My Sunday

I spent my sunday stitching on QGT by Michelle Ink. I am in the middle of the big center motif and am enjoying it ! I am stitching this on 32ct PTPlus Chime and I am happy with the thread changes I made! Here it is The center motif is the largest so I am going to make this my sunday or whenever the mood hits me!

I also made some stitching progress on Stitching Fairy by PR. I chose a bold color choice and I am liking it! I think tonight I will be working on Queen of the Fairies by PR since she has been screaming at since last night! Pictures next post!

I have dinner on the stove so I'm making this a quick post. I'm off to check on the Chicken and Dumplings! Dh is on his way home so I think it will be a Netflix night!

PS .....My niece is visiting this week from California!! Just a quick visit to which I am looking forward too.....She is feeling much better and getting on with her life! Again thank you all for keeping her in your prayers!

I am grateful for quiet days of stitching....

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

She's done!!!!

I am thrilled that Trick or Treat Fairy is done!!!!! Over the weekend I beaded and beaded and beaded for 2 straight days! I was determined to say the least! We even had company for dinner on sunday and I was able to finish her up!!!! I am so in love with her and will be able to get her framed as my dear MIL gave me $$ towards whatever I want for being so nice the past 6 weeks and I want her framed!!!! I added the silver spider to the large web on the bottom left corner since it seemed natural that a spider web have a resident!!!! Here she is ... Trick or Treat Fairy by Nora Corbett from the magazine Cross Stitch and Needlework
She is done on 32ct Crystal Flash linen by PTPlus fabrics. The fabric just called to me...so Halloweeny!!!!

Amazingly enough this is my 200th post!!!!! I've made many friends though this blog and cherish everyone of you!!!!! We have such a friendly community here in blogland and I am so glad to be part of it!!!!

This is also our 3rd wedding anniversary!!!! So we are going out to dinner tonight with my dear MIL and her DBF. We have reservations at B&B in the Venetian! It's Mario Batali's restaurant!!!! I've heard noting but good things about it! It is also their last night here so we thought a trip to the Strip we be good!!!

I've already had a hard Pilates workout this am and feeling good....getting stronger everyday!!!! I am focusing on my abs at the moment and am finding I can do more than ever before......now to lose a few lbs!!!! I do love Pilates and am thinking of getting the Pilates chair that they advertise on late night TV.....I think Susan Lucci advertises it......might be worth it! We'll see!

Happy Halloween to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Where do I begin????

I have to say that I have missed posting. Disneyland was wonderful! My goddaughter is an absolute joy and full of love and peace and wonder! She truly restores my soul!!!! We had lots of fun. We even upgraded our 2 day park hopper into an annual pass!!!! And we promised that we'd be back lots!!!!! I truly love Disneyland

The day started off ordinary with the 4 of us going for breakfast before a planned day of fun and then I got a phone call that somewhere in my brain I knew was going to come and I'm not being morbid but I just sensed it. I posted about my favorite Aunt in July well I am so glad that I made the effort to go and see her then. We had a simply wonderful day with her which means the world to me!!!!! My brother called to say that she had passed away that morning. I just cried actually sobbed. I then called my cousin to see how she was and to see if she wanted me back in NY. She was sure that it wasn't necessary and that it was more important that I saw her when I did. Needless to say I was sad but carried on and enjoyed Disney. And now I've been flooded with memories of her which are many...... I will share one and that is that she always wore red lipstick and when she kissed you goodbye her lip print was there as proof on your cheek!!! I would give anything for that lip print right now!!!! I think I'll start wearing red lipstick in her memory. She truly was my favorite Aunt!!!!! I will always honor her in my heart!!!! Our wedding anniversary is her birthday and I planned it that way and so on 10/28 I will celebrate and honor her!!!!!!

I did the drive to Anaheim and it was good since my niece will be moving to California in a few months and we plan lots of visits back and forth!!!!! I am looking forward to having her closer !!!!!! Both of my nieces hold my heart and it will be good to connect with her more often. Maybe my homesickness will abate with her being closer! Having my dear friend and goddaughter here was definitely a plus. Making memories was so special and honoring memories is important as well!!!!

