What's new????

I am finally finding the time to actually sit down and write an entry.... I have been off but the days just got in the way.... So first up is my meeting with Kathy A .We met about a week ago at my LNS Stitcher's Paradise and just had the most fun. Here is a picture of use in the shop Kathy definitely had some stash enhancement..... And she came bearing gifts ....so sweet.....my very first biscornu and I absolutely love it!!! The front of my biscornu and the back Along with chocolate which was delicious and a box of tea! It was so sweet of her. After the shop we went for an early dinner and there kept talking and sharing! It was so great to meet her and I hope we see each other again!

I am in the middle of 5 days off and am just enjoying the time ..of course when I go back it's for a 3 day stretch but these days are worth it! I am looking forward to seeing Margaret this week as she is visiting from the Netherlands! We are all excited at the shop! I am making my Grandma's Raisin Cake for the occasion !!!! The last time I made the cake it got rave reviews! It is so easy for me since I've been making it since I'm 10 or so ......

I spent yesterday working on HAED's Tower of Stoney Wood ..I only have the pre picture I feel like I got a lot done but it doesn't show it! I guess I'll be adding this to my weekly stitching and seeing more progress as I go....I joined a new SAL for Haed's called Our Friend's HAED SAL . Stop on by and take a look if you like!

Next I started Michelle Ink's Quaker Gone Tropic and here is my progress which is only about a week's worth of stitching!!!! This is a fun stitch! And luckily I didn't like Nora's "J" so I started Mdesigns "J" not much done in this picture but I have more done now When I did the "C" for Dh I made a major error that I was able to correct by not closing the box so this time I completed the box first.... I plan on doing the Celtic Heart and then framing them altogether . This is done on PTPlus DaVinci 32ct linen that Dh bought for me for a birthday about 2 years ago!

And last is Nora's Alphabet I am done with the letters and on to the feather.....

I have a few new starts coming up in the next few months which might seem like a lot but I feel it's about the process/journey and I am enjoying myself!!!! More in future posts.....

Well I did a Pilates Mat class today and paid the bills so it's an evening of stitching for me! Last thursday I made a big pot of pasta sauce and we have been enjoying that! So I'm off to get a huge cup of tea and stitch.

Ps I changed the look of my blog again....I just thought the other was way too pink even for me and I really love this one.....so it'll stay .....
I am grateful for days off and stitching.....

May your needle fly through your fabric.........

Where oh where.....

I have no idea why I haven't posted except to say that I have been stitching! I feel better the migraines have been minimal although I have one now but I will not let it win. I will nap after posting this. I hope all is well with everyone and want to start by saying Thank You for all of the lovely comments that I have received!!! I so appreciate them!!!!!!!

I did start The Tower of Stoney Wood!!! And I am loving it!!!!! And Fairy moon is coming along. I picked up Cirque on friday when a friend was over and have been focusing on it. I told you I was stitching a lot! I have 2 friends that I work with and they happen to stitch as well so we do impromptu get togethers. And I am happy to say they have both joined the wednesday stitching group at SP!!!!! Speaking of SP they are having their 5th anniversary with a month long celebration!!! Each week is a new sale during June. This week was charts!!!! I got another HAED that I have been eyeing for a while. I also got my first Chatelaine.......aren't you happy Deb !!! Along with one other one by LHN!!!!! I will post pictures most likely tomorrow.....

We have a group of us within the stitching group that are reading Jane Austen as a read along and we had our first luncheon yesterday!!!! We had such fun!!!! On another note I watched Capote with Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote all I can say is wow!!! I loved every minute and PSH was spectacular! I went out and bought a copy of In Cold Blood...I have never read it and am looking forward to starting it maybe tonight! Not a light read but I've been meaning to read it since last summer so here goes......

And for anyone who hasn't seen the new Nora Corbett Fairy Letters ...Here they are .....A, B, and C.....I had planned to do Mdesigns Celtic letters for my nieces and SIL as a belated thank you gift for sharing my wedding day as bridesmaids and best woman but now I plan to do these!!!!! I have the C on order and of course the J for myself when it comes out!!! Thank you again Nora for such lovely patterns to cross stitch.

