Parking garage fiasco continues

I'd not mentioned this before, but the company I work for is fixing its parking garage. This means 80 carpools have had to relocate to one of several locations up to 7 blocks away from the building. I thought I'd heard there were 300 carpools so the odds were that any one carpool would not get chosen. Lucky us. The union picked the carpools (not that I trust them an inch) and sure enough, we hear that union leader carpools that got picked "some how" are now back in the building. Could be a vicious rumor, but I find it telling that everyone (and I mean everyone) is quick to believe it.

The transition from company garage to the relocation sites has been poorly run since the beginning: no instructions of how to enter the garages, not enough passes for all carpool drivers, delays in responses to questions, and NO PLANNED ROTATION. If your carpool was picked to leave the building during construction, then your carpool stays out of the building for the FULL YEAR that construction will take.

There are approximately 20 company carpools in the garage I'm assigned to. The company has a "contrator" agreement and we have stickers for the cars that indicate we're contractors using the garage which is located under a college building. Other than the hike at night up to the garage can be interesting (and you don't want interesting) there have been no problems. Until last Thursday: Christmas Eve.

My company was kind enough to let us go early and I was at the garage just after Noon. Could I get in? Treat that as a rhetorical question. Of course not! The college is on winter break and the building was totally locked! With all the tall buildings my cell phone couldn't get a signal and who would I call anyway especially with the school closed? Fortunately (praise God!) a campus police office came by within a few minutes and let me in after I explained how I happened to not be a student or faculty and have my car locked in their garage. He escorted me to my car.

Once I got home I emailed the coordinators of this parking fiasco wanting to know how am I supposed to get to my car on Monday evening when it's dark, school is out of session and the building is locked down. Much later that night I got a read-receipt from the head coordinator.

Public parking garages are $18 a day. Non realistic and cost prohibitive for A YEAR. I'm hoping against logical hope that I'll have a resolution email before I go to bed tonight. I won't go to work tomorrow without knowing their plan for me to get my car daily. If I need to call the campus police every day that school is out to gain access to the building, I will. And what will happen at Spring Break and Summer Break?

My Plan B hope is that I get a response tomorrow (Monday) to my email detailing the expected procedure if/when this happens again. On Tuesday I'll drive to work, park in the garage (entry is not a problem) and see what happens in the evening. "Hello? Campus Police? I have a problem."

GRRRRR. I work with idiots.

Book: A Mountain of Crumbs by Elena Gorokhova

I don't usually read memoirs, but this is a nice one. She remembers well what it was like to grow up in Russia. She writes well and tells a good story. I learned a lot about personal interactions in Russia. I must look up the New Year Tree. I'd not heard of that tradition before.

Recommended.

30% off Heaven and Earth Designs

I'm about to start my perusing of the HAED website and mark my choices. At 30% off I can get all the ones I like and not have to make decisions! LOL Sale ends 12/21 at midnight.

17" of snow today and still falling

It's after 6 pm and we've gotten a "historic" snow today. 17" at the house. This in an area where 1/4" will shut the city down!

I finished stitching a Shepherd's Bush piece: Ho Ho Ho. I'll finish it as an ornament. I then started SB's Christmas Pin Cushion. It will also be finished as an ornament.

I was lucky that the birthday present I bought for myself arrived yesterday: Mary Englebreit Christmas ornaments by Bucilla. It'd be better to do them on linen. I'll have to look around and see what I have. Aida came with the kit. I plan to finish a bunch of them while I'm snowbound.

I wrapped the last of the Xmas presents today! HOORAY! I like using as much variety as possible in wrapping paper and opened 3 new rolls today. Bliss.

Safe traveling and Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and gets to where they're going safely. Do your part on Black Friday to stimulate the economy. I'm going to do some cross stitch shopping online as my contribution to better days. :)

Currently on my wish list:
Hinzeit Crystal reindeer and sleigh (9 reindeer and 1 sleigh)
Holy Moses and Eye of the Sparrow by Silver Creek Samplers
2009 Annual Christmas Tree by Mirabilia
Lizzy Kate's ABC Christmas kit

We'll see what I finally decide on purchasing. :)

Bought a great new chart!

I like to enter my stitching in the county fairs, but this one.....well, it's totally unsuitable. But hilariously funny! I can't wait to start it. Take a look:

http://www.needlepricks.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=240

Maybe I should enter this in Woodlawn! LOL I'll be displayed behind a door or under the bed, if I do.

