A cross stitch post??

Round Robin
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Yeah you all deserve it after my rant last week. Thank you for your encouraging comments. I seem to dip into these 2-3 day depression every couple of weeks. Bear with me we only have a month to go. (that means only 1 or 2 more meltdowns right?) Anyway first up is my first round of the round robin from the America's Best Round Robins Yahoo group I am in (remember I sent out the Monthly mini kats?) Well the first is from Peggy in Tx. I actually know her, she moved there from NC last year. She chose Teresa Wentzler's Flower Bell Pull. I am not sure to hate her for this or just be thankful I am working on it before baby arrival. She did the first block (minus the backstitching, she ran out of time). I get to do the second block which is roses. I recieved this on Friday and am trying to get a jump on it. Even the border is blended threads. Ugh TW kills me.

Quaker freebie
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Second, this was just supposed to be a quick Quaker heart freebie but for some reason I stopped after finishing the alphabet. I am really happy with the thread, a limited edition overdyed by Dye is Cast. I am not sure why I didn't finish the heart. I just thought I could finish it cuter than a heart pillow. Stay tuned, my idea for this one may totally fail, but I'll show you the final result no matter what. Maybe I'll do the full heart after I get this out of my system.

Baby Blues about 4 weeks early.

I just got back from the beach yesterday, we had fabulous weather...it was nice and relaxing. Until I found out on Wed that my friend/coworker who has been 5 weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy had a C-section late Monday night. She was not planning that. The only news I got was just that, mom and baby fine, 7lb 7oz. I had seen her last Thursday she was dilated to 2 and everything looked good. She told me her Dr. (who is one that is in my practice) wanted to induce her Mon (3 days after her due date). Which is what I am assuming happened.

It hit me very hard then that I do not personally know a single person under the age of 40 who has had a natural birth. They were either induced and/or got an epidural and/or a c-section. I am starting to feel as if I am crazy to even attempt to think I can do this. I know it is not the end of the world if this happens, if it all goes to hell and I need all or none of these interventions. I am in no way against these WHEN they are needed, it is starting to feel to me as if I may be forced into that cycle of medical intervention because that is what is "normally" done. I feel as if the cards are stacked against me. I am hoping to see my doctor in a couple of weeks after I finish rotating through all the others. She is the closest thing I could get to a midwife on my insurance, she is for a natural childbirth and recommended my doula. But I haven't seen her in 15 weeks. And I have no guarantee of her in the room when I deliver, luck of the draw on that one. Unless I am induced..... see?

Week Five: 4/28-5/4

Although I am still a bit worried about labor and delivery, Ian pointed out that it is only 1 to 2 days, and that maybe what we (meaning me) should be reading is some books on how to deal with this new addition. I have recently discovered 2 that I am really liking now, Baby 411 written by the Baby Bargains people, and The Baby Whisperer. I am not a "by the book" type of person, but I love to explore ideas. Both of these really speak to my way of approaching things, even when they contradict each other (sleeping methods). Neither has an agenda that there is only "one" way to do things but they are full of ideas/techniques that give me something to start with.

So I was able to complete 8 out of 10 of last weeks goals. Not too shabby. So I will move the 2 not done to the top. Ian and I are heading to Carolina/Kure Beach this Mondayfor a few days, our last hurrah if you will. Our plan there is to sit on the beach and think of this babies name (If we do decide on one we still aren't telling till she is here). So this week's goals will be a bit on the lighter side

Oh and my apologies to Cathy for this blog being a to do list for now, please note #8, I promise some stitching action...I'll be getting my first round robin soon!

1. Finish redoing the figures for manuscript and pull research papers. (can you tell I am avoiding this one?)
2. Start Baby book
3. Find SOMETHING to swim in for the beach (and I thought finding a suit that fit was tough as a DD!)
4. Finish thank you notes
5. Buy trim paint for baby's room
6. Clean and organize bathroom --this requires getting 4 years worth of soap scum off the tile. and a bit of touch up painting.
7. Clean out, wash, and vaccuum car
8. Bring something small to stitch for the trip to the beach
9.
10.

hmm I can't think of any others right now....well when I do, and you know I will, I'll add them.

