My first swap!

Both of my tea swap partners received their packages and so I can now post pictures. Thanks Jessica for the pics. I stitched this piece twice ! They both seemed pleased with the results.

Lizzie Kate "Official Tea Lover"
Fabric: 27 ct. Tea Northern Cross linen
Threads: WDW and GAST
Started: 4/16/08 - Finished: 4/19/08 (x2)

The swap moderator stated that we should swap a handmade tea-themed item and five teas. If you know me, I always go WAY overboard. I swapped a stitched and framed (by me!) piece, eight loose teas (from three different tea shops), colored rock sugar and a honey bear to sweeten the tea. Oh well, I had a good time collecting everything to send to my partners. Not bad for my first swap!

Monday, Monday...

I ditched "Lovebird" because frankly it was driving me bazooky. I am going to sort through my stash and find a different piece of fabric and work on it later. I received this in the mail today and had to start it. It's "USA Squared" by Lizzie Kate and I think that it is adorable. Here's my progress so far (5 minutes worth of stitching)!


I received a little more stash in the mail today. Part two in the Lizzie Kate Sweet Tooth Boxer series, it's called "Pie". Lizzie Kate's Double Flips "Encourage & Laugh" and "Create & Live". A new Snippet by Lizzie Kate entitled "Housework Never Killed Anyone" and a piece of 28 count Ivory Lugana for an old Diane Williams' chart.


As promised, here are pics of La D Da's "Miss Mary Mack", this is only the front panel because I am going to change things up and play around with the pattern a little. I had some mishaps with the back portion, so I will post more when I get working on it. Two posts in one day, that's a lot for me! I will probably post more later, but for now I'm off to take DD to her final piano/voice lesson before next Sunday's recital. TTFN (ta ta for now)!

Up All Night

There used to be a program on the USA channel called "Up All Night". The hosts were Rhonda Shear on one night and Gilbert Gottfried on the other night. Anyway, they showed really cheesy movies on Friday and Saturday nights. I used to sit up on the weekends while I was in college and watch until I could barely keep my eyes open. Well, I can't sleep and so I was surfing through the channels on television and I remembered my college days. DH, DD, and DS are all sleeping, and once again I'm "Up All Night". I don't feel much like stitching and there is absolutely nothing on tv at this hour except for infomercials for completely useless items which every insomniac needs. I've been working on a list of cute charts that I've seen on other people's blogs that I just have to have. If you would have told me a month ago that I would have a blog and spend more time on-line than stitching, I would have told you that you were bazooky (my word for crazy). Well, I'm off to surf the channels once more before forcing myself to go to sleep. Goodnight all!

Weekend Wrap Up...

It has been a busy weekend, and I must admit that I haven't had time to do much stitching. I actually spent an hour or so doing a bit of frogging on "Lovebird", because I was one stitch off from almost the beginning. Anyway, I am basically starting all over again. Once I make some progress, I will post a picture. Sorry to those of you who have been waiting on me for new updates.

We went to the Hershey Theatre last night for the last picture in this year's classic film series. They showed "From Here To Eternity" with Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift. We arrived at the theatre at 6:15 in order to get good seating, and then the organ concert started at 7. After some music from the 40's, the movie started at 7:30. The children didn't care for the film, but Milsey and I had a very good time. They don't make movies like that anymore! Milsey took me for Greek food before the show, and boy was it yummy. We had Greek salads, Greek-style chicken (Milsey had a gyro) and baklava for dessert. That was probably the last time we will go to Dimitri's before we move in June.

Milsey took the children clothes shopping Saturday and Sunday, and they came home with quite a large amount of new things to wear. Bathing suits, flip flops, shorts and lots of other items perfect for the beach. I will take them shoe shopping at the end of next week and then they will be all set for the summer. How many husbands take their children shopping for clothes? Mine does!

Sunday was a lazy day for me and I didn't change out of my pajamas until nearly four this afternoon. We went out for Indian food and then came home to watch the season finale of Big Brother 9. Well I am going to sign off for now and try to stitch a little so that I will have something to share with all of you tomorrow.

What A Day, What A Day...

Last night my husband tried to help me sew the pieces that I made for my tea swap into tuck-a-ways. After several hours, we ended up making more of a mess than anything else. So off I went this morning to my local frame shop hoping that someone might be able to rescue me. Everyone was so helpful, and two hours later I walked out of the shop with both of my pieces framed by me! Actually, I had a lot of help, but I feel so proud of myself. I then realized that I had forgotten to eat lunch, so after a quick trip to a local tea shop for a new gadget, dd and I had a leisurely lunch of salad and gourmet pizza. Later on Milsey took me to the UPS store to ship six (yes six) packages hither and yon. I did however, just realize that I forgot to take pictures of the framed pieces. Here's hoping that my swap mates will send pictures so that I may post my latest finishes.

Last night (after the tuck-a-way debacle) I started on a freebie called Lovebird by Midsummer Night Designs. It's adorable and such fun to stitch. I will post pictures of my progress tomorrow. Well, I'm really tired from my busy day, so I will end this post. Write more later!

More Stash!

I am beginnig to think that I have too much stash. I get something at least twice a week, sometimes more often than that. I'm also starting to think that I will never be able to do all of the projects that I have. Does anyone out there think that I should go on a stash diet? Anyway here's what I received today. The new Country Cottage Needleworks thread pack "Sweet Treats" block three - Tart. I ordered two free patterns from my favourite needlework shop that had been kitted to include fabric and fibers - LHN's "Sweet Little Berries" and Crescent Colours' and Diane Williams' "Thankful". Some Lakeside Linen - 28 count Vintage Pearled Barley (for LHN's "Princess and the P") and 28 count Vintage Lentil (for LHN's "My Needle's Work" and CCN's "Sweet Treats"). Some 32 count Light Mocha linen, 28 count Dirty Cashel and 28 count Natural linen. And last but not least, some crescent colours that I needed for some of the freebies that I have found lately. Yesterday, I received my new pink OTT Light in the mail, and it is just what I need to use while I stitch - did I mention that it's PINK (my favorite colour)!

Oh and I was just thinking last night that I am WAY too in to this blogging thing. I am spending more time on the computer than I am stitching. I need to find some sort of balance between the two. Not much going on today, I went to see Jody yesterday and I had my nails done as well as a pedicure. I am so spoiled! We had a great chat over a lunch of greasy burgers and onion rings. Somehow the delivery guy brought us an extra burger and on the takeout box it had the name "Tom" written on it. Who is Tom? Is he still waiting for the delivery guy to bring him his burger? Tom if you are out there and are reading this, I am 'officially" looking for you.

We are starting to think about packing for our move. I am going crazy because we have OFFICIALLY run out of room for all of our "stuff". Milsey says not to worry because we are going to start packing the first week of May and that there is no need to try to organize what will eventually be put into boxes. I am a clean/neat freak and while everything is clean, thanks to our housekeeper Lisa, the clutter is driving me bazooky! It's going to be weird moving from a three bedroom condo to a five bedroom house. What will I do with all of that space? MORE STASH!!! Well that's it for now from me, write more later.

The Hunt Is On...

I've been frantically searching for some Little House Needleworks freebies that I have seen on other people's blogs, but have not really had any luck locating any of them. If you or anyone that you know has any that they might be willing to share, I sure would be grateful. I don't have a LNS located near me, and when I have ordered online, I have never received a LHN freebie. Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to help!

More Stash!

Some new stash items arrived in the mail this past week and after wrestling with downloading photos to blogger, I am able to show off a little. This piece is Mimi's Tape Measure by Olde Colonial Designs. I've seen this finished, and it really is so much cuter than the picture shows.



My mother bought this project bag for me and I love it! It's so colorful and it holds everything I need for an afternoon of stitching. The cats on the bag are soooo cute.



I saw these thread holders on someone else's blog, and I had to have some. I actually bought two packs of them. I am trying to organize my stash, and I hope that these will help in the thread department.


Isn't this needle holder darling? I had another one like it a couple of years ago but it broke. I was doing a little shopping a few weeks ago and found this one, it's by the same person who made the original one that I had. This one is so bright and colorful.



I bought a new pair of Dovo scissors and I just had to have a fob to match. The scissors are called Ladybug Scissors and of course the fob has ladybugs on it too. Well I'm off to work on my tea swap and a little treat for my ds. I will write more later.

New Stash...

This fob came in the mail Monday, and I think that it's soooo cute. You can't tell with this picture, but the beads are purple and white and it has a tiny little silver teapot charm on it. I got another one for a new pair of scissors that I bought, but I can't get the pictures uploaded right now. I'm hoping it's a problem with blogger and not my camera. Anyway, the other pictures will have to wait until tomorrow.

I started a new Lizzie Kate piece last night, but I can't say which one because I am stitching it (twice) for an exchange and I don't want to spoil the surprise for my partners. I'm already finished with the first one, and hope to start the second one tomorrow. Post more later.

Finish!

Lizzie Kate "Big Girl Panties"
Fabric: 28 ct. Lavender Mist Cashel Linen
Threads: WDW and GAST
Started: 4/12/08 - Finished: 4/15/08

This turned out really cute and after Mona finishes it for me, I will post pictures of the finished project. It's always rewarding to finish a project, but I must admit that I get very attached to my work which is probably why I have such a hard time giving things away. Good thing that I don't have to give this one away!

New Start...

I started Big Girl Panties by Lizzie Kate last night and am about halfway finished with it. I took some pictures of my progress, but will have to wait to post them until sometime next week. DH is working on a mini contract that will basically finance our move in June, and so he is busy with that for the time being. I contacted Mona Bost in Oklahoma about finishing this piece in the same way as the LK model, and she said that she would. Hopefully I will finish this week so that I can send it on to her. I don't know if any of you have seen her work- it's just fantastic.

