A sampling of my designs as well as personal stitching, and life in general.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

borrowing again

Describe an heirloom that has been passed down through generations of your family. What is its significance to you personally.

This is hard to do.  On the maternal side, my grandfather hated saving things.  He had a field day when the last of his parents died befor other family members stopped him.  I do have a few photos and I have a couple of thigns salvaged from my great-grandparents - a favorite book of mygreat grandfather and some of the pattery and china from my great-grandmother.  My few connections to family.

On the paternal side I have even less.  My pride and joy though is my confederate money.  My grandmother gave it to me when I was 10 or 11 - within a couple of years, she ws gone.  Since my Dad had four sisters, they pretty much got everything!  Anyhow, the money was passed down in her family,  Yes, it's real.  Being from South Carolina, the family fought on the side of the confederacy.   It is a true connection to my ancestors which is a great thing for a genealogist like myself.

So for an only child, growing up an a service brat far from home, every little thing that connects me to the past generations is much appreciated.

Thanks to Lake Stitcher for the question.  Lee can also feel better about her posts - I only managged 14 for the month.  Perhaps next November willbe better for me.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Home again

It's good to be home again.

Thanksgiving this year happened in Tennessee.  I still cooked (and enjoyed it).  It was quiet and small and yet a great time!

Didn't get much stitching in during the visit but then again grandbabies have a way of taking over and keeping you occupied, especially when you haven't seen them in awhile.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Hur-rah!

I have to admit that I am a "Dancing with the Stars" fan.  And my favorite won !  J.R. proved that a vet can do anything that he or she sets their mind to do!  Vets are wonderful!  Hug a vet today!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

time flies

This week has been so busy - stitching and shopping, etc.  So much to do to get ready for Thanksgiving!
Last night was two types of cookies, a new recipe for a pumpkin-spice cookie and an old familiar "white" cookie (as they are known in this house).  Today is cleaning day - not just tidy up but scrub.  After all, little kids manage to find every speck of dust and dirt you might possibly have.  It's a good day to do because it is raining, damp, cold and generally yucky outside.

Progress continues on the new design (goal is to have it done after Thanksgiving) and the colors have been plled for the next one.  Actually I pulled the colors several days ago, sat them on the canvas, parked it in ym family room and stared at them over the past several days.  Last night I yanked about half of the threads and then decided the rest will work nicely.  Colors are coming better than the design.  It's been re-worked 3 times so far and yet not one stitch taken.  I suspect the upcoming holiday is partially to blame.

I hope all you are traveling for Thanksgiving, have a safe journey!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

another borrowed idea

Here I am borrowing another idea - this time from the Lake Stitcher.

Where is my favorite place to stitch - At home is easy, curled up on the couch so I can have the tv on.  Though in the summer I do enjoy the back deck.

Away from home - Again easy.  The stitch groups of my EGA chapter.  We have two seperate stitching sessions most months apart from the meeting.  Everyone signs up to host at some time or another.  It's not so much the comfort of the homes vs the comfort of friends.
Also, the Hoosier Stitchers also try to meet every month (it doesn't always happen) but we meet in a library.  The library is ok (chairs could be better) but the company is great.
My newest place is one of my local shops (Needle Fever).  The owner has stitching groups on wednesdays and thursdays.  I try to go each week to the wednesday group.  It's relaxing and fun!
Any retreat is fine too.  Most have been in state parks sponsored thru EGA or ANG but a couple have been in large cabins at church camps.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have an original idea but I won't promise anything as busy as this week is scheduled.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

something borrowed

I borrowed this from Stitch Bitch.  I love books!

The book that’s been on your shelves the longestmy King James version of the Bible

A book that reminds you of something specific – the Zabriskie Family – follows three of my maternal genealogical lines. Gives me a good sense of family history and perspective.
 

A book you acquired in some interesting way – just the traditional bookstores, book sales and more recently the Kindle store. No stories here.

A book that’s been with you the most places – besides my bible, the Cherry Ames series. Got them all when I was a kid and they traveled overseas, across this country , etc with me.

The most recent addition to your shelves – does the kindle count? If so, then Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary

Current read – Juliet by Anne Fortier

Last read - see the sidebar

Book you’ll read next - not sure yet

Friday, November 11, 2011

Here's a toast to all who serve in the Armed Forces, yesterday, today and in the future!  Thanks to each one you.

Happy Veterans Day!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

new links

I've started a new list on the sidebar.  Shops that I have vistied and bought from which obviously includes my local shops.  Actually the list is short right now, especially the non-local places.  I still need to see if some of the places have websites and try to remember everywhere.  Another task to add to my growing list.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Monday was a bit of a "play" day.  I researched and researched another family member until it was time for my DAR meeting.  It was quite a good day, research-wise.  Then at the meeting, I met two new members that may be verrrrrry distant cousins - like back 8, 9 or 10 generations.

Absolutely no stitching got accomplished.  Not good for deadlines and yet it was a good day.  Today is back to stitching and other stitching oriented activities.

new blogs

I've added a few more blogs to my lists - both regualr stitching blogs and "business" or professional oriented stitching blogs.

Enjoy the new lists.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The new photo on top is from New York state.  Last year we did a driving vacation throughout New York.  This particular photo was from the back of the Vanderbilt mansion, looking across the Hudson river.  For those who might be curious, the Vanderbilt mansion is just down the road from the Hyde Park home of FDR.  We toured both the same day.

Not sure what the large "home"across the river is for sure.  It did start out as a mansion, believed to have been a boarding school then owned by a Monastary.  Our tour guide was not sure what it is now.  But I thought the trees and general view were beautiful.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

new version of air mail

My son's version of air mail:




Friday, November 4, 2011

Spam - not the good kind

Well, I already blew posting every day of November.  Yesterday my email got hacked into and I spent most of the day fixing it.  I'm still missing my bookmarks! 

I will say this, Att is not helpful to get things fixed.  Up to now, I have always  aprreciated their spam filters - it caught so much!  Now  I'm reconsidering that.   (Att took over Sbc which is what my "address" still reads).  So my apoligies if you did get a spam mail from me.  Thank heavens I don't keep a huge contact list on my actual email.

By the way, two of our household will actually eat Spam - my son and I.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

challenge

November is National Blog Posting Month, the goal to publish one blog entry a day for the month of November. What a huge challenge!  I'm going to try but it isn't going to be easy. I already know my busy schedule and general craziness.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

TIme for new photos.

First up is the thread jar for October.  Actually there are two photos.  One is lovely pink threads I ripped out after nearly completing a small project.  I was not a happy camper about but I wasn't going to be wrong either.  Note:  I haven't picked up the project since but will be needing to do so soon.  The second is the regular threads for the month, mostly from a new design I'm busy working on.




And now for something really unusual.  I prefer to protect the privacy of my family.  However I think that this photo is cute without being readily identifiable as anyone in particular.  Matter of fact, we saw the same costume on someone else in our neighborhood.



I hope everyone had a great Halloween!  Now to start planning for Thanksgiving.  What to eat is easy but where is question of the month.