It's A New Year

Oh my poor, neglected cross stitch blog! Knitting captured all my attention last year and the dust started accumulating here.

But it's a New Year and I know I must divide my attention equally. Honestly, I REALLY miss cross stitching. And when I came across this chart (meant for a sweater), I knew it was time to get back......


So Happy Belated New Year to all & I'll be back soon with progress pics.

Stitch-N-Pitch 2008

Last night was "Stitch-N-Pitch" night for the DC Nationals. It's a collaboration between Major League Baseball & The National Needlearts Association promoting all forms of needle arts (cross stitch, embroidery, knit, crochet etc). For stitchers, it's a great night to grab your project and head to the stadium for a night of stitching & fellowship. And what a long night it was........ the game went into 14 (yes - fourteen) innings! I brought along a knitting project but the goodie bags were full of great cross stitch freebies too:
That Nationals chart will be great on a handtowel or pillow for some Christmas gifts. My cross stitching has slowed down quite a bit due to vision problems - old age is catching up with me (lol)! Nothing an eye doctor and bifocals (ugh) can't remedy. Have made a little more progress on Prayer Tree and in a recent visit to In Stitches, I picked up the new M Design's Family Tree. Would love to do this entire series on an afghan.....

Blogoversary!!!

OMG - it's been 2 years since I started this blog. I had high hopes that it would motivate me to finish projects, make some stitching friends, and get a glimpse into what others were stitching. I have not been disappointed! The first person to extend their cyber-hand in friendship was Sharon. By reading her blog & browsing her blogroll, the stitching world unfolded. She sent me great links for ethnic patterns & encouraged me to experience linen. Thanks, Sharon! To this day, I remain in awe of Carol. Her ability to work projects on a daily basis is what I aspire to (but fall short of). Keep up the good work, Carol!

Although I don't get to blog hop as much as I'd like, it's still a joy & pleasure to see what everybody's working on & receive comments from those that like my work. No predictions of what the next year will bring, but hopefully more of the good stuff!

Memorial Day Stash

Been stitching, been knitting, been working. That's right - medical leave ended and I've jumped right back into the swing of things. Honestly, I miss all that at-home crafting time. Just makes me hunger for retirement.

Last week was a business trip to New Orleans. My co-workers down there were nice enough to send me a gift certificate from one of my favorite LNS Acadian Corner in Metairie. I'm sure they knew my healing time would be accelerated with the thought of shopping. As always, I was not disappointed. Here's shots of my loot:




My favorite pattern has to be Glory Bee's - "Born to Stitch, Forced to Work" (lol). There's also Waxing Moon Design's - Live Simply (w/garden gate charm); Bent Creek's - Everyday Sampler & Valentine Row; Praying Hands' - Christ at Heart's Door; Sisters' - Thanks Be To God; Erica Michael's - Signs of Christmas; and Heart in Hand's - Hearts Sampler, Mind Your Manners, Look Both Ways, Study Hard & Wash Your Hands (gotta make these for the grandboys!). Be sure to check out Acadian Corner's website - they're having a fantastic pattern sale. Most are 50% off. I also stocked up on my fabric with Jobelan in Lavender Sweet, Babbling Brook, and Pewter as well as a Raw Cashel Linen and a Blue Country French Linen.

Surprise, surprise - I did a little more than shop. You can also see my progress on M Design's Pray Tree. My goal is to finish this in the next couple weeks as I rotate this project with a cardigan sweater I'm making. You can see my sweater progress on my other blog, MyDzire4Yarn

No More DMC?

DMC is declaring bankruptcy. This is the official press release from DMC on 24 April 2008, telling us they will "undertake significant restructuring in the near term". This apparently meant not paying April's wages to their workers in France. That is a surefire way to kill the business, combined with the news report confirming the bankruptcy. DMC's official website is saying the bankruptcy court may hold a hearing in May. DMC is a major supplier of threads for Cross stitching, either as individual skeins, packed in kits, or providing the source materials for custom thread dyers.What does this mean for Cross stitchers? Other thread suppliers should enjoy the opening market opportunities but it may be a while before new colours are in place to replace the DMC colours. Thread prices will probably go up. Less competition will mean thread makers have a chance of making better margins. Ah well. Interesting!

Stitch-N-Pitch 2008

It's that time of year again! Get ready to pack up your project for baseball & needlearts at Nationals Park! June 20 at 7:10 p.m. the Nationals play the Texas Rangers. Sit among friends, family & Nats fans while you cross stitch, embroider, knit or crochet. Tickets are $13 for an outfield gallery seat (& goodie bag).

Here's the link to order tickets online: Nationals Stitch & Pitch or visit your LNS.

Hope to see ya there! Be back soon with progress pics of Pray Tree.

April Progress

I need to change my header for Progress Pics on the left to UFOs. Ashamed to say I have not picked up any of them in quite a few months. Somewhere stuck in there is the M Design "Rejoice" tree - started with the best of intentions. Meanwhile, I go into my LNS and there's a tree design I hadn't seen. It's the "Pray" tree - offered by M Design as a freebie to bring attention to those affected by Hurricane Katrina and encourage donations to the charities helping in the recovery. Here's the progress on my Pray Tree. It's done on 28 count hand-dyed Jobelan (Thyme) using Silk-N-Colors (Forest). I promise not to let it get lost in UFO-land and to take a better picture.