4 Years Ago....

wedding day
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ian and I were married on the beach of Tybee Island, GA 5 years and 1 month after our first kiss on that same island.

Stacked turtles

Stacked turtles
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I have not been stitching at all, but I saved these little guys for just such an occasion. I finished them about a month ago. They are pulled from Bent Creek's Animal Arches for a project that I am still not sure I want to announce yet ( It will only happen if I have time).

The goal list is working out well, I have about half knocked off. But get this, I headed off to get the whole passport thing going, had pictures, waited a half hour at the processing place, and when I get to the front of the line I find out my Birth Certificate is no good. I had my Hospital certificate (which is apparently just for show) and my Certificate of Birth (given by the health dept) but since it did not have a seal/watermark it was not acceptable. I have been using this same documentation for my entire life! Anyway thay tell me I will have to order another one, which I can do online (thank you technology), and I find out that this is DISTURBINGLY easy. all you need is a Date, Place, Name, and Parent names. THAT'S IT! I'll have it in 5-7 days. I am glad this is easy for me to do (saved me ALOT of hassle) but also a bit upset...anyone with a bit of personal info could totally get a Birth/Marriage/Death Certificate and steal an ID. If the original one I have from 1974 is not acceptable, how is one that was ordered online (by anyone) and printed yesterday more acceptable by the powers that be??

In BABY news I just came back from another doctor visit. I am so tired of these boring doctor visits... I almost wish I could just call up and say everything is fine, I'll see you when labor starts. Instead it is the usual pee test/weight check/BP then a 15 min-half hour wait for the doctor to measure my stomach and listen to the heartbeat (which I know is there...she was just kicking me a second ago). And since I have no questions, and no problems they are out the door. I guess I just want something to get excited about. My childbirth classes are over. The infant car seat is installed. Her room is nowhere NEAR ready, but I have no control over that. And I have a feeling it will be a long slow wait from here. Time sped up in the middle there... now it feels like the first 2 months when we were just WAITING to see and hear her...

Let the final countdown begin....Week 6

I taught my last class yesterday. And since I only teach labs I don't have to worry about finals and can now fully get organized and prepare for the big B-Day on the horizon. I am on a big rollercoaster right now. Some days are very good, I am motivated and upbeat. Other days everything I see and hear irritates me to no end. I have alot to do in the next month and a half so in order to keep the down days to a minimum I am going to use this blog to lay out 10 weekly goals for myself. So this place will be very laundry list like for a bit. Here we go

Week 6: 4/20 - 4/27
1. Grade all the last papers for classes, put grades in, and clean up office.
2. Finish redoing the figures for manuscript and pull research papers.
3. Package up Round robin and send out.
4. Get the Passport application process started (I am heading to Canada in August).
5. Clean/organize master bedroom and hall closets top to bottom.
6. Return/Exchange baby shower gifts (just a few).
7. Write 10 thank you cards.
8. Clean out and plant herb bed...this is the only garden I am planning on keeping up this summer.
9. Start baby book
10. Get dog groomed

Baby shower....Check.

Guest of Honor (me)
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Hello all,
I know you are just dying to know how the shower went. Well, better than I anticipated. It was short and fun for both me and the guests...I think. There are more photos on my flickr accout if yu want to check it out. My sister (to my right in the next photo) planned the games which kept everyone involved while I was opening gifts. I got a lot of things off my registry and quite a few things that were not. ( I didn't use the code phrase Anna, but it did pop in to my head a couple of times, of course those were the things that did not have a receipt.)

Opening gifts
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I did discover that I registered for WAY to many towels/washcloths and blankets (I am having a baby in JUNE , I must of lost my mind registering.) and then got more blankets/bath stuff that i did not ask for! They say not to register for toys or clothes because those things are always a popular gifts. That came true for the toys I won't need to buy any more, but not so for the clothes. I got a couple of cute dresses, but only a few packs of onesies and that was it.