I also bought Picasso's Don Quixote by Ladybug Designs, White Dance by who knows because they didn't put their name on the chart, and Thea Gouverneur's Pears (a kit). All of these were my order from The Needlework Show.

Started wrapping Christmas presents

I'm so ashamed. LOL A little less than 2 weeks to Thanksgiving and almost all my shopping is done and today I started wrapping presents. Actually, it was necessary to wrap a few of the presents just to keep the surprise. The plastic bags are see-thru and I don't have much in hidden storage (stash has to go some place!!). Now a month from now I won't know what is in those packages, but that's a different story! LOL

Practically everyone knows C.R.S. (can't remember sh**). But at stitch group I heard there's a new one: C.R.A.F.T. (can't remember a f***ing thing). Appropriate for those who stitch, quilt, knit, crochet, tat, etc. and are of an age where forgetfulness is common, don't you agree?? We thought it was terrific! LOL

New CEC mitten freebie

The mitten-mitten is here! I've started this and just finished stitching all the tiny mittens. This is the first of all the mittens I've stitched. A stitcher friend of mine has stitched them all, but is not aware of this one....yet! I hope to surprise her at our weekly show and tell that this one exists. I've printed out a copy of the freebie for her. I like that I can use a cute mitten fabric for the backing.

Next up is SanMan Originals' Gift of Giving Day 1 (a turkey). I have all the floss and I'm sure I can find fabric to stitch it on.

Terra Cotta warriors

I'm so excited!!! I already have my tickets to this show at National Geographic. My brother gave them to me as an early present. We go near the end of March 2010. No cameras permitted. I figure they have a book for sale about the exhibit.

New finish: Alphabet Pumpkin, new start, movie

I finished JBW's Alphabet Pumpkin recently. What fun! I used DMC 4130. I like that it's for fall. I have so few things stitched for fall.



I used my 10% off everything coupon at Joann Fabrics today. I also used a 50% off coupon on a new cookbook. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't a cookbook that was 1-1/2" thick!



It has standard recipes and of course uses butter in all of them. There's a recipe for Eggnog coffee cake. That could be interesting. And one for a chocolate chunk chocolate cookie with peppermint candy cane bits. Now that sounds yummy and seasonal! I love looking through a new cookbook, bookmarking potential recipes to try.

I picked up DMC for the Jim Shore 12 Days of Christmas. I won't be stitching the gold border and I'll be making them into ornaments. I've started with number 5 - the rings. It's not my favorite. I like the swan and partridge the best. The drummer, maid and goose are next and the others just kind of fill up the middle. Since the chart is by Mill Hill there are beads to attach. I hope that Stitching Bits and Bobs will have a Thanksgiving sale so I can order them. Not that I'll need them that quickly! LOL

Anyone planning to see the movie 2012? I'm planning to see it Saturday. Big question: Why does the Aztec calendar end in 2012? End of the world or a simple, non-related reason? Things that make you go "Hmmmmmmmm."

More scans

Judy in Iowa on the SanMan board gave me this great Halloween exchange item plus the terrific scissors.



I love it!!! Thank you, Judy!

At the craft show today (and it was gorgeous weather and not crowded when I arrived) I picked these pins up. I couldn't decide between the two of them. I thought of Madeline Albright and her meanings behind the pins she wears: if I'm feeling gregarious, I can wear the open design and if I'm feeling more introspective, I can wear the closed design. These are made from real forks!



I'm always looking for stocking stuffers and I bought this fork key chain. It's perfect!




My next stop was to look at Santa ornaments. I saw this starfish Santa and passed it by since I'd just started my exploration of the booths. I kept it in my mind and on the way out I stopped and bought it.



In the main building (the other finds were in the open stalls on the fairgrounds) I saw this pin from across the room. I checked it out then left it there as I looked around the other booths. I did see a carousel horse magnet made out of coal and a cute fox about 3 inches high made out of coal, but I liked the pin better. On my way past it again, I bought it.



When I put on my fanny pack in the parking lot I included a pen and some note paper in case I found really good craft ideas. Up to this point, an hour into the booths, I had not found anything to make a note so I could make it myself. Then I found the booth with my name on it!! If I'd won the lottery, I'd have just bought her out, but since I hadn't I feasted my eyes on her wonderful items.