I did bring my stitching along but it never made it out of the bag......I have been stitching since our return and here is an update of my most current new start.... It is Trick or Treat fairy by NC done on Crystal Flash 32ct linen by PTPlus . I am enjoying her but need to get back to Cinderella Sampler as well as CdC!!!!

I have also been enjoying the pool and spa!!!!! Luckily we get to enjoy the pool into October as long as we put the solar cover on!!!!! Oh and we got word that my MIL will be visiting soon actually next week for about 6 weeks! I am so looking forward to her visit. She seems to think DH needs her visit but I think I actually need her nurturing as well!!!! And she will have her younger BF with her once again!!!!!

There is so much I want to say but can't think of it all right now or am just not sure how to write it so I'll sleep on it and maybe it will appear in another post......

I am grateful for my Aunt and what she meant in my life.......

a second post in 2 days...

First I want to say thanks for all of the warm wishes I received after yesterdays post! I feel blessed to be a part of this community! I wish we could all sit down to tea and stitching together! The migraine got better and then worse this am but I am refusing to let it win! It is now a dull ache in my right temple. But enough of it let me show you what I completed today! Yes PR's Fairy Celebration 3 is stitched beaded and signed! It is done on 32ct PTPlus Kermit (one of my favorite colors) with an overdyed thread by threadworks in 1158 and overdyed purple. I absolutely adore this piece and look forward to doing FC2 and another one that she included in her catalogue! The fabric and thread is all picked out as well. I have also signed up for a secret RR....my first! But news on that will remain a secret for a while. Sorry to tease............

I'm off to a cup of tea and some stitching and a second watching of The Other Boleyn Girl which needs to be returned to Netflix and awaiting the first disc of The Tudors.......so exciting!!!!! I love anything to do with Anne Boleyn and have for years!

I am grateful for lazy days and cups of tea......

Promises and stash

I have kept my promise to post today!!!! I did get a full blown migraine yesterday but took my Relpax and it was on it's way out all that was left was the tingling in my neck which is a sure sign of its demise!!!! I took it easy today having breakfast outside and stitching a bit in the afternoon. Then it was off to Pilates Mat class. I do like it but I'm still adjusting since it doesn't involve equipment like the reformer or chair but is all you!!!! I am a bit sore but it feels good. Then after walk around the neighborhood with my puppy the evening is mine since DH is at work. So now that I've filled you in on my day on to pictures!!!

First the stash as promised..... . This appealed to me since reading Jane Austen! I am so liking LHN all of a sudden!!! And another HAED... I have no intention of starting this one anytime soon but it so reminded me of the Elves in Lord of The Rings that I couldn't resist especially during this weeks sale on charts. I read LOTR about nine yes nine times and loved it more with each read.....It reminds me of the scene where the elves are leaving MiddleEarth......And lastly my first Chatelaine.... I simply fell in love with the colors and have no intention of starting this one yet either but I will have it when the mood strikes......Someone at SP yesterday said "did you see all the beads on it?" I just thought it was too beautiful to care about the enormous amount of beads.....

And my new start as of tonight..... It is PR's Fairy Celebration 3. I had the fabric in my stash it's PTPlus 32ct Kermit!!!! And the thread is from Threadworks a really pretty overdyed purple. And since Fairy day is June 24th it seems appropriate to start! Now to get fairy celebration 2 done as well. If you may recall I did Fairy Celebration 1 twice.......

I was thinking of stopping my FOTM from Silkweavers but then I got this beautiful piece and think maybe not just yet.... It Poltergeist 32ct Lugana... the color is a soft pale purple and oh so luscious!!!!

I am grateful for quiet days off and stitching.....

Poolside......

I woke up today and thought it was a wonderful day and just how did I want to spend it? So I cancelled Pilates for the afternoon...I really struggled yesterday at Pilates I did the workout but decided to listen to my body so I'll make it up next week!!! I finished Pride and Prejudice last night by the pool....I have to say that I love the world of Jane Austen. I put the lounge chair in the pool and positioned the umbrella and there I spent the day.... I was just at the beginning of Harry Potter #3 and can now say I am done. It was my second read of it and I love it! HP #3 was truly a favorite of mine! I'm off to find book 4 and lose myself in his world again.

