Happenings....

It's a rainy, grey day here in SE Michigan today. The perfect day to stay home and stitch. It's been a busy week so I relished the idea of staying put and just getting some stitching done. No progress this week on Marriage of the Minds but I have been busy with Elizabeth Savilles. Cari showed her progress on Elizabeth a week or so ago and she inspired me to get busy with mine. I had kind of stalled on her. To say this is a frustrating stitch is an understatement. It doesn't say on the pattern whether stitches left out are because it was stitched that way originally or because of thread loss over time. If it's thread loss over time then I should replace the stitches, right? If it was stitched that way originally, I wonder why? I've stitched the upper portion as charted and you can see where there's an odd stitch here and there. The corners don't match, even though the intent was for them to match, I'm guessing. It's an odd thing. What to do? I've decided that I'm going to, like Cari, fix some of what I think are just missing stitches. They are all over the place so there's a lot to fix. Anyway, here's my progress as of a little while ago. I love the colors on this and am now anxious to finish it. Maybe in a couple of more weeks.....





The other stitchy news is that I found a new frame shop. They seemed like they really knew what they were doing (they lace rather than pin) and had a good selection of frame mouldings:



Would you like a sneak peak of what I chose for Jenny Bean and my PS Months?


What I really liked about this shop is that the guy that does the framing washed his hands before he touched my stitching. Whew!

The biggest happening this week is that Tyler turned 17! I can't believe he's this old and boy, the time goes fast. Here he is on the couch that no matter how I try, I can't turn it into a silk purse. You know the expression - "You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear." Well that pretty much describes the ugly couch but the kid sitting on it sure is a cutie!


We went to a Japanese steak house for dinner and had a great night.

I've been so busy at work that I didn't have time to bake a cake so Tyler opted for an Oreo Blizzard cake from Dairy Queen. It was a hit and I believe it may now be all gone.
Have a great week friends, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment when you can - they're much appreciated!

Peace!
Terri

Are You Ready for some..... Eye Candy?!

I love to stitch; you all know that! I love my family; you all know that! I love my friends and I love chocolate; of course, you all know that. But, did you know that I love my Sampler Guild!? I mean really, you could not meet a group of more creative or talented women anywhere. I always come home from Guild on a bit of a high. Very excited about what our next project is going to be. Giddy over the efforts of folks like Judy and Nancy and MarLynn (you'll see why in a minute). It's a good feeling. Everyone brings so many beautiful things to share that I feel blessed, and insecure all at the same time. Finishing, as you know, if you read this little blog of mine with any regularity at all, is not my strong suit. I'm not sure what is but it isn't finishing. And I'm not just saying that to be modest. My mind doesn't think the way it needs to think to finish things. I'm not a patient person which is, I think, one of the keys to being a great finisher. Anyway, I digress. If you belong to the Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild (KSSG), you have access to some wonderful projects. I am determined to finish at least a few of these special things this year. Let me apologize for the poor quality of these pictures. We were in a gym and the lighting is terrible and my photographic skills aren't much better. Just imagine each of these projects about 1,000 times prettier than they look here.

First up is Judy's KSSG basket. We can all order these baskets at a fairly reasonable price. And yes, DEB and I both have them but do we have the bands done? Noooooo. But, we are determined to do so. Isn't Judy's basket gorgeous? I love the colors she chose to stitch her band with; what do you think? Of course, the inside is lined and lovely, too.



The band says, "When I count my blessings and my riches, I count my friends who count their stitches". Awwww... how sweet is that?

This is Nancy's basket - she did hers in more of a blue colorway which is equally as beatuiful. Plus, check out all the accessories. Can you believe it? Another of our KSSG projects will be to make the little draw string button bag which I just love.



Back to Judy for a minute - check this out:


Yep, the KSSG is going to make one of these gorgeous dolls that Judy designed! Don't you love it? Don't you want one? Do you want to join our guild yet? Seriously, I can't wait to make her and put her in my craft room with the gal I got at the SA store. Remember her?

Won't they be great together? I'm giddy with anticipation!

Here's another of Judy's projects. I am not sure who the designer was so my apologies for that but this little case is just breathtaking. Judy did such a good job and has such a treasure with this pretty piece.

All closed up:

The outisde:

The inside:

Giddy I tell you, I'm giddy! Is this an overachieving group of women or what?
Finally, Nancy has not only that one goregeous basket with all the accessories, she has another one as well, for another guild she belongs to. I took these pictures last October but didn't post them, so here they are now. Two special baskets? Are you kidding me? Can you say overachiever? ;-)




Here is a show and share from another KSSG member, Paulette. Check out all the breadcloths she has made. Aren't they lovely?


These are so pretty, can you really imagine using them for the named purpose? Not me!