Created a second blog for my knitting & crochet progress - it's MyDzire 4 Yarn. Stop on by & let me know what you think. Happy stitching everybody!

Another Milestone

Obviously, the month of March has always been precious to me. Both my girls were March babies. Happy Birthday Nelle! Twenty-six years ago today at 7:40 p.m. my world changed forever.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from me & the fellas.

24 Years Ago

Wow - at 11:44 a.m. exactly 24 years ago today I gave birth to this angel. She and her sister are the loves of my life. Although she has babies of her own, she'll always be my baby. Happy Birthday J!

THE SPOT!

Although I can cross stitch, knit, & crochet almost anywhere - it's a dream to have a dedicated space in my house. When the youngest moved out, I quickly converted her room in hopes of having my spot. Alas, the computers, printers, scanner and overall storage for stash, books & magazines quickly filled the space.


But I'm finally in heaven. Here's my newly created stitching-spot in the corner of my bedroom. I can now stitch in a comfy BIG chair w/ottoman, next to the window, facing the TV & DVD player. Got my cross stitch & Ott light on my left and a decent yarn stash on my right (Someone gave me a great tip about the mirror behind the chair - it reflects light for great late-night stitching). Should I ever get tired, it's just a hop & skip to the comfort of my bed........ Someone send out a search party if I haven't been heard of in a few weeks (lol)!



BTW, Big Lots has a yarn clearance sale. Here's the Lion Brand Chenille I picked up for $1.50 per skein - I bought all 13 skeins in the bin. I better go back to work soon......

Progress

I've managed to make progress on a couple of projects. Finished a crocheted beanie to compliment the neckwarmer I made a couple months ago. Also the "sistah" finally has lips & some filling to her church hat. Haven't picked up Peace Angel lately but she's next in line.

Just when I was basking in the glow of not heading out to work everyday, my co-workers reminded me that I work with a great group of folks. I received 2 flower arrangements, cards, and giftcards that I put to good use at Michaels for all this:

Men Should Come With Directions

I'm a huge fan of Emerson Quillin and his "Listen Honey" series. All his women are super sassy & fun. I have a couple dozen of his cross stitch charts in my stash and I've started buying the rubber stamps to make cards & bookmarks. You'll see "On A Clear Day, I Can Shop Forever" in my cross stitch slideshow. Yesterday I started "Men Should Come With Directions". Doesn't she remind you of a southern sistah with braids & a church hat (lol)? Of course, she's gonna be a pillow cover.........

Tommorrow, more work on Peace Angel.

Wings of an Angel

Not much progress on Peace Angel but I am enjoying working this piece. Dental surgery recovery is coming along slowly. Gum and bone problems required total extraction and stitches were removed last week. Now it's just healing time until the implants can be inserted. My body just wants to rest and sleep but my mind & hands want to get busy with needlework and craft projects. It would be great to finish Peace Angel during my hiatis as a reminder of all I'm going through.


In the meantime, it's easier just to knit so I finished this scarf for youngest daughter. I loved this Andes Wool yarn when I bought it, but the striping does nothing for me. Daughter loves it cause her favorite color is green. I still have 2 skeins so I will try making a felted bag to see if the pattern excites me more.
And finally - a funny sent to me by my Aunt Eunice

Stitch A Long

I've joined the Lavender Angels SAL for encouragement with the Peace Angel. I'm on a 3-month leave of absence for some extensive dental work (you don't even want to know) so I'm looking forward to making great progress now that I'm out of the Percocet haze. Stay tuned for progress pics and send plenty of prayers for quick healing........

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I reached so many milestones in 2007, I kinda hate to see it end. I celebrated my 50th birthday; achieved my goal weight; reached Lifetime status with WeightWatchers; walked 39 miles in my 5th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer; was promoted at work and increased my charities; saw the youngest grandbaby start kindergarten (better stop calling him a baby); got my Mom settled in a senior community where she has lots of companionship; displayed my crafts in a "real" shop; and cheered as both daughters became very independent young ladies. Of course with all this good came some sad like losing my Uncle Ed to kidney disease.

With all that under my belt, I have high hopes for 2008. My only resolution is to continue my quest to fulfill God's purpose and live my best life. I am thankful for all those I have met here and the talent that's been displayed and shared. I'm anxious to see what y'all have in store for next year (lol). I'll close the year with a pic of my current project - a knitted scarf & glove set using Uruguay DK - a marino, alpaca, silk blend yarn in a wonderful shade of grape.



O.k. - the mimosas are waiting along with the Greys Anatomy 3rd season DVD, so I'll wish everyone a safe & HAPPY NEW YEAR.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Reason for the Season

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

But as Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday.

Memaw's Motto

Quick and fun design from Waxing Moon Designs. I changed the color pallette and used my favorite pillow covers as the finish. The heck with Vegas - my grandboys will choose Memaw's house anytime.......

