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...........

Where oh where is......

As the title implies.......I am still without my car! Amazingly the body shop found more damage and this time the two chief adjustors went and finally approved the work and now it's on the way to the paint shop so hopefully by next wednesday my car affectionately named Harry will be home! Since I know he feels abandoned...LOL. And yes I did name my car strange but true!!!

I was also supposed to be picking up 3 framed pieces from my framer and dropping off my last finish but that also didn't happen. My framer is a perfectionist and one of the pieces was off by 3 rows so it's being redone. They will all be done on Saturday! But I am working so I will pick them up on Wednesday since the women in my stitching group at SP want to see the finished product and then I will post definitely! So stay tuned.

I am thinking of doing my master bedroom and bath in purples! What does everyone think?????.....I have one wall that is perfect for some cross stitch finishes as it's on an angle. And purple is so soothing. Right now it's in black/cream toile which I love but I feel ready for a change since it's been about 4 years.....Well for nothing to write I did pretty well.....

Oh and an SBQ to finish the posting with...

Today's SBQ was suggested by Jennifer (http://astitchinwrinkledtime.blogspot.com/ ) and is:How did you get started stitching? Was there a person that inspired you?The permalink to this post is: http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/08

This is such a great question! I started stitching because my older sister put a needle and thread in my hand and said you will do this! I am ever so grateful for this...I started with stamped cross stitch bibs since mom was pregnant with my little brother (thus usurping my baby of the family status at age 11).....I was enjoying my reign too! LOL I quickly progressed to crewel and needlepoint and was doing small Christmas cards when she got her hands on a copy of the magazine "Cross Stitch and Country Crafts" (such a great magazine don't you wish it was still around) and on the cover was a little girl at a tea party with her dolls and she quietly but insistently challenged me to do the design.....I wasn't sure I could but off we went to get the supplies....I actually remember that day as if it yesterday..picking out the DMC threads and cutting the material centering the material, taking the first stitch and so on...such a great memory! A mere 2 years later she was done!!! And I am still stitching today and am addicted to counted cross stitch! So thank you dear Maureen for encouraging and challenging me in that way! Every stitch I now do is in her memory and there are no words for how this makes me feel. As much as I miss her I know she is smiling somewhere and that is immensely comforting to me!!! Would you like to see a picture of the completed piece....I've posted it earlier but here it is again..... (what's a post without any pictures?)


Thanks for looking and see you soon! Hope every ones weekend is relaxing, fun and if you stitch full of more hours than you can imagine for stitching

PS I almost forgot ....I am in the countdown to my brother and niece visiting and only 2 more days of work and then 8 whole days off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just a bit excited, thrilled, ecstatic and expectant.....I'll be at the airport with bells on Sunday night that is after baking a raisin cake for my brother ......his absolute favorite and my niece has promised me a pecan pie so life is sweet......

I am grateful for my memories and my sister...............

7 hours later.....

When I awoke today I really wanted to finish Fern and get her to the framer's. But the framer's has summer hours so that part of my plan did not get done but Fern is finished!!!! It took about 7 hours of beading and she is a finish!!!! I am thrilled!!! She's off to the framer's on Monday since I work tomorrow and Saturday. I adore the Nymo thread that I got it makes beading so much easier. I managed to find it on spools and I may have enough to last a while since I bought 10 spools.....had to make the shipping worth it!! And the place I ordered from included some beads and I think they are treasures. I added one to the palm of her hand since it looks like she should be holding something and I love the effect!!! So here she is....
Fern a Couture Pixie
by Nora Corbett Designs

I actually tweaked the photo a bit to get a truer representation of the fabric! My only concern is I only have about an inch of material at the top and bottom....I told you I hate cutting my own fabric!!! But it will be okay!!! It has to be......I even measured twice and used an online fabric calculator.......Actually I measured more than twice since the first piece I cut was definitely too small. I'm only thinking good thoughts! I'll know more on Monday. I actually rescheduled Pilates today since it was so rainy and miserable out the middle part of today......Fern may be my fastest finish started on July 9th and finished August 2nd. And she is a birthday present for my niece who is visiting in just a few weeks!!!!!

Oh and a clarification about my last post...those 3 pictures that I posted I did in the late '80's to early '90's. I posted them in response to the SBQ.

I am grateful for my finish today..........

My Fern and more....

Once again I have no idea where the week has gone except to say that I have worked every other day since this past tuesday and I don't know what's worse working 3 (12hour) days in a row or every other day.... This stretch ends tomorrow. I have been stitching on Fern and after about 5 days of stitching I have a considerable amount done.... and here's another pix that's a bit better. I also added her to my sidebar She takes on shape and form so quickly that I find myself daydreaming about stitching her! And the scroll frame is working out so well that I may never use a hoop again...even held in hand not on my lap frame I am loving it!

I have to mention that I am loving my weekly stitching group at SP! I adore having a dedicated day to stitch and be social! The group is so warm and fun! I am so glad that I got out of my shell and joined them! If anyone has an opportunity to join a stitching group I say go for it!!!!

