Monday, November 26, 2012

Whew...been busy!

Seems like ages since I've been around. But, that isn't true. I got a new Samsung that my son calls a phablet. It's a mp3 player that does everything a smart phone does except call/text. And there is no data plan. So, I've been using it to jump on the internet lately and my laptop sits.

Would you like to see what I've been doing?

Holly Noel
by JBW Designs
DMC floss
scrap o linen
Bought a frame for it...that doesn't fit. One the up side - it does fit the sepia tone lighthouse I recently finished!

My LNS called and my Santa Pack by L*K was in. So, while everyone else was Black Friday shopping - I went to Cleveland!


There is that dratted frame in the top right corner. But, as a wise friend told me, go get another one for when you stitch the companion piece to the lighthouse. Thank you Mary Jane!

I got the fabric, buttons, and whisper for the L*Ks too. Can anyone tell me - are there tricks to using whisper? Anything I should know?

Just before Thanksgiving I started Christmas Tea by Plum Street Samplers ~

Valor PTP 28ct linen
DMC floss and WDW Juniper
When looking at my remaining fabric on this piece of linen I realized I had enough to the right of this design to get something else in there (about 8 inches), Which made me wonder about my patterns.

Found this little one waiting in my stash ~


As soon as Christmas Tea is finished I'm going to stitch this one and then cut the fabric. I should still have enough linen left over for another nice sized piece. They were selling this color for the one Quaker design last year. I fell in love with the color and had to have it!

Yesterday DH decided to work a half day -- someone must have missed that half part -- he worked from 8a-11:30p and had to be back in the office at 5:30a this morning. While he was out of the house I ran to the store for more ornaments (like I really need them) and then decorated the house for Christmas. It's odd seeing the house ready and the tree not up! That will happen this weekend.

We have been trying to order railing for the loft and keep missing the store hours. Since I won't have a railing to decorate with my stitched pieces I brought out my skinny 4' tree and stuck it in my stitching room. It's loaded! Would show a picture but the room is in shambles. Every ornament for the tree is stacked in there waiting for the weekend. After I finish here - that's my next thing on the to-do list.

Hard to believe a month has almost come and gone - this Saturday will be our second post (first with stitching) for the L*K SAL! I've already taken my picture and am waiting patiently -- not!

Well, my friends, time is slipping by - must get moving. This week finds me going with my mom at a real estate closing, going to my sister's new place, and visiting a friend who recently had foot surgery.

Hope the week treats you well!
Happy Cyber Monday!
Denise

Monday, November 19, 2012

Full Blown Christmas Mode!

Yeah, I know Thanksgiving is Thursday. I know I need to concentrate on that but...

For some unknown reason this year I am READY to decorate, bake, shop, wrap, celebrate winter and Christmas! Maybe it's make-up for last year? They say the first year of holidays are the hardest after the passing of a loved one. Well Dad, I'm ready to do it ALL this year and remember you at the same time. It isn't disrespectful to continue living. I love you Daddy - it's time to move on.

Pardon me, waiting for the tears to dry. Damn, I miss him. Everyday - all the time. I think of him more now than when he was living. Let me give you a piece of advice - if you have a difficult relationship with anyone - call them - go to them - whatever it takes and DEAL WITH IT. After they take that last breath - IT IS TOO LATE. Any time before then it isn't.

I had a loving caring Dad and we got along well. My last words to Dad were, "Dad, I love you." He turned his head to me and mouthed the words, "I love you" back to me. Within 30 seconds he was unconscious and never returned to us. From the time of his heart attack until he was unconscious - 10 to 15 minutes.

It can happen too quickly to make a difference. Please this Christmas season mend the fences and clear the air.

This is not what I intended to write about today and it came out of left field. But, please - please, take the time and think about what Christmas is all about. Love. Plain and simple - love.

Well, now to get on to what I came to show you ~

Christmas Blessings Sampler
Falling Star Primitives
Cashel Taupe linen
DMC floss

One thing about this pattern - the zig zag after Christmas Day is charted brown but shows red on the finished picture on the pattern. I didn't realize it until I was finished. Wish I had - I liked the red.

Today finds me cleaning and watching the kids. My house NEEDS serious attention if 14 people are going to be here in a few days.

Which brings me to this - Happy Thanksgiving to all! I may not be back around to tell you later this week. Have a safe and happy holiday. Be careful with the traffic - arrive safely. If you plan to head out on Black Friday - remember that person being totally rude to you is someone's family member. Be nice! :)

Have a wonderful blessed week!
Denise

Friday, November 16, 2012

Sorry, Couldn't Resist!

