Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Pumpkin Finish Finished

Be kind of your assessment - I have never finished anything like you guys. My things have always been framed - ALWAYS! Either framed or they sit in the drawer.





There is a slight bevel on the wooden plaque. I can't get a picture that shows it though. Another overcast day. The ribbon - oh, I wanted the cord Vonna used - but it was not to be. So, I hand gathered this. Used double sided tape to hold in place until I could glue it. Vida bing vida bang - and here we go!

I'm off to pick Garin up from preschool. Mommy has taken Alivia to have her check up. And then I am making stuffed shells for dinner. A new recipe - wish me luck.

Smiles - Denise

Edited to add ~~~~ Miss Alivia now weighs 5 lbs 4.4 oz, 18" long and head circumference is 13"! Growing by leaps and bounds!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I'm Done ...

Pumpkins 4 Sale is finished. Waiting for DH to cut the wood for plaque. Then I get to whitewash it, attach the stitching and cording.

Sorry for the dark picture. Mother Nature has blessed us with clouds, rain, and cool temps. It might not be the greatest weather for picture taking but, I'm loving it! And sleeping wonderfully!


I wish I had changed the border green a bit. It seems to me too close to the white. I don't know - maybe I am being picky!




                             

If you noticed - I made a little change from the pattern. I have a thing about 'floating' items in my stitching. I thought the leaf above the mouse's head floated. So, I changed it to a couple more flowers. The flowers don't bother me floating but, that leaf did. Go figure.

I've decided I am going to put a dent in the WIP box. I started those 15 patterns in June-July! It is past time I get something accomplished!

If you happen to have put off entering my give-away --- you might want to --- soon!
I draw Sunday! Good luck!

Smiles - Denise

A quick note ~~ Alivia is doing wonderfully! I haven't updated her status lately. She has check-ups on a monthly basis now. I do know she weighs at least 5 pounds and is growing like a weed! I'll get some new pictures soon and let you see the cutie she is becoming!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Thank you, Thank you!

I realized what I was actually doing in that last post. Yeah, sometimes the light bulb is that dim. I wanted permission from some one - that I could really put Grace down and lightening would not strike! Who does this? I am a grown woman and I ask permission? I swear the voice inside my head still belongs to that perfectionist 10 year old I used to be! Sigh!

But, anyway... Thank you for letting me know lightening would not strike and Grace will still get done. Although, Nat K - did scare the @%$^& out of me! Did anyone else realize Christmas is about 90 days away??!??!?!? How in the world did that happen?

I talked to the boy and he's fine with Grace not being a present for Christmas. So, the pressure is gone.

And with that said -- may I present my latest stitching results ~

I happened to notice that our own Ms. Vonna did the finishing on this for LHN!

I have an idea of how to finish this that I have yet to see in bloggerville. If it works - you guys will be the first to see it! Wish me luck!

Not to be rude - but the time I am posting this is taking away stitching time. So, I gotta go!

Smiles - Denise

Monday, September 20, 2010

I get it now...

I have been watching you. And everyone seems to stitch patterns that average 1000 stitches. There are some who stitch larger patterns.

But, there are a few of us that stitch monsters - I know Jayne and Mel are two. I just used the handy dandy calculator and found out Grace has 45,600 full cross stitches! Now, of the three Mystic Stitch patterns I have done - it is the smallest.

Where am I going with this? I have stitched over 8 hours in the last two days and this is all the progress I have to show. :(
And overall ~


I'm bummed. I want to stitch all these new cute patterns I have been accumulating all summer. I HAVE to get this done before Christmas! At the rate I'm going I might get it done before Christmas 2011. So, I need your advice. How do I get this done in time but, stitch everything else I want? I have over 15 items in the WIP box as it is. I want to start the Christmas ornies and fall things.

I would appreciate any and all advice! Is there some way to at least feel I am going some where on Grace?

Ok, I'll stop whining. I'm sorry. It's frustration. And Monday. I really don't care for Mondays.