It was a lazy Sunday and, except for changing into fresh pjs, all I did was stitch. The children are sleeping and the house is quiet except for television. Well, I'm off to continue stitching. Post more later.

Here I Sit...

It's almost 2:30 here and dd and ds are fast asleep. My mother always tells me that if I stay up while the children are sleeping, then they are gaining hours on me. In other words, they will be wide awake while I can barely keep my eyes open. Anyway, I can't sleep and I feel rather blucky (combination of blah and yucky). I decided not to starts Mimi's Tape Measure, and have been trying to decide which project to start. I have an entire file cabinet drawer filled with Shepherd's Bush and two file cabinets filled with stash, and yet I cannot find a single project on which to start. Crazy? Of course it is! I've been reading other stitcher's blogs and have found some items that others have finished that I happen to have, and so I have a few ideas. I was on a roll for awhile and have recently finished one piece (Ice Cream Sundae by Country Cottage Needleworks). I am working on Miss Mary Mack by La D Da , and have added a little twist to the project. I will post more later regarding this piece. I will, however, post a pic of the front panel of this project over the weekend.

I'm watching Big Brother After Dark, and it's almost over. So, I guess that I should turn out the light and try to sleep. DH promised to teach me how to upload pictures onto my blog today, so I am very excited. I will post later.

Hooray For Me...

Two of my packages arrived in the mail today! The first contained a sterling silver thread cutter, a handmade needle case, some new stitching projects, a Tacky Bob to hold beads, an ort (old raggedy threads) collector, some Mary Engelbreit file folders and a few free patterns. The second package included some thread drops and a fiber hider. I am so excited and will definitely post pictures over the weekend. I still have a few items on the way and can't wait for them to arrive hopefully sometime next week.

DD and I went to the farmer's market today and had lunch, picked up some homemade bread, farm fresh eggs, cupcakes, fruit licorice and some goodies for Milsey. I love to go to the market on Fridays, but I don't get there as often as I would like. Milsey found three markets located close to where we will be moving in June. I will definitely have to pop on over and see what they have to offer in the way of fresh produce and other yummies.

As for my WIP, I'm not happy with the way that it has turned out so I must do a bit of frogging and try a fresh start. I do, however, need my stitching fix so I will start a little project later tonight. My new project is called Mimi's Tape Measure by Olde Colonial Designs. I will post pics when I start making some progress.

I had my nails done today and, as always, Jody made me feel better than I did when I walked in. DD wants to learn how to do nails, so Jody has graciously agreed to teach her next week. I'm so lucky to have her as a friend and I know that I will never find another like her. I only have a handful of appointments with Jo before I leave for Florida, and am sure that it will take forever for me to find someone to cater to me the Queen of Persnickity (sp?). I sure will miss our weekly appointments/chat sessions.

Well, I guess that that's it for me tonight. It's storming much right now and the lightning has set my teeth on edge. Oh well, I guess we can always use the rain and it is springtime after all. Hugs to all who read.

I'm so excited!!!

My DH helped me get my blog up and running today. He helped me find the templates that I was looking for, and now I finally have my masterpiece. Took Milsey (that's my nickname for my DH) to the doctor today and are finally getting his diabetes under control, and I must say that I am relieved. I've been so worried about him.

As for me, I'm taking steps to re-open my cross stitch shop in September. I had to close the shop recently due to family illness, and am hoping that, if all goes well, we will re-launch in the fall. It has always been my dream to have a shop of my own, and with some very hard work on my part (and my web guru of a hubby), I will be successful.

I started stitching when I was a child, and I absolutely love everything about it. Stitching has helped me through some very tough times. Right now my favourite designers are Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks, and her daughter Nikki Leeman of Country Cottage Needleworks. I just love their designs and am always excited when new patterns are available. Perhaps tomorrow, I will begin posting pictures of my current WIP Herbal Tea from Little House.

Personally, there aren't any LNS in my neck of the woods. So I am constantly searching the net looking for new treasures, patterns, etc. that I can try. I ordered oodles of new stitching odds and ends to try from one of my favourite internet shops. They haven't arrived yet, so I have been busy bugging the mail order department of said shop in hopes that sheer will and telepathy will hurry along my packages. I will post pics when things arrive.

Some of my favourite things to do are to watch General Hospital (known from this point on as GH), drinking tea with my DD Bonnie, reading Harlequin Blaze books, and my new fave is blogging. I looooove reading other stitcher's blogs, and seeing everyone's WIPs. Well, it's getting late (DS Ethan is asleep and the house is quiet) and Big Brother After Dark is going to start in less than an hour. DD finally received her computer in the mail from the repair guys at HP. She's in heaven and I finally have control of my laptop - yay me! Okay well I will try to post tomorrow with some pictures. goodnight all.