She had taken 5" strips of a homespun check (burgundy and vintage tan, navy and vintage tan, and hunter green and vintage tan) about 1/2" wide and tied them to a string of white Christmas lights. She singe tied (like the first step in tying your shoes) one of each color between each of the lights. FANTASTIC! "I can do that," I told myself.

She made a snowman pin using two circles of felt; one white and one black. She used buttonhole stitch around the edges to stitch the two circles together. She painted on tbe eyes and mouth like it was coal pieces and an orange painted elongated triangle nose. A pin-back was either stitched or hot glued to the back. I think I'll sew mine on. FANTASTIC! "I can do that," I told myself.

She also had the cutest collection of jack o'lantern pins. These were about 2-1/2" around on the front, stuffed with fiberfil, pin-back sewed on, and painted face. She used a teeny tiny orange and black houndstooth fabric for one that was adorable! They were of different fabrics and faces. FANTASTIC! "I can do that," I told myself.

Although "I can do that" the question to ask is "Will I?" If I haven't made them by next year and I see her booth, I'll just admit defeat and buy them! LOL

Indian Summer is here!

It is 74 degrees today! Wahoo! It's too hot to stitch, but not to hot to write about stitching or to play in the stash.

The scanner is working again and I am thrilled. A blog loses a lot of oomph (is that even a word?!?!) without pictures to show off.

So, for the first time this year: VOILA!




This is from Black Cats & Flying Bats by Blue Ribbon Designs. I had to chop off a bit of the bottom since I didn't have the space in this Round Robin for the entire picture, but I like the look. Her theme is "Remember Me When This You See". I love Halloween and buttons and bought this chart specifically for her RR.

My theme is Halloween witches hats using charts from MonsterBubbles. I pulled out the pilgrim and Santa witches hats since I don't like them as much and they are strongly seasonal and I want to disply it year round.

Happy Hallowe'en! and This is It

I love the random apostrophe in Halloween! LOL Hope all your ghosts and goblins are friendly ones.

I saw the Michael Jackson movie of his rehersals. There was a lot more singing than I thought there would be. What a talent. What a shame he died so young. I never would have gone to a concert so this was the next best thing. Lots of great ideas and definitely a spectacular.

I'm glad I wore my Halloween sweatshirt since the theatre was cold. Only 25 people or so at the mid morning showing. I was afraid it'd be elbow to elbow.

Oh, gee! Some idiots are setting off leftover fireworks for Halloween mischief out back in the next neighborhood. It scared the youngest cat away from the window. One of the older ones didn't even flick an ear. Cats! Fireworks are not legal in my state even on July 4.

I finished stitching Just Nan's Witch's Hat. Maybe it'll be completed by next year. Now I'm stitching on a new Shepherd's Bush Scary Sheep scissors fob. The back was done yesterday. I have a few more green leaves, the hill and the words and I'm done with the fob. Tomorrow I'm going to start on Christmas stitching. I have Sweet Tooth by Becky's Boo's and the JABCo buttons for it.

Back from Covered Bridge Needlearts Retreat in Columbiana, OH

Wow, what fun! Tracy from Hands to Work was back with a "boo" banner. This looks so wonderful and has yo-yo flowers out of old fashioned looking fabric between each letters' banner.

Lori from LA-D-Da was there, too, with a quick little pin cushion out of a wooden spool and a golf tee (how cute!) and a lovely acorn adorned pin cushion box top. I used her acorn design with leftover thread and fabric to make a scissors fob. The front says " 20 (acorn) 09" and the back says "Columbiana, Ohio". Now I'll have a specific reminder of the trip.





Lori also had us adorn a drawstring bag that she gave us. Made out of Weeks Dye Works felt, the bag just needed the WDW felt rose and leaves and the drawstring ribbons inserted to be done. If you didn't know the buttonhole stitch when you arrived that day, you certainly were expert in it within the hour! The edges of the flower and the petals are in buttonhole stitch and the flower is sewn to the bag using buttonhole stitch.



Someone had a battery powered Ott lamp. I'll check into these. If it has a power cord option this could be just what I need. I need to get the transparent tape Judy had at my table to make following the chart easier.

I forgot to bring my Ott lamp. I unplugged it, but that was as far as it got. I checked Hobby Lobby (wahoo!!!! Hobby Lobby!!!!) and although they had Ott lamps they were full price at $104.00 each. Much, much more than I was willing to pay for forgetting something I already owned.

Lori was wearing a great charm necklace. I commented on it (I've always loved charm bracelets and a charm necklace was new to me) and she told me she made it herself with charms from.....Hobby Lobby!! At the afternoon break I went to HL and bought tons of charms, a chain and small beading tools. Voila, by the next morning I had my own charm necklace. Thanks, Lori!!!!!!!!!

Online Needlework Show

Drats!! I'm finding lots of goodies I want to order. :) I like Zucca (AAN) by Ink Circles. I also like her Christmas Tree that also has the swirls. Gotta love the swirls!

Almost everything else I like could be bought from an INS with no problems, but Cecelia's Samplers in Bronson is having 20% off orders from the show and that might be the clincher! I've ordered from them before and it went very smoothly.

Two Halloween charts I want

okay....three! Witches Hollow by Prinitive Needle, Garden of Eerie by Plum Street Samplers, and Homecoming by Sue Hillis Designs. Can you tell I just love Hallowe'en?! I wish wish wish I could get away to the Ghoultide Gathering in Michigan this year, but I'm going on a xs retreat in Columbiana, Ohio, in three weeks and just don't have the extra funds to do both this year. Maybe another time.

Designers and New Releases at St Charles Market

I was placing a pre-order for the Jenny Bean chart by Shakespeare's Peddler (and thread pack) and decided to see if I could find what else was going to be released. Designers seem to be closed mouthed about it (and I'm not blaming them...surprise is a good thing), but the shop I'm ordering from says to let her know what we want her to buy for us and we can't do that without knowing what's being released. A vicious circle if there ever was one.

However, although I didn't find a list of releases, I did find a list of exhibitors planning to attend the Market in September and a synopsis of what they will be bringing. I added one or two sight unseen items to my wish list! We'll see what she's able to pick up (cross your fingers!!).

The blogspot link isn't working so you'll have to highlight and paste this link: http://www.e-offinger.net/tnna/exh/FallExhibitors.cfm

Entering the fairs

I so totally love entering stitched items in the fairs. The feeling of participation in the community, the fun of competition, anticipation of awards won, and hopefully cashing a check for premiums! I enjoy seeing how a piece does in different locations with different judges. Since I judge photography and baked goods I feel I can trash talk judges!

So far my favorite comment was on a Pine Mountain pillow wrap and their pillow that goes with it. The judges commented that the stitching was nice on the wrap, but the pillow with its serged edges on the outside and thread-tails was "poorly done". End result? 4th place out of 4 so maybe it was a pity placing. LOL I guess this group of judges isn't familar with Pine Mountain. I still like my pillow and now it's at the state fair....go pillow!! At least the state fair is judged by people deeply into cross stitch and other needlework. I may not agree with their decision, but I respect that they had good reasons.

My favorite thing in the fair is a little bee scissor fob that I attached to kids scissors that look like a bee. It's entered in bee arts and crafts and I try to have something to enter at least every other year. It'll be at least a week before I can get up to the fair to see how I did. And I said I enjoyed the anticipation??? Aargghhh! LOL

Started CEC Spooky Hollow over 1

Yes, I am certifiable now. ;) My first problem is with the angel in the big rock: 1/4 stitches. Oh, well. Can't do 1/4 stitches when I'm stitching over 1 thread. I'm using R&R's Blue Moon Java as called for in the chart. I'm using all DMC. I hope to have this done in November to get it framed by February to enter in Woodlawn. Although I can picture it done and in a sculpted black frame, I have a hard time picturing it being stitched. I'll work on it a little each week and just see how it goes.

Started Nora's Sunflower Fairy

Valdani threads are interesting to work with since they are 3-ply, but the design calls for 2 plies. What do you do with the other ply?? I use Floss-Away bags so I've been rolling the extra ply into a coil and putting it in the bag. Maybe I can mix the strands later. Who knows?

I'm done with the green part of her dress. It's going quickly and I like the colors, but I loathe color charts. At least I'll have a fantasy piece to enter in the fairs next year. Maybe I'll have Jill Rensel frame it with a special mat. Gotta stitch it first! LOL

I'm reading an advance reading copy of Lisa Tucker's "The Promised World." I like the flow of the story and the word choice. I'm curious to find out what's behind the lies the twins have been sharing for decades. It's my main book although I wish I wasn't so into it so I could keep reading "Julie & Julia". Only so much time in the day.

Two New finishes

I finished All Creatures Great and Small by Homespun Samplar and a Mosie and Me. I may make the M&M into a box pillow. The other piece I want to frame in a narrow gold frame.

Now to decide if I want to keep working on The Big Zipper by Bent Creek or another WIP, or if it's time to start a new piece. I did receive everything I need to stitch Nora Corbet's Sunflower Fairy.....

Finishes

This weekend I finished JBW's Alphabet Pumpkin using a nice varigated DMC.

I also finished a Pine Mountain pillow wrap (Let it Snow). All I had left to do was the scarf. Seems funny that that's where I put it away. Go figure!

Victoria Sampler's Mermaid Song

Last week fabric was in stock so I signed up for this cyberclass that will start in September. I love the colors on this! I need to stitch things that are not to be framed and this is perfect.

I started a piece this weekend and I can't remember who designed it! Homespun Samplar? Something like that. It's all backstitch or double-running and I'm 1/4 of the way done. It only used 5 colors of GAST. "All Creatures Great and Small" might be the title. I already know that I want to frame it in a narrow gold frame, no matting. I have a 60% discount coupon for Joann's that I can use if I get it done in a month.

I've pre-ordered the new Just Nan tin with the witch's hat on top!!!! As soon as I ordered it I thought to print off a copy, but the picture was gone! Did I get the last one available from that shop?? Maybe....!

I have ordered sight unseen the Nora flower design in the latest issue of a cross stitch magazine. I've since found out that it's a sunflower and drop dead gorgeous. This might go in my kitchen since I like sunflowers and have them there.

Also ordered sight unseen (and mentioned for the third post in a row) the Blackbird Designs Halloween stocking book, fabbie and threads. I can't wait!!!! I wonder which one I'll stitch first? A dear friend of mine when stitching a series will stitch the ones she doesn't like first so that she finishes with her favorites. I tried that once and never got the first one done! LOL Maybe I'll mix it up a little. Silly me! What am I thinking? I'm going to like them ALL!! :)

15-sided freebie biscornu finished

I'll sure be glad when I can scan things again . Regardless, I finished sewing together my version of this 15-sided biscornu (http://aurytm.com/blog/)
using a lovely Needle Necessities in reds that I had on hand. It turned out fine, but a little smaller than I'd imagined it would be.

This is a 15 part freebie and has finishing instructions. I used a translator to translate the finishing instructions, but the photos were clear and I used them often as a referrence.

Halloween fabrics!

I went to Joann Fabrics on Saturday and picked up tons of half yard pieces of Halloween fabrics. It's my favorite holiday and I like to cross stitch Halloween ornaments and always need backing fabric. This time I bought fabric for the soon-to-be-released Halloween stockings chart book by Blackbird Designs. Yes, I know there's no picture of them yet, but I bought "generic" Halloween fabric for all possible designs! I like the neon spider webs on black about the best.

I have been looking for backing fabric for my Halloween hats round robin wall hanging. I wanted fabric with witches hats on it. I did a double-take when I actually found some! It has hats and shoes and the designs are on the small side (which I like) being about 2 inches high. I will wait until the piece is done before buying any more fabric for it.

Blackbird Designs Halloween stockings!!!!

I got the following information in an email newsletter from Wasatch Needlecraft today. I love the Blackbird Designs monthly stockings even though I haven't stitched any yet. But Halloween is my favorite holiday! I've already ordered the complete set from Karen at Wasatch Needlecraft so I can start it the very day it arrives. I don't like wishing my life away, but I wish it was mid-August already!!!! Here's the excerpt from the newsletter:


Blackbird Halloween Stocking Book

The rumors are true....Blackbird Designs is releasing a stocking book that will include 13 different Halloween stocking patterns. Planned release is Mid Aug but I need to have orders in by Aug 1st to guarantee first delivery of fabric and threads. I do not have detailed pricing yet but this is what I know so far-.

The fabric will all be on R&R linen and will cost $42.90 for all 13 stockings. The threads used are Weeks Dye Works, Crescent Colours and Gentle Art but I do not have the colors or number of skeins for pricing yet. I will let you know as soon as I have exact information.

