Updates Galore

Now that I've finally been able to bogart the camera from my hubby (who is at this moment wandering the house trying to figure out where he put it, as I download), I've gotten picture of all my finishes and updates over the past several months. So you know this post will be jpeg heavy.

First up is my last finish of 2007.
"One Starry Night" by Carol Scott Higeli of The Stitcher's Habit. From JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection.

On 28ct Navy Cashel Linen, using recommended DMS treads. Substituted Kreinik 102 with 002, and 085 with 095.

And two finishes, so far, for 2008:
"Merlin's Oak" by Hermon Adams
Pictures never do these things justice, do they...

This is an Embellished Cross Stitch kit from Candamar Designs Inc, which I started in July 2005.

And "Daisy Dream" Mill Hill kit.

This beaded pin pillow is on 28ct Cashel Linen, and took approx. 15 hours to complete.

And the Baker's Dozen RR returned in time for Christmas for my son. Although once he saw the package when we picked up the mail, he knew what it was and has refused to let it go since (Oh the uproar when he realized he forgot it at his Aunt's house in San Antonio!).

THANK YOU to all the ladies who worked on this. My boy absolutely loves it, and has me read all the letters you wrote at least once a week. You all did great work and I am grateful to you.


Now for my lovely ongoing projects...
Here is "Winter White Tree Skirt" at 180 hours


"Winter's Grazing" at 54 hours


wXSw (Yahoo group) Mystery SAL "Back on the Road Again" at 30 hours

I'm using 14ct Oatmeal Aida (I think it is Oatmeal. Its part of some stash I was given and it was not labeled.) and DMC threads. I have substituted DMC's Light Effect colors for the White, 334, and 818.

And lastly, "An October Box" at 10 hours

Is it Spring yet?

Wahoo!! I've been working some serious overtime lately and am ready for a vacation. Which I start at 3:30 today! Of course, now is the perfect time to get sick (I've been fighting my throat hurting the past couple of days). I don't plan on heading anywhere except from my bed to the couch, with a couple of pit stops for necessities. Updating my WIP on the sidebar too. It seems I'm a little behind on updates.

In all this extra work I've been doing, I finally got the rest of my Stash-To-Go cataloged and posted (http://ets-stash.blogspot.com/). Well almost all of it. There's still a few things that got stored someplace I can find (in other words, I put it someplace safe and now can not figure out where...I really need some decent sleep), but those will go up as I find them.

So head over and find something you have to have.

You know you want NEED to add to your stash!

American's Average MPG

A 2006 study by Texas A&M University found that the average American walks about 900 miles per year.

Another study by the American Beer Institute found that Americans drink an average of 22 gallons of beer a year.

That means, on average, Americans get approximately 41 miles per gallon - not bad...

How can anyone forget a finish?!?

Well I did!

A couple weeks ago, I finished this!


"The Enchanter" by James Himsworth for Dimensions.
On 18 ct. Black Aida, with DMC and Kreinik threads, various charms and beads.
Started August 2005. Approx 228 hours to complete.


ALSO-
If you haven't heard yet, my Aunt gave me all of her cross stitch stash. I now have more charts than I can shake a stick at. I know. I tried. The kids just giggled. Head over to my new stash blog and see if there is anything you have to have!

http://ets-stash.blogspot.com/

New "Christmas" Project

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments on my last stitching update. I did add a new project to my rotation. Not so much a Christmas project, as I have the tree skirt for that, but it's winter themed none the less.
For the progress reports:

Since I free'd up a scroll bar, I got "The Enchanter" into it to work on the detail work. Here it is with the backstitching done (Well the part that the scroll bar will show).

Just the embellishments and cording left to do on that.

I'm getting close to finishing the main work on "Merlin's Oak" too.

Just the bottom right corner left to do and onto the backstitching.

I'm sensing a theme this week...

And the Tree Skirt! A 10x10 block left to do on the first page:

I'm going to backstitch each page as I go, as I about had a heart attack thinking about leaving it all for the very end like I usually do.

Oh yes, the new project added...
"Winter's Grazing" by Lois Winston from The Cross Stitcher (February 2007). No pictures of it yet, including the one from the magazine, as my scanner isn't working and just feel like troubleshooting it. (LOL, I know...bad techie! Bad, bad techie!) However so you can have a visual, it's three moose in a pine forst cover in snow.