Hey, has anyone else noticed all the new followers I have? I think there are some people out there in bloggerville wanting to win some fabric! ;0)

I wanted to say thank-you for showing interest in my little space and give away. I hope all the best of luck in winning. Less than 2 weeks now! I think there are a few more things I might pick up for the winners.

Well, I need to get back to stitching. The guys are away for a little longer and that means I can postpone dinner for a bit longer too. Yippee!

Smiles - Denise

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Look What I Added...

I went shopping today. I got something for myself and a lot for you!

For me ...

Oh my - the things I got to add to the give away.
I'm not going to show you everything but, I will show you this ~
                            
The Christmas Issue is for the lucky winner of the 40 pieces of fabric and the Halloween Issue is for the 2nd place winner.

I should go stitch. (Jayne would tell me I am not using my time wisely.) But, I am going to go find something to eat.

Hope your weekend is everything you want it to be!

Smiles - Denise

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Jokes We've Played on our Mothers...

Yesterday, at work, a dead mouse came down the belt.

I work at a package handling facility. As they unloaded a semi-truck, some one found a dead mouse in the trailer. It was placed on a package to see our reaction. I'm very proud to say I did NOT scream. I refused to scan the box...the tail was in the way of the tracking number. A co-worker removed the mouse and threw it away.

We started talking about mice. A supervisor told the story of his mother's mice. She collected ceramic mice -- well, all types of mice. She had a display cabinet that stood about 36" (about 1m - Cathey) tall and wide with a glass front in the living room. My supervisor found a dried husk of a mouse and placed it in her cabinet. He waited impatiently for her to find it. Three days later she found it while dusting. This poor woman screamed and threw a fit. Can't blame her a bit. He thought it was quiet funny.

So, I told the story of what I did to my mom when I was about 12.

My dad had horribly stinky feet. HORRIBLE! His shoes did something funky to his feet. And he would take the socks off and put them on the floor beside his chair. And leave them there for days. Mom REFUSED to pick them up and put them in the hamper. She said many times she was his wife not his maid. Ok, background out of the way. I took a pair of those socks that had set on the floor for days and put them in her pillow case. One on each side. And then I waited. She didn't say anything to me but, told Dad her pillow had gone sour. She tossed and flipped her pillow constantly for three nights. On the 4th morning - she couldn't stand it anymore and peeled the pillow case off the pillow. Dad's socks fell out. She went ballistic on him. Of course, he's laughing and completely denying it. Mom was not about to believe he didn't do it. HE was GUILTY! Dad told me the story and I started laughing. My halo was tarnished and hanging from my ear. I confessed and he drug me to Mom to confess again. It was great!

This makes me wonder -- what have you done to your Mom for a good laugh?

On a completely different train of thought -- CNN just ran the story about North Carolina's police wanting to access a database without warrant to see what drugs the citizens use. And then possibly target those individuals to make sure they are not dealing prescription drugs. If I heard this right - not to target those they already suspect of dealing -- everyone!

Am I wrong for feeling outraged? What about doctor/patient confidentiality? Warrant less search? Could some one tell me one good reason for this?

I'm thinking I should go stitch. DH has been gone all day and the boy is at school today. I have a quite home today. Hence, the two hour nap this afternoon! ;0)

Smiles - Denise

Monday, September 13, 2010

OSU Won!

I'm not going to say it was a pretty win nor I am going to say it was a much deserved win. But, a win is a win! Sorry, it's football time once again and I love to watch college ball! And a few years ago USC had it right - Ohio State is over-rated! BUT, that doesn't stop me from loving every single minute of the game!

And our High School team won - their record is 2-1 and for the first time in years we are off to a winning record!

And how in the world does this fit in to my stitching? How about I was cutting and ironing the fabric for my give away for the first half of the game and after the game I stitched for a few minutes. I did get more stitching done yesterday --- not nearly as much as I would have liked though!

