Long overdue update

 I just love looking at all the different fabric choices offered at 44th Street Fabric who is having a wonderful giveaway this month. Stop by for a visit.

Absolutely no update on any of my Scarlet Letter pieces.

My Garden Journal has January complete and February almost completed. I will post another picture when I complete February. I received the chart for March and will start on that soon.

WOCS - two snowflakes are complete and just need to be sent. I am working on a butterfly

Q4OC - Mystery Heart almost complete but had to stop for a little bit because it was becoming one of those "Have To" stitches that just didn't want to get done. Need to complete my butterfly and cross pieces.

Still no job yet. The last interview I went on was perfect. The interviewers were very impressed but was then told that they are going to wait a while before the job becomes available. Just received a call and have another interview set up for Friday. I liked being at home but now I am ready to be around people (sorry to say that baby girl is not quite old enough to count right now). I need to have conversations with other adults.

During this time I was picked as the second winner from CraftyCat's Grow Your Blog Party Giveaway. When I found out that I won my daughter happened to be in the room. She said "Aw Mom, you are always winning stuff. I really like those colors". I kinda had to laugh at this and mentioned it in my email to Cathy. My plan was to give her the bracelet when I received it. To my surprise there was a second bracelet made just for my little girl. She was soooo happy to receive it. Thank you so much Cathy.

Here they are together. It wasn't until I was getting the pictures ready

 for posting that I realized we were photo bombed by our eldest Tigerlily.

I have been reading every one's blogs but have not had the energy, will, desire whatever, to make comments. I will not boor anyone with all the details but I am having a hard time trying to keep it together lately. Not quite sure what to do but I do know that somehow things will all work out. Hopefully before too much longer.

As far as this whole Google Reader going away I don't seem to have a problem with Bloglovin. When I signed up I wasn't required to post anything about people following me (maybe I didn't do something right?). I tend not to read the snippets on the front page and just go straight to the blogs. What I find nice is that when I click on the name of the post I can go to that post and on the top of the screen is a place that I can go to the next blog I like to read without having to exit from that screen and then there is to counter up there as well so that I can know how many new posts I have not yet read. I find that I like this method because I enjoy seeing the original post. I guess I am simple that way.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela

Update

This week has been a roller coaster. I completed my first Scarlet Letter sampler and was trying to decide which project to pick back up or to start. I just couldn't make up my mind. I wanted to start AW 1662 but got scared of the different stitches involved. I thought about picking up An Acrostic Sampler, but didn't like the linen provided. I decided to work on another snowflake for WOCS for a little while until I could make a decision. I worked on it for a night an then this wonderful pink and white variegated yarn caught my eye. I started working on a small blanket with it until I could make a decision. I was still going back and forth when I decided to get out of the house one afternoon and when to my LNS. I figured since I didn't care for the linen sent with either sampler I would look for something else and maybe that would help me decide. I looked at my charts and wrote down what sized pieces I would need. So armed I figured I could go in and look/feel for a fabric I would fall in love with an be able to walk out. How wrong I was thinking that I could walk out without picking up anything else. I walked into the shop and the first thing I saw was all the lovely charts set out. I think I spent a good 1/2 hour looking at the different charts I didn't get a chance to look at the last time I went in. I have to admit that some of the charts were quite old (the plastic that they placed the charts in disintegrated upon touch). But there were others that were new. I figured since I had the time I would look thru them all OK, most of them (wasn't at all interested in the animal charts). I was in heaven. My wish list grew and grew but my wallet was reminding me that I did not have enough for all of them and my head was reminding me that I would still have to pack them all. :( Did that stop me from dreaming and drooling over them? Of course not!!! I picked up a couple charts/kits and carried them around with me for a while. I finally decided on...

Cat Lessons for People

As I was checking out the gentleman helping me stated that a customer came in earlier and said that they were not going to use a piece of fabric and gave it to him. He then asked me if I could use it. For about 30 seconds I was speechless then said yes, I would be able to use the piece. He then placed the fabric in my bag with no charge. I am so glad I went in and supported my local store. The second chart I picked up is...

ABC Lessons

This one I decided to use a piece of linen I received in one of my SL kits. I settled on a Mocha 32ct Lugana for AW 1662

and a 28ct Royal Linen in Spun Silver for my Acrostic Sampler.

I got home put my wonderful additions away and finally overcame my fear and started AW 1662. I am so glad I did. I am loving every stitch.

Just one more note...Parsley from Seasons of my Mind and I participated in a Valentine exchange. I posted what she sent me in an earlier post. I still love it and keep it near me in my stitching chair. My DD still asks me if she can have it. I hate disappointing her, but in this I must. I will NOT give it up. :) Now that I know Parsley has received my gift I can show you what I sent her.

Front (with the card I made)

Back

 

I found the cutest heart buttons to put on the top of the little biscornu.

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

My first Scarlet Letter Sampler

I have to say that I never new I would need a magnifier. I always figured my eyes were good enough for any fabric. That is until I started SL's ABCD 1817 on 30 count unbleached linen with every stitch one strand of floss over one thread. After the first row (where I am still not sure if I crossed every "X") I put this on aside. A week later I finally purchased my magnifier and worked on a valentine exchange to allow my eyes time to adjust. I completed the piece. Then I picked this one back up. I only put it down one night as my eyes decided they were too tired. I have to admit that I enjoyed every stitch. The only problem I had is that I used the wrong color on two letters and didn't have enough for another letter later on. I had to substitute another color. I don't think that the color change on the one letter detracts too much. Now onto the finished picture:

Since this piece is so small I think I am going to make a pillow out of it. Now I just have to decide if I am going to start SL's AW 1662

or An Acrostic Sampler

Any suggestions?