I could have sworn I haven't read this

There are occasions where I have read a book and then forgotten that i read it, until I picked it up again and got halfway through the book wonder why I know what is going to happen next. This usually happens with series that have long stretches of time between each book.
The most recent of these is buying "A Storm of Swords" by George R. R. Martin three times, reading halfway through it, then realizing 1.) I've already read the thing, and 2.) Oh, look, there it is on my book shelf. Luckily, the bookstore has understood each time, and the book was in good shape, so I was able to return it. One of those times to a cashier who was laughing her ass off at me (Thanks, sis).
This does not happen often with me, as I usually know exactly what books are on my shelves at home. I mainly run into picking up the same book over and over again at the library. Or wondering while I'm there if I've read a certain book. Or my husband asking my opinion of a book we both know I've read, but can't remember reading it.
So, I've decided to start keeping track of the books I've picked up to read, and the one's I've actually read. Maybe even comment on those I have read. Maybe. Quite honestly, my book reviews have only ever made sense to me; made it hard to get passing grades on those book reports in school. The last reviews I gave hubby of a couple of books:

King Dork by Frank Portman - Put yourself in the mindset of a teenager and read. You'll laugh your ass off. Will be a good read for TeenD when she stops thinking kissing is gross.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Do Not Read If Prone To Depression And/Or Suicide. Seriously, by page 5 I was contemplating finding the good kitchen knife and taking it to my wrists. I didn't even attempt to make it to page 6, and just took it back to the library. It still took me several days to pull myself out of that depression.
This book is now on my very short list of books I've started, and will never finish. I believe that list is only 2 or 3 books long. (I'm kind of anal about finishing a book I start. I keep thinking that it will get better.)

Funniest multiple book purchase ever Award: Goes to my Mother!
One year I got the same book from my mother 6 times. That's right, she bought and wrapped the same title 6 times and never caught on until I opened them Christmas Day. It's even possible she picked up two of the copies in the same trip.

Busy hands

It has been sometime since I had any stitching updates, I believe. Not only do I have some progress to report on a couple of projects, I have a finish as well!

I'll start with the one that has the least amount done.
Here is the 100 hour picture of Winter White Tree Skirt:

I'm almost 1/5 complete with the project (not counting sewing the thing into a tree skirt).

Now "The Enchanter", who is almost done (210 hr of work):

All I have left to do is back stitching and the embellishments. Since I've freed up a scroll rod with my completed piece, I can move this to the scroll rods, making the finishing easier. Too much cording and embellishments to allow for using a hoop easily.

Now for the finish...
Started August 2005, with approximately 124 hours of stitching, I give you...

"North American Beauties" by Michael Adams. Dimensions kit on 18ct White Aida.

I am particularly glad to have this one done. The confetti half stitches drove me nuts. I resorted to parking just to have a place to anchor thread. The back is a mess because of that, but no worries; I'm making it into a pillow.

Now what to start next...

Work, work, work...and a "little" bit of music

Contract negotiations and infrastructure re-orgs has left me little time for me. What time I do have is spent offline stitching, reading, and getting the Kindergartner into his new routine.
Oh yes, and lots of music.
Music always seems to be the one constant. Even when I have a rip-roaring migraine, a little bit of background noise can help me get the focus off the pain. And my musical taste range from classical to death metal. My favorite band of all time is Def Leppard. Not one that most people would chose, I know, but I love how their music has grown with them. (Or have they grown with their music?)
Now for a musical interlude...
Here is Avenged Sevenfold with their new single "Almost Easy" from the upcoming self-titled album (release date 10/30/07).



I have to say, I'm a sucker for anyone who can work an evil laugh into their song.

What is your favorite singer or band? And why?

Things The Boy says...

So I'm making Ants on a Log with my son this past weekend (you know, celery with peanut butter and raisins on it), and my son pops a couple of raisins in his mouth, chews and swallows, then turns to me and says, "Mom! I'm an anteater!"

Woohoo!!! Stitching I can share!

Finally! Something for me and not someone else!
So do you want the good news or the great news first?

The good:
Here is a picture of the tree skirt I'm working on. This is 60 hours of work.

You can double check in Webshots, but I believe I did not post a 50 hour picture.

The great news:
I finished one! For me! That I keep!!


“Family Sampler" A Do-It-Yourself Sasmpler by M-designs, debuting at PALS Oct. 2006 Retreat. On 28 ct. Fresco Linen from Picture This Plus and Viki Clayton silks.

How about a couple of cuties while we at it. Here is Mini-Me at one of my sist'er's wedding in May.



And my son at his Pre-K graduation.