I've been trying to NOT decorate for winter/Christmas. Planned to change my blog to something more Thanksgiving-ish -- I failed. More ready for snow than I realized -

Hanging my head in shame - first in bloggerville with my winter showing.
Denise


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Flying Through

Good Afternoon everyone! Have a few things to share and then I MUST go clean up my stitching room. I had insomnia the other night and I tore all the fall decoration down and got out the winter/Christmas ones. I have stuff everywhere in there.

First up a finish ~

Goodwill to Men
Falling Star Primitives
Clay linen
DMC floss
The pattern calls for you to hand dye the fabric after stitching. I think there is enough movement in this that to do so would be redundant.

Yesterday was Garin's 6th birthday and we had a small party for him Sunday ~




I can not believe how much that little boy has grown. And he's not the least bit excited to open presents! lol Notice how Alivia is so ready for a kiss and Rob is licking her. She doesn't mind! Her mommy minds though -- the other day Keri was playing nosies with her and Alivia licked her up the side of the face...wonder where she learned this??

Went to a Tree Festival the other day and saw this cutie !

Frostie
at Warther's Museum
The person who decorated this used jingle bells as his buttons and then all white ornaments for 'sparkle.' I voted for this as my favorite!

Off to upload several pictures to my slideshow, print more pictures out, clean up the dining room table from all my finishing yesterday, and then clean up my room! Maybe I should have gotten my shower earlier and got moving this morning...

Have a wonderful day!
Denise

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Missing In Action...

This poor blog just isn't seeing me around much. I can make excuses. But would rather just tell you what I've been up to.

Here's Snowflake Serenade ~

Snowflake Serenade
by CCN
Coffee linen
DMC floss
The colors really pop in real life. But are washed out in every picture I take. :(

Then I started this one ~

Goodwill to All
by Falling Star
Clay Jobelen
DMC floss
And when it grows up  it'll look like this ~


It's one I've had in my stash for at least a year. I have another pattern by this designer that I hope to complete yet this Christmas season.

Told you I wanted to start my Christmas shopping this week. Well, I have 5 people complete and two others started. That leaves two exchanges and DH. Not only did I start the shopping but the deliverymen have been busy. I thought what the heck and wrapped everything too. Now to wait until the 'appropriate' time to put the tree up.

On another note - remember way back when I told you I had lost 4 pounds. Ha - fell off that wagon and it came back. Then I found another wagon and jumped on. So far - 15 pounds since August! My pants are getting loose and I need to get a belt.

So between shopping, wrapping, exercising, and stitching - I've been busy.

Hope this finds you smiling and enjoying the day!
Denise

Monday, November 5, 2012

Final Jack's House Post!

I did it! I finished Jack on the day before Halloween!

The House That Jacks Built II
Prairie Moon
I forget the fabric
DMC floss
Now to get this baby framed before Halloween 2013! Ran back over previous posts to see what fabric I did use -- haha to me -- I never posted the color. Guess this will go down like - How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop? The world may never know!

April - thank you so very much for joining me on this little adventure we shared. It has been a pleasure to stitch with you. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

I was stitching on Serenade too -- until Nov 1st! Then I pulled out my other SAL and have been playing with it.

Here's Serenade as of this morning -


There are 4 panels complete - lots of leaves and snowflakes to go. And eyes for the snowman!

This morning finds me doing my Christmas shopping. Shh - no booing and hissing. Started over the weekend and hope that by days end - at least 3 people totally done and a good start on the rest. We even got our wrapping paper and some new ornaments. Bring on Christmas!

Well, nothing will get done if I don't get moving.
Hope this weeks brings you peace and happiness.
Denise

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Lizzie Kate SAL!

Finally, the calendar flipped to November! I have been waiting for today for what seems like FOREVER!

There are now 8 of us stitching along with all the L*K fat guys and snow belles. If you look at my sidebar there is a place that I have everyone's blog links. Please join in and cheer everyone on!

 I can't wait to see where everyone starts. Think this will be a center start for me. I don't often start in the middle anymore but I have a plan. See, as you all know, I like to frame and then fill. So, don't be surprised come Dec 1st to see that I have nothing done but the outlines.

Okay, okay...here's my fabric/floss ~

All the L*K patterns
DMC floss
and Milk Chocolate linen.
This fabric makes you want to lick it...wait that may be my diet making me want to lick it. The milk chocolate color is rich, deep, dark, and chocolaty...now that is the diet talking. Sorry, it's been a few weeks since I have indulged in a chocolate bar. Withdrawal must be working overtime today.

Please head on over and check everyone's blog! Then check back Dec 1st to see what we've done (and where we started)!

Denise