pReTtY iN pInK

I want to stitch!

2009-10-10T17:49:00.001-04:00

And as soon as I find the time to I will update this blog!

An overdue update!

2009-02-24T00:03:00.006-05:00

Hmmm, where to start? I've been busy with life and it's stressing me out. I would love to take a vacation and do nothing. Even on my off days I feel they are filled with things to do. My stitching took a backseat for a while but I've picked it up again recently. I have two finishes to show as well as two WIPs. The finishes were for exchanges that I was extremely late mailing *hanging my head in shame* First up is the HoE Lizzie Kate Exchange, I stitched "Wear a Smile" and made my first boxtop finish. I added blue trim to the border but forgot to take pictures afterwards so the only pictures I have is before the trim. I love how it came out and can't wait to re-stitch it and make one for myself!Next is the long pillow I made for the HoE Valentine's Exchange. I stitched Scatter Hearts and making a long pillow was another first for me and I'm happy with it. I don't have a picture so I'm going to borrow the one my partner posted on the HoE blog.I went to my LNS and saw this stitched up and had to have it. This is Country Cottage Needleworks "Dragonfly" and I'm stitching it on evenweave which is NOT my favorite fabric but I'm dealing with it. I took this picture with my iPhone so it's not the best. I hope to finish this but at the same time hope I can get through that border. It's really a pretty piece.

My other WIP is "World's Above" by Midsummer Night Design. I've loved this piece since it came out and can't wait to get it done, framed, and up on the wall :-)

And that's all I got for now! I've been dying to buy some new stash especially since all the Nashville Releases have come out...I may splurge but really don't think it's wise *sigh* I have adult bills now which are definitely more important. Who would have thought owning a car was so expensive? With gas, tolls, parking, and insurance most of my spending money goes to my car which I love but I also love stash and would like some hehe. I'm getting a nice income tax return so maybe I'll take a few hundred out of it and get a few Primitive Needle charts :-)
Until next time!!! Thanks for visiting and I'll try to update more often. Buenas noches!

I'm a car owner :) (long and boring probably)

2008-12-31T05:24:00.004-05:00

Wow that was fast! I've been looking for a car since November but became serious about it on Saturday. Sunday the dealerships I wanted to go to were closed and since I worked Monday night (or was suppose to more on that "tragic" night later) I thought I wouldn't have time until after the new year to look. I start school on the 5th and would have liked to have my car before then so I wasn't too happy about it. Late Sunday night I made the decision to wake up early Monday and go look.

With my little list in hand of all the cars I was interested in (within my price range and used because on Saturday I realized a brand new car was out of the picture for me...at least the kind I wanted) I went to the dealer and met the NICEST ~~car sales man~~ client adviser. I know they're suppose to be nice to you but I've met a few that were "eh." The first one I dealt with at the VW dealer was nice but wasn't so encouraging and once he saw that I was hesitant wasn't so nice...boo to him! Anyway while looking at the cars on the lot I saw one that was not on my list and not in my price range, of course I don't need to tell you that was the one I wanted LOL. I still asked to look at it and of course that was a mistake because I did not want to look at any other cars on the lot. We went upstairs and "crunched" some numbers and after the breakdown I noted that maybe I could afford it, I would just have to eat tuna fish and sardines for a while LOL. I didn't leave any money down on the car but did do the paper work to see if I was going to be approved for everything. I didn't think I was going to get approved but once I got home he called and told me I was *happy dance jig* I didn't leave anything down on the car but told him I'd be back on Tuesday and if the car was still there then it was meant to be (I didn't think the car would be there btw) I spoke to my mother who was in love with the 0.9% financing and the fact that they would make the first 2 car payments on the car. She was not too happy with the price though. I told my cousin about the car and whether he'd be able to come with me on Tuesday to look at it to make sure it was ok, it should be because it's a CPO but I wanted to make sure. My only worry was car insurance and whether I would be able to afford it.

I've gotten quotes in the past when I wasn't too serious about car buying and the insurance companies wanted to charge me (hold on to your seat) around $6K a year for full coverage. I've never had car insurance before so that was the reason for such a high price. I went to Allstate to see what they could do for me and because I never had car insurance they said they couldn't give me a policy and it would be hard for me to get a policy any where else. It made me a little sad and frustrated because it made no sense to me. If they wouldn't give me car insurance and no one else wanted to give it to me then how was I suppose to get it so that I could get car insurance in the first place?!?!? Right away I thought well I guess I won't be getting this car since I saw it as a "bad" sign. Well I went home to talk to my father about this disturbing discovery and to see if he could insure it under his name and it seems that I do have car insurance and have had car insurance since I started driving 11 years ago under his policy (this is a good sign btw I'm happy again!) He tells me to call his insurance company and see what they would charge me. I did and the people there tell me that it would be (hold on to your seats again) $2788 a year for full coverage! Can you tell that it's another good sign??? *more happy dancing*

Now I'm the type of person that does not like to get so much good news in one day because I always feel something bad was going to happen, like my the car would be sold by the time I got there Tuesday. Well instead of that happening when I was going to work that night some stupid a**hole tried to rob me on the train. I was running late to work so I was in a rush and not paying attention and when I was about to get on the train I felt someone pushing me and when I stepped aside to let whoever was pushing me get on the train this stupid guy tried to take either my bag or my phone. We struggled for a bit, he pushed me to the ground, and kept yanking at my bag. There was another guy on the platform and could you believe he did not help me?!?!?!? I yelled at him while I was fighting with the one robbing me if instead of standing there he could help me. I swear that guy was such an SOB and I hope if anything like that happens to his family member a real man is around to help not some sorry excuse like him. Thanks to me coming from a family where the guys are a bit rough with the girls (and the fact that this kid was like a twig) I was able to defend myself. I grabbed and twisted his "sensitive" parts which made him not so happy and let go of me. While he was about to run away another guy grabbed him and the cops were called. I swear to you I could not look at this kid in the face because I seriously wanted to punch him for 1. Making me even later than I was to work 2. Dirtying my white nursing pants and 3. Trying to take my stuff. He tried to act tough but once my cousin showed up (I called home right away for my mother to send someone) he was quiet as a mouse. It was funny because apparently my cousin was on the way to my house to return a wrench that my father had lent him so once he gets there he has this HUGE wrench in his hand and is waving it around and banging it on the train fence. In my head I'm like who the hell brings a wrench? It reminded me of Anchorman when the news stations have a brawl and someone had a stick with scissors taped to it. I ended up not going to work that night because the police officers wanted to take me to the precint for my statement. I lost a nights pay which is no bueno since I was about to buy a car. A few good things came out of this situation besides me not getting hurt (I am sore from fighting) and him not taking my stuff and that was I could now go to the dealer early in the morning instead of the afternoon and since I only had 3 hours of sleep since Sunday and didn't know how I was going to last through a night's work I was able to get that much needed rest :-) I work again tonight and my father wants me to drive to work but I don't think I am. I know most people would have a problem with what happened but I'm a resilient person and am fine with getting back on the train.

Anyhoo back to the car. I'll make it short now I feel as if I wrote too much hehe. We went on Tuesday, the car was still there, I test drove it, I loved it, my cousin said it was a good car and haggled with the guy, he brought down the price and threw in a "free" alarm. I left the deposit to hold the car and signed papers. Thanks to my cousin I do not have to eat tuna fish and sardines and on Friday I go pick up my Certified Pre-Owned 2006 Jet Black with black leather interior BMW 330xi with all the bells and whistles. I'm a car owner and it doesn't feel as scary as I thought it would be. It is definitely an upgrade from my mother's old Ford. I kept telling my father I have 4 working power locks and windows and AM/FM stereo hehe the radio, rear driver's side window, and driver's power lock in my mother's car doesn't work. I'm so happy and can't wait until Friday :-) When I first went to the BMW dealership I was so intimidated, it's HUGE! Don't believe me check it out for yourself I almost didn't go in but I'm glad I did :-) Have a great day!!!

It's been a while...

2008-12-27T13:26:00.002-05:00

This is my token "OMG, I can't believe it's been a month since my last post" post LOL. I've been busy with school and the holidays, plus I haven't been stitching so I didn't have much to write about since this is suppose to be a stitching blog. I finished with school over a week ago and since the holidays are done I have a few minutes to spare to blog.

First let me start off by sending some *happy* holiday wishes! Christmas is over and I hope everyone had a great one and I think this is the last day of Hanukkah so hopefully it's a great one for those that are of that faith...I made up my own little holiday committee at work so I got to put up a Christmas tree on our floor (that got knocked over by a gazillion stretchers) and got to light the menorah on the first 2 nights. So *exciting* I just hope I did it right the one night I needed a Jewish patient to ask there was not one around. This year was a good one, I was done with all of my shopping by the 6th and everything was wrapped and under the tree by the 22nd. I asked for two things and ended up getting them both :) Kelly got me my Dodo charm necklace and my cousin got me rechargable battery station for my Wii Controllers - I also got a suprise gift from my cousin's gf which I loved! She got me The Office DVD game...now I just need to find some Office fanatics to play with me.

I've lost my stitching mojo and it doesn't seem like it's coming back any time soon :( It's so bad that I don't even want to buy stash *sigh* But I did see those Halloweeny L*Ks and I must purchase them as soon as I have the feeling to spend some money...which may be no time soon because after being a 1 car family I'm being forced sort of to buy my own car :( I should be happy but I'm not. I'm weird...big "adult" purchases make me sad - I'd like to stay young forever and it doesn't seem like God agrees with that plan. Next thing you'll know I'll be "forced" to move out *shudder* hehe. I'm actually not being forced but I feel bad that my mother has to take the bus home from work because I need the car to go to school. It takes her sometimes over an hour to get home and usually it's 15 minutes by car. So I now must take my measly savings and buy a car.

School wise; I'm happy it's over! I ended getting an A+, B+, and a B. I go back on Jan 5th for winter session to take Chemistry. I hope I do ok in it. My brain is tired from the Fall and my body is tired from work. It's hard working and going to school full time. The outrageous thing about it all is that I'm considering looking for a part time job...I'm laughing out loud even as I type it. I hear school nursing is easy and since I did the orientation for it last year I feel like I can do it twice a week until I start the Spring semester. I could always quit if it proves to be too much right? Plus it all depends where they send me...some children can be evil and I don't want to go too far from home. There are 3 schools within walking distance of my house but what are the chances that they send me there. I'll call them Monday to see.

Well that's all from me...sorry there are no pictures to show :( Until next time!

A New Start

2008-11-28T17:03:00.000-05:00

Every Christmas season I pull out a few things that I'd like to stitch and once it's over they get put back away. This season I decided to change that and have already put in some stitches into my first project. I chose to stitch Shepherds Bush Merry Season because I swear I've had this project since I started stitching. I love the buttons on this piece and so far have stitched the four square borders. Here's a pic: If this is the only piece I finish before the end of the year I'll be happy! And because I *do* plan on finishing the Plum Street Sampler piece I started before this here's a progress pic:
Well I work tonight so I'm going to stitch my last 40 minutes at home away :-) Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day! TTFN

No Stitching :(

2008-11-22T15:47:00.000-05:00

I haven't been stitching and it sucks :( I've been reading the blogs I suscribe to and everyone is doing such pretty work that it's making me a bit jealous. Right now I have my stitching out but I also have the PS3 on...blasted video games grrrr!

A tag!

2008-11-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged by Kathie! I usually don't do these but have been feeling bad for not doing it so today I'm going to do one :-) Hopefully I can list 6 random things. Here are the rules...
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.
And here are my 6 things....
1. I should be done with my 2 year Biology degree in a year and a half *yea* I will then go on to get my Bachelors.
2. I love playing video games, so much that my stitching has been suffering :(
3. I still live at home with my mumsy poo and father.
4. I love Nursing but don't want to do it anymore...thanks to Administration!
5. I'm incredibly shy.
6. I've never had car insurance and now that I'm trying to get some it's proving to be a hassle!
Well I'm not going to tag anyone because I think every one has done it already. TTFN I'm off to play some Rock Band!

I want this!

2008-11-19T01:30:00.000-05:00

It's Shepherds Bush's conversion to When Witches Go Riding by Prairie Schooler and I love it! I had it on my mental list of things to do list but didn't find the time to call SB and see if they had it kitted up. I love the fabric they stitched it on, the mat, and frame! SB does some of the greatest things!

Tonight I went shopping and noticed how empty the stores were and when I mentioned it to Kelly it scared him. Usually at this time the stores are crowded, no? I really felt that besides us and the employees no one else was out shopping. It even felt like that in BJs and Target. I enjoyed not having to deal with the crowds but hopefully after Thanksgiving things will pick up. Or maybe everyone decided to stay home because it was so freaking cold outside! Around this time I always worry about the stray cats...I hope they find some where warm to go, my father tells me that they do but I saw a pregnant cat yesterday and felt bad for her. I know this house up the block always puts food out for them as well as another house on the corner and I also do it sometimes but where do they go to sleep? I wish I had a heated garage for them to camp out in.

Well I must go to bed now, lately I've been acting like I don't have school in the morning and have been staying up playing Rock Band 2 or stitching until 3am and end up missing or going late to class. TTFN...I have my stitching out next to me but hopefully I can ignore it and go to sleep!

Late night blog

2008-11-18T00:29:00.001-05:00

I'm stitching Fishes and Bait by Plum Street Samplers and this is what I have so far...
This took a while to stitch and sadly its riddled with mistakes that I refuse to fix (except for one) I'm hoping that this will get finished because it's already taking too long. Well that's all I have for now...once I finish some more I'll post another update!

I'm back!

2008-11-12T01:31:00.000-05:00

I had to reformat my computer. I sort of knew I had to do this in order to get things in order so I was prepared! I backed up all of my files and although I didn't load them back into my laptop I do have them just in case I need them. The one thing I didn't do was back up my iTunes music :-( I didn't lose much since I had backed it up a month ago...just a few albums that I have on my iPod and can iDump it if I have to. The only problem I have (that's driving me CRAZY) is that my iPhone is no longer recognized...to make myself happy I decided to buy myself a little present! I wanted to do Wii Fit so Tuesday night I made a last minute decision to buy one. My cousin and I have been bowling and playing tennis all night tonight, I haven't set up the Wii Fit yet but maybe Thursday after my test I will.

School has been going ok. I'm doing well in Biology and my computer programming class (surprisingly.) I've been studying hard core for a previous test and have another test on Thursday that I just can't study for it. My brain is fried! I walk around with the book and even sleep with it but every time I crack it open it's like *ugh*

In stitchy news I've been stashing and even stitching! I've had two finishes since my last post *yea* and I went to pick up some framing last Friday to share.

Shepherd's Bush - Best Witches

Stitched on 10ct Tula Fabric

with recommended threadsShepherds Bush - Mermaid Sampler

Stitched on 32ct Meadow Mist Linen

with recommended threads This is the Brightneedle piece I did for Kelly a while ago (the name escapes me.) I pretty much let him pick out the frame for this and think he did an awesome job. It's still here at my house but it will soon go to his house to be displayed. Home of a Needleworker (Too!) framed! I love this piece! I love the fabric I stitched it on and I'm happy I went with the silks :-)

Well it's late and I have to attempt to get some sleep. Thanks for stopping by! TTFN

I have a virus :(

2008-11-08T13:42:00.000-05:00

I'm in the process of trying to fix my computer because I ended up getting a virus this week. I feel so dirty saying it...I was going to mail out my giveaway prizes yesterday but I ended up hitting traffic everywhere I went yesterday (like hour long traffic each time) and wasn't able to make it in time to the PO. Monday they will go out except for Linda's...

Linda I tried to email you but it came back to me. I need your mailing address to send you the Just Nan tin and stuff. Please email me - if anyone knows Linda let her know she's won and to email me. If I don't here from her by the end of the week I'll hold another drawing with the same names and choose a new winner.

Wish me luck with fixing my computer...I'm trying to back up my files now but my computer won't recognize my external hard drive, usb's, or any blank cd/dvd's...I'm so sad :-( TTFN

Think Pink

2008-10-28T16:48:00.000-04:00

Lizzie Kate - Think Pink

Stitched on

Unknown Linen

with

recommended threads

I just finished this up and I love it :-) I've been wanting to stitch it for a while and finally got the chance to. I don't know what to stitch on next, I have tons of little projects to choose from and I want to stitch something big but right now I don't have much time to. I'm off to kit up the next project so I can stitch on the train tonight!

It's still Monday!

2008-10-27T23:02:00.001-04:00

I was so worried I wouldn't be able to announce a winner today on my official Blogoversary, but alas I can! I'm on 2 hours of sleep so if this post makes no sense please forgive me.