Ta Ta for now,

Angela CG

Quick update

I just wanted to give a quick update today.


I completed my second piece of the year. This one took longer than I expected. The pattern is deceptively simple but so beautiful.











I started ABCD 1817 by Scarlet Letter for Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year. There are so many wonderful samplers being made by the participants. I made a start...

and then had to run out and get a magnifier to be able to see where to put the needle. This is the whole first line on this sampler. I am working on 30 count linen stitching over one. This is also my first use of linen. I think I like it, but would have preferred to work the stitches over two.







I was selected to participate in a Valentine exchange with Parlsey. Since we are in the process of moving she sent mine early.

I am almost finished with hers so no pictures yet. When I opened the mail yesterday and saw my gift I was oooohhhing and aaahhhing and saying how much I loved it. My daughter saw me and gave me a look and then started laughing at me. I continued anyway because this is such a lovely little piece.







Well that's it for today folks. I volunteered to lead our Girl Scout troop tonight since our normal leader has to be away for a meeting. I am a little nervous at the thought of facing 10 teen and pre-teen girls tonight and trying to keep order. Wish me luck.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela CG in GA

New Year, New Blog Hop

It has been too long since I last posted. I have not wanted to get on the computer. I have not even kept up with every one's news. I am sorry for that. I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. This will be a picture heavy post so pour yourself a  cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy. We are going to start with the first Blog Hop of the year hosted by Stitching the Night Away.

 

What was your biggest stitching accomplishment in 2012?
What was your favorite stash acquisition in 2012 and will you be using it in 2013?

 

 

I think my biggest stitching accomplishment this year was to start back into stitching. I did not realize how much I missed placing color to fabric and have a wonderful picture appear before my eyes.

 

I think my favorite stash acquisition has to be the Scarlet Letter kits

I went looking at these because one of the other bloggers (for the life of me I can't remember who) is doing a Scarlet Letter year I just couldn't pass these up.

 

 

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

 

Now on to catching up...

 

The last couple of weeks have been eventful. When pulling out our Christmas decorations this year we found that we had lost (or given away...can't remember) a couple of stockings. I had to go out and pick up another one but none were to my daughter's taste. We found one that was close and I personalized it for her.

 She absolutely loved it.

We were invited to a couple different friends houses this year to celebrate Christmas. We did not plan on going anywhere this year but couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend time with friends before we move. Just imagine...Christmas morning I woke up the little one (yes...believe it or not I had to wake her up) after fixing my morning coffee. I am sending out text messages to friends and family and I receive a text back saying that one of my friends would be leaving for a family members house at a certain time. Of course I was confused since I did not want to intrude this year and was told that we were expected to be there. ;) So here we go trying to hurry up and get ready to leave. We quickly got ready and met up with our good friends and had a wonderful meal and gift opening session. I made their gifts this year. I had a great time doing it.

 

I painted the inside and outside this one blue to match the colors in the fabric.

The wonderful woman I made this for loves Pooh Bear.

This one I painted a dark blue.

I just love the star pattern. I added a few buttons to add a little something.

I placed a coordinated fabric inside and added a little bit of chocolate and a gift card.

 The little cardinal added the perfect touch.

 

 

We had to leave there because the neighbors invited us over for the evening meal. So we rush back, pick up the pumpkin pie and went next door. The funny thing is we were still full from lunch at our friends. Of course they served a very Southern meal (including greens and macaroni and cheese) which I could not pass up. What a wonderful time we had. Earlier in the week we discussed going over to one of my daughter's friend's house. Of course as we were leaving the neighbor's house stuffed and tired she reminded me. Since I had not heard from them I text'd and made sure that we would not be intruding. They said we would not be intruding and we walked over. After all the food during the day I needed the walk. We talked and laughed for a couple more hours and finally headed home. I have to say my family has been blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors. When you least expect it, they are there for you.

 

We took the next day to recover and started cleaning up and moving things around. My father and his wife were coming to visit for my daughter's birthday. Since his wife will be joining him at his new posting (not military) soon they brought some of her stuff to be moved with his. What did this mean for me? Well out of a 20' room I only am able to use about 8' of it because the rest is packed to the ceiling (you read right, to the ceiling) with her things. Moth balls are great at keeping creepy crawly things away but they smell awful. We had a wonderful time with them though and as my daughter said more than once while they were here, we were spoiled by them. It was wonderful to see my Dad again. It has been over three years since I last saw him.

 

 

 Even though I have not been on the computer I have not put down my stitching. I received this cute little pre-printed kit. It stitched up quick.

I plan on finishing it as a flat fold. Currently it is sitting in my finishing box. :)

I found this cute flowered brown fabric to match.

This orange fabric is going to look great.

 This red is great.

I have been working on some pieces for WOCS. They also have started a new project of snowflakes.

 This one is a gray variation. This piece of gray fabric just fits.

 I saw this purple fabric that will work well with the thread I have picked out. I will complete this one next.

 Finally, I will try and make a third using these blues and pair it with this fabric.

I did not realize how many stitches are included in this pattern. I hope I can complete them in time.
I just love making these pieces. I get such a sense of accomplishment when I complete one of these pieces. I get the chance to work with other stitchers to make amazing gifts.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela