A Day Late....

I find that I have so much to say and yet was unable to even focus on writing yesterday which is when I intended to write this entry....But alas I had one of my worst migraines to date and it only just left today! I am grateful and that it is gone but to be quite honest I did almost take myself to the ER which if you know me you know I've never considered that before! I did call my neurologist and am on the cancel list for his next appointment otherwise it'll be in January. 

But on to what this post is about soon....Yesterday marked 19 years that my sister left this earth and it seems like yesterday! I couldn't imagine at the time making through a day without her and now it's been 19 years! She was my older sister and my mirror in so many ways. I now strive to honor her memory and make her proud of me! It's because of her that I learned to stitch and not a day goes by without me thinking of her sometimes several times a day! She was truly amazing in so many ways but I have written of her before on my blog and just wanted to remember her here at this time of year... I once heard that it takes a lot to get over a loss of this magnitude but I always felt that you never ever get over the loss you just learn to incorporate it into your life...I know I have and I know she'd be proud of the person I have become because quite honestly after she left I had to redefine myself in almost every way since my mirror was gone. There is a line from the book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult that goes like this..."Without her it's hard to remember who I am"  and that was me 19 years ago....and sometimes that feeling sneaks back up on me when I least expect it.........

Now on to some stitching pics that I have been working on ...First is the PR Mermaid freebie done on a Silkweaver 32ct Intrigue with Purple Iris overdyed thread by The Gentle Art Sampler Threads. Just a start.....

Next is the 2007 PR Fairy Celebration and it's on a PTPlus 32ct Crystal Stellar with Antique Roses by the Thread Gatherer.

And last is The Little Witch by Mdesigns not a great picture but it's just the border or part of it,,,and again it's on PTP 32ct Carnival with the recommended threads....the border is actually in Monster Mash by The Thread Gatherer...it was so fun working with this color and watching the color come alive on the fabric! I am doing this as a SAL with Karen and Christine. It's fun simply because we seem to have all started in a different place....

I am grateful for my memories....

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

I'm back and with a finish....

I'm going to try and sum the last week up in this posting. I was in NY for a dear friends wedding and to see family! And while it was fun it was tiring and thanks to the wonderful thunderstorms our return flight got cancelled. Oh the joy of travel. I missed everyone and was thrilled to see them but it seemed that every minute was packed. My mom is better so that is a plus and should be discharged from rehab soon. Here is picture of me just before we left for the wedding . The wedding was fun and was a big wedding of 300+ guests...... DH and I had fun and danced a lot and it was fun to get dressed up! And they even had a photo booth set up which was lots of fun!!! I will try and post that picure in the next few days! Then there was the family BBQ up in Westchester at my dear BIL/SIL's...so fun. Here a group shot of us minus our nephew since he was taking the picture.. I even managed a day with my dear SIL for lunch and shopping! This trip is sounding better now that I'm writing about it......We packed a lot into the week there. It did rain in buckets our last day there which might be why they cancelled the flight but I never remember them cancelling flights in the past for a bit of weather.....

Now on too the stitching and my finish it was a freebie from Blackbird Designs recently..... I personalized it with my sister's name as a memory piece in honor of her since she first taught me to stitch! I also put two hearts instead of a bird on it for the two of us! I am thrilled with the finish. I started it just before and finished it while in NY. I stitched every down moment I had and dear MIL encouraged me! I do love her and speaking of her she absolutely loved the piece I stitched for her and I think was a bit surprised!!!!! I also started this one while there I loved it and saw it recently on KimStitches3 blog and knew I had to start her!!! Thanks for enabling me Kim!!!! Once home I found an WIP that was calling my name so this beauty has a bit more done on it the mermaid is almost complete.

My distracted mood is still with me but I honestly do feel better even with a migraine this week...think I'm just used to the pain. I really need to go jump in the pool so I'm gonna go. It's 106 here today and hot!!!!! I drank lots of water today!

I am grateful for being home safe and the sunshine..there truly is no place like home!!!!

Farrah Fawcett an angel too soon....

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

Quickly my dears

To start I thought I'd post a favorite picture of my sister Maureen especially since I seem to write about her a lot lately and I feel it's always good to put a face with a name....

She is my inspiration and the reason I stitch today. Thank you dear sister for giving me the passion with which I stitch! With every stitch we are still connected......

Here is my latest finish all framed and ready to be gifted to my dear MIL.... It is an italian design by Renato Parolin done with Freedom thread on 32ct African Daisy linen!!!! I will be giving her this as a late Mother's day gift when we visit NY in June!!!!! Yes DH got his time off approved which means we are going to visit and go to his friends wedding in NYC! It'll be for a long weekend but still it'll be fun! Now to get a new dress for this wedding!!!! The only down side is we will be mssing the Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert but that can't be helped.....

Next up is my new do.......I did it I cut all my hair off and I am loving it......Here's a picture though not the greatest.... I did it for the first time today and not a blowdryer or flatiron was needed!!!!!!! And she also lightened the color by one level so it's a bit brighter!!!!! I feel cool!!!!!! I have to add that this cut is not as brave as it seems since I had a similar style many many moons ago........

Next is my fabric choice for Mirabilia's Circle of Friends......which is crying out to be started....so maybe more than likely probably when I return from NY ...if I can wait that long..... and the fabric by Silkweaver.... I plan to place the design so the hands are right below the white area....kinda for a reaching for the clouds effect!!!! I did a floss toss and it works beautifully!!!!

I need to dash to try out my new vacuum...a Dyson Animal....before an evening of stitching and movie watching! Oh and in case you're wondering I do have a new start....
I was trying to be good but I have been staring at the model in the shop and wanting to do this piece longer than I can recall and as a friend from my wednesday stitching group said......"I've heard that for a while now" so I figured it was time and would make a good travel piece......

I am grateful for long days off and pool season.....

Keeping Farrah Fawcett in my prayers and thoughts daily..........

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

Proud Aunt!

Just a quick post from one proud Aunt!!!! My dear niece e-mailed me a picture of her progress so far and I must say her stitching is perfect! But here is the picture so you can see for yourself....
You can just make out the crystal fabric. Her stitches are neat and even! I see more stitching in her future! I get a smile on my face when I think of her stitching and it connects us even more and the tradition that my dear sister started when I was just 10 years old and she put a needle in my hand and said you will do this! Who knew then that this would happen! I just know she is smiling down on us! It simply makes me happy!

I am grateful that I can share my love of cross stitch with my niece........

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

End of the month

I must say thanks to all who commented on my last post and all my posts! I so appreciate your comments and love reading them and rereading them. Maureen was indeed special and she is remembered daily not only by me but by my brother and nieces! I am forever grateful that she insisted I learn to stitch and can't imagine not stitching. I did visit Red Rock on her birthday and wished her Happy Birthday and again felt her presence there as I feel it no other place!
I had the dentist today....ugh I know but it is across the street from Stitcher's Paradise my LNS and with some time to kill before my appointment...I mean who wants to wait in a hot car! I got the threads and fabric for Thriller it calls for silks by Gloriana in red and black but since it is a Halloween piece...I changed it up and decided on black and orange on an overdyed gray....will post a picture soon.
Ocean's daughter is coming along nicely and I am loving it! Will post a picture soon as well. Well I have to go get ready we are going to see Danny Ganz at the Mirage tonight!!!!! I've seen him before and always look forward to him...he is always updating and adding to his show and he will be moving to the Wynn soon !!!! So a night out and then some stitching hopefully!

I am grateful for dear online friends.....

A Sister

Amazing...two posts in as many days! My migraine roared in this am but now is gone just leaving the fogginess. So I am going to make today good!!!

Today is my sister's birthday and I still miss her! She passed away 18 years ago this October. At the time I could not imagine my life without her in it after all she was my mirror. I learned so much from her and loved being her sister ! She is the reason I cross stitch and with every stitch I feel that I honor her! Simply put she put a needle in my hand at the age of ten and said you will do this....and she was my big sister so I did and have been grateful ever since! I've adapted but not a day goes by that I don't think of her and still miss her! So Happy Birthday dear Maureen! I will honor you today and everyday! I stitched this piece for her and she got to enjoy it before she left this world.... I added the "Sisters" to the bottom to personalize the piece. It hangs with honor in my home and will one day go to my niece! Another piece I did because she thought it be beautiful is this one .... I do believe the backstitching took as long as the actual cross stitching! But she was right it is stunning...one day i'll do the companion to it. So today is a day for memories and good thoughts. I love you Maureen!!!!!!

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

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...........

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

A Fern update and SBQ's

Again where does the time go..... I have been stitching so much even after work!!! I've been focusing on Fern and she is all done except the beads!!!! Which I am planning for tonight and then hopefully I can take her off to the framer's and she'll be ready for my niece when she visits since it's one of her birthday presents!!! And I am so bad I had another start........but this is also a gift for our friends who just had a baby it's a SamSarah design called "Sweet Sweet Babe" and when I have more done I will definitely post a picture! Today being Wednesday found me at SP for my weekly stitching group. I always have so much fun and I actually got a lot stitched and of course more stash! I will have to live to be 400 to get it all done!!! Oh well it's all about the stash!

On to some SBQ's since I am behind in them as well...............

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ish and is:Which project (finished or in progress) are you most proud of? Explain why.The permalink to this post is:http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/07/sbq-pride-and-joy/

I've been thinking about this one and I'd have to say it from a magazine that my sister got and challenged me to do. I was sure I couldn't do it but 2 short years later it was done and in comparison the companion piece took only 6 months....Oh wait I do have a picture of them.....I believe the magazine was Cross Stitch and Country Crafts. Here they are the girl was first and her brother was next.... and A close second would have to be Antique Flower Shop by Permin (I think that's the name) simply because of all the backstitching.....is it any wonder I love Passione Ricamo's and Mirabilia's....

Today's SBQ was suggested by Dani and is:Have you ever thought of getting a rider on your household insurance to properly cover your stash (some of us have quite an extensive stash that an average household policy wouldn't fully cover) in the case of some sort of damage to your house that would destroy/ruin charts, fabrics, floss, etc? The permalink to this post is:http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/07/sbq-insurance-matters/

I have often thought of this but the insurance companies make it so hard since they consider cross stitch a "craft" and not art! And then the stash would probably be another whole problem. So I have given it thought but have not pursued it.

And may I simply say the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was brilliant! No spoilers here but I was thoroughly satisfied and this is coming from someone who thought about not reading it after the way book 6 turned out! Am I ever glad that I changed my mind! I have started reading them all again starting with book one! And to all who think they can't get into it or it's too late..it's not! I say go for it! It's a book about loyalty, friendship, honesty and honor all good things in today's world!!!

I am grateful for my Wednesday stitching friends.......

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.....

It's late

I had a wonderfully intense Pilates workout this am and signed up for an additional session tomorrow for a total of 3 this week! My leg muscles are still talking to me. It was so good! And it's late or early depending on how you look at it..... and I'm off to bed in a little bit. Today was a wild ride with mom but in the end oh well.... I made a nice dinner of chicken and dumplings which we all thoroughly enjoyed and had a quiet night at home. Last night (sunday) we had fun at one of the local casinos and she and hubby won a little bit of money at the blackjack table, I just watched. So tomorrow we'll probably go to the Strip with it being her last night and all. I keep forgetting that she's 81..... our relationship has been stressful and rocky for as long as I can remember. Which is unfortunate but a fact of my life. Long story short she was very connected to my sister that passed away and I am the daughter that is still here.....there is no easy way to write that last statement....I have accepted the fact. Been through years of therapy and also know that she went through an impossible loss as well. But we all lost a valuable person and I still feel my sister's loss daily....a hole in my heart springs to mind....Well enough of that. She leaves on wednesday afternoon and then I have till the end of May till my dear MIL visits! I plan to stitch by the pool tomorrow..... it's been too cold to go in but hopefully it will warm up...mom hasn't been able to swim yet so we hope she can tomorrow or wednesday before she leaves. Let me leave you with a picture of hubby doing laps which was taken when my brother and niece were here....

Edited: I am so grateful for our pool..........

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..........