Thursday, May 31, 2012

8th Finish of the Year!

I finished stitching this Monday and today I got to make it into another patriotic pillow.

America
by Threadwork Primitives
Recommended Floss
Country Cream Cashel
June...already. This year has flown and I have 8 finishes. Wow - compared to last year - I've done very little stitching. Started CCN's 'A Day at the Beach' Monday evening. It's a quick stitch. Didn't show progress today because I hope to finish stitching it over the weekend. Maybe next Monday I will be able to add another pretty to my pile.

Getting ready to get rain - maybe I should go batten down the hatches!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Denise

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Another Finish!

Yesterday I showed you this finish - today I show you it is now a pillow. I love pillows - such a quick easy way to go!  


This morning I was able to finish my second start of the week. I happened to have this frame sitting around and it fit perfectly. Yippee!

Blossoms and Blackbirds
by LHN
Country French Cashmere - 28ct
DMC floss
Decided to start another patriotic pattern this afternoon. It also will be finished into a pillow. It happens to be a pattern I picked up for my upcoming give away. Since I was digging around in the goody bag I decided to add more patterns - lucky you. 

Tonight finds me having steak for dinner. When I quit UPS last December a friend there gave me a gift certificate for Omaha Steaks. I finally ordered them before Mother's Day thinking they would make a wonderful dinner. That got put on hold because we were remodeling. Now, finally, I get my steak dinner. Yummy! 

Time to go stitch - I am so glad I have my mojo back. Still not overly interested in working on Red Birds. But, the designer did ask me to send her a picture when I finished. 

Hope today finds you pulling a stitch or two!
Denise

Friday, May 25, 2012

A Finish & Another Start

I got this cd for Christmas
 and every time I hear this song -
I tear up. 
Today is the first time 
I've ever seen the video. 
Not what I had envisioned. 
Guess I just wanted to share
 a song that touches me. 
I hope you like it too. 


***************************

Told you the other day that I needed a kick start to get back into the stitching mode. Ha, not only did I find something quick and easy - I have a finish! 

America
by Glory Bee
Recommended GAST floss
on a Pewter linen
I even started another project last night after my finish - 

Blossoms and Blackbirds
LHN
DMC floss
on Country Cream linen
This photo was not taken or uploaded this way. Blogger is doing tricks again. :) Guessing I am not finished with my murder of crows yet! And here I thought I was - silly girl. 

Well, we are headed straight into a long weekend. Hope everyone has a wonderful time. Stay safe! 
Denise

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Good Idea!

I would like to thank Karen at 
awesome idea...
since summer is fast approaching 
she is going to sneak in a few 
Americana patterns into her rotation. 
**********************

With that in mind, I think some stash fondling should commence this morning. I have gone into my stitching room the last few days and pulled a few stitches only to think. "I need to do ..." and get back up and leave. The urge to sit and stitch has left me and I found myself (hold on to your chair) bored while stitching. What has happened to me?? 

Red Birds is so close to a finish that I should spend the day trying to finish it. The very thought makes me want to do laundry, dishes, the sweeping, and go do those errands. My mind has warped. Eagads, I NEED to go play with the stash and get those red, white, and blue patterns I love so much! 

My house is finally back to normal. Meaning those chores listed above need done and everything isn't perfectly placed where I want it. Guess I like the house to be casual. Yeah - casual. lol

Still have all the flatware, plates, and folding chairs out. Sunday finds more people here for dinner. I pray the heat will have broken by Sunday night. Doubt it though - the blasted weatherman is calling for summertime temps. 

Since I feel inspired to go play - I think that's what I'm off to do!
Hope today finds you inspired to play!
Denise


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Exhaustion Over!

Phew --- it's been a long week! 
Finally time to sit in the a/c and breath. 
**************************** 

There's been very little stitching happening these last several days. Maybe I'll get lucky tomorrow and throw in a few stitches between the gravel delivery (I hope to get this in the am) and the dental appointment for the boy. We'll see though.

I promised pictures of the flowers I have on my porch. Well, I decided to edit several pictures down to one. lol

Been so busy that I haven't had the chance to even email Mel at Epic Stitching and let her know that the package she sent me arrived! I won her give away about a month ago and got hand made bracelets!

Shoot - forgot to rotate the picture before downloading it. If you enlarge the picture you'll see one bracelet is beaded and the other two are woven. Beautiful! I can't wait to put one on. The texture on the orange/brown one is amazing. Thank you Mel!

The graduation party for my boy is over. A week from tonight he graduates from high school and we'll have a final weenie roast. To say I'm ready for a break is a small understatement. Yesterday we had 66 people through the house in 3 hours. Some stayed 3 1/2 hours after the party ended. We invited twice that...my poor house couldn't have handled that many...hehe.

No more parties until late July. DH will be 50 this year and we're having another blowout! Good golly I'll be partied out by the end of summer!

Hope the weekend has been enjoyable and you've gotten a few minutes stitching in.
Denise

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Many Thanks!

I would like to thank everyone 
who has left such kind comments 
these last couple of weeks. 
Please accept my apologies 
for not replying to each one individually. 
My inbox is overflowing! 
Thank you for keeping my spirits up 
with my lack of stitching! 
 *******************************************

Thought I would stop by my poor neglected blog and say hi to everyone. I've breezed through some of your blogs to see what you have been doing and to catch up with your lives. I've left very few comments though. I promise after this month I'll be a better blogger friend. 

Stitched for a bit yesterday morning. Think it's about time to close down my stitching room for the coming week. There are too many things little ones could get into in that room. 

We went flower shopping last night. I think I left some money in the checking account. It might be on life support this morning. But, the flowers are pretty. If I think of it - I'll grab the camera and snap a few pictures to show later.