I know more gifts will be coming, Ihave another shower or wo, an Ians buddies are throwing him a pamper party (perfect for guys they bring a package if diapers and beer and hangout to razz the future father about how much his life is going to go down the drain)

Did anyone catch Notes from the Underbelly on ABC last week? A complete riot, and the absolute truth. I actually made me feel abit better about the lack of reason behind wanting to have a baby...I think it will be on wed at 8:30...If you have ever been pregnant or are even considering it, I think you will enjoy it.

Week 32

Week 32
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

May I rant for a moment ? Thanks, and no flames please, I just need to vent this out.
So my least favorite (and most oft asked) question now is "Are you getting excited? " Depending on my mood, I may lie and say yes but usually I am honest and say no, I am scared out of my mind. Why is this so shocking to people? Both those who have had and haven't had kids?

I was talking with Ian this morning and he feels as scared and helpless as I do. Excitement? no. I mean this is not like a countdown to vacation, or buying a house, or even to a big event like our wedding. I feel like I have entered a dark tunnel and on the other side I am told there is light, but I also know it is a giant rollercoaster that, now that I have paid for the ticket, I will never be allowed off.
Would I change my mind? No, I know in my heart that I would make this decision again, for I would ever regret not going through this most basic of human experiences. But for the love, stop asking if I am excited about my world turning upside down.

My shower is saturday and while it is exciting (who doesn't love gifts) I am also very fearful of it. I don't fake emotions well, and am scared I will seem cold if I can't manage a big Ohh and Ahh over every little cute thing. ugh.

Here is another pic so Bellastitch doesn't feel so bad about being big. Looks like a beer gut, eh? oh and those stretch marks, those are from puberty, nothing new yet.

Belly shot- week 32
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Round and Round and round

May and June minikats
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it, and belated Passover greetings from last week.

But on to the important things, cross stitch. I joined a round robin a couple of months ago, my first ever,...not thinking as a transformed parent yet...and instead of bailing on the group, I am going to use it as the perfect excuse to keep cross stitch in my life during this time of transition, Sleep or no sleep. It consists of 6 folks and will go until next Feb. I chose to do a design I have been meaning to do for a while...the 12 monthly mini-kats by Calico Crossroads. It is on 28 count Laguna instead of the 14 ct aida called for. Each person only has to do one, but I did 2 to get us rolling...May and June. May took a couple of days, June only 1 day to do. I will be sending this off as soon as I can (although the robin does not officially start till May).

after this picture, my cat Sam asked if he could be a mini-kat, I told him he did not fit.....not happy.

Sam -trying to be a mini kat
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Housewarming gift

Housewarming redo
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I bought this pattern 2 years ago at CATS. It is by JBW designs. and I think it is OOP since it is no longer on their website. But anyway, I bought it for a friend who at the time, was talking about selling her house and buying a bigger one. I finially got to start it when she bought one this past month. Originally I had decided to make it into a wall hanging (my first attempt at such). and when it was all done (see picture below) I decided I would never hang such a piece of crap on my wall, so I couldn't possibly give it to somone else to hang on theirs. The perfectionist in me decided to tear it apart and I finished it instead No -sew cube style. I can't sew in a straight line on a machine to save my life. No wonder I have such trouble trying to quilt (maintaining a 1/4 inch straight seam is the toughest part) Maybe if I could figure out how to drop the feed dogs on my sewing machine, but I think it is too old to do that.

Tis ahome
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Shhh. Baby is Sleeping

Baby is sleeping
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Yeah I found my camera! It was hanging up right by the door. In a place I never put it. Well I was really tired on Sat after I got home, so that might explain it.

First up Is the Kreinik freebie "Baby is sleeping". I decided not to use the kreinik it calls for cause well...I didn't have any it called for and had trouble finding them and it would of cost me about $40 to $50 to buy them all. So this is a DMC conversion. I matched it to the great fabric I found to finish it off. I also used fusible web for the first time to give the finished product a bit of structure. After a bit of swearing, may use it in the future for ornaments. Both of these were given as gifts for friends having babies at the end of April.

I apologize for the cruddy photo, I took one more close up,but it came out fuzzy, cause my digital camera can't focus if I I turn the flash off. If the flash is on and the light isn't bright enough then it washes it out. Sigh. I do NOT recommend the NIkon Coolpix P2 for cross stitch photos. I wish I had a scanner, those pictures always come out so well on blogs.