I did have a new start yesterday during my weekly stitching group at SP. I found the perfect fabric for the handdyed floss that I posted last time. It is Dill 28ct by PTPlus . I started LHN Schoolgirl Lessons...Here is the start...I will have enough thread and fabric for both LHN's! Right now I'm off to pull threads for Fairy Moon by Mirabilia. I know I have so many large starts but she has been calling my name and the fabric I found is perfect...so stay tuned.....

I'm off to stitch and continue the relaxation of the day since DH is at work!!!

I am grateful for lazy days and books............

It's tuesday and I'm off

Let me first wish everyone a belated Happy Easter!!!! I was working and it was exceptionally busy. I felt I hadn't had a day off and was totally exhausted so much so that I took yesterday and just vegged ....I slept till 2 pm. I have to remember that I am still healing and need to still take care of me. DH was wonderful he brought home chinese takeout and we had a quiet evening on Easter. He brought me tulips a few days before and aren't they beautiful Please excuse the mess around them...... And I now have 3 days off and I've already been to Pilates!!! I look forward to my time there and feel stronger each time. I woke up early and took Storm to the vet's for a dental cleaning and am a bit anxious since she is my baby girl!!!! I know she'll be fine but we have never even boarded her so it was a little tough this am. When we travel we have someone come to the house and care for her. I'll be picking her up later today and plan to spoil her even more tonight!!!!! Here is my baby girl.... She was a rescue and so calm and completely loving. I am blessed to have found her!!!!

I did manage to pick up needle and thread by early evening and finished Halloween Fairy last night. I only had the backstitching and beading left. I did complete it time to enter into the Mirabilia Stitcher's contest which closes on April 1st!!!! Here she is

Halloween Fairy by Nora Corbett

32ct PTPlus Crystal Midas

I truly love her and she was fun to stitch up!!!!! So far she is my fourth finish for 2008. Thanks for visiting and have a great day!!!!

I am grateful for days off and my baby girl Storm......

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.....

Lots of stitching ......

It's been a whole week which is not what I planned at all!!!! I've been busy with my mom but still taking days and resting even though it's made her unhappy. We've been doing the movies and saw one show but my energy level takes a full day to recuperate. So I rest and stitch!!!!!! Here is my progress on Feather... I'm onto the bottom half of her. I still have the metallic to do and the beads. I really want to switch out the Kreinik for Rainbow Gallery so I will do that on wednesday at stitching group. I found a comparison chart but one of the Kreiniks is not listed so I'll do it visually with help. I missed stitching group last wednesday but was just too tired and instead I stayed home and stitched!!!

Next is another new start....Halloween Fairy on 32ct Crystal Midas from PTPlus . The new Mirabilia Stitchers board is having a contest from 1/31 to April ?. So I took that as an opportunity to have a new start. I know it doesn't take much for me to start a new project....... Here she is... So sorry the pics are not the best but I snapped them quickly for this post. She really is stitching up fast and I'm loving her!

On another note the World of Passione Ricamo board has moved to a new home! I've become a moderator there as well of the Fairy forum and the Princess forum so come and visit! It's a great board with lots of great people as is the new Mirabilia Stitchers board.

I'm off to a cup of coffee and breakfast and a day of stitching!!!!!

I am grateful for lazy days of stitching.....

PS... I started this post last night but finished it this afternoon.....thanks for visiting!!!!

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......

:( No pictures.....

It seems I manage to post weekly..not good!!! So tonight's will be short since I am aching to stitch! I want to thank everyone for their kind and thoughtful sentiments over the last few weeks! We may not have met in person but I cherish each and everyone of you as a dear and genuine friend! And I know when I come here that the love and support is so amazing that I am astounded! I feel so lucky to "know" so many of you! I may not be commenting the way I should or even want to but know that I am reading your blogs faithfully!



