Rae of Sunshine Stitches

Hello, 2012!!!

2012-01-09T10:49:00.004-06:00

The New Year is already under way and so far off to a decent start. The sickness that has plagued my family since Christmas finally seems to be going away, though the cough is still wanting to linger a bit.

I have finally started packing away the Christmas stuff, but, still have a few things left on that chore.

Stitching Goals for 2012

I can't say I have any lofty goals for 2012. My main goal is to try & finish some WIPs I have. So, hopefully I will finish one thing a month. That sounds slightly reasonable. We'll see how it goes. :-)

Here is my RR that was finished up last year (please excuse wrinkles, I did not press it) by my friends Lynda & Clare:

The Hunt

Designer: Homespun Samplar
Fabric: 28 ct monaco dyed in coffee
Threads: All Carrie's Creations
Grid - Navy Blues
Medallions in grid - Pacific Blue
Wreath - Sea Mist
Ribbon - Ocean Blue
Alphabet - Teal Mist
Diamonds between letters - Baja Blue
Initials and Year - Navy

There is one error in the piece...can any of you tell what it is? I am trying to decide if I need to fix it or not. Note: It is not the date saying 2010, it was started at that point.

Year End Movie Thoughts:

Favorites of 2011:

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part II
Captain America
Thor
The Help
X-Men: First Class
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Honorable Mentions:

We Bought a Zoo
War Horse
Water for Elephants
The Lincoln Lawyer
Super 8

Worth Noting:

Larry Crowne
Footloose (better than I expected)

Least Favorite (by far!!!):

Friends with Benefits

I guess I will end for now. Hope to possibly have a small finish to show you soon. Take care!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-12T21:23:00.003-06:00

Well, it has been almost a year since I have posted and I am sure many of you thought I had left the blogging world completely! All I can say is it has been quite a year!

I finally found steady employment in an unexpected situation after close to 2 years without it. It has been 2 long years full of stress & craziness! There are many bosses/companies out there that are willing to take advantage of people that are desperate for work. Places that feel that because of this they can treat you as deplorably as they want! All I can think is that one day they will get their comeuppance. What goes around, comes around.

I can also say for certain that while I thoroughly enjoy stitching, I cannot focus on stitching when I am stressed. For those of you that it is truly a stress relief, you are fortunate.

While life is finally coming back into focus, I finally have a finish to show. It's a Halloween design. I know I am a little late showing it, but, here it is:

Designer: The Trilogy

Design: One of the Motifs from "Eekology"

Threads: Recommended threads

Fabric: 27 ct Bellpull

My niece got married in June. I am still working on her piece. While the piece is not large, it is taking me forever to finish it!!! Now she is pregnant with her baby due in early spring. So, I have that on the agenda to do as well. One thing is for certain, it will be a small piece. She is having an owl theme for the nursery and I have found a cute little design to use. Now, I just need to finish that wedding thing and get started on this one.

I generally give you my movie thoughts from time to time. I haven't seen as many movies this year as I have in the past. But, I will give my movie thoughts for the year on my next post.

I will also show you my finished RR piece that I got back a couple of months ago. It turned out really well!!! Thanks Clare & Lynda!!! :-)

Have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Goodbye 2010!

2011-01-01T13:32:00.002-06:00

It's time to say goodbye to 2010. I was hoping for a good year, but, I can't overly say it has been one. That's about all I will say about it. Let's hope 2011 is much, much better.

I have not done much stitching this year and am not making any stitching resolutions for the new year. Hopefully there will be more finishes in the new year. My main goal of the new year is to just enjoy stitching again.

Here is my last finish of 2010:

Bedford Falls

by: The Sampler Girl

Stitched on scrap of 28 ct unknown dyed fabric

Threads: GAST Evergreen, Holly Berry, Nutmeg, Deep Sea & CC Cloud

Finished as a flat ornament and backed with shown fabric

Trimmed with a bell for Clarence :-)

2009 End of Year Movie Thoughts

Definite Top 5 of 2010 in no particular order:

Toy Story 3

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part I

Iron Man 2

The Young Victoria

Inception

Other Movies Worth Noting:

Letters to Juliet

How to Train Your Dragon

Tangled

The Town

The Last Song

Dear John

Honorable Mention:

Charlie St. Cloud

Unstoppable

Secretariat

Knight & Day

Edge of Darkness

A Little Disappointed, but Didn't Dislike It:

Twilight: Eclipse

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Valentine's Day

Biggest Disappointments of the Year:

The Back-Up Plan
The Bounty Hunter

Movies I'm Looking Forward to in 2011:

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part II

Captain America

Thor

Water for Elephants

Winnie the Pooh

Well, that wraps up things for now. Hope all of you are doing well. Until next time.

Confession!

2010-08-16T15:49:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

I must confess...life has been utter chaos and I cannot tell you when I have really had a chance to sit down & stitch. Hoping life will calm down soon. I need a break. :-)

Hope all of my stitching friends out there in blogland are doing well and enjoying the last bits of summer.

Hope to have a decent post with some stitchy news soon.

My Stitching Mojo is MIA

2010-05-26T16:37:00.008-05:00

I don't know what has happened to my stitching mojo. I thought it was taking a vacation of sorts, but, now I think it is just completely MIA. It has been this way for a while. A long while. Oh, when will it come back?!!!

I started this ornament in December for my son, finished stitching it in April and finally "finished" it about 2 weeks ago.

Mickey Mouse
Leisure Arts Disney Christmas book
Stitched on 28 ct opalescent white fabric

My son only has a couple more days of school left. He is ready for his summer vacation and I must confess that I am ready for this school year to be over. There is one particular teacher that has been a thorn in my flesh all year. Will be so glad to have him out of her class.

Latest Movie Thoughts:
I haven't done this since the beginning of the year, so some of the movies might be out on DVD already.

Extraordinary Measures - seemed more like a "made for TV" movie than a big screen movie, but I enjoyed it.
The Young Victoria - I loved this period piece movie of Queen Victoria!
Edge of Darkness - a good action/suspense movie
Valentine's Day - good, but not great. With this cast I expected more.
Dear John - good Nicholas Sparks movie. A little different than book, but in a good way.
The Bounty Hunter - sooooooooooooo disappointing!!!
The Back-Up Plan - while there were some parts that were down right hilarious (especially if you have been pregnant/given birth), other parts just weren't. Overall I was disappointed.
Iron Man 2 - liked it a lot!!! But, I wouldn't say it was as good as the first one. Make sure to stay for the scene after all the credits if you are a fan of the Avengers/Shield Initiative, etc.
The Last Song - I loved this Nicholas Sparks movie! A little different than book, but, again, in a good way. Bring tissues.
Letters to Juliet - very enjoyable. Beautiful scenery of Italy.

Hope everyone is doing well. That's all I got right now. :-)

A Spring Time Finish!

2010-03-26T08:23:00.009-05:00

First off...I received an award from Babs! It is the Sunshine Award.

This award is for someone who has inspired you in some way...
1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.
3, Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

It's so sweet that Babs thought I had inspired her in some way. Babs, you just don't know how much this brightened my day. Thanks so much!

I want to give this award to ever person that has posted a comment on my blog in the last year. I will not list you individually, but want to say thanks none the less. Thanks for sticking around when I have had very little posting on my blog in what seems like forever. Thanks for your sweet comments. They have been very much appreciated and have given me a smile and a warm feeling in my heart during what has truly been a long year for me.

I will specifically name my 3 RR friends. Thanks for doing the round robin with me and for your emails along the way. Also, to my local stitching friend, Sharon, who got me started blogging in the first place and whom I love getting together and stitching and talking with.

My RR Friends:

Lynda
Clare
Deb

My local stitching friend:

Sharon

Thanks for everything!

I can't say I have done much stitching lately. I am still waiting for a shipment of thread to arrive so I can mail off my RR piece. I am beginning to fear that the threads got lost in the mail. Carrie (of Carrie's Creations) is looking into it for me. She was wonderful to work with, even if I did wake her up. :-) Hopefully we can get it sorted out soon and my threads will arrive.

I did manage to "finish" this piece by Little House Needleworks. I had actually finished stitching it 2 years ago, but never "finished" it. So...after so much time, here it is!

Title: Faith - Inspirational Verses Thread Pack
Designer: Little House Needleworks
Threads: Recommended Crescent Colours- came with packet
Fabric: Not recommended fabric - used 28 ct Golden Needle (no longer available) - very similar to a golden khaki color - this picture doesn't show how dark/golden it is.

Made into a pin keep with shown backing fabric and trim.

Believe it or not, I actually dug out my train project a couple of weeks ago. I didn't get much stitched on it, but at least it has seen the light of day again. :-) I only have a little bit left on it, but this project just seems never ending and daunting. I truly want to finish this project this year. Just hoping I get more "in a groove" with it soon. Make sense?

I hope everyone is starting to see a little bit of spring in your area. Spring here is starting to bloom, but the wind still has a good nip to it.

Until next time...take care!

Olympic Stitching!

2010-02-26T11:01:00.005-06:00

Well, it has been well over a month since my last post and I am happy to say I finally have something to show. I wish I could say I got more accomplished this last 6 weeks or so, especially while the Olympics have been on, but, I must admit that I have been too mesmerized by the craziness of some of these people to go hurling down a mountain or whatever at insane speeds to pick up my needle. I have managed to finish my required stitching for this round of my RR and am ready to send my piece off in the mail. I can't wait for it to return at year's end all complete. I have LOVED stitching on this piece!!!

Title: The Hunt Sampler
Designer: Homespun Samplar
Fabric: 28 ct monaco dyed in coffee
Threads: All Carrie's Creations
Grid - Navy Blues
Medallions in grid - Pacific Blue
Wreath - Sea Mist
Ribbon - Ocean Blue
Alphabet - Teal Mist
Diamonds between letters - Baja Blue
Initials & Year - Navy

The weather here has been insanely cold this winter. As I know it has been all over the place. My son's school even had a Snow Day a couple of weeks ago. That might seem crazy to Northerners, but, trust me, we just aren't equipped to deal with snow here. There are no snow plows, shovels, salt, or snow blowers to be found for several hundred miles. While we only saw about 2 minutes of flakes here in my direct area, there was a good covering about 20 or so miles north of us. I'm sure all school officials didn't want to risk having buses or teenage drivers on the road during possible icy conditions. That's a lawsuit waiting to happen!

2010 seems to be off to a somewhat slow start. I am still waiting to hear some great news on the job front, but, I hope to hear something in that arena soon. While nothing has been particular exciting so far this year, at least it seems better than 2009. :-)

Thanks for all your comments. I love reading them.

Take care & stay warm!

Hello 2010!

2010-01-15T09:27:00.014-06:00

It is with great joy that I bid adios to 2009!!! It was not a very good year and I am glad to see it gone. I am fully hoping that 2010 will be a much better year with wonderful things in store for me!

I started off 2010 by "finishing" this piece that I stitched a couple of years ago and never put the finishing touches on. I know it is somewhat of an odd finish, but I wanted something festive and this sparkly trim just spoke to me. Of course, I could just be losing my mind. :-) Anyhow, here it is and I am pleased with it.

Happy New Year
Lizzie Kate
Called for Threads
Scrap of Lavendar/Grey 28 ct linen

I have not set any major stitching goals except for this: finish the train project!!! I haven't started stitching on it again yet, but I promise that it will get done!!! I also want to finish up some other projects I have started and put to the side. I still have a few ornaments that I want to get finished up as well. So, I guess this year it will be a finish up WIPs year! :-) Now, I'm not completely promising not to start anything new, but, it will be something from my stash and not a new purchase.

The only new thing that I will be working on for sure is this:

The Hunt
by: Homespun Samplar
Threads: Different shades of blue by Carrie's Threads
Fabric: 28 ct coffee dyed evenweave

This is the piece we have chose for our Round Robin group this year. I am really liking it thus far and can't wait to see how it turns out.

If you remember from last post I did a personal Christmas exchange with Hannah. Well, this is the gorgeous red work Prairie Schooler Santa she sent me. Isn't it great?!!! She knows I love Santas and this was just perfect!

From Hannah
Prairie Schooler Santa

Recent Movie Thoughts:

Leap Year - Great chic flick!!! Better than I thought it would be. Cute, funny & enjoyable!
Sherlock Holmes - Enjoyable, but it is definitely a movie that you need to pay attention. Can seem somewhat slow, but, I love Robert Downey, Jr. I really liked how the movie seemed to focus on the friendship between Holmes & Watson.
The Blind Side - Excellent movie!!! Even if you don't like sports, you will like this movie!
Avatar - A really good movie, but not mind blowing like it is hyped to be. I really liked the scenery, especially at night. Beautiful!
The Princess & The Frog - Enjoyable. I loved the old style animation.
Old Dogs - Disappointing
A Christmas Carol - Enjoyed it. However, it is a dark movie and more true to the book than some of the other versions that we have seen. Might be frightening to younger children.
Did You Hear About the Morgans? - I love Hugh Grant, but this was disappointing.

Year End Movie Thoughts:

Top 10 of 2009 in no particular order:

Star Trek
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince
Twilight Saga: New Moon
Up!
Wolverine
The Proposal
The Blind Side
Band Slam
Julie & Julia
Toy Story I & II in 3D (I know they aren't new, but I just love these movies!)

Other movies from year worth noting:

17 Again
A Christmas Carol
The Princess & The Frog
The Time Traveler's Wife
Fame
Couples Retreat

Biggest disappointments of the year:

The Ugly Truth
All About Steve
Pink Panther 2
The Box

Movie notes: I didn't see as many movies this year as I have in times past. There were a couple I really wanted to see and just didn't get to: Amelia & The Soloist

Movies I am looking forward to in 2010:

Dear John (really enjoyed the book)
Iron Man 2
Letters to Juliet
Toy Story 3
Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part I

Everyone take care & stay warm! I look forward to, as always, your lovely comments.

A Christmas Exchange!

2009-12-11T09:48:00.006-06:00

I did a personal Christmas exchange again this year with Hannah. She also recently welcomed a baby into her household and I sent a little ornament for him as well. I made both ornaments to fit Hannah's woodland theme.

For Hannah
from the Joyeux Noel stocking
JBW Designs Stockings Full of Joy
DMC used:
471
522
3363
838
816
814
Beads: Mill Hill 62012
Stitched on 28 ct Platinum linen
WDW wool used for backing

For Baby

Bent Creek Hare Lines freebie (cannot find link for chart)

Threads Used:
Brown - Wisper W74 Cocoa
White - Alpaca 18 AL51 Ivory
Border - Carrie's Creation Peppermint
Stitched on a scrap of white linen in my stash

I'm trying to finish up a few Christmas ornaments for my family before Christmas. Why does it always take longer than I think it will?

I have also been busy trying to pick out threads for my new RR. I think I finally have it narrowed down, but not 100% yet.

Thank you all for your lovely comments that you leave. It always makes me smile. :-)

Cheryl asked if I would be framing my RR piece I showed in the last post. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what I am going to do with it. I probably will end up framing it, but am still debating between that and a really nice pillow right now.

Stay warm & happy stitching!

A Round Robin Finish!

2009-12-04T23:03:00.006-06:00

It's hard to believe that it is already December! I have most of my Christmas decorations up and plan on completing the whole transformation this weekend. I thoroughly enjoy my decorations once they are up, by the getting them all there is a bit of a chore!

I participated in my first Round Robin this year, the Quaker Friendship Sampler. I received my piece back this week and think it looks lovely. Many thanks to those who participated...Marti, Deb, Lynda, Sharyn & Clare. Some of us are going to continue on to a new RR together...The Hunt. I'm in the middle of picking out my colors for that one now. Do I want to go monotone or monochromatic or various colors? The choices, the choices! Still playing around with it a bit right now.

Anyhow...here is my finished piece straight out of the mailing package (sorry for the wrinkles):

Fabric: 32 ct Heather linen by Picture This Plus
Thread: Aged Plum by Silk 'n Colors

And here is Deb's piece that I finished stitching on this week and plan to get it in the mail to her ASAP. It was such fun to stitch Deb's since she had picked various colors for hers.

