Happy New Year!!

The past six months have been so hectic, I don't know where to start to cover it at. While I avoid discussing work in detail, I will admit to taking a class for ITIL Foundations and passing the certification test. I've tried the self-paced training for this before, to no availe, so hubby and I saved up so I could take the class from a group who is good at training for it (thank you Pink Elephant!). So now that done, and will hopefully add a bonus to my status at work. (The company I work for recently merged with/was bought out by another company and I'm feeling the need to keep myself marketable.)

On the home front, things are smoothing out. Three (or four) months back, hubby was able to find a "9-5" job. With the housing market bottoming out, he just wasn't pulling in enough for cover basic bills (combined with my income). We do not live outside our means (haven't done that in over 6 years) and it was really stressing me out to borrow money from my parents just to buy the kids one birthday gift, all the while getting further behind on our regular bills. The stress got to me so badly, that I ended up in physical therapy for the tense neck and sholder muscles (which put us further in debt...typical pattern, yes?), heck strong doses of muscle relaxers and pain killers weren't relaxing the muscles. That's when hubby annouced that he was going to pick up steady temp work. This is something I know he hated to do; he loves his business. But he (very) quickley found a month long contract being the IT deparment for a small company.

It turns out they loved him and after two weeks, offered him a permanent full time position. So now, he runs IT for them, reporting to the VP ans President of the company. He is severly under-paid for his job (have I mentioned he ~IS~ the IT department for 100-150 people?), but since he creates the budget for his department, he's factored in raises and paid training for the next year.
As cool as this ended up being, it still ate at me that he had to stop doing what he loved, even though no money was being made, just to make money. We worked long and hard to get him doing what he loves, and it was going to be my turn next to figurre out what i wanted to be "when I grow up". BUT, it turns out he loves it! Right before Christmas, out of no-where he said to me, "I love that I get paid to play!"
Big stress relief! So now he has two 'jobs' he loves to do, and one of them has a steady paycheck.

On the homefront, my stress has put a big dent in working on my own hobby. I find I can only stitch an hour or two a week (instead of the ten I use to do), and play time on the computer is even more limited.
I was, however, able to get one last thing completed in 2008 (finished it on Dec 27). Here it is, hubby's requested bookmark; "Renaissance Bookmark" by Teresa Wentzler.


I did the pattern on 28c Country French Chantilly and used the recomended threads (DMC and Kreinik). It is Finished with a buttonhole edge using DMC thread that matched the material. It took approximitley 39 hours to complete (10 of that was the buttonhole stitch...I should have went with the blanket stitch, but then maybe it wouldn't look so great). There is nothing on th back of it, but I've told hubby to let me know that if the threads on the back keep catching on things or if it's not stiff enough for him, I'll iron on some fusing. I barely had time to get a picture of it before he put it into use.

On the stashing front, I'm still in "diet"-mode. However this was made much easier when hubby signed me up for Vikki Clayton's Floss of the Monthfor a Christmas present! Now for the next year I'll be getting some wonderful floss and it will help keep the edge off wanting to impulse buy.
Also, since the Stash-to-Go blog has slowed down alot, I'm thinking I need to start giving things away. Where for it to go....

A happy New Year to all and I'll leave you with a picture of the antics of The Teen.

That's a candle she put on top of one of my statues.

WIP Updates and Finishes

I'm averaging, what, 3 months per update? The camera's memory card has been found and here are some pictures. First up, the two finishes...



"Winter's Grazing" by Lois Winston

From The Cross Stitcher, Feb. 2007. On 16ct Grey Aida, using DMC threads. Approx 93 hours to complete.

wXSw (Wonderful XS World) mystery SAL, created by Helga Mandl Designs and Barbara Ana Designs

On 14c Oatmeal Aida, with DMC threads (comparable Light Effects threads substituted for white, 334, and 818). Approx 66 hours.



And the WIP updates...

The Tree Skirt as of Sept. 19:


"An October Box" as of Oct. 11:


The younger terror's blanket as of Nov. 24:


DH's bookmark as of Aug.5 :


BoINK as of Aug. 30:

Stitching Rotation Updates

I've worked on two projects in the past couple of weeks...

"Winter White Tree Skirt"


and "Winter's Grazing"

I'm 3/4 done with this one. I expect to have it completed within the next 2 rotation rounds.

I've definitely decided to add book marks to the rotation. They are small and I know I won't feel overwhelmed by adding them. The first one I'm making is for hubby, who is no help picking out a pattern (whatever, honey). I've decided to go with "Renaissance Bookmark", a freebie by Teresa Wentzler (TW Designworks).

