A little more QG...

I did a little more stitching on Quaker Garden...



I really like this design... I just need more time to stitch! I can't show my latest finish, as it was for an exchange, but, it went out in the mail yesterday, so soon....

We are done with our 'organized' golf league on Tuesday-- Banquet was last night. Judy (my partner) and I came in second place. If we didn't split the year into two halves, we would have won. :-( We ended up with the most points for the year, and were the only two players that played every week! Some of the gals are going to continue to meet on Tuesdays to play, but, Judy and I are skipping next week, and will meet them the following week! Need to keep our games up, as we have one more scramble to play in this year. And, next Tuesday is my 25th Wedding Anniversary, so I thought I should spend it with Chuck! :-)

I guess I better start the day... a couple more loads of laundry... vacuum a little... run some errands... think about what to make for dinner... read a little bit... and maybe get some stitching in!

Thanks for all your comments -- I truly appreciate every one!

Stitching on today: Halloween Exchange or Quaker Garden! (hopefully!)

Quaker Garden WIP

Finally took a picture of my Quaker Garden! I'm stitching slowly, but enjoying this design.



Just a short post today.... Thanks for all your lovely comments!

Stitching on today: Quaker Garden

SBQ and Random Stuff....

Today's SBQs was suggested by Anna M.
and is:

What do you keep your WIPs and other stitching supplies in when traveling?

I have the mesh zipper bags that I put all my stitching in, and then it usually goes in a tote bag. (I love tote bags, and have quite a number of them!) I have a tote bag that always has a project in it to 'grab and go'!


I forgot to show a picture of the cinnamon rolls I made for our 'before the parade' get-together at our house on Saturday. They were devoured! (Yuppers -- that is six on a large cookie sheet!)



I stitched a surprise Summer exchange for Becky! She received the package today, so I can share pictures. It was great fun to do this for her! I made up a little needle-roll and added some goodies to the package also.




We caught a silly squirrel trying to get a treat from one of the bird feeders.... How did he get up there?



And here is a picture of our two big kitties - CeeCee and Shadow. Baby Scout is at the vets, finally for his surgery. (I stopped on the way home from work... he is doing fine, and I can pick him up tomorrow on my way home from work.)



Thanks to everyone for their comments! I love to hear from you all...

Stitching on today: Quaker Garden

Catching up on SBQ's and Craft Room!

School starts in two weeks!!! Can you see I am ready now? Maybe I can get back in a routine after that...

Okay... on to the last month of SBQ's before today's comes in my mailbox!

SBQ - July 26, 2006

Many of us have a few pairs of embroidery scissors and some even have
a "collection". How many pairs of scissors do you have? Feel free to
share a photo of your favorite pair or pairs with us!

I have way too many pairs of scissors! At least more than 10! I like to keep a pair with each project, so if I feel the urge to 'grab and go' with a project, I don't have to worry about not having scissors! (And a good excuse to make up neat fobs and holders!)


SBQ - August 3, 2006

Do you have a favorite needlework tool that you like to work with?
What is it and why do you like using it?

Hmmm... I don't think so! I have my stitching nook, with my lamp, magnet board, footstool and ort container.... And I usually use a hoop. I guess all those would be considered 'tools' that I use. :-)

SBQ - August 9, 2006

For those of you who use hand or over-dyed floss, how do you store it?

I have really started to use these more and more! I place each one in a floss bag, and sort them by type. My Brother-in-law got me the neatest thing for my floss storage! It is an old library card file, and it is perfect for storing the floss bags! I have all my DMC, and over-dyed stored in this cool little cabinet!!




SBQ - August 16, 2006

Do you have an organizational system for your fabric? If so, what is
it? If not, what do you store your fabric in?

How do people store their fabric, especially those small but
potentially usable pieces? Do they sort by count? How do they label it
or otherwise know what each piece is?

More or less... I have small totes for smaller cuts, and large totes for the other. The small totes are labeled by count, and then in each tote, sorted by color. Each piece is labeled for size and type, and color name. I have small totes of 28ct, 32ct, and miscellaneous small cuts. The large totes are 28ct, 32ct, Aida, and miscellaneous (afghans, anne cloth, odd counts). I tend to keep small pieces, as they are useful for fobs, bookmarks and ornaments.




