Needleworker's samplings

2012-02-27T19:35:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, it's getting harder to coe up with things/people/places that I absolutely love. I like a lot of things, etc but don't always love them.

Basically the key people in my life are done, my parents are deceased so I decided not to include them,also the anniversary of my mom's death is also fast approaching and I really don't need any more reminders.
I'm not doing friends in general - I think my close friends already know who they are and I count myself very lucky to have them as friends.

I love to stitch! But I think that's a given for most people who read this blog. So I don't think it needs a whole blog entry.

I love going to an ocean location but not enough that I would retire there over all other considerations - so the question becomes "do I love it enough?" to blog about it.

I'll do better tomorrow to come up with one people/place/thing I love dearly.

2012-02-26T12:28:00.000-05:00

Lastly is my nephew. He's not last in the birth order but I thought he might get more attention by beinlast in the blog. He's a sweet guy and of course I love him as with my nieces.

Here he is, along with his new (at the time) wife:

2012-02-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

Now for my youngest niece. Another beautiful member of the family and especially dear to me since she also my goddaughter.

2012-02-24T11:07:00.000-05:00

TIme for the 2nd oldest niece. Another gorgeous family member. Somehow all of this generation turned out either gorgeous or handsome and they seem to be producing even more handsome kids.

The dress is lace and drop dead beautiful - as is she and was the wedding.

2012-02-23T11:02:00.000-05:00

Now it's time to move on to my neices and nephew. First up is the oldest niece - a mere 3 months seperate my oldest daughter and the oldest neice but many miles.

Here she is with oldest great-nephew and next oldest great nephew (to be):

WHoops! It looks like I erased out he great-nephew's head. Trust me, he is cute and adorable!

TUSAL

2012-02-22T10:46:00.000-05:00

I'm basically on time this month. Here is the TUSAL as of February 22, 2012.

See Daffycat for rules and explanations.

Sorry about the glare. Even with the curtains shut, I kept getting glare. Next month I may need to get a larger jar or else go to a vase of some type.

Note I have also changed the photo header to more accurately reveal the weather this winter, not my ideal of a winter. I'm ready for spring. By the way, the snow has not lasted very long all winter. It seems to get here and look pretty for a day or few and then gone. Actually it's been nice that way.

2012-02-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

I had a post for yesterday but have no idea what happened to it.

On to today. I love my stitching friends. And today one has a birthday.

Happy Birthday Bonnie !!!!

2012-02-19T11:14:00.000-05:00

Today is short and simple. I figured a Sunday was a good day to tell you that I love my faith. I'm not talking about my particular church that we attend, but my overall faith denomination.

I grew up with several compromises between what my parnets grew up with and I never was totally comfortable. During college I attended many churches with my various sorority sisters. But after college and starting to work, I made my own choice. Of my own accord, I became Catholic. A few days after talking to a local priest and starting everything in motion, I met my husband - a cradle catholic. It was a definite affirmation to me that I did the right thing for me and my future.

Warts and all, I love the Catholic faith.

2012-02-18T13:23:00.001-05:00

One of the things that I love is history, especially European and English history, probably from medievel time through Tudor England. Everytime I think I have a favorite time, I find something new (to me) to delve into and I change my mind.

However I have found a new tv program on the history channel that sounds promising - Full Metal Jousting. I've only seen the first episode and it definite was interesting (at least to me). When the leader and instructors talked about the weight of the armor, the weight of the horses, lances, etc. It really made me realize that the knights of old had to be in great shape to carry all that weight and ride a huge horse well. It really brought home the fact that if your horse fell on you during battle, you also may be a goner.

I'm realistic, I know that there were many problems as far as basic services - food, shelter, health and class status. Who you were born to or married determined everything. Not much chance for advancement, especially women. We didn't get to own anything and did the vast majority of work. Communications were another problem, depending on what class you were, determined what language you usually spoke. Yet, people thrived and survived and invented new things and were enlightened in their views. Well maybe not that. I can think of a few people whose views are still in the 15th century.

Overall an interesting time of history.

2012-02-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

I missed another day. Too much going on and not all of it good. We spent Val evening at a funeral home - one of our neighbors died over the week-end. It's always scary when someone your age or younger dies. Yesterday was the funeral.

So let's go on to the next person I love dearly - the youngest daughter. And here she and the youngest grandson are:

My daughter is the short one getting measured.

2012-02-14T09:46:00.001-05:00

For Valentine's day I thought I would share the person I love the most - my dear hubby. It's been 31 years as of this writing. Later this year we will reach our 32nd anniversay. Hard to believe it's been that long, in so many ways it seems like last week, well maybe last year. Those kids have a way of sneaking up on you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-13T07:09:00.001-05:00

I've already mentioned my son, so I thought it was time to move on to his older sister, my oldest daughter. Just a reminder - I love all my kids!

And her she is (as well as oldest grandson):

Books

2012-02-12T04:06:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the missed couple of days. Other things had bigger priorities.

Today one of my loves is Books! I love to read! I will admit I read mostly fiction. The top two categories are mysteries an historical fiction (mostly olden days as in before 1800).