Black Friday

O.K., I have to admit today is one of my favorite days. It's gotten a bad rap over the years - mainly from eager shoppers who have temporarily forgotten their "home training" (please, thank you, excuse me, etc)........ But, for me - the shopper extraordinaire - it's a day of deals & squeals.

This year I decided to forego the 4 a.m. line outside of Walmart for a couple hours more sleep. My first stop 6:00 a.m. at Michaels (surprised?) netted the Ott Light I've been stalking. Michaels's retails it for $59.99 & regularly puts it on sale for 40% off. But today - while supplies last - it was $19.99 plus an extra 25% off! Selected, paid for, & on my way to the next store within 5 minutes. The look on my daughters face was priceless - she stayed in the car cause she knows how I am in any craft or needlework store.

Next was Target where it was a bit more daunting. Movies $3.98 (check), games $9.98 (check), Playstation Portable w/5 movie bundle $169.99 (no check). Three Target stores later we gave up on the PSP and headed to Gamestop that had one without the movie bundle option. Oh well - grandson's not interested in movies, just the games. Mission completed.

After a quick nap (I must be getting really old), I spent the afternoon working on Beachcomber Tunic. Here's some progress pics:

Six more crocheted rows on the front & it's on to the sleeves.

Hope everyone enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

Handmade Pledge

I prefer to say "handcrafted" instead of "handmade" but heck - it's all good..... click on the button & make your pledge today!

Extraordinary Quilting

Last month I shared the art-quilt wall hangings from my Aunt. She is so supportive of me and my efforts to promote the beauty of handcrafted gifts this season in the gift shop. She introduced me to her fellow quilting guild member - Sandra. Sandra is an avid quilter who makes all-things-quilted but specializes in baby quilts, lap quilts, and Quillows. If you're not familiar with quillows (I sure wasn't) - they are quilts with a pocket that enables the quilt to convert to a pillow. Especially great for traveling! Just the concept is fascinating to me but take a look at these:


Absolutely beautiful! You know my heart & soul is forever drawn to "stitches of heritage" so the african inspired themes are my favorites. But there's something for everyone so I also chose the Black Barbie quillow and a cute school theme (perfect for boys).



Of course the hard part is choosing which ones to put in the shop and which will be gifts for my friends & family (lol)! I've always been fascinated with quilting but there aren't enough hours to finish my own stitching to-do list - so thank goodness for Sandra who I'll probably have on speed dial! I'll leave you with more pics of the quilting stash - couldn't say no to the lap quilts........ the angel quilt has the lyrics to Amazing Grace on one side & the Ten Commandments on the other - how perfect!

Spiritual Progress

I just love this time of year. The change in weather is my cue to pour over the pattern stash in search of the perfect holiday gift to make for loved ones and the perfect hat, scarf, or sweater to make for ME! But before my thoughts go crazy -I'm working to finish up some WIPs. Here's where I am on Southern Roots' Spiritual by Jeanne Bowers - it's done as a pillow cover and about 95% complete. I'm shooting to finish it this weekend.

My knitting mojo is also in full swing. I'm working on the Beachcomber Tunic again and I'm about 30% finished. Since it's a spring sweater, I'm not in a rush but definitely have it in rotation so there will be some decent pics soon. Also working on Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan. It's 60 pattern stitches - you choose 20 of them to design your own unique afghan. I'm only on the 4th square, but I'm enjoying the variety.

No knitting mojo is complete without new stash. My favorite man (the mailman) brought me a lovely package yesterday. It's the Uruguay DK on sale at Little Knits. A blend of merino, alpaca & silk with a full-bag price I couldn't resist. I fell for this beautiful purple as well as a khaki that can be used together or separately.


Let me go make some plans..........

Rain, Rain - Go Away

Today was the first day of the Ft. Myer Craft Bazaar. It's my first bazaar of the season (WAHOO!)& although the rain kept folks away, I really enjoyed browsing (and buying) from the other vendor tables. My favorite was probably my neighbor who breaks & torches glass (wine bottles, vases, etc) & creates beautiful necklaces, earrings, and pins. Who knew broken glass could be so beautiful. Here are pics of my table displays. Tomorrow is Family Day with lots of activities planned so hopefully the sun will make an appearance.........

Best Vacation

Last week was the best of all worlds - I had a week-long vacation & I spent most of the time stitching. Of course, that means I have pics to share......



This was a housewarming gift for my daughter's friends. She wanted to give them something unusual so I combined her words with a mix of patterns. They got a kick out of the figures - he has dreadlocks & she has a bob so I tried to capture their styles (lol). Can't even remember where I got the aida - the border was so nice, didn't need a matte for the frame.


As I was browsing Hobby Lobby I found this pre-striped aida from DMC (hope you can see the pink stripes). What a good idea - there are about a half dozen pre-printed designs. I selected the stripe to compliment this chart I picked up last spring in Metairie, LA. The pink & green combo is perfect for the AKA sorority event I'm doing in November.



And I can almost remove this from my WIP list - it's the potholder I started sometime last year. Few more fill-in stitches and I'm done.