And... my son moved out about a year ago, so, I decided it was time to take over his old room as my craft room! I've been slowly getting organized, and can show a few pictures. If anyone has any ideas -- I would be glad to hear them! I still have to move my charts and books to the shelves, and move his stuff off them. :-)







No stitching update pictures... the last two I took were for exchanges, and I can't share them yet! I need to take a picture of Quaker Garden to share with you.... I am making slow progress on it, but, am enjoying the stitch!

That's it for now!!
Stitching on today: Quaker Garden!!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

A lot going on around here, and I haven't been keeping up on my blog!!

Our new baby, Scout, goes into the Vet's tomorrow morning for the 'surgery'!! I don't know if it will calm him down any, but, it will be done. :-) I had almost forgotten how hyper kittens can be!

I also started a Hardanger bookmark. My first try.... and got stumped at the blanket edging. I'll pick it up again later, to try again. Maybe I was just too tired to figure out the instructions when I tried it the first time.



Today we did something for the house! We laid outdoor carpeting on the front porch, and down the front steps. It is in a color called 'Sapphire', and I really like the way it turned out!

Our daughter, Becca, painted the porch railings, and the old milk can, and added the design on it. :-)



I finally received my fabric for Quaker Garden, and was able to start stitching it last night! Becky waited for me to get my fabric, so we could stitch it together! I did think the fabric was awfully green, but, maybe as I stitch it, it will grow on me more...



Broke my glasses at work yesterday... of course I can't get in to have them fixed until Monday! So... I have the 'geeky' look with tape on the side. Whatever works!

Our little town festival is this weekend. DeWitt Ox Roast. It's a busy time, but, a lot of fun. We live close to downtown, so have a lot of people stopping by. I'm playing in a golf tournament on Friday, but, am also going to roast a turkey to have for sandwiches on Saturday, make potato salad and coleslaw, and Chuck (DH) is going to barbecue chicken legs and thighs on the grill. Rick (son), has asked me to make cinnamon rolls and muffins to have with juice on Saturday morning before the parade. Busy, busy!!

That's about it! I 'think' we have Becca ready for school this fall. It's hard to believe she is going to be a Junior in High School! School starts on September 5th. Maybe things will get back to as normal as possible after that!

Till later....

Stitching on today: Quaker Garden (finally!)

100% Cat

Saw this on Renee's blog, and had to try it!

You Are: 0% Dog, 100% Cat

You are are almost exactly like a cat. You're intelligent, independent, and set on getting your way. And there's no way you're going to fetch a paper for anyone!

Are You More Cat or Dog?

No stitching done today... too muggy and hot!!

Feeding time...

No stitching updates... so, you get a picture of the cats! :-)

Somehow I don't think the new baby, Scout, is starving, like he would like the other two to believe....

SBQ - July 20, 2006

Today's SBQ was suggested by Cathy and is: When you get a project professionally framed do you get glass inserted into the frame? Why or why not?

Well... I do most of my finishing myself, but, the projects I have had professionally done, I have had glass added. I figure these are projects I want to last forever, and will help to keep them clean and protected. I also add glass to some of my own framed projects. It gets mighty dusty around here in the summer, and it helps to keep them free of the dust and everyday 'stuff'.

Dog Days of Summer Exchanges!

I received the Dog Days of Summer Exchange from Becky! Was I lucky or what to get spoiled by her twice?!! Becky made me a beautiful Summer Flat Fold (my first!), and included lots of extra goodies! Thank you bunches, Becky!!




And, Juanita has received the exchange I sent out to her! I made a Lizzie Kate design, and attached it as a pocket to a premade tote. I also included some fun summertime goodies.




This was a great exchange, and lots of fun to put together!

SBQ - Catch up!

I've missed quite a few weeks of the SBQ, so, I'm thinking I'll try to catch up before the next one!

June 21, 2006
Today's SBQ was suggested by Vash and is:

Have you ever used a magnifying glass while stitching? If so, did you
find it helpful?

I have one... I have used it a couple times on smaller count fabric, and have also used magnifying glasses. For the most part, I just stitch regular.

June 29, 2006
Today's SBQ was suggested by Cheryl and is:

What do you do with your charts once you've stitched them? Do you keep
them or dispose of them? If you keep them, do you organize them in a
way that is different from the way you keep your unstitched charts?

After I stitch a chart, I usually will put them in a box to share with my sister, or my stitching friends. If it is something I might want to stitch again, I file it back into the file system.

July 5, 2006
Today's SBQ was suggested by Vash and is:

What is the biggest mishap you have had with your stitching material
(i.e. spillages)?