One of the groups I joined this year is a reading challenge. It's based on how many chunksters you think you can read. I chose a middle group - requiring 6 chunksters. Each chunsters must be over 450 pages. Looking at their recommended list, I know that I read at least 6 from the list, just not all last year. So far this year I have read 3 chunksters and am currently on my fourth.

I keep a running tab of book read in the sidebar and have tried to remember to indicate chunksters. In my spreadsheet, for this year I also added the number of pages read. So far this year, not counting the current book, I have read 3409 pages. And this has been a rather mild winter so far. I do tend to read more when winter is more fierce.

Stitching Blogger Question

2012-02-09T09:28:00.000-05:00

February's SBQ is about break-ups. Is there anything in your stash that you are ready to end your relationship with?
Last year I did end the relationship with a design. The more I sttiched, the further I got from my original idea and the worse it looked and nothing was going right with it. Off the stretcher bars it came and into rag pile.

Usually I love to design and place with stitches, but this one never worked right.

I love a great needle

2012-02-08T18:31:00.002-05:00

On February 8th, all across Japan, Harikuyo will take place in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Hari-kuyou is a Japanese religious practice which is said to have started in the Edo era (early 17th century). Hari means noodle, and Kuyou is a Buddhist memorial service. Memorial services are usually held for spirits of the dead but it is also common to hold them for inanimate objects that have served well in life, or indeed that life depends on. There is an old Shinto belief that inanimate objects, as well as living beings, have a soul and spirit. The animists believe that to simply discard a tool that has served you well is disrespectful would anger the object's soul.

Known as the Festival of Broken Needles, it is a ritual of thanks and respect for tools of the sewing, tailoring and embroidery trades. It dates back 1500 years; women (and men) dress in fine kimono and gather together all of the needles they've used, broken and/or and worn out during the previous year. They proceed to the local temple or shrine, where a three-tiered altar is prepared. The lower level displays sewing accessories, such as scissors, thimbles, thread and so forth. The top tier offers seasonal fruit, and white mochi (ceremonial rice cake offerings). In the center section is a large slab of tofu or konnyaku (jelly-like substance made from konnyaku potato), into which everyone plunges the pieces of their broken needles. Sticking the needles into something soft is a way of showing appreciation to the needles which have been stuck through hard substances. The needleworkers also pray for improvement in their needlework skills.

Later they will be taken to a sacred final resting place. The tofu keeps them safe and not forgotten, yet because of being protected in the tofu they can do no harm with their points. In a second sense they are still present in life. The priest will incant a sutra, that reflects the passage of the needles from use, and invokes a Buddhist blessing that is passed on to the users of the needles. By showing respect to the needles they have used through the past year, they are offering thanks and requesting that the power and energy of the needles be present in the stitchers for the coming year, so that their skills may be improved. Priests will also sing sutras to comfort the needles, heal their broken spirits and thank them for work well done. No sewing takes place on this day.

In Japan, needles became commonly used in the 14th century. At this time, needles were precious and used with especial care, which probably led to the idea of doing "kuyou" for the needles, a religious ceremony to calm the spirit and put them to rest". Although it is originally a religious practice, in present days, it is widely known as a ceremony for needleworkers to show appreciation for the needles and pray for improvement in needlework skills. These days, many kimono seamstress and needlework schools still go to the shrine to attend the Hari-kuyou ceremony. Some needleworkers show appreciation by simply not doing any needlework on that day, thereby giving their needles a holiday.

　

2012-02-07T23:29:00.000-05:00

Today is a break from the subject of Love. It's show and tell time, TUSAL, BAP, and WIP.
Not sure if it is even time for the TUSAL but since I'm doing the other two, it's getting included. It's up first.

Now comes the WIP.http://measi.net/measiblog/2012-wipocalypse/

Last month I showed you a few but I only stitched on one - Tapestry Cat. I remembered well why it became a WIP. IT's those blended threads and a few stitches here then way over yonder, etc. But I still love the piece and want it done!
The lower left corner had no backstitching - it does now, the upper left corner didn't even exist yet, now it does and most of the right corner was blank - not so much.

And lastly I joined the BAP challenge. So I started it. I also count it as part of my 15 January challenges, the only non-ornament. See Becky's blog.

Please ignore my stockinged foot in the lower left corner. I didn't realize it got in the photo.

the other grandson

2012-02-06T13:02:00.000-05:00

Today I'll show off my firstborn grandson. Another love of my life.

He is an adorable kid though the photo may not reflect it at the moment it was taken. This was at his christening. Underneath the church cloth is a christening gown (yes, a gown) which was worn by his mother (and her siblings) and her father (and his siblings). Since the gown was given to my husband for his christening, it is staying on our side of the family. Anyhow, the gown has quite a history and has been to a wide variety of churches, mostly catholic.

Here is the oldest grandson:

today's love

2012-02-05T21:45:00.000-05:00

On the 5th day of February - I love crossword puzzles! Especially those large Sunday versions. Though every day, I have a routinue when I get to my computer - check the email, check on my son, do the crossword puzzle, etc.