Like I mentioned before I started my blog 4 years ago and never thought it would become a permanent thing. I did abandon it (and stitching) for a while when I started working as a nurse but once I found my "groove" I was able to return to both. I love that I have a place on the web where I can just share stuff and I love that people actually come to visit me. I've "met" so many others through this blog through comments and feel like I have lots of friends even though there are some blogs out there that I just lurk on and never comment on and I will try to rectify that! I hope that those that left comments and are "new" to me continue to visit my blog and enjoy it. I've had fun posting give-a-ways and hope that my winners enjoy their prizes once I get them mailed out to them. Thanks everyone for reading my blog and celebrating my blogoversary with me!!!!!

Now the winner for my final give-a-way this month is *drumroll* Linda in MA! Linda if you could please email me your mailing info I'll get this out to you next week :)

I should have had a finish to show you today *but* I've recently acquired many new iPhone apps (courtesy of my cousin who puts the awesome in awesome!!!) and have been totally engulfed with them. I'm going to try to stitch for a little bit while watching Heroes (Sidebar: Peter's dad is freaking sick!) but may fall asleep. Tomorrow is a busy day for me, because I wanted Friday off for Halloween I have to work and go to school *yikes* It's a first for me but hopefully my night won't be too busy and I won't be too tired to go to school on Wednesday. TTFN!

Edited: I knew something was wrong with my post! I forgot to include the picture of the drawing. There were 42 people (someone emailed me to include them) in this drawing so I was only able to take a screen shot with the top half of the list. Number 6 won and number 6 was Linda :)

Last Give-a-way!

2008-10-24T17:08:00.000-04:00

I didn't take my own pictures but borrowed from the designer's website again so please forgive me! For my last giveaway I wanted to give something that was exclusive and limited and what I chose is Just Nan's Over the Top Halloween tin and needle book.
I'm kitting it up with everything (DMC floss and 30ct Linen Carrot WDW fabric) so once it reaches to you all you have to do it take it out of the bag and stitch! My actual Blogoversary is on Monday so I'll try to draw a name then. Just leave a message if you'd like to be included in the drawing and good luck! :-)

It's time to announce some winners!

2008-10-21T23:32:00.000-04:00

I meant to post this earlier but life got in the way. I'm studying for a mid-term tomorrow and I forgot how time consuming school is. All I want to do is stitch and all I've been doing is studying. Well enough about that! Since I had 2 things to give away I did the drawing a little different. First I separated the names into two lists and then I assigned everyone a number. For the first drawing, Be A Witch, the winner is...Congrats Sherry! The next winner, for Something Wicked, is... Congrats Lisa!!! Just email me your mailing info and I'll get this out to you :) I'll post the next (and last) giveaway Thursday or Friday! And I'll mail all the prizes out the first week of November. I'm on vacation then and should have lots of time to do it :)

Becky received the Halloween piece I stitched for her last week. I finished it the same way it was finished in the picture and I think it came out nice. The bow was a PIA to make but thanks to my mom after 3 tries we got something that was nice enough to give away :-) I borrowed the pictures that Becky took (hope you don't mind Becky!) because my pictures are in my camera and right now I'm not dragging the camera out. I stitched her Cherry Wood Designs "Smell My Feet" on 30ct WDW Chartuese Linen (it's incredibly bright IRL) with DMC floss and here's the back with my favorite Halloweeny fabric. Thanks for stopping by...hopefully in my next Tuesday post I'll have a brand new finish to show!

Drawing is now closed

2008-10-21T10:07:00.000-04:00

I have Stephanie as the last person to enter. I'll post the winners later on today after I sort them. Good Luck to everyone!

Another give-away!

2008-10-17T14:08:00.001-04:00

Again I was too lazy to take a picture but I'm offering Shepherds Bush Be A Witch with fabric (10ct Tula) and button pack! I'm also offering this... La-D-Da's Something Wicked with floss and I'm trying to get the fabric (35ct WDW Havana) but if I can't you will have to choose your own fabric.

Just leave a comment under this post and on Tuesday I'll choose a name! Good Luck!!
***edited I forgot to mention that I will have 2 winners so please add in your comment which one you'd like to be considered for!***

Second Blogoversary Winner is...

2008-10-14T23:25:00.000-04:00

#11! Which is A. (Andrea) Congrats to you!!! Just send me you mailing info and I'll get this out to you :) Let me know what fabric count you'd like.
I'll post the next prize (yes there's another one) Thursday or Friday.

I'm done with my exchanges *yea* so I have lots of free stitchy time which is being hogged up by biology. I have a lab quiz this Thursday and a lecture exam next Wednesday. I sort of forgot how time consuming school is *ugh*

I haven't started anything new but I did pull out an old WIP I have most of her dress done now and her little pumpkin bag. I'll try to post a picture soon. My HoE Halloween partner Jill received the pinkeep I sent to her a while ago and I haven't had the chance to post a picture until now. I stitched her La-D-Da's Trick or Treat from Just Cross Stitch's Halloween issue. It was so HARD to part with it. I'm definitely going to stitch one for myself one day. Here's the side and the back...I love this fabric!! I wish I would have bought more.

Hopefully soon I can show you my last exchange...it was hard to part with that one too!

I've been sick :(

2008-10-10T15:17:00.000-04:00

I would have posted my next give away yesterday but I was bed-ridden with a very bad cold :( I'm better now but I have to work tonight so mentally I feel worse haha. I didn't get a chance to go to my LNS to buy the floss and fabric for my next give-away nor did I feel like pulling out my camera so I swiped pictures from Historic Stitches to show you what I have to give next :) This is Witch's Hat Scissors Case by Historic Stitches. I'm including the fabric and all floss to stitch it (32ct Black Linen and 8 DMC flosses) Here's a picture of the back of the scissor case. Just leave a comment if you'd like to win this. I think it's adorable and can't wait for some "me" stitching time to stitch this up. Now I've stitched on black 32ct linen and it's a big PIA, IMO so if you want to include in your comment if you'd prefer 28ct just include it in with your comment and if you win I'll send you that instead.

Now Katica hasn't emailed me with her mailing address so if you know her please tell her to email me. If I haven't heard from her by Tuesday when I draw a winner for this prize I will re-draw another winner for the other 2 charts. Good Luck!

And the winner is!

2008-10-07T17:28:00.000-04:00

Lucky number 13...which if you count down is...Katica!!!!! I find it so awesome that 13 would be the winner for a October giveaway. Katica I tried to look up your profile info to link to your blog but it appears you don't have any :o( If you could just email me (mia61075 at aol dot com) your mailing address I'll get your goodies out in the mail for you :o) I hope this picture is better than the other last picture...I took a screenshot with my iPhone...

Also Ulla you won last time and I swear I addressed the envelope for you to mail out but I looked today and saw that I didn't nor did I save your email with your info...could you email me that info again?

Thanks to everyone that commented!!! WOWSA 32 comments!!! I feel like a superstar haha. I'll post my 2nd giveaway sometime this week (probably later on today or Thursday) I left my wallet at home today so I couldn't go out to buy the floss and fabric for the picture after school(I drove home with my fingers crossed that I wouldn't get pulled over and that I wouldn't run out of gas) and right now I have a KILLER sinus headache so all I want to do is lay down and not go back out. *Sigh*

More Pictures and my Blogoversary Month :-)

2008-10-03T15:27:00.000-04:00

So the 4 exchanges I'm in have been stressing me out but when one comes in the mail I realize how much fun they really are :-) I still have one to finish up and mail out but have mailed out the other 3 and have received all four! First to show is my Prairie Schooler exchange. This is what I stitched for my partner Becky. I stitched Rain, Rain, Go Away from book no. 139. The backing fabric is the fabric in the background. Here's the entire package that I sent minus the backing fabric.
Next is my HoE Halloween Exchange that I received from Carol. She stitched me Lizzie Kate's Hocus Pocus which was on my list to stitch and now I don't have to! She finished it off as a pinkeep and it's now sitting in my basket of smalls :-) and here's the rest of the package (Kelly already stole the soap and I *heart* the Q-Snaps!)
I did a personal exchange with Becky with a Halloween theme and her exchange also came in the mail this week. She stitched me Lizzie Kate's Bone Appetit and finished it as an awesome box! I can't wait to try this finishing now that I have a model of it in my house. here's the inside and the rest of the package
Great exchanges right???? I love exchanges but because of school as soon as my last exchange in mailed out next week I'm not going to join any for a while. The Christmas Exchange on the HoE blog looks so tempting but I can't do it to myself :-( The only good part is that it leaves more time to stitch something for myself *yea*

Now four years ago this month I started my blog. I've never celebrated my blogovesary but have always wanted to. On Oct 27th I posted my first post and like many others I never ever thought I'd be blogging 4 years later. I just started this blog because at the time everyone else was blogging and I was just following the trend. To celebrate I wanted to give out 4 gifts this month, one for every year that I've been blogging. I wanted to start on the 1st but life got in the way of me posting so I'm going to try my best to still give out 4 but in the end it may just be 3 *sigh* So for my first gift I'd like to give away... If you'd like to be considered for this just leave a comment to this post indicating that you'd like to enter the raffle. The fabric is for L*Ks Hocus Pocus and the buttons for that are included as well. The SamSarah includes the buttons and floss (not the floss in the picture you will get brand new ones those are just there for the picture!) I'll draw a name for it on Tuesday October 7th!

Finally some stitchy pictures!

2008-09-26T00:16:00.000-04:00

But unfortunately they aren't of my stitching but of some very nice exchanges I received this week :-)

My Halloween F&S came in the mail this Monday. My partner was Terry and this is what she stitched for me. Aren't they pretty? I've never seen this before and I love it...check out the little spider charm at the corner.

I also got another exchange on Monday, my HoE Prairie Schooler Exchange. Cathy B had my name and look at the pretty pin pillow she stitched for me...and the back...and look at all the goodies she sent me...I can't wait to stitch up that needle roll, I luv Shepherd's Bush!!! And now I have a picture that I've been meaning for the longest to share with you...I should honestly be ASHAMED that it has taken me so long to share this with you. During the summer I joined the Quaker Animal Exchange on the Quaker Inspired Blog, well Donna had my name and she stitched me Quaker Mouse and finished off into the most gorgeous quilted drawstring drawstring bag. Of course I'm never going to use it but do have it displayed in my stitchy corner. The pictures I have do the bag no justice but here it is... and here's the back... Donna I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to post a picture of this...I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful but life and my forgetfulness kept getting in the way of posting this!

Now I must go and update my exchange blogs. School is still great but stressful. All the time I thought I would have does not exist. I can't wait until I go on vacation in November so I can have at least a few days for myself, a day where I can just do nothing!!!!! Right now I go to school Mon-Thurs and then work Fri-Sun *ugh* I thought I would be able to do it (and so far I am) but jeez louise I'm tired!!

And the winner is!

2008-09-23T13:15:00.000-04:00

I used the random number genenrator and here's what I got Excuse the crappy picture but I took a picture of the screen with my iPhone but #3 is Ulla so congrats to Ulla! Ulla if you could please email me your mailing info that would be great! There's an email me link on my sidebar underneath my little picture in my completed profile.

In other news I'm playing hooky from class today but not because I want to. There's a very mean fast mosquito in my room that I can't seem to catch. Well the night before it bit my twice in my arm and last night it bit me 5 times! It bit Ana as well but thank God for heartworm prevention so I know she's ok. Now why am I staying home for mosquito bites?? Well after waking up itchy this morning at 5am I covered myself from neck to toe so it wouldn't bite me anymore thinking I was being smart. Well it out smarted me and bit me on my left eye! Now my eye is swollen and I am NOT going out like this. No way no how! I hope it goes down by tomorrow. I feel bad for this mosquito once I catch it...a quick clap between the hands is not something I'm planning for it...

A quick (I think) hello :)

2008-09-16T11:45:00.002-04:00

I tried to post from my phone yesterday but for some reason had problems in doing so, so here I am saying hello! I've been wanting to blog for the past week (not much has happened) but with school starting I haven't been able to find blog time in my schedule. Since it's the second week of school I'm finding more "me" time so I can post a quick post. I love school although I have to take this Health class which is totally a waste of my time. I feel bad for saying this but the instructor who teaches it is a big ditz...like ditz with a capital DITZ. Yesterday someone asked about narcolepsy and she says "oh yeah that's like when you're sitting down eating and suddenly fall asleep." In my head I'm like no...that's a scene in Deuce Bigelow. And the cure for everything is "like eating healthy and exercising." Nursing students don't have to take this class so I didn't take it before but other major students do so I'm forced to sit through it if I want to graduate.

I've been stitching...I made sure to find time for that because I have many exchanges to stitch for and *happy dance* I just finished stitching one so that's 2 down 2 more to go. :) I'm going to try and update later on with snippet pictures of what I've stitched so that way my blog isn't "naked." I'm almost ready to start my BIG blog give away! I'm so excited about it that I want to start it now but must wait...or do I? I guess I don't soooooooo if you would like to win this magazine (for those that didn't run out and buy it) leave a comment and I'll draw a name next week Tuesday to see who wins it! Contest is open to EVERYONE no matter where you live so please leave a comment. You never know what may be inside the envelope with the magazine :-) More to come in October!

Edited: Thanks for the comment Shelleen :-) I know that about narcolepsy but my instructor made it seem like it could only happen when you were eating. Trust me she really is a something special whenever someone gives her an example on how to improve your life that's not eating healthy and exercising you can see in her face that it's something she's never thought of. She reads straight from the book and when asked to clarify something she just repeats what the book says. I'm sometimes tempted to ask her to put it in her own words to see if she can...

Stuff...super long and non stitchy

2008-09-03T00:32:00.000-04:00

I've been reading on blogs how everyone has had a nice lazy holiday weekend and that made me green with envy! While everyone was relaxing I was at work, working harder than I ever had on a weekend. I have one more night (tomorrow night) until I go on a week's vacation
*yea*

This morning something funny (to me) happened that made me like nursing again. Since we only had 1 aide on the floor, we usually have 2, I had to do my own patient care. Since the aide we had was our "bad" aide it was like we had no aide at all but that's another story for another day. Anyway while I was going to change a dressing on my patient I saw that he was dirty so I figured I might as well wash him and change his bed. He's a cranky old guy who complains complains and complains. As soon as I'm done with everything he starts thanking me and continues to do so until I leave. I started thinking about how cleaning him up made him happy and in turn made me happy and started laughing...it seems that in order for me to feel appreciated by my patients I have to wipe their asses LOL.

Friday wasn't a good day for the dogs. Ana got sick and Kyle had (what we thought) minor surgery. They're both better now but on Friday Ana was vomiting and had a few episodes of loose stools probably from the steak I gave her the night before. I felt bad for her because during lunch I gave her her share of chicken nuggets and she turned her face :( Now that she's better she wants to eat everything again but I'm restricting her human food intake, it wasn't fun running around finding a bag for her to barf in or having people look at us because how do you clean up watery poop off the sidewalk? Before we noticed Ana was sick we had to take Kyle to the vet for an emergency visit. If anyone owns or has spent time with a Bull Terrier then you have to be familiar with their infamous "Bully Runs." Now most dogs do have little "attacks" where they run around the house crazy but Bull Terriers have their own special way of doing it. First off they start of jumping in circles (literally jumping.) Then they start running back and forth slamming into things on purpose. Here's a small example of what it looks like.
and

Well Kyle was running around and spinning when one of his dew claws snagged on the rug :( I was in bathroom but I heard a yelp and Kelly yelling to me that we had to go to the vet. Kyle was bleeding and had pulled his nail out. Kelly carried him the 4 blocks to the vet where we thought they cut his little toe off but they only trimmed the nail, cleaned it, and bandaged him up. When he came out he had the cutest bandage! How cute is it?? I swear the things they come out for pets is just ingenious! Here's a picture of Kyle looking Kyle-ish. I love his ears in this picture. Usually Ana is impartial to him but that night she actually let him snuggle next to her. I have pictures of it put they're in my camera which I don't feel like pulling out to upload pictures from it.

In happy news, I'm still excited about going to school and Kelly bought me an early birthday present Thursday. He bought me an iPhone which I *luv* and can't believe I've been without one for so long. It's the greatest! (excluding the battery life but who cares I can always charge it at work.)

Before I leave I wanted to mention one thing and show one more thing. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer is a good book and I can't wait to move onto the next book. I can't believe I've haven't start reading these books sooner! And for your enojoyment you can watch this...I find it hilarious especially the part where he says "it's me Giraffe." I crack up every time I watch it and now since I have it saved on my iPhone I can watch it all the time :-) Enjoy!!!

All in a Moon Finish :)

2008-08-24T13:09:00.001-04:00

Miss Crescent's Crowne - All in a Moon

Stitched on 30ct Geln Ellyn Blen by R&R Reproductions

with

Crescent Colours Floss

This is what I decided to stitch after my last finish. My LNS has the frame and I wanted to try a new framer so I thought this would be a perfect piece to let them frame. I'm not to happy with it because the picture on the chart differs so much from the actual piece. The fabric is more lemon-y on the picture whereas mine is mustard-ish. It's still a pretty piece though and I hope I can get it on my walls in time for Halloween when I decorate.

