Stitching Update

I thought it was about time to give an update on what I'm actually stitching.  I have found that I'm stitching less and less much to my chagrin.  I love stitching, I will always love stitching.  But I'm finding myself drawn to bead work and jewelry making.  I've always loved shiny things and since the bead shop moved in just 2 miles away, I've been taking classes and just generally making a nusiance of myself.  It's also easier on my hands, neck and shoulders.  I've had a lot of pain lately and am trying to do all I can to minimize it.  So I haven't been stitching as much as I would like.  But I still have all kinds of plans to stitch things, especially with overdyed threads and fabrics.  So in order to get back on track, I'm displaying a couple of pieces that I have been working on.  The top picture is of a Michael Powell I started a couple of years ago.  I don't know why I haven't finished it yet.  Oh, wait, yes I do.  It's all that weird backstitching he has.  But I got smart with this one (I've stitched 2 others of his and have maybe a dozen more to go) and did the backstitching in #8 perle cotton.  It's much easier than the floss and I like the way it looks better.  So this one is just a few days from being finished.

The second piece is another cross stitch hybrid I'm doing in needlepoint.  I wasn't sure at first if I liked the colors but now I'm really excited about the way it looks.  Once all the stitching is done, I'll backstitch some Christmas trees in with some beads and it will be all ready for the holiday season.  I'm having a lot of fun with this one.  It's kind of mindless so I can do it at night while watching TV.

So that's what I've been up to.  How about you?

How Come

I can't be satisfied with what I've got?  I was just thinking about all the free cross stitch patterns that are available on the Web.  I must have a stack of patterns about 6 inches tall that I've printed off.  And that's just one stack.  I have folders full of patterns.  Free patterns or patterns I've printed off Artecy.com (where I've been a member for years).  And I'm not just talking about about cute, little patterns used by designers to grab your interest.  I do have lots of those as well.  And I love them when I need a pattern for a round robin or a card.  No, I'm talking about gorgeous, big patterns.  Like the Book of Ink Circles (or BOINK as it's affectionately known as), or the ones from Papillon Creations (both names which escape me at the moment).  There are some French blogs that are posting gorgeous samplers that are free for the printing.  AAS has a wonderful, whimsical Christmas design that's a free SAL.  You could stitch for several years just from the free patterns that are available.  So with all this bounty, why do I still feel the need to BUY patterns?  I know I tell myself I'm doing this so when I retire, I'll have my pick of what I want to stitch.  But tastes change.  Who knows if what I want to stitch today will be what I want to stitch tomorrow?  I tell myself that if my favorite designers retire, then I need to get their patterns before they go out of print.  If I never bought another pattern, I'd be set for life.  I've even been culling out things I know I'll never stitch.  But I still find myself drawn to new patterns.  It's a sickness, I tell you.  And I'm not sure I want to be cured!

Good Bye My Friend

Today's a very sad day for my family.  Our beautiful Bear was sent over the Rainbow Bridge.  He was almost 13 years old and had been suffering from Cushing's Disease for the past year.  It finally got to be too much for him and we made the very sad decision to send him over today.  Bear was a very special doggy.  He was Sherrie's best friend and Rosie's constant companion.  It will be so hard to see her without him.  But I know it was the right decision.  I just wish it didn't have to hurt so much.  So I'll say farewell to Bear knowing that he's romping in the meadows with Lady and Sam and getting beat up by Tiffany and loving every minute of it.  We'll see you later, Bear.

New member of the Family

I thought I'd show off the new puppy we got yesterday.  We (my DD Sherrie and DS Brian) went to a pet expo yesterday.  Now I had no intention of returning with a dog although I knew this summer would be a perfect time to get one.  Sherrie will have the summer off from teaching and can help with the training.  But I just didn't know if I was ready to deal with 3 dogs.  Bear is not getting any better and I'm afraid his time is short.  Maybe that's why I though a 3rd dog at this time might ease things for Sherrie and Rosie (our Aussie/Sheltie).  Well, there were all kinds of rescue organizations there.  I did want a younger puppy because of all of the issues we had when Rosie came to us.  So while wandering around, we spied some beautiful puppies.  There were 5 red ones and a black one.  I just couldn't leave her behind.  I called DH (who is out of town) and he said it was up to me.  Wrong thing to say!  So we are now the proud owners of a very mixed puppy.  The only thing we know for sure is that the mom is a German Shepherd mix.  We think we are going to call her Annabelle with Annie for short.  Not sure if that is definite but that's what we're leaning towards.  So, World, meet Annie.

Happy Dancing!

I'm happy dancing all over the place.  My kitchen is DONE!  Yes, after all the storm repairs that had to be done before we could start and 3 months of work and waiting, my new kitchen is complete.  It's so beautiful!  When I look at the pictures of the old kitchen, I can't believe that it's the same room.  The whole room is so much lighter and brighter.  It looks so much bigger.  I was kinda worried about how everything would work together, but I think it looks great.  So come on!  Happy dance with me!

A Couple of WIP's

I thought I'd show a couple of the WIP's that I've been working on lately.  The top one is Cirque des Carreaux from Ink Circles.  It's stitched on 25 count lugana in a color called Terra Cotta.  I'm not even sure if the color is still available.  I've had it for so long in my stash that it could be many years old.  I'm stitching it in a Threadworks color.  I really wanted to use this fabric but really had an awful time finding a color that would work with it.  I think I succeeded with the green.  It reminds me of Autumn and I'm really happy with it.  I've made good progress with it.  I finished half of what you see there in just about 1 week's time. 

The second picture is the new project I added in since I finished a new project.  This is another cross stitch pattern that I have converted into needlepoint.  I kept largely to the colors that were called for, changing maybe only one or two.  It's going to have stylized Christmas trees on it when all the background is stitched.  I believe the pattern is from Art-Stitch.  I'm also making good time on it and hope it have it finished by the end of this month.  We'll see if I can make it.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

32 years ago today I married my best friend.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  It had poured down all week (16 inches in 24 hours earlier in the week) but on the morning of our wedding, it was bright and clear.  It was a wonderful day and it was a great preview of what was to come.  Like most couples, we've had good times and not so good times.  We survived a layoff and a cross country move.  We have 3 great kids but even that was not without problems.  We had my dad living with us during the last year of his life and Dave treated him as if he were is own dad.  Through it all, we've stayed best friends and lovers.  If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

David had the flowers waiting for me when I got home yesterday.  The daisies are extra special because they were our wedding flowers.  They're my favorite and I know that's why Dave gave them to me.  The roses are for true love and that's what he is to me. 

I didn't want this to become sappy but I just wanted to let the world know how special he is.  Happy anniversary, David!