I definitely need to fins more crosswords online. They can be so much fun!

love of travel

2012-02-04T05:53:00.001-05:00

Since I was trolling my photos to see what I would want to show this month, I found some that were actually date stamped. So the celebrate the 4th day of February in 2012, photos of my day, the 4th of February 2009. We took our first cruise and increased of our love of travel. We did a cruise to the Panama canal (and a few other places as well).

Here goes:

They used to use actual mules to pull the ships thru the canal. This is what a mule looks like in 2009.

This was in the morning, going from ocean to the lake between the two shores.

This is the afternoon, coming out of the lake and back in to the ocean (same side as we went in). You can see the local traffic going over the canal.

And lastly the bridge for the cars is stowing itself away before the last lock (before the ocean) is opened up for the ship.
This was truely a great trip!

2012-02-03T17:17:00.000-05:00

I love all my family members and so will say something about all them during the month but in no particular order.

So today's featured family member is grandson #2. I picked a photo that does not reflect what he looks like today because he is only a few hours old in it. He's just as adorable today!

Happy Birthday!

2012-02-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

One of the people I love the most is having a birthday - he is my official groundhog! My son celebrates his birthday today. Unfortunately we can not be with him nor he with us. From the photo you can see why - he's a bit busy overseas right now. To respect his privacy, I've shown a group shot
of the unit.

Happy Birthday son!

another contest

2012-02-01T09:36:00.000-05:00

To Stitch or Not to Stitch is offering a new give-away contest. Check it out.

I'm going to borrow from the Lake Stitcher and try to blog about things I love during February. And finding another contest to enter was a good start. I enjoy entering contests as long as they don't ask for too much personal info. Privacy is something that I love and cherish.

2012-01-29T10:44:00.000-05:00

A terrible, blurry shot - taken at the correct time and posted way late. But here's the January TUSAL.
Can you tell that life has been a bit chaotic around this household? See Daffycat for an explanation of the TUSAL. It's fun, it's silly and obviously something that stitchers would do.

Deadlines are nearly over, one major one is done, one major to go and two minor. Then just the ordinary deadlines of life and various committments. Who knows I might be need to be committed after this year's volunteer committments. I hope I'm still sane at the end of the year.

2012-01-25T01:48:00.000-05:00

The book list for 2012 has been updated. An additional blog list has been created - Hoosier Stitchers!
This is my on-line and occasional in person stitching group. I know that I am missing a few and will be filling them in when I find them again.

TUSAL will be up later.

2012-01-23T19:51:00.000-05:00

It is with great regret that I announce that one of my favorite needlework stores - Needle Fever - is closing as of January 28, 2012. Today's official announcement was a sad, sad thing. Saturday will be a day of mourning.

2012-01-20T12:08:00.000-05:00

This one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year.
Deadlines are nearly here so I should be back to "normal" next wek

WIPs

2012-01-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

First up, the threads, (jan 1 -9, 2012) Can you tell I've been busy stitching models??

Next are some of the WIPs that I will be working on thru the year.

ANG SOTM 2011

First ornament of the Crazy January CHhallenge

Tapestry Cat

Christmas Tree

2012-01-12T10:26:00.002-05:00

Yikes!!!

Janaury 9th was the full moon. I had two things to post! Later today I hope. Nothing like starting out late.

YIKES !!!!!

give-aways

2012-01-11T19:24:00.000-05:00

I love give-aways but have never won anything. But here's one that is being very generous. I admit I like over-dyed flosses and silks. A free set would be rather nice. And probably only in my dreams.

Back to the grindstone!

2012-01-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

The deadlines are doing me in along with too many obligations and an injured husband.

Posts will be sporadic for the next two weeks.

Meanwhile - don't just sit there, STITCH !

a bit crazy

2012-01-08T12:00:00.001-05:00

I always start something large and new each year and since my crazy challenge is all ornaments, I thought I'd try a new challenge. See Becky's blog. So I hope to start and finish within 2012, Halloween Eve by Blackbird Designs. We shall see how it goes.

I could be a bit crazy with everything else going on in my life.

2012-01-05T05:04:00.000-05:00

This photo reflects where I can imagine Santa has gone now that the holidays are over, most returns have been made, and folks are back to work. It also looks like somewhere I would like to be.

Warm, sunshine, and relaxing. Just the opposite of things here, cold (below freezing), windy and generally cranky.

2012-01-02T19:53:00.000-05:00

The tree is packed away, along with all the ornaments and other pretty goodies. I have left 3 winter.snow related teapots out - including the new one I got at Christmas. I does brighten up my window ledge above the kitchen sink.

I did start a new ornament yesterday. I have not started anything new yet today (I still have a few hours) but I did finish a medium sized WIP (not on my list though). Photos is the next day or so.

2011-12-31T20:29:00.000-05:00

Late last night I finished my 80th and final book for the year 2011. I read: Isabeau, a novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer by N. Gemini Sasson.
I exceded my goal by five books.

Today was spent stitching at a local shop - as well as munching on the various treats that the stitchers brought. It was a good day!

I cheked my blog stats - I only blogged 34% of the year. Guess I need to do better. Tomorrow is the first anniversary of my blog.

Happy New Year everyone!!

