Congratulations Sally

Two posts in one day?  What will happen next?  I just wanted to congratulate Sally on winning the give a way at hookedonstitches.blogspot.com.  Its a wonderful win on this wonderful Friday.  Have a lovely week end everyone.

Friday

This morning hasn't been a great one for me.  My DS had a shoe disaster.  He could NOT pick out a pair he liked.  He is only 19 months old.  I didn't think this type of melt down would happen at such a young age, but he finally decided on his black converse sneakers.  I am glad he cares how he looks, but where did my baby go?  I miss him snuggling and playing with my hair and just being.  Now he needs to constantly climb the furniture, disagree with my foot wear choice, and don't get me started on snack approval.  I love my little one more than myself, but UGGGGG.....

OK, enough of my complaining.  I made some progress on my Cure ornament and foresee a finish this week-end.  I am still hoping to fit in the "A" block for my DS, but I have not had great success sticking to schedules.  I figure that stitching is supposed to be fun and I can't feel rushed or I will end up hating it.  I will have some pics on Monday of my April goals.  I also plan on kitting up my LQ square due in August so I can stitch on it every other day.  I am hoping to have it done by the end of May.   I already have my other two goals for May kitted up and will have pics of those ready for Monday.

Sorry so short today, but I have to get back to work.  Can't stitch if I don't get paid.  ;)

A Give-A-Way and an update

Hello All,

First, I want to say to Carol, sorry for turning you onto the Container Store.  Its a great store that instantly attacks your wallet.  I hope you get to visit one soon.  Its great!!

Now, the good stuff.  Edgar at Blacksheep's bit of the Web is having a giveaway.  I must mention that his blog is one of the best.  His stitching is superb and I want to be like him when I grow up.  Love, Love, Love to visit.  His Fourth blogaversay is coming up and he is having a give away.  I posted a pic with the link to his blog on how to enter on the left under the give-a-way section.  He is also listed on my blog list.  Lots to look at so just click on the pics and you will go straight to the entry sections. 

Blacksheep's bit of the Web

As far as the back yard pics, my DS is not feeling so hot.  He is having bad allergies and seems to be leaking from his eyes and nose.  He is determined to keep playing, but he is constantly interrupted with tissue business.  He is so cute.  He puts down his toy, runs to the coffee table, tries to carefully pull out one tissue and wipe.  He never gets just one tissue, but I don't mind.  I can see he is really trying, and at 19 months old, I think that is a big accomplishment.  He is still mastering taking the tissue to the trash can, but once he spots his toys, he is on another planet.  Sorry, I got distracted.  The pics will probably have to wait until this week-end unless my little one feels better. 

I did get in some stitching on my LK Cure Ornament.  I am having trouble sticking to my finishing plan.  I want to venture out into new territory and try a flat fold, or something else besides a pillow finish, but I am afraid and out of cash.  I may need to just stay on course for the sake of my wallet.  Of course, stitchy discipline is still one of MY tasks to master (he he he).  Till tomorrow, I wish you a frog free day.

The Container Store

Soooooooooooo, yesterday I had a few minutes before I had to pick up my DS, so I made the mistake of dropping by the Container Store.  I needed a few more project bags and they have some great clear plastic water proof zip ups for $2.99 and $3.99 depending on the size.  They are document bags, but they work just as well for stitchy stuff.  Then, what did my wandering eye see?  There they were.  Just sitting on the shelf calling my name.... "Jooooy, Jooooy,  look over here....." 

They are not very big and come a variety of juicy colors.  They are a bit pricey, but they are perfect for floss and other goodies.  I am really torn between the bright green and the mellow blue in the center of the pic on the top.  Just below the cabinets are drawer inserts that have several sized compartments.  Oh, what is a girl to do?  Well, I shared my pics with my DH and a little hint that I am torn between the two colors.  Mother's Day is coming up and I was already given the OK to pic my own gift (insert sinister giggle here).  I should probably mention that I am in no way affiliated with The Container Store.  I am just a fan.

On a side note I totally forgot to take the pics of my back yard.  My in-laws came over and I was unable to get the pics in.  I will take them today.

Well folks, that's it for today.  I hope your day is frog free. :)

Not much going on.