If you want to pre-order this and guarantee first delivery in August let me know no later then the close of Thurs July 30th. Email orders to karen@wasatchneedlecraft.com .

Once I turn in my pre-orders in I am financially committed to my distributors so due to a large number of customers canceling on pre-orders/series I will need to get a pre-payment on Aug 1st of 50% and the remaining will be invoiced once they are ready to be shipped out to you. Thank you for your understanding!

Clydesdales are framed!!

The Spinning Wheel in Fenwick Island, DE, did a perfect job framing this piece. I had brought the piece with me to wash and iron while on vacation at the beach over the 4th of July. She had the perfect frame (a sage green) and I left it to be framed. What a great job! I love it!

I also had an oldie but goodie sampler in the trunk of the car that I'd finished back in February 2009. I had her frame that one, too. It looks lovely. Both pieces will be entered in the local county fair and the state fair in August.

Knitting cupcakes

I took the best class on Sunday at Eleganza Yarns on Shad Row in Frederick, MD. The teacher/owner was fun and knowledgable. The class, free by the way, was on making knitted cupcakes. She had a great model with "coconut" topping (my fav!). Unfortunately, that yarn was no longer available. I did find several other combinations including red, white and blue (4th of July, of course!).

There were 3 of us making cupcakes and a 4th working on a beautiful sweater, plus the instructor working on a light shrug. I liked that even though I've been knitting since 1982, taught knitting at the yarn shop I worked at, and judged knitting for the fairs I still learned some things! I like that about me. :)

Class was great fun and a real treat for me. The day was clear and sunny (it's been so rainy for the last couple of months) and the breeze felt wonderful. We all chatted and had a great time and made good progress on our "fat-free" cupcakes. It cracked us up when another knitter came into the store, asked what we were making and said that she had "too many projects started to be spending time knitting cupcakes!" What a hoot!! I'll stack my knitting, crochet, needlepoint and cross stitch started projects against any one, any day, any time!!! Yet I had time to knit cupcakes. And, yes, us cupcake makers laughed at her after she'd left the parking lot.

One of the other cupcake knitters brought in a skein of "coconut" yarn that she'd bought at the shop many months ago. Although I looked at the label and had pen and paper handy, I didn't jot down the name of the yarn. All I could remember was "FFF" for the manufacturer. Never heard of 'em!

Well, I'm not the Google Queen for nothing! I found the yarn, FFF's Moira, online AND found a shop selling it for 50% off!!!! You may touch the hem of my garment. (LOL)

Ash came back from the framers + clydesdales

and, boy, is it gorgeous!!! I framed it with one inch at the top and tail, 2 inches from the nose, and 4 inches above the bottom since I wanted to give the appearance that it is flying. I have no memory in the computer for scans so I am unable to post a picture of it or of anything. :(

I am still "plowing" (LOL) away on my clydesdales pulling the old fashioned plow. I stitch for 3 to 4 hours a night and it still shows no daily progress. After a couple of days I see progress, but it takes a while. I'll be glad when it's done and I can stitch on other things. I might have to take it on vacation and to a framer while on vacation so it'll be done in time for the county fairs. They can ship it to me, if it comes to that.

I have many things I'd like to stitch next. Little Mill Hill musical instruments as ornaments, MH sled and MH train ornaments, needlerolls, HIH, the new BC branches, anything Shepherd's Bush (I have so much, it won't matter what gets stitched), Dictionary of Bras, Language of Flowers, Sweet Treats, and my needlepoint and knitting!!

I finished Ash the dragon

As soon as I saw Ash I knew I had to stitch it. I don't call myself a dragon-type person, but there are some I like. This was one of them. I didn't like the charcoal dragon on deep red fabric so I found a sky blue fabric (Aerial from Picture This Plus) and an aqua ThreadX. Soooo beautiful together! I like the swirls in the wings. It took exactly 5 skeins. I have a single strand about 11" long left over. I used purple metallic Petite Treasure Braid for the eye and eye accent.

Sheep & Wool Festival is this weekend!!!!!