2011-12-30T15:55:00.000-05:00

My house is beginning to reflect the photo. The ornaments knocked off the tree, by the cats, are now being placed on the piano instead of back on the tree. The gifts are no longer under the tree which leaves more room for the cats to get into trouble. I suspect it's time to put things away for the season.

year end clean-up

2011-12-29T19:19:00.000-05:00

I decided to clean up a few things late last night (or was that early this morning?). The January challenge is up to date for 2011. I got 10 out of 15 completed. I guess it wasn't too bad since 4 have become WIPs. One was totally scraped and replaced. The replacement was finished but not sure it counted.

I've decided to do the January challenge again. I'm not sure if all 15 items will start in January or not. January is a very busy time for me. Anyhow, all 15 items are ornaments. Yes, ornaments. I looked at my handmade ornaments and realized I had only made a couple of them. It's time for more "made by me" and kept by me.

Here is a link for the 2012 crazy challenge. From doing some surfing, I saw there were some other challenges out there as well. But this one is the basic, 15 item challenge.

I've also decided to do a WIP challenge. This one encourages me to work on the WIPs but I don't have to finish them to be successful. I think that I can handle that. It also wants progress reports on the full moon, the same as the TUSAL - the thread jar! Should be easy to remember - I hope anyhow. You can see a list of participants here.

Lastly I found a reading challenge that I think I can handle. In 2011, I "completed" it without even knowing it. Check out the Chunkster Challenge. In 2011, I qualified for the Chubby Chunkster (and didn't even know about it) by reading the following books:
(The) Girl From Junchow, by Kate Furnivall
The) Help, by Kathryn StockettThe) Russian Concubine, by Kate Furnivall
The) Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Steig Larsson
The) Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova
Emma by Helen Hoolick
I think that Harold the King by Helen Hollick might have also qualified.

The first five on the list were on the site's recommended list. And to think that my goal was only for 75 books, regardless of number of pages. Speaking of which, as of the 29th, the total number is 79 books. I have two in progress so hopefully I will get one of them done before the New year.

I think 3 challenges will be quite enough for 2012. After all, life will surely throw me more challenges.

2011-12-25T23:25:00.000-05:00

Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, til it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Matthew 2:9-10

2011-12-23T04:43:00.000-05:00

The gifts are wrapped. The baking completed. The family has arrived. Now we wait for Santa for the little ones.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T00:26:00.000-05:00

The shopping is done. The wrapping has not begun. In the morning the baking will begin. And then the family arrives and chaos begins. A joyful, happy chaos that only family can create.

2011-12-20T23:23:00.000-05:00

I just had to change the photo. After all, I caught the younger cat trying to swat the ornaments and where does he run after I chase him? - under the tree! Maybe if I get some gifts wrapped and under there, he won't fit as well?? hmm. we shall see!

The gift shopping is done! Now the food shopping and cleaning will commence in the morning. Perhaps even a little wrapping - maybe.

another new photo

2011-12-18T18:39:00.000-05:00

I picked another swirly type tree for the opening photo. I plan tomorrow to be a swirly day. I need to hit the toy store plus a couple of other places.I figure the toy store will be the craziest!

Today was a nice and relaxing day. In the afternoon I had my sampler guild meeting. A small gathering since this seemed to be a popular day for holiday parties. However, eeryone brought lots of great food to share and we had a nifty project.

Using two buttons, ribbon and beeswax, we made a little beeswax holder. I don't have a sample to show you since I didn't take any buttons with me. Maybe this week I can try to finish mine and remember a photo. We shall see.

Speaking of photos, here are a couple of my "decorating":

My living room couch and coffee table. The large pillow in the middle is new this year. The other two were new last year.

Part of the eat-in kitchen (note the high chair for the grandkids). All the ornaments hanging from the curtain rod are handmade. The framed house on the left is stitched by me many , many moons ago. The "reindeer" was a gift. On the table, the angel is actually a teapot. I have six Christmas/winter teapots. Five are out on display in various parts of the house - only two are in the kitchen area. There are also two everyday teapots out in the kitchen.

Can you tell I like teapots? I do have a pilgrim one for Thanksgiving. One of these days, Iwill find something I like for Halloween. I have a couple of really floral ones for Easter/Spring/Mother's day. They aren't totally my taste but since they were gifts, they are staying.

a little late

2011-12-17T23:21:00.001-05:00

I kept saying that I had my photo of my thread jar for the end of November. I finally took it off my camera earlier today. I needed photos of my grandsons for a Christmas party tonight and they were still on my camera so now most everything is off. And the camera is all ready for the holidays.

Now here is my very belated November thread jar:

At the rate I've been stitching during December (not hardly), the December jar will be pretty empty. I won't empty it until the end of December and then I'll start on the New Moon schedule set up by Daffycat. I posted the schedule somewhere in the last couple of weeks.

borrowing again

2011-12-15T19:05:00.000-05:00

First off, the new photo header is how I feel after today. I did a whirlwind of shopping today! The wind was also whipping around outside and definitely swirling the rain around. The next few days should be a lot like this tree as well.

The Twisted Stitcher had a great link on her blog today. A Christmas tree filled with Santas - mostly Prairie Schooler. She also has s few other themed trees as well.

Thanks for the link!