I went to stitching group at SP today as is usual for my Wednesday and once again I had so much fun! I definitely feel the love and support there! And of course I came home with stash.......no surprise there!!!! I actually got a chart that fits a piece of my fotm club Ptplus material !!! I am working on 4-5 designs in a really loose rotation basically what or who calls my name the loudest. Today it was a Christmas tree that I have yet to get a picture of ......I will take one this weekend. It's done on 40ct linen supposed to be 1 over 1 but I knew it would remain a UFO so I am working it 1 over 2 and loving every minute of it! A picture will be coming soon so stay tuned!!!!



I am grateful for my friends and the joy they bring me ..........

In just 8 days and new PTPlus.....

I was planning on posting this last night but my computer had other plans.... I finished Sweet Sweet Babe in just 8 days! I can hardly believe it myself!!! I have to say a big thank you to my stitching group for motivating me and to 2 women in particular who taught me how to center the Lettering! It came out so perfect!!! The lettering was supposed to go in the squares but I thought it would look better below and I also didn't think the whole name would fit there, I also left the face off the sun....just too cutsey. So here is the finished piece.....

Sweet Sweet Babe by SamSarah Designs

done on PTPlus Heritage 32ct linen

with hand dyed threads

I started another project.....a Christmas ornament it was supposed to be done 1 over 1 on 40ct fabric and I started it that way but I just knew it would never get completed so I am doing it 1 over 2 and I did the math and it will fit on the provided fabric. I worked it out with the ladies at SP prior to buying the kit.....I just had a feeling. Oh and taking out 1 over 1 on 40ct is no fun either. I would have loved the look of 1 over 1 but my eyes are too important. I will post a picture soon!

And I got some new stash from the PTPlus 25% sale......a new chart and 5 fabrics.....Here they are

The fabrics are just luscious!!! They are Crystal French Lilac, Monet, Crystal Monet, Tarnish and Crystal Tarnish!!!! The chart is by Who Knew...Fairies of the Glen. And the order came within 2 weeks! So glad I got in on this sale.....I know I probably didn't need more fabric but it makes me so happy!!!

I'm off to stitch even after working all day. I think I'll work on Queen of the fairies for a bit and have a cup of tea. I'm thinking a cup of Prince of Wales will be wonderful!!!

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

Monday so far....

I wish I had stitched more yesterday but I had a wonderful day just reading and hanging by the pool. I am truly enjoying the pool and started doing my version of laps. You see I never learned to swim...float and doggy paddle yes but swim no. So hubby is helping me along. I of course had to stop after each length of the pool but soon I won't have. And I have Pilates 3 times this week since I have to make up for missing last week. I am re-reading Harry Potter 1 and another small book along with my magazine reading. Then I thought I'd take a short nap and woke up at about 1 am and you guessed it I stitched to 6am.....It was actually so nice the quiet and just stitching. I am stitching on "Sweet Sweet Babe" by SamSarah designs for a friend back east.They just had a baby well actually in February but it took a while to find something just right.... here it is and again I tweaked the photo to get a truer color representation. I am doing it on PTPlus 28ct Heritage linen with all hand dyed specialty threads. So far I am loving it.

I was thrilled on Saturday morning when they cancelled me at work! It meant I could get to the framer's 2 days earlier than originally planned! I brought in Fern, Alphabet Heart and Fairy Celebration!!! And she didn't seem to think that Fern would pose a problem to frame. I was thrilled to say the least since I was a bit concerned that I was only left with an inch at the top and bottom of her. I will have them back after the 11th and will post a picture of them all. I went without matting on all 3 I really liked the look!!! And I got all of my errands done that day as well including a surprise visit to SP if only I had brought my stitching with me.. since the stitching group meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I may have to start taking Saturdays off and work sunday so I can go 2 days a week...Oh well. I picked up material for a new project that I have been dreaming about...more on that next post. And I really must take out my remembrance piece for my SIL's cousin that I started a wee bit back! Maybe by writing it here that will motivate me to start it up again. Her cousin isn't aware that I'm stitching it and I think she'll appreciate it whenever but I'd really like to get it done...Here it is as of last picture taken.... Actually I think there's a bit more done on it but I can't seem to locate the right picture.....but it is in my sidebar.

