the novel (how rare is that?). I do like most of the characters, but I just cannot get into overly dramatic little Briony. She is more personality disordered than cute - LOL. Oh well. I will probably watch the movie on cable someday, and I will finish the novel. I never leave a novel unfinished.

I am blogging early. I feel cold today, although it is 40F. I am going to relax, do my treadmill... all the usual stuff... then see if I can get more done on my new Crazy Exchange project...

Stitched on today: Stitched on Crazy Exchange project

Amish Angel Ornament

I haven't really stitched much today, and what I have stitched I cannot show yet (a new Crazy Exchange project). I have been wrapped up in other things, including reading Atonement by Ian McEwan, and really struggling to decide if I can even find this main character, Briony, to be remotely appealing. I like other characters, though, and I plug ahead.. But, I did get some photos of the Amish Angel ornament today... so that will be my entry for the day...


Amish Angel Ornament
Told in a Garden
Free chart available here - listed as 1986 Christmas Angel
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, RG Petite Treasure Braid

Nice to see there are so many other Garth Brooks fans out there :-)

Stitched on today: Started a new Crazy Exchange project

Who is Garth Brooks?

I finished my Amish Angel ornament today, but it was already dark out when I was done, so I will wait and take a photo of it tomorrow in natural light. I did get right back to work on A Quaker Christmas again. Sorry my photo is out of focus.

Carol R. stated that she did not know who is Garth Brooks... Garth is one of country music's top stars. He has been in retirement for the past several years, choosing to live a quiet life raising his children. He has recently returned, and I found his new song on You Tube, in case Carol, or anyone else, wants to learn more about Garth :-) (And yes, his concert was truly short last night and the commercials were in abundance... but it was a charity concert, so I guess the charity did need to get its message in as often as it could).

And... one of my favorites, The Dance...


Stitched on today: Finished Amish Angel ornament, and A Quaker Christmas

PIF for Robin

I heard from Robin today that she received the PIF that I finally stitched for her :-) She has been on my list for some time now, so I am happy she now has her gift. I really had no idea what to stitch for Robin. Her blog didn't shed a lot of clues. But, finally, on a super cold winter day, while watching both the AFC and NFC Playoff games (aka last Sunday), I settled on stitching this little fob, and I am glad that Robin is pleased!

Winter Fob
Trail Creek Farm
Chart available here
32 ct Cream Belfast Linen, GAST Floss

Tonight I really wanted to settle in and watch Garth Brooks' mini concert on TV... so I stuck with something small and easy. I want to stitch at least one Christmas ornament a month this year, so here is my start - Amish Angel by Told in a Garden. This freebie just kept on surfacing up to the top of my pile of freebie charts, and I decided it was time to stitch it. I hope to finish it into an ornament tomorrow.

Stitched on today: Started Amish Angel ornament **Mailed out CE Valentine's Day Exchange, and sent Secret Snowdrift chart to Melissa