Now for this week's or is it last week's SBQ..........
Today's SBQ was suggested by The Wagon http://www.thewagon.yuku.com/ and is:What do you love to do that many people hate? What do you hate to do, but do anyway?The permalink to this post is: http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/07/sbq-love-and-hate/

I really thought about this and have to say I love french knots...strange I know and beading has become more tolerable since finding nymo thread I just wish I could find a spool of it instead of the small cards that Michaels has......I'd have to say that I absolutely hate cutting my own fabric I do it occasionally but really dread it!! My LNS has me spoiled! I measure and re-measure a dozen times to make sure I have it right and thankfully have found a stitch calculator online as well!

And to leave you with a new picture of Storm enjoying her special sunday treat.... She is so adored and not at all camera shy...We are so blessed to have her and her unconditional love!!!!!!!

Oh and I almost forgot ... I received an e-mail that my Galatea and venus thread pack were being shipped out tomorrow morning! She'll be in my hands in just 7 days or so....but I daren't start her just yet. I need to get some more scrolls rods as well....I'll have to go to Michaels this week after of course clipping the weekly 40% off coupon....

I am grateful for lazy Sundays and Storm.........

SBQ's......

I woefully behind on answering the SBQ's so here are the last 2.....

Today's SBQ was suggested Kathryn and is:How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?The permalink to this post is:http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/05/sbq-needle-mania/

I tended to use just one needle per project...I was addicted to platinum or gold needles and they tended to break more recently and I can't remember if I read on someone's blog or one of the stitching bulletin boards about Piecemaker needles but I am now in heaven!!!! I use one needle and it just lasts. And here's the best part I can thread it without a needle threader!!!! A small thing but still makes me smile. So Piecemaker needles are my favorite needle! And no I have never loaded up a needle with every color, I just never saw the need since it doesn't take that long to thread a needle even with a needle threaders assist.

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ish (http://ishsuth.wordpress.com/ ) and is:What has been your most challenging project and why?The permalink to this post is: http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-challenging-projects/

I thought long about this answer and several projects popped into my head but one kept winning first place...and the winner is Voor 'T Aparte by Lanarte It was stitched 1 over 2 and if I live to be 100 I will never stitch another Lanarte!!! I stitched it for my sister and she absolutely loved it so it was worth it. On a side note when my mother saw it she thought it was a watercolor painting and when my sister told her that I had stitched it she said " she couldn't have it's too beautiful" I told you my relationship with my mother was difficult and that about sums it up....

I am grateful for my sister and the time we had.....

Sunday and an SBQ

It's my first full weekend off in I really don't know how long and I'm loving it! Yesterday was the Opera.....yes you read right! The Met in NY telecasts to theatres around the country and the world and it was so fun! We can't wait for next season!!! Romeo and Juliet, Hansel and Gretel and Tristan and Isolde are 3 of the 8 that I can remember! The only bad thing is it's at 10:30 in the morning since it's live.... Then it was the end of season bowling dinner. Two completely different things in one day....but it was so fun. There was karaoke which hubby couldn't get enough of!!!! I just cheered him on! They handed out awards both monetary and pins and patches...we got a little of both! And there was dancing too! It was an all around fun day!

And today a couple we've become friends with through bowling is coming over for a pool party!!!! And I plan to stitch before and after! I was too beat yesterday but work was good and I accomplished something good so that makes it all worth it!! Alphabet Sampler is almost done ! and on Thursday I'm going to my LNS to pick out fabric for "Queen of the Fairies." Any suggestions? I'm still contemplating getting the Venus threads for her.... And something exciting I'm introducing 3 new cross stitchers to the shop as well! I want to start them off in the right direction!

On to the latest SBQ :
Today's SBQ was suggested Danielle and is:Are you on "The Wagon?" If so, how long have you been on and how"serious" are you about it? If not, have you considered it?The permalink to this post is: http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/04/sbq-the-wagon/

I really thought about going on the wagon. I even posted about it but I just couldn't pull it off my willpower is nonexistent I'm not sure I ever had any LOL.... Although I really need to consider it in the future since I'd have to live 2-3 lifetimes to complete all of my stash.....I am nearing the point of saturation though but these designers keep coming out with beautiful pieces. I am considering a wishlist though.....LOL

I am truly grateful for entire weekends off and stitching.........

SBQ and Random stuff

I am behind in this SBQ so here is last week's....I think anyway.....

Today’s SBQ was suggested by Heather and is:

How do you decide which stitching blogs are worth repeat and/or regular viewings? Are there certain things you look for in particular? Are there things you wish there were more of? Less of? Is your blog a good example of what you like to read?

I love blogs that are stitching related but also have a peek into the person's character and life.....does that make sense??? And of course the writing has to grab me......the only non stitching blog is my dear brother's and hopefully he won't mind the link! And I hope my blog and it's content is a good example of what other readers like.....

Now on to the random stuff..... First a picture of some roses that I cut from my front side yard. I wish I could say I had something to do with their beauty but roses seem to do well here in Vegas. I'm just amazed anything grows in what we have for soil here. But it does. These beauties were planted by the first homeowners and seem to do well all I do is cut down the bushes yearly and even with the pool construction last summer going right through them they still came back....