I'm so psyched!! I love going to the Sheep & Wool Festival. I pre-ordered my t-shirts and tote bag so I don't have to stand in the God forsaken line. I work my t-shirt all weekend. Only one person noticed that I had the new shirt on (not bad actually!). www.sheepandwool.org

Observations on the Woodlawn Exhibit

I didn't make it upstairs again - that staircase is trecherous! Maybe next year.

I entered three items that were well displayed and all in the first room. No award winners, but it just makes me want to try harder for next year. I noticed that most of the award winners were stitched "over one". The best in show was one of the early Lavender & Lace angels (winter??) and it was done over one thread. Awesome! Needless to say all the stitches were perfect, but I wonder if it would take all the joy of stitching out of it to be that precise.

The tea room had some of Martha Washington's Ginger Cookies for sale. I believe these are from the same recipe before they changed the last room on the first floor into the tea room. They were in a tin bucket on the mantel! They were good, but not as good as I remember. I believe the cookie I really liked was a molasses cookie rather than a ginger cookie.

I made the mandatory (and highly anticipated) stop at In Stitches needlecraft shop which is north on Rt. 1 and right at the McDonalds. I like that they open on Sundays throughout the exhibition. This shop is an extended lunch hour away from where I work, but I hadn't been in a very long time. It was great to see everyone and pick up some things from my list as well as some new things. I didn't see anything at Woodlawn that I really wanted to stitch (that I didn't already own!!) so I didn't need their help in finding anything. In past years, they've pointed me to the charts of items displayed at Woodlawn.

Then we picked up lunch and parked at Gravelly Point to eat and watch the airplanes take off and land at National Airport. It was a beautiful day.

A Life List

I saw this on someone's blog and thought it'd be fun to see how I'm doing.


Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited Hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to Disneyworld
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo (I don't sing)
11. bungee jumped
12. visited Paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in Venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset (both!)
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen Niagara Falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an Amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen Michelangelo’s David in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited Africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. been to the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theater
55. been in a movie
56. visited the Great Wall of China
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold Girl Scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the Lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in Times Square
74. toured the Everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in London
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the Vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the White House
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the Alamo in person
96. taken a road trip
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee
100. met the love of your life

32 ct Lambswool linen + American Idol

I find it very interesting that everything I was ready to start stitching on this past weekend called for 32 ct Lambswool linen and I HAD NONE!!! How is that so? It seems to me that every time I go to the xs shop I buy a package of this linen. Where is it going? Although I had a similar problem with size 8 knitting needles when I was doing a lot of knitting. Seemed that every project called for size 8 needles and I could never find a pair. I must've bought at least 15 pairs of size 8 knitting needles over the years!

To put an end to this linen dilemma I've ordered a FULL YARD!!! However, I must note for the record that a fat half yard is needed for the Jim Shore 12 Days of Christmas. I plan to make ornaments and to not stitch the gold border as the pattern suggests. Still, with an extra fat half I SHOULD have some on hand the next time I need it. Cross your fingers!!)

Anyone watching American Idol? This change in format where 12 sing, viewers vote and 3 go through to the final 12 is a bit daunting. However, based on last night, it will be easy to pick 3 out of 12 because only 3 will sing even halfway decently. A few made my ears bleed (so to speak). I'll be happy as long as the girl with the ego complex (and horrible laugh) doesn't get through on a wildcard.

Superbowl sales

I had to take advantage of a couple of Superbowl sales. I met up with friends at The Stitching Post. They had all the Crescent Colors and GAST I needed for two projects. Hooray! Then I bought a couple of pieces of fabric (including a fat half yard for a new RR I'll be in). I found the new Giggle Boxer by Lizzie Kate. What a hoot! It was a last-second add so I didn't get the fabric or fibers for stitching it. When I got home I went online to JJs Collectibles and ordered what the shop didn't have (and what I forgot to look for! LOL).

I really, really, really want to stick to stitching what I already have. SIGH. I say this nearly every year, but I'd been doing well to keep to this plan in November and December of last year and January of this year. I finished two of the Cross Eyed Cricket carrots a week ago and Summer Scissorweight by Ewe & Eye & Friends last week. These were all things I had on hand. My JJs order is for fibers and fabrics for charts I already had. I have so many Shepherd's Bush kits, I could go all year not stitching anything else!

I finished two CEC carrots!