Thanks so much for comments on my last piece! Someone asked where I bought the pattern from and asked me to post info on it so here it is...I bought it from Creative Poppy and it's by Barbara Ana Designs (all the info is usually posted underneath my finished picture.) I've also never thanked those that gave my blog (and me) awards. I've always meant to but as always forgot. I'm not good with following up and giving out awards but trust me I do thank those that gave me an award from the bottom of my heart! I'm so happy people actually take the time out to read or even just browse through my blog :-) THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Now with that said I do have something special for you guys during my blog anniversary month which so happens to be in October...my favorite spooky month! So please check this place in October for something special ;-)

I may not update for a while because the next 4 things I stitch will be for exchanges :( Maybe I'll just show you guys a portion of what I've stitched. I also won't have too much time for "me" stitching in between exchanges because I'm going back to school this September and I'll be working full time as well. I'm going to major in Biology and perhaps get out of the nursing field. I love nursing but there have been some things going on at work that have me unhappy with it. I figure if things get better then I'll go back to nursing and if not well then I won't. I'm excited to go back to school like you wouldn't believe...I'm looking forward to learning something new :-) Until next time!

Hallowscornu Finish

2008-08-15T00:36:00.000-04:00

It's done! I had a really hard time putting this biscornu together. It's not perfect and uneven in some places...I don't know where I went wrong but 1) it's hard working with black fabric and 2) it's so &@^%$)! hard working with black fabric!

Hallowscornu - Barbara Ana Designs

Stitched on 32ct Silkweaver "Frenzy" Lugana
with
DMC floss
and decorated with
Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads (03053)

I don't know what I'll stitch next. I've joined 3 Halloween exchanges *so excited* luckily I already know what I want to stitch for all 3 and I have my Prairie Schooler exchange that I should get started on since that's the first to mail out but at the same time I want to stitch my Sweet Treats dilemma dilemma! I won't choose tonight since I'd like to go to sleep early but I know it's going to be on my mind while I sleep...anyone else think while they sleep?

Today we went to Serendipity3 to eat. My cousin saw it on the travel channel and just had to try the desserts there. The wait was crazy and the place was packed! I finally took my camera out the house so I do have some pictures to share :-)

The outside

The window display My frozen hot chocolate

My cousin and her friend and their ice cream sundae.

Kelly and his dessert...the "Can't Say No" Sundae

And me and my dessert...the Forbidden Broadway Sundae.

We all had burgers and fries, I didn't take a picture of that because if you've seen one plate of burgers and fries you've seen them all. It was nice but I don't think I'll be going back any time soon.

Well I actually just decided what to stitch and its not anything I mentioned earlier LOL. I may change my mind come morning time but I may not...good night!

Hola :-)

2008-08-11T13:57:00.001-04:00

I think I may start bringing my camera with me to work. I went to the park in Union Square yesterday and missed so many picture opportunities that by the time I got on the train to go back home I was red with anger! Well not really, but I was pretty bummed that I didn't get a picture of the squirrel eating the cookie (upside down on the tree) that I had given him earlier. I'm usually afraid of the squirrels around my house if they get too close to me but at the park they get even closer and don't look as threatening. As soon as they heard me opening the plastic cookie package I had about 4 of them surrounding me...too cute!

Last week I had a craving for some empanadillas (empanadas is another name for them.) I like to believe that I'm totally incapable of cooking but honestly I can so instead of asking my mother to make some for me I made them myself. Don't they look yummy? I made them with cheese and one of them opened on me while I was frying it so please excuse the cheese on the paper towel and top one. They didn't come out as crunchy as my mumsy poos but she said they tasted good and so did my cousin :-) The best part of making them myself was that I could put as much sugar as I wanted to because there was no one to stop me (aka my mum hehe.)

I'm almost done with my Hallowscornu. I'm so close that I'm thinking of starting something new as my train project and only stitching on it at home. I don't have a current picture but did take one on Friday so I guess I'll show you that one and you'll just have to imagine 2 more corner pumpkins and half of a 4th ghost. I can't wait until it's done...it's going to look so pretty in my basket of Halloween smalls!

I work tonight and tomorrow night so I'm going to end this and go stitch for an hour before my nap. Thanks for the nice comments on my last 2 finishes!

Let the Halloween Stitching Begin!

2008-08-03T22:27:00.001-04:00

I don't think I could ever tire of saying I love Halloween :-) I just finished this up and it's 1 of 4 so it's not a real finish but part of a finish.

Cherry Wood Designs - 3 Black Cats (Panel 1)

Stitched on Weeks Dye Works 30ct Carrot Linen

with

GAST and WDW floss

The colors are so off in this picture but we'll have to deal with it. I'm going to alternate stitching the panels since I don't want to get bored stitching one thing for too long. Next up is Barbara Ana Designs Hollowscornu which I kitted it up this Friday. I love Halloween stitching!

If I could do a perfect cartwheel...

2008-07-31T09:47:00.001-04:00

I would! Guess what I managed to finish on the train to work Tuesday night??? Little House Needleworks - Home of a Needleworker (Too!)

Stitched on ~~Country Grain~~Vintage Country Mocha 32ct Linen

with

Crescent Colours Belle Soie Silk Floss

(conversion by Mary Kathyrn)

Please excuse the wrinkled fabric, it's been in my bag since Tuesday. I would have posted a picture yesterday but I went to the zoo right after work with Kelly, my cousin, her husband, and my god-daughter Isabel. Once I got home I went straight to bed and zonked out! It was fun, I rode a camel for the first time and hung out with Isabel who is the CUTEST! I love her so much :-)

I figured since I still have one more day in July I should pull out my Red Thread Snappers to start July but I really would like to stitch something Halloweeny or my CC/CC Thread Packs dilemma dilemma!

Well thanks so much for the comments on the last post (and all other posts!) I appreciate them so much :-) TTFN!

Pictures Galore

2008-07-27T22:06:00.000-04:00

I have an update picture of Home of a Needleworker (Too!) seriously this piece should be finished by now! I'm not stitching on my Red Thread Snapper this month because I'm afraid if I put this down I will never pick it back up again. I'm still enjoying stitching on it so *yea* but I am so ready to have this finished and off of my Q-Snaps.

A while ago my partner for the Summer Exchange Round for F&S received my stitched piece. Since I went back to work blogging time is slim so this is my first chance to share with you guys what I stitched for her. Here's The Trilogy's Summer Tree (with my signature square.) Keeping with the theme of birds in the mail this is what my partner (Laura) stitched me... I LOVE IT! It's Halloweeny and she finished it into a basket lid so I was able to display it right away instead of putting it in my pile of things to finish. Thanks Laura!!!

In June and part of July the mailman was *not* good to me. Two of my exchanges went missing and some of my packages were marked certified but weren't so instead of leaving them in my mailbox I had to go pick them up at the post office (I go to a different post office because the one my neighborhood is assigned to is a mad house!)
Well since they weren't certified they weren't in the certified location of the post office and hence "lost" *sigh* well after waiting about an hour they were finally found. My exchanges, sadly, never showed up. I feel horrible about it but both of my partners were nice enough to restitch and resend. I think my mail is back to normal...atleast I'm hoping it is. Yesterday my HoE Freebie Exchange arrived *yea* Edda stitched me a wonderful pinkeep! I love it! One of my "small" basket ideas is having one that's a dog/pet theme and while I haven't stitched any of the charts I bought for the basket I now have the first one to add to it. Right now it's in my other basket but I love it. Thanks so much Edda!!!
Here's a picture of the entire package she sent me :-) I've been playing a lot with my camera...I don't think I'm getting any better but I may have developed a lens fettish. Thankfully the ones I want are expensive so I can't go out and buy them all at once. I just added a Canon 17-40mm F4.0L to my teeny collection. I took a picture of the entire width of my room and realized I live in a box! I took my camera to work to take pictures of the nurses so we can have a board with our pictures on it like other floors have (we have one but I've noticed only the day shift nurses are on it *grrr*) It's been busy at work so I didn't take many pictures and I won't share them with you for obvious reasons but I will share a picture I took this morning of Ana with my new lens...I think it looks sharper but I'm even newbie-er than a novice, if there's such a thing, so what do I know LOL.

Mini Happy Dance!!

2008-07-19T18:05:00.000-04:00

I just put the last stitch to that blasted house on Home of a Needleworker (Too!) It took me so long to do it that I thought it would become a UFO for real haha! Now to do the rest *sigh* No picture of the house because I have to get ready to go to work but believe me it's done wooooooooohoooooooooooo!

Happy Mail :)

2008-07-11T18:43:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Google Reader I was able to see a blog post on my stitchy friend's blog that then vanished into thin air. She sewed together the most wonderful quail pin cushion so since I couldn't comment on her original post I commented on another post. A few days later, on her blog, she wrote that she was going to give a quail away to her stitchy friend for noticing the missing post. I got excited but then thought, "Well what if someone else told her first *gasp*" Today, after my nap I went downstairs and found a box on the coffee table and this was inside of it!Some close ups!

Lisa thanks so much for this! You really don't know how much I love it...it's the one of the prettiest things I've seen and you are truly creative!

Since we're on the topic of birds...these pretty little things also came in the mail earlier this week.
Cute no? The pictures aren't the greatest, I just sort of snapped them quickly but I love them! They were made by Barbara and can be bought at her Etsy Shop. She still has one there just in case you'd like to own one.

Last picture for the night is of my stitchy corner. I'd like to add more to my basket and I'd like to get a taller tree so my birds can be seen better.

The Fat Lady has sang

2008-07-09T17:01:00.000-04:00

I go back to work tonight *sigh* My next "long" vacation is in November but I have a week coming up in September and I think in October. I hope tonight isn't busy, I get my break, and my patients are stable...and if they aren't I hope they wait until I'm done with my work before they decide to give me problems so I don't get behind in my work haha!

Two of my exchanges arrived to their destinations so I can finally share some finishes with you *yea* but first let me share this with you...hot off the Q-Snaps!

Sam Sarah Design Studio - Pearls "Nevermore"

Stitched on Silkweavers 28ct Cashel Linen "Boo"

with

Crescent Colours Floss

Now I wasn't suppose to start anything new but Monday night I went to Kelly's house and although I knew I packed my Home of a Needleworker (Too!) project bag before leaving when I got home it somehow walked out of the bag and stayed at his house. I was pretty bummed about it because I was really psyched to work on the windows. I had to stitch something so I started this teeny design and finished it up this evening. It was a quick stitch (it's only 29x29) and will be made into a teeny ornament for my Halloween Tree (another project that exist only in my head hehe.)

Sidenote: Monday we took the dogs to Kelly's friends house to play, they also have a Bull Terrier, and well they have a koi pond in their backyard and the mosquitos ate me alive! I have 6 mosquito bites on my left leg, 17 on my right leg, and 1 on my right arm. I'm so itchy :(

Now on to my other finishes...first up is the square I stitched for Stephanie for Round 7 of the Fair and Square Exchange. I stitched L'R de Rien's Une Poule au Jardin for her and she informs me that she likes it :) She has pictures on her blog of the extra goodies I sent and my signature square in case anyone would like to see more.

L'R de Rien - Une Poule au Jardin

Stitched on 32ct count Linen

with

DMC Threads

Second exchange was for the Quaker Inspired blog. We were to stitch one of the Workbasket's Quaker Animals and finish them into whatever we wanted to. My partner was Edgar and while I was excited to stitch for him I was also nervous...he's one of the blogs that I look up to :) I decided to stitch the turtle in blue for him and finished it off into a flatfold. He also has additional photos in case anyone wants to see more.

The Workbasket - Quaker Turtle

Stitched on Babbling Brook Linen (forgot the count)

with

Vikki Clayton Silks in Indigo Ocean

Here's the backI have one more exchange finish that I've done but I have yet to mail it out. The mail out date is July 14th so I'm doing OK. Hopefully Friday morning after I get off of work I'll mail it out. Before I go I do have one more picture to share and it's of my new stash!!!I went to my LNS yesterday after the beach and picked these up :-) I've ordered my fabric for these online last night and it has already shipped. I can't wait to start stitching these! I also joined 2 FOTMs since I have a few monthly $$ to spend and I have a very small fabric stash. Well I'm off...time for dinner and then I have to get ready for work *waaaaaaaaah*

WIP Update

2008-07-07T01:35:00.000-04:00

So this is how far I've gotten on Home of a Needleworker (Too!) I feel like the slowest stitcher ever! It took me around 6 hours to stitch the roof. I feel like the house is going to take super long to stitch and I hope I don't get bored and then this turns into a UFO. I would really like to have this hanging on my walls some day. You can see the before picture here. I'm happy that I do have this WIP because it gives me something to blog about. I have 3 finishes to show but they're all exchanges and haven't reached their destinations...tomorrow *hopefully* one of them does arrive and I get to share it with you.

I do want to start something new but thankfully I do not have the charts to what I'd like to start. I was going to go to my LNS to buy them but they're closed on Monday so now I don't know if I should wait until Tuesday to go or order them online today. I know that I'd get them quicker if I wait until Tuesday but it's just the feeling that I have new stash coming in the mail that makes me feel better. Plus I don't know if my LNS has all of the charts that I want but she could order them for me. They would make PERFECT train projects! OMG I'm getting excited thinking about them!!! By the way I'm talking about the Country Cottage Needleworks "Sweet Treats etc." I've been seeing them stitched up on some of the blogs that I read that I now have to have them for myself. I'd like to stitch them separately and finish them off as something small for my growing "smalls" corner.

In other news, I go back to work on Wednesday and these are the last two days of my vacation. I enjoyed the first portion of it but didn't enjoy the last portion. I think it's because in the beginning I was all "Yea! I'm on vacation! Whoo Hooo!" and this last week I was "Jeez this is my last week I go back to work on Wednesday *tear*" Well it's 2am here and although I'd love to stay up to get back on my "night" schedule I'm going to try and enjoy my last 3 nights of actual "night" sleep. TTFN and thanks for the comments on my last post :-)

Fair and Square :-)

2008-07-01T17:46:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I didn't post a picture of these with my last post but I should have! I received my F&S squares from Stephanie M. last week. She stitched me L*K Halloween snippet and I love it! First because it's Halloweenish and second because her signature square is wonderful! I plan to stitch the HIH Wee Pumpkins over 1 for my over 1 collection (that so far exist only in my head! LOL)

WIP Time

2008-06-30T15:58:00.000-04:00

I've been really wanting to stitch this for a while. I love stitching on it and although, to me, it's a big project it seems to stitch up quickly. I'm stitching it with Belle Soie Silk Floss (thanks to Mary Kathyrn!) and it's oh so yummy! I have to put it away for a while though because I thought my Summer F&S was due at the end of July but I double checked and it's due to mail out on the 14th...eek! I still don't know what I want to stitch so I have to do some research on my partner and hopefully I have something in my stash that will be perfect. Well that's all from me for now. I'm off to do my research!

I'm in the phone booth, it's the one across the hall...

2008-06-23T22:06:00.001-04:00

If you don't answer, I'll just ring it off the wall
I know he's there, but I just had to call
Don't leave me hanging on the telephone...

Last night I went to see Blondie. My cousin asked me a few weeks ago if I wanted to go and since I knew I'd be on vacation and needed some activities to fill up my days I agreed. I went thinking I only knew 3 songs but found out that I knew a lot more (who knew I was a closet Blondie fan??) The show kicked serious butt! I was actually surprised on how great it was. Debbie was awesome! If I could see them in concert again I definitely would. They didn't allow cameras in but I did manage to get one crappy picture with my phone! Does she not look great???? In other concert news...Modest Mouse decided to throw together a very last minute show this past Thursday (Friday morning) after playing MSG with R.E.M. It apparently sold out quickly but luckily I was on my computer at the right time and bought 4 tickets. So at 12am my cousins and I were on our way to see the show. The last time we went to see them play was lame...it didn't have that modest mouse feel that all the other concerts had. I hoped that this show wasn't like that and you know what?? It wasn't! They played for almost 2 hours and we got home at 4am...drunk and satisfied lol. I luv Modest Mouse! They even played my fAvOrItE song in the entire Modest Mouse would Dramamine!

I did manage to finish something small this Saturday too :-) It's the 6th square in my Red Thread Snappers. I still refuse to work on the border and will pay for it dearly once I get these all stitched up *ugh*

For my Smelly Kelly :-)

2008-06-16T12:11:00.000-04:00

I took this picture in the park a week after I got my camera. I was just trying out the different settings on the camera and I kinda like the way it came out :-) I took other pictures but he was acting silly and I don't think he'd appreciate me putting them on here...