As for other stitching...I am working on a few small ornaments. Hope to have them finished by Christmas! :-)

Team Switzerland!

2009-11-20T09:29:00.007-06:00

Some of you will automatically know what that title means, others of you will not.

If you have not entered the world of Twilight, then you are in the later group. It is a crazy fantasy world, but one that is well loved by many.

To clarify my title and the thoughts behind it...I do firmly believe that Bella & Edward do ultimately belong together, but while I was reading the books I also could see the immense draw to Jacob and the life she could have with him. A fairly sane, normal life. After seeing the "New Moon" movie last night I can see the draw of Jacob even more. I love Taylor Lautner's performance of him! Oh, 2 have a second choice like Jacob. :-) Anyhow...great movie! Loved the styling of it, the direction, everything! Loved it more than "Twilight"!

As you have now gathered by the above comments...yes, I was at the midnight premiere! Our theater offered a deal where you could come @ 9:00 and watch "Twilight" for matinee price and then stay and watch "New Moon" @ midnight. So...me, my son & some of our friends went to see both movies. We got to stay inside and enjoy the movie in the warmth while others waited over 3 hours outside in the cold. We had to exit the movie theater for them to clean out the theater, but didn't have to leave the building and then we got first choice on seating before they opened up and allowed the outside people in. We had been seated well over 10 minutes before they let them in. Well worth my matinee ticket price!!!

As for stitching...

Here is Clare's piece for our Quaker Friendship Round Robi n! Don't you just love her color choice?! I believe the color of her thread is Gloriana's Autumn Arbor. I enjoyed the appropriate timing of having her piece during the fall. Really made me feel in the spirit of the fall season.

I am currently stitching on a couple of Christmas ornaments. Hope to post some pictures soon.

Another PIF Arrived!

2009-11-06T13:47:00.003-06:00

I hope that everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. I was still somewhat battling the cold/sinus thing and didn't exactly feel up to par, but enjoyed the night as best I could. While DH watched the Gators play and my DS was at a friend's house I passed out candy to approx 300 kids!!! No kidding! I'm glad I had purchased that extra bag of candy on top of my regular supply. After all the kids were gone and DS was safely home I went to bed! The sinus drainage is still wanting to linger, but I do feel better.

I have been busily stitching on Clare's piece for our Quaker RR. I just have a few more stitches and it will be finished. It will be in the mail on Monday for sure! Clare chose the prettiest autumn colored threads. Perfect for this time of year. As a matter of fact the name of the thread is Autumn Arbor by Gloriana. I promise to post a picture of her piece next week.

My final PIF piece arrived at Ann's. Here it is:

Prairie Schooler
ornament from "December"
Fabric: 10ct Stardust Heatherfield
Threads: Mostly recommended DMCs
Changes: green pants to blue for more of a "jeans" look
red for house to a brown for a "log cabin" look
Whisper used for Dog fur

Until next time...take care!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T10:16:00.004-05:00

I found out that 2 of my PIFs have arrived safely at their new homes. So, I actually have a couple of finishes to show you.

Here is Deb's:

Lizzie Kate Flip-It
"Friends"
Fabric: 28 ct. platinum linen
Recommended threads

I was just drawn to stitch this for Deb. She has been so sweet with her emails of encouragement over the past year. :-)

Here is Leigh's:

The Dragon has been modified slightly
from a freebie pattern by Dragon Dreams
The Sunflower is from Prairie Schooler's 1994 Santa
Stitched on 28 ct. ivory evenweave
Threads - my choice

A close-up of the dragon & sunflower

Leigh had told me she really liked dragons and sunflowers, so when I saw the little dragon pattern holding a coffee mug I decided to modify him slightly to hold a sunflower. And...voila!

On the work front...I've put my resume out at a couple more places. Still no real news.

On to other stitching...I sat down and made a small list of gifts I wanted to get stitched before Christmas. I think I will be able to get it accomplished. Making the list has helped. I will post pictures as they come along.

Best to all and have a fun & safe Halloween weekend!

I actually did some stitching!

2009-10-24T20:27:00.003-05:00

I actually got a little stitching accomplished this week despite being down most of the week with a bad cold/sinus thing going on. Talk about feeling exhausted most of the week. However, I cannot post the pictures right now since they are for the PIF I had last October. Yes, I know it has taken me over a year to get them out! Hopefully my poor recipients will consider it sweet anticipation. Hope to get them in the mail on Monday morning!

So...hope to have some pictures next week.

Check out the give away that Sarah is having!

Also wanted to say...thanks for all the sweet comments on my ornies and on the well wishes for a new job.

As for the ornies...I have been asked who designed them...the word "Hope" is from the Lizzie Kate Flip-It "Hope" (F48). The words "Save the ta-tas" came from various letters from this same LK Flip-It ornament series.

Don't Faint!

2009-10-16T11:33:00.005-05:00

I know, I know...you can't believe it! I actually have a finish. Well, actually 3!!!
I think it is my first for 2009. It's October and I'm just now having my first finish for the year. UGH!!!
These little ornies are for Donna's Stitching for a Cure project. I signed up for this last October and it has taken me the entire year to get them done.

What a year this has been!
To make a long story short and not bore you with the details...the last year and a half has been extremely stressful time. I've been working waaaayyyyy more than expected at work. So, after talking with my boss several times about it, I decided to turn in my resignation. This was a tough decision, especially given the current economic climate, but for the sake of my sanity and health it was time to go. This week was my last official week at work. I have my resume out at several places and pray that eventually the right job will come along.
I think there will be a lot of homemade gifts for Christmas this year. While there are family members that don't seem to really appreciate the time and effort put into homemade gifts, they will just have to get over it!!!
I plan on taking the next week or so and just relaxing and trying to get refocused a little bit. Then I plan on working on projects around the house and getting some Christmas stitching done. I truly hope to finish my Train project. It has been so neglected.
As for my PIF friends...fear not! I am almost done. Hope to have them in the mail very soon!

MOVIE THOUGHTS:
I haven't been to the movies as much lately since I knew the job was going to end and need to watch those pennies. But, I did see the following over the last few months:

The Informant - This was an interesting movie. I don't think many people will enjoy it, but I found it fascinating from a legal aspect. My husband works for the Federal Court and I worked in the legal field years ago, so we both understood what was going on and were fascinated by it. The movie had a quirky humor that some might not get and it would probably be boring to some. So...while I enjoyed it, others might not. Really like Scott Bakula!
Toy Story I & II in 3D - I LOVE these movies. It was so great to see them on the big screen again. Pixar is just great! Disney/Pixar made this a fun experience with the characters being involved before the movie and during an intermission trivia time. Just plain fun!
Fame - Great movie!

Looking forward to the following movies over the Holidays:

A Christmas Carol
Amelia
Old Dogs
The Princess & The Frog
Did You Hear About the Morgans?

A special thanks to those that have left such sweet comments and sent me emails. It has given me great support during these difficult months.

Another month gone by...

2009-09-28T18:24:00.002-05:00

I can't believe another month has gone by! My life has been in crisis mode lately and there hasn't been any stitching. Too much to explain. My job will be ending in mid October and that should help tremendously. So...hopefully I will have some actual stitching news in about a month.

Take care everyone!

PIF, Summer Movie Thoughts, Last of Summer Vaca Pics & Life

2009-08-28T16:39:00.009-05:00

Well, I can't believe over a month has passed since my last post. Life here has been sooooo busy. I feel like I have been saying that for over a year now. But, I am still waiting for things to slow down.

First off...here is the beautiful PIF I received from Janaina. Isn't this towel pretty? You should see the back. Her stitching is flawless!!!

Speaking of PIFs...Deb, Leigh & Ann...please, don't give up on me. I am almost finished with my gifts for you 3 and hope to mail them out before long. One is completely ready to be mailed, one is stiched, but not completed and the last one I am about 1/2 way through stitching. So...please, know that I am working on it and will mail them all hopefully by Oct. 1st at the lastest.

Update on my boss...she is doing remarkably well and if you didn't know she had had this surgery done, you wouldn't know. She went on a trip this week with her sister and will be gone most of next week as well. This brings up things with my work...I am still pretty swamped there and also in the process of trying to find a new job. My boss is wanting to retire and sell her business, so....

Summer Movie Thoughts:
Bandslam...I really enjoyed this movie. Great music!
GI Joe...enjoyed it more than I thought I would, an enjoyable action movie
Post Grad...really cute
My Sister's Keeper...good, but sad. Different ending from book
Ice Age 3...cute, but not as good as first one
The Ugly Truth...I cannot tell you how disappointed I was in this movie. Very disappointed.
District 9...much more violent than I like...walked out after 20 minutes and went to see Julie & Julia
Transformers 2...not bad. Thought the first one was better.

Top picks from summer...no particular order:

Star Trek...loved it! I especially loved Spock!
Harry Potter...always great!
The Proposal...great summer comedy/romance
UP!...such a sweet, wonderful movie!
X-Men Origins: Wolverine...really liked this alot. Much better than X-Men 3
Julie & Julia...Meryl Streep was great as Julia. Loved the relationship between Julia & her husband.
Time Traveler's Wife...sad, but good

Last of the Vaca Pics:

Glacier National Park...Montana

Red Canyon...Glacier National Park...Alberta, Canada

A moose!...near Red Canyon...GNP...Canada

Grinnell Lake...GNP...Montana

Hidden Falls...on hike to Grinnell Lake...GNP...Montana

Old Faithful...Yellowstone National Park...Wyoming

Hot Spring...Midway Geyser Basin...YNP...Wyoming

Buffalo!...near Canyon Village area...YNP...Wyoming

My favorite area of Yellowstone...the pools of West Thumb Geyser Basin...YNP

A float trip down the Snake River...Grand Teton National Park...Wyoming

The Grand Teton Mountain Range...Grand Teton National Park...Wyoming

Craters of the Moon National Monument...Idaho

Oregon Trail...Oregon Trail Interpretive Center...near Baker City, Oregon

Multnomah Falls...Columbia River Gorge, near Portland, Oregon
Twilight Trivia Note: This particular Falls can be seen in the background of the Vampire Baseball scene. It can also be seen briefly when Bella & Edward are talking near the river.

Back to Reality!

2009-07-24T21:01:00.008-05:00

Well, my arrival back home from vacation has been a big jolt back to reality. My boss has been diagnosed with breast cancer! This is her second bout with breast cancer and she is scheduled to have a double masectomy in a little over a week from now. Fortunately her prognosis is excellent and she is handling the news very well. This also means some changes with work. Since it is just her and I at her business, all her work has now been put in my lap until she recovers. It has also made her realize she would like to retire very soon and sell the business. So...I guess that means I will have to look for a new job within the next year. UGH!!! Trying to find a place that will work with a schedule and the people are nice to work with/for is very hard.

Needless to say I haven't done much stitching in the last 2 weeks. Hope to get back to it soon.

I will post some more pictures of my time in Washington state and Victoria, BC from our trip. More pictures from other locations to follow.

Fruit at Pike's Place Market in Seattle

Lots of snow and fog at Mt. Rainier

A glimpse of Mt Rainier

Ruby Beach

The Hall of Mosses - Hoh Rain Forest - Olympic National Park
Hurricane Ridge

Victoria Harbor, British Columbia

Deception Pass

Nooksack Falls

Back from the land of Twilight!

2009-07-12T09:32:00.015-05:00

Well, I made it back from vacation last weekend and have spent the week trying to catch up. You know how it goes...back to work, laundry, unpacking suitcases, etc., etc., etc...

First off...yes, I did do some stitching on my trip. Here's proof!

Design: Vlad's Vash Day
Designer: Raise the Roof
Fabric: 28 ct. Heather by Picture This Plus

I have had this in my stash for quite some time and decided to pick it for this trip since I was going to the home of the Vampires...Forks, Washington and the Olympic National Park. I'm about halfway through the piece and it has been a nice stitch thus far, though there is a lot of white and black in this piece.

I've been to Washington state before, but it has been years ago. I wanted my husband and son to go and see what a beautiful place it was. We started planning the trip over a year ago, long before I ever read Twilight books or saw the Twilight movie. We knew we would be going to the Olympic National Park and Port Angeles, but we purposely added Forks and La Push after Twilight and especially since our 21 year old niece (a huge Twilight fan) was going to go on our trip (for the Washington portion at least).

On this blog post I'm just going to show pics for Twilight fans. (I will post other pics from the trip in weeks to come.)

The famous sign!

The sign outside the real Forks High School.

Billy must be at work @ Forks Police Dept.

The sign as you cross into the Quileute Reservation in LaPush, WA.

First Beach, LaPush, WA - Quileute Reservation.

The sign as you leave the Quileute Reservation and head back to Forks.
The real Bella Italia in Port Angeles, WA.
For the curious - yes, we ate there and yes, I had the mushroom ravioli. It was delicious!

I'm sure most Twilight fans know this, but...the movie was not filmed at any of these locations. It was all filmed mostly in Oregon. The high school used in the movie is Kalama High in Kalama, WA. These locations are "book" locations.

Vacation Time!

2009-06-14T12:28:00.004-05:00

Well, I am in the midst of getting ready for my annual summer vacation! I don't think I have looked forward to one more. This has been a very long and difficult school year with my committee obligations there and long tax season as well. But...finally! It's vacation time!

I forgot to take a picture of my Quaker Friendship RR piece before I mailed it. Oops! So, unfortunately, no pics this time.

I will, however, post a picture that I took recently at Ruby Falls in Chattanooga during my son's 8th grade graduation trip. We all had an awesome time and all the blood, sweat and tears over the year with the committee finally paid off!

I have packed a couple of projects for my trip and hope to get a decent amount of stitching done while I am gone. Promise to post pics of that when I return.

Take care!

It's June!

2009-06-05T21:23:00.004-05:00

Well, another month gone by and June is already here! Can't believe it! I've finally started stitching a tiny bit after a couple months of nothing! I'm trying to get ready for our family vacation, so I haven't stitched as much as I would like, but at least I feel like the juice is finally flowing again.

First off...no, I haven't stitched on "the train project". I am stitching on my section of our Quaker Friendship Sampler for Marti. Need to get it in the mail by the end of the week.

Secondly...I've eyed a new project I like. It's called Patriotic Patchwork by Blue Ribbon Designs. I've added it to my wishlist.

Thirdly...the trip committee I have been on for my son's school has just about come to an end. We are wrapping up final details (having a DVD made of all the pictures...still trying to get all the photos from all the people...a bit frustrating there since we have a deadline with the videographer). But...the trip was great!!! We all had such a fun time! The kids will always remember their 8th grade graduation trip. White water rafting on the Ocoee River was a blast! If you are ever in the Chattanooga area and up for an adventure...contact Raft One and have fun!

I'll keep it short today. Will have a picture to post of the Quaker Sampler RR next post.

Latest Movie Thoughts:

Star Trek - LOVED IT !!! I especially liked Spock. I thought they did such a great job with the casting. My son even loved it and he's not even a Trekkie. :-)
Up - LOVED IT!!! This movie was so sweet. It made me laugh and cry. A movie full of heart and adventure.

Still haven't had a chance to see "The Soloist". And now I think it has already left theaters. UGH!!! Very much looking forward to the new "Harry Potter" in July! Also, the new "Transformers".

Is it May already?!!!

2009-05-08T22:00:00.003-05:00

Well...it's May! Can you believe it?! A part of me can't believe it's here already. Where did the first part of the year go? And another part of me...the very tired, worn out part...thinks it has taken forever for this month to finally arrive. I somehow survived tax season, which really doesn't end until April 30th. Quarterly taxes are also due in April...on the 30th, so, unfortunately, the craziness of tax season doesn't end on the 15th, it carried through until the end of the month. Anyhow...I survived tax season and have almost survived my commitment to this committee at my son's school. By Memorial Day weekend I will feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted from me and I can finally breath again. I am also hoping that my desire to cross-stitch will return. I guess I can't say the "desire" to cross-stitch has left me. I've just been too worn out to get beyond getting the stitching stuff out and staring at it. Oh, well. Not much longer now.