Somewhere I have a zip baggie with the 3 CEC chart books, fibers, and fabbies for all the carrots. I didn't stitch any of those. I stitched the Plum Tree carrot freebie and the Easter carrot. Both are stitched on the green specified for the Easter carrot.

I'm not sure what to stitch on next. Several things have been calling out to me (and certainly several things have been started!), but the Superbowl Sales are coming up and I don't know what I'll end up buying and want to start.

I've ordered the last of the monthly witch's hats from MonsterBubbles.com. Hooray! Then I can get started on my Round Robin!

4 Day weekend!!

I'll be back to work next Wednesday! The weekend, MLK Holiday and my employer has given us off on Inauguration Day. I hope to get a lot of stitching and/or finishing done. I'd like to clear out a couple of boxes in my closet, too. Tomorrow I'm going to see Mall Cop (I think that's the title) at the theater with the good popcorn. I like my popcorn with butter added in the middle and on top, but the serving size is so large I'm going to bring a large Hefty zippered bag to keep what I don't eat both fresh and from leaking butter all over everything.

I finished my Sheepish Grin knotted sheep pendant by Teresa Layman yesterday. It looks great! The back plate wouldn't snap in so I used the E6000 to glue it in place. Just need to get a chain from Michaels and it'll be ready to wear! I enjoyed the colonial and French knots, but I'm not sure I want to buy the bee design right away.

I have my acorn retreat piece to assemble so I might use my new simple White sewing machine to do it. Maybe I should do an ornament first to test out the machine before working on a lovely piece.

Do you have a Trader Joe's grocery store near you? I finally went yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the variety. I picked up a package of burgundy beef (delicious) and a bag of frozen roasted potatoes (really yummy). They even had ears of corn that reminded me of the peak of summer goodness. I'll definitely go back. A friend tells me there's a larger store in the area. I'll have to check that one out, too.

I found a new designer (to me!)

I was cruising around eBay. Usually I go directly to the designers I'm interested in checking out and it varies. It's probably been years since I just put in cross stitch and looked at the random, chronological listing of items. It was on the first page that I found postings by eBay seller: stitcherhood. Charming yet simple designs! I noticed she has a website (http://www.thestitcherhood.com/) so I checked it out. I felt the charts are reasonably priced and shipping is also reasonable. I bid on 7 of her designs and won 5! I found the other 2 designs in her Buy It Now store and took care of business very quickly. I'm so looking forward to starting these charts!!! I don't know which one to start first! :)

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

The elevators where I work did not make it into the new year in working condition. It's due to the programming. We're experiencing what I call "Y2K + 9". ROFLMEO They have to have an operator stationed in each elevator to take you to your floor. I remember when the department stores would have elevator operators that would close the door to the floor then close the door to the elevator and take you to the floor you wanted. "5th floor housewares." There was a big wheel handle that allowed the operator to make adjustments so the elevator floor and the store floor matched. In the 1950's it was always a woman operator. Equal opportunity for elevator operators has been achieved!! The elevator was literally manned! ;)

I finished a LOT of items while home, but ran out of room in the computer for scanning pics of the finishes. Boo hoo! I'll have to work on that whenever I can pull together some extra minutes.

My finishes include:
Balloon Woman by Tina Richards (ready to pick up at framer)
Cherish Sampler by Shepherd's Bush
Cherish Sampler bracelet by Shepherd's Bush
Christmas sheep necklace by Shepherd's Bush
Eccentric needlepoint
Wanda Witch by Shepherd's Bush
Welcome Bellpull by Calico Crossroads
June Be Cool by Pine Mtn Designs
Nativity Globe (without the globe so I can make it an ornie) by Bent Creek
Blackbird House by Bent Creek
fall freebie
Is It Too Late? by Lizzie Kate
2005 Sampler Ornament: Oh Holy Night by Homespun Elegance


I also started a couple of things:
3 wise men needlepoint kit by Bucilla that I've owned AT LEAST since 1985
Teresa Laymen knotted sheep necklace (I love making French knots!) started 12/31/08
Rose Garden Sampler from Cross Stitch & Country Crafts magazine (if I'm remembering it right)
Dimensions crane needlepoint kit with sunset background
Band Sampler by ??? using Caron Waterlilies Java started on 1/1/09


My unofficial New Year's Resolutions (because if I make them official, I'll never stick with it) is to:
1 - not buy cross stitch every month
2 - stitch on stuff I already have