And on the car front it's been 2 weeks and finally there may be an end in sight. The insurance company and body shop finally agreed on exactly what was to be done .....only after hubby got involved and requested a new adjustor. So maybe I'll have it back by next week. I really miss my car!!!

I am grateful for sunny relaxing days.....

She came!!!

I was thrilled yesterday when my hubby came in with the mail....Galatea and her Venus threads were in his hands! I had only just received the e-mail over the weekend saying she was being shipped out on Monday and here she was in my hands on Tuesday! And today was stitching group at SP what perfect timing! I hadn't planned on getting her fabric....but you know how it just happens! Oh and she included a beautiful fob as well. I just love ordering from Passione Ricamo . So I picked a PTPlus 32ct Sterling fabric and bought 1/2 yard just to make sure since the 1/4 yd they had cut would have been a tad tight. Here she is.... It'a a bit bluer IRL. But I fell in love with it immediately! Here's another picture of just the thread and material.... I didn't take a picture of the fob, I'll save that for another post. I was bad as well....not just the material did I get but some Christmas in July sale items and Mirabilia's November Topaz Fairy was in as well. That wagon just doesn't have a chance with me. The group was so fun today but I work up a bit late and was rushing around and packed up what I thought was everything and I left Fern on her scroll rods home! UGH! Luckily I had Cirque des Cerles to stitch but no hoop so I stitched in hand and thoroughly enjoyed it! I planned to get a scroll rod for it today at Michael's but the coupon I had was for next week so it'll just wait! I have been stitching away on Fern and have an update to show.... . And Noreen I can't believe I didn't post the fabric that I'm stitching her on! It's PTPlus 32ct Crystal Carnival! It's much softer and lighter IRL. With the way I'm stitching she should be done and framed in time for my nieces' visit in August. Which I just got word that my brother booked!!! I am so thrilled about their visit and already am planning things to do! It'll be fun to see them! I do miss them so much! But now I look forward to spending a week with them!!!!!

I'm off to stitch now since hubby is at work and I have the house to myself and of course the puppy. I only have to make the potato salad since my hubby invited a friend over whose visiting from NY tomorrow. And we'll BBQ the rest....Oh and I am finally dropping my car at the body shop to get fixed! I have to say that the insurance company is being really good, they arranged my rental which I have to get on the way, so hubby is coming and then we have a whole day of things to do. So I'll relax tonight and stitch.

I am grateful for my stitching mojo being back........

A bit impatient

I got off work 2 hours early today due to low census..... and I went straight to the mailbox! But hubby beat me to it so I dashed home fully expecting to find my Venus threads on the counter but no there was no sign of them.....so now I have to wait till Monday! They were mailed out on 5/5 from Italy.....I'm really not good at waiting as my ever growing stash and empty wish list can attest too!!!! LOL. Oh well I'm sure they will be here on Monday. After all I need them for Wednesday since that is the first time I'll be joining the SP stitching group and I want to pick out her fabric that day as well with lots of help from Margaret and the ladies!!!! I picked up Halloween Santa from Curtis Boehringer and the new mermaid from Mirabilia but only got the fabric for the Santa. Kermit 32ct linen from PTPlus of course! I like the color but then I love lime green! And it's not quite lime as you'll see when I post a picture...it's a small project and a hand printed chart so I have to enlarge it to make a working copy so it will be easier on my eyes. I now seem addicted to small projects but I really can't wait to start PR's Queen of the Fairies!!!!! Well I've eaten already so it's time to feed the dog and stitch since I work tomorrow....

I am grateful for extra time to stitch tonight and not feeling so drained.......

