Picture heavy in no particular order

A question............

I am sitting here very satisfied! Simply because I have managed to stitch lots this weekend and and I still have today as well!!!! I did a bit on PR's Stitching Fairy and then it was Fairy Moon both on saturday. On sunday I picked up my Rosewood Manor Alphabet name....I don't have any new pictures but here is RM when I last stitched on it...I am almost done with the "A"

I shall take some progress pics today and post soon!

Is anyone else out there thinking of your New Year's Day start.....I know I am and feeling truly torn between Mirabilia's Autumn in my Garden and Birds of a Feather "Toile Rooster" And of course in looking for these I found several more that just further confused me..... So which do you think I should start??? Maybe I'll put up a poll in my sidebar.....And yes before it's said I have many WIP's so I really shouldn't start another one but it's New Years and since when did I need a reason to have a new start!!!!!

I am grateful for choices even if they may confuse me.....

Hello

I am still here! Stitching lots and contemplating a new start! I can hear you all muttering so what else is new but it's so me!!!!! So stay tuned in the meanwhile my MIL is here visiting for 6 weeks so I'll post when I can probably at night. I am still keeping up with reading your blogs also at night. I have to keep this short since the pool beckons and then it's out to dinner tonight ........ I need to remember who's blog I saw my next new start on so more on that next post along with a picture.

I am grateful for family.................

It won't go away.....

Well it been days and this migraine won't quit! It gets better and then worse even taking to my bed with an icepack didn't help.... I even missed bowling last night the sheer thought of hearing all those bowling bowls being thrown just scared me with this migraine! I have taken every drug prescribed and now I think it's just toying with me.....I will not give in!!!!!!

I have pictures to share ...first my haircut! Everyone seems to love it and so do I! I've blown it out twice and it is so easy!!!!! Here goes..... and another

I took these myself today and I actually like them! What do you think??? I feel so good with shorter hair!!!!! Sometimes spur of the moment is good!!!!

And some stitching updates and stash....... I started Pretty Pumpkins by Glendon Place so here is an early WIP...so far I am loving it.....it's flowing nicely! And another... closer look! The fabric is PTPlus 32ct Heritage linen and it is lighter IRL!!!!

I got the most wonderful gift from my SIL and BIL ...a giftcard to my LNS Stitcher's Paradise and they were most generous!!!! I got many things including the companion piece to Cirque des cercles called Triangular!!!! I picked out the most gorgeous overdyed green and then went for the fabric...an overdyed purple!!!! What do you think...I am loving it! Here goes and another...the fabric is lighter IRL....as is the floss..... I don't know when I'll start it but I'm ready!!!

Oh and they also sent me a book that I wanted..... The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold! It is so good and just gets better! I'm about half way through and highly recommend it as did Deb . I read her other two books The Lovely Bones which was spectacular and her memoir Lucky which I think is necessary reading . It helps one heal and even feel again!!!! I actually met her at a book signing while I still lived in NY and she did a reading and then graciously signed my copies and we chatted about just how life altering I felt her books were to me! I am hoping beyond hope that she makes a stop in Las Vegas!!! I would be so thrilled to see her again!!!!

I'm off to a cup of Prince of Wales tea and some stitching if this migraine will let me.....Thanks for reading this far and of course for commenting! I so appreciate them all!!!!!

I am grateful for cups of tea and stitching.....

Eta...I stitched a bit and took another Relpax and it may be premature but the migraine is less intense and painfull....Yah! I'm off to bed!!!!! See you all tomorrow and again thanks for visiting!

Storm's day....

Well it was quite the day for our Storm! First it was a playdate at a friends house then a walk with her Dad. And it didn't end there...I took her to Pilates with me and she was perfect and so well behaved oh and all the attention she received didn't hurt either. Then as a reward for being so good we went to the dogpark for an hour or so! So right now she is tuckered out and sleeping curled up in a ball!!!! Here is her most recent picture...

I finally sent out the baby gift and it reached it's destination to New York!!!! The mother was thrilled and hung it in the baby's room right away!!!! I'm thrilled as well since you never know how someone is going to react to a handmade gift...A picture to refresh your memories I know I've said this before but tonight is the night I start Pumpkin Spice!!!!! I did a lot of stitching on "Toil & Trouble" so I am going with a new start. What the hay! This is for fun and I am having fun!!!!! So off to feed Storm and then myself and then stitching and since hubby is at work I get the whole night to myself!!! Oh and did I mention that I updated my cellphone to a red Chocolate!!! I just love it!!!!!!

I am grateful for easy days to stop and enjoy life..............

A new start or two......

I want to start by saying thank you for all the kind thoughts that were sent my way! I so appreciate them and most especially the wonderful friendships I have made through blogging! If only we could sit down to a cup a tea together!!! A girl can dream.............

In answer to Andie's question ......yes I did have a new start actually two! I really couldn't help myself or maybe I just didn't want too... They are both small in comparison to my other projects so that makes it more portable for stitching group Wednesdays as well. Unfortunately "Pumpkin Spice" is all kitted up but not started but either tonight or tomorrow she will be! So on to pictures of my new starts. First "Lady Lazarus" by Monsterbubbles. She is just plain fun! And next is "Toil and Trouble" by Erica Michaels Not much done but so far lots of fun!!! Both are being done on PTPlus fabric

And I have to say I loved my Stitching Retreat on Sunday!!! It was in a not so great neighborhood but the golf course was absolutely gorgeous! And a full day of stitching. Can I ask ...does it get any better than that?? I don't think so! Pure joy!!!!!!! There were about 40 or so stitchers including one male. And it was so great to see what everyone was stitching all so different and beautiful. I even won a door prize...a thistle bookmark and a pair of cougar heart scissors. I did give the bookmark to someone since I knew I'd never stitch it. She was so happy and it felt good!

That's all for now ...I'm off to a short class at work then date night with hubby...

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

Another day or is it....

Today's an anniversary one that I wish beyond all hope never happened. But I have found that wishing doesn't make something not happen. But just imagine the power if it did! But back to the anniversary it's been 17 years since my sister left this world. My deepest desire is to honor her memory since that is what she would have wanted for me to go on living and see the beauty in life! I think I've achieved that! And some years are good but this one creeped up on me and I feel lost once again if only for short time. I've learned how to incorporate her loss into my life since I firmly believe that one doesn't "get over" so a significant loss but rather incorporates it into one's life! So I thought after 17 years that I had a handle on it but grief does its own thing once again. I didn't work...never do....on this day since I'm never sure how I'll be feeling and today was no exception! I developed a migraine and came home from my 2 errands and went straight to bed at 2 pm no less. Hubby was confused and now is at work so that helps. I am planning an evening of stitching and tea. Then tomorrow is stitching group and Sunday is Stitching Retreat day!!! This was the first of 6 days off. I plan to take care of myself and have lots of stitching time! So dear sister know that I miss you and love you!!!

I am grateful for memories......

My sister

I have been thinking about this post all day even whether I should write it....I truly dislike the word should it simply implies regret. I have written before about her but something about her birthday made this post important! And in the end I felt strongly about posting and honoring her memory! Today is her birthday and she has been with the angels for 17 years. It feels like yesterday most of the time, I still see her face in my dreams and can tell you just how she liked her tea and even the fact that she never ever went to bed with dirty dishes in the sink. She was amazing so intuitive. She is the reason I stitch today and am so glad that when she put needle and thread in my hand and said you will do this I did! My brother wrote a truly eloquent post in his blog about her. It brought me to tears for the first time today. She truly was my mirror and for the longest time I didn't know who I was after she died. I'd look in the mirror and just wonder and think what next what do I do?? But today I brought brownies to the stitching group at SP to celebrate her birthday and that felt good! The ladies were all so kind. Today was a good day because I honored her memory! Oh and she had a wicked sense of humor! She wasn't far away today and I thought of her often.

On a stitching note I never did start Pumpkin Spice the other night. By the time I got all the threads sorted and bagged it was just too late. And PR's Queen of the Fairies was calling my name rather loudly! She was feeling neglected and rightfully so! So I am working on her and plan to start Pumpkin Spice tomorrow!

I am grateful to have memories of my sister...........

Old and New

Well after much work and fine tuning I have my basic old blog back! How do you like it?? I changed the colors and lost some content but I am liking it.....I went with the new "layout" since every time I went to "revert to classic" it dropped by sidebar to the bottom. After about 3 hours it was done. I do love pink so that worked out as well! I'm off to take some headache medicine and maybe stitch...did someone say a cup of tea??



I am grateful for patience........

Here I am...

Thanks for all the wonderful comments! I so love reading them all!!! I can't believe it's been over a week since I last posted! I have been here and it has slowed down just a bit and I have been stitching and beading like crazy. I have another finish and today with any luck will have another!!!! I will post pictures soon....I want to post them together. And I just discover Nymo thread for beading and I can't say enough good things about it! I was beading like never before! And enjoying it!!!

My MIL is in town for 3 weeks from N.Y. So we are on the go but also doing stuff at home and around the pool! And even with her here I have been stitching and beading...she is encouraging me like crazy! I do adore her! We are having fun! We saw The Producers last night and it was so good! And plan to see Mamma Mia this weekend!!! And I finally have my wedding album after 16 months! It is so beautiful and brought back wonderful memories of that day! I plan on trying to take pictures of the pictures and post them so stay tuned. There is one that I want to frame....it's my absolute favorite!!!

I may even have a handle on my migraines!!!! I always said they were menstrual in nature...and my gyn has a possible solution! Which makes me happy so I can get off of some of the strong daily meds I take. It a very low level estrogen patch that I put on right before my period and change every 3 days till after. She thinks I am reacting to drops in my estrogen levels. I have been tracking my migraines and they are most often around my monthly making them "menstrual migraines" something I always said. And I see my neurologist next week as well. I honestly don't think the daily med I take is working anymore. So I am hopeful!

I am grateful for more stitching time.....

My pretty pink blob

I feel like I've been walking through tissue paper or a cloud since last thursday! I've had a persistent migraine And I took all of the meds but it kept coming back so finally I had to leave work and came home and slept and slept and slept...that was on Friday. I am feeling better today thankfully. I get them that bad every few months and sometimes I can deal but this one just wore me down. But enough of that ..I've already given it way to much time!!! On to better things!

I stitched last night for abut 5 hours!!! I re-started PR's Fairy Celebration. I had put about 3 rows in with DD bottlebrush and it just didn't look right. Then I went to my LNS and one of the ladies said it something to the effect of "that's not working".....I knew it just hadn't said it out loud to myself. So with the help of Margaret and this kind woman we found the perfect pink... DD Wild Cherry and it's perfect on PTPlus Crystal Fresco.....so here is my pretty pink blob and another picture I feel like I got a lot done but at the same time not so much...The thread is variegated so for the full effect I'm crossing each "x" individually which takes time but I am loving the effect! Hope you like it and I'm off to Pilates and I will manage the "star " position which was too challenging yesterday....but today I will do it!!!! And then since errands are done it's more stitching!!!! Oh wait clothes shopping for hubby and then stitching. Oh and I picked up more stash the other day.....I seem to be hopeless. I've got to try that wishlist!

I am thankful for hours and hours of stitching....

ETA I did the "Star" position successfully!!!! Not once but twice since hubby appeared and I had to impress him ....it felt so good!!!!! And we got him clothes and then an outdoor grill. It's all coming together! Time for a nap and then stitching for me!!!! Hope everyone's day is grand!!!!!

PS... My Venus thread is on the way to me as well so I'm so close to picking fabric and starting PR's Queen of the Fairies!!!!! I'll be sure to post a picture when they arrive!!!! Off to nap!

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.....

I'm here

I'm here....mom is back in NY! I just started a stretch of 3 (12 hour)work days.....but wanted to say hello and that I'll post on sunday...pictures and all!!!! I hope everyone is good! I've been reading and keeping updated as much as I could and managed to get some stitching done! And have my next small project all set up..... but let me go and feed the dog and rest and put a few stitches in before bed!

PS My 2 new Passione Ricamo are in the mail from Italy as of the 21st......I am thrilled!!!!!

I am truly grateful for an empty house......

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!!!!