I am grateful for my love of counted cross stitch......

Some finishes

Well I'm back with some finishes this week!!! And I thought I'd post them since I'm so thrilled!!!! The first finish is a small Shepards Bush that took a little over a week to do and in all honesty if I'd worked on it consistently it would have been finished sooner..... And it's official I'm addicted to Shepards Bush!!!! Although I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to discover the sheer joy of working on one. But better late than never....... Next is my Mdsigns Letter "C"......which even though I marked the chart as I went I still had an error that needed adjustment since I wasn't frogging the whole thing and I do believe it's okay and only I'll know where the mistakes lay.... .

To answer a few questions from my comments... Yes I will be doing all 8 Couture Pixies by Nora Corbett. I've done 2 so far for my nieces and will redo them for myself......my favorite is still Daisy though. The next answer is I just started getting Silkweaver's as a FOTM but last year I was getting PTPlus FOTM!!! So I have a good stash going and am finally using it for my projects. I love them both!!!!! They are both so beautiful and wonderful to work on!!!

I also updated my sidebar with new pictures if you'd like to look.....

I am grateful for my finishes this week.....

Pictures and ramblings.....

Is it March already? I thought I'd post the first signs of spring from my front yard!!! It was taken at twilight that magical time when so much is possible..... And I am back at work and have to say that it is really cutting into my stitching time!!! I am still stitching most days but on the days I work my energy level is zero by the end of the day! Not surprising at all but it's those days that I really have to think about stitching. I also started back at Pilates and am taking it slow with lower springs and the instructor is being great and sensitve to my needs!!!! It feels great just to have a routine again. The 6 weeks off was grand but had no structure so I am enjoying the returning routine!!!! I also joined Netflix finally and got my first movie "Across The Universe" I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it was a bit bizarre unfortunately DH didn't like it at all. The music from it is sensational I already have it on my Ipod!!!!! Now on to some more pictures of stitching......

First up is Cirque des Cercles as you can see I have 2 pages completed and it's on to page 3. I am thrilled with the colors and my progress. Next is SB's Winter Moon I almost have the moon all filled in and then on to the specialty stitches. If you recall this was my January 1st start. I am looking forward to the rest with a bit of nervousness but have complete confidence that I can do it!!!! Next is Mdesigns Letter C It is almost done as well. But it seems even with marking the chart as I went I have an error so did I panic or frog....no I adjusted. I paid extra close attention but mistakes happen and only God makes perfect things. And I'm sure DH won't know the difference..... Next is The Red Thread by Bent Creek I'm not quite where I should be but I am progressing and actually the snowman is complete since this picture was taken. So by the end of March I will be up to date..... And yes I have one more picture Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Birds of a Feather This was my February 29th start. Even though it's out of season I truly love this one. I adore Christmas and Santas and keep them up year round. And one last picture of Mirabilia's Halloween Fairy which I'm not sure I have posted so here she is ......and she does have legs now....I did pick up Mirabilia's Christmas Elf Fairy from the framer's but have yet to take her picture. I need to save something for the next post. If you've read this far thanks for visiting!!!!

I am grateful for life returning to normal ..................

Feather Fairy and much much more....

First let me say Congratulations to the N.Y. Giants and Eli Manning for an unbelieveably exciting game!!!! They played so hard and so well!!!! I am completely thrilled for them!!!! And my hubby is over the moon about the upset!!!! He was on his feet for most of the game!!!!!!

Let's see where do I begin..... next is a completed picture of the framed Bless birth sampler its a neon green metallic frame and I think it's perfect!!!! My cousin said she wasn't into the traditional pinks and blues and I do believe she'lll love it!!!!!

Next is a WIP that I picked up again.... Feather Fairy by Mirabilia. Here is the picture from the chart
And here is my progress picture before I picked it up again last wednesday.....

I have another progress picture of my "C" and it really is working up quickly.......