A new finish and my 102nd post

I don't know how it happened but I missed my 100th post...I think it's because I posted that Bono video. Well if it was for that then it was worth it. Now on to my finish! I finished Alphabet Sampler on Monday, April 30th but only now have a chance to post it. It's been a busy week. It's finished on PTPlus 32ct lugana Whimsey done with WDW over dyed floss in Purple Majesty. So here it is...... Again the fabric is a bit lighter IRL. Here's another picture..... Well it seems like blogger is not being very cooperative tonight so I am at a one picture limit! UGH!!!! I also started PR's Fairy Celebration......but the Dinky Dyes thread I picked "bottlebrush" was way too bold for the material so after 3 rows I pulled it out and picked anoter DD thread and am restarting it tonight...same material PTPlus 32ct belfast Crystal Fresco. As soon as I have some progress I will post a picture! I also received PR's "Queen of the Fairies" in the mail and then decided after some welcome enabling to get the Venus threads! So I am awaiting their arrival and then I will pick out some fabric and begin her since she has been whispering my name ever since I first laid eyes on her!

I did something really fun yesterday!!!! An adventure of sorts! I met a fellow blogger at my LNS -Stitchers Paradise. I met Margaret and it was so much fun. I have known that there are stitching groups there but me not being a morning person usually have never really gone during those times. I hope Margaret doesn't mind me linking to her blog. But she knew I was going on Thursday with some friends and left a comment wondering if I could make it on Wednesday and I was already planning to be there! Serendipity!!!! I had so much fun and now am planning to join the group on a routine basis...the ladies I met were all so nice and helpful! And Margaret actually found the new color for Fairy Celebration! So thank you so much my new found friend!!!! And on to today the 3 new stitchers I took to SP.....it was so fun to see the craft through new eyes and be a "mentor" as one of them called me!!!! We even have stitching parties by my pool planned! So as you can see it has been a busy week. All this with a migraine that keeps coming back but I won't let it win! I spent a little time this afternoon in my swing reading. I may have to take tomorrow if this feeling doesn't leave. Oh and on a totally non stitching note we have tickets to go see Johnny Mathis next Friday!!!! I can't wait...I grew up listening to him and he still makes me swoon!!!! We even have tickets to a meet and greet!!!!!
PS.... of course I also acquired a bit more stash.....I'm hopeless! I did start a wishlist but haven't put anything on it yet.....soon.

PSS....an SBQ.....Today's SBQ was suggested Kathryn and is:How many WIPs do you have? How many UFOs do you have? When does a WIPbecome a UFO?The permalink to this post is: http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/05/sbq-wips-and-ufos/

As of right now I have just one PR's Fairy Celebration but will soon have 2. I have about 5 that I should be working on but have a hard time with rotations so I'm not sure if they are WIP's or UFO's. I do have a bag full of definite UFO's......they are posted in my webshots album if you care to have a look. The last part of this when does a WIP become a UFO.....I'm not sure of since I have a few that are on the edge of that fence...LOL

That's it for now...I'm off to stitch and fight this migraine.......

I am truly grateful for finishes and friends.....

A long stretch and lots of wind...

This post was promised yesterday but I was beat.... Mom left on Wednesday afternoon and then it was errands and three 12hr days of work. So I took yesterday to rest and start laundry which is almost done...I had 10 loads....hard to believe but between bed linen and towels and uniforms!!! I went to Pilates today and it was so good!!! I did an advanced position "the star" I always feel good after accomplishing it!!!! Yah for me. And I came home to get a phone call from my big brother so we chatted which is also so good for my soul! I miss him so much! And he is planning a trip here in August with my other niece who was here last July!!!! So I now have something to look forward to!!!!! I have plenty of time to request the time off from work!!! Oh and we repositioned the swing since the winds have been horrible the past two weeks....it was blown over once more! It's now against the house and is still standing in one place. The weather is supposed to improve by the weekend with the winds dying down and temps reaching 93 degrees.....and yes it's still April! I love the weather !!!!! Here's a picture of the swing and the bench that I refinished a while back which now sits on the front porch...