I've also found another SAL I want to work on; Ink Circles' Celtic Mystery SAL (affectionately being called BoINK), which is based on designs from the Book of Kells. I'm considering kitting this up and then, because I'm going to buy silks for this instead of using from my stash, restart the Project Challenge. Well, maybe I'll restart after I renew my magazine subscriptions.
{GRIN}

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

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/

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...

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.

A RR, a finish, and a present

I've gotten this month's RR piece finished, for Dana.


Quite honestly, it took my son a couple of hours to pick which flowers to stitch for Dana's piece (he liked them all). In the end, with the help of his sister, he chose June, since that is when his birthday is. He has been a great help in picking out the patterns to stitch each month as I'm liking everything and having trouble deciding.

Next up is my very first finish of 2007!

It is "Peppermint Nick" by Jeanette Rees of Jemini Designs, from JCS 2006 Christmas Ornaments. On 28 ct. Ice Blue Alma, with DMC regular and rayon thread, and WDW thread.
After I get him cleaned, pressed and made into an ornament, he'll have a fuzzy scark and will be holding a candy cane. This is the ornament my daughter has picked for this year's tree.
This makes nine projects finished in my 25 project challenge.

And lastly, the reason the challenge has been easy, I recieved a package from Diane at PALS for the Month color exchange. February's colors were pink and red with a theme of hearts and Valentine's Day. And Diane sent me a package of finishing stuff...mostly.

What you see is:
• fabric with red and pink hearts
• red and white tulle
• 4 skiens of DMC (white, 304,349, B5200)
• finishing cord in sparkly red and sparkley white
• package of size 26 needles
• heart-shaped key ring (I have one like this in purple, but I LOVE the blue)
• bookmark
• notepad with magnets


Did I miss anything?


I just hope Leigh likes what I got for her.


Recently, my mom dropped off some 'craft stash' which she got from my grandmother, who is cleaning out her house. She brought several different stacks of material, including some she remembers her sisters wearing when the were 6 or so (shall we just say the fabric is over 50 years old), as well as some very brightly colored yarn, dolls heads, and I don't know how many yards of a yellow and brown wool. Also, some prestamped doilies to be embroidered. Unfortunatly, they are stained and I don't want to attemt to clean them, as the stamping will wash off, until I can finish them.
I have some friends that I'm going to let have first dibs on what I'm not going to keep, and then I'm thinking of post pictures here to see if anyone else will use it.

Finishing up 2006

Here is my last finish for 2006:



It's "Christmas Duo" wreath ornament by M-Designs. Design taught at the 2006 PALS Fall Fling. 32ct linen in Moonglow from Picture This Plus with JAR Designs thread. Changed "Happy Holidays" to "Mother's Night". Approx. 6 hrs. to complete.

That makes a total of 21 conpleted projects for the year. Up from the 17 completetions of 2005. NO resolution to do more in 2007; just keep up the fun.

Speaking of resolutions: Mine for 2005 was to bring my cholesterol down below 200, and my weight down to 155. Starting of both on Jan.1 was Cholesterol 365, Weight 167.

I am happy to report my cholesterol was 171 at the beginning of September, thanks to diet change, exercise, and medication (darn heretige). My weight as of 5 minutes ago is 156!

2007 resolutions:
I will continue to exercise and eat right.
I will focus more on cleaning and organizing my house.

Edit: I realized I had a couple of stitchy resolutions. One is to continue to take part in the 50 project challenge. The other is to take part in Sharon's "Take a Stitch Tuesday" challenge; I'm looking forward to learning new stitches on this.

A much better day with a finish

I just finished putting the last backstitch in an ornament for my son. He picked it out and asked me to change the colors to red, yellow, orange and blue. Red and blue are his favorite colors, but I'm not sure where yellow and orange came from (he is 4). Here it is!


Is it me? Or does he look...embarrassed?
It is "Sadie Snowflake" by Imaginating, Inc., from JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection. On 14 ct White Aida with DMC floss.

Outlook on life has taken a turn for the better. Probably because I don't go back to work until December 27 and then I only work two days that week. All this is thanks to vacation time and holidays.

A little here...a little there.

I've just realized that it's been a couple weeks since I posted any stiching updates. I finished the piece for GhostStitchers:

I love how the Hungarian flame stitch turned out.

I also finished the tree ornament from M-Designs "Christmas Duo". This was one of the classes taught at the 2006 PALS Fall Fling. On 32ct linen in Moonglow from Picture This Plus with JAR Designs thread.


And here are the pieces I've made progress on.

"The Enchanter"


And from the JCS 10th Anniversary Collection:
"Sadie Snowflake"- This is a color conversion from the original colors. My son picked these out.

"Snow Kitty"

Halloween pictures and a finish

Finally got the pictures off the camera from last night. Unfortunately, we forgot to get the pictures before they headed out to trick-or-treat, so the were a little uncooperative.