Today was a visit to my LNS with mom and she bought me a very early birthday present or presents....I'll post the pictures soon! It was basically stash I had ordered that had come in! And then to a craft fair which was fun but there was absolutely no cross stitching make that no stitching at all! Lots of glass, pottery and jewelry though! And mom got me a birthday present there as well! She's napping now before dinner allowing me the time to post this.... And I took a picture of a picture of one of my favorite wedding pics....I adored my dress! Here it is...

So I leave you with my favorite picture that a good friend took at the wedding.... my wedding albums are being worked on and I should have them soon! And I promise a stash post soon!

Oh and for all who asked the corset designs are from Dimple Designs. I put a link in my sidebar for those interested.

Oh and I forgot......my swing was just blown over in the winds we had! We were able to put it back together and it's perfect again.....nothing got bent or broken!!!

I am grateful for days off and LNS visits.....

Two SBQ's

Today's post is the last two SBQ's that I fell behind on. And then it's dinner and stitching ..... I have to break this stitching slump right in half! If it is the current piece which is Miraculous Birth Sampler then I am going to put it down for a bit and do a small piece I've been thinking of ... What does everyone think of that?? I really appreciate your opinions so please comment freely!

Today's SBQ is:Do you use your needle, a seam ripper, or something else when you haveto frog stitches? Why do you use the method that you do?
The permalink to this post is: http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/03/sbq-rip-rip
I generally just use my needle and very gently pull/tug the stitches out. I can generally frog them this way but occasionally if this doesn't work I will use the very tip of my scissors to snip and frog...being ever so careful not to snip the material! I will not re-use the pulled thread though I just feel it's lost it's "shine".

Today's SBQ was suggested Danielle and is:If you had $500 to spend on stitching-related items, what would you buy?
The permalink to this post is: http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2007/03/sbq-shopping-spree

Wow ! I thought long about this one..... I initially always wanted an Ott-lite but hubby got me one for Christmas this past year. So I'd have to say at this moment it would have to be ......every color that PTPlus fabric makes in linen and crystal 32ct of course....1/4 yd 1/2 yd!!!! And if I had anything left over Crescent Colors hand dyed floss in every color! I can dream it's my fantasy after all!!!!!

I am grateful for Pilates and good workouts

A quick SBQ

A quick SBQ since I worked today and then more tomorrow...

Today's SBQ is:Do you like to buy "chartpacks" that include charms, buttons, and/orbeads or do you prefer to gather all materials yourself?
I have always preferred to put my own projects together......chart, fabric, threads beads, embellishments...... That is until the Limited edition Mirabilia's came out those are the exception to the rule...

And to Vonna, Jamie, Katrina, Wendy, Michelle, Lizzy, Angi, and Karen .....thank you all for you kind words! They truly meant so very much to me and I know came from your hearts! The year anniversary came around so fast and I didn't plan ahead so I worked but luckily was able to get off a few hours early again due to low census. So I was able to come home and just relax with my thoughts. More tomorrow..... since I got my FOTM package yesterday as well.....

I am grateful for my memories tonight and my online stitching friends......

SBQ's......

I have two SBQ's to get caught up on today so here goes....
Today's SBQ was suggested by Danielle
and is:

#1 Have you ever been to a stitching retreat?
Quite simply no....but I have always dreamed of going whenever I see a flyer at my LNS I take it home and seriously consider it. One of these days I will go. They do have stitching days at a mountain lodge near me yearly.....but I maybe dreaming that....
And.........
#2 Do you dream of running your own LNS/ONS? If so, tell us about your dream. If not, tell us about your cross stitch dream… maybe you dream of designing, dyeing your own floss or fabric, etc

This has always been my dream since as far back as I can remember......maybe high school. I always thought it would be perfect! That's the idealistic me speaking but realistically it's such hard work. One of my friends had a LNS (that's how we met and became friends) and I saw the amazing amount of work to make a successful business work! Idealistically I would still love to but realistically I'm not so sure anymore. Oh my sister and I talked of combining passions into one store a cross stitch shop in front and flower shop in back.....now how's that for idealistic!!!! She was very serious....As far as designing.....I don't have a artistic bone in me so as much as I'd love to I leave that to the professionals! I shake when I even consider color conversions so that's also a no go as well.....

That's it for now.....two posts in one day amazing!

I'm grateful for dreams and big cups of earl grey tea..........

New to SBQ

Today's SBQ was suggested by Danielle and is:What company produces your favorite hand-dyed fabric? Are there anycompanies whose hand-dyed fabric you do not like? If so, why?

I have never done one of these SBQ's but decided they may be fun so here goes....It has to be hands down PTPlus fabrics !!!!! I just love the fabrics and color range and the crystal fabric and how they sparkle. It was one of the first hand dyeds I ever bought and they are color fast! The way they achieve the "stoning" and variation in a piece of fabric is magical!!!

That's it for now more later.....once again I'm fighting a migraine and really need to go food shopping so I'm off.....

I am grateful for my quiet house today.....