2011-12-14T19:29:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Stitch Bitch and Needleworker Not in Paradise, I learned that Erica Wilson died yesterday. Here is a link to her obit:

I remember going to England with 5 of my sorority sisters, and only one other was a stitcher. She came home with some hard to find (in the US) Erica Wilson books. I haven't taked to Fran in years. I wonder if she still has the books and how much did she ever stitch from them.

Watching our oldest grandson has kept me from some of the news but it certainly is creating a bond that wouldn't otherwise be there. Meanwhile it has also slowed my stitching way down and has caused the holiday shopping to come to a standstill.

I changed the photo to a lovely Christmas home scene. My house won't look like this but meanwhile I can enjoy it online. Perhaps this week-end the tree will go up, along with numerous other things happening.

2011-12-12T00:04:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a wonderful day of stitching. It was the annual Hoosier Stitcher Christmas party. Lots of hours of stiching and eating and talking and stitching and laughing and stitching,etc. For me it was still lots of coughing too. It totally wore me out but I enjoyed it so much!!

I actually did accomplish a fair amount of stitching too! I came home in a great mood and stitched for another hour or so before I fell asleep on the couch. Hubby had to wake me to go to bed.

I need more days like that! Maybe the New Year will bring me some. I can hope anyhow.

changed

2011-12-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

I changed the photo today. Yesterday was more about decorating with bulbs and today about decorating with candles.

We put up our tree on the 3rd sunday in Advent. In the early years of our marriage, this was our compromise between puting up the tree at Thanksiving and the day before Christmas. Yes, our views were that far apart!

But I start decorating around the 1st of the month, just a few things everyday, very gradual. It's a lot easier than everything at once, less time and eases us into the holiday mood.

I hope you holiday decorating is going well.

2011-12-07T14:38:00.001-05:00

I searched the internet and found some delightful Christmas scenes to be used for my header. Ironically I found 24 of them and here it is the 7th of December already. So you may not see all 24 this year but who knows in the future.

Speaking of the 7th - Today is Pearl harbor Rembrance day and the 70th anniversary. This is an anniversary we should never forget, just as we should never forget 9-11-2001. I don't think any of us wants our country to become a battleground.

If you see a soldier, thank him or her for what they do - even in peacetime, but especially now.

PS. I found this somewhere out there in cyber space.

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life.

Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

~Margaret Cousins

Day 12

2011-12-06T13:14:00.000-05:00

This day 12 of being sick. This is really old already! I am not managing to get anything done, go anywhere or do anything other than be miserable. Someone want this??? It's cheap - I'll give it to you for free !!!!

2011-12-03T11:27:00.000-05:00

TIme to sign up for the 2012 Totally useless SAL - http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2011/11/totally-useless-stitch-long.html

Photos are taken of your ort jar on the new moon and posted for all to see.

Last year I did this at the beginning of each month since I was too late to sign-up. Matter of fact, I still have November's photo still sitting on my camera.

Anyhow, here are the dates for 2012:

There are 12 2012 New Moon Dates:

January 23
February 21
March 22
April 21
May 20
June 19
July 19
August 17
September 16
October 15
November 13
December 13

Books for 2011

2011-12-01T19:30:00.000-05:00

My goal for 2011 was to read 75 books. As of yesterday, I have read 74 books. Since I have 3 that are currently being read right now, I think I am safe in saying I will reach my goal. I think I have posted the entire list on the sidebar.

I haven't decided if next year's goal will be higher or not. There's a lot more already scheduled in my life for next year. Not the ordinary things either (like EGA, ANG or DAR meetings) but big things (son coming home, teaching my pilot class, teaching at EGA Seminar, niece's wedding, trips, etc and not in any particular order). After reading what I just wrote - maybe I'll just keep the goal the same to be safe.

borrowing again

2011-11-30T08:44:00.000-05:00

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.

Home again

2011-11-28T03:28:00.000-05:00

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.

Hur-rah!

2011-11-23T00:04:00.000-05:00

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!

time flies

2011-11-22T13:02:00.000-05:00

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!

another borrowed idea

2011-11-15T17:06:00.000-05:00

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.

something borrowed

2011-11-13T15:31:00.000-05:00

I borrowed this from Stitch Bitch. I love books!

The book that’s been on your shelves the longest – my 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

2011-11-11T19:36:00.002-05:00

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!

new links

2011-11-10T12:09:00.002-05:00

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.

2011-11-08T10:38:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-08T01:16:00.002-05:00

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.

2011-11-06T18:54:00.000-05:00

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.

new version of air mail

2011-11-05T13:02:00.000-04:00

My son's version of air mail:

Spam - not the good kind

2011-11-04T11:08:00.001-04:00

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.

challenge

2011-11-02T10:40:00.000-04:00

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.

2011-11-01T15:21:00.000-04:00

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.

Moving day

2011-10-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my husband and I helped our youngest daughter and her husband pack up their house for the final part of their move to another state. Also helping was her father-in-law and later her cousin-in-law. It was a very long eight plus hours. We missed an hour or two of the packing due to oversleeping and two closed roads. We suspect the roads were closed due to flooding. It had been raining for the last day or so and was raining all day yesterday as well. This morning it is gloomy and the winds are high and now the temps are starting to drop. Hopefully they are having decent weather to drive to their new home. It's a good day to curl up with a good book or your stitching. I think that's what I might do today - along with lots of hot tea.