Anyway the real reason for this post is not about the picture above but of this picture below!
I finally have a finish that I can show! It's Brightneedle's Little Ones: Our Souls Entwine. I stitched it on 28ct Cream Linen (if I could have done something different I would have stitched it on a smaller count) with all the recommended threads. It's my anniversary present to Kelly which is this July 18th. I could have finished it last night but I fell asleep :(

Well that's all I have for right now...I'm doing laundry, plus I work tonight so I'm trying to multi-task with all the things that have to be done around here before I can leave (I'm missing my mother more and more everyday LOL) Well it's only 2 more days before my vacation and then I can go to Kelly's house and he can wait on me hand and foot and I can be spoiled again hehe :-) TTFN Have a great day and thanks for the comments on yesterday's post...I appreciate them more than you can imagine!

I've been stitching!

2008-06-15T11:42:00.000-04:00

But unfortunately I can't show you because it's all for exchanges. I've finished the stitching for my F&S square (just need to stitch up my signature square) and I've even finished up the stitching for my Quaker Inspired Exchange (just need to do the actual finishing.) I just have one more F&S square to stitch up but since it's not due until the end of July it can wait. I would like to start something new (for me) today so depending on my mood (whether I'd like to stitch, play GTA, or learn my new camera more) we'll see what I start. Did everyone see the new LHN??? I love it and I want it! Will I ever stitch it? Probably not but I'd still like it.

In other news, my mother left for Ecuador on Friday for 2 weeks! I'm missing her like crazy which is weird because when she's here she drives me crazy LOL. My father and I are NOT getting along, I gave him a Father's Day gift but only because my mother instructed me to. For those that don't know (and not many people don't) he's an alcoholic and although he has periods of sobriety he tends to relapse during certain times of the year...Father's Day is one of them and September is another one. It pisses me off like you wouldn't believe (or you would if you ever lived with an Alcoholic.) As soon as I'm on vacation (Wednesday *yea*) Ana and I are going to stay with Kelly until my mumsy poo gets back. My grandfather isn't doing so well...I don't know why they took him to Ecuador but it was sort of a last wish for him. All of his kids are taking turns going over to visit and take care of him. When I spoke to my mother she told me he managed to break his hip (he's now diagnosed with osteoporosis) and is bed ridden. I don't know if they'll do surgery and if they don't well I told her he won't be getting out of bed and walking around ever. Getting sick as you get older sucks...

I'll leave you with this picture of Ana...I hate blogging without pictures and since I can't share any stitching with you I'll share this it's a little dark but I'm still learning how to use the new camera...I'll get there though :-)

A "me" update

2008-06-07T17:34:00.000-04:00

I've been having fun with my cousins and Kelly now that they're out of school. Yesterday we had a cook out at the beach. It was a bit breezy and cold but fun and yummy! I sustained a few burns (it was our first cook out) but nothing too serious. Tonight I'm off to work to start my weekend shift :-( The temperature here is in the 90s and will be so until Monday so I really wished that I could stay inside in the AC. It won't be too bad while I'm on the train and once I get to work but waiting for the train is going to be horrendous! I hate the heat and already have a headache!

I do have one finish but I can't share it since it's for the F&S exchange and I have an almost finish which I also won't be able to share because it's for Kelly and he knows nothing about it...well since he reads my blog I guess he does now. I can, however, share this...This is the pinkeep I sent Sharon for the HoE Freebie Exchange. It's by Barbara Ana Designs and can be found here.
Here's the back. I used a red fabric with swirls and gold stars. I also used yellowish goldish pins.
I couldn't find a gold heart but did sew on a silver heart in the middle ribbon. I loved the way it came out and best of all she emailed me to say she loved it too!

I'm still learning how to use my new camera. It's pretty complicated but I'm reading and learning. I can't wait for my cousin to come back from vacation so he can show me...I learn better by demonstration. He showed me a little while at the airport but of course I forgot some of it LOL. Until next time! I have to eat dinner and get ready to go to work. TTFN :-)

I did it!

2008-05-28T08:32:00.000-04:00

I just bought a new camera!!! *woot woot* I can't wait until it comes in. I've been contemplating buying a DSLR for a while now...since my first Bloc Party concert in 2006 to be exact. I talked myself out of it because I didn't want something to happen to it at a concert or for it to get lost. Then about a year ago my cousin bought one and again I entertained the idea of getting one once I saw his pictures. I was trying to get out of debt so I couldn't do it last year. Now lately I've been noticing the quality of pictures some people post on their blogs and I've become totally obsessed with getting a new camera. I mean it's so bad that I dream about it LOL. After talking to my cousin on Monday (he's one of my go to guys) I decided to buy it and this morning after taking it in and out of my cart and wondering if I should dip into my car savings to buy it I thought of all the really nice pictures I can take of my ~~cross stitch~~ loved ones and bought it. I'm really happy about this buy :-) Of course I will now have to buy accessories for it *and* actually learn how to use it but for the sake of taking quality pictures of my ~~cross stitch~~ loved ones I can do it! Until next time!

Look at what I've been up to

2008-05-25T00:02:00.000-04:00

There's a third but it's for my HoE freebie exchange so I can't show it until I mail it out and it arrives to its destination! I even managed to play GTA IV, go to my LNS, and get a mani/pedi! Oh and I have a finish to share as well now that I remember...the 5th block to my BC Red Thread Snappers :-)
I do have 2 other soon to be pinkeeps to show you soon *but* the ribbon that I bought today matched the pinkeeps PERFECTLY in the store but once I took it out the bag and started working on them all of a sudden it didn't go anymore...I blame the lighting!

Has anyone seen the new HIHs?? Apparently I love them! I didn't at first but when I saw them at my LNS I scooped them up. The plan is to stitch them over one because I really don't need all of these long things to frame or hang up. I'm off to kit something up to stitch on the train tomorrow (most likely my F&S square.) I took a mental health day today because when I woke up I was tired and my patience felt non-existent. I'm hoping they come back tomorrow because I can't call out again, plus tomorrow night is time and a half pay! Happy Stitching!!!

Dilemma Dilemma...

2008-05-22T07:23:00.000-04:00

I want to stitch, I want to do the finishing for my HoE Freebie Exchange, I want to play Grand Theft Auto IV, I want to shower, get dressed, and go get a mani/pedi, I want to go pick up Kelly from work, I want to go to either JoAnns or The City Quilter to peruse the fabric, I want to go to one of my not so LNS' and I want to do all of this RIGHT NOW! The only good thing about this list is that I'm already too late to go pick up Kelly from work since I'm not showered yet. *sigh* I guess if I blog later on about my recent finished finishes or new fabric/stash conquests we'll see what I decided to do since I obviously can't blog about the latest beatings I've given to the poor innocent citizens of Liberty City ;-) LOL TTFN!

Freebie Month Continues!

2008-05-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

Here are two freebies that I finished this month. Both were my train projects and one of them is for an exchange. I know my partner doesn't read my blog but just in case she stumbles across it I won't say which one :-) Sorry if the pictures are dark...I want a new camera and haven't been feeling like "playing" with my "old" camera.

Barbara Ana's Designs

Home is Where the Heart Is
Stitched on 32 ct Lt Sand Belfast Linen
Stitched with DMC Threads

Brightneedle Designs
Blue Moon (from the Small Samplings Book)
Stitched on 28ct Jazlyn (Unknown Color) Dyeing 4 U fabric
Stitched with DMC and WDW

Side note: I miss Dyeing 4 U...they made some awesome fabric and their FOTM and TOTM clubs were great. If anyone personally knows the people who ran the company tell them I miss them LOL.

Well that's all for now...I'm stitching on another Brightneedle piece. It seems like they're my new favorite designer :-) I've been stitching on it off and on now for a while. It seems like every time I pick it up to stitch on something happens between Kelly and me and since it's for him I can't stitch on it...so far this time nothing has happened so I may be able to finish it this time around. TTYL and thanks for visiting!!!!

A Gift, a finish, and a WIP

2008-05-03T16:49:00.000-04:00

A few days ago my dear friend Barb texted me and told me to expect a package from me. Thursday when I was on my way to work a yellow envelope was waiting for me on the table, I didn't get a chance to open it until today though and look what was inside!
It's one of the freebies that I wanted to stitch :-) I haven't thanked her for it yet but I love it! I'm going to finish it up *hopefully* this weekend. A little story about Barb...she's one of the *very* first stitchy friends I ever made! I love her to reece's pieces! One day I wrote in a group that we were in that I wanted lemon cookies and a few days later I received a box full of homemade lemon cookies and she included the recipe that she used (I still have it.) I've met a lot of people online but Barb is one of the very first...she even stitched me an EMS baby for my graduation quilt that a group of friends made for me :-)

Now here's a finish...HIH Birds This was my train project but I was so close to finishing it that I stitched on it last night at home. There was an error in the chart that I didn't catch until I sewed the button on. The orange is suppose to be blue but the DMC (I stitched it in all DMC) conversion to the WDW was wrong. It looks good with the orange though...right?

I realized that I have not stitched a Shepherd's Bush since the year started and had to do something about it. I received an order from DSL last week and decided to start SBs My Mother's Garden. It's going to be my home project and this is what I have stitched so far...It's a really pretty piece. I love the color of the fabric. Hopefully I'll finish it and my mom will appreciate it. I'm having a hard time choosing what initials to put on it. My sister and I have the same middle initial (as a matter of fact we have the same middle name LOL) so I was thinking I'd use our first and last initials and then share our middle initial.

Well I'm off to stitch. I'm off the weekend and the weather is dreary outside so it's a perfect day to stitch :-) One last thing! I went to my LNS today and picked up my JN Hop Tin and Needlebook fob (along with other goodies) and it's so cute! TTFN

Brightneedle Freebie Finish :-)

2008-04-25T13:19:00.006-04:00

This is Humble Daisys by Brightneedle.

I changed the grey to blue and I think I may stitch this at least 2 more times in the future...it's a perfect size for F&S and I'd like to make one into a pinkeep for myself :-)

Yesterday was Ana's birthday...I'm one of those crazy people that celebrate their pets birthday so yesterday I had a little get together for her. She doesn't get any presents but I know she loves the company. I took a picture of her with her balloon and cake and it would have been a good one if my mother didn't walk by. Ana knows what she can and can't do so once she saw my mother she wanted to jump off the chair. It was beginning to get torturous for her so I didn't get a good one that I could share. She turned 6 and we had Popeyes (one of her favs) and ice cream cake. She didn't get any cake because it was chocolate and she doesn't like ice cream. Here are some pics...

I did get Ana a present...a new fan LOL. We have one of those round ones and at night when it's too warm for a blanket but not warm enough for AC it's either aim it at her on the floor (because she won't sleep with me) or be selfish and aim it at me. Since she's the ruler of the house she, of course, gets it and I suffer. Plus for some reason the old fan either blew hot air or no air. We slept with it on last night and slept very comfortably! Of course she slept with me instead of on the floor but I bet you had I brought out the old fan she would have been on the floor.

I work tonight *blah* and haven't been feeling well (I went to the ER Wednesday...they didn't know what was wrong with me) and I'd like to rest before I have to get ready. My tummy hurts, it has gotten better, not like Wednesday where I could barely walk or move...I just hope this weekend is quiet and not crazy...TTFN!

Smell the Flowers Finish!

2008-04-21T13:13:00.003-04:00

This should have been finished 2 days ago but I was too lazy to stitch the ladybug's head and do the french knots. Today I decided enough is enough and just did it. Here's a picture... And here's the entire thing...
This weekend we went to AC and had fun :-) I worked the night before we left and didn't get any sleep until Sunday morning. I did get cranky at times but not as bad as I thought I would. I'm dying to call out from work tonight but it's not going to happen *sigh*
I'm going to see if I can fit in a nap before I have to get ready to go to work tonight. TTFN!

Barbara Ana Biscornu Finishes

2008-04-15T15:13:00.003-04:00

I finally went out and bought the buttons for my Spring Biscornu and once I sewed it on I decided to put together my Halloween Biscornu. It's such a pretty day today that I decided to take pictures outside. You can't really see the button but it's a pretty white flower button. Here's my Halloween Biscornu... Here's Ana... Please excuse the ick on her eye. I wipe her eyes all the time but I guess this one managed to hide before I snapped this photo. And this is my stitching corner as of now. My Spring Biscornu won't stay here but until I stitch up more spring things and get them finished up it'll live here with my Halloweeny things :-) If I find the motivation I may finish up some more things today, I think I'd like to make some pinkeeps! TTFN

Second Freebie Finish

2008-04-14T16:02:00.003-04:00

Ever see something you liked only to stitch it and discover that it's not "you?" Well I think that's how I feel about this This is a freebie that I found on My Aunt's Attic. I saw it stitched up in these colors and loved it but now that I'm done with it I don't quite know what to do with it :-( It's suppose to have more blue flowers on the bottom but I left those out.

I have 2 more freebies that I'd like to stitch this month. If I don't get them done I may extend freebie month into May. Who knew that freebies were so much fun?

This past weekend one of my favorite cousins *finally* turned 21. We (my cousin Cristy and I) took him out and had a great time! Last night we went to this bar which was having trivia night and out of the 6 questions they asked while we were there we got 4 of them right. We didn't know what the "prize" was when we got the first question right but were happy to find out that it was a round of shots for the table for every correct answer we gave. We cheated for 2 of the questions though and called my other cousin who I swear is a genius for the answer. He doesn't drink but I think next time we go he should come along so he can get us free drinks and drive us home afterwards, which is better than taking the train hehe. We're going to Atlantic City next weekend to do some more celebrating and I can't wait. If there's one place I like to go it's to the casino! I never win...and if I do at the end of the night my winnings are gone and I usually break even but I don't mind since I tell myself I'm there to have fun not retire :-)

Until next time! I need to take a nap...TTFN!

Barbara Ana Freebie!

2008-04-08T13:08:00.004-04:00

I've decided to make April "Freebie Month." I've seen so many lovely freebies being stitched and have been collecting the patterns that I don't want to forget any of them so, with the exception of my Red Thread Snappers, I'm going to stitch as many of them as I can this month. The first one is Barbara Ana's Halloween Biscornu. It's a cutie and here it is! I haven't decided if I should stitch something on the back. I probably won't do it...I want to move onto the next freebie. I have about 3 that I've kitted up to choose from so I guess the next time I post we'll see what I chose :-)

Before I leave some of you guys have asked some questions that I'd like to answer. The giraffe pattern is Brightneedle's Made for Each Other and the Momiji Dolls can be bought online. If you're in the US I bought mine from Urban Outfitters and the Philadelphia Museum of Art online store. If you're in the UK then you can try the Momiji site although I don't know about shipping. I don't know if creative poppy has Barbara Ana's Spring Biscornu but I bought mine at Down Sunshine Lane and have seen it at one of my LNS.

As always thanks for reading and the comments!! Until next time...TTFN!

Went to my LNS...

2008-04-03T22:37:00.002-04:00

...and guess what I picked up????
Here are close-ups of them separately.

I'm giving the giraffes to Kelly, he already saw them and liked them but I brought it home to photograph.

Do you see my two tiny models? They're my newest Momiji Dolls, Kitty and Kogal. I thought Kitty was going to be my favorite but really Kogal is. She's so cute and pudgy :-) Until the next time! I'm off to stitch :-)

I have a finish!

2008-04-02T02:22:00.009-04:00

I've felt like I've been in a rut and now that I have a finish I feel waaaaaaaay better. The only dilemma I have now is what do I choose to stitch next :-) It's late here (2:24am) and I'd like to go to sleep so I'll keep this short and just post my pictures...hope that's ok!

This is Barbara Ana Designs Spring Biscornu. It took me a while to stitch because 1. I hate stitching white and 2. I hate to stitch the same thing over and over BUT I loved it so much that I stuck with it and now it's done! I don't have and couldn't find the star button that goes in the center but I did find this heart and may use that. I still have Michael's to go to look for them, I'm pretty sure I'll find them there but just in case I don't I bought the hearts at JoAnn's. I'll probably make it into an actual biscornu on the train ride to work tomorrow.
And while at JoAnn's guess what I bought for my beloved scissor collection????? EMMA!!!!!!!! I've already made a fob for them and my favorite will always be my Leah's but I think they may be a second favorite of mine. I didn't really like the Bianca's but these I love :-) The picture sucks but the fob is really sparkly. I used navy, yellow, olive, and topaz crystals.
Here are some more pictures that I've been wanting to share but always forget to post...
The biscornu I stitched for HoE's Biscornu Exchange. It's the first one I've ever made. These little buggers look easy to put together but they aren't! One side came out a little wonky and I don't know why. Hopefully my partner didn't mind it too much. I sent other goodies but didn't take a picture of them.

This is a pinkeep I made a while ago...I think in February for a friend of mine. I'm not 100% happy with it but like with anything, I'll get better as I go. I saw these dolls (momiji dolls) on another blog and thought they were the cutest. I told Kelly about them and guess what? Kelly bought me a few :-) Usually I tell him about something and it'll end there but last week he told me to expect a surprise package from him and it was a great surprise when I opened the box. I bought myself another two and can't wait for them to come in.
This is a picture of my little stitching corner. It's a WIP. My cousin gave me a basket of cupcakes for Easter and once the cupcakes were gone I was staring at it wondering what to do with it. I love seeing baskets full of stitching on other blogs so I thought I'd start one myself. I was too lazy to throw out the plastic grass and the paper towels on the bottom but once I fill it up with some more stitching (Halloween stitching because it's going to be a Halloween basket) I'll get rid of it. I'm going to stitch the other little animals that came with the bee chart and hang them on my tree.
And here's a close up of the stitching...see the little dog??? I'm trying to convince people that I *need* a Frenchie but apparently no one seems to believe it :(

Lastly, thanks to those that helped me in my freebie search! I have the chart now and today I bought some DMC linen floss to stitch it with and some the new Variations thread, I haven't decided what I'll use but I'm definitely stitching that tree! TTFN...I work tonight and need to go to sleep. I hate it when I sleep all day only to get up to go to work. Hopefully I'll wake up early tomorrow and get some stitching time in! Hmmm so much for keeping it short! LOL

Quickie Post! Need Help...

2008-03-29T11:05:00.003-04:00

I'll make this quick since I work tonight and should be sleeping (I worked last night as well.)
I've been seeing this Blue Ribbon Designs Freebie Friendship Tree on blogs lately and would like to stitch it. Of course it's retired so I can't get a copy from the BRD website :( Would anyone be willing to share a copy? Is it even kosher to ask for a copy to a retired freebie?

Exhchange Received!

2008-03-24T12:23:00.004-04:00

I received my portion of the Hooked on Exchanging (HoE) Biscornu Exchange today. The person who sent to me was Carla and lookie lookie what she stitching for me

Isn't it pretty?? She wrote that she used a silk thread called Ghost and Ghoulies which I love because it looks so Halloweeny :-) Here's the entire package...

I love it! Thanks so much Carla!!! Like I said I'm a long time admirer of your blog and work and I'm so happy to have something stitched by you! Now I have to wait for my partner to receive her's to post a picture of my biscornu!

very LONG post

2008-03-18T04:08:00.008-04:00

I've been wanting to post for a while now but Kelly took the camera with him and I just hate to post without pictures so I haven't. Anyway I got the camera back tonight and here I am :-)

I had the week off last week and I expected to have lots of finishes or finished finishes to show off but I don't :-( I do have LOTS of starts that I won't share because I have a bad case of startitis right now and don't know what I'll finish or when I'll finish it. I hate when that happens...makes me feel so unaccomplished in my stitching. At least I still have my mojo and am still stitching instead of not stitching and being in a slump.

I had a great week off but of during my time off my parents and other family members got sick with this stomach plague. I managed to avoid it but wouldn't you know Friday when I woke up I felt nauseous and as I was getting ready for work my tummy started to cramp and I had a fever. I couldn't call out after being off for a week (they would just think I wanted to extend my week) so I went in to work. Jeez what a mistake that was! I felt so sick that on the train instead of stitching, reading, or listening to my iPod I just rested my head on the bars and tried to sleep. While at work I almost passed out in a patients room (my hearing even went fuzzy for a few minutes)and I was about to tell the other nurses I was on my way to the ER, when a patient grabs the other nurse by the neck and hurts her so badly she had to go to the ER *grrrr* Well since the ratio is 8:1 and we're a 24 bed floor, the other nurse and I had to pick up her patients until she got back (FYI: she didn't come back) which brought us to 11:1 (thank God for empty beds!!) Saturday night I felt a bit better and I know I'm going to get in trouble when I go back to work but I took the rest of the weekend off (I was suppose to work Sat and Sun as well) I can eat and keep food down but certain foods still make my tummy feel funny.

I did put my sick days to good use though. I wanted to finish some finishes during my week and I didn't but I managed to finish 3 things on Saturday! Here they are...

I wanted to finish more off but hey three is good enough for me. And *so happy* I think I did a better job at my cording this time! The middle piece was the second block I received from the fair and square exchange. Sadly it's stained at the bottom because my cousin put a can of Pepsi where it shouldn't have been but it's something that can be overlooked. The pinkeep I'm not too sure if I want to flip the cording upside down and have the little loose threads on top instead of on the bottom. But I love them all :-) Now hopefully in April when I'm off for another week I'll finish up some more things.

I did have 1 finish during my time off...nothing too big but I'm happy that I got it done because I managing so far to stick with it and that's my Red Thread Snappers. Here's the March portion called "Fly a Kite."And here's the entire thing...I know I should stitch the border as I go but right now I don't feel like it. I told myself that after I finish the 6th one I'll do it. Hopefully I stick to that decision.
I also have a WIP to share as well. This should have been finished by now but my cousin is off for spring break and I keep going out with him so I haven't had any real time to stitch. It's The Trilogy's Spring Tree and I'm stitching it on 28ct evenweave over 1. I like it so far and will probably finish it tomorrow since I have plans on stitching it on the train tonight on my way to work. I had a hard time stitching those bees (the little black dots) and may re-do them and also rip out the eye and nose on the bunny. I want to stitch all the trees over 1 and make them into little ornaments or pin keeps.

I have been working on my Halloween Fairy but forgot to take a picture of it...maybe next time. Thanks for reading this far :-) I'll leave you with one last thing before I leave though...it's a contest hosted on the Stitch Pink Blog and it's for a chance to win this.
Just leave a comment on the Stitch Pink Blog and good luck!

Some finished finishes

2008-03-07T00:37:00.007-05:00

I went to my not so LNS today after work. It was a quick visit just to pick up some things the finisher dropped off. I had 15 individual pictures to share but didn't feel like uploading them so I made a photo collage of the finishes to share with you :)
Aren't they great?? Isabel turned 1 this Monday and her party is on Saturday so I'm so happy to have this in time for her birthday! I'm pretty sure the picture is clickable. I love the silk lining, the top part, and the back is backed with velvet. The small star and heart you see hanging from it can be written on with a marker. I LOVE IT! I want to stitch one for myself now LOL. My pillows are nice too. The January one has snowflakes hanging off from it, hearts for the February one, and I took a close up pick of the pot of gold and leprechaun of the March one. Kelly noticed it first and kept saying the entire time in his best Irish accent (which sounded more West Indian LOL) "It's a wee leprechaun and his pot o' gold." He's so silly! I can't wait to get the rest of my finishing back. I also had framing there waiting for me...I love how this came out! I'll try and edit this with a better picture later on but for now this will do. I swear the green frame makes the lighter colors pop out more. This is such a great piece! I have more framing I'm waiting on...I forgot to ask about it but hopefully it won't be too long before I get it back. The visit there was really short (less than an hour) but I did manage to get some stash. The one thing I wanted she didn't have so I have to order online but I did get this I got the JBW's because Tuesday in the mail I received a fabulous Fair and Square Exchange package from Shelly that included the most scrumptious looking silk floss! Here's what she sent...I feel so spoiled!!! Here's a close up of her beautiful square Well friends, thanks so much for reading this far! I'm off for a week from work *woooohoooo* and my only plan is to stitch and maybe do some finishing :-) TTFN!

Update!

2008-02-28T23:38:00.005-05:00

My plans for the past 2 days were to stitch until my fingers fell off but I didn't. Last night I took my grandfather to the ER because he was wheezing, had labored breathing, low grade temp, was weak and in pain. They admitted him, he has pneumonia, is anemic and received 2 units of blood today. I didn't go to see him but my mom did and she tells me he doesn't look so great. They were just beginning to start his transfusion so I figure tomorrow he should be a little perkier once it's all done. *sigh* I had plans on stitching in the ER thinking my aunt would stay at his stretcher side but I ended up being the one standing and giving the info so my stitching stayed in it's bag on the stretcher LOL. Anyway I did get to stitch before we left and here's what I got so far: In other news...today the UPS guy brought me this *squeal*

I've been wanting a nice bag to carry my stash in and when I saw this I thought it might work. I figured if it didn't I could always return it. Well anyhoo since I was going to my not so LNS in NJ today I thought I'd try it out and OMG it's PERFECT!!! I love it so much! It has a pocket for my cell phone and wallet (things I'm forever losing in my current stitching bag) and it's spacious enough that I can put a few projects in. My 10"x14" mesh bags fit in it very nicely unlike my other bag.

Tomorrow is Leap Day...I work *blah* but in one of my groups someone said since it's an extra day that we only get every 4 years we should take advantage of it and do something out of the ordinary...something like splurge on a little stash OR start a new project! Like I said I work so I decided to do it today haha. I bought 6 charts and some fabric, 2 of those charts are things I want to stitch for Kelly. I can't wait to start one so I may start it after midnight OR I may start CCN Summer Garden - decisions decisions!

Well I'm going to blow dry my hair so I can then stitch until my eyes get sleepy. TTFN :-)

New WIP

2008-02-25T16:56:00.004-05:00

When I was gathering stash for the 2008 Halloween SAL (which I'm during horrible at keeping up) I bought Mirabilia's Halloween Fairy. It's a pretty fairy and I've been wanting to start it but the fabric that came with the kit was just blah. After seeing Juls' I knew I had to stitch it on the exacton same fabric she's stitching it on. I received the fabric in the mail on Thursday and on Saturday I put in the very first stitches in her. Here's my progress so far Isn't she lovely??? The fabric is Picture This Plus' Midas Touch in 32ct Belfast Linen. I really love it! I wish I didn't work tonight because I do not want to put her down. I know I could never stitch her on the train so it will take me a while to finish her but I'm off Tues-Thurs so hopefully nothing gets in the way of my stitching! TTFN I'm off to finish eating dinner and then get ready for work.

Brightneedle Finish

2008-02-24T00:24:00.005-05:00

I didn't have time to iron this so excuse the wrinkles but this is my latest finish. Most of the stitching took place on the L train but I finished up the border here at home today. There's a mistake in the border that I just couldn't fix no matter how many times I frogged but even if you stare at it you really can't see that it's off. I haven't decided if I want to finish it as a flatfold or if I want to send it out to get finished as a flatfold. The name of the design is "Made for Each Other" and it's a small gift for Kelly...I love giraffes, I love him and he loves me so it's just perfect.

I know Valentine's over but I'm still stitching for it :-) Here's Lizzie Kate's Be Mine Valentine.
I'm using the Shepherd's Bush conversion and have the fabric to make it into a pillow like they made. This was my home project but now that my train project is done I'm going to throw this one in my bag to work on. It's 7 count so even though it's a dark fabric (navy) the holes are definitely big enough so I can do it on the train.

I managed to make it to Lazy Daisy Stitchery on Monday for the Nashville Party. It was fun and later on in the week I received an email from them that I won the raffle they held *YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEE* I don't know what I won but it's stash so it's a good thing LOL. Kim and I met for the first time Monday *hi Kim* and it was fun :-) We bought lots of goodies and since I stitch so fast (I'm being sarcastic) I should be ready to go stash shopping again soon haha! I was going to go today after work but as I came in through the door my mother was on her way to my grandparents because my grandfather wasn't doing so great. Well I decided to go with her after she gave me the run down and when we arrived (they live 3 blocks from us) I was sort of happy that I went.

My grandfather isn't doing so great. Age is catching up to him or rather it's caught up to him. I've seen young 89 year olds but he's not one of them. He needs someone to stay with him and take care of him. When we got there he was wet and his mouth was so dry, I felt so bad :( My family doesn't help either talking so loud in front of him of how bad he's getting. He's hard of hearing but if you've been around Hispanics you know how loud they can get while using their "inside voice" LOL. Anyway I cleaned him up, my mother did his laundry, my aunt that lives next door to us made him breakfast and cleaned his room and my aunt that lives with him disappeared when we got there *sigh* After today though I think they're going to find an agency to find some help for my grandfather.

Well thanks for stopping by, reading this far, and all the past comments :-) I'm going to start something new. I joined a biscournu exchange so I might start stitching that but there's 3 projects screaming out to me so I don't know what I'll start. TTFN!

Heart of Love Finish

2008-02-14T17:24:00.004-05:00

I just put the final stitches in this one. I like it for the most part, I don't like that the heart is stitched in GAST Cidermill Brown...YUCK!

Here's the entire thing. I still have the border to stitch and I'll do that on the train. I'm soooooooo happy that I can start something new. I've decided to not stitch on October Boo. The mere thought of it is giving me anxiety LOL. I don't know what I'll start next but I have LOTS to choose from :-)

Anyone get any Nashville goodies??? I went today to my not so LNS but she hadn't unpacked yet :-( On Monday my other not so LNS is having a preview party. I work Fri-Sun and will be tired on Monday but you better believe I'll be there! There's so much I want to buy - I just hope I find everything, if not I'll just buy online! Off to eat :-)

Pictures to share!

2008-02-13T23:44:00.010-05:00

Finally my exchange partners have received their packages and I can share pictures! First up is Shepherd's Bush Be True that I stitched for my Fair and Square Exchange partner. It's stitched on 32ct Fairy Dust Linen so I couldn't add the buttons but I think it looks nice regardless. It looks so romantic, no?

Next is my Valentine's Exchange for the Cross Stitch Forever Yahoo Group. I find it so hard to stick to the monetary limit when I join exchanges so I pretty much don't join them but who could pass up a Valentine's Day Exchange?!?!? Anyway I tried really hard this time and decided that the only way this package would be nice is if I stitched something for it. Below is Glory Bee's Be Mine Freebie that I made into a pinkeep. It was my first time making my own cording so please don't look too hard hehe, hopefully as I make more it'll get better. The front

The back

The entire exchange.

I still have 2 more things to show and as soon as I mail them off and the persons receive them I'll share! For those interested in snip-it jars I'm going to contact Kathy and will keep you informed! TTFN and Happy Valentini Day!

****EDITED**** For those that are interested in a Snip-It Jar email me (there's an email link under my profile) and I'll give you Kathy's email. Just please put Snip It Jars in the subject line so I don't delete it.

Scissor Candy

2008-02-10T10:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I pulled out my Red Thread Snappers to start stitching on the second square. It looks small enough that I could have finished it this weekend but for some reason I kept finding a million in one things to do instead of stitching on it. One of those things were making scissor fobs. Two of my scissors that I'd like to start using didn't have any fobs on them. Of course before I knew how to make a fob it didn't matter but now that I do make them I just can't use one without one because I manage to lose it all the time. Here's what I made...
I found this cute frog charm at the small bead shop by my house. I know frogs are a no no but I figured if and when a frog decides to visit me while I'm stitching, it'll notice this cutie and leave me alone LOL. BTW, the fobs are much sparkly in person.
I made a stitched fob for these scissors but it was so cute once finished that I decided to hang it as a small ornament. Once I find the scissor sheaths that I have laying around here I can debut these lovelies and start using them. I couldn't find a bee charm anywhere so I had to use a drop bead. I like it, makes it look like the end of a tail.
These ladybugs have no scissor to attach themselves on, so we all know what that means right? New scissor time!!! LOL I have a pair of black scissors (the frog scissors) but would like another pair. My not so LNS owner went to Nashville and will hopefully bring back lovely scissors so I might find one soon, if not I've been eyeing the black Dovo's or maybe a nice shiny silver pair!
And here are some of my scissors in my scissor jar. I can't begin to write how much I love looking at this. I moved it by the TV (across my room) for the picture but it's usually right near my bed on the nightstand so I can look up an see my scissors whenever I'm in bed :-) I couldn't take a picture of it there because it's a mess. I have floss, fabric, patterns, and whatever else stitchy stuff you can think of piled up on it. Is there anyone else that has a hard time keeping their stash organized? Because I swear I cleaned that area up yesterday and it's back to the same mess!

Lovebird Finish!

2008-02-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

By now you've probably seen this finished on so many blogs that mine is just another Lovebird haha. I don't know what the plans are for finishing it, I think it'll look great as a flatfold or a nice pillow but until I decide it will be put away with the rest of the things that need framing or finishing.

Today I'm going to museum to see this Water H2O = Life exhibit. I saw an advertisement for it on the train and thought that I never do anything when there's so much to do in NYC that I should go. It looks interesting so this morning I bought my tickets and will be leaving soon. TTFN and thanks for visiting :-)

Finishes I can't share :-(

2008-02-06T10:34:00.000-05:00

I've been busy stitching and finishing things but they're gifts so I can't share any of it :-( Makes me feel like a boring blogger. In the last week I finished stitching my square for my Fair and Square exchange and something that I made into a pinkeep for my V Day exchange in a group I'm in. Once everyone gets my packages I'll post pictures.