My "desire" to go to the movies hasn't left me during this time. It has been such a great relaxation thing for me, when I could/can find the time. Here are my latest thoughts:

Race to Witch Mountain - really enjoyed this. Much more than I thought I would. For any "fans" of the old movie...the 2 kids from the original are in this new one. The girl is the waitress at the restaurant and the boy is the sheriff in the same little town.
17 Again - liked this alot. There were a few sexual references I could have done without, but, overall I liked it. Zac E. is a cutie!
Hannah Montana - I actually enjoyed it. The cowboy guy she likes is a cutie as well and I love his deep voice.
Wolverine - loved it! Can't get enough Hugh Jackman!
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - not bad, could have been better.

Want to see Star Trek and The Soloist soon.

Well...hope everyone is doing well and getting a lot of stitching done. Thanks for all the comments and messages. It's great to hear from everyone! Hope to have some stitching to post before too long.

Another Month Gone By...

2009-04-17T18:16:00.008-05:00

I can't believe that almost another month has passed since my last post. My life has truly been craziness lately. I don't feel like I've had 2 minutes for anything. But...I actually finished stitching on the first part of Linda's Quaker Friendship Sampler for the Round Robin I am in.

Here is a pic:

Recipe Request:

With my life being so crazy I have had to make really quick meals lately. Here is one of my families quick TNT (tried and true) recipes. I always keep the ingredients on hand. Do any of you have a quick TNT recipe you would like to share? If so, please leave it in the comments section. I would love to try them out! :-)

Our families TNT Skillet Goulash (I know it's not really a goulash, but that is what my mother always called it, so...)
1 # ground beef (or turkey)
1 can tomato soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup (can used Healthy Request version if you want)
1/4-1/2 cup water or beef broth
4 slices American cheese or any shredded cheddar or cheddar blend
Cooked rice (amount for 4 people)

Season meat as desired and brown in a skillet that can go into oven. Drain fat. Add in soups, 1/4 broth or water and cooked rice. Stir until well blended. Add in more water or broth if needed to make desired creaminess. Top with cheese/cheese slices. Place under broiler until cheese starts to brown and become bubbly. Serve. Yum!!! :-P

Wanted to add...

If you have been under a rock this week and haven't heard about Susan Boyle you really must check this out: Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent

I love underdog stories and finding beauty in very unexpected places. This is both.

Long Time, No Post!

2009-03-20T12:05:00.004-05:00

I know, I know...I've fallen off the face of the earth lately. My life seems to have taken on a life of it's own. Pure craziness of late. Not much time for stitching I'm afraid. My train hasn't been touched since my last post and I've been very slow in working on my RR piece.

I mentioned a while back that my niece was getting married in April and my nephew in May and that I planned on stitching stuff for them. I had started doing "Bride's Tree" ornaments for my nephew last year and started the M Designs "Celtic M" earlier this year for my niece. Well...they have both told their mother that they had rather have cash than something stitched. Oh, well. Luckily I haven't spent too much time on either thing. The ornaments I have stitched can be given as giftst to other people and I will just pull out what I have stitched thus far on the "Celtic M" and use the fabric for another project. I guess in some ways this is good with how little time I have had to work on things. I guess this will now allow me to devote time to other projects.

I want to say thanks to those that have sent me emails checking on me. Very sweet. :-)

Here is a project I finished last year (I think) and just had framed recently:

Name: Spring

Designer: Hob Nobb

Fabric: Miracle Mint 28 ct linen

Threads: various WDW and Sampler Threads

Will try to get some stitching done soon and get back to regular posting, but it may just be after the school year and tax season is over before I really have much time. Hope to hear from you guys.

Take care!

Super Bowl Train Update!

2009-02-24T12:33:00.004-06:00

It's been almost a month, but I am finally getting a few minutes to sit down at the computer. Since the week of Super Bowl I must admit that my blog and my stitching have been vastly neglected. Work has kept me swamped and I am already dreaming of tax season being over.

Here is what I got stitched on my train Super Bowl weekend!

Hopefully I will be able to stitch some this week. I desperately need to work on my Round Robin piece and the piece for my niece's wedding.

Hope everyone is doing well and getting much more stitching done than I am!

A New Start, A Round Robin and A Train Update!

2009-01-31T15:35:00.008-06:00

Life has been beyond busy with work for me this month, so I haven't done much stitching. The last 2 weeks the stitching has been completely non existent. However, here is what I have done since Christmas:

A New Start:

my niece is getting married in April and I am doing "F" from M Designs Celtic Alphabet series.

Stitched on 32 ct. Sterling by Picture this Plus
using Ink Black by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors

A Round Robin:

I have entered into my first ever Round Robin!
We are stitching Quaker Friendship Sampler by Samplers & Such. Here is what I have stitched for Sharyn thus far. She did the wreath part with initials and date and I have done the tiny little vine design to the left of it. Not much, but it's a start. Not sure what fabric she is using, but the threads are Bing Cherry by Crescent Colours. Very pretty thread choice!

Now that I have been stitching on Sharyn's piece it is making me doubt my thread choice. Anyhow...I chose Aged Plum by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors. It is being stitched on 32 ct Heather by Picture this Plus. You can check out the picture here of my choices on our blog. While I do like the thread and the fabric and know that ultimately I will like it, I generally tend to go towards either dark reds (like Sharyn's Bing Cherry above) or toward turquoise colors. Not sure why I didn't go that direction. I guess that is just the color that struck me when I was at the store looking, but I hate second guessing myself. Frustrating!

Finally a Train update:

Sorry folks, it still isn't finished! You can't be as frustrated as I am about that, trust me! I am trying not to beat myself up for not getting it finished in December and now not getting it finished in January, but life just throws challenges in the way sometimes and things just don't get done! I'm sure you know what I mean! Anyhow...here it is!

Hope to get a lot stitched on it during the Super Bowl this weekend. Will give an update pic again next week.

Hope everyone is staying warm and getting lots of stitching done!

My Christmas Exchange!

2009-01-18T23:29:00.004-06:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I did a personal Christmas ornament exchange with Hannah. I forgot to take a picture of what I sent her, but just received a picture of it today from Hannah. Here is the package I sent to her:

Snow Bird by La-D-Da

2004 Cross-stitch ornament magazine

Belle Soie Old Crow

My January has been tremedously busy at work. Not much time for stitching. I have, however, worked a tiny bit on my train. Hate to announce that it still isn't finished. Started work on "F" from the Celtic Alphabet by M Designs for my niece's wedding. And also worked on a Quaker Sampler Round Robin piece. Will post pictures from both new starts soon.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying warm.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T10:50:00.007-06:00

December is always a crazy month with the holidays and 5 B-days within the month, but this year you add prolonged sickness and a dog recovering from emergency surgery and life just completely goes nuts! Stitching has been very scarce this month, but I have been trying to stitch on my train when I can the last week to finish it by year end, but, alas, it is not going to happen! By the end of January for sure! I've been trying not to get down on myself about it. It was my one big goal of the year, but when you have 2 1/2 weeks of sickness and a major holiday thrown in at the last minute, what do you do? I feel like I am trying to have a relapse on my cold and trying not to stress on things like finances. Needless to say the dog's surgery, especially at the holidays, really has put a major wrinkle in my budget. It will definitely take me a couple of months to recover from that.

Anyhow...enough of the sickness and stresses.

My beautiful son turns 14 today! Hard to believe it has been that many years! He is such a joy in my life and everytime I hear "Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon I cry. Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Boy!

I did a personal Christmas ornament exchange with Hannah earlier in December. I received this beautiful ornament and all these other wonderful goodies from her! The button looking things are magnets that Hannah made. They are so cute! I forgot to take a picture of what I sent her and she hasn't posted it on her blog yet, but hopefully she will before long. She told me she is doing a woodland theme on her tree and I stitched the La-D-Da's Snow Bird from the 2004 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament Issue.

Year End Movie Thoughts:

Here are my top 10 movie choices of 2008 in no particular order:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wall-E
Bolt
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
The Express
The Other Boleyn Girl
Twilight
Kung Fu Panda
Get Smart!

Other Movies I enjoyed and that are worth noting:

Horton Hears a Who
Mamma Mia!
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Eagle Eye
Cloverfield
Nim's Island
Fireproof
Night's in Rodanthe
Kitt Kittredge
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
The Longshots

Biggest disappointments of the year:

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Speed Racer
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - I enjoyed this one, but was still ultimately disappointed

Absolute Worst Movie of the year!:

Don't Mess With the Zohan!

Special Movie Note:

I don't usually do this, but...I wanted to comment on "The Dark Knight". This was an excellent movie as far as plot, acting, directing, etc. I did not include it on my top 10 or other list due to the fact that the violence, though not gory, disturbed me. Heath Ledger's performance was phenomenal.

Happy New Year to all of you! Hope you have a wonderful year full of good friends, good memories, lots of laughter, tons of love and some stitching, too!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T11:39:00.004-06:00

It's been almost 3 weeks since my last post. Sickness has been running full force in our household. I think I'm finally recovered, but am now scrambling to get decorations up, gifts wrapped, cards out, etc. Hopefully my son will be better by Christmas day.

Here is a "finish" of mine. I finished stitching this 2 years ago and finally mailed it off in late October to Jill Rensel, the Shepherd's Bush framer. It arrived right before Thanksgiving. It's now on the wall and I am very happy with it. Sorry the picture isn't the greatest.

The Stockings by Shepherd's Bush

Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

100th Post!

2008-12-06T22:25:00.003-06:00

Can't believe this is my 100th post! YAY!!!

Thanks to all have been reading my blog since I started. Thanks for all the comments you've left along the way. I've met some wonderful people through all of this who have taught me new things, made me laugh and smile and inspired me. Thanks for everything!

So...without further ado...the winners of my 100th post give-away are:

Chart #1: Golden Angel Works

Chart #2: Maureen

Chart #3: Ulla

Please, email me at: flsunrae@bellsouth.net with your snail mail address and I will get the charts in the mail next week.

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your new chart.

Train Update and Give Away Sign-up!

2008-11-30T08:31:00.009-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving. We went out of town for a few days before Thanksgiving and arrived back on Wednesday afternoon about 3 hours before our company arrived for Thanksgiving. It was nice to get away, but things went immediately into full swing upon our return.

I have been promising a train update and I finally have it!

Train in September

Train project now!

Sorry, it's not the best picture. Will do some closeups soon. I stitched the dates in, 2003-2008, so I am committed to finishing it by the end of the year now! :-)

Give Away!

My next post will my 100th! Plus, my B-day is coming up this week and St. Nicholas day is this week as well, so....in honor of it all I am giving away 3 charts!

Chart 1: Permin of Copenhagen - leaflet # 150205 - Father Christmas - note: pattern is in Dutch

Chart 2: Sherherd's Bush - Santaberry Pudding

Chart 3: Elizabeth's Designs - Flowers & Friends Stitching Club - Happy Holidays - comes with threads, pewter charm and 3 brass star charms

All 3 charts are from my personal stash, but have not been used and are in excellent condition.

If you are interested in this give away, please comment on this post and indicate which chart you are interested in. (chart 1, chart 2, chart 3 or all)

I will announce the winners on my 100th post on Saturday, December 6th.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-21T13:56:00.002-06:00

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in almost a month! This past month has been crazy! I have been completely bogged down with work, committee obligations, letting my shoulder heal, trying to get a room painted before company comes for Thanksgiving and trying to throw in a little stitching when I can.

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and emails. You're the best! If I haven't responded I will do it soon.

I will have a nice train update when I return.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T10:41:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! I don't have any stitching to show this week. With trying to do a few house projects when I'm not at work I pulled a muscle in my back up into my shoulder blade. Needless to say it has been painful and therefore, not much stitching. Hopefully some next week. Hopefully!

Vacation pics at last!

2008-10-23T17:21:00.009-05:00

Since I don't have a finish this week to show or anything besides lots of snow and backstitching (boring) to show on my Train project, here are some pictures from my summer vacation. I know, I know. I'm very late posting these, but better late than never. :-)

Here they are:

Lincoln birthplace and Memorial: Kentucky

Sear's Tower: Chicago

Navy Pier: Chicago

View of Chicago skyline with Buckingham Fountain in center

A wild horse in Theodore Roosevelt National Park: North Dakota

Devil's Tower: Wyoming

Crazy Horse Monument/Memorial: Custer, South Dakota

NOTE: The hole in center is 10 stories tall. This sculpture is massive!!!

Sculpture of what Mountain will eventually look like. Mountain can be seen through hole under pointing arm.

Mt. Rushmore: South Dakota

Cathedral Spires: Custer State Park, Custer, South Dakota

Ram in Custer State Park

Buffalo roaming at Wind Cave National Park: Custer, South Dakota

The Badlands of South Dakota

Probably one of the places I enjoyed the most this trip was the Crazy Horse Monument/Memorial. Hearing the story of how the monument started and the dedication of the sculptor (Korczak Ziolkowski) and now his family to continue this project without any funding was fascinating. Touring the sculptor's studio and home were so awe inspiring. A truly brilliant, dedicated artist.

Here's what I picked out!

2008-10-18T09:47:00.012-05:00

Here are the two patterns I picked out from Tanya's drawing:

The Mrs. Lincoln Sampler &

Return to the Sea with Jane Austen

It was a hard choice. I had several patterns on my "wish list". I knew right off that I would choose the Mrs. Lincoln Sampler. After going to DC last year and touring Ford Theater and doing a Lincoln Assasination tour, plus visiting Lincoln's birthplace and boyhood home this summer, not to mention Mt. Rushmore, it was an easy choice. The second choice, however, was much harder. I finally narrowed it down to "Return to the Sea" and it's companion piece "At Home with Jane Austen". "At Home" has been on my list for ages, but I let my hubby make the final choice and he chose the sea one.

I think I have linen for the Mrs. Lincoln Sampler, but need to dig through my stash to find out for certain. There are several threads I need to get for it as well. So, it won't be started anytime soon. Maybe after the first of the year.

Thank you so very much, Tanya!

Here is a Halloween finish:

Design: Trick or Treat (book 112)
Designer: Cross-Eyed Cricket
Changes made:

used glow in the dark blending filament for face of jack-o-lantern and on ghost

added some beads for falling leaves

used MH star charm haning from moon

used MH ghost charm on haunted house

used black MH bead for spider on broken window

used small MH bat charm to hang from witch's hat

I have been working on this for about 3 or more years! It was so nice to finally finish it and be able to decorate with it this Halloween.

Recent movie recommendation: "The Express" - great movie

I WON!!!

2008-10-10T15:50:00.004-05:00

Oh, my gosh! I won! I won! I won! I can't believe it! Tanya of The Sampler Girl had a drawing on her blog for anyone that stitched her freebie design "Eat, Drink and Be Scary" and sent her a picture by Oct. 8th. And...I actually won! I was able to pick 2 designs of hers for winning! I can't wait for them to arrive. I will post a picture of my choices once they arrive! :-)

I signed up for a PIF on Janaina's blog and so I am Paying it Forward to the first 3 people that comment they are interested on this post. I will send you something stitched by me within the next 365 days, but you have to make the same offer on your blog and continuing Paying it Forward!

I haven't done much stitching the past week because I have been painting my son's bathroom and new bedroom. He has decided to move from his old room into one of the other rooms in the house. The old room had a large picture window in it and since Hurricane Ivan took out the large oak tree in front of it the sun has been beating into that room each morning waking him bright and early and making his room about 10 degrees warmer than the other rooms in the house. So...time for a change. I will post pictures once he gets his room set up the way he wants. Be prepared though...he picked orange for the color!!! But, really, it's not as bad as you might think. It's a dark pumpkin color, not a bright orange.

Recent movie thoughts:

Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Cute
Fireproof - a very good movie with a strong Christian basis. Deals with love and the difficulties of marriage and trying to continue to make it work. Made by the same people that made "Facing the Giants"
Ghost Town - OK, not great. Parts were very funny, but I expected more. No chemistry between two main characters. At least in my opinion.
The Longshots - Good family movie. Based on a true story.
Nights in Rodanthe - Very good. Of course, it's Nicholas Sparks, so bring the tissues. Quite a few differences from the book, but still very good.
Eagle Eye - Very good political thriller!