Also, thanks to Lisa sending me the MH beads I needed, I finished an ornament for myself. It's "Christmas Eve" by Elizabeth's Designs from the JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection. 28ct Ivory Jazlyn, with DMC floss and MH beads. I decided to skip the bunny and moon charms.

50 Project Challenge

After my inundation of stash from the PALS Fall Fling, I have decided to join in on the 50 Project Challenge. I'll actually be doing the 25 project version to start with, and decide if I want to push to 50 when the time comes. I've created a new blog to watch the progress on: http://jayderose50challenge.blogspot.com/ .

A finish at MB

I finished stitching my hubby's choice for an ornament, for our tree this year, last Thursday.

It is "Not a Creature was Stirring" by Dragon Dreams from JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversery Collection. 28ct Bone Jobelan with suggested DMC and Kreinik floss.

Pictures Pictures Pictures

I finally got around to cleaning out my tote, so here is the picture of "Snowcones" by Carla Acosta from Michaels.com. It is with DMC floss on 14c White Aida. It took approx. 70 hours to complete.


I have also finished stitching my nametag for the PALS Fall Fling. I adapted the patterns from "Prayer Pocket" by Yvonne Reitsma and lettering from "Good Freinds Nametag" by Yvonne Reitsma and Thea Dueck, both patterns available from The Victoria Sampler. It was done on 28c Coffe Jobelan, with the recommended DMC threads. I did the lettering with DMC Rayon 30798, and used MH 40123for the center of the blue flowers. 7 hours to complete.


Thank you everyone who help pick the fabric for this!

Monday madness, 50 project challenge, and other stuff

While meandering throught the 'net, I ran across the blog Monday Madness. It was one of those this blog linked to that blog, which linked to a blog over here, etc. What a nice idea and a great way to start to get to know people, so here goes this week's questions:

1. How do you eat an oreo cookie? I don't. I'm not fond of the "chocolate" cookie. But I LOVE the Uh-Oh Oreo's. Those I eat by opening up the cookie, licking the filling, then eating the cookie halves. No milk.

2. How long does it take you to eat lunch? Depends on what I'm eating. Usual lunch will take me about 1 hour, but I'm stitching while I'm chewing.

3. Caffeine or decaf? Caffeine!

4. Chicken or beef? Moo-Cow!

5. Pen or pencil? Pen, but only if it has those soft grips.

6. Autumn or spring? Ooo, hard one. Both are the rainy season here. I think I'll go with Spring, because it's not the middle of hurricane season.

7. Baseball or basketball? Neither, but to support my son's interests, I pick baseball.

8. 'Survivor' or 'The Amazing Race?' Survivor, but only the first season and the season with Rupert.

9. Come up with one question I can ask our Monday Madness participants in the weeks to come. Which side of the bed?

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Another blog I ran across is HasturTorres' who has issued a 50 project challenge. Basics: No buying new stash until you complete 50 projects (or 25, or 10). Predetermined exceptions allowed. The goal be ing to have fun decreasing your stash. Yet another good idea, so I pulled up my database of stash, and do you know what I found? I don't have 50 charts to do. I don't have 25 that need to be done. Heck, I don't even have 10! I counted up my WIPs and the charts I have waiting to be done and I have 9 (4 WIPs, 3 kits, 2 charts). I could come up with one more chart from somewhere in freebie land, but instead of taking part in this challenge this year, I'm going to cull out my fabric stash. Now that I have a lot of. I'll be going through over the next several weeks and donating what I REALLY don't want/need to the stash room at the Cross Stitch PALS Fall Fall Fling.

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I don't remember mentioning this, but a couple of weeks ago, my husband came bopping into the house after I had gotten home from work (for those not familiar with "bopping", it's like a jig, but with more bouncing) and anounced that he had signed us up for a gym membership. Happy Anniversery to me!!! This is something that has been on my wishlist since we got married, and I had to stop my previous membership, because we couldn't afford it. I'm one of those people who might exercise, if I can find the time, but will exercise if I'm paying for it, even if I have to go at midnight. Okay, no midnight runs to the gym for me anymore, and as for making the time; not as easy as it used to be. But I am going. So since the time we started until today, I've been to the doctor for a cholesterol checkup and the numbers are AWESOME! Total cholesterol is 170. LDL (bad cholesterol) is 90. And I forget the rest and will have to look it up at home. But I have also lost 6 pounds and 2-3 inches in the waist.

Maybe I shouldn't have got shopping last month for new pants.

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I finished Tanager with Tulips last night after supper. I'll hopefully get the picture uploaded tonight. Or sometime this week. So, I'm back to rotating my projects, with the Bakers Dozen RR as the focus. And I'll add in ornaments if I can ever get the family to look at the books and pick what they want to add to the tree this year. Hmmm, I could use the one I picked out for me as project numer 10...