Not much stitching but a lot of reading

Today I think I only put in about 50 stitches. But yesterday I went to Wal-Mart (I know that many have problems with this corporate giant. Unfortunately I see both sides of the problem and am able to continue to shop there even though their employees are not treated as well as they should be) and picked up a few things. I happened upon this little stand of Rick Riordan books Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I have seen them before but since they were "teen" books I didn't pick any up. Well I have to say that they are a nice relaxing, easy read. I was able to get lost in the story for hours today. Some books are heavy. I don't mean this in a bad way. Sometimes they have things that make you think, sometimes they work on the hormones. But sometimes...you just want to wander in another world that isn't scary or reminds you that there are things as an adult you have to deal with on a daily basis. This series is the easy kinda world to get lost in. It has been a while since I was able to get lost in a book. I am going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela

Busy little Bee

Hello All,


I realized this morning how long it has been since I made a new post. I am sorry for that. Last post I decided I would try to work on this little snowman ornament I picked up. Well..it didn't work out. I was trying to work on a piece of fabric that was 2.5 inches by about 2 inches that was extremely stiff and trying to place all those 1/2 and 1/4 stitches were miserable. So I kept the pattern and threw the partially stitched snowman out the window.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving (for those who celebrate) and for those who don't I hope you had a wonderful weekend. The kids were out of school all week last week so I had to find ways to combat the dreaded words from my girl "I am bored". What do I look like...an amusement park? I gave her a few options (hehe) I told her she could clean and sort thru her room, help me clean the house, or she could go out to play with her friends. I think we all know what she decided to do. Thankfully I didn't hear the dreaded words too much after the first time.

I have been stitching my little heart out though. First I made a few squares for WOCS.

 

I realize that it may be too late for the current quilt, but I know that they will be able to use them sometime. Next up is the finish of a gift for my parents. I ended up not liking the whole thing and decided it looked great (after consulting my DD) as is. Of course I forgot to take a picture unframed but here it is all framed and ready to be wrapped for Christmas.

 

Now all the gifts are complete and ready to mail. The picture above (4x6), two kitchen towels

and two trivets

 for the new place they will be moving in now that my Dad is back in the States.

 

Next I tried working on a book mark but just couldn't get into it. I made the border but haven't gotten very far. I will post a picture when I get a little more progress.  I hemmed and hawed about starting a new project or picking up one my WIP's. I finally decided to work on the Oriental Butterfly by Dimensions. Here is where I left off last...

and here is where I left off today.

The butterfly is almost complete. There is just a little black to put on the right wing. The next step will be to work the background. I have been using my video stash to get the work done. Now that my girl is back at school, maybe I can get back to a normal schedule. That includes looking in on all my cyber friends and seeing what everyone has been up to.

Ta Ta,
Angela

 

 



Random Thoughts

Today I spent outside blowing the leaves from the yard so that the neighbors wouldn't be embarrassed by their lazy neighbor when their holiday guests arrive. I spent 4 hours out there trying to make sure every leaf got put by the side of the road neatly. I have about 1/2 acre as my front yard and 4 large maple trees (along with a couple from both neighbors yards). By the time I finally finished and looked over to where I first began...What do you think I saw?  That space full of leaves again. AARRRGGG!!!! I was immediately reminded why I don't see the point in cleaning them up while there are still leaves in the tree. Oh well...they can stay there. At least you can see the ground still. (Maybe not by tomorrow morning.) My arms hurt from holding that darn leaf blower for so long. My hands have finally stopped tingling :) What I would really like is if the front that will be moving in this weekend will blow the rest of the leaves down so I only have to do this one more time this season. I know...wishful thinking. But a girl can hope can't she?

On to other thoughts. I was just vegging in front of the TV and saw a commercial for Medicare insurance. I know I am not quite ready for it but it made me think. Why are we required to sign up for Medicare insurance when we reach THAT age? Many people that I know are working and can afford their own insurance and want to keep it but were required to sign up for Medicare. Of course they now have to sign up for an additional insurance (that is not the normal full coverage) in order to fill the gaps left by Medicare. Is there anyone who can explain it to me? I am very confused.

On the stitching front, I have decided to go ahead and start a snowman ornament (that just might be more trouble than it is worth since it is so small). But since I have it and it is now open I really need to get it stitched so I don't loose any part of it. hehe

Ta Ta for now,
Angela the crazy cat lady (as my daughter calls me)

I did it!! and Blog Hop # 12

My first Biscornu!! This is what I have  been working on all weekend.

My girl modeling the front.

 

now the back

Close up of the Back

Close up of the front.

 

Of course I forgot to take pictures before I stitched it together. I used Mill Hill beads to add just a little bit of sparkle to the front and at the corners and generic sparkly buttons in the center. I did not realize how hard buttons were to put on this thing. lol. I can't remember where I picked the pattern up at but I do know is was a freebie online. For the thread I used my gift a Blue with Brown hand dyed floss from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. Her floss is so pretty and easy to use. Thank you soooo much.