I've been stitching that popular Midsummer Night Designs freebie that everyone's been finishing. I feel so behind but I've been stitching my gifts and now that I'm done I can go back to my things. Here's a WIP picture

I love the colors in this one!

Since I did so well with my January goals I figured I'll try to do it again in February! It's a short month so I won't overload myself but for this month I want to finish this freebie, a Halloween piece, and the second square to my Red Thread Snappers. I also want to start something new well two new things LOL.

I'm so in love with Worlds Above by Midsummer Night Designs that I smiled when I saw the chart at my not so LNS yesterday and said to myself Hello chart! I love you so much! The other new thing I want to start (well it's already started) is Brightneedle's Pretty in Pink.

I'm off to nap! My entire sleep/wake schedule is off again. I now sleep from 7pm to 3am and am up for the rest of the day. Tonight I work and it just won't work for me to be up so I need a nap. Hopefully the nap will get me back on track. Oh before I go the mail lady just dropped this off. I think it's the coolest thing. I have milk issues but always want to eat cereal at work. Well my issue is that I'm always suspicious of milk in little cartons and now with this I can take milk from my house to work and not worry about it spoiling because of the hour it will be out of the fridge. My cousin put me on to this and I love him for it :-) TTFN!

My Snip-It Jars

2008-01-31T11:24:00.000-05:00

Kathy, one of the wonderful ladies I've met through my stitching group, makes snip-it jars. She was my secret sister once and sent me one as part of my last gift. Anyway, I recently ordered some from her to keep around and received them today. I put them into one picture but my absolute favorite has to be the one with the dogs on it. The Staffie looks like Ana (markings and all) and if the Bull Terrier had a patch on his eye he would look just like Kyle! I love it so much!!! And I even got a jar (Halloweeny) for my scissors :-) I love my jars!

Quick Stitch Weekend Finish

2008-01-28T02:36:00.000-05:00

In my favorite online group "Cross Stitch Forever," Petra suggested a Quick Stitch Weekend for this weekend. Basically it means that you stitch something small enough that you can finish in one weekend. At first I was going to stitch Twisted Threads October Boo but then changed my mind and decided to stitch a small gift I'd like to give a friend for Valentine's Day. I'm happy to announce that I finished it! Of course I can't show you a picture until I finish finish it and my friend receives it but I will show part of it...
In case you have a hard time deciphering what it is let me tell you that it's a butterfly. The bottom part is sort of fuzzy (I don't know why) but this year I plan on getting a better camera which will hopefully eliminate that.

Well it's late and I'd like to get some night time sleep since I work tomorrow night. TTFN and thanks for looking!

The Container Store

2008-01-19T16:16:00.001-05:00

How did I ever manage to avoid this store is unknown to me! I went for the first time on Thursday when it was raining/snowing (it was a very wet snow) I wasn't going to go because of the weather but I had wanted to go all week and I knew if I didn't go Thursday I wouldn't go at all. Anyway, I've been looking for an easy way to store my DMC and went to their website to look and thought I had found the perfect solution. When I got there the little plastic thing looked cheap and just blah so I looked around and ended up spending more than I wanted to but OMG I love my new DMC storage system! Take a look...

I love it! I love it! I love it! I use to hate winding up floss on a bobbin and then the floss away bags got to be too bulky to store but this is just perfect. I just open the drawer and pop in the skein and I'm done. Before this I was buying new DMC for each project because the old DMC I had piled up in a bag and was too lazy to go through it all. If I hadn't found this I was going to give it all away because I was getting tired of having that bag overflowing with DMC in my room. I can't stop opening the drawers and saying hello to my DMC now LOL. Next I need to find a way to store my charts. I don't have much fabric but do have a storage for them and my specialty threads have their own storage too. So once my charts are organized I'll be organized!! Yahwooooo!

I managed to finish the first square to my Red Thread Snappers. I'm still debating if I should take this to work with me to work on the outer border or start something new for the train. I woke up late today and haven't stitched yet so I need to decide soon before I go into stitching withdrawal. I joined the Bent Creek SAL so hopefully I will keep up with these and come next year I'll have them done! Here's a picture of my snowman...

Well I'm gonna go. The brakes on the car broke (or something like that) and I have to walk to the train station tonight (and the rest of the weekend *ugh*) so I'd like to stitch for atleast an hour before I have to get ready to leave. TTFN and until next time!

PS - Thanks for the nice comments on my recent finishes! I love comments :-) And Sandy asked me about my needle magnets and where I get them. They are Zecca brand and I usually get them online since none of my not so LNS' carry them. Just in case the price scares you (some people think they're expensive) let me tell you that they're worth it. I bought a Mill Hill magnet the same time I bought my first pair of Zecca's and the Mill Hill broke about 2 months later and my first Zecca's are still around 3 years later! I love them to pieces!!!

Two finishes tonight!

2008-01-17T01:43:00.000-05:00

So I have a train/work project and a home project and guess what? I finished them both tonight!!!! *Double Happy Dance* I think I kinda like that I have 2 projects going, I don't get bored and can change some during the week. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with it but I'll try(I might get greedy and try having 3 projects going which will be total madness!)

First up is Brightneedle's The Sampler Sampler The picture is dark and I'll try to get a better picture at another time but it looks really nice in person. It looks so delicate and plain and I just love it. I'm also happy that I got it done because this piece had definite UFO potential.

Next is M Designs Bubble... I forgot to put the button on before I took a picture of it so just pretend that there's a bat button under the word "bubble."

This one was a kit and came with the finishing instructions so I'm going to drop it off to my finisher so she can work her miraculous magic :-)

Now I don't usually have monthly stitchy goals but this month I did make myself set some and so far I'm 2 for 3 (I think that's how you say it) Each month I'm going to try to stitch a Halloween theme design for my Halloween SAL, my Fair and Square Exchange piece, a Bent Creek Red Thread piece and if I can something else for me that I'll call my "train/work" piece. Think I can do it?? I don't LOL.

I'm going to start my Red Thread piece! TTFN

Fair and Square Exchange :)

2008-01-12T01:55:00.001-05:00

I'm not big on stitching with a deadline but I LOVE this exchange. Look at the piece I received from ChristinaNow how cute are these?!?!?!? I love them! They are by Barbara Ana and I have one of her Halloween patterns that I now MUST stitch. The colors are so vibrant!

My cousin's have been off from school so I haven't been getting much "me" time. It sucks but I enjoy spending time with them and I always miss them once they go back to college but right now I'm counting the days down so I can sleep in, watch shows that I want to watch, spend more time with Kelly, and of course STITCH! I have some update pictures to show, the first one is of BN The Sampler Sampler Not a great picture but it does show my progress. I've only been stitching this on the train and once at Kelly's. Three more squares to go (and some of the two on the right) and it will be finish. I'm getting so antsy because I've been seeing so many finishes and I'm just going soooooooooooooo slowly on this one. Next up is for my Halloween SAL It's by M Designs and it's Bubble. Right now I'm halfway done with the cauldron (is that what you call it?) I tried to stitch it last night but ended up falling asleep. I'll try again tonight but I must let you know that it is waaaaaaay past my bedtime. I use to be able to stay awake all night but now it seems that it only happens when I'm at work.

Talking about work...I work the entire weekend plus Monday, so I'm off to stitch so I can go to sleep. I may just go to sleep. I woke up early today to go to my not so LNS in NJ. Didn't buy much just floss and fabric to kit up some things that I'd like to stitch next once I finish The Sampler Sampler *sigh* TTFN! Have a great weekend

My New Year's Eve

2008-01-06T15:19:00.001-05:00

I tried, believe me I tried but I looked at the clock at 11:40p and next thing I know it's 12:20a! This is what "we" were doing instead... LOL exciting right?!?! Kyle is a major snuggler although you wouldn't think so by just looking at him. Excuse the messy couch but Kyle's a white dog and the couch is a dark green and anyone who's had that pet/furniture combo knows that it's no good so we cover it so it doesn't get too dirty/furry hehe TTFN!

First finish of 2008!

2008-01-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

Brightneedle's Love Letters

Stitched on 36 ct Cream Linen

1 over 2

with recommended DMC floss

This was a quick stitch. I was going through my stash and pulled this out to stitch today. I needed to start something new in 2008 and everytime I picked up The Sampler Sampler I couldn't stitch on it because that thought was in the back of my head the entire time. It's recommended that it get finished into a Oval Pincushion so I'll probably do that :)

Here's an update picture of BN The Sampler Sampler. I think I'm going to make it my train/work project because I have to start on my Halloween Stitching for the Halloween SAL and I'm going to *try* and stitch on Bent Creek's Red Thread Snapper as a monthly project.

And the holiday continues!

2007-12-30T23:54:00.000-05:00

I won't be stitching much because Kelly got me this for Christmas!
The only bad thing is that he got it for me on Thursday and I went back to work on Friday so really I've only played twice with my cousins :( After the 1st I'm off for 6 days and the only plans I have for those days are to organize the "craft/computer" room which has turned into a storage room (you can see the mess in the picture above) and play Rock Band! I will of course continue to stitch on the train but my progress will be slow. Until next time! PS - Is my BF the best or what?!?!?!

Happy Christmas to meeeee!!

2007-12-26T18:19:00.000-05:00

I made a trip to my not so LNS in LI today. My intentions were to buy some JBW charts and some floss. My mother gave me $100 for Christmas and once I got there I figured I'd spend it there :-) This is what I got

I've noticed that I'm in love with Shepherd's Bush and have slowly (or not so slowly) been collecting the kits and charts I want. I still have 2 or 3 more I want (not including the ones I have on order at my other not so LNS) and I think I'll have all the ones that I want!
Today is towel laundry day, Ana was right behind me in my room while my mother was piling the towels to be washed in the hallway - she almost always follows me around. Well I was looking at my stash and notice that she's very quiet and when I looked she wasn't in my room anymore. I go out to look for her and this is where I found her... She's actually lucky my mother didn't catch her haha. For the longest I've had this frame for dogs that was up with the picture that it came with. Well I thought it was time that I change it and put a picture of Ana. I found this really nice picture of her on my computer. She has a lot of gray hair now on her face and it really shows in pictures but this is one from when she was without all the gray.Isn't she pretty? I swear I love more and more each day!
I had a stitchy finish today but I can't share it because it's for the Fair and Square Exchange. I hope my partner likes it. It was a really quick stitch and it has the cutest button. Well I'm sleepy - I've been up since 6am and have been out and about so I'm drained. I'm actually about to go back out with my cousin and I so wish I could stay home and take a nap but I told him I'd go out with him *sigh* hopefully we'll come home quickly and he won't drive me to the end of the world and back. TTFN

2007-12-25T16:13:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

My Little Sampler

2007-12-21T11:23:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist starting this one. At first I was dragging through it, I was stitching it 2 over 2 and the stitches looked so squished together that I ripped it out and re-stitched it 1 over 2. Of course I now know that the reason they looked squished was because I had just finished stitching on 18ct and now it looks too light but I'm not ripping anything out and have convinced myself that I was going for a delicate look hehe. Anyway here's my progress on Brightneedle's The Sampler Sampler.
I'm going to continue stitching on this probably until Christmas and then I'll start on my Fair and Square Exchange piece. TTFN

It's Done!!!!

2007-12-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

Major Happy Dancing going on right now :-) I left off the heart button that goes on the sheep because I just didn't like the way it looked on. Now I don't know what to do..should I go back to Autumn Snapperland or start on my Fair and Square Exchange piece. I guess I'll decide in a bit...TTFN!

Last Update

2007-12-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

Hopefully the next time I show this it'll be done! I have the small sheep to stitch, Isabel's name, and all the backstitching and then I can add the charms and it's done! I can't wait to show it to her :-)

I'm in a rush so I won't write much but I do have tons of pictures to show. I work tonight and NEED to take a nap before it's time to leave so I'll just put brief descriptions underneath or on top.

These are some old finishes. Next time you see them here on this blog they'll be finished into pillows. I sent them to the finishers Tuesday and once I get them back I'll send 3 more :-)

I did some fun stash shopping the last few days. I have one more thing to buy (that I know of) and then I think I'll ease off the stash shopping for a while, unless Shepherd's Bush puts some other things out that I love!

Some finishing I got back from the finisher on Tuesday...check out that cute little ghost button :-)

And finally my lastest framed piece! I love it!!!! Can't wait to find a place for it to hang.

Overdue Update

2007-12-08T13:26:00.000-05:00

Every time I'm about to blog and post an update picture of my SB stocking something happens which prevents me from doing so. I finally have the time to post so I decided to do it before something else comes up.
All that's left to do is the bottom, backstitching, and Isabel's name. I'm having fun stitching this and think I'll be done with it by Christmas. Now that I'm back at work most of my stitching is done on the train. My days off have been so hectic that I hardly stitch at home :(

I have a stitching date on the 11th which I'm looking forward to a little more than usual. Work has been CRAZY!!! I mean it's been quiet at night, I'm usually done with my work work at around 10pm and get a chance to stitch an hour before my break and then for maybe an hour of my break before the morning hecticness begins but it just feels like all I do is come home and go to work. I hate when it feels like that. This week I worked Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and today and tomorrow. I'm so drained! After being off for the majority of November I just can't get back into the swing of things. *sigh* I'm going to take a nap I only slept for about 5 hours last night and that's not going to cut it if I'm going to work two more nights. TTFN!

Stocking Update :-)

2007-11-28T19:03:00.001-05:00

I stitched on my stocking ALL DAY yesterday and for the better part of the day today. I think I've gotten a lot done, I'm almost done with my angel *yeah*
Here's a picture of my stocking so far.
You can see my last progress picture here.

Before I forget! Today in the mail I received the 2nd part of my Xmas exchange from Kathie of CSF :-) Here's what she sent.I already have the big ornament hanging on my bulletin board and the little ones will go on my little tree once I find the *umph* I need to get it out. I'm going to get ready to go back to work tomorrow *tear* LOL Actually I'm getting bored at home so going back may be good for me. TTFN

An Exchange, A Finish, A RAK, and Some WIPs

2007-11-26T14:47:00.001-05:00

I'm so bad to not have posted this sooner but life gets in the way sometimes. This is from Becky. She stitched me this for the Fair and Square Exchange. It's a "spooky" web and I love how she stitched her initial sqaure.
I finished this the night of Thanksgiving Day. I wanted to get it done sooner but I worked Wednesday night and when I got home I was so tired that I didn't get a chance to stitch until late Thanksgiving night. It's Shepherd's Bush Thankful Sheep. It's such a cutie! It's at my not so LNS now getting finished as a little hanging pillow. I really can't wait to see how it looks like finished.

Next up are two WIPs pictures. The top one is Shepherd's Bush Jillian's Stocking. For the past few weeks I've been looking for a stocking to buy for my God Daughter Isabel (she's my cousin's daughter) and I haven't been able to find one nice enough for her. On Friday I was at my not so LNS and was browsing through the charts an *poof* the idea dawned on me that I could make her one. Of course it's not going to be done by Christmas for her but for next year it will definitely be ready for her. I'm hoping to get all the stitching done by Christmas so I can atleast show it to her, well really her parents because she'll be 9 months by then and could probably care less about it LOL. I wish I could post a picture of her because she's so freaking cute but I just don't feel comfortable doing so. On Thanksgiving she had turkey for the first time and she kept going mmmm mmmm mmmmm mmmmm hehe. Too cute!

I started Bent Creek's Autumn Snapperland before my stocking. I love the fabric I'm stitching it on and unfortunately I don't know the name of it :-( I bought it at CATS from a small booth that had it stitched up on this. It was a tiny booth and barely had enough space in it for the workers. If anyone knows which booth I'm talking about I'd love to know so that I can perhaps find the name of the fabric.
Finally, I don't have a picture to share but I've been RAK'd. I don't know who sent it to me but I received a nice little card and a skein of GASTs Mistletoe. It was so nice and brought a smile to my face. I don't know who sent it to me since there was no return address but if the person reads my blog I'd like to say THANKS!!!! I kept showing Kelly who finally walked away from me when it got too much for him LOL.

Oh one more thing! Thanks for the comments on my little bee, I forgot to write about his little wings, they have blending filament in them so they sparkle. He's at the finisher's as well and I'm impatiently waiting for his return so I can use my scissors. Off to stitch on my stocking! TTFN

***Edited to answer Barbara's comment*** It did come with a Belgiam postmark!!!

Pretty Little Bee!

2007-11-17T16:41:00.000-05:00

The Cricket Collection

Soft Boiled "Tiny Bee"

Stitched on 20ct Daffodil Lugana

With all recommended threads

over 1 thread

Victoria's Quaker

2007-11-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

Now you see it...

And now you don't!