Well folks, not much went on last night.  I had to go grocery shopping so I dropped of my DS with my DH and got to go solo.  You would think that it would be a better trip, but I am so tired that it was just miserable.  It doesn't help that the weather here is super humid.  My hair is attacking people in retaliation of the humidity.  I have naturally curly hair.  Like most gals, I truly wish I had strait hair, but I must admit that its nice to wash, mousse, and go.  Until I miraculously get straight hair, I will have to wear it up to keep cool.
I didn't get any stitching done last night either.  I managed a whole 48 stitches on my "A" block for my DS, but it was just the border.  I get so bored with the prep work that its hard for me to move on.  I also discovered that my DS does NOT like my stitching.  He grabbed at the frame last night until I gave up and played with him.  He is only 19 months old, so I took the opportunity to play with him while he still wants me to.  So much more important than keeping to my stitching schedule.  His bright happy eyes made my messy house and undone stitches worth every minute.
I also need to update everyone on my yard.  I am going to take some pics this afternoon so I can show everyone that its a living version of new fabric.  Not a stitch in sight and in desperate need of a design.  Its really exciting to me because I have a black thumb.  Yes, I said black.  I managed to over love a South African desert plant to death.  I am not good, but for the sake of my little one, I am doing some research and will be doing some gardening this year.  Wish me luck (and some sleep).

Easter Blessings

Good Morning,

I had a wonderful week-end.  It was filled with family, friends, and good food.  Can't ask for much more.  Here are a couple of pics of my DS on his second Easter egg hunt.  He was unable to fully participate last year due to only being 7 months old and not walking.  He was sooooo happy.  He thought the eggs were balls and threw everyone of them.  He is with his Daddy hunting eggs.  It was a great time had by all.


On the stitching front, I was finally able to get the color block on my Cure ornie done.  The pink really really really sets off the colors.  I am hoping to have it done by the end of this week.  Here is a pic.

Its from the October 2010 JCS magazine.  Its really a lovely design.  That shiney little dot in the corner is just the plastic cover I have for the pattern underneath the fabric.  I didn't realize it would reflect (he he he).  I was also able to kit up another Plum Street Samplers freebie.  Its for my Mother's Day present to my Mom.

The colors are soooo awesome.  I knew I had to make it for her.  I have been hoarding the fabric for a couple of years in search of the perfect project.  Don't you just love it when something comes together?  I am going to stitch on it every other day so I don't get behind on my April projects.  I only have a week left, so I am working hard on not getting too distracted.  One can only hope it works.  Please keep your toes crossed for me.  Until next time, I wish everyone a frog free day.

A Finish



Easter Ornie: pattern from gazette94



Yeah me....  (he he he).  I finally finished my Easter ornie for my babysitter.  She and her husband are wonderful.  My DS just walks straight into their home and waves good bye to me.  Its such a wonderful feeling knowing my baby is happy.  Here are some pics.  Above is the front of the ornie.  It's my best finish ever (finishing has never been a strength of mine).  I am really proud of this one.  The pic on the left is the back of the ornie.  It says Mama Lu.  That is what my DS calls her (when he can say it).  Normally its just a continuous mamamamamama.  I placed the ornament in an Easter basket filled with brownie cup cakes.  They are sooooo delicious.  Its my mother-in-law's recipe so I am not sure if I can post it, but if I get the OK, I will do it sometime next week.  I used 16 count cream Aida with a variegated pink floss from DMC.  I am not sure of the number because its one I have been hanging onto that the DMC sticker fell off of.

Next in line is my Breast Cancer Cure Ornament for my sister-in-law.  I mentioned earlier that she had a double mastectomy a few weeks ago.  I am going to send this off next week.  The pattern is from JCS magazine.  I will get the details posted when I post the finish.  The pink fabric is the backing for the ornie (so far).  I tend to change my mind so cross your toes for me that I keep it.  It matches the pink that will fill in the C in the green and white part and part of the flower. 
Well folks, that's it for today.  I will post again on Monday with some new ideas and I am sure a great adventure story from this week end.  Toddlers rawk!!!
Have a wonderful Easter week-end.

I blame it on my eye

I am so self conscious about the fact that my vision is compromised most days.  Its very easy for people to sneak up on me.  Its also very easy for my fingers take on a life of their own when typing.  For example, I have just noticed that I misspelled help in my bio (its fixed now).  That so frustrates me.  I also look both ways before taking a step when I am out in public.  I have noticed people looking at me strangely.  I am pretty sure most store employees think I am up to no good.  Its pretty suspicious when someone is looking around all the time.  I figure I can just take out my prosthesis and freak them out if anyone gets rude.  Its one of the perks of having a fake eye.  I can pretty much freak anyone out at all times.  Its great (insert evil giggle here).
So why did this subject come up?  I came by to update my blog with pics of some projects and just realized that I left the camera at home.  I am upset with my self yet again because I am never prepared.  I should have put the camera in my bag last night after taking the pics.  Would have, Should have, Could have.......  My ninth grade English teacher constantly made that statement.  It stuck with me because I am a Should have person.  I am very aware of my ability to forget things and "should" prepare things when I remember them instead of counting on myself to remember later.  So I began proof reading my blog.  I feel not so smart during these infrequent proofs.  I spotted a few misspellings and now I hope I seem a bit more intelligent.  That's what all of this rambling led to.  I hate knowing I have bad spelling and grammar.
So folks, another day of complaining and no pics.  I apologize for my self ;).  I WILL have pics and project updates tomorrow morning.  Till then, may you be froggy free......

Little Green Monster

I heard the words but tried to ignore them.  "Are you feeling froggy?"  That was when I realized  the infamous little green monster visited me this morning....
My DS woke up bright and early this morning so I made his breakfast and sat with him.  During our lovely little visit I picked up my Easter ornie for my babysitter (I am done with the design and am now working on the Mama Lu).  What did my tired little eye spot?  I totally miscounted and the wording is off.  I am soooooooooooooo not happy with myself.  I know what I did.  I counted the letters BUT completely forgot to count the spaces in between.  Such a trivial little mistake.  At least it would have been if I knew where my thread picker is hiding.
Now, I have been aware of the little guy's missing in action status for a few weeks.  I have looked in its usual haunts through out my home, but no luck.  I have been extra careful lately so I didn't really put too much effort into it.  And now, a little green frog has decided to show up (along with a swarm of pill bugs on my front porch - ewww).  What ever will I do (inset dramatic music).  I already started unpicking, but I its going slow.  Thank goodness its only letters.  So folks, that is why I do not have any new pics or stitchy updates.  Just a rant to make me feel better.
I also wanted to say thank you for your wonderful comments.  It made me feel a whole bunch better.  Tomorrow I will be green free ;).

Good Morning!!!!!

Good Morning All.  I had a great night.  My DS went to bed at a decent hour and did not wake up much last night.  I feel so refreshed.  5 hours of sleep will do that to a girl.  He is getting some molars in and keeps waking up in pain.  I feel so bad for him and just stay with him till he falls back to sleep.  I get some prime cuddling time in during the wee hours of the night (and early morning).  I will get what I can take these days.  He is so mobile that running is his prime mode of transportation these days.  He is just so cute when he runs around the corners.  I will have to try to get a pic to post.

On some stitchy news, I took some photos of my current WIPs.  They are dark so I apologize in advance.  I will try to swap them out with better ones in the next few days.  First up is my progress on Brookes Books Summer House freebie (above).  It is coming along nicely.  Its my first attempt at 25 count over two.  I normally stick with larger counts of fabric due to my vision, but I just had to try it.  I am sooooo loving the result.  It makes a cleaner looking stitch.  I can't wait till I am done.  Cross your toes I finish by May 13th.  That is the day I want to give it to some friends of my husband for their first anniversary.  I am going to add their names, anniversary date, and attach it to a photo album.

This next pic is of an Easter ornie I am making for my baby sitter.  I got it from
http://gazette94.blogspot.com.  It's in french but can translate it to almost any language.  There are free patterns periodically updated.  I highly recommend it.  This will be done as a needle roll with Mama Lu stitched on the back side.  I am truly sorry for the picture quality.  Its cloudy here and I just can't seem to find a good spot.

As for the Cure ornie, I need to retake a pic tomorrow.  The ones I took are dreadful.

My goals for the remaining two weeks of April are:  The Easter ornie (3 days left), "A" block for my son, and the Cure ornie for my sister-in law.  I am a bit behind on my stitching (as usual), but I have a plan.  Let's hope I don't get distracted by new goodies.  :)

Inspired

Well Ladies and Gents, I have once again been inspired by reading all of the wonderful blogs that I normally visit (along with some new ones).  Last post I mentioned my little brother having a mild heart attack.  I was a bit freaked out because he is only 33 years old.  It turns out that taking even the most insignificant medication is important.  I am personally medication cautious because of my history, but something like a thyroid pill is needed and necessary for all body functions.  He was scared into reality and is now following his doctor's instructions.

Brooks Books New Year's Fairy Freebie

Now onto some stitchy business.  I have a pic of the Love Quilt Square I completed for a little girl who has one of the eye troubles I lived with for 8 1/2 years.  Its a Brooke's Books freebie with some alterations to color and design to fit little Peyton's request. 

 I apologize for the pic, but I am not tech savey enough to fix the cropping.  I also took the pic before mailing so the creases are showing, but you get the idea.  Here is a pic of the entire quilt.  Isn't it lovely?  The ladies at Love Quilts are just marvelous.

Well, I have some other projects in progress and will have some pics uploaded in the next day or two.  I am working on an Easter ornament for Mama Lu (my baby sitter) and a Breast Cancer Pillow Ornament for my sister-in-law.  I also want to make one for my neighbor.  They are both going through some treatment now, so I thought that perhaps a little something fun would make them smile (or at least give them something non destructive to throw at someone) :).

Last but not least, I have a link for a give-a-way that you must check out.  Its for Hooked on Stitches.

Her page is wonderful and filled with pics of beauties.  Just follow the link on the left side of my blog to enter and check out the rules.

Wells folks, that's all for today.  I will get back to ya soon.  Have a wonderful day.