Books updated

2011-10-15T17:56:00.000-04:00

My book list is updated. 61 books for the year so far. I may even reach my goal this year. Remains to be seen though.

We've heard from our son. He has arrived safely and gotten his unit set up and functional. He reports that the weather is already turning cold. He also commented that he hasn't seen more than a few inches of snow since the last time he was in Aghanistan. I hope he stays warm.

I have one request - everyone can pray for the safety of all our soldiers stationed overseas, along with their familieswaiting at home.

Thanks!

overdue post and photos

2011-10-13T05:26:00.000-04:00

Time for some overdue photos.

Let's start with the September thread jar.

Now on to a finish from the January challenge

The small Dutch minature

Things around this household have been busy lately as well as emotional. It all seem to start with the departure of our son for his second tour of Afghanistan. He is on active duty and we knew it would be coming however that doesn't make it any easier or make us worry less.

From there we moved into family birthdayswhich started the busy week of an ANG board meeting, an ANG meeting, an EGA workshop, followed by an EGA meeting and don't forget to sqeeze in the DAR meeting for the month - all crammed into about 10 days. Plus more proposals to get out in the mail, so on and on and on. Somewhere in there hubby wanted some attention too. We all go thru periods like thisbut while it's happening, it just seems overwhelming at times.

Here's a photo of some samples from the ANG cording class.

More tomorrow!

dead batteries

2011-10-04T00:29:00.000-04:00

I went to take photos of the thread jar and a another finish from my 15 new starts list aka the January challenge but the batteries were dead in my camera! They still have not been replaced due to other things happening in our life. More on that later.

Meanwhile, the thread jar is on hold but then again, so is the stitching.

part 2 of the bus trip

2011-09-29T06:15:00.000-04:00

Continuing on with the bus trip.

Shopping was great at the Celebrations show. However, a friend and I decided we wanted to go to downtown old St. Charles. So we hopped on the shuttle and away we went.

We had lunch at a nice resturant where the food was good (not great) and the service was lousy. Glad it was that way instead of the opposite. Then we wnadered down the street. Had to stop in the spice and tea shop. I came home with a couple of new teas (loose leaf). We found the cross stitch shop and enjoyed it but skipped the quilt shop (big mistake we heard). We found the glassmaker - beautiful pieces, even Tiffany style items. Absolutely gorgeous! Had to visit the British shop (not real name). Beautiful things, kilts, Irish items, etc..

Then we wandered into the street fair - a juried arts show. The vendors were fab! Both of us ended up with a couple of items for Christmas presents. It was certainly a nice bonus to the day.

It turns out that I only took one shot of the fair. But you get a good idea. It was all along one side of the street, mostly across from resturants and bars, who moved tables out into the street for better business opportunities.

After lunch and wandering, we returned to the hotel and did more shopping of needlework. Here's some of what I bought.

I really like turkeys to have around in November to remind of us of Thanksgiving so I just had to have this one from Hinzet - Gobble. ALos new threads for me to play with.

Of course I had to have new (more) scissors. Hard to see but it is a pair of pewter storks and pink polka dots. Both were more than reasonablely priced.

Between the shops closing for the night and the bus leaving, we had just over an hour. My friend and I sat down with some of the others and had some snacks (popcorns, chips, salsa) and a drink. I had something new to me - Sangria rum punch. far too smooth going down. very tasty.

The trip home was relatively quiet. The cold dinners which had been pre-ordered were passed out and eaten and soon stitchers were drowsing. With it getting dark so early, it was hard to stitch so I didn't even try. My seatmate was quickly asleep. I dozed for part of the trip but not all of it this time. We arrived back to our cars about 12:45 and I was home by 1:05 am. I hugged the cats, gave them treats and told it was time to head off to bed - they quickly bounded up the stairs before I even made to the foot of the stairs. Very quickly we were settled in bed and fast asleep.

Would I do It again? Yes! The sheer enthusiam of all the stitchers was great and really inspiring!

WAAAAY Behind

2011-09-26T16:47:00.001-04:00

Somewhere in the past couple of weeks, my computer decided it no longer liked the version of Internet Explorer that I was using and shut down various functions on my computer. At first, it was a puzzle, what was causing this problem, then the next problem, etc. Finally we figured out there was one single thing causing everything - a supposedly outdated version of Explorer.

Now I hate the set-up and look of my computer. Everything seems out of whack, not in the right place and it is now several extra steps to get to my bookmarks - they are suppose to be easy! I think that the new Explorer hates google. Nothing in google wants to act right now.

But here goes with fun and old news.

Our lovely LNS owner.
A couple of weeks ago, one of my LNS sponsored a bus trip to St. Charles, MO to visit Celebrations!
A very delightful needlework show. I rearranged several things with my DH and at the last minute freed up the schedule so I could go. The cats looked at me funny as I was up in what most considered the middle of the night. I packed my little cooler, pillow and stitching bag and off to pick up a friend. We met the bus at o'dark thirty ( a familiar military term for many) on the north side of town. Then off to the west side to pick more passengers. Not long after that, muffins were passed out and I zonked! Yes, I slept until the either the Missouri or Mississippi river. I think I missed a lot of darkness.