Fall Is Finally Here!

2008-09-26T10:22:00.003-05:00

Well, we are finally feeling a tinge of fall in the air. Especially in the mornings and evenings. The temperature still gets up to mid 80s/sometimes 90 during the day, but I am enjoying the morning and evening coolness. My electricity bill will as well.

I finished stitching 2 Halloween pieces this week. One that I have had in my UFOs forever! The other a new freebie by The Sampler Girl. I don't have them "finished" yet, but hope to by next week and will post pictures then. I promise!

My train piece is still coming along. I think the only thing I have stitched on it this week is snow or some backstitching. The thing about backstitching on this piece...it doesn't really show up. You can spend days backstitching and it looks like you haven't touched the thing! Oh, well. It's coming along. :-)

I realized I haven't posted a recipe in quite a while. This is a great fall recipe to me. Good and warm, just great comfort food. At least for me. It is a hair on the spicy side, so some may not like it. It is a favorite of mine though I make it very rarely since my hubby isn't too fond of it. He's not a big spicy food eater.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

3-4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless), cut into small bite-sized pieces
1 small onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can mild enchilada sauce
1/2 Tblsp (less spicy) - 1 Tblsp (more spice) chili powder
1 cup milk
cheddar cheese (or you can use Mexican blend or Colby Jack Blend)
Doritos

In large pot, saute chicken pieces with onion in olive oil and seasoning (salt and pepper, Morton's Nature's Seasons, or Mrs. Dash). When chicken is cooked through, add in soups, sauce, chili powder and milk. Stir well. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes. In a deep casserole dish (at least 2 1/2 qt.) place a layer of crushed Doritos in the bottom. Pour 1/2 of chicken mixture over the crushed chips. Top with a light layer of cheese and then repeat the layers ending with crushed Doritos and cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Yummy!

This dish is even better the second day. It will have thickened more by then and is just good and hearty.

NOTE: I use the Healthy Request soups and 1% milk and it turns out just fine. So, don't hesitate to use them.

New Train Update!

2008-09-19T13:34:00.005-05:00

Well...I finally dug my train project out from amongst all the dust bunnies and am back at work on it. It seems to be coming along fairly well. I think I am over the worst part...the train and the buildings. Sooooooooooooooooooooo much blending filament involved in those 2 areas. UGH!!!

Here is what it looked like in February:

Here is what it looks like now:

Maybe I can get it finished by Christmas. That is what I am hoping anyway. :-)

PS: please excuse all the wrinkles

A couple of new finishes!

2008-09-15T16:45:00.007-05:00

It has been a LONG few weeks since my last post. Being out of town, hurricanes, computer problems at work, etc., etc., etc....

But, on the stitching front I have actually managed to accomplish 2 small finishes.

This first one I stitched for a friend for her new house. It is a freebie chart by Willows. Unfortunately, I cannot find the link on the internet anymore.

Willows freebie chart

Stitched on 28 ct. white evenweave

using Green Leaves Lt by Silk 'n Colors

Finished as Doorhanger

Here is the second piece I finished up this weekend:

Twilight freebie from Tanya of The Sampler Girl

Stitched over 1 on 28 ct. Smokey Pearl

GAST Midnight, Banker's Grey,

Daffodil and Pineapple Sherbet

WDW Squash

Finished as Pinkeep

I have actually stitched on my train the past couple of weekends and made a decent amount of headway. Promise to post updated pic next weekend.

My Olympic Stitch!

2008-08-25T23:41:00.007-05:00

Well, the Olympics are over. What a great 2 weeks! I really enjoyed my Olympic stitch and got quite a bit done. I'm not a fast stitcher, so, I didn't finish. Anyhow...here is what I did:

Warm Water Wash

by: Raise the Roof

Fabric: 28 ct Glacier linen by Picture This Plus

Threads: Crescent Colors

I've made several changes with the colors. Mostly just switched things around a bit. I will post all the details when I completely finish it. Sorry the picture isn't the greatest, I was in a hurry.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Wow! Another Award!

2008-08-24T16:40:00.006-05:00

Wow! I can't believe this! I won another blog award! That makes 2 in one week!

I have to give a big thank you to Debbie for this honor.

The rules of the award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

Here are the wonderful people I give this award to:

Hannah
Kathy
Margaret
Melanie
Vonna
Jaimie
Carla

Thanks, guys!

My First Award!

2008-08-23T14:41:00.004-05:00

I have received my very first award on my blog from Margie!!!

It is called "Arte y pico". In Spanish it literally means ART and TIP , but, it translates as "The Best Art."

And the rules say:

1) Choose 5 blogs deserving to receive the award (conception, creativity, interesting equipment and contributing to the community of bloggers whatever the language)

2) Every award must contain the link towards the blog of his author so that it can be visited.

3) Every winner must show the award-logo and put back the name and the link towards theblog that attributed it for her.

4) The winner must show the blog link the Arte y Pico.

5) To Post the rules.

And the Winners are:

Mary Kathryn - she inspires me constantly with her ideas and beautiful work
Sue - she always makes me laugh and I love her horse
Clare - a new stitching friend that lives "across the pond"
Deb - a new Florida friend I have made through the blogging community
Sharon - though I know you have already been nominated by someone else - you are a faithful stitching friend that lives near by and has always been wonderfully supportive and fun, plus you are the one that started me in this whole blogging business :-)

A Little Seabathing!

2008-08-22T16:43:00.006-05:00

I have a finish this week! It's a free chart by The Sampler Girl that can be found at her website.

I loved how Mary Kathryn did her piece a while back in the monochromatic style and decided to borrow her wonderful idea and do the same. I used threads that Sharon gave me in an exchange this summer for my color. The seashell fabric that the piece is laying on is also the backing fabric. This was my first time making my own twisted cording. I think it turned out fairly well.

Title: A Little Seabathing
Thread: Teal Mist by Carrie's Threads
Fabric: 28 ct. Miracle Mint lugana

Is Anyone Interested in Participating in a Round Robin for this pattern:

Quaker Style Friendship Sampler

by Samplers and Such

If you are, please leave a comment in the comment area with your email address and I will get back with you. I have 2 people signed up thus far and would like to have 2-4 more. I have a little bit more information in the blog entry just below this and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks!

Quaker Friendship Sampler

2008-08-20T11:14:00.006-05:00

I have never participated in a Round Robin before, but thought I would like to give it a try. Hopefully I am using the right terminology for what I am asking. Would anyone be interested in doing one with me for this pattern:

Quaker Friendship Sampler

by Samplers and Such

I need 4-6 other people that are willing to do it and will be truly committed.

I would personally like a monochromatic piece, but if someone wanted the colored one I don't see why it couldn't be done for them.

I wouldn't want to start this until the end of the year and we could each take 2 -3 months for our portion (depending on amount of people/amount of stitching to be done) before we send it on. That way we would have it finished in a year and have a great piece by next Christmas.

If you are interested, please leave a comment with your email address and I will email you.

If you have participated in a round robin and know more how to go about this, please let me know since I am truly a novice at this.

Thanks so much!

Flip Flop Days Finish!

2008-08-08T18:28:00.006-05:00

I "finished" Flip Flop Days this week. I used the batik fabric that the piece is laying on in my last post for the back piece of fabric. The fuzzy thread was some my son picked out of a stash of "fun" threads I have. The piece is now hanging in my foyer for the summer.

I also finished stitching my May piece for the Bride's Tree SAL.

Designer: Blackbird Designs from 2004 Just Cross-stitch Ornament Issue
Fabric: 28 ct evenweave dyed with coffee
Threads: Recommended Sampler Threads, except replaced Straw Bonnet with Oatmeal. The Straw Bonnet did not show up on the fabric.

Stitched over one.

Since the Olympics start tonight I have been trying to find a "summer" design to stitch for the occasion. It seemed every pattern I picked something out of my stash I ended up not having the right fabric for the piece or hardly any of the threads. Finally I found the "Warm Water Wash" kit by Raise the Roof and located the fabric I had purchased for it and I am now set! So, we'll see how much I can get accomplished before the Olympics finish.

Don't forget the Stash Sale!

2 New Finishes!!!

2008-08-01T08:53:00.008-05:00

I actually have 2 new small finishes!

I have had the fabric and threads ready for this first piece for almost 2 years, but just got down to stitching it about 2 weeks ago. I changed all the colors and I love how it turned out. Very tropical and fun!

Design: Flip Flop Days
Designer: Just Another Button Company
Fabric: R&R 32 ct. turquoise scrap
Threads Used: Crescent Colours
Sun: Crushed Pineapple
Flip: Pink Champagne
Flop: Tangerine
Days: Blooming Crocus
Flowers: Cloud & Ripe Melon
Bucket: Crushed Pineapple & Frozen Margarita
Water: WDW Icicle, Morris Blue & Blue Bonnet
Other Changes Made: Moved "Days" over to left a little, moved where bird went, didn't stitch small sail boat, added turtle button

For Bride's Tree Stitch Along - May ornament of 2nd set

Design: Joy & Peace combined

from Blessings of Christmas series
Designer: Lizzie Kate
Fabric: 28 ct. Platinum
Changes made: changed border from white to black and word from green to red

Recent Movie Thoughts:

Wall E - Love it! Very sweet. Great music. Lots of Star Wars and 2001 references.
Journey To The Center Of The Earth - Very enjoyable! Families should really enjoy this.
Space Chimps - Cute
Get Smart - Very funny! Love Steve Carell
Kit Kittredge - I really liked it. I think it came out at a very bad time. Should possibly have waited until Christmas time. I think it just got lost in the shuffle.
The Dark Knight - This movie will take some explaining. I thought the script was very well done, the shooting in Chicago was great, it was very well acted and more true to the old comics than the old tv show and the old movies. However, this is a very dark, intense and violent movie. I spent most of the movie with my face covered and barely touched my popcorn and soda due to the intenseness of it all. While I wouldn't describe the violence as profoundly gory, it is just a deep sort of violence. Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker was phenomenal! Very much Oscar worthy. And I'm not saying that because he died. But, be forewarned. You will leave this movie almost burdened. There is not a ray of light in this movie. The violence could really have gotten an R in my opinion.

A finish and an exchange!

2008-07-12T12:43:00.005-05:00

Wow! It's been a month since I last blogged. What a busy month. We went on vacation for 2 weeks. Will post pictures of that soon. After we returned I have been buried under work and we had company over the 4th of July weekend. A busy, but fun time.

First off...I did an exchange with my friend Sharon! We agreed a while back to do a monochromatic exchange. I stitched a freebie chart for Sharon from The Workbasket. I forgot to take a picture, but if you go to her blog you will see what I sent.

Here is what Sharon sent me! It is a beautiful piece stitched in such a lovely hot pink. Love it! She finished it as a pinkeep/scissor pocket. Isn't it lovely? Plus, she sent me some Carrie's Threads and DMC, a oaur if scissors, a thread keeper, plus 2 charts from my wish list. YAY! I really enjoyed doing this exchange with Sharon. My first ever exchange. Thanks so much Sharon!

This last picture is a very recent finish from Shepherd's Bush. I messed up a little on his hat, but it turned out fine. It was a fun stitch. There are several others in this series I like.

Will post vacation pictures and more movie thoughts soon. It's been a good summer for the movies!

Don't forget the Stash Sale!

2 New Finishes!

2008-06-13T16:45:00.007-05:00

Well, I have actually had a relatively productive week in the cross-stitching world. Nothing major, but a couple of small accomplishments. I finally finished stitching my 3rd piece on Bridal Tree SAL 2nd set and I stitched a small piece for a friend that recently became a US citizen.

Here they are:

Designer: Trail Creek Farm freebie
Name of Piece: USA
Material used: 28 ct. khaki evenweave
Threads used: DMC B5200, 3750, 321

Designer: Brittercup from 2007 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament Issue
Name of Piece: Poinsettia
Material used: 28 ct. white linen
Threads used: In the Reds by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors, Sampler Threads Pine, WDW Curry (did not use beads)

As for more stitching news...I also started stitching on a piece for a personal exchange. Got a fair amount done on that. I cut out fabric and assembled threads for some ornaments to work on while I am on vacation. They will be easy to work on in the car since they are done on 10 ct. I also packed a Shepherd's Bush piece done on 10 ct. that I started last summer on vacation. Hopefully I will get it finished on this one. :-)

I haven't commented on movies recently, so here is my latest update. I've seen quite a few in the last month or so, so here goes:

Movie Reviews:

Ironman - Loved it! Best movie I have seen so far this summer.

Incredible Hulk - Really enjoyed it. Paid homage to the classic tv show, including images from opening of old show, music, and Lou Ferrigno was in it. :-)

Indiana Jones - While I enjoyed it because I am an Indiana fan, I was disappointed with where this story went. Way out in left field. I did not feel that it stuck with the true legend of the crystal skulls.

Kung Fu Panda - cute. I enjoyed this.

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - enjoyable, but seemed to be missing something the first one had. Somewhat disappointed in the ending, though I do believe it followed the book fairly well. (It has been eons since I read the books!) My son enjoyed it more than the first one.

Don't Mess with the Zohan - Hated it! Let me repeat, HATED IT!!! I would have to be highly paid to ever see this movie again. I feel I am owed money for even sitting through this. If I had not been with a friend I would have walked out of the theater and demanded my money back!!!

Recent Rentals:

Atonement - a somewhat melancholy film, but I really enjoyed it. It was directed by the same person that directed Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightley a couple of years ago. The same composer (whom I thought was brilliant in P&P) did the music as well. I thought it was excellent how the old typewriter sounds were the percussion for this movie. Brilliant!

Lucky Seven - a very sweet little movie starring Patrick Dempsey and Kimberly Williams-Paisley from 2004.

Don't forget my updated Stash Sale!

I'm getting ready to go on vacation, so I won't be posting the next couple of weeks. Also, if you email about the stash sale it will take me a couple of weeks to get back to you, but I promise I will. :-) Happy Stitching!

Eyeing Stash!!!

2008-06-07T14:53:00.006-05:00

Well, it's been a busy week at my house. My son is now out of school and we are settling back into the summer routine. Or should I say more lack of routine. No alarm clocks, no rushing to get lunch packed, no homework, no projects, just relaxation. Or pretty much. Of course I worked some this week as well, so it wasn't complete relaxation. Even though there was some relaxation this week do you think I accomplished any stitching? Only about a few stitches worth! But, of course, that didn't keep me from eyeing some stash. Has anyone seen these?

Zippity Do Da by La D Da

What a fun summery/springy design

Cinderella Sampler by Willow Hill Samplings

A bit of whimsy, a little old fashioned, just fun

I've updated my Stash Sale, completely alphabetized with pictures. Come check it out!

A Patriotic Finish!

2008-05-30T10:06:00.004-05:00

I actually stitched this Hob Nobb piece last year, but finally got around to "finishing" it this past weekend in time for Memorial Day. I tried all different kinds of ribbon and trim on it, but nothing looked quite right. It sat on this little table without a topper for several days. Finally, yesterday I was at Michael's and saw this trim for less than a dollar and thought I would give it a try. I actually liked it! It may be a little "over the top", but I thought it was a perfect 4th of July/Patriotic trim for it. Kind of reminds me a little of fireworks. What do you think of the trim?

Well, I think I can officially call it summer here in Florida. Today is my son's last day of school and the weather is over 90! So, with those two criteria, I think it is official.

As for stitching...I really haven't gotten around to it this past week either. Too much going on. We had company over the Memorial Day weekend and this week has been busy with chaperoning the end of the year party and going to a B-day luncheon of a friend that is recovering from treatments for breast cancer. So...hopefully I will get some stitching done over the weekend or next week. TTFN!!!

WIPs

2008-05-23T12:31:00.007-05:00

Well, still no stitching on my end. I dug out several of my WIPs the other day to see where I was at on the various projects.