Right off hand, I can't think of any, but, in all the years of stitching, I'm sure there is at least one! I try to be very careful around my stitching, and wash my hands a lot! I guess the one I remember is spilling coffee on a project, and when I finished stitching it... I dunked the whole project in the coffee pot to give it an aged look. It worked! The 'stain' didn't show, and when it dried it had the old time look.

July 12, 2006
Today's SBQ was suggested by Carol and is:

Since you started blogging, have you noticed any difference in your
stitching habits? Tell us about them.

Yes! I think bloggers are great enablers! I have found designs that I might never have looked at without reading blogs. Reading and looking at other blogs and WIP's have broadened my stitching interests. Also, joining in a few exchanges has been great fun, and I have tried different finishing techniques. I find myself taking pictures of my own WIP to share, and enjoy receiving comments from other bloggers encouraging me in my stitching... as I also try to comment on other blogs.

Common Ground / Vacation - Day 7

Day 7...

Well... the concerts are over. They always seem to save the best to the last! Ted Nugent was AWESOME!! I think I stood up for the whole two hours! It was great Rock 'N Roll!!
(And yes... I called Ree twice, again!)







My listing for this year....
1. Ted Nugent
2. Styx
3. Steve Miller Band
4. Etta James
5. Keb Mo
6. Cheap Trick

And, Becca got me a little bear at the festival... We named her Lucy, in honor of the Common Ground Logo Girl....



And... today we got a new addition.... to add to CeeCee and Shadow. He does not have a name yet... any suggestions? Rick says I am now the 'Cat Lady'.



Not much stitching done yesterday.... too dang hot!!! Looks like storms coming tonight. Maybe tomorrow - last day of vacation - will be a nice quiet day...

Common Ground / Vacation - Day 6

Day 6

We saw Mavis Staples and Etta James last night. Mavis Staples can still belt out a song! And Etta James.... what can I say? What a voice!!! She brought the crowd to their feet with "At Last"!!! (One of the sweetest things... a couple just to the front and side of us... He proposed to her during the song.... it was soooo cute! --She said yes.) This was one concert that could have gone on and on... I was enjoying it that much!

Tonight is Ted Nugent!!!!! I am ready for the Motor City Madman!

On stitching news... I took my tabletopper to work on. I got quite a bit done on one of the neutral squares... Was never questioned on what was in the tote! (Needles -- two pairs of scissors -- metal magnet board.... ) But, dang... they practically emptied out my daughter's bag! I guess I don't look like I would be taking in any contraband, but, Becca does??? (Profiling? because they are teenagers?) I lodged a complaint about how they keep changing the rules and the attendees don't know what to expect.... and, they better get them printed out for next year!!

It's gonna be a hot one today!!!

Later...

Common Ground / Vacation -- Day 5

Day 5...

I am feeling like a lazy bum! Yesterday we all went out to a new place for breakfast... luckily Becca and I decided to split an omelet. It was huge, and we didn't finish it all! Then a little shopping -- I didn't have white sandals -- and back home to loll around until time to leave for the concert.

We saw Keith Anderson and Cheap Trick. Keith Anderson is nice eye candy. Cheap Trick didn't overly impress me. Their set seemed very disorganized. With the gap time between songs they probably only played about an hour. At least they knew where they were.

Tonight we are going to see Etta James. It's going to be very warm out... so, I plan on dressing cool.

I think I'll take my Table topper to stitch on this afternoon.

On other stitching news.... I broke down and ordered the Blackbird Designs Quaker Garden Sampler. It was yelling at me so loud, I needed to hush it up!!

Till later....

Common Ground - Vacation - Day 4

Day 4...

It was AWESOME!!!! (I only called Ree twice so she could hear the concert.) STYX still has it!!!




It was hot!!! (temperature wise) I did get a little stitching done while sitting in the shade on Blackbird designs, Blessed Be Thine. Then put that up and just read and people watched. What are some of these people thinking when they go out in public!?!

Tonight is Cheap Trick, and Keith Anderson....

Later....

Common Ground/Vacation - Day 3

Day 3

We didn't go to the concert! Sent the kidlets off with some of their friends. The bands were Cinderella and Poison. (I'll pass). Becca spent the night at her girlfriends, so, it was just me and Chuck!!! We went to Red Lobster for dinner, and then over to Sears. Got Rick a few shirts for his birthday. Home to a very relaxing evening... I was able to get most of the laundry done last night, and the last load is in the washer this morning!