The boy got his braces off this morning! He said his teeth feel naked, large, and smooth. He was impressed with the whiteness! How is it he is now 17 and the braces are gone? He's going to be a man soon. I'm just not any too happy about this! :(

The daughter is having her birthday dinner this Friday evening. She wants chicken parmesan. And of course her b-day cake! The family will be in for the madness. And she will be 20. I am starting to hate September - my babies aren't children any more and I am feeling old.

OMG - my husband is now going through my kitchen drawers counting how many spatulas and wooden spoons I have! I just turned on the Kardashians and Khloe is counting how many spatulas Kris has in her kitchen. Kris has 17 and just bought more at Williams Sonoma! Khloe thinks Kris is a hoarder. So, DH decided to see if I was a hoarder. He asked how many spatulas I have - 7 or 8 I told him. He counted 7. And wooden spoons - 17. Good Golly! Does ANYONE have work for this man to do??? He NEEDS to go back to work and get out of my kitchen!!!!!!

Welcome to my world... this crap happens on an almost daily basis!

Well, I hope your week is off to a banging success! Smiles - Denise

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Are you feeling lucky?

~~~ Edited to add - this give away is now over. My first place winner was Bronny of Bronny's Bits and the 2nd place winner was Cathey of Pumpkin Patch and Co. Thank you for checking out my site. ~~~

Well, are you ladies? (Sorry, sometimes Dirty Harry just fits!)

I realized a few days ago that I have been blogging for about 6 months. And I have seen many of you doing flat folds. And I have a TON of fabric left over from my quilting days. So, what do these three things have in common? Y. O. U.

I decided to have a give away. Of Fabric. Two of you have the chance to win fat quarters. The first drawing winner will get 40 fat quarters. And the second drawing winner will get 25. I need to explain though that my laziness will benefit the first winner -- I just got tired of measuring and cutting fabric. So, the first winner will find 1/2 yd to 1 yd pieces in their selection.

For the first drawing ~


And for the second drawing ~


Now for the small print. ~
--- If you would like a chance to win - you need to be a public follower.
--- If you would like your name added for a second chance - leave a comment on this post only.
--- And if you would like your name added to the drawing for a third time - post this on your blog. Please let me know either in your comment or email me.

Drawing will be on October 3rd - my six month blogversary.

Good luck and Smiles - Denise

Friday, September 10, 2010

Pages 9 and 10 Complete

Here's a crappy picture of my progress ~  
                      

I just can't take pictures. I need a class. Shoot, I need talent too.

Trying to think if I have done anything else worth mentioning...Nope nothing else. Although, with this cool weather -- I hope to make great strides on page 11 this weekend.


Monday, September 6, 2010

Alivia is Coming Home!

Yep, you heard right -- Mommy is doing dismissal papers right now!

Since Garin has a fever/virus and is running a low grade temperature -- Mommy and Alivia are staying with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days.

Yippee!!!

Smiles - Denise

Saturday, September 4, 2010

What was I thinking????

Yesterday my baby boy turned 17. When did this happen? I swear last week he was in a diaper and eating mac and cheese. The years have gone too fast.
I think his favorite present was from Garin. A big silver star balloon and a musical card! Logan had his sister tie it onto his wrist like he was 3. Sometimes you think they are growing up and then they act like a kid again. ;0)

But, today is the day that will LAST FOREVER! He is having 5 friends come down this evening and stay the night. There will be no sleeping. It's his last time to have all the guys down playing on the xbox. He has 2 friends bringing their xboxes - he is borrowing a tv from my mom and sister - and Rob and I are providing the food.

I am making two big cookies (chocolate chip). There are 48 cans of soda. And Domino's is making pizza - one for each boy! I HOPE that is enough! Oh, and tomorrow morning, I will make them eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, and toast for breakfast.

How do you cope with 6 teenage boys in your house? Me, I give them food, drink, and leave them alone.

Hope your weekend is all you want it to be! And I think our prayers for you east coast residents were answered!

Smiles - Denise

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

As Promised ...

Where I was on Aug 8th ~

Where I am today ~  

DS's birthday is Friday. Don't think he's getting this as a present. Oh well, there's always Christmas.

Smiles - Denise