I had to frog this morning, I didn't mind it as much. Stitching on Victoria's Quaker is really fun so restitching that part should be easy peasy! After frogging I did put it away and pulled out all of my craft stuff and made some ornaments for an exchange I'm in. Instead of waiting for the recipient to receive them to post pictures I'm going to post them now because I can't wait. I think they came out nice, better than I thought they would anyway.
This is Just Nan's Snow Faces. It's a cute design but a PIA to stitch. It has so many scattered stitches that I was constantly rethreading my needle. I backed it with the fabric that it's laying on.
This one is Glory Bee's Snow from the 2004 Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazine. I stitched it on Red 32ct linen over 1 thread. It's sort of crooked :( but still nice, in my opinion. I backed it with the fabric it's laying on as well. The bottom picture is just a close up of it.
While I had everything out I decided to try and finish my Full of Hope Pinkeep. I had all intentions on making it a pinkeep but once I sewed the back and front together, I noticed that the ribbon that came with the kit was too wide for the border. While I was thinking about what to do I found myself staring at my hanging heart and decided to make this into a hanging sign. The ribbon is my own and the reason it's so long is because I'm not done with it yet. I'm thinking about adding some cording around it (my sewing job sucks!) and maybe add the pins that came with the kit. I hope it comes out nice.

Lastly, Christmas is on the bottom of my favorite holiday list but there is one thing that I absolutely love about Christmas...

CANDY CANES!!! I love love love this brand and flavor so I was so happy to see that Target had them out already. I bought 3 boxes which should last me about a week LOL. TTFN I didn't take my nap today so I'm going to hit the sack early!

Full of Hope Finish :)

2007-11-14T17:02:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy that this is done! Although my blog's name is Pretty in Pink and the layout is pink, my favorite color is not pink. So when I was finished with her dress I was about finish with stitching pink. It is a cute design though, no? I decided to leave her face blank, she's suppose to have backstitched eyes and mouth but I kinda like her blank. I'm going to finish it as a pinkeep (since it's a pinkeep kit) and I'll show an updated picture when I actually get it done.
Not sure what I'm going to stitch next, I think I'm going to hit a slump really soon :( If I don't hit a slump then I think I'll stitch a little bee for my Dovo bee scissors. They aren't my favorite (the scissors) and I've never used them but I think if I make them a cute little scissor fob I'd like them :) TTFN

Finishes!

2007-11-10T17:28:00.000-05:00

I have two finishes to show *yea* one I finished today at my stitchy meet.

M Designs - Sampler Girls
Stitched on recommended fabric with recommended threads

I fudged the border and added a little heart between my initials and year. I'm happy at how my initials came out, I was worried about them because I didn't chart them out before stitching them, so you know my head is big right now because I think they came out really nice LOL. The plan is to have it framed in a box, which I plan to store my scissors in with my needle magnets.

Homespun Elegance - Autumn Time
Stitched on Cream 32ct Linen with recommended floss.

This one had A LOT of french knots and the directions said to use 3 strands which I found to be a PIA and made them come out "ugly." For the tree I just used two and I think those are much prettier...I love french knots!

This is Summer Snapperland framed! The first frame that I picked out got discontinued and I'm really no good at picking out frames so Kelly picked this one out. I wish he wouldn't have gotten a light frame since now I have a hard time finding a place to hang it (our walls are almond) but I do like how it came out, looks very summery! If I had a summer house I'd definitely hang it there. I may hang it in my room since the walls are purple and you can really appreciate the framing against them. Now all that's left is to stitch Autumn and I'll be done with the series.

Well I'm about 43 minutes overdue for a nap (I love being on vacation!) so first I'm going to put my new project on my Q-Snaps and then I'll try to nap for a while. My cousin is hosting a fight party and I really don't want to go but I may make an appearance just so they don't say I never go. Later Gators!

Plenty of Mistakes

2007-11-08T12:15:00.000-05:00

I think this piece would have been done by now if I didn't spend more time frogging than stitching *grrr* You know it had to be bad if I had to frog it because I don't frog if I can avoid it. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying it; the little girls are just too adorable for it to bother me that much. There's still a mistake in the border but I discovered it too late so it will just have to stay there and I'll work around it. Maybe I can move on to a new project this weekend? Saturday I'm going to my not so LNS in NJ to stitch, if I can wake up in time. I'm taking the bus *shudder* so it should provide me with lots of stitching time!

Thanks so much for the well wishes. I've finally decided to go to the doctor, I need my flu shot and while there I'll tell him to give me a precription for antibiotics. I've been leaving my house since 10am though so I don't know what time I'll get there...maybe after this I'll leave. I just really hate waiting. If I was smart I would have went early so I could be the first one there. Now it's too late :-( BUT if I wait a little longer then all the SAHM's will have to go and pick up their kids sooooo the waiting room will be empty! *insert evil laugh*

I leave you guys with a picture of my darling baby Ana because nothing is cuter than a dog sleeping curled up :-) Sometimes I just want to scoop her up and snuggle her when she's sleeping like this. She also has to go back to the doctor *ugh* I guess today is a doctor day, the only bad part about taking her to the doctor is that I can't take my stitching with me because I have to try to keep her calm so she doesn't freak out too bad while waiting. TTFN!

I'm on Vacation!!!

2007-11-06T10:39:00.000-05:00

It feels so good to finally be on vacation but I knew that as soon as the first day would come I'd get sick :( I guess it's ok because had I gotten sick while working I would have had to force myself to go in since I have no sick days left. I think I thought it up though, had I told myself I'd be fine on vacation I would have. I woke up cold, with a headache, and walking into things more than I usually do (I'm a clutz and am always walking into things) oh and my back hurts so I think it's a UTI because I'm constantly having to "use" the bathroom(I know TMI hehe.) I'm too impatient to go to the doctor - he's a nice guy (actually I see his PA and he's a nice guy) but I always have to wait like an hour (minumum) in the waiting room until I get seen. I just don't have that time to give for a prescription and I'm kicking myself because I had extra Cipro at work that I told myself to take home and I didn't *grrr* Oh I also learned this weekend that the ingredient Xylitol which is some teeth whitening products DOES NOT agree with me. It irritates my gums and tongue and since I'm addicted to gum and only had Trident available to me all last week my tongue is irritated so badly that it hurts. It feels better today but for the past 3 days I've been miserable. I can't eat and can only drink :( I'm starting to get sick of my favorite drink (Water) and have begun to drink more of my least favorite drink flavored "water," juice is just to strong for me and upsets my tummy, unless it's clear juice like cranberry *yummy*

In other health related news, my job has decided to change our insurance and I'm not happy about it. I like the insurance we have now (Oxford) and they want to change it to Empire. You should have seen/read how they put it in the the newsletter. As a matter of fact here it is:

"The Hospital intends to change our health care provider from Oxford to Empire Blue Cross effective January 1, 2008. The proposed plan increases our deductible, our out-of-pocket maximum, and the co-pay on office visits. The prescription coverage has mandatory generic substitution, which means that an employee who wants to use a name-brand drug when a generic is available has to pay the difference in cost. On the other hand, no referrals will be required, all LHH facility charges are in-network, and the network includes almost 124,000 providers as compared to Oxford Freedom plan’s 73,000. "

Oooo no referrals, how fantastic!!! (I'm being sarcastic!) I love how they put it though, like not needing a referral outweighs everything else.

I'm stitching pink this month. I wasn't able to last month so I nominated this month for my pink stitching. I only have 3 projects planned and if I manage to get 2 of them done I'll be happy. Usually I stitch a Bent Creek Snapperland when I'm on vacation, I only have Autumn left and I feel guilty for not stitching it but I really want to stitch pink! Here's a little preview on what I'm stitching for my first project. I saw it on another blog and fell in love with it. As soon as I'm done with blogging I'm going to stitch on it :)

I love stitching little people like this. She's just adorable, no? I went to my not so LNS in Long Island and bought a new needle magnet (the heart above) I also bought some other things (project bags and some charts.) I've decided to try and buy most things at my not so LNS' and not online because it's just such a joy to have a place to go to and if I/we don't support them, then they might go out of business. Off to stitch!

A Share-able finish!

2007-11-01T16:15:00.000-04:00

First let me start off by wishing everyone a very Happy Belated Halloween and by wishing my blog a Happy Belated Birthday!!!! My blog turned 3 on the 27th of this month. I wanted to do something but didn't have the time :( I also wanted to blog yesterday about how much I love Halloween but was sooooooooooo tired from work that all I had the strength to do was lay in bed and sleep.

When I finally woke up yesterday I woke up a tad bit sad. Halloween in over! I have to wait another year for it to come again. Because of what went on the past month or so I wasn't able to do what I wanted to do for Halloween (ie decorate the house inside and out) so I feel that next year (if the bullsh*t doesn't come back again) I'll be able to go all out and I mean all out! The dogs are getting costume's and they're wearing them all day, same goes for me. Yesterday seeing everyone in a costume made me so happy and sad at the same time. I really think this holiday is soooo much better than Christmas. I think if you could wear a costume for Christmas I'd like it LOL. When I was walking home yesterday I saw a baby in a batman costume in his stroller, his mom was a cowboy lady, then I saw a HUGE group of adults all dressed up going to work. Kelly saw a guy walking his dog and the dog had on a superman costume and my FAVORITE costumes were the ones I saw that night - two little girls dressed as superheroes, one was batgirl and the other supergirl. They both looked adorable! I can't wait until I have kids of my own because they're definitely going to be superheroes :-)

Work has been a nightmare. I slept yesterday during the day and last night but I'm still tired because it has just been so busy at work. The fact that I've been doing two nights on and two nights off doesn't help either. I really need that third day off once in a while so I can rest. I'm back to work tomorrow night (I don't want to go) and I'm working 3 nights in a row *ugh.* It's been so busy that I've been leaving a hour late *and* I've been working through my 2 hour break. Oh and my hands have started hurting again so I do all of this in pain. I CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL MY VACATION NEXT WEEK! I will leave there without looking back, it's too bad I have to go back. My dream is to win the lottery while on vacation so I don't have to go back and do an easy nursing job (Ha! Is there such a thing?)

The new Guitar Hero came out, is anyone playing? My cousin is coming over so we can play together. Apparently in co-op mode you can unlock Bloc Party's Helicopter. I'm so excited!!! I've been practicing all morning so I can be good (because he's awesome in GH) I've also been playing The Sims Castaway for PSP (my eyes are so tired) My friend told me to get it so I did. We sort of help eachother in the game, he's ahead of me but some of the things that I found when I first started playing he hasn't found. I love my cousins and friend!

Stitching wise - I've been stitching. I finished my piece for the Fair and Square Exchange. I swear the angels sang when I put in that last stitch hehe. I liked what I stitched but the fear of my partner not liking it was just putting a damper on stitching it. I hope she likes it, it was so hard trying to find something to stitch for her. I'll post a picture of it when she receives it, I mailed it off to her today so maybe by next week I'll have something to post :)

Now it's time for the pictures! *Yea* My favorite part of blogging :)
I finished Lizzie Kate's Boo Squared. Me and Lizzie (because we're on a first name basis)have a love/hate relationship. I love her because she got me into stitching hardcore but then I hate her because after a while EVERYTHING looks the same...right now I'm in between. I'm glad Boo Squared is done but I don't see the excitement to it, maybe it's because my eyelet stitches SUCK! (Please don't stare too hard!) I think I'll send it off to get finished because right now I don't have the time to be creative.
I thought I'd want to post a picture of myself in my costume down here but now that I see it on top I think I'll leave it there. That's me in my Halloween costume! I was the evil witch from Sleeping Beauty and my cousin was Sleeping Beauty. It's a shame I don't have picture of us together so here's one by herself.
And lastly this is last year's picture of my and my cousin Jay...it's my favorite costume to date! TTFN

Stash for sale!

2007-10-21T01:18:00.000-04:00

I cleaned up the stash corner that's in my room. I go on vacation in 2 weeks so I plan to clean out my major stash corner then and get rid of some more. I have way too much and it's making me cranky LOL. It's mostly charts. I'm tempted to put my entire DMC collection for sale if I don't find a convenient way to store them but that's for another day I think. Anyway I put up a list on my wishlist blog if anyone cares to look. I have lots to blog about but it's late and I have to wake up early tomorrow to get my hair done (wash and cut) plus I work tomorrow night (and for the next 3 nights!)

Thanks for all the smile awards! I was surprised and HAPPY that I make people smile :) It came at a perfect time too because I was feeling in the dumps (still am but I'm getting over it) More about that later! I'm off to bed. Here's the link to my wishlist blog PrettyPnkWishes

Pictures to share!

2007-10-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

I went to my not so LNS yesterday for our monthly stitch in, those that meet at their LNS can tell you how relaxing this can be. I always have fun there, I just wish I could get their earlier.

Well while there I had 2 lovely surprises waiting for me - FRAMING! I have no place to hang them but I bought some easel thingees and plan on displaying at Kelly's apartment. His apartment is so bare, I wish I had something big enough to hang. He wanted to hang one of my Shepherd's Bush on the biggest wall of his house which just made the wall look bigger LOL. Right now the plan is to display them by the window in the living room. It has a big enough inside ledge to put things on.

Shepherd's Bush Trick or Treat.

I didn't get it framed with the mats and stuff because I didn't like them. It looked too washed out. I love how it looks in this frame better!

Shepherd's Bush Fright.

I opted for the frame and mats on this one and the frame is just so funky! The mats are too, I love it :)

I'm suppose to be stitching on my Fair and Square Exchange but yesterday I had no wanting to stitch on it and picked up Victoria's Quaker again. I love stitching on this piece, I really do. It's big but stitches up somewhat quickly. Here's what I got done in about an hour or so of stitching. May not look like much but to me it is. You can see what it looked like before here.

Now this is something I DID NOT STITCH. I got it from CATS. I forget which booth but they were selling old finished models. The ladies in the booth had no idea of the designer so I bought it hoping someone would know something about it. If no one knows then I may just stitch from it. I felt really bad buying it. I only paid $18 for it and I know as a stitcher it's worth more.

I took Ana to the doctor, it's worse that I thought it was. She has allergies but they're pretty bad :( She has to be on medication (one being an antibiotic) for atleast 4 weeks. She's still itchy but not as she was before and her face is still red sometimes but she's getting better. I hate having to shove pills down her throat. I don't have to do it all the time, the doctor gave me Pill Pockets to make a treat out of her pills and sometimes (most of the time) she takes it but sometimes she has no interest in it. Here she is on her new bed (I had to throw out the old one because we don't know what is giving her this allergy.)

I work tonight and I'm not looking forward to it. I called out absent on Sunday because of my cousin's daughter's baptism (I am her Godmother) so I don't even feel like seeing my nurse manager in the morning. I going to stitch for a while before having to get ready to leave. But before I sign out I wanted to share 2 things (non-stitching related) I'm going back to school for my BSN (Bachelor's in Nursing) in January. My hospital has this new program where they offer classes in the hospital. Adelphi University is the school that's offering it, I went to Adelphi and wanted to go back for my BSN so I signed up. I start in January! I also started studying for certification. When I pass the test (I still have some more requirements to fill before I apply mainly continuing education credit/hours) I get a new letter to add after my name (RN-BC or RN-C) and more money :-) Ok now I go off to stitch and watch season one of Heroes. Save the cheerleader, save the world!

2007-10-11T00:41:00.000-04:00

I have stitched all the Christmas my Halloween heart can handle. Unfortunately, I can't show it just yet! I think that's one thing about exchanges that I hate - you can't show anything! Well you can but I know my exchange partner stops by and I don't want her seeing the stitched part of her ornament.

I still have one more exchange to stitch for and then I'm done with exchanges and can stitch for me again :) The only problem with this exchange is that I don't know what to stitch *ugh* don't you just hate when that happens? I did pull out a few charts and am sort of leaning towards one of them but I always have this big fear that maybe my partner won't like it and then my stitching will be thrown to the side...forgotten. Maybe I'm paranoid but that's just how I feel.

Well, I'm off. I don't want to bore anyone with my ramblings of nothing-ness. Thanks for the comments on my last finish! They are always appreciated, comments make a blogger feel so much better...it's like people actually read about (or stop by to see) my finishes or me :) I hate not posting a picture soooooo I'll leave you with one of my favorite gal. She's having a really bad time with her allergies this season, it's so bad that I'm taking her to the doctor tomorrow. She keeps scratching her face causing her fur to thin around her muzzle and her eyes are all red and her belly :( I know she's just miserable, after an allergy shot she'll feel better *I hope.* Anyway here she is...

Light Your Way Finish!

2007-10-02T22:50:00.001-04:00

Blackbird Designs - Light Your Way

Stitched on R&R Fabric - color unknown

with WDW floss

It's done! I'm happy about it and I like the way it looks :) I had so much to blog about and now that I finally have the chance I don't feel like it. Some stupid things are going on here at home that just put a damper on everything. I did end up going to CATS last minute and I'm glad I did. Tomorrow I have jury duty and I'm going to see Bloc Party at night *yea* so maybe that will cheer me up some. I'm currently stitching on some exchange stuff, hopefully I'll be done with that soon and can get back to my own stitching LOL. TTFN and thanks so much for the comments on my last finish!!!