Here's what I dug out:

Holiday Express - Stardust Designs
Eekology - The Trilogy
Flip Flop Days - Just Another Button Company
French Country I Rabbit - JBW Designs (stitching finished, just doing a beaded edge)
Faith - Inspirational Verses Thread Pak - Little House Needleworks (stitching finished, doing lace edge)
Trick or Treat - Cross Eyed Cricket
Flag - Shepherd's Bush

So, there is plenty to keep me busy. Just need to find the time and energy.

I put some of my stash on ebay. Take a look:

8 Sweetheart Tree patterns w/charms
Snowmen Fall From Heaven Unassembled pattern
Heartstrings Santa/Noah kit
Sue Hillis Noah's Ark 84 pg pattern book
2 Elizabeth's Designs patterns
6 Heartstrings Santa Patterns

Mid-May!

2008-05-18T13:29:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that it is already Mid-May! The year seems to be flying by. My son is counting the days until school ends. 8 1/2 to be precise. He has a HUGE History project due on the Civil War the end of this week and is having such a hard time focusing on it with the end of school right around the corner. He has about half the stuff done with it, but needs to really push himself to finish the rest.

I haven't done any stitching this week. It was a long week with work and not feeling well. I really struggled with headaches this week. Not fun. I tried picking up my stitching once or twice, but I would just pick it up, look at it and then put it back down. Oh, well. I did see this cute new design by Little House Needleworks called "The Rain Fell". It makes me think of April and Spring. I've added it to my Wish List, but who knows how long it will be before I actually purchase it.

The SBQ this week is:

Which of these do you prefer to use when stitching? Why? Hoop, Q-snap, Laptop/Tabletop stand, Needlework stand

I prefer a Q-snap. Easy to use, sturdy, doesn't mark the fabric as much as a hoop, keeps the fabric taught, etc. I've used a Laptop type stand before, but didn't really like it. I stitch in hand if the project is really small, but my hand starts to cramp up after a while, so I don't really like it.

Until next time.

Bride's Tree SAL Set #2

2008-05-09T16:12:00.007-05:00

Well, I must say I have been enjoying my time off from work, but I had to go back today. Bah Humbug! I can't really say I accomplished any stitching while I was off, but...it was nice to just relax. Hopefully my schedule will be much more relaxed for the rest of the year and I will only have to work 2 weeks a month like I was originally hired to do. Hopefully that will also mean I can get more stitching done the rest of the year, like my train! :-)

Here are the two finishes I promised to post of my second set of Bride's Tree ornaments I am making for my nephew's wedding next year. I still haven't quite finished the third one yet.

For January:

Title: Home for Christmas (only part of design) by Brightneedle - in the JCS magazine ornament issue 2005 (I stitched the tree differently than how they had it in the pattern.)
Fabric: 28 ct. ivory linen
Threads used: Sampler, WDW & DMC

For February:

Title: Couer (only part of design) freebie
Fabric: 28 ct. Opalescent
Thread used: Warratah by Dinky Dyes

I missed last week's stitching group question of the week, but this week's is:

How did you choose your blog name? Is there a special reason behind it?

Well...It's obviously a play on words with my name. Plus, I live in the land of sunshine, so it all fits in together.

Bride's Tree Stitching Catch Up!

2008-04-27T16:24:00.008-05:00

Life has been very busy. Since I am a bookkeeper...needless to say I was slammed the week of the 15th! The few days after that was spent clearing up accounts, etc. That weekend I had company fly in. They just flew out this morning. We did some local tourist stuff, watched movies and played board games. One good thing about the last two things...I got a lot of stitching accomplished during all of this. I've finally caught up on my Bride's Tree Stitch-a-Long! My train didn't get touched, but...at least I did some stitching!

Here are my results: (forgive me for not ironing them first)

For February:

Title: Noel Heart freebie by Passione Ricamo (my take on pattern)
Stitched on: 28 ct. ivory evenweave
Threads used: DMC & Green Leaves Light by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors
Beads used: Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads Rich Red (03059) and Petite Glass Beads Gold (40557)

For March:

Title: Poinsettia Basket by Brightneedle (from Small Samplings booklet)
Stitched on: 28 ct. ivory linen
Threads used: DMC, Sable by Caron Collection Wildflowers, and In the Reds by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors
Beads used: Mill Hill Frosted Glass Beads Buttercup (62041)

For April:

Title: Snow Bunny by Hob Nobb
Stitched on: 16 ct. Stardust Heatherfield
Threads used: DMC & WDW

I also stitched on a second set of ornaments for the Bride's Tree series and have finished January and February so far for it. (My nephew is getting married next year and it is for him and his bride.) I am almost finished with the March one for his series. I will post a picture of them on my next posting.

Also...stitching group Question of the Week:

What is your quilty pleasure?

Hmmmmm...not really sure. I have about 10 dark chocolate M&Ms a day! Does that count?!

Back from Mickey!

2008-04-11T11:29:00.002-05:00

Well...my visit to Disney was great as always! The first couple of days were on the cooler side with a good bit of wind. As Pooh would say...it was blustery! But, after that it was hot (in the 90s) and the parks became very crowded! Whenever it would get to be too much we would head back to the resort and crash for a while and then head back to the park when it was a little cooler (near dinner).

Needless to say I haven't gotten any stitching done. Too tired and busy during the trip. And now that I am home I have been too tired and busy with work and trying to get back into the routine. Since I am a bookkeeper, you can guess that I have been very busy since the first of the year. Hopefully things will calm down after next week and I can get back to stitching again. I am so far behind on my Bride's Tree SAL!!! Not to mention my train project!!! Yeesh!!!

I just read a really good book recently by Debbie Macomber called "Between Friends". It was such a good book. I couldn't put it down. It was written unlike any book I had ever read. Not in the typical format at all! It was all a series of newspaper clips, notes passed in classes when the girls are young, diary/journal entries, letters, receipts, tickets, cards, emails, etc. It was like finding a box in an attic of correspondence and snippets from someone's life and putting it all together. Great book!

One of the stitching blog groups I am in had this interesting question this week: "What is your least favorite household chore?" Hmmm...I can't say that any household chore thrills me, but I really don't like folding clothes. I don't mind washing them and putting them up, but for some reason folding them bugs me! I also don't like dusting! It's amazing how dusty things can get in a week!

Stash for sale: here

Sickness & Spring

2008-03-28T15:42:00.005-05:00

Well...spring is here and with it comes...sickness! My son and I have both been battling sickness for the last 2 1/2 weeks. He was given medication and is pretty much over his. I was told mine was a virus and would just have to tough it out! UGH!!! On top of this, it's tax season and I am a bookkeeper, so no rest for the weary (or the sick). Just when I think I am about over this, spring brings...allergies! So, the tightness in my chest wants to come back, I'm sneezing my head off and I just feel worn out! Fortunately I finally got everything entered at work and can now take the next week off for my son's Spring Break! Time to go to Disney World and visit Mickey!

Well...needless to say, I haven't done any stitching for the last 2 1/2 - 3 weeks! I have tried to "finish" a couple of things I have stitched, but they just aren't coming out the way I want. So, I thought it best to just put them aside for until I felt more like tackling them. Hope to have some stitching done, or at least some "finishing" done by my next post.

I have managed to see several movies over the last month/6 weeks. Here are my latest thoughts:

College Road Trip - good, clean family movie. Parts were laugh out loud funny! Very enjoyable!

Horton Hears a Who! - cute, good family movie

Fool's Gold - OK. Nothing great. I always love Donald Sutherland, but the girl playing his daughter really irritated me.

The Other Boleyn Girl - A very good movie (if you like period/historical pieces). The costumes were amazing! They even had Natalie Portman wearing a necklace that looked just like the one that is in paintings of Ann Boleyn. Eric Bana is certainly better looking than any portrait I have ever seen of Henry VIII! We will never know the exact details of everything and I am sure they fictional/artistic license was taken on some things, but...I do feel that the "bones" of history was stuck to.

Penelope - a sweet, fanciful movie. I really like James McAvoy.

Don't forget the stash sale here!

My First Pinkeep!

2008-03-07T11:00:00.009-06:00

I have finally put together my first pinkeep. I decided to start with something small. I really like the way it turned out. So, I will probably do some more in the future. :-)

Design: Littles - Bunny
Designer: Bent Creek
Fabric: 28 ct. ivory linen

Threads: WDW & GAST. Made my bunny darker than what pattern called for and changed the yellow background to a different yellow. I also used black petite beads for the eyes.

My second piece is my first piece for my Bride's Tree SAL. The theme for the first month is House - shelter/protection. So, I chose this:

Design: Christmas Eve
Designer: Brightneedle
Book: Small Samplings
Fabric: A 28 ct. blueish/grey with a hint of green scrap I had. Stitched over one.
Threads: WDW & DMC
The pattern called for petite yellowish gold beads along trim of house. But, when I put the beads on they looked huge and gaudy. So, I removed them and liked it much better.

Not much other stitching going on right now. Been very busy with work. Hopefully more soon.

Rainy/Cold Weather Recipe

2008-02-26T10:53:00.006-06:00

Since everyone seems to be having rainy and/or cold weather, I thought you might could use a good recipe for this type of weather. This is one of my favorites for those type of days. Just good, warm comfort food.

Swiss Steak

4-6 cubed steak
seasoning - your choice - salt & pepper/Mrs. Dash/Nature's Seasons
1/2 can Beef Broth (I used reduced sodium)
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp pepper

In very large skillet or small dutch oven that has been sprayed with cooking spray, place lightly seasoned cubed steaks. Sear both sides, but do not cook through. In separate bowl, combine can of diced tomatoes, beef broth (if you want more liquid, you can use whole can), Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Stir together and then pour over cubed steaks. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Serve over mashed potatoes. The steak will be falling apart - yummy!

For great tasting mashed potatoes, with less fat - once you have boiled potatoes with salt and drained them, mash them with a good splash of milk and about 1/3-1/2 cup of reduced sodium chicken stock , adding more stock if needed. I generally have a green vegetable on the side - green beans, asparagus, peas or broccoli. An easy, great meal. My whole family loves it!

I haven't done much stitching the last couple of weeks to speak of. Work has kept me too busy. I am still trying to finish January's project for the Bride's Tree SAL I signed up for. Hope to finish that this week. Not to mention I need to try and get February's done as well. :-) I have stitched a tiny bit on my train. Not much to show, but every little bit counts. Speaking of my train...I was asked for the title and who it is by...It is "Holiday Express" by Stardust Designs. If you decide to stitch this project, please note, the backstitching directions are lousy (use darkest color of what is in that area - maybe they have improved the directions since I purchased my pattern well over 6 years ago) and you will need much more krenik that one spool. The entire train, except for one or two small spots is stitched with blending filament. All windows use blending filament as well.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying dry and warm and getting some great stitching done!

Go here for stash sale!

Stash Sale!

2008-02-15T21:57:00.003-06:00

I've been slowly going through all my stash and trying to weed out some old projects. So...I have compiled them all here for you guys to look at.

Valentine's Stitches!

2008-02-14T14:43:00.011-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Here are a couple of Valentine's stitches.

Design: Heart
Designer: Hob Nobb Designs

This was stitched last year, but I just finished it as a cube this past week.

Here's a second piece I stitched this week.

Design: i Y u
Designer: me
Threads: GAST - Cameo Pink & WDW - Red Pear
Fabric: 28 ct cream linen

I haven't really decided how to finish this, but I'm sure I will

come up with some ideas eventually. :-)

We dont' really have any special Valentine's plans. We generally don't. I know that sounds boring, but...I guess that's just how it is. We will go out to dinner this weekend.

Since it's Valentine's here are some of my favorite romantic movies to watch:

PS I Love You...Hillary Swank/Gerard Butler...just came out recently, you might can still find it in some small theaters...excellent...can't say enough about this movie

You've Got Mail...Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan...love over the internet between enemies

Sleepless in Seattle...again Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan...love through the radio

The Lake House...Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves...love in letters between two strangers that are seperated by two years

Just Like Heaven...Reese Witherspoon/Mark Ruffalo...he's falling in love with the ghost haunting his apartment

Kate & Leopold...Meg Ryan/Hugh Jackman...he's traveled through time and fallen in love with her...will she follow him back

Somewhere in Time...Christopher Reeve/Jane Seymour...another time travel...classic

Sweet Home Alabama...Reese Witherspoon/Josh Lucas/Patrick Dempsey...who does she really love...the husband she left back in Alabama years ago or her fiance from New York

The Illusionist...Edward Norton/Jessica Biel...part mystery/part romance between European uppercrust and an illusionist...set in early 1900

Music and Lyrics...Drew Barrymore/Hugh Grant...he's an 80s popstar that needs helping writing a new song...especially great if you grew up in the 80s

13 Going on 30...Jennifer Garner/Mark Ruffalo...she's 13 and all she wants to be is grown up and 30...but wait until she gets her wish

The Notebook...Ryan Gosling/Rachel McAdams...the story of two people from different backgrounds that fall in love in the 1930s

Hope Floats...Harry Connick, Jr./Sandra Bullock...a little sad, but a wonderful movie about finding hope for life & love after losing everything else

I'm sure I could think of more, but that gives you a good list. If you are a Jane Austen fan I will include Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightley version) and Sense & Sensibility (Emma Thompson version). I love Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon in S&S and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in P&P. Plus the music in P&P is beautiful!!!

NOTE: Several of these movies have great soundtracks. A few that stand out right off hand...Hope Floats, You've Got Mail, & Sleepless in Seattle. Of course, for just great, beautiful music...the aforementioned Pride & Prejudice and Somewhere in Time.

So grab a great stitching project, a great movie and enjoy!

A New Train Update!

2008-02-01T13:52:00.000-06:00

I finally have a new train update for the first time since I think March of last year! I have finished all the stitching on the left side of the piece except for the 1/2 stitch mountains that are above all the buildings and the beading (snowflakes & berries on garland/wreath). Both of these things will be the very last things I do. I still have quite a bit of stitching left to do, but feel like I can officially say that I am half way through now. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it's a lengthy tunnel, but I can see a light now.

I am still working on my first ornament for the Bride's Tree SAL. Since this is a surprise for my husband I can't much stitching done on it because he has been home during the time I've actually had to sitdown and stitch. Oh, well. I hope to have it done in the next week or so.

I hope everyone is staying warm and dry and getting a bunch of stitching done!

Wintertime

2008-01-27T23:00:00.000-06:00

I finally managed to pack away all the Christmas decorations and put out my "strictly winter" stuff. Here is my foyer all decked out for wintertime.

The designs are:

on left...one by me called "Ahh...friends"

on right...top...Peter Rabbit with a snowman (no real title) It is from an old Gloria & Pat leaflet I have had for years

on right...bottom...Snowfence by Raise the Roof

I haven't done a ton of stitching lately due to being busy with work and spending my time once home packing up everything. I have actually stitched a pretty fair amount on my train project, but nothing to really show. It is all still backstitching right now. Don't you hate working for hours and hours, days and days and it looks like you have gone nowhere? Well, that is what that project is feeling like right now. Hopefully I can move beyond this point soon.

Bride's Tree SAL...I have worked a little on my project for this month, but not finished yet. I guess I am close to 1/2 done. Since it is a gift for my husband next Christmas I can't work on it when he is here, so...needless to say it is taking longer than anticipated. Not to mention that working over 1 always takes longer than "normal" cross-stitch. :-)

Hope to have a train update picture posted soon. Happy stitching, everyone!

A Winter Finish!

2008-01-15T11:33:00.000-06:00

Well, it's time to pack up all the Christmas stuff and start pulling out strictly winter and even begin to pull out Valentine's as well. I'm still working on packing up the Christmas. May take a while yet to get it all done. Anyhow...here is a piece I stitched early last year and "finished" it just recently.

Title: Ahh...friends!
Designer: me
Threads used: Crescent Colours & Treasure Braid
Fabric: either Cold Winter's Night or Friendship Blue from R&R (30 ct. I believe)
Beads: Mill Hill

I started working on my first piece for the Bride's Tree SAL, but haven't done as much as I would like on it. Still haven't picked up the train. I wanted to stitch some this past weekend, but helped my son put together the last bits of his HUGE history project on the Revolutionary War. Hope to stitch some soon.

I listed on my last entry my end of year movie thoughts. You may not have read them all, but there is one movie in particular that I wanted to point out. It will make you laugh, definitely make you cry, but is one of the best romantic movies I have seen in a while. Go with some girlfriends, by yourself or get your beloved to take you. It is a must see!

The movie is... PS: I Love You

Happy New Year!

2008-01-05T15:29:00.000-06:00

Design: Happy New Year

Designer: Lizzie Kate

Threads: Recommended GAST & WDW (except used GAST Blue Jay for Presidential Blue)

Fabric: note sure...a lavender color that has a smokey grey tint to it. 28 ct

Please excuse the wrinkles, but here is my first finish of 2008! Can't believe that the holidays have flown by and 2008 is here already. Our Christmas was nice and quiet. My son turned 13 on New Year's Eve and we will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary tomorrow! So, alot of celebrating going on here! :-)

I actually seem to have gotten a little bit of my stitching mojo back over the Christmas break. I finished up 3 ornaments (see below), stitched the above Lizzie Kate, started another small Lizzie Kate and signed up for The Bride's Tree SAL. I've never done a SAL before and am looking forward to it.

Here are my ornaments:

Left: for my best friend, Lori

Design: Dearest Friend

Designer: Brightneedle - from the booklet "Small Samplings"

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28 ct Cream linen

Middle: for my friend Cindy, who is currently going through treatments for Breast Cancer

Design: Breast Cancer Christmas Tree

Designer: freebie from Stitch Pink website

Threads: Tree - Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors Green Leaves, Lt

Ribbons - DMC metallic 5288

Hearts - GAST Tea Rose

Did not do 3 dots together from pattern, but put on Mill Hill Petite Crstal Beads (40161) instead

Fabric: 28 ct. Baby Lotion linen (stitched over 1)

Right: for my hubby

Design: French Country V - Reindeer

Designer: JBW

Threads: Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors Green Leaves, Lt

Fabric: 28 ct Opalescent Linen (stitched over 1)

2008 Stitching Goals:

Finish Train!
Finish numerous WIPs
Do all ornaments for SAL
Do all the 12 Day of Christmas ornaments from Erica Michaels (wanted to do for son this Christmas)
Stitch Dragon Dreams' ornament from the 2007 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament issue for son
Start either "Christmas Wishes" by Mirabilia or "The Toy Gatherer" by Shepherd's Bush
Do several Sekas ornaments (Santas or Snowmen)

2007 Movie Favorites:

Here are my top 10 movie favorites for 2007. In no particular order!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Miss Potter
PS I Love You
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Spider Man 3
Dan in Real Life
Meet the Robinsons (animated)
Enchanted
Ratatouille (animated)
Music and Lyrics

If I could add another 2 to the list, they would be:

I am Legend (though quite scary!)
Fred Clause

Other movies I really enjoyed, some surprisingly:

Transformers
Alvin & the Chipmunks
Surf's Up
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
The Astronaut Farmer
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
Firehouse Dog

Biggest disappointments of the year:

Shrek 3
Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

I may have mentioned other movies throughout the year, both negatively or positively, but they didn't stand out enough for me to really mention here.

2008 Anticipated Movies:

WALL-E
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek

Here is my final finish for 2007:

Design: Santa

Designer: Henzeit

Threads: GAST Cranberry & Pine

Fabric: No idea...taupe colored, approx. 16 ct evenweave

Finished as a pillow. Not bad, for my first ever pillow!

No Time!

2007-12-22T17:31:00.000-06:00

I think that should be my middle name lately. No Time!!! That's how it has felt lately.

I still don't have my ornaments I mentioned in the last post "finished". I guess it's a good thing that I won't see either friend before Christmas. Gives me more time. Which I need right now.

I stayed up until midnight baking goodies for my son's teachers on Tuesday night. Date Nut Balls, Pumpkin Pecan Bread, and Cocoa Banana Squares. They were delivered early on Wed. morning.

I was finally finished with all my catching up at work and am now off until my son returned to school in Jan. YAY!!!! Maybe I can relax a little bit now. Once I return to work I should be able to only work 2 weeks a month like I was originally promised. We can hope.

My time off started on Thursday. I spend that entire day finishing with all my decorating. I have never been this late with the decorating before. I generally have that done around Thanksgiving. Oh, well. It will be staying up until at least mid-January.

All of these pictures were taken in my foyer.

Santa Clothes by Raise The Roof

A close up of the small stitched piece from above.

Christmas Memories by Olde Colonial Designs

from JSC 2005 Ornament Issue

I Shall Not Want

by Just Another Button Company

Come Let Us Adore Him

by Lizzie Kate

Merry Christmas to everyone! Have a safe and wonderful one!

New Look!

2007-12-13T10:56:00.000-06:00

I decided to go for a new look on the blog. The dark background of the other was getting to me, so here it is! I know, I know, nothing exciting, but, at least it's a change! Maybe one day I will go for a customized look, but for now, this will do.

I am finally caught up at work and have managed to cut my work hours down like originally planned. Thus far it really hasn't translated into much stitching time, but hopefully soon. My time has been taken up with helping my son finish his science project and get the board together for school. It turned out well, but he didn't place. Which was really fine with us. He didn't want to go on to the next level. He was told he didn't place because his Procedures were too instructural and procedural. What?!!!!! My understanding is that your procedures are supposed to tell step by step how you did your testing (or whatever) so that if someone wanted to do the project themselves, this would tell them how. Go figure! We also went out of town the mid part of last week for my FIL's surgery. He had an abdominal aneurism. The surgery went fine and he came home on Sunday afternoon. While sitting at the hospital I did finish stitching on a freebie pattern I received years ago of a Seka santa. I will post a picture soon. I want to get it together first. :-) I have been working on 3 Christmas ornaments for friends. Not finished with any of them, but will post a picture of that soon as well. I promise. :-)

This is a picture of our nativity that we have in our front lawn. That is about all of the Christmas decorations I have managed to put up thus far. Well, I take that back. The tree is up and it has lights on it, but only about a dozen ornaments. It seriously needs some help. That is our task for this weekend. Finish with the decorations. I am sooooooooooooooo late this year. Next year will be better. Well, we hope. :-)

I've been trying to get together some Christmas goodies for friends and teachers for this year. I haven't done much on the baking side, that should happen next week, but I made some of this for my FIL. He's a big coffee drinker. Sharon, you would probably like this.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee Creamer

4 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp allspice

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Yield: 1 1/4 cups (approx.)

Also, thanks to everyone who sent me B-day wishes. You guys are so sweet.

A Christmas "Finish"

2007-11-30T13:36:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe that December starts tomorrow! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine went fairly well. I tried the recipe I posted in the previous post and didn't like it. If anyone tried it, I hope they liked it. Will try to have a better recipe next time.

I finally got all my computer stuff caught up at work and was able to cut back on my work load this week. Yeah!!! So happy about that! I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders!

I spent this morning paying bills, wrapping presents, making a last Christmas order and running a couple of errands. I think all my Christmas shopping is done now except for purchasing the Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix DVD when it comes out in December. Other than that I am done! I didn't get my son's annual ornament stitched yet this year, so I will have to do 2 next year to make up for it. Still hoping my stitching mojo will come back soon.

On a stitching note...I "finished" this little Christmas design into a cube today. I stitched it last year and finally dug it out of the "to be finished or framed" basket.

Christmas Candy Cane (not sure of "real" name)

by: Hobb Nob Designs

stitched on 28 ct. Willow by Picture this Plus

Latest movie thoughts:

Enchanted - Cute!

August Rush - I really enjoyed it, but my son did not. He thought it was very boring. There is a lot of "just" music. However, the music is beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T10:32:00.000-06:00

Just want to wish a very wonderful Thanksgiving to all my fellow US bloggers. I'm sure all of you are busy either traveling or preparing for Thanksgiving in some way. I've taken the turkey out of the freezer and done all of my grocery shopping and have everything pretty much planned out. My brother and mother arrive this evening to spend the holiday weekend with us.

Here is a recipe I found for turkey leftovers that I am going to try this Thanksgiving weekend. Thought I would share it with you guys in case you are looking for something different to make out of your leftover turkey.

Turkey Enchiladas

4 cups shredded turkey
4 cups shredded cheese
1 large can enchilada sauce
1 can cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup
1 pint sour cream
1 small onion, chopped and lightly sauted
1 dozen flour tortillas

Lightly grease a 13 x 9 pan. Take each flour tortilla and fill center of tortilla with turkey, small bit of onion, a little cheese and sour cream. Roll up tortilla and place seam side down in pan. In bowl mix together enchilada sauce and soup. Pour over tortillas and top with shredded cheese.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350.

Still haven't done any stitching since I have been off this week. Too busy cleaning. I hope to soon.

Movie review:

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - a sweet little movie. Very touching. Bring the tissues! The piano music is beautiful!

Life is crazy!

2007-11-13T13:14:00.000-06:00

Life still seems to be a little crazy right now. I keep hoping I will get caught up at work, but, computer glitches, my printer messing up and problem clients really seem to be slowing it down. I was truly hoping to be completely caught up by the end of this week so that I could enjoy all the holidays, but, it isn't happening! UGH!!! I ended up leaving work early today because my head was hurting and I kept making stupid little calculation errors. That can really be a problem when you are a bookkeeper for an accounting business. Frustrating!

Still no stitching for me. None! I've been too tired in the evenings to even think about it. I am really hoping that the new year will bring back my stitching mojo.

I've done a little Christmas shopping and even have them wrapped. Christmas will be a little tighter than I would like, but, I can't complain.

Has anyone seen the new "Heirloom Nativity Sampler" by Victoria Sampler? While a part of me liked it, another part of me was hugely disappointed. It seemed too "froo-froo". It was also stitched on a pale blue and there was snow!!!! Last I knew it didn't snow in Bethlehem! Not to mention that the trees are North American trees. Where are the palms or olive trees? I guess I wanted something more primitive looking. Something more authentic. So...I don't guess I will be stitching that one.

Sorry to hear that Needle Necessities is going out of business. They had some great threads!

Movie reviews:

Fred Clause - really enjoyed it! Slightly different, but good!
Dan in Real Life - great, funny movie! Very "real life".
Bee Movie - disappointing
The Game Plan - cute. Liked it more than I thought I would.

Pumpkins!

2007-11-03T23:08:00.001-05:00

Here is a piece I finished stitching last year, but finally got around to "finishing" it in the last month. It is my first cube. I thought it turned out pretty well. I like this finishing technique. I followed these "no sew" instructions. They were great! (I didn't put the "feet" on mine.) The piece is Pumpkins by Hob Nobb Designs. Love their stuff, but they are hard to find.

If you have not been to see "Dan in Real Life" I recommend it! It is a funny, funny movie. Probably in my Top 5 list of movies this year.

Not much other news. I've been extremely busy with work (still) and haven't had any time for stitching. Needless to say I don't think I have reached any of my stitching goals this year. Oh, well. There's always next year. :-)

Don't forget about the Stash for Sale two posts down. I will try to get it moved to its own site soon. Just scroll down to see it.

A Tornado and A Smile!

2007-10-23T16:49:00.000-05:00

I received this lovely award from Sharon. How thoughtful! Definitely brought a smile to my face. :-) You're supposed to pass this on to ten other people. I don't know that I know that many people in the blogging world, but, here goes:

Cheryl of Clydeside Stitching

Carolyn of Taking One Stitch at a Time

Lauren of No Really! I Did!

Greg of Shy Guy Ramblings

Anita of Anita's Stitching Addiction

Red of Red's Thread

Melanie of Million Stitches

Dawn of Dawn's Tea Time

Cindy of Cindy's Stitching Korner

Lisa of Desert Stitching

Wow! I actually came up with ten! Can't believe it! If I have missed anyone that has ever left comments, please, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your comments are like a little lift you get everytime you pull up your stuff on the web. :-)

As many of you know a tornado hit Pensacola last week. Fortunately our house was not hit and we are all fine. Here is a picture that was taken from the parking lot of my husband's work. Yes, all of them were in the parking lot, like idiots, watching the tornado!!! The tornado is approximately 2 blocks north of where they are and approximately 2 blocks west of my son's school. By coincidence, his school was closed on Thursday and Friday. Thankfully it was not hit. All of our friends are fine as well.

Haven't stitched lately at all. Too much work and family life! Hope to pick up some this weekend. Hopefully!

Don't forget the Stash for Sale! Just scroll down a little bit and it is on the post beneath this one!

A Harry Potter Halloween Finish

2007-10-06T21:16:00.001-05:00

Well...it's Halloween time and the decorations have come out. Why not start off the Halloween season with a Harry Potter finish?

I finished stitching the piece in July when the book & movie came out. It is Hedwig's Four Patch by The Sampler Girl. It can be found here. I made a few color changes. I finally got around to "finishing" it recently. The fringe around the edge is called ostritch fringe. Isn't it great?! I wanted a touch of whimsy for this and thought it was perfect. I have it hanging in my foyer right when you walk in the front door.

I'm finally getting around to posting this...

Stash for Sale

Heartstrings (sorry no photo links, but can email scans of them to you)

Kringle Kalendar - January $1
Kringle Kalendar - April $1
Kingle Kalendar - May $1
The World of Santa - France $1
The World of Santa - Germany $1
The World of Santa - Spain $1

Bent Creek

Yikes $1.25

Birds of a Feather

Gold Santa $0.50 (this picture shows it on canvas, but this is a criss-stitch pattern)

Alma Lynne Designs

It's Christmas $1.50 (sorry no photo link, but can email a scan to you)

Christmas of Olde (sorry no photo links, but can email scans to you)

Blessings of Christmas $2.50
Star Light $2.50

Elizabeth's Designs

All Hearts $1.50
Bee Hive $1.50

Heart in Hand

Mother's Wisdom - Eat Right $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Say Your Prayers $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Sleep Tight $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Study Hard $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Wash Your Hands $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Look Both Ways $1.50
Mother's Wisdom - Mind Your Manners $1.50
Wee Ones - Wee Santa '97 $1.25
Wee Ones - Wee Carolers $1.25
Wee Ones - Wee Pilgrim $1.25

JBW Designs

Stars and Stripes Forever $1.50
Stockings Full of Joy $1.50
Sweet Dreams $1.50
Twinkle, Twinkle $1.50

J Designs LLC

More Tote-ally Cool Designs (Cat w/ Pumpkin, 2 Santas, Hearts) $4.00

Lizzie Kate

Flip-It Stamps - January $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - February $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - March $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - April $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - May $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - June $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - July $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - August $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - September $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - October $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - November $2.00
Flip-It Stamps - December $2.00

Mill Hill

Frosty Nights $2.75 (out of print, no photo link, can email scan)
On the Prairie - Hearts 'n Buds $2.00 (no photo link, can email scan)

Shepherd's Bush

Spring Folio $1.00
Valentine Folio $1.00

Sweetheart Tree

Friendship (charm included) $4.00

All patterns are new and come from a smoke-free home. The prices do not include postage. Please email me at: poetrae@bellsouth.net and put "Stash for Sale" in the subject line.

Thanks so much!

A Tasty Diversion

2007-09-25T16:49:00.000-05:00

I've managed to do a little bit of stitching lately, but haven't taken a picture yet. I promise to post a picture within the next week. I am pleased with the amount of stitching I have done on my train, but hope to have one entire section done before I take a picture.

So...to make my post to where it isn't completely boring this week I will post a recipe. Please don't let the name of the cake keep you from trying it. It is very good!!! You don't notice the fruit at all. So, don't even think fruitcake or anything like that. You will really be surprised by how tasty it is. Sharon has even tried it and liked it. :-)

Fruit Cocktail Cake

Cake:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 (16 oz) can Fruit Cocktail in heavy syrup ( do not drain!!!)

Topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Glaze:

1 stick butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together all dry ingredients. Add in eggs, vanilla and Fruit Cocktail until well blended. Do not overmix. Pour in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Put topping ingredients on top of cake batter. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Remove cake from oven.

Put glaze toppings in saucepan over med. high heat. Stirring continuously, bring ingredients to a boil. Continuing stirring and allow to boil 2 minutes. Pour over warm cake. Place cake in refrigerator until cool. Top with Cool Whip and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Keep leftover cake stored in refrigerator.

NOTE: For glaze...If you do not have evaporated milk you can use 1/3 cup milk and add an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Enjoy!

New Shepherd's Bush

2007-09-17T18:19:00.000-05:00

Has anyone seen this new Halloween piece by Shepherd's Bush? I really like it. I think it may eventually have to be added to my stash. Of course, I've got so much in my stash that needs stitching it's not funny!

Didn't get to do any stitching this weekend. I've just been too wiped out lately. I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with the backlog of stuff at my new job, but it may still take at least another month or so to get it all caught up.

Maybe once all that is done I will be able to get some decent sleep and not feel so wiped out.

Happy stitching to everyone! Thanks for all the nice comments you have left. :-)

Train update

2007-09-09T15:55:00.000-05:00

I know you can't tell a bit of difference from this picture and the last train update picture I posted many months ago. I got very little stitching done last weekend and the differences are minimal and hard to see. I've been too exhausted the last few weeks from work to even think about picking up a needle.

On the work note...work has been going well, but I have been overwhelmed by the amount of work the girl I replaced left unfinished. I was hoping to be caught up by the end of this past week, but it didn't happen. Maybe by the end of this month. Maybe!!!

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Labor Day Weekend Stitching

2007-08-31T20:07:00.001-05:00

Well...it's Labor Day Weekend and I plan on relaxing and finally digging out some stitching. I hope to get a decent amount of stitching done on my train. Will post an update on it next week.

The weather has been HOT, but not as horrid as it had been. The sunsets for the last month have been lovely. Here is a shot taken 2 weekends ago at Pensacola Beach.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

School, Work, Injury and Friendship Lost

2007-08-25T21:11:00.001-05:00

Wow! A whole month has passed since my last post! I can't believe it! But, what a busy month it has been. Where to begin...

I don't think I have picked up my stitching at all in the last month. I really need to pick up my train and work on it, but, alas, it hasn't happened. With college football season starting next weekend I will probably pick it up and stitch on it while the game is on. My hubby is a big fan of his alma mater the University of Florida Gators, so, of course, the games will be on at our house. May as well use the time productively. :-)

My son started back to school this week. I can't say he was thrilled with it. School is not his favorite thing and seeing his friends was the only real incentive. He did, however, have positive things to say about his new teachers, so that was good. I am hoping it will be a good school year and that math won't continue to be the demon it has been for him. We have gone ahead and started him in tutoring for it first thing to try and get a head start on it all. I hate dishing out the $100 a month for that, but hopefully it will help him.

It has been HOT, HOT, HOT here. The thermastat in my car was reading 102 and 103 this week when I was going to pick up my son from school and that doesn't include heat index. Needless to say we have been staying inside. How can you do anything else?!

I started my new job as a bookkeeper for a very small accounting business 2 weeks ago. The job itself is a little boring to me, but I can't really complain about it. My new boss is really nice and very easy going, so that is a wonderful change from my last 2 horrid positions. I am pretty much left alone to do my work and not hounded constantly by an overbearing boss. The only problems, if you would count them that, is that the office is horribly cluttered and looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a decade. I need to come in with a bucket of cleaning supplies and at least clean my little rectangle. There is a layer of dust and cobwebs on everything and I won't mention the things I found in my desk drawers. I think some of the drawers haven't been opened in a decade either. But, the money is decent, it's not stressful and it works with my schedule.

I somehow hurt my neck the beginning of last week. I have no clue how. The pain started on Tuesday morning and became increasingly severe as the day wore on. It started in the back, left of my head and radiated down into my neck. It triggered a severe migraine and horrid nausea. I finally went to the doctor the next morning when the pain was worse. He said that I had (somehow) pulled a ligament at the base of my skull (about an inch away from my left ear). He gave me muscle relaxants and painkillers for it. The pain would not only radiate down my neck and trigger migraines, but would radiate through my ear (somewhat like an ear ache/infection pain) and jaw as well. Needless to say it was not a good week and I ended up spending a good deal of time in bed. It wasn't until Thursday of this week that I finally felt like I could move my neck pretty normally. I was still feel a hair hesitant about it (movement) though. I am hoping it will be 100% very soon.

I've thought about posting this before, but haven't. So, here goes...In May the daughter of a close friend of ours got married. At the rehearsal dinner the mom (our friend) asked if I had cross-stitched anything for her daughter for the wedding. I was very shocked to be asked point blank about what I had gotten them, but I told her "No," that I had purchased a couple of items from her register for her kitchen and made her a recipe book (collected recipes from some of her friends and relatives with personal stories about the recipe, why it was liked, etc., and then compiled it all in a handmade book. I also left plenty of room in the back of the book for her to continue to collect recipes from friends over the years). She then ask me, "Why not?" Again, I am shocked. I told her that I just hadn't because I had done the other stuff (the items and recipe book) and that I really hadn't had much time in the last year. Not to mention (though I didn't say this) that I didn't think the cross-stitch gift would be appreciated by either her or the daughter enough for me to spend the money for the materials, hours stitching it and money framing it. I had given a cross-stitch to her other daughter when she had had a baby and it hadn't been appreciated by any of them. Anyhow...to make a long story longer...the mom was very upset with me after this. She barely spoke to me the rest of the weekend, forced a goodbye when we left to drive back home on Sunday and we haven't heard a word from them since. On top of that, I haven't received a thank you card for the kitchen items or the handmade recipe book. I don't understand this. I lost a friend because I didn't cross-stitch something for her daughter?!!! Have any of you ever been asked point blank by someone why you didn't cross-stitch something for them or their family member?

Well..enough for now. Hope to post more quickly next time and possibly have something to show you guys stitch wise.

Harry Potter Friday!

2007-07-20T10:41:00.000-05:00

Well, today is the day that the final Harry Potter book comes out. Yes, I will be at the midnight book sale. My book is preordered and waiting at Barnes and Noble for us to pick up. I have been going back and rereading the other books leading up to the final book, but still haven't finished the 5th book yet. I will continue with my rereads before I start the final one probably later this weekend. I am really hoping that the end won't be spoiled for me and that I make it to the end of the books without finding out information before hand.

In recognition of Harry Potter Friday I finished this freebie called Hedwig's Four Patch. I changed some of the colors, but like it. I'm not sure how I will finish it yet.

Hedwig's Four Patch

Border colors: WDW - Purple Haze & Whiskey
Hat: CC - Black Coffee
Hat Band: WDW - Envy
Moon: WDW - Seafoam
Hedwig: Whisper White & Black (for spots in wing)
Hedwig feet: CC - Black Coffee
Hedwig eyes: WDW - Whiskey
HP letters: WDW - Whiskey
Words: WDW - Navy
NOTE: The pattern doesn't call for the spots in the wing. I added those by making 4 vertical half stitches at random. (The pattern calls for the owl to be brown, but Hedwig is white, so I changed it.)

Summer recipe

2007-07-15T08:43:00.000-05:00

I realized I haven't posted in a while and haven't posted a recipe in quite some time, so I decided to do both. Here is a wonderful summer desert that I really love. We've always called it Pina Colada Cake, but it doesn't have pineapple in it. Go figure. (Hmmmm...wonder how it would be if you added drained, crushed pineapple to the cake before you topped with coolwhip? May have to try that sometime.) Anyhow, it's really good.

Pina Colada Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can cream of coconut (found in liquor section)
1 (12 oz.) tub of Cool Whip
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Bake cake according to pkg. directions in 9x13 pan. Allow cake to cool (leave cake in pan). Poke holes in top of cake with end of wooden spoon. In seperate bowl mix together sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut. Pour over cake. Top with Cool Whip and then sprinkle coconut over this. Cover cake with aluminum foil and place in freezer. Allow to freeze at least 4 hours. When ready to serve, remove cake from freezer and allow to sit approx. 10-15 minutes and then cut and serve as desired. Keep leftover cake stored in freezer.

On the stitching front...I have done a little bit lately. I have been working on LHN's "Faith" Inspirational Verses Thread Pack that I picked up last weekend when out of town at a tiny little needlwork shop I know of in that area. I was hoping to have it finished by now, but hopefully I can finish it by the end of this weekend. Will post picture as soon as I am done.

I started training for my new job this past week. I only had it for 2 days and will have it for 2 more days this week as well. The training was OK. The girl that trained me (I am replacing her) was all over the place and couldn't seem to answer most of my questions. She kept jumping from thing to thing and never really covered anything completely. Not to mention that she kept texting people on her cell phone and kept talking on it as well. Quite annoying! The second day she was over half an hour late for work. The boss had an appt. that morning and I hadn't been given a key yet, so I was stuck out in the heat (remember this is July in Florida!!!) waiting on her. She didn't apologize or anything once she showed up, she was too busy talking on her cell phone! I think, however, that the job will go fairly well once I actually start next month. I think I will find the work quite boring, but it will bring in some money and will work with my schedule.

I plan on going through my stash soon and putting some stuff up for sale. So, keep your eyes peeled for that.

Summer movie thoughts:

Harry Potter: Order of The Phoenix - loved it! Possibly best in series! ***
Live Free or Die Hard - good
Ratatouille - It's Pixar! It's great!
Transformers - great summer action movie
Evan Almighty - good family movie
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer - good, but enjoyed 1st one better
Spiderman 3 - great! Possibly best in series!
Surf's Up! - really cute! Much better than I expected
Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End - disappointing, least favorite of the 3
Shrek 3 - disappointing, least favorite of the 3
Nancy Drew - cute, not as good as the books, of course

***If you are a Harry Potter fan, check out this freebie called Hedwig's Four Patch!

My new finishes!

2007-06-27T17:44:00.000-05:00

I actually finished 2 small pieces on my vacation! I wanted to get more done, but some of the roads were in such horrible condition that it made it impossible! I was generally so tired at night that I couldn't even think about it at all. So, I have about 6 projects packed and ready in my stitching bag, but who knows when I will get around to them! (I put the beads and buttons on once I got home.)

Anyhow...here are my latest finishes:

Spring by Hobb Nobb Designs

Recommended threads

28 ct, Miracle Mint (looks pale blue)

The Littles - Bunny by Bent Creek

Stitched on a 28 ct. Pale yellow fabric

Thread changes:

GAST Shutter Green (for GAST Grape Leaf)
GAST Shaker White (for WDW Whitewash)
WDW Chestnut (for GAST Harvest Basket)
GAST Tea Rose (for GAST Antique Rose)
GAST Pineapple Sherbet (for GAST Buttermilk)

*Used the recommended GAST Evergreen

Back from vacation with a couple of finishes!

2007-06-27T17:07:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's hard to believe that it's been about a month since I blogged! Not to mention that my blog started has had a birthday in the last few days as well.

Had an absolutely wonderful time on my vacation. Here's an itenerary of our trip:

-Drove from our house in the Florida panhandle to Houston,Texas, saw an Astros game (Astros vs. Cincinnatti Reds)

-Drove to San Antonio, Texas, saw Alamo and Riverwalk. Also went to a Cross-stitch store called Cross-Stitch plus in the Castle Hills area of San Antonio. Nice little shop. Picked up some much needed threads and couple of patterns.
-Drove to Carlsbad, New Mexico over 2 days we saw Carlsbad Caverns and went to drive-in movie theater http://www.nps.gov/cave (picture of natural entrance into caverns on right)
-Drove through Roswell, NM and saw UFO Museum on way to Albuquerque, NM
-Drove to Holbrook, Arizona along Route 66, saw Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. http://www.nps.gov/pefo Stayed in historic Wigwam Hotel along Rt 66. Saw Native American dance in Holbrook historic plaza and toured 1898 Courthouse that is now a museum
-Drove to Kayenta, Arizona after touring Canyon de Chelly in Chinle, AZ, winds were horrible 35-40 mph sustained with gusts of over 55 mph. They closed all the tours at the canyon, but you could still do rim drive. A beautiful Canyon on Navajo land. http://www.nps.gov/cach/
-Drove through Monument Valley http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/monument_valley/ and toured Arches National Park http://www.nps.gov/arch (picture of Double Arch on Right), both in Utah, then drove to Cortez, Colorado where we stayed at a Bed & Breakfast for several days. The B&B was an old wooden schoolhouse that had been built in 1907. http://www.lebanonschoolhouse.com/
-Drove to Dolores and Durango, CO for the day
-Drove the San Juan skyway in Colorado. Saw Telluride, the plush skytown of the rich and famous...wasn't overly impressed. The area was beautiful, but snooty. Went to the hot springs in Ouray, it was a beautiful small town nestled high in the mountains. http://www.ouraycolorado.com/Hot+Springs+Pool
-Took old narrowgauge steamtrain through the mountains from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO. The scenery was gorgeous! The train ride was 3 1/2 hrs. long. Silverton was old mining town high in the mountains above Ouray. It was very much like stepping back in time to the late 1800s. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. There is only one paved road and all the other streets are dirt/gravel. The buildings look like an old movie set and they even have stagecoach tours through town. It was neat being in this old Western town and seeing a stagecoach go by. Took bus ride back to Durango. http://www.durangotrain.com/otrain.com/ (picture of train going through San Juan mountains)
-Toured Mesa Verde...the cliff dwellings outside Cortez, CO. http://www.nps.gov/meve
-Drove to Shawnee, Oklahoma where we have friends. It is right outside Oklahoma City. He is a pastor of a small church in Shawnee.
-Went to see the Oklahoma City Memorial from the bombing of April 19, 1995. Very moving. http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/
-Drove all the way home from Oklahoma City. It was a 15 hour drive! I don't think we will do that again in one day!

We drove over 5300 miles!!!!!!!

Finally some stitching & a finish!!!

2007-05-25T12:29:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally managed to have a calm week and get in a little stitching. I picked up a WIP, JBW's French Country Apple, and...I actually finished it. I was about 3/4 of the way done, so it didn't take long.

Designer: JBW
Title: French Country Apple
Stitched on: 32 count white linen
Thread: In the Reds by Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors

The picture on the top doesn't show it that well, but it is very RED against the white back ground. So, I decided to experiment and dyed the fabric in coffee. The picture on the bottom doesn't show it well, but the colors of the fabric and threads really darkened to a lovely color. However, my colors ran. I guess that was stupid on my part, but I will keep it and frame it or make it into a cube to put out in the Fall.

My son gets out of school next Wed. (after Memorial Day). I think it is stupid to have a holiday on Monday and then go to school for a day and a half. (They get out early, 11:15, on Wed.) But, we will be glad when it is over. We leave the following day for vacation!!!! YAY!!! I am soooooo excited! Now, I just need to go through my WIPs and decided what all to pack in my stitch bag to take with me. Nothing big, so my train won't make the trip. I'm off to go look through my stuff.

Thanks again for all the kind comments and words of encouragement and comfort. They mean a lot. My best to all of you.

Also, a quick movie review for the last 4 months:

Shrek 3: Cute, but not as good as the first two
Spiderman 3: Great! (if you are a fan of the series)
Meet the Robinsons: Great little animated movie!
Georgia Rule: Well acted, but deep subject matter
Miss Potter: LOVE IT!!! (must like period pieces)
Firehouse Dog: Cute

Cancer Update!

2007-05-20T10:01:00.000-05:00

A HUGE thanks to all of you for your kind words. They have been such a comfort.

My dad finally called me this weekend and told me. It was told in a very off hand way in the middle of the conversation. From what I could get out of him...the doctors don't want to do any treatments due to his age, but also told him he could live to be a hundred. He told me he has lived a good long life and isn't worried about it. Hopefully he will have many good years to come.

One good thing about this week...my best friend came to spend several days with me. We don't get to see each other often since I live in Florida and she lives in Chicago, but it is always wonderful when we do. It was great to spend time with her and laugh and relax after months of stress.

Still haven't stitched anything!

Adding to the misery - Cancer!

2007-05-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

Well, for months now I feel like my blog has been on the dismal side and has contained nothing but misery. Not sure why life seems to be in a downward slump right now. Anyhow, to add to the pile of misery I found out today that my Dad has prostate cancer. They don't want to operate on him because of his age and told him that he could live another few years if things go well. I haven't spoken to my Dad directly about any of this. He told my brother, but told him not to tell anyone. Well, fortunately my brother told me, but I certainly can't question my Dad about it. UGH!!! I am truly hoping that there will be some great ray of sunshine (no pun intended) in my life soon. I could really use it.

Another Week of No Stitching!

2007-04-28T16:37:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it? Still no stitching! I have been so busy lately that once I do sit down I'm too tired to pick up the needle. Unfortunately, I don't see things slowing down anytime soon. I have company arriving on Friday and staying until Wed., then a wedding out of town that weekend, then company arriving the Wed. after that and staying until late Saturday. So, for the next 4 weeks I am booked!!!! Not to mention the end of the year stuff with my son's school and getting ready for vacation right after that. I already have a few projects stuck in my travel stitch bag to take with me, so at least I have something there. :-) Hopefully I will get a few stitches in somewhere before that.

My hubby is very sick right now with a tummy bug. He has been tossing his cookies since dawn this morning. I am hoping that it is a 12 hour bug and we will be feeling better soon. I am also hoping that we don't come down with it. I have quaranteened him to the back room of the house and keep going behind him with Lysol. I hope it works!! Poor baby!

I've been looking at Hoffman Distributing's website at the new stuff and nothing is really grabbing me. Of course, why am I even looking?!!! I have tons of stash already! :-)

Just something beautiful

2007-04-20T13:54:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to end the week with something beautiful. Enjoy!

This picture was taken at beautiful Bellingrath Gardens outside Mobile, AL.

What a horrid week!

2007-04-18T10:11:00.000-05:00

I had company leave this morning. They flew in last Wed. afternoon. It was a nice visit, but I wasn't overly feeling up to company and they didn't come at the best time. But...the tickets had been bought and February and how could we know that the week would not be the best. Oh, well.

The sinus infection I had seems to have finally cleared up, but, boy was it a doozy! I won't go into any gross details, but, let's just say it was terrrible. I have also been left, due to the illness and stress that has been going on, with some really painful fever blisters on my top lip that are just taking forever to heal.

As I have mentioned before my job has not been going well. My hours have been continually cut and my boss was a nightmare. Well, several incidents happened last week and I finally just turned my key in and left. All I can say is that there are some crazy people in the world and I have had the misfortune of working for at least 2 of them. (this job and the previous one) All I can do now is try and get the stress completely out of my life and move on.

Needless to say I have not done any stitching lately. Hopefully I will pick it up again really soon.

Happy Easter!

2007-04-07T11:43:00.000-05:00

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Unfortunately no stitching updates. We have all been sick. I just came back from the walk-in clinic with prescriptions for a sinus infection. Needless to say I am not feeling the best.

Since I don't have any updates I will post a picture of my foyer all set up for Easter.

Top: "Peter's Cotton Knits" by Raise the Roof Designs

Middle: "Easter's on It's Way" by Bent Creek

Bottom: "Bloom" freebie by Lizzie Kate

1000 Places To See Before You Die

2007-03-30T13:52:00.000-05:00

I don't know if anyone likes to travel, but if you do you should get this book. I bought it a couple of years ago and really like it. By no means have a traveled to even a 10th of the places mentioned, but it has definitely given me a list of places to try and get to. Also, the travel channel just started a series on it last night. I really enjoyed watching it.

Had a wonderful time in Disney last week. My neck survived it all and I think I walked at least 100 miles over the course of the week! :-) You would think that the weight would melt off with walking that much, but, alas, it did not. I think I may have even gained a pain. UGH!!

Stitching wise I haven't done much at all. I started on French Country - Apple by JBW for a wedding gift, but only have about 1/4 of it done. Will post a picture once I have finished it. The couple are doing their kitchen in apples.

I haven't picked up the French Country - Rabbit lately to work on the beaded edging. I need to get another pack of beads to do it and JoAnne's and Michael's doesn't carry that color. I guess I will have to end up ordering them.

I hate that I have gotten out of the groove of stitching on my train, but hope to get back into that groove before too long.

My son and I are counting the days until school is out. This hasn't been the greatest year and we will be really happy to get rid of one of his teachers. YAY!!!

Updates!

2007-03-15T10:45:00.000-05:00

Well...still not really any stitching going on in my neck (no pun intended) of the woods. :-) My neck is much better. Thanks so much for all the get well wishes. I have started working on a finishing project for a small finish I had just before my neck problems. I finished Frech Country - Rabbit by JBW Designs. I am going to finish it into a little hanging pillow with a beaded edge. It is all being hand done and is much more tedious than I originally thought. But...I really like the way it looks. It will take me a while to finish it, but will post pictures once done.

As many of you know, I have been working on Holiday Express by Stardust for almost 4 years. I will admit that I put it down for almost a year of that time after Hurricane Ivan hit this area, but...the rest has been tedious stitching. So much of this project is working with blending filament and we all know what a nightmare that can be. It took 2 1/2 spools of black blending filament for the train!!!! I am on my 2nd spool of yellow blending filament for the windows (of train and stores). The first picture is from January. And the second one was taken 2 weeks ago, right before the neck problems. (sorry for the shadow at the bottom.) I hope to start working on it again in a couple of weeks.

My son's Spring Break starts this weekend and we are off to see Mickey and friends at Disney World.

A week of no stitching!

2007-03-02T18:21:00.000-06:00

Well...what a week it has been. I somehow hurt my neck this week. It has been excrutiating. I finally went to the doctor today. They took x-rays and gave me an anti-inflammatory shot. They finally said it was muscle spasms and gave me 3 prescriptions. UGH! Needless to say, I haven't done any stitching this week.

Hope to be better soon and get some stitching done.

WOW!!!! Finally a good week!

2007-02-21T15:03:00.000-06:00

I finally have some good news on my end.

Check out the wonderful gifts I received from the Pay It Forwards I was involved in. Aren't they great?!!!

The pink "Mail Art" envelope on the top left is from Dawn. It arrived in a clear envelope and has my address and her return address stitched on it. How cool!

The chocolate (YUM!) and fabric and threads are from Melanie. She dyed the fabric and threads herself! Isn't that awesome? She sells the threads on her website. Check it out. I already have 2 small projects picked out for 2 of the threads. Will definitely have to find something wonderful for the fabric. I need to go search through my stash!

In other good news...

I received a job offer this week from a small accounting business owned by a friend. The pay isn't any better than where I'm at, but it works with my schedule and the pay is guaranteed. That's been one of the main problems I have had with the job I am currently at. My hours were cut drastically in December and have not been consistent since. One week it will be 18 hours, one 12, etc. I started out with 26 hours per week. Not to mention that about a month ago we didn't get a paycheck on payday. It was a week late. The next time we got paid she told us to "hold" the check until she told us it was OK. I can't handle that. I need to know when I'm getting paid, that the paycheck is good and that it is consistent. The only bad part...the job doesn't start until mid summer and I will have to stay where I am (if the business lasts that long) until mid May. But, at least I have something to look forward to.

Anyhow...it's great to finally have a good week and some good news in this new year. As for my stitching...I'm still working on my train. It's coming along pretty nicely. It would be wonderful if I could finish it by the time I left my current job. Maybe I can. :-) Wouldn't that be great?!!!

Here are my latest movie reviews:

Bridge to Terabithia - good family movie
Ghost Rider - enjoyable if you like fantasy, comic book stuff, somewhat scary scenes
Music & Lyrics - Good. I really enjoyed this romantic comedy quite a bit
Catch and Release - AWFUL!!!!!!!
We Are Marshall - good family movie
Night at the Museum - good family movie
The Pursuit of Happiness - Very good

A February finish!

2007-02-10T22:31:00.000-06:00

Here is a finish for February. It's by Hob Nobb Designs.

Colors used:

Outer part of large heart & top & bottom small hearts - Cranberry by GAST

Middle part of large heart & middle small heart & words - Hibiscus by GAST

Inner part of large heart - Cotton Candy by GAST

The last couple weeks have been a real bear! My new year isn't starting off so grand, but I am always hoping that things will improve.

As for my stitching...I'm trudging along on my train. I will try and post an update picture on that soon. I have also started stitching another Hob Nobb design piece called "I Love Spring". At least that's what I think it's called. Not a lot of progress made on it, but I might get it finished by the end of February. We'll see.

Have a great Valentine's Day!

Quick movie review!

2007-01-28T08:51:00.000-06:00

Last night my hubby and I went to see "Catch and Release" with Jennifer Garner. I loved her in the tv show "Alias" and the movie "13 Going on 30", but this movie was dreadful!!! I was turned off within the first five minutes of the movie with the scene in the bathroom and then couldn't believe this was the guy she ended up with. Anyhow...I don't recommend it and it surely won't be in my DVD collection.

As for stitching news...still working on my train, but not much other stitching done this week. I haven't stitched at all in the last 3 days. Hopefully I will get some done next week.

Finding a good framer!

2007-01-24T11:25:00.000-06:00

I think one of the most important elements to your needlework once it is done is to find a good framer. This is essential to not only showcasing your piece, but to protecting it as well. Having worked in a needlwork shop, here are some of the best pointers:

1) Find a shop that knows how to handle and frame needlework. A lot of places don't!!! They will say they do, but they really don't. Contact your local needlework club or guild and find out where they go. They can generally point you toward one or more places. It will not be a big chain craft store. It will be a locally owned, mom and pop type operation. Remember this!!

2) Realize your framing won't be cheap! To keep the cost down, find molding that is below $10 a square foot. This will eliminate quite a few pieces right off. Now, occasionally, there is no other frame for your piece, but one that cost mega bucks! Just be prepared and don't pass out when they quote the price.

3) If you don't want glass or mat, but want a "puffy" look, tell them you want it padded. I only recommend this on pieces that will be out for limited times. More seasonal/holiday type stuff, since you don't want long periods of dust accumulating on it. If it does get dusty, you can use a blowdryer to get off the dust or use a very soft paint brush and lightly brush it.

4) A good framer will call you if they notice anything amiss with your piece - a thread that has come undone, a dangling bead, if it looks like you missed some stitches in a section, etc.

5) A good framer will call if the molding you ordered comes in looking different. That could mean the coloring looks different - maybe your molding was wood kind of "white-washed" gray, but it comes in with a more pink or blue tone to the gray. They should also call if your molding comes in more "rustic" looking - maybe with more knots in the wood or not as smooth as the sample molding.

A couple notes about your piece before you take it to the framer:

1) Your piece does not need to be washed beforehand. Generally your stains are around the edges where you have handled it and will be covered by a mat or frame and won't be seen. Also, washing can damage your threads and make them loose. And, if you use hand-dyed fabric or threads it will be ruined.

2) You can iron your piece, if necessary, but, iron it from the back side with a cloth seperating it. You don't need to get out every single crease or wrinkle to perfection if you can't. The stretching process should take care of that. Gently stretch it in your hands to see if it does. You will be surprised about how the little wrinkles and creases are now gone. :-)

3) You should have at least 3" inches of fabric on each side outside of your design. This gives them room for stretching your piece and for matting. If you have a larger piece - like a Mirabilia or Lavendar and Lace piece, etc. - you should have 4". This is also true if you plan on using more than 2 mats.

Hope my tips were helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Also...framing horror story I heard about while at the needlework store...we had a customer that spent about 3 years stitching a HUGE, beautiful piece. Linen, silk threads, beads, the whole nine yards. She took it to Michael's to be framed. She didn't hear from them about it being finished, so she finally went to the store with her little paperwork in hand to ask about it. She was told they lost it!!!!!! When she got upset with them, they told her that she shouldn't have brought it to them if it was that valuable and meant that much to her!!! Can you believe it?! No apology, no reimbursement for the lost piece, nothing!!!

First Finish of 2007!!

2007-01-19T22:51:00.000-06:00

I have my first finish of 2007! Yeah!!! I was able to finish it quicker than I thought. That is always a nice thing to have happen. Wish it would happen with my Holiday Express piece. Oh, well. I HOPE to have that one finished this year. It may be December before it gets done, but I am trying. :-)

Anyhow...here is:

Peter's Cotton Knits
by: Raise the Roof

Fabric: 28 ct. Summer Sky Jobelyn

Threads used: the suggested DMC & Crescent Colours

Changes made:

- changed color of one egg in the basket
- did not use birdhouse button in tree
- made some changes on mailbox so I could put date
- didn't use backstitch thread on clothesline, didn't like the way it looked

It's been a long week! I still have my Christmas decorations up. Can you believe it? I generally wait until after Three Kings Day (Jan. 6th), but then we went out of town last weekend, so it didn't get done then. I hope to get some done this weekend, but 2 things have popped up this weekend. UGH!!! I hope to get most of it done this weekend anyway.

Besides my train...I started stitching on a freebie heart design I got from the internet. Hope to have it finished in the next week or so. Will post picture of it soon.

ABCs of me

2007-01-16T18:44:00.000-06:00

I saw this on another blog and thought I would do it. Anyone who wants to copy and do it, feel free.

A - Available or single? Very Happily Married
B - Best Friend? My friend Lori and my hubby
C - Cake or pie? Hard choice, probably say cake
D - Drink of choice? Classic Coke
E - Essential item used every day? My glasses
F - Favorite color? shades of blue and red
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms? Haribo gummy bears
H - Hometown? Palatka, FL (no ugly comments, please)
I - Indulgence? my stitching stash
J - January or February? February
K - Kids and names? Adam, age 12
M - Marriage date? January 6, 1990
N - Number of siblings? 2 brothers, 1 sister
O - Oranges or apples? Navel oranges
P - Phobias or fears? Heights and spiders
Q - Favorite quote? Very, very hard choice...But, will go with...Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
R - Reasons to smile? My beautiful son, my loving husband, and a roof over my head
S – Season? Fall
T – Tag? Yes
U - Unknown fact about me? I have an eye disease and am legally blind without my glasses. I have had a cornea transplant.
V - Vegetable you don’t like? beets!!!!!!
W - Worst habit? Hmmm...not sure
X - X-Rays? I guess so
Y - Your favorite food? Steak, medium rare and grilled or sauted shrimp
Z - Zodiac sign? Sagitarrius

GO GATORS!!!

2007-01-09T15:40:00.000-06:00

Well, I guess the title says it all!! My husband is beyond thrilled at this point. He was born and raised in Gainesville and graduated from UF in 1987. He is a die-hard Gator fan and is thrilled with the fact that the Gators are now National Champs in both basketball and football for 2006. It is also thrilling that they won the title on the Gator's 100 year football history year and also the 10 year anniversary of the first time they won the football championship. YEAH!!!!

I knew my name was rare, but...

2007-01-07T23:35:00.000-06:00

I knew my name was rare, but...well, actually I have met one other person with my name and the exact same spelling, so the table is a little off, but, somewhat true.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
0
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

how/'>http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

Frustrating 2007 so far!

2007-01-06T22:55:00.000-06:00

Well, even though 2007 is only 6 days old it has been frustrating for me thus far. As some of you may know I started a new job in Nov. The store is not doing well and my hours were cut from 26 hours per week to 18 hours per week the first week of December. Not a good time of year for that!!! Well, today they got cut to 12 hours per week!!! To make matters worse our house payment has gone up $200 per month (starting this month) with the recent increase in insurance and property tax due to the hurricanes the past few years. I have been looking for a new job the last few weeks (even before the newest hours were cut) , but have not had any luck. I even talked with an employment agency. My problem...no one wants to work with my hours. I can work my son's school schedule and no one wants to do that. I'm not asking for big money, I don't need benefits, just work with my schedule. Anyhow...I'm just beyond frustrated right now.