Must get moving - my morning is slipping away! 
Denise 

Monday, May 7, 2012

Two Weeks in One!

Since I didn't show Red Birds last week and the progress isn't spectacular this week - we're doing a twofer. I've gotten to remove some floss bobbins from the bowl because the color has been completed! For some reason (loved the colors and wanted to play in them every time it came to pick the next one), I didn't place the bobbins in a floss caddy - just stuck them in a wooden bowl.

Last Week's Progress ~ 
As of Today ~ 
Everything from his perch on the twig up - is completed. All that remain are the variegated flower, another kumquat, some berries, and a few leaves.

We managed to get everything on yesterday's list complete except for the sink vanity being installed. Not bad! Today almost feels like a lazy day - paint, install sink, and get groceries. He may get to the trim but I'm not holding my breath. One bummer about the new linoleum - the static. The dog hair is just holding on for dear life - black hair on a white floor! 

Better get moving because I would like to be in bed before 1am tonight.
Have a great day!
Denise

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Way To Go Guys!

Wanted to show off the family all dressed up (for us!) and ready for graduation. I must not have said but both of my kids graduated Friday night along with my sister.

Rob and I

Lt to Rt - Courtney, Logan, and Keri

My family
My I present the newest alumni to Kent State University. Courtney - Associate of Science, Logan - Associate of Science, and Keri - Associate of Nursing!

In case you wondered - I got everything done Friday except going to Applebee's for a late dinner. Logan needed to leave before the pinning ceremony was over for Keri.

But, yesterday was a day from Hades. Logan left for work and we started on the bathroom. Rob pulled the sink vanity and medicine cabinet from the wall. I cleaned under the sink and that was nasty - it's amazing how much stuff accumulates under a cabinet in 12 years. While cleaning up that mess we decided we need to replace the linoleum because it was stained. While Rob went to town to get all the newest supplies - I primed the wall where the vanity and medicine cabinet had lived, pulled the linoleum (mean mean job), painted some trim. After Rob got home we continued on scraping the floor. Then I got to put on the floor leveler while he did some drywall stuff.

Today's agenda - pull the toilet, replace some flooring that we found needed attention and place new floor, dry cut the new linoleum, put down adhesive and place linoleum, do some drywall patch, sand and then paint wall, place sink vanity and spigot, and mow the grass.

Told the boy that I am excited about his upcoming party but also looking forward to it being over. I need a day to do nothing!

Rob is moving on the drywall spackle which means I need to get off here! Have a wonderful day and keep pulling those stitches for me!
Denise

Friday, May 4, 2012

Today's Plans...

I've been up since 5:30 and 
had 2 hours of stitching time. 
Then breakfast and some internet. 
Wait for the boy to vacate the bathroom. 
Paint the bathroom ceiling.
Paint the built-in cabinet.
Paint the doors/drawers to this cabinet.
Shower. 
Get stuff to the post office.
Clean up house.
Help kids get ready for graduation.
Take lots of pictures before we leave.
Get to venue.
Pass out tickets.
Graduation.
Pinning ceremony for my sister 
(she get's her Associates in Nursing tonight too)
Take boy to Applebee's for late dinner.
Home! 

Hope you have as wonderful of a day as I will be having! Please find a moment to throw in a few stitches for me! 
Denise

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Random Thoughts Survey

Mary over at Neat and Tidy got tagged for a survey. After reading her answers - I decided to throw my answers out to the web.

1) Did you pick your blog name for any special reason?
I sat here with blogger up and my mind grinding. I drifted off in thought and started looking at the river.  Just couldn't think of anything better than Riverside Stitching. I had seen Lee's blog at this point and knew she was Lake Stitcher so I figured I could be Riverside.
2) How long have you been blogging and why did you start blogging?
Just had my 2nd blogversary last month. I had heard of blogging and knew nothing about it. I googled  stitching blogs and Spinster Stitcher popped up. Coni has a wicked sense of humor and I was hooked by her blog immediately. So much so that within a few days I had read all of her posts and wanted to blog too.
3) What's your favorite dessert?
Chocolate. And white chocolate is not chocolate to me. It can be a cake, pie, candy, brownie, ice cream - I'm not picky when it comes to preparation.
4) Coffee or Tea?
Neither. I've drank exactly 3 cups of coffee in my life. Way back when - I happened to partake in a few (ha) too many adult beverages. We were at a wedding reception and my best friend tried to sober me up. This was a Saturday evening - I didn't become aware of my surroundings until Monday afternoon. Yeah, and Dad thought I had the flu. Really??
5) What's one thing on your bucket list?
I would love to go to British Columbia to the Wickaninnish Inn. I've seen the Inn on a travel show and again in some magazine. I went so far as to tear the article from the magazine. DH wants to go there for our 25th anniversary in December 2013. Who am I to say no??
6) Your last wonderful book you read?
Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate. I guess the book hit a cord with me because the main character felt he was done with life and he didn't know what his purpose was anymore. I'm there - my children are basically grown and don't need 'mommy' anymore. I've retired from my job. I feel restless and wonder what is in store for my future.
7) Do you have time for your nails? 
Time yes - inclination no. Love my nails to be done but when they come off - I hate the way they feel. They are grown to a manageable length and I do have some polish on them. I don't wear gloves when digging dirt or painting. Not high maintenance at all.

Like Mary I could tag more bloggers but I'll let you decide if you would like to do this. Let me know - I'd love to see your answers.

My son was inducted in the the National Honor Society this evening. It was a proud moment to stand there as a former member watching my boy become a new member.

A bit tired tonight. But need to stay up or I won't be able to sleep. Guess that's why I am a little retrospective tonight.
Denise