A contest link

Violarium contest

This looks like such fun!!! I just entered and wanted to share!!!!! And in just a few hours my brother will be here for a visit!!!!!! I'll be updating soon with a WIP or maybe even a finish....

I am grateful for my brother and our friendship....

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

I've been bad......

I had so great fun with my brother this week!!! We weren't close growing up but all that changed about 10-11 years ago. He is just a bit older than me and I was the little sister! But now we are very close and he truly has a piece of my heart as do his 2 girls!!!! I truly can't imagine my life without him in it!!! I miss him already......

Now onto why I've been bad....I started 2 new pieces just yesterday. I started Bent Creek's The Red Thread and SB's Fear Not! They are both fun and unfortunately no pictures yet. I'm not really sure why I felt the need to add to my current projects but I did. My DH thinks I have too much on the go as it is but it makes me happy!!!! And tonight is Cirque des Cercles turn to be the project of choice!!!! It's voice did get a bit loud.....

Oh and on saturday I went to SP and had some fun. I dropped my brother off at the Wynn Casino since his flight was cancelled the night before due to bad weather in NY. He was so good about it totally understanding my need to stitch and see friends I hadn't seen in 2 weeks. When I was done I picked him up and we went home and I made a good dinner of pasta, fresh sauce and turkey sausages. And then he was on his way home and this time his flight wasn't cancelled.

While at SP I didn't find much to catch my interest from Nashville which truly surprised me! I did get a new pair of scissors from Kelmscott called The Love Scissors and a new needleminder and I completed my Red Thread collection. I promise pictures in the next post.
I did order a new pattern from ?!Who Knew!? called Ocean Curiosity Isn't she beautiful!!!!! Actually Noreen alerted me to this new design and it's now on order at SP for me!!! Thanks again Noreen!!!! Now to start one of the three....they will wait till I finish an already started design. Oh my that sounded almost sane..... I did say almost.....PS there is still time to vote in the poll in my sidebar. Take a look if you please.....

And I'm going back to work starting tomorrow......I can't believe how fast that 6 weeks went. I feel ready to go back but still plan on pacing myself. I work 12 hour days so it's just 3 days a week and I work tomorrow and then I'm off for 2 days.....Wish me luck!

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

Sunny Sunday

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!!! I know I am!!!! Today started with picking my brother up at the airport for a weeklong visit!!! I have to say I love him dearly!!!! And yes he is an easy guest.......that basically means he can make the morning coffee and doesn't need constant entertaining!!!!!! I am so looking forward to this week as it is my last on medical leave! Didn't that 6 weeks go fast...I did do a crazy amount of stitching but didn't get the wedding pictures in frames as planned. And I did read a lot.......

I have an updated picture of Halloween Fairy! She is a joy to stitch and have been working on her almost exclusively. Here she is.... Don't you just love her!!!!! And as of last night has legs and her black boots although not tied yet. I leave the backstitching and beading for last..... I really must pick up Cirque des Cercles again...It has developed a voice and is calling me....softly at present but I'm sure it will get louder......

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

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...........

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...........

Pictures, pictures and more pictures!!!!

I meant to write this yesterday but in the rush of things it just got away from me and I tend to ramble so it would of been too rushed! Yesterday was my birthday and I had such a wonderful day!!!! But first let me say Happy Birthday to Michelle of Cozy Egg who happens to share my birthday!!!! How cool is that!!! My day started off a bit busy but then my niece and I went out without my brother since he had some work to catch up on....It was so nice to just have a day with her!!! First we went to get my eyebrows groomed then it was time to pick up her birthday present and some other pieces at the frame shop. So without anymore wordiness here are the new framed pieces! Fern by Nora Corbett and my niece was speechless ...just the reaction I wanted!!!! Next is Fairy Celebration by Passione Ricamo and Alphabet Sampler And lastly Sweet Sweet Babe by SamSarah Designs which is for hubby's friend back east Then we went to SP and showed the ladies in my stitching group the framed pieces (sorry I missed you Margaret ) and from there it was a unique bookstore called Dead Poet's Books. It is an eclectic used bookstore that we could have spent hours in and almost did. Then tonight it was to the MGM Grand to see KA a cirque show which was good but a bit confusing although the production was spectacular!!! And then dinner at Wolfgang Pucks Bar and Grill!! I had the shrimp risotto that was unbelievable!! I have to say it was a good day and I even fit a swim in!!! But poor hubby had no idea what to get for me and was stressing so I told him something useless and girly!!! But still I could see he was lost....so while at SP I picked out a few things since he had been in there that day before and left empty handed and had given the owner his cell # just in case she thought of anything.......here are my new Ginghers, needleminder and a chart I fell in love with... The threads for the chart are on order as I need 9-10 skeins. A girl can never have too many scissors.... I adore anything leopard print!!! I had so much fun and what made it even more special was having my brother and niece here. Today is another full day starting with Pilates at 8am so I better get to bed.....I really rambled on this time .......

I am grateful for birthday celebrations..............

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...............

My Queen.....

I really should be in bed but I have been meaning to post this update since yesterday. I worked a lot on Queen of the Fairies the past two days and I am loving it even all the various shades of beige and ecru! At one point tonight I frogged a whole section because I thought it was the wrong color and it turns out it wasn't....don't you just hate that! But even with the frogging I love it and have decided to make it my focus piece. So here she is in all of her beige glory..... She is being stitched on PTPlus 32ct Fresco with Venus threads. I do love the Venus threads they seem to have a bit more sheen and knot less than DMC. The section I frogged was just above the loose thread and now it's back with even more done! Did I mention that I am working on scroll bars and a lapstand.... I couldn't quite achieve the tension I wanted or loved for some reason. I like my fabric really tight. So last week while at SP stitching group one of the women mentioned "stitch clips" and luckily she had them at the shop! And the difference those clips has made is amazing!! I had heard of them but totally forgot about them. The tension is perfect just the way I like it!!!! This may actually mean no more hoops for me!

Oh and it's less than a week till my brother and niece visit!!! I am so excited and thrilled to be seeing them !!!!! I have the week off and it'll be so fun. We have 2 shows planned and lots of spontaneous stuff. Unfortunately my car is still in the shop...I hear about it tomorrow so maybe just maybe I'll have it back by the weekend!!! Everyone keep your fingers crossed.

I am grateful for my stitching ..........

Stitch or Read

After working 2 (12hour )days I took myself to B&N to pick up my copies of Harry Potter!!! I actually got 2 because one is a present for a friends daughter! And I have read the first 10 pages or so....and then I stitched! I am now up early since I can't sleep and that never happens after working but so here I am. I am going to make a pot of coffee and read outside by the pool. I never posted about the HP movie that I saw last week. I loved it !!!! I truly think it was the best one yet even if they managed to leave some of my favorite stuff out it was a 700 or so page book! I have to mention my brother's post about HP as well here....it moved me so! I also started reading HP to have something to talk to my younger niece as well. I really didn't expect to get hooked as I did but now can't imagine life without HP and the way it helped my relationship with her! She is amazing! But then he helped raise two strong articulate daughters each individual in their own way!!!! So I'm off to divide my time between HP and Fern! I feel I have to savor this last book and I was torn about starting it and even reading it after Book 6 but Harry is after all Harry! I plan on reading them all again after I finish Book 7.........I so miss my train time in NY I got so much reading done then ..it was a 3 hour commute round trip...now I drive and well seem to read less. I read on my lunchtime now. I think I'll read this morning and stitch this afternoon and evening! Oh and I must call my dear MIL back since she called to see if I got my book yet!
P.S. Fern is looking so wonderful.

I am grateful for reading and being off............

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 small Change and a new start

You may notice a small change to my blog name...I have to credit Lizzy with the idea! I came to the conclusion that since my stitching mojo is indeed back that my blog really should reflect that fact. So I am now A Fairy Princess Dreams and Stitches!!!! How do you like it?? Please let me know what you think! This is indeed a short post as I am starting another project and yes that makes 4 new starts...I am starting Fern by Nora Corbett which is not of her Mirabilia line. I will post a picture of my progress when there is something to show...but for now here is the official picture This is for my niece Megan and it happens to be her birthday today and she is 17!!! How did that happen? I've mentioned my nieces before and they are my heart! They make me smile! So Happy Birthday, Megan!!!! I am so looking forward to my brother's and her visit in August! I hope to have Fern done by then since the visit is at the end of August! They will be here for my birthday so I am thrilled!!! I'm off to start Fern and get some coffee........ Hope everyone's Sunday is restful!

I am grateful for my nieces..........