Blog Hop #12 at Stitching the Night Away

The blogging prompt for hop #12 is:

When it comes to the stitching part of your life, what are you most thankful for?
 

I am most thankful for that sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when I finish a piece. Sometimes it is when I finish stitching and sometimes it is when I finish, finish a piece. Each new project is a way for me to be artistic. I love playing with colors. I still use coloring books today. I sometimes wish I could paint but everything comes out in big blobs and no one (not even me) can tell what it is. lol. As I get older I find that I am unable to sit and do nothing with my hands. Even when I really want to watch something I usually have something crafty in my hands. Not a lot may get done but at least I get a little. After a little thought I am also thankful for the online stitching community. I get inspiration and encouragement from everyone. There is that little thrill when someone comments and tells me that something I worked so hard on is pretty. It gives me that extra little incentive to keep going.

Unfortunately I do not know how to add the links to all the other blog hops to mine or I would so please make sure you stop by Stitching the Night Away  to see all the other people who have participated. One of these days I will figure it out.

Update

I did not realize it has been a week since I last posted. I knew that I hadn't had a chance to look at my blog list all weekend. I have had to take care of some business with the house (getting it ready to sell). I have also had the chance to stitch in the evenings. When I first started participating in the online community I found the brushstroke butterfly from Stitching the Night Away. I fell in love with it but didn't start it. After finishing a couple of maple leaves for WOCS I wanted something simple but pretty. So I hunted through my stash of patterns and found it.

 

I find I really like using the variegated threads and completed two before I realized it. I decided to do a third  in solid colors. I will probably send these to WOCS as well but I haven't decided yet. I think my favorite is the green one.



 

That is all I have to show for a week's absence. Oh well. I will continue my stitching and hopefully I will have more to show next post.

 

Ta Ta for now,

Angela



What a weekend!

I have been going through my craft room and stash in preparation of moving next month. I found a few pieces that I stitched in '03 and even one I stitched in '98. Since I no longer have little ones or someone I wanted to give these to I decided to gift these pieces to a group called WOCS (World of Charity Stitching).

As I was washing the miscellaneous pieces my DD decided she liked the one below so much she needed a pillow made out of it. I don't think you can tell from the picture, but the material is a pretty baby blue. Now all I have to do is find some pretty background fabric. I might just have the right kind already in my stash. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I was able to stitch this weekend. I found the maple leaf pattern WOCS is using for one of their quilts and saw that it was an easy chart to read. I used variegated threads on each of these and think that two of the three are worthy of being put in a quilt. I added the third in case my opinion was biased and others actually like it.

If not, my feelings will not be hurt. Each one only took the day to complete.  Now I am working on the free Brush Stroke Butterfly Pattern by Stitching the Night Away. Again I am going to use the variegated floss (at least for one or two). These butterflies are so pretty and can be used with any combination of colors that you would like.

My DD had an election at school today. She came home and asked to watch the election coverage tonight. (We have already watched all the debates we could). Normally I like to watch video's during the counting coverage and then find out either with the late news or in the morning who won, but I can't tell her no. I want her to grow up and vote based on informed decisions.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela

Blog Hop

The blogging prompt for hop #11 from Stitching the Night Away is:

What has been your most unusual or most interesting stash acquisition to date?

Maybe you picked up a mystery package during a sale and found something cool inside. Maybe you shopped an estate sale or received a stash-inheritance full of vintage fiber goodness. Maybe you found a fantastic shop on Etsy with amazing supplies (in which case, please tell us where to go shop!)

I would have to say that the most interesting would be the stash I purchased from a former boss. His wife used to be a very active crossstitcher and she had a lot of floss, patterns, material and even some kits. To this day I still have a lot of the patterns (mostly magazines).

I have actually started and almost completed one of the Autumn Leaves for WOCS today. It has been a fun little stitch. I may even get another one or two done this weekend and be ready to send off on Monday. What a great weekend that would be!

Ta Ta for now,
Angela

Giveaway & an update

Good morning all,

With the cold weather comes blankets. For some reason the colder it gets the more I want to make blankets. The size doesn't matter as long as I am able to put some yarn over my lap I seem to be happy. LOL. I am still working on the green blanket. I started another one (pink this time) to take with me when I have to wait somewhere. I have not been able to take a cross stitch pattern with me yet. Eventually I will be able to find one I could take with me. I have made some progress with my final stitched gift for my father and his wife. (Pictures in a later post). I also plan to start a couple of autumn leaves to be included in a charity quilt. I purchased the material yesterday and have the floss. I just need to print the pattern.

If you haven't already been to Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe, she is having the most wonderful givaway. 25 gifts for 25 days starting December 1st. If you stop by, don't forget to mention my name.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela