Tardy second August WIPocalypse update

Again, this post will not show much progress on my stitching, but I do have some surprisingly good news.  As I have previously said, I entered some of my pieces in the State Fair this year to help fill the area for Cross Stitched pieces.  To my shock, out of the three pieces that I entered, I won two ribbons!  On my needlepoint piece I received an Honorable Mention ribbon, and on my Beach Tree stitched piece, I received a second place Red Ribbon!!  I can't tell you how amazed I was to win one!

The only other stitching picture I can show you is what I have done on the Haunted House on evenweave.  I have to tell you that it is very frustrating going because I seem to have to pull out every fourth or fifth stitch because I don't like where I put it. 

I have done some other stitching, but it is for exchanges at the PALS retreat in MB in October.  I am almost at the panic stage because I really don't have anywhere near the amount of stitching done that I should have.  Even though I am panicy, I am also really looking forward to the event.  I have met so many fantastic ladies there that I don't get to see but once a year.  This year, we are going to have the opportunity to meet a bunch more folks as the group has almost doubled in size this year.  The other really exciting thing is, there are going to be 8(?) designers there showing off their stuff.  How cool is that?

One other thing, I was going to try to fix my WIPocalypse page, because it is all messed up, but I couldn't get anything to work.  I will try to work on it another time, but for now, please ignore  it!!

One last picture I have to show you is some of my family in Washington, DC last month.  This is the reason I didn't get much stitching done, but what a wonderful alternative it was.  These are my two sons, my grandson and my granddaughter.  My daughter could not make the trip because of her work schedule which was very sad.  We spent a week there together seeing the sites and enjoying being with each other.  My older son (the one on the left), and my grandson live in Maine, so I feel lucky if I get to see them once a year.  The only reason this came up was because my daughter-in-law, Becky was sent to DC for a conference.  The funniest thing about this picture, and what I can't figure out is that my younger son, the one in the back is 6' 5" tall, much taller than the rest, but he looks the shortest.  Now I know that Lily (my DGD) is standing on a platform, but I can't figure out what is going on with the rest of them - LOL!

Well, I had better get stitching!  Thank you for stopping by my blog, and I love all the great comments you leave me!  Until next time, have a happy, healthy, stitchy time!

First August WIPocalypse Report

Well, my WIPocalypse report is going to be pretty different.  I have not worked on any of the original list of WIP's this month, so I guess I am in trouble for that.   And, I really  haven't gotten too far on most everything I worked on because I got really ADD this month and worked on many different things.  Before I get to the stitching I have done this month, I thought you all would like to see how my Autumn Leaves needlepoint piece looks now that it has been framed.    I really like the frame,  and this is one of the pieces I am going to put in the State Fair next week.



Now to what I have been stitching.  I have spent the most time working on this Halloween piece.  I can not say that it has been a pleasure to stitch.  As a matter of fact, I have decided that I will not stitch on 18ct dark fabric anymore after this.  I am having a good bit of difficulty seeing it.  I am not sure whether this will be a piece for MB yet or not.  I really want to get this one finished because I have picked out a bunch more for the exchanges I really have to get to.  Wish me luck!




The other project that has taken up a bit of my month is another needlepoint piece.  I know, I really shouldn't be stitching on this when I have so many other pieces I should be doing, but this one is so much fun, and MUCH easier to see.  This one is called Liberty Star, and I did think (rationalize) that it was appropriate for me to be stitching it in July.  It is also a Nancy Needles chart.  I am not sure you can really see this, but I love the way the pearl cotton floss shines!

Lastly, I am taking a big trial step on this piece.  I found some scrap  fabric in my stash, that I believe is 28ct Jobelan, and it is so soft and lovely to feel, that  I decided that I had to try one more time to stitch on something other than aida.  I can't work on it very long at a sitting, because it is very hard for me to see, and I have to take out stitches all the time because I have put the needle in the wrong spot, but I do think it is coming along.  I think it will take me a long time to decide if I want to put out this much effort on anything else, but we'll see. 

I am not sure what I will be able to show you on the next WIPocalypse report, because I am going to be working more hours for the next two weeks, and then I will be out of town for the next week.  Doesn't look too good for stitching time.

Again, I want to thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving such lovely comments.  It really does make my day to see them!

Until next time, have a happy, healthy, stitchy time!

What a wonderful week!!

The week started after a fun filled weekend in Michigan where the only problems were that it was as warm there as it was here in Kentucky and I didn't find any cross stitch shops!  There was one beautiful knitting shop that I could have gone crazy in, but I have too much other stitching to do to get hooked there.  The water in Lake Michigan was quite cold when you first got in, but it didn't take long to get used to it. 

      

When I got home on Monday I had a very nice surprise waiting for me.  I had put four things into our local county fair, and I found out that I got two blue ribbons and two red ribbons on the pieces.   The two blues were for my Peaceable Kingdom, and Beach Tree.  The two red ribbons were for my Lizzie*Kate monthly wall hanging, and my Lizzie*Kate Spring basket flatfold.  I was really amazed at my good fortune, and quite pleased. 

Today I went to a Stitch and Gab stitching group which I had just found out about the first of the year when some of the ladies that I had met at the Myrtle Beach Stitching Retreat invited me to join.  I was really excited about that because before then I hadn't known anyone in the area that stitched.  So I get to the Stitchin, and they tell me that they are celebrating my birthday this month because they have too many other people in November which is my birthday month.  You gotta believe that I was quite taken aback and shocked!!   So here are the great goodies I got today.

The first present I opened was from Sharon, and it had a great peach flavored soft soap container, and a darling Happy Birthday fridge magnet that my DGD will really love, and a really special pin cushion.   I don't know if you can see it very well, but Sharon started with a napkin ring, painted the little flowers around the piece, and then took some lovely blue and white fabric stuffed to make the pin cushion.  I think that is so clever, I would never have thought to do that.   

The second package that I opened was from Sherry, and she was one of the ladies that I met in Myrtle Beach.     Her package came in a insulated lunch bag in darling black and white which goes really well with my purse and stitching bag.  In it she had included a list making pad of paper that attaches to the fridge, and another darling note pad.  She also gave me this cute picture frame which I immediately put to use holding on my numerous pictures of my DGD.  But, best of all, she made me this darling tinket holder that she had stitched for me.   It, too, was in blue and white. I am going to have such a lovely stitchingspot!

The third package that I opened was from another Sharon, and she, too, was one of the ladies that I had met in Myrtle Beach.  You can't hardly see it, but her package came in a darling Donna Sharp project sized bag that is just too cute!  Sharon thought that I was a Donna Sharp fan,  and she was right!  Inside the bag was this darling Poppy Kreations chart which says "This is your last chance BLOOM"  And, she gave me the fabric and called for floss to stitch it! 

I would say that this constituted a mighty fine week wouldn't you?

Thanks for stopping by my little spot on the web, and I love to read all of your nice comments.

Until next time, have a happy, healthy, stitchy time!
                                                                                                          

Better sit down as I have actual finishes to show you!

I guess this horrible heat wave is good for something.  Since I am trapped in my house, I am able to get some stitching and finishing work done - whooo hoooo!  I didn't get a lot done on my
WIP's for the WIPocalypse.  But I did add some finishes.  I just looked at my WIPocalypse page, and I have a ton of work and updates for it, but I just am not going to have the time to do that tonight.

First off, I have to show you that I finished stitching my needlepoint piece, and I loved every minute of stitching it.  I have already taken it to the framers because I can't wait to get it up.  I will have to wait, however, because my favorite framers have just moved, and haven't quite got the act back together just yet, so it will take them longer than usual to get it finished.  The other issue is that it is a seasonal piece, and so I was bad.  Yesterday I ordered the other three charts.  I didn't get the thread packs or the canvas, but I got the charts.  Partly because Nancy's Needle is closing and I am not sure how long her charts will be available.  I can always get the canvas and threads at a later date.

Now for my finished finishes.  I was able to finish two of the Lizzie*Kate Monthly Blocks that I had finished a while ago.  I have the July one kitted up, but I am going to have to do that when my eyes won't let me stitch on an 18 ct project I have going for my PALS Retreat in October.  The fabric that the pillows are laying on is the fabric that is their backing.  I really enjoyed stitching these, as I love Lizzie*Kate and monthly series. 

I also finished the darling little piece that Michele from Just Another Stitching Blog RAK'd me this spring.  I think it turned out really cute.  And, lastly, I finished my BEACH tree that I stitched while in Myrtle Beach in April.  I really love the backing fabric for this piece which I got at a quilting store in MB.  I am glad that I don't live anywhere near that place, it would break me, LOL!

I did something this weekend that I would have thought I would never do.  I registered to enter some of my pieces in the State Fair.  I didn't do it because I thought they were so good, but because the lady that owns the not so near LNS asked me to.  She said that even if I was the worst stitcher ever that I should enter something because that section of the fair is getting smaller each year because people are not putting anything in it.  I had noticed that it was getting smaller, but I didn't realize why.  She hopes that if people see different projects there that they might decide to do something.  I hope so because her business is suffering with this economy, and I know of several shops that are closing.

As I had indicated, I have started stitching for the Retreat.  The one that I am doing now is a Halloween piece that I am stitching on 18ct aida.  It was quite a adjustment after working on 12ct canvas for that last couple of weeks - LOL!  I am going to kit up some Christmas ornaments next weekend as we will be going on a mini vacation to Michigan the following week, and I will "need" something to do while I am there.

Well, I need to head to bed as I am working extra hours this week to cover for someone on vacation.  I do, though, want to thank you for stopping by my blog and for leaving such kind comments.  I do appreciate them very much.  So, until next time, have a happy, healthy, stitchy time!

I have been tagged.

Shelleen, from http://shelleensmusing.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-was-tagged.html tagged me in getting to know you game.  The rules are you answer the eleven questions asked you and then you tag eleven more bloggers and ask them eleven questions.  I am pretty sure I can answer the questions, and I can probably tag eleven other bloggers, but I will TRY to come up with eleven more questions to ask. So here goes...

 

1. Coffee or tea?

Neither, I am a Pepsi drinker, but that is the only way I can get caffeine the others make me crawl the walls - LOL

2. How old were you when you learned to Cross Stitch?

I was in my mid twenties and I learned at a Homemaker's club.  That was when my oldest was little and I was a SAHM.

3. Who do you work for and what do you do? 

 

I work for a man that owns many different companies and our office does the managing, bookkeeping etc.  I am an accountant there.

 

4. Do you live in an apartment or a house?

 

I live in a house that is really too big for DH and me since we are now empty nesters.  I am looking forward to selling this house and moving closer to my  children and into a smaller house which will be easier to maintain.

 

5. What kind of car do you drive?

 

I drive a 2001 Honda Odessey which has 225 thousand miles on it and which I love.

6. If you could live any wheres in the world, where would it be?

 

This one is hard.  In the real world, I would like to live in Louisville where two out of three of my children live as does most of our good friends.  But, I would also love a cabin in the woods in the mountains and a cabin on a lake.  Not asking for much, am I?

7. Are you a game person? videos, board games or card games?

Yes.  If I am alone and bored sometimes I will play Bejeweled on the net.  If there are just a few of us, we will usually  play  cards.  But, I think my favorite is at parties when we play games like Cranium, Balderdash, or Catch Phrase.

8. If you could see anyone in concert , who would it be?

Well, we used to go to concerts -  John Denver, The Lettermen and Peter, Paul and Mary(many times for  the latter), but as you can see we have outlived our favorites. I guess of the current possibilities, I would like to see a Celine Dion show in Vegas.  I am a fan of Susan Boyle, but I don't think she will ever be able to tour.  Guess I should just go to Scotland, huh?

9. Do you like to read and if so do you have a favorite author and genre?

I love to read and have several favorite authors. James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, John Grisham, David Baldacci and Nevada Barr.  I like mysteries  and some thrillers obviously.  LOL

10. If you are married , how did you meet? if you aren't married what characteristics do you look for in a spouse?

I met my DH in college at what they called Jam Sessions eons ago.  It was a place where you could meet people and dance.  Didn't start dating him for a year, but we finally found each other - LOL.

11. Can you sing or play an instrument?

 

I cannot carry a tune in a bucket, but I love to listen to music.

Have fun playing along.

And now for my victims, or my choices:

1)Lynn at http://kearnelskorner.blogspot.com
2)Cindy at http://homeofaflossjunkie.blogspot.com
3)Charlene at http://needleinhand.blogspot.com
4) Nan at http://nansneedleworknotions.blogspot.com
5)Coni at http://spinsterstitcher.blogspot.com
6) Beth at http://gardengrumblesandcrossstitchfumbles.blogspot.com
7) Elfie at http://elfinstitches.blogspot.com
8) Karen at http://karenshandiwork.blogspot.com
9) Faye at http://carolinastitcher.blogspot.com
10) Debbie at http://debbiescrossstitch.blogspot.com
11)Bekca at http://stitchylion.blogspot.com

Now for the questions - gulp

1) Ice Cream, cake or cookies - which do you like best and why?

2) When you stitch, do you sit at a table or on a recliner, or just where?

3) Do you like to travel and if so by car, bus, train or plane?

4) Where would you like to visit the most?

5) If you have children, do they do any crafts and which ones?

6) What is your most favorite memory from childhood?

7) Do you have a dream goal?  Either in stitching or in life?

8) Do you have a group of friends that you stitch with and if so, how often?

9) Do you like music, and if so what is your favorite kind / musician?

10) What is your favorite color, and do you wear it often?

11) What is your favorite season and why?

I made it!!  I hope you all enjoy playing this game.

Beth

Trying something new..

Well, I did not have as much stitching time last weekend as I hoped, but I did finish my June Lizzie*Kate block.  I didn't, however, get the finishing done, so I will wait until that is complete to show you a picture.  I hope that by next WIPocalypse report to have that.


So, I needed some more colors of floss to work on the July Lizzie*Kate block, so I went to my not so LNS to get it last week.  And, since I was there, I just had to look around - right?  Well I did get some new cross stitch stash that I will have to show you later because I forgot to take a picture of it, and it is upstairs and I am down.  But, I also looked in the sale bin at the LNS and saw this kit.  Well, I have been seeing other blogs with this kind of work and thinking it was gorgeous, sooo...  Meet my new insanity...   I just could not pass this up, I just loved the colors, etc, etc, etc  So, Friday night I sat down to stitch the little center square, and thought I was doing great.  However, when I went to put the center diamonds in, they wouldn't fit.  So I had to take it out and start all over again.  Bummers.


So this morning I started it again, and took it with me to a stitch in with some friends I met at MB last year, and I was able to finish the middle square.  When I first saw the chart, I thought it wouldn't be too difficult to stitch and that it would be a fast finish.  I have changed my opinon on that, but have not lost my love of it - Yet.

Tomorrow being Father's Day, DH and I are taking the boat up to Louisville and putting it in the Ohio river for a boat ride - his choice.  DD Lisa and DS#2 Matt and DGD Lily will join us with another couple.  So, by the time we get home tomorrow night,  I won't be worth much.  So, I am hoping to get some stitching done in the evenings this week.  My work schedule has been all adjusted to allow for me to cover for my boss on Monday and to take Tuesday off to go to my GP for my six month's checkup.  The scary thing is, I am going to take part of Tuesday and go back to my LNS for some more floss that I want for another project.  I hope (I think) that there aren't any more of those needlepoint kits in the sale bin then. LOL

Well, I hope this post finds you all enjoying your summer and getting lots of stitching done.  I do so appreciate you visiting my blog and for leaving such kind comments.

Until next time, have a happy, healthy, stitchy time!

I've been missing again June WIPocalypse

Wow it has been so long that I forgot how to post - hit the publish button after just typing in the title.  OOPS.  Yes, I know that I said I was going to do better in May, and I surely did not - I am sorry, life is just too crazy sometimes.  This is going to have to be a short (for me) post with just a WIPocalypse update.  That, too, has something missing - accomplishments.  I am not sure which I have spent less time on, blogging or stitching.  The up side is my gardens have been tended, I have seen and celebrated the marriage of a darling couple, spent a very hot Memorial Day weekend camping, and helped my DD Lisa celebrate her birthday.  I also got into my reading obsession and finished off a number of books.


May's update



June updat

All that is to explain the pitiful amount of stitching I have done.  Here is the report:   On my Welcome Friends sampler, I finished the flowering vine going through the large Welcome letters and worked the border on the left side down a little.  I am going to stitch the rest of the message next.



May update

I didn't make any progress on Beachy Mood - just wasn't in the mood to stitch on this one.  I hope to work on it some in Jume.

I have started the June Lizzie*Kate monthly block that I hope to finish stitching this week.  I am going to be home this weekend for the first time in a while, and I would like to take that opportunity to do some finishing work with this one included.  Wish me luck!

Thank you so much for stopping by my little blog, and I really hope to do better at it soon.  I really do love the wonderful messages you leave.

Until next time, have a happy, healthy stitchy time!