Lots to show...but missing main ingredient

No Camera. I seem to have misplaced it. I know it is around somewhere, Just been busy lately.

This past Saturday was a doozy. I had a Tarheel stitch-in in the morning, a baby shower and a bridal shower in the afternoon, and a housewarming that same evening. And since I never turn down an invite to a party...I was eating all day. It really wasn't that bad, I paced myself and was ready with everything, gifts, directions, etc. I was just a bit sore the next day. But I have stitchy things that I made for the baby shower and housewarming that I want to show you. so as soon as I find the damn camera, I'll be hitting this blog with lots of posts.

In babyland (is that a section of the Magic Kingdom?) I went to the doctor yesterday, met doctor #4 of 7, he was cool, I haven't met a bad one yet at this practice. He pulled out the portable ultrasound to check baby position. She is already head down and facing my right side. Now we just need to make sure she stays this way. Then we had our first childbirth class. there were about 12 couples there, due anywhere from May 3 to July 23, And I was one of the 2 smallest (belly wise) in the class. After a Saturday of people looking surprised when I said I was 6 and 1/2 months pregnant, I made the doctor look at my chart to have him confirm everything is Ok in that dept. But my weight gain is normal, and he said it should actually slow down to a pound a week from here on.
Countdown is as follows:
2 weeks till next Dr. appt
2 1/2 weeks till baby shower
4 weeks till the end of teaching
5 weeks till trip to beach
10 weeks till due date

Almost 30 weeks

WARNING: Pregnancy and Breast related topics to follow:


26 weeks
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Let me ask you, do you see a big difference between this and

\

29 weeks
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

this???? There is 4 weeks between the 2 photos (and almost 8 pounds), and even though the perspective is off Iwould think I would look a bit different. I even still have a belly button...It is not even flat yet. I do feel different. Its a bit tougher to get up from sitting and she is moving ALOT more now. Part of it I think is that she is (I think) transverse. there is no kicking on my ribs or my bladder. just to the sides...so I don't protrude very far. Second is my breasts are expanding faster, I have gone up one whole cup size in 4 weeks. (a total of 3 cup sizes from normal) THIS is not something to be happy about. It means I have to part with another $80-90 for special order bras yeah. They don't have my size in stores. I joked at the beginning I would be halfway thru the alphabet before the baby came. Now I am beginning to wonder if that isn't premonatory. I mean really how much milk can one baby need...it does refill right?? One of my pregnant friends commented on how I shouldn't invest in a breast pump yet because I don't know if I will be able to produce enough milk to breastfeed. I almost laughed in her face, If my freakishly large breasts can't produce enough milk then there is no hope for anyone else!!

"Always make new mistakes" Esther Dyson

In order to tell this story, I need to give you a little bit of background. As a child of about 6 or so I distinctly recall seeing the damage inflicted by a accidentially stapled thumbnail of another child. And being the sardonic child that I was, I had no sympathy for him, I just remember thinking what kind of idiot staples his thumb? I ranked it right up there with other stupid things, like putting a finger in the pencil sharpener, or sticking your tongue in a light socket. Things that, since you can IMAGINE the result and the consequences you don't need to do them. (side bar: is it me or is it usually boys who do this kind of stuff? but that is whole other topic).

So the other day Ian had brought home a bunch of stuff from work, junk that was just rattling around in his tool box, to sort through. I looked over the stuff and innocently picked up a tiny stapler. I commented that it was cute but broken, the top half (cover and staple holder) no longer locked together. and as I tried to force to two parts together, a sharp pain issued from my hand. in that split second I thought, oh I did NOT just staple my thumb! I looked down and sure enough a staple was half buried in the pad of my thumb. I pulled it out and instead of the usual curse or ouch, I immediately started to laugh. Needless to say Ian was very confused till I caught my breath and explained, that a perfect record of not stapling my body had come to a screeching halt. Now we know what kind of idiot staples her thumb....one who just got a 26 year old payback

2 days later the darn thing is still a bit sore.