On to stitchy news...I have a W.I.P. update on Alphabet Sampler and I believe I got the fabric truer to life....it's PTPlus Whimsey in lugana ... but it still maybe a tad dark in the picture. And as promised the stash that mom brought me as an early birthday present..... and a closer look at Cirque des Circles! I picked 32ct Belfast Silvery Moon and The Thread Gatherer Silk 'N Colors in Midnight Cobalt. I want to start this but with PR's Queen of the Fairies coming any day now I'm torn....And I have a question for those of you already working on it.....with silk do I use 1 or 2 strands of thread??? I would appreciate any advice!!!

I have another picture M-designs Celtic Cross that I'm going to do for my big brother! He wanted it done in a red thread so I picked again The Thread Gatherer Silk 'N Colors in "In The Burgandy" And I plan to do it on a cream 32ct linen... So Brian let me know what you think of the red I picked out!

My next project is another freebie by Passione Ricamo..."Fairy celebration" I am doing it on PTPlus 32ct belfast Crystal Fresco and the thread is by Dinky Dyes Bottlebrush! It's the one thing I didn't take a picture of today. But I will post a W.I.P. picture soon since Alphabet Sampler will be done in the next day or so! Well that was a post full of pictures...I'm off to stitch my slump is over...I daydream of stitching at work and wake up thinking of what I'll work on!!!! So that's all good!!!!

I am truly grateful for Pilates and intense workouts.....

Here I am

Don't ask me where the time went! I really meant to write this post last tuesday or wednesday and then work happened......I had such a wonderful time with my niece and brother!!! We relaxed and had fun and just did whatever we wanted!!!! The time just went way to fast...... and I didn't miss Pilates...my niece took classes with me!!! So cool. We saw the Beatles Love show! One of the best shows on the Strip right now and one of my favorites..... Oh and we finally went and saw the New York New York 9/11 T-shirt exhibit! Long story short...after 9/11 firemen and policemen from all over came and started placing t-shirts outside of the casino New York New York.......it was hundreds if not more. The casino made it into a permanent exhibition on the outside where they had been placed. To say the least it was moving.....they really did a great job with brass plaques of famous appropriate quotes from statesmen and the shirts were personalized. It makes one stop and think about the impact...at least it made me pause.

We lounged by the pool and in the pool and around the pool.....And one night just took a night and stayed in and watched the Basketball game and then movies. On the last night we went to Mandalay Bay and the vodka bar "Red Square" where on last count they had over 300 different vodkas and the bar is an ice bar! I love that place! My favorite vodka is "the tall blonde" so smooth but so dangerous ...since it's almost like water ..... but oh so good!

Let me try and post some pictures. The first is of me relaxing on my new pool chair! It even has a drink holder! I was totally relaxed and yes I had sunscreen on! The next is my swing in the final stages of completion! Thank goodness my brother volunteered to help! They say two heads are better than one.......dear hubby may love the swing now but truly hated the process of putting it together! So thanks again dear brother!!!! I must take a picture of the final swing and with me in it of course! And I even have stitching news!!!!! And now maybe just maybe my slump is broken.....I knew Tink' s fairydust would do the trick. Oh and my brother made me take the graphic of her getting spanked off.....whatever...I like the new one better. She's still sprinkling a bit of fairydust and that was the intention after all!!! Oh and before I forget thanks to all who voted in my poll! I took all of your advice and it's working the small piece is a joy!!!!!


For the first time ever I stitched outside in truly natural light. I did start a small project and I am loving ever moment of it! I got it from Sharon's blog and it was a freebie "Alphabet Sampler." I chose to stitch it all in one color of overdyed floss Weeks Dye Works in "Purple Majesty" on PTPlus 32ct lugana "Whimsey" It's a much lighter purple not so dark IRL.....Here's a WIP picture plus one of me actually stitching outside!!!!!

So there you have it. I promise to post more often.....although mom is coming on thursday night. I'm in my final stretch of 6 out of 8 (12hr) days......I am exhausted but I am stitching and that's what really matters. It's Pilates tomorrow which I really need I haven't been since last wednesday basically because I've been working and I truly miss it so much. And I fell off the wagon with not a thud but a crash! So I have to go pick up the first part of my order......and I'll post which Passione Ricamo charts I got tomorrow after I've picked them up! More tomorrow...

I am grateful for stitching again!!!!