Finally!

I finally have a finish for this year.  I'm happy dancing all over the house!  I cannot believe just how long it's taken me to finish this little design.  And I do mean little.  I guess I hadn't realized that I had lost my stitching mojo for a while.  It also took me a while to figure out the best way for me to see with my new vision.  But whatever the reason, it's done!  And it's done before Elsie is too big to use it (I think!).  In case anyone is wondering what it is, it's a hooded towel for after her bath.  It's actually a perfect design for them since they have quite a collection of rubber duckies in their bathroom.  Forgive the camera strap hanging down in the corner.  I'm using Sherrie's camera (she lost mine in the Philippines - whole nother story) and I guess I hadn't realized the strap was so long.  Anyway, now it's on to Elsie's birth sampler.

I Just Have To

show off a little here.  This is my beautiful granddaughter, Elsie.  When Chris, Annette and Elsie came down in July, we all went off to JC Penneys and had family pictures taken.  This is one of my favorites from that sitting.  That's Annette's and my hand holding Elsie's.  She wasn't old enough to stand on her own so she had a little help from Mom and Grandma.  She is such a sweet and happy baby.  Her smile just makes me warm all over.  I think she's gorgeous as well.  Takes after her grandma.  Opps, I meant to say mom.  Seriously I can see lots from both sides of the family in her.  Anyway I just thought I'd introduce my first grandbaby to the world.  World, meet Elsie.

Happy Independence Day!

I would just like to wish all my followers from the USA a most happy and blessed July 4th.  Our country has faced many challenges in the past but we have always risen above them.  I am and always will be proud to be an American.

I would also like to thank the men and women of our armed forces for keeping us free.  It's a job I certainly would not be able to do but I so appreciate and pray for our soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coast Guard.  Thank you for all you do.

I'm Kind Of Sad

I'm really kind of sad right now.  The LNS that I have worked in for the last 8 1/2 years has closed it's doors.  Yesterday was our last day for sales.  Next week we're taking inventory and then that's it.  Needler's Nest will be no more.  The really sad thing for me is that this is the first time in 18 years that I've left a job with no prospects of another.  I've worked for LNS's for the past 18 1/2 years.  When one store closed, I went to work for another.  I worked for Countless Stitches for 3 years and when Katie sold the store, I went to work for Barb, the new owner.  I worked for her for another 7 years and when she closed the store, I was asked to come to work for Needler's Nest.  Now 8 1/2 years later, Needler's Nest has closed.  It's been a fun, wild ride but all good things must come to an end.  I loved having first hand knowledge of all the new products coming out.  I learned so much about this craft that we all love so much.  I learned what I would or would not do if I had my own store (which let's face it, will never happen).  I lived my childhood dream of owning my own store.  Okay, I didn't own it but it working there was the next best thing.

I am convinced that it is almost impossible to open a LNS and have it be a success.  I truly believe it's almost impossible to make a living owning a LNS.  Yes, there are a few stores making it but I believe most small LNS will have a very rough go of it.  I do believe that the stores that make it are going to be the ones with a large Internet presence.  We're all familiar with Silver Needle, Stitches, N Things, Cross Stitch 123, The Attic and Elegant Stitch.  Why?  Because they rely very heavily on the Internet.  Of course, they have good service and lots of stuff that make our hearts go crazy.  But I really believe what helps them thrive is the Internet.  Nothing wrong with that but it does make it hard for the smaller shops to compete.  So I think the wave of the future is a number of what I will call mega-LNS's with some smaller ones scattered around.

So I'll get off my soapbox now.  It's been a great 18 1/2 years and now I'm on to my next adventure.

You've Heard Of

the Headless Horseman?  Well, meet the headless rubber ducky.  Yes, this is as far as I've gotten on Elsie's bath towel.  Guess when she and her mom are arriving?  Yep, you guessed it.  This Thursday.  Think I can finish it in time?  I'm going to give it the good old college try.  I'll be back on Friday with an update.

A Little Progress

Remember my last blog post about putting the toys away and getting back to stitching?  Well, it's been harder than I thought.  There are so many interesting apps out there and it's so easy to download and start exploring them.  But I really want to finish this before the end of the month.  I think I can but it's so awkward to stitch.  I've ended up using the sewing method to avoid having to stick my hand up in the hood.  But since I'm not used to it, it's taking me longer to stitch.  But I am determined to finish this.

By the way, I'd like to have a give-away when I reach 100 followers.  But I can't yet cause I only have 96.  If I can get 4 more people to follow my blog, I'll have a give-away.  So if you're not following me yet or you have some friends that might enjoy reading about my stitching and my life, invite them along for the ride.

I'm Just

saying no.  It seems to me that lately I've been spending entirely too much time with my new toy, the Ipad Dave gave me for Christmas last year.  I should be using my time more wisely by stitching the many things I want to stitch this year or finishing the blanket I'm knitting for Elsie.  But no, I'm just sitting around playing games on my toy or surfing the web at night.  I haven't even been reading that much lately.  I've neglected my poor blog and have several emails that I owe people.  So hencefore (that's my word of the day) I shall endeavor to spend my time more productively and not waste so much of it playing games on Toy as it's affectionately known as around here.