Roly Poly Snowman

Roly Poly Snowman
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

What?? Well it is not to far outside the realm for those of you still dealing with winter, But here in good old NC I am now able to walk the dog without a coat on. we might have a cold patch still to come, but by the end of the month it is pretty much a garanteed spring. The early daffodils are all blooming now. So for me it is a bit late (or early) for christmas ornaments, but he was halfway done, So when I finally got my hands on some more GAST I was able to finish him up. He was in one of the JCS mags (05?) by Bent Creek.

Currently I am working on a couple of baby shower gifts for friends, one in NJ, one here, both in 2 weeks so I'll post those when I am all done.

To answer your question Anna, the floor was in excellent shape, it just had som black marks from the carpet glue? All we had to do was sand the whole floor (using a hand sander 220 grit) and Polyurethaned (Minwax) with 4 coats. (sanding between each coat with 400 grit) I highly recommend using a lambswool applicator (it screws on to any broom handle) . The process was very easy with the room being empty.

Home stretch

As of today I am officially in my last trimester. thats 12 weeks, or 3 months, or 84 days, if you are counting. Which we are. As my stepfather put it so succinctly the other day, this baby is coming like a freight train, and I am starting to feel like a deer in the headlights. Anxious, excited, and scared out of my mind. I am slowly coming to realize that my world will come to a screeching halt in 3 months and while everyone who is a mother will tell you that it is worth it, that doesn't help me sleep at night. Anticipation of the labor and delivery is having me read a different book every night, only to reassure me with the knowledge that my experience will be completely unpredictable and nothing like what I have read. In the past few weeks I have registered for a ton of stuff that I may or may not need depending on who you speak to. We have painted the ceiling and installed a newer, smaller ceiling fan. My mother and stepfather came this week during spring break to help rip up the fabulous tangerine shag carpet and redo the hardwood floor underneath and it is much more fabulous, Don'tchathink?



Floor of the babys room
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ceiling of babys room
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

OkOk it is not all that bad. I am just a bit freaked out. But Ian and I have found our pediatrician, are close to finalizing a day care for the fall, and are in the process of interviewing Doulas. So at least our network of support is becoming more solidified. My mom and I went out and bought some cute clothes at a couple of consignment stores so the layette (strange word) is finally starting to build.


closet and baby clothes
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Overdyed turtle

Turtle freebie
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ain't he CUTE!
I used some of the new? varigated floss from DMC. I can't recall the # right now. But it felt the same as regular DMC, good coverage and it consistantly changed every inch or two. What I think I might like about this stuff is that it is colorfast (or so they claim, I haven't checked) but it would be nice to use overdyed on things I plan on washing.

the pattern can be found here

Can't see the forest for the paint

A forest on the wall
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ian painted the ceiling yesterday, but I haven't taken a photo of that yet. I thought I would entertain you with his version of a forest that was done last week. It is a bit dark, but he promises it will get lighter as he moves forward and down. To answer some of your comments, no Ian is not a painter, just a self taught sketcher. Normally he does pencil sketches, and accents them with color or a bit of paint. He has never to my knowledge painted anything larger than a sheet of 8x11 paper. His "real" job is an aircraft mechanic, but like me has NUMEROUS hobbies (currently I can count 7 for him and 7 for me, see below) and this doesn't include the dozens we have both tried and stopped over the years. We have so many hobbies that our 3rd bedroom is technically called the Craft Room and is where we throw guests to stay overnight (there is a futon, so no, they don't have to sleep on the big piles of fabric). In fact both of us go far out of our way to avoid aquiring new hobbies because what we have takes up so much time/ money already...It is one of those things that made us wait so long to have a child, we really don't want to give these things up but know that time/money spend on a child will force us do ditch at least most of them for about 18 years.

Hobby List for Me:
Cross stitch
Jewelry making
Candle making
Quilting
Knitting
Reading
Scrapbooking

Hobby List for Ian:
Drawing
RC helicopter
Legos
Auto Mechanics
Woodworking
Reading
Flying (real airplanes)
Is Xbox a hobby?

Let's just say if we won the lottery neither of us would ever get bored.

Little stitches

Portrait of a Cat
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Portrait of a dog
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

While Ian paints, I stitch. Here are a couple of little guys I finished the past weekend. Both of these are Brittercup Freebies (I have plans for them but won't tell you what they are yet). Portrait of a Dog and Portrait of a cat. For both I substituted an overdyed floss that matched my current pets.

Landscaping....Inside

The background trees
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

So in preparation of the mural painting, Ian recalled that he had seen a muralist ( is that what you call them?) once working using a photograph as a guide. He thought at the time that was kind of "cheating". But now faced with a blank wall and the wish to make a mural look "real" he had decided that using the colors from photographs may be the best way to go. The result is this, a very real looking background of trees reflected in the water. Is it a lake? a river? I am not sure yet. It will be interesting to see how the animals fit in to this. We still have a ways to go

Stitching!

work on Nine Patch village by Bright Needle
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Yeah....Here is my work on Brightneedle's Nine Patch Village that I worked on over at the Tarheel get together on Sat. This is over one on 28 evenweave. I had to break down and buy a magnifier for this one just so I can stitch as fast as I do over two.
I have to say I am a bit dissapointed with the colors..they are just too light. I picked a fabric which I thought matched the model photo pretty closely (and I still think it does.) However as I started stitching I noticed that a couple of my fibers, ones that are called for, not substituted, blend in too well with the fabric. Like in the top block with the house, there is a fence. Can you see it? I can't. and even squinting at the model photo, you can barely tell there is a fence, so I know my fabric isn't that far off. I think I might leave the fence out of some of the other squares since I don't think it really enhanced the piece. The colors are so muted overall that if I darken up one fiber, I would have to bump up the whole lot of them. If I could start all over...which I am NOT I would pick a darker fabric.

I have also been working on another piece but I can't show it to you for a bit as it is a gift I am working on.

15 minutes of fame

Ok not for me, but the next best thing ...a relation! My crafty cousin Betsy was on Martha Stewart. You can check out her blog here. and a link to the video clip from this past Friday's Martha here it is the teacup pincushion clip. It will be up for 2 weeks. Is it just me or is Martha looking a bit fluffy? She also has a book coming out this year (Betz, not Martha), they all involve projects using felted wool. Someday I'll have to try out a couple of her crafts.

We have a sky

Sky in Baby room
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

as I edge into my 6th month I am noticing more and more that the blogs I read (majority of them about cross stitching) are almost all authored by folks with no children. I am guessing this is because stitchers with children probably barely have time to stitch much less blog. So in deference to my childless readers, so as not to bore you out of your mind with isn't she cute posts, I will try to only post about my baby once every 3 stitching posts Deal?

On the upside of that is that all our baby room prep is about crafting/painting. As you can see from the picture the main part of the sky is done. Ian took 3 original shades of paint and about 4 hours to do the whole room. He used a big brush in a technique I guess is best described as stippling. I think it came out much better than I had hoped for, there is shading and depth and it already looks like a real sky, and clouds are still to come. The ceiling will be done as well in the darker blue tones. Ian is already shopping about for the shades of green we need for the grass.

Valentines Exchange

Valentines Exchange
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I recieved my valentines exchange on Mon from a fellow Tarheel, Linda. This was nice because I had someone in mind when I was stitching and shopping.. but I did not realize that she would be sending me stuff too! I thought it was one of those exchanges like we had on the bloggers exchange board where you sent off something but what you recieved was from someone different. Anyway, I got a lovely little scissor fob, a tuck in wall hanging frame, 2 patterns, floss, a candle, a homemade card, and chocolate. Above and beyond what was expected. I did not take a picure of what I sent her but it also had a fob and a candle involved ;) great minds think alike.