No stitching done. I did look at it, but, didn't put the needle thru the fabric. I'm going to pull out a book to take today. It's supposed to be in the mid 80's this afternoon. Gonna be a hot one sitting out there. No more rain in the forecast until Monday. :-) Today will be the coolest day of the rest of the weekend! Yes... I have sunscreen. Now to remember to take it and use it!

'Til later...

Vacation - Common Ground Festival - Day 2

Day 2...

It rained!!! And then it rained.....

We got wet... very wet. We watched Keb Mo. He was very good, and then it decided to rain harder. We left. The newspaper did not give Bonnie Raitt a good review, so, it sounds like we didn't miss much.

We had our golf umbrellas. Then, security said we couldn't take them in!!! No problem every other year! So, those went back to the car, and we got the little regular ones. It was raining so hard, the rain was coming right thru the umbrella! I was getting cold, so, that's when we decided to leave. No sense in getting sick for the rest of the week.

No stitching... maybe today!

Common Ground Festival... Day 1

Yesterday was the first day of the Common Ground Festival! It was hot!!! Yes, I got sunburned on my nose and the front of my legs...

We saw the Steve Miller Band last night... it was great! They might look old, but they sound just as good! They sang all the great songs: Abracadabra, Fly Like an Eagle, The Joker..... and even came back for a second encore! It was a sold out crowd... that means 10,000!!

Tonight we see Keb Mo, and Bonnie Raitt.

I got one of the awesome Taco Salads that one of the local restaurants make for the Festival. It was just as good as I remembered! Now I will be good the rest of the week....

I had taken a book to read yesterday, but, it's a lot of fun just people watching! Today, I'm planning on finding a little project to take to stitch while waiting in line, and waiting for the concert to start...

Did get in a quick golf game with my friend, Judy, at 8:30 in the morning too! A perfect vacation day!!

Til' later....

Questions and Answers....

Abi had asked me about the conversion on my Bent Creek Swirly Sampler. Here is what I switched to:

Suggested: -------------------- What I used:

Weeks Dye Works (DMC) --------- DMC

Cocoa (611) ------------------- 550 V.Dk. Violet
Blue Spruce (520) ------------- 3842 Dk. Wedgewood
Rust (902) -------------------- 3845 Md. Bright Turquoise
Schneckley (680) -------------- 3837 Ultra Dk. Lavender
Molasses (839) ---------------- 3844 Dk. Bright Turquoise
Charcoal (3799) --------------- 310 Black

For the Swirls around, I used Kreinik Silver Braid, and Silver Beads in the open spots and centers of the black 'flowers'.

I hope that helps... I had to locate the chart, and luckily, I still had the post-it note inside with the conversion!

Some more exchange pictures....

I'm feeling truly good and spoiled!!!
Here is a picture of the 4th of July Exchange I received from Ree... Isn't it darling?? I love the pillow!!



And... here is the package I received from Becky for the "For the Birds" Exchange:





Lots of goodies.... and my first needlebook! I hung the thistle seed feeder out, and we alread have seen two goldfinches!

What fun! And now I have to finish up the summer exchange, and get that sent off to that someone special out there!

I haven't signed up for any more exchanges.... I'll give myself a little break, but, the scissor fob one is calling my name!

Missing in Action?

I know... it's been like forever since I posted on my blog! My hand is all healed up... only a little stiff in the morning. By looking at it, you would never know I had surgery! He did the incision so it was right on one of the lines of the palm! I've been slowly stitching, and attempting to keep up with my exchange obligations. And, wouldn't you know it? When we had a little storm last week, and lost power, my old computer would not power back up!! So.... I now have a brand new system. It even has a flat screen monitor! (now I have a spot for my coffee cup! LOL) We still have to install the camera stuff, and all the extras we have around, but, I'm back up and running! I think I was into withdrawal!

Anyway.... I want to share the picture of the 'For the Birds' exchange I sent to Laurie. It was my first time making a 'flat fold', and I think it turned out pretty good.



I am about a month behind on reading blogs.... and need to catch up! and a month behind on the SBQ's!! I start vacation next Monday... Seven days of concerts and golf... I must find time for stitching in there too!! Who am I most excited about seeing in concert? I can't decide, but my DD, Becca, was excited to see that we had 8-tracks (remember those?) of Styx, and they still worked on the old stereo in the basement! Here is the info on the Festival: Common Ground Festival I think this is our fifth year attending.

Off to start the day.... Catch up with you all later!!