I do have a confession to make I am the least organized person when it comes to my ever growing stash but unfortunately I don't have any pictures to illustrate my point. But I did sit down one afternoon last week as I was looking for some DMC thread and finally got aggravated enough to organize! I will also admit I've had these baskets for about 6-8 months or so...... Here is how it looks now... quite a bit better!!!! And I still have a bin in the closet to go through.....wish me luck with that. I am planning on doing that bin sometime this week....

I have cleaned up my sidebar as well so if you don't see your blog listed be assured it's in my google reader....And I've added a poll for my first HAED QS to start so please vote if you'd like! Unfortunately they didn't let me list the pictures as I wanted too.

I hope to have a picture of my framed Christmas Elf Fairy this week as well. My framer has been waiting for the specially ordered frame since before Christmas. I do plan on keeping her up year round. I just really want her home!

Let me close with a picture of my furbaby Storm... Who is missing her uncle and can't wait for his visit in a couple of weeks!!!! Oh and if I'm scarce it's simply because my mother is here and I'm not getting as much time as usual on the computer. But Storm is enjoying the added attention and occasional treat..... As a matter of fact I had been planning this post as my finish to January posting and you see it's now February's first post...best laid plans and all....

I am grateful for the N. Y. Giants win today!!!!!!!!!

A few things..........

I want to start by saying that my stitching mojo has returned and I am stitching into the wee hours of the night!!!! I have also been to my wednesday stitching group which is great fun!!! I plan on going to tomorrow's saturday group some of the same stitcher's are there so I know it will be fun.

On a good news front I saw my surgeon and she said everything was good which basically means that my final pathology was benign just a plain old fibroid and now it's gone. I am happily in what is known as surgical menopause and with the wonder of medicine 'the hormone patch" I have not experienced a hot flash! It'll be 3 weeks this coming tuesday! And she also cleared me to drive but still wants me to take it easy. Which I will, I have learned!

I had another new start something I've been planning a while but before I tell you about that my last finish Bless was done on PTPlus Crystal Highland 32 ct linen. I forgot to include that bit of information in my last post. I started an Mdesigns letter "C" for my hubby and plan to do my initial and the Celtic Heart and then frame them and hang them together. I still plan all the initials for my bridal party as well including the best man and usher. It will be fun! So here is the start of my "C" done on PTPlus Davinci 32 ct linen which hubby bought me for a birthday 2 years ago so I thought that was special! I only just started it a few days ago so it is stitching up quickly!!!! The fabric is pretty true to color and the thread is a Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors in Blue Violet. The heart will be on a pink fabric with a complimenting thread. I already have it picked out but not handy at the moment.......

I have a picture of my January 1st start as well It's Winter Moon by Shepard's Bush..... I am bit leary of it since it's my first SB and band sampler. But one of the ladies in my wednesday group has promised guidance along the way.

On another note there is a new Mirabilia Bulletin Board now. It's called Mirabilia Stitchers . It's a lot of fun and I've been named moderator to the Angels and Cherubs forum so come have a visit!!!!

I am grateful for feeling better day by day......

13 days and no post

I find it so hard to believe that 13 days have passed and I haven't posted. Where does the time go?? I have been stitching and have another finish. I have finished Celtic Cross. And have picked up Cirque des Cercles again and placed it on stretcher bars and my lap frame so it is easier to stitch! This past week or so I've been fighting a cold but not sure I'm winning...I was off on Sunday and slept most of the day. Hopefully it's near the end of it because I'm tired of feeling tired and listless. I worked over the weekend feeling sick and it wasn't fun as it was a busy weekend with lots to do............

Celtic Cross by Mdesigns

PTPlus Crystal Relic

In the Burgandy threads by The Thread Gatherer

The latest finish is for my brother Brian who just had a birthday recently! So I hope you like it Brian. He actually picked out the design and just said do it in red! His favorite color! He saw it about half way done and smiled! Enough for me!

Let me close with an SBQ :

Today's SBQ is:Would you ever stitch one of your BAPs a second time? (This does not include starting over because of mistakes, bad fabric, etc., rather stitching something from the first stitch for a second time.)The permalink to this post is: http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/09/sbq-seconds/

I have thought of doing one or two a second time but there is so much I want to stitch a first time that it just doesn't seem feasible.......I have done some smalls a second even a fourth time this one comes to mind... But it was fun to do!!!!