Our lovely cruise director who was awake the whole trip. She was an absolute delight and so cheerful for so early in the morning!

Here are a recreation of our wonderful gift bags. Mine got a bit wrinkled being stuffed in other things while I slept.

I can't seem to get the bag turned correctly. Inside you can see where some party beads, a large pink nametag, a pen, (not in photo), beeswax, and floss tags. There was also some candy which was consumed before photos.

The vendors quickly caught on that the pink nametag meant we were from the bus group. We were quite the stir. I heard that we were the only bus group to show during the whole show. From the looks of some ladies bags on the return trip - I 'm guessing the vendors were glad to see us.

The show was the entire 4th floor. Here are some of the banners for the shopping.

Not the greatest photos I realize but if you look into the windows, you can see some of the displays.

2011-09-21T23:15:00.003-04:00

I'm now up to 55 books for the year. Still behind last year's numbers. However, there is more stitching going on this year.

EGA Seminar 2012

2011-09-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

Yesterday (while I was busy shopping), EGA posted the details on the 2012 Seminar in New Mexico.
Check out http://www.egausa.org/
The photos are not yet linked to the class descriptions but will be. All the photos shown were taken at the seminar in Naples, FL which just ended. The photos are labeled but you have to scroll thru everything to get to what you want. So to make it simple, here is my class piece for seminar 2012.

This is SandStorm. Stitched on 18 count canvas with a wide variety of fibers and stitches. There are numerous options within the instructions for changing threads, colors, etc. There are 4 different corners shown, you can pick one or two or do all four. Everyone's Sandstorm will be personal.

wordless wednesday

2011-09-14T10:21:00.002-04:00

2011-09-11T21:44:00.001-04:00

A moment of silence please.

Labor Day stitching

2011-09-09T07:15:00.001-04:00

This was a small but cute piece that I started and finished over the Labor Day week-end.

TUSAL - late but accurate

2011-09-07T07:15:00.000-04:00

Here's the Thread jar for the end of August 2011. Just haven't had the right timing to get the photo up. The jar was being filled again by the morning of the 1st.

2011-09-06T09:03:00.001-04:00

There's a nice surprise piece coming in September!

sections photos

2011-09-05T00:03:00.000-04:00

As promised - the photos by sections of the completed piece.

A little sloppy because I can not get them to line up and still be in the proper order. I figure, better the right order rather than lining up straight. The bottom really isn't as crooked as the photo shows. It's nice and even and ready for the bottom hardware of the bell pull. Actually all it needs is a good pressing after I pick up the bell pull hardware.

All the stars have #4 braid in them. The candy wrappers either have a metallic or a rayon so they will look shiny. The frog's tummy is also rayon. The ghost and the spider web are stitched in a white metallic. I added a small RIP to the tombstone and eliminated part of the grass. The cat's nose and collar, as well as the frog's tongue are also done in a rayon. All the little "extras"came out of my stash. Except for the pumpkin in the "Pumpkin" rectangle, I used DMC. I actually used the "Tomato" gentle arts for the pumpkin. It's the only thing that would really show up against the fabric.

Thanks to Marie for the fabric inspiration. Not sure if she was doing the Boo Club or the 2012 version, but she was using this fabric which really inspired me to get moving and start on my Boo CLub. It was started in May after receiving the fabric from my not-so-local but wonderful LNS and finished at the end of August 2011.

It's finished !

2011-09-01T23:14:00.000-04:00

Actually I could say that about a few things that have been finished lately. However, this one is just waiting for it's bellpull to come in.

Ta-Da !

This week-end - photos of the sections, i.e. close-ups.

just a quickie

2011-08-27T00:13:00.000-04:00

I've updated my list of books again. I've also added a new blog. http://designsbyro.blogspot.com/

Ro came out htis past March to teach at our ANG chapter. I had a great time getting to know her and encouraging her to start a blog. I'm so happy that she has. Check it out when you have a chance.

wordles wednesday

2011-08-24T00:14:00.001-04:00

wordless wednesday

2011-08-17T11:04:00.000-04:00

where has the time gone?!

2011-08-15T11:55:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted and we haven't even gone on vacation. Instead we have babysat the almost one year old (next week is the big birthday) for a weeks and we have packed up the household of the 5 month old grandson for his move to Tennessee. His dad got a new job. We are happy for the new job but sad for the new distance between us and the grandbaby. We already have plans in the works to go visit very soon!

All of this activity has been on top of the normal obligations and routinues, so it has been a bit choatic some days, tiring all days and not much stitching has gotten done. This week is just us since the older grandson is on vacation and the other is already relocated. So hopefully I will get some stitching done, genealogy researched and actually try to relax. We shall see.

2011-08-02T23:22:00.000-04:00

As usual lately, I seem to be behind the power curve. A few too many things going on in life right now.

Meanwhile here's a small photo update.

I was calling this piece AUTUMN. It's real name is MAPLE LEAF. Designer was correct - Laura Perin. The outside edges have made progress due to some "mindless" stitching time.