A Real Finish :)

2007-09-23T18:10:00.000-04:00

I finished stitching this in the morning and figured I'll just finish it off right after since I had the finishing kit. It took me about 4 hours to put together the hardest parts were sewing on the cording and lacing the stitching onto the board (because I didn't want to glue it but I don't know if I'll do the same next time.) Here's another view: Now that it's done I can dedicate my vacation to an old UFO that I want to finish, Victoria's Quaker, Betsy, and Light Your Way, so don't expect any finishes from me any time soon LOL. Here's an update on Light Your Way:
I found this picture the other night while reading In Touch and had to share it. I think it's the cutest!
Now I will go stitch! Thanks for stopping by and thanks to those that leave me comments, especially the new comers!

Startitis...

2007-09-19T20:54:00.000-04:00

I have a bad case of startitis and we all know what happens when that happens...no finishes! I have an almost finish and I'm really close to finishing it but yesterday I decided to start something new from my newly acquired stash. Here are my latest WIPs
This is how far I've gotten with Victoria's Quaker. I like stitching on it and wish I had more time with it. I stitched on it yesterday at my monthly stitch meet.

This is my work project. It's The Silver Needle's Secret Needle Night for September. It's close to being done and I thought I would finish it on my days off but the project below SCREAMED my name and I just had to start it.
Now this is Light Your Way by Blackbird Designs and it's in the Trix or Treat book which was released in 2005. I wasn't going to stitch this at all but last week when I went to my LNS someone was dropping theirs off and I fell in love with hers so naturally I had to stitch it. The original is done in all black (WDW Onyx) but she changed the colors and it looked so PRETTY! I can't wait to finish mine.

Did anyone see Back To You tonight? I watched it tonight and I can not imagine Kelsey Gramer as anyone but Frasier. I kept waiting for Nyles to come or for him to start yelling about something. I miss Frasier :( Thank goodness for re-runs and TV on DVD.

I made a tough decision today, I'm not going to CATS :( I was excited about going and looking forward to meeting some of the people from my group but there are some things (actually one thing) going on right now that's preventing me from feeling comfortable enough to go away. I feel as though the week of vacation I took off is wasted, I know a bad day fishing beats a good day at work but really right now I rather be at work than at having nothing to do. The only good news about this is that I save money.

Before I forget, I got my square from Tina for the Fair and Square Exchange! It's so pretty :-) She stitched me a tree which has some specialty stitches. The finishing plan for this is hmmm maybe a pinkeep!
Well that's all from me, I have 2 more nights to work and then I'm off for a week. I'll probably try to catch a show during my vacation, I've been wanting to see Wicked or Les Miserables (or however you spell it) or maybe even Hairspray! TTFN!

Some Pics :-)

2007-09-12T04:08:00.003-04:00

I put some of my Halloween decorations out, I just couldn't wait. Every store I go into has all the Halloween stuff out so why can't I put out some, right? I'm still looking for a place to put my Halloween Village and I still have to decorate the outside but it'll wait until the end of the month.

I tried my hand at decorating a wreath - it's not the greatest but here it is...my cousin does a GREAT job at making them, unfortunately I think that gene skipped me :(

This is my latest Halloweeny finish :-) I still have to finish my finishes, I've had the time just not the motivation *ugh*

Now here's something I've been wanting to share. The first picture I took of my scissor collection only had 10 scissors. My collection has since grown to 20 and here's a picture of them together :-) (Clockwise starting with the blue pair are Alyssa, Lindsey, regular gingher, Sophia, Julia, Brown Bohin, Maria, Olivia, Ice Cream Swirl, Lanell, Penelope, Ladybug Dovo, Cassandra, Jamie, Blue Bohin, Amanda, Ashley, Silver Dovo's and in the middle from the left are Leah and Cheetah. I do have Bianca on order at my LNS so as soon as she comes out she'll join my scissor family.)

Pretty no? My new scissors include 2 Dovo's, 2 Bohin's, 2 Gingher's and 1 Tooltron and here they are individually (the new ones)

My Bohin's - the blue ones are currently my favorite!

My Dovo's. The ladybug pair are a bit fragile, the coating is starting to rub off :( The silver ones are my most expensive pair (if you don't count the $ I could get if I sold some of my older Gingher's, which I'd never do.) This store had them for $66.50 but was going out of business, sad for them but good for me because I got them at 50% off! Is that a steal or what? They're like 3 pairs of Dovo's that I've been eyeing and may get one of these days. I love scissors! LOL

My basic Gingher's. I love love love the fob I have on them.

My Ice Cream Swirls - purple is my favorite color!

Now for my latest WIPs, I'm not stitching anything Halloweeny right now. I guess I'll start again when I go back to work since they're so easy to carry around in my bag. Anyway on to my WIPs - the top one is Sheepish Designs "Betsy" I stitched on it earlier today and got that Peacock done - I hated it...too much thinking LOL. The bottom one is AMAP's Victoria's Quaker and I'm LOVING it! Well it's late and I'm off to bed. Only 2 more days left of my mini vacation :(

Needed to post this!

2007-09-06T16:39:00.000-04:00

I got a pretty cool package in the mail today :-) I actually got two but I wanted to write about this one, I'll talk about the other one later on.
Tomorrow is my birthday *ugh* I usually get a little sad around my birthday for some reason, I don't know why I just do. Anyway I got my first gift today in the mail! I should have waited to open it tomorrow but I never wait to open presents. I got this from Annette :-)
I can pretty much say that everything is this package was wanted! I wanted a Tacky Bob for my Mill Hill kits and check out the little Halloween needle minder - cute, right? The bag is perfect for small projects (I ordered some that were either too big or too small but this one is perfect!) I'm big on Breast Cancer anything so I love that the bag has pink ribbons on it and the JABC is nice too, already have plans for it. The card made me smile too, it says "On your birthday, adding another candle doesn't make you older...it just makes your life brighter."

I do think that's why I get a little sad - I feel like I'm getting older and will run out of time or something, once I'm with my family I feel better, it's always the day before that I feel this way.

On another note, I went to see the Arctic Monkeys again at Central Park. What a nice venue! Almost as nice as McCarron Pool Park, which I'm going to on Saturday for Modest Mouse. I re-learned a painful lesson yesterday - NEVER WEAR FLIP-FLOPS TO A CONCERT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN THE CROWD! I somehow ended up in a mosh pit (it was fun!) but my feet aren't too happy about it. My poor toes are not my friends today.

I got some new scissors that I'll blog about later. I have to update my scissor collection picture because it has GROWN! I'm going to stitch before I get ready for work. TTFN

I Had A Dream...

2007-09-05T03:35:00.000-04:00

I had a dream that this particular post would be jam packed with pictures of Halloween pinkeeps, wallhangings, and flatfolds. As of now it remains a dream because I only have 4 pictures to share and two are not Halloween related *sigh*

I went today to buy fabric for some finishes, I matched everything up and piled it up. I took all of my crafty supplies downstairs which was a HUGE hassle, I usually craft in my computer/craft room but Kelly didn't feel like being upstairs so I had to go downstairs *another sigh* btw Joann's did NOT have a big enough selection of fabric as I thought they would so I have to make a trip to The City Quilter for more fabric, no biggie though - I love that store, the people there are so nice!

Well here's my first picture it's of the only finish I managed to get done and took me hmmm 5 hours? I took a break and I had to frog because I sewed the ribbons on too close. I think it looks OK. For some reason my stitching puckers up and I can't find a way to make it un-pucker (is that a word?) I have decided to give it away, Kelly wants me to keep it but I really want to give it to someone. I just have to stitch some "smalls" i.e. a pinkeep and scissor fob because those are the only "smalls" I know how to make LOL. Well without further delay here's Amitie finished into a tray...please let me know what you think!

Next is something I thought I'd show you finished into an ornament but it's not, maybe next week, when I'm off, my dream can come true. I finished the witch design of Just Nan's Crowjackers. It has some mistakes that I'll fix before I make it into an ornament, just the crow's beak and I forgot to backstitch her hate. It was mostly stitched at work and on the train - these are PERFECT for the train! I don't know if I'll stitch the pumpkin or move onto Moonriders.

Oh and this is a picture I've been wanting to share for a while, it's of some if not all of my Halloween finishes since I started stitching. I know at least two are missing. I can't wait to finish some of them to display for Halloween! If not this year then next year right :-)

And last but not least a picture of my new WIP, I figured that for now I'll stitch on something non-Halloween so I won't get bored, although I DOUBT that could ever happen LOL. It's Sheepish Design's "Betsy."

I'm stitching it on the recommended fabric which I think is 35ct (I think) R&R hand-dyed something with DMC floss. I bought the VC silk conversion silks but I don't know if it's because of what I heard about them that I don't like them or if it's because I just really don't like them. My stitches don't lay like Amitie or Fright so who knows. Plus I think I need some plain old DMC in my life right now. With work and my frequent hand washing, my hands are just not silk friendly right now.

Well it's late or early whatever you want to call 4am it's that. I'm going to bed, I'm going to a concert tomorrow (and Saturday!) and would like to be rested for when I go to back to work Thursday. TTFN!

Hot off the Q Snaps!

2007-08-30T17:54:00.000-04:00

I just got done with Shepherd's Bush "Fright." I stitched most of it on the train and the specialty stitches I did at home yesterday and today. I didn't expect it to be so small but it is. The plan is to get it framed the same way it's framed on the chart. The bottom of the picture is a bit blurry, I don't know why but once I get it back from the framer's I'll share a better picture. I also want to take Trick or Treat and another SB Halloween pattern I stitched a few years ago to get framed, but we all know that framing one piece alone is pricey - imagine 3 of them.

The following finish I finished last week and it's Brightneedle's Hatz Bootique, I love this little witch. I thought of giving it away and restitching it again on pink for myself but I haven't really decided 100% on it. If I do stitch it on the pink that I have here I'd have to change the colors of the bag and french knots on the tree.

Don't know what I'm stitching on next. I wanted to do so many things today (go to the quilting store to get some fabric) but ended up staying home in bed all day. I was just so tired that I couldn't get up and now it's too late. I have next week off (courtesy of taking my emergency day) so I'm pretty sure I'll have some time to go then. Until next time! Thanks for stopping by :-) TTFN

Some stitchy gift pics, a finish, and an almost finish

2007-08-25T18:13:00.001-04:00

I don't know why but it's felt like all I've been doing is working and I know that's not the case because I've just been doing my regular nights, anyway I have some pictures I want to share. There's a lot of them so sorry if I slow down your computer!

In my CSF Yahoo Group I joined the Summer Secret Sister round, it was fun. My SS sent me lots of nursing paraphernalia which I loved! The ones that I'm going to share on my blog are the two angels she sent me. The one in the box is my favorite. I have the suncatcher one by my desktop on my bulletin board.

Kathy was my SS and she makes Snip-It Jars. I loved her packages because she titled them "Pretty In Pink" packages and the last one in which she revealed herself she sent me one of her Snip-It Jars in a pretty pink. Here's a picture of my jar :-) For those that don't know what a Snip-It jar is used for it's for the small snips of thread that you have left over. Ana was my Snip-It dog since I just use to throw them on her (it made her look pretty but she hated it - she would shake them off and get them all over the place) but now I have a nice little jar to throw them in.

I've been doing a pleasing amount of stitching. I finished Amitie - it looks so NICE! I'm thinking of stitching some companion pieces by taking little motifs from the pattern and making a pin keep and scissor fob. I haven't decided if I'm going to give it away, most likely I am. The way I want to finish it I have no space for to display in my house and the person I want to give it to would appreciate it, which is important since we've all had the horror of stitching something for someone only to never see or hear about it again. My next topic was going to be my almost finish *but* I have another stitchy gift to share, so here's Amitie done 2 over 2 on 28ct Silver Ice linen with Vintage Violets by Silk n Colours.

Now when I graduated from Nursing School many moons ago (4 years to be exact hehe) I received the nicest gift. This gift, I know, was a real labor of love because I've tried to stitch these before and every time they've become UFOs, I must of had like 3 of them LOL. Well the following pictures are of this quilt that my stitchy friends made for me. Every once in a while I take it out and look at it. I don't like to keep it out because of Ana and I don't want it to get dirty. I never posted any pictures of it because when I first received it I didn't have a camera, but now I do and it's long overdue that I share pictures of it!

As I've mentioned before I'm a Halloween fanatic so I've started my Halloween stitching already. Next year I'm going to join my friend Petra on a Halloween Stitching EXTRAVAGANZA aka Halloween Stitching Marathon :) We're going to stitch Halloween pieces exclusively for 2008, I have lots in my stash but recently bought some more to make sure I have enough. She's not the only one stitching, I believe it's a group thing but it should be fun and enabling! Here's my new WIP :)

It's Hatz Bootique by Brightneedle. If I BS'd less and stitched more it would have been done by now but alas it's not. It's very close to being done though, just have to stitch her little coat and the floor and it's done! I like this witch, she looks like she has a snooty 'tude. I believe she's suppose to be Ezmeralda (it's a companion piece to Ezmeralda's House) but I think I'm going to rename her Bettina LOL.

They opened a new stitchy store around here, well not around here but close enough that I can drive to. Barb told me about it (Thanks Barb!) and it's called The Lazy Daisy Stitchery. It's about 30 minutes away from me by car and the area is nice. Afterwards we went to eat lunch at this Mexican restaurant across the street and peaked into this paint your own ceramics store which we plan on going to sometime in the near future. My heart still belongs to WVAS because that's where my friends are at, but this place is close enough that if I need something quick I can get it there. She had a few Halloween displays that I went crazy over and I picked up a few goodies (pic down below!) I went to WVAS this past Tuesday for a stitchy date and of course had fun. I really don't know how I ever survived without them. I think this was our 3rd date and I'm so glad that we have them! I was so stressed that I felt like I was going to suffocate before the day came LOL. Well I think that's all, my cousin is over and later on a few more are coming over so I'm going to try to get some stitching in before I can't. TTFN and thanks for reading this far down! Here's my new stash!

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2007-08-17T00:33:00.000-04:00

I want to start off by writing about Kelly...what I'll say I don't really know but I feel that I need to write about him. I met him 8 years ago while I was with another guy. I actually ignored him the first day we met since I was preoccupied with some problems I was having with the other guy. The next time we met I was sort of single and he ignored me! He totally denies it but I know the truth LOL. Kelly's a great guy, I think I'm lucky to have him although sometimes he drives me insane! Yesterday he registered for college, he hasn't been to school since high school. He doesn't really know what he wants to do (I'm pushing him to do Nursing.) He's scared but I think he'll do ok once he gets use to the busy-ness of it all. I'm excited for him and proud of him, I'm already thinking of graduation and what an accomplishment it will be for him. He sometimes reads my blog so Good Luck Kelly! I'll be here for you when you need me :-)

Now onto some stitching news! I haven't been stitching much. That Lizzie Kate really put me into a funk. First, I hated the border. Then, once I got into the border I saw that I miscounted somewhere (probably while on the train because I was off by a thread!) and my border doesn't match up. I could frog it but I hate to frog and well I just didn't feel like stitching it anymore so I declared it a UFO. Then, I had a bad case of startitis. I wanted to start everything in my stash - I didn't but did find something that would satisfy me. It's taking longer than I thought it would and it has a border *ugh* but I love it so much that the border doesn't bother me too much. Hopefully by next week it will be done! Here's a WIP picture: It's an ex-freebie that I just fell in love with. I wanted to stitch it in green but didn't have a nice green in my stash. Then I remembered that I bought this beautiful purple silk floss the last time I went my LNS and thought it would be PERFECT for it! The fabric is something I had in my stash. I packed everything away when I stopped stitching but on Saturday I unpacked my fabric stash and this one complimented the floss so well that I had to use it. It hurt to cut it since the company who dyed it is now out of business but I just had to use it. Now here are the details: the floss is Vintage Violets by Thread Gatherer Silk n' Colors and the fabric is 28ct Cashel Linen Thunder Sky (or something like that) by Dyeing 4 U. It's really sad that they went out of business, I think they had the BEST fabric, BEST FOTM, and BEST TOTM. I'm going to start my Halloween stitching after I'm done with this - I CAN NOT WAIT! I already have 2 Halloween trees to decorate, one won't be ready this year since I don't think I can stitch and finish 8 ornaments and a tree skirt and gravestones, but there's a 6 month Halloween SAL starting next year in my yahoo groups so by next year it should be done!

I'm going to sleep now. I don't want to, lately I've been having a REALLY hard time staying up at work since I've been going to bed so early and waking up even earlier but I just can't take it anymore and need to sleep. I'll just deal with it tomorrow at work. TTFN!