I want to say thank you to everyone who comments! I do appreciate your stopping by and visiting! I just wish we could share a cup of tea together!

I am grateful for the joy in my life...........

Hello.....

Well my crazy work stretch is done and I'm happy but glad that I did it. Let me explain I did good this week with a few patients and that makes my soul happy! And it's to the airport to pick up my mom tonight but I just checked and her flight is delayed a bit so I thought I'd post..... I took some stash pictures!! It really was a crash off the wagon and tomorrow we visit my LNS again since the rest of my stash came in! Here are some pictures...... ......................I truly love the corsets and think they will stitch up beautifully!!!! There will be more stash pictures. I need to find a really nice over-dyed red for the Celtic Cross from M-designs that I'm doing on a cream linen so far. I'd like lots of variation in a red. And while I was on Passione Ricamo site ordering "Beloved Santa" last night...my LNS was having a hard time finding it so she suggested I order it through the site......what did I find but this BEAUTY She is so beautiful!!!!! And she just fell in my basket.....LOL. Her dress front reminds me of my wedding dress just a bit and I adore her wand! I am a new convert to PR designs and this is really taking me by surprise! I truly believe I will need two or more lifetimes for all the stash I have acquired..... I'm not complaining just stating fact! Well I better start getting ready for the airport run..... I promise to find time to post this week and I do have 3 Pilates classes scheduled while mom is here as well!!!

Oh and just a note we've had hurricane like winds and rain here today.....my new swing is in 2 pieces not broken just blown across my patio.... See it does rain in Vegas!

I am grateful for taking good care of my patients ..........

Pictures finally

I know this is long overdue but everday just seems to get away from me. But not today!!!! I took pictures and posted them to my webshots album and now here! There are also pictures of my other stash there as well....So for the first picture my february FOTM club PTPlus fabric It's not a great shot so here are a few more..... and another... I absolutely love them!!!!! I also mentioned that I was going to do the Mdesign letters for me and hubby or is it hubby and I? I also want to do them as belated very belated wedding gifts for my best woman and bridesmaids for possible Christmas gifts.....so if any of you are reading this be surprised! Okay! The letters and I picked out the fabric for I want to use for our letters it's PTPlus Davinci with Gathering Threads silk in blue violet!!! The thread isn't that dark IRL....Here's that picture I may be pushing it with pictures but I have one more.....I haven't posted one of our dear Storm in quite a while and she's been so cute lately so here goes .

I did get my hair done on tuesday at the new salon...same hairdresser. It's a long story and I'm not good at change....I love the new place it reminds me of a salon in Soho NYC !!! So I felt right at home! My hair came out really great too....new color product and it has a shine which is hard to attain with color treated blonde hair. I also got blonde and red highlights and a new cut....a bob with angles and movement which will grow well since I want my length back. But I really like it so I just may keep it this length! I'll see...I styled it myself tonight before going out for dinner with friends and it was easier than its been in a while.... a big plus!!!! I took a picture but I didn't upload it yet so I'll do that another day. I did upload the picture and put it in my sidebar....I'm not fond of it but it's there.....I think I covered most of what I promised so I'll end here and say goodnight.

I am grateful for sleeping better lately.......

best laid plans...

I truly was planning a post with pictures of my new fabrics. But the last two days just got away from me... I also have several new stash acquistions! I plan on doing Mdesigns letters for hubby and me. I showed him the letters and he loved them. He got me PTPlus Davinci 32ct 1/4 yd for my birthday so I thought I'd put them on that and I picked out a dark blue almost violet silk thread for the thread....blue on blue. I'll post the picture soon...sunday most likely!

I have been to many Pilates classes...including 3 this week! I missed a class last week since I was sick. I still love it so much! I am feeling so good with more energy and look forward to the time I spend at Pilates! And I've signed up for March already!!!!

That's it for now...hubby is at work and I am going to stitch....tea and stitching! A perfect night! Thanks for all the wonderful comments! I truly love reading all of them!

I am grateful for my life and friends.....