This is the thread jar for July. Not a great photo but very timely. I took the photo a few minutes after midnight on August 1st. Yes, I was up that late stitching and even some beyond that hour.

Way behind in reading!

2011-07-31T20:03:00.000-04:00

I was just updating my list of books read for the year and I noticed a note on my list. I had noted that in 2010, I had read 50 books between 1 July and 31 December. For 2011, I've only read 41 books - I'm way behind. I have no doubt that when the months get colder, I will do more reading. Then again, the heat the last few weeks has driven me insideas much as the snow did over the winter. Though photos don't show it, I have been doing a lot of stitching lately. And a lot of long-term planing for vacation, stitching and genealogy.

Check out my list of books read underneath the blogs on the right side. It's a varied list, some popular with various book clubs. I also welcome recommended reads as well.

2011-07-27T10:07:00.002-04:00

Halloween update

2011-07-18T00:54:00.000-04:00

The most current status on the Boo Club.

Wordy wednesday

2011-07-13T10:36:00.000-04:00

Life has been so busy for the last few weeks and an update is far overdue. I tried to do some posts ahead but even then ran out of time.

Last week's wordless wednesday showed a giant, old-style Ladies shoe which I found in the the Philadelphia Library. Parts are stitched and other parts, I'm not so sure how it's put together. But overall, it is interesting art. It's located on the second floor.

We headed for southern NJ/Philly area for a family wedding and to do a bit of family history. Not much to report on the family history, just a few obits but the live family history, i.e. the wedding of our nephew was wonderful. Here's the happy couple at the reception - at the Jersey shore.

Since we were staying a few days, we drove out. On the way, I finished Constantinople. This is one of my pieces on the January Challenge list. I have to admit, it had been sitting around and lingering because I didn't like the pulled thread areas. Normally I like pulled thread but not on canvas. So I put it in my bag for the car and "forced" my self to work on it and came up with an alternate idea for the pulled areas. That's officially seven complete now.

For the car trip home, I pciked up another canvas piece I had brought with me but had not started. I knew I needed another thread for the autumns leaves. And I fould something that works for me at Rittenhouse Needlepoint in downtown Philly. Wonderful shop! Even my husband was impressed. There were threads everywhere but very well organized and out on display. Great natural lights from the windows. There was a large table near the center which is where my hubby patiently waited for me. Anyhow, the last night at the hotel, I put in the center leaf. Then on the drive home (including the stop while an accident was cleaned up) I got the area around the leaf and the vast majority of the borders stitched. This is an old Laura Perin chart and I will look up the name for the next post.

Lastly, I really did take a picture of my threads at the end of the month. Just never seemed to have time to post it. So, here are the June threads. See the orange -that's from the halloween piece.

wordless wednesday

2011-07-06T12:02:00.000-04:00

2011-07-02T01:52:00.001-04:00

More progress is being made on Sea Opal. I'm nearly ready to add the "sea opals".

2011-07-01T01:52:00.000-04:00

If this photo looks a lot like the last update on the Boo Club, it's because everything has been ripped out, not once but twice! Nothing seem to go right with "pumpkin", so I tried "fright" instead and thought the house looked great, it was in the wrong area to keep the piece balanced. So out it came. Hopefully this coming week, "pumpkin" will go back in correctly and progress will be made.

Art Walk

2011-06-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

Last night I was part of an Artist's Walk. A small nearby town puts on an annual Brick Street Artists' Walk. The various shops on the brick street, aka Main street, sponsor an artist to display their wares/talents outside the shop for the evening. One of my favorite local needlework shops is on Main street and the owner asked if I wanted to be their artist.

It was an interesting evening. By virtue of being at the end of the "walk", traffic was not as heavy as further down the street. Those who did stop to look and converse were surprised that I actually designed the pieces I had on display. They seem to assume that I simply stitched from a pattern. Where they thought the pattern came from, who knows. The best part were the few who just appreciated the pieces for their artistic qualities and liked them for that alone.

wordless wednesday

2011-06-22T17:50:00.002-04:00

more Sea Opal progress

2011-06-17T10:20:00.000-04:00

wordless wednesday

2011-06-15T10:20:00.000-04:00

FIber Fest

2011-06-14T10:11:00.000-04:00

Over the week-end, a firend and I went to Fiber Fest. I am a begining knitter and she is more advanced than I am. The yarns were gorgeous! The wool was soft!!!! There were lots of types of wool - from angora (who were also there - live) to alpaca to sheep (also there live) to a few I've forgotten. Going with a fellow sticher/knitter is so much more fun than going with a bored hubby (last year's experience).

Here are a couple of photos:

All photos taken with permission of vendors.

Sea Opal update

2011-06-10T10:10:00.000-04:00

More progress has been made on Sea Opal. I was waiting for the remainder of the ribbon to arrive before I could go further and now it is in the house and in the piece. THe first photo shows just the new ribbon and the second shows some of the stitching around the ribbon.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T18:52:00.000-04:00

2011-06-04T00:26:00.000-04:00

For some reason this shot of my orts jar didn't show up. As of 31 May 2011, with a peek of the backyard as well.