The last bit of eye candy for today is a stunning piece designed and finished by MarLynn. She's another super talented gal that always has a smile on her face and is just as sweet as can be. Hold onto your socks cause this is incredible:
Left side of bird:

Top of bird:

Right side of bird:

Birds belly:

And Here's beautiful MarLynn her own sweet, little self, holding her stunning creation. It sits on top of the thread bobbin and is just so pretty. You all want one, don't you? Are you ready to join our guild???? LOL!

I just really wanted to share this with you today. Some things just can't wait. Thank you ladies, all of you, for making the KSSG such a joy! To all of you at KSSG who have told me you read and enjoy my blog - thank you so much. I appreciate you taking a moment to say something far more than you know.

Thank you too, to all my dear readers, who take a minute or two out of your own life to leave me a note. They're special, they're so appreciated and I thank you!!! You, my wonderful readers are just the best and I send you lots of love, hugs and wishes for an outstanding week ahead. It's coming up on a year of blogging soon so I'm going to have to find something special to do for that. Stay tuned. Until then...

Peace,
Terri

Won't you come on over?

You see, the fire's going, the candles are lit, it's cold outside and I think it'd be fun to gather all around and have a fire-side chat! See, I told you all that red around the fireplace wasn't nearly as garish in person as it looks in the photos I've posted!

Anyway, I'm so glad you all decided to come by! I just gotta tell you how much your comments on my last post meant to me! I swear, it really does feel like old friends wishing you well when you get a note from someone, doesn't it? I've been surprised how many of you also had the radioactive iodine for your thyroid - or know someone who had it. Andrea, you just made me laugh out loud about growing an extra arm from somewhere because of your husband. And, oh, I'm so glad you're here, Bertie! I have to tell you, those stretchy things - no idea if they're an American thing or not but I love them. They really help keep the tension of the fabric tight. I'd guess you could order them from Cross Stitch and Crafts but if you can't get a hold of them, send me a note and I'll get a hold of some for you. Yeah, I know - switching topics in mid thought, almost. Yep, that's how I roll. Speaking of changing topics, Christine, I think you had asked me about that CHS pattern. My picture wasn't too good, was it? I'll bet Kathy Barrick-Dieter wouldn't be overly thrilled with that photographic effort. Anyway, the pattern is called "Her Sampler" and here it is, in all it's glory. I just love it and had never seen it before. I got this one at the Cross Stitch and Crafts store in Johnson City, Tennessee at Thanksgiving. Should any of you want to call Sandra; her number is toll free 1-877-319-3290.

Isn't it a beauty?
I had such fun at that shop but you know what, Mel? I've never visited the Double Cross in Knoxville or the Dixie Darlin. I did order a sampler from the Dixie Darlin and just had a blast talkin' to the owner.

Did I mention how peaceful and quiet it was this morning when I left for work? No? Check it out:


It's rarely peaceful or quiet in our house - there is always a flurry of activity! I really do like getting up early though. I leave for work and the world is still, the house is quiet and for a little while, it's total peace.

Thanks goodness Matt did all the shoveling that was needed today. When I got home the driveway and walks were done and he was doing the back patio for Sophie and Gracie to be able to run around. I know you've met him before but here he is again ~ Say hi, Matt! Awww... he's such a nice boy!



Oh, yeah, I have done a bit of stitching. You want to see it? We'll have to go down to the craft room - doubt we'll all fit but we'll give it a go. Okay, don't get overly excited, there is not a lot done, but I really like it a lot. I'm doing a conversion of sorts - if I have an over-dyed floss close at hand that I like, I'm using that (tree trunk, branches and leaves and the shirt and houses. If not, I am using DMC. We'll just have to wait and see how it turns out. So far, so good, I think. I loved doing those rose stitches and they look so pretty. Not all of them look pretty but enough of them do that it'll be okay.

What? Oh, duh! This is Marriage of the Minds by Drawn Thread. The fabric is something - no idea what. Remember my NSLLNS (not so local, local needlework store) that I sort of have a love/hate relationship with? Well, they have very little fabric to choose from but this was okay, so I bought it. But daggum it, they didn't label it. I have no idea what it is but I think it's a 35 count something or other.

That? I picked that up while I was in Virginia. I know, isn't it cute - I just love wire baskets and this long skinny one was perfect for ribbons (see Julie, I can fit more in my room)! When I'm sitting in my stitching chair, this is what I see.



It only took me, I don't know how long, to realize that the area under my desk should have been painted red, like the wall above the desk. The contractor did the painting and I never paid much attention to it until not too long ago. Rob, my knight in shining armor, is going to do that for me, one of these days. Anyway, I digress.... I hung the basket with those sticky hook things that you can safely remove to see if I liked the location before putting more holes in my walls. The little basket to the right of it is from a child's bicycle and it holds some extra ribbon. What do you think?



The little bowl on the shelf holds more ribbon and twine that I just love for finishing projects (well, in my dreams I finish things), and wrapping presents.







What? You want to leave already? Awww.... I thought you'd stay a while. I hope you'll come back soon 'cause I really do love having you come by to visit, chat and share a little bit of your life with me. Have a great weekend, stay warm and


Terri

Anybody There???

Hello and Happy New Year to all of you! I've been missing in action for a while ~ just an inordinate amount of things going on in the last couple of months and I just have not had the energy to read blogs, home email or come up with anything creative to write for this blog. It's all been a bit overwhelming ~ don't worry ~ I'll not bore you with ALL the gory details! I hope you're still out there, doing well and that you will give me some time to catch up with all of you and get back to normal, whatever that is.

I have not done a ton of stitching since my last post but I did manage to finish my Prairie Schooler Year. It is stitched on 32 count Dark Cappuccino with DMC over one thread. I changed a few minor things - nothing significant but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I can't say I LOVE working over one but I sure do love the results! And yes, all pics are clickable to see them in super size!



The other thing I've finished is the Jenny Bean Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler. This is stitched on 36 count Navy Bean with the called for threads. This just reminds me of one of those old holiday sweaters and I really enjoyed stitching it.


Let's see..... besides this small amount of stitching I've done, since I last posted I've also traveled to East Tennessee to see relatives for Thanksgiving, many of whom I haven't seen in 20+ years. That was a lot of fun and it was great catching up with everyone. It was also wonderful to see the hills of Tennessee after living in the mostly flat state of Michigan for so long. I got to tour around Johnson City, see my parent's homes and East Tennessee State University, where I spent my first year of college. It has changed a great deal since I went there so many moons ago! While we were in ET, my uncle Charlie gave me this old fire log basket. I haven't decided exactly where it'll go, or how I'll refinish it but I'll figure that out after I get all my Christmas decorations down. He knows I love "trash to treasure" kinds of projects and the hunt for a fun find so he brought this for me. Wasn't that sweet?!



While we were in Johnson City I found a wonderful Cross Stitch Shop. Unfortunately, they don't have a web site but it was chock full of fabulous things! I came home with a few items:



We went to Virginia at Christmas to visit my parents and had a great time, as we usually do! They spoil us to the point of ridiculousness but it's such a joy! My dad fixes bacon every morning so the boys wake up to that wonderful aroma and my mom spoils us with home baked goodies and delicious meals. My dad spoils Gracie and Sophie absolutely rotten by walking them several times a day - not quite the same treatment they get at home!

I began a quest to lose a few pounds at the end of September to get ready for the radioactive iodine treatment I had for my hyperactive thyroid in early December. I began running a great deal and really watched the calorie intake and was able to take off about 20 pounds. I was afraid that after the treatment, I might gain some additional weight so I was trying to head that off at the pass. Now the trick will be to try and keep it off - always a challenge (see blog title!). I have not yet started on the new thyroid meds but I see my doctor in a couple of weeks so I'm guessing I'll start them then. Because of the radioactive material they give you, you have to stay away from everyone for a few days. My gal pals, the greatest group of women ever - sent me this edible bouquet to lift my spirits. If you've ever wondered about sending one of these, worry no more! It was beautifully done and tasted great. It was LOADED with fruit. Thank you so much Sally, Gretchen, Lisa, Linda, Christina, Sheila and Julie! Turn your head sideways to see it:


One of the other big happenings recently is that Tyler wrecked Matt's car. Luckily, no one was hurt but Matt was none too pleased at the damage to his car. Ty was making a left turn and got whacked by a car he didn't see coming. The car is drivable but not at night since, as you can see, it doesn't have a right headlight. This little car has served us well. It had over 120 thousand miles on it and looked sharp when it was not wrecked and it was washed and shiny. Unfortunately, we had just taken collision insurance off of it a couple of months ago - isn't that always the way?

Here are a couple of pics:



With all I had going on (and luckily, you've only had to hear a small part of it), I didn't get Christmas cards mailed this year. I had high hopes - just couldn't get to it. I will, no doubt, be off a few lists next year. I'm so sorry I didn't get them mailed but I hope you all know how much I wished you a Merry Christmas and I hope you know that I wish you only the best in the New Year. I can't believe it's 2010 already. Doesn't it seem like just yesterday that we were so worried about Y2K? Time flies!

Finally, we hosted a small New Years Eve Party last night. My brother in law and his wife Rene' and Rob's cousin Carol and her husband Roger came over and we rang in the New Year in grand style.

from left, Tom,Rob, Rene', Roger and Carol. This was taken in front of our bar in the basement.

Everyone finally called it a night at 3:45 this morning! WHEW! I hope your New Years celebration was fabulous and that it sets up the year for only good things.

Peace!
Terri