October Sampler

October Sampler
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

A freebie by Passion Broderie. I know it is February, But technically this has been "done" for over a year. Here is the full story: I first saw this as a finished picture on the now defunct Xstitch freebie website , it's still up just no longer added to or maintained. I loved this website to see how you could finish freebies (which is usually just a photocopy without a color picture). and cruised it often. Well since I could no longer find this freebie online, I contacted the original stitcher who kindly sent me the pattern. I decided it would look great on some green fabric with this hand dyed fiber that Aniza sent me long ago. Unfortunately I ran out of the thread on the bottom row. I tried to contact Aniza (who is in Malaysia) with no luck, then just put it away while I tried to figure out what to do. At the Pidgen Forge retreat, I took it with me to see if Brenda (our local dyer) could recreate the thread. But before that happened, my brilliant tarheels said "why don't you just do your initials and/or date in a solid color that matches" DUH. why didn't I think of that? See this is why we need stitching groups. So others help solve problems what you are too close to a project to see.
Well yesterday I pulled out some graph paper, thread, and an hour later....DONE.

A valentine for you

A Valentine for You
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here it is my second finish of 2007. Well it has to be FINISHED into a fob in the next couple of days. ( if I can dodge the snow/sleet that is due tomorrow)..It is a freebie, the Heart Fob by Jeannette Douglas Designs. I am very happy with it. I was working with a black and white photocopy and did not have any of the fibers called for so I just picked a couple of GAST and Dye is Cast threads that looked good. I found the actual model on line here, and am surprised that is it so similar, (maybe just a bit more pink).

No Gnus is Good Gnus, with Gary Gnu

I have been working on a valentine exchange to be mailed by friday, just a bit if back stitching left. Maybe I will post a picture for you all tomorrow if it is done.

how about an SBQ? I haven't done one in a while:
What company produces your favorite hand-dyed fabric? Are there any companies whose hand-dyed fabric you do not like? If so, why?
It took me a while to get into hand dyed fibers, but i just am not that into hand dyed fabric. I will use it if I see it in a model and i feel it enhances the final project. I like subtle variations. In that case I will use exactly what it calls for. I am comfortable substituting various fibers, and color/counts of fabric. But not yet using hand dyed fabric. Most I feel are overdone, and overwhelm instead of enhance the picture. But back to the question. I use the hand dyed that is called for, Crossed Wings fabric for Mitten Games, R&R for the Dragonfly last year.


Baby room: Ian and I primed the walls yesterday, now it is bright white and ready for experimentation. My amateur drawing husband sketched out what he wants to put on the walls, and it looks great on paper, I am hoping that it will look as good on the wall and it does in our heads. We are going to attempt an outdoor mural on the wall. Like this. Sky, grass, and a pond. maybe a tree or two. In this big picture wil be all the various animal characters that Ian has created over the years. As they appear I will introduce them to you, but it is not the little stuff I am worried about. It is the grass/sky/clouds that worry me. I don't want it to look to flat, and I am no good at translating a picture onto paper. I think Ian can do it, it just might take him a couple of attempts, since he has never done anything on so grand a scale.
We also pulled up some of the carpet to take a look at the hardwood under it. (right now it will be the drop cloth for our painting) . It looks pretty good, there are some weird black marks like tire tracks but it looks like a bit of sanding will take care of those.

The Baby's Room....before

before2
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

the main focus of my creative mind these days is the decor for the room of my baby....GIRL. Yep we found out on Monday the ultrasound went great and everything looks good. Part of me was pulling for a boy just because I wanted to get this crib set. Now it seems to boyish for a girl. and I have yet to see any "theme" for a girl that appeals to me. but regardless we have started to prepare the room.

before1
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

orange shag
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

this fabulous room has Orange shag carpet (which is going!) and was the home of the office stuff and weightlifting equipment. We bought a computer armoire and moved all the office stuff to the library. It was cheap at Wally World...which I hate (the store not the armoire) but we couldn't spend too much with baby furniture in our near future. Pretty good I guess. Here it is :


computer armoire closed
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

the weight lifting stuff will head out to storage, and the desk to my sister.
The walls are spackled and ready to be primed.

ready to paint
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

the next step.... will be as soon as I decide what I want to do. Ian wants to do a mural in the whole room. grass, sky, beach, garden... the ideas are flying around like drunken pilots. so stay tuned for more.
Now I have to go start my valentine exchange piece

First Happy Dance of 2007

the big picture
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Check it out. Shoot if I had known I was only 4 nights (and a morning) away from finishing this thing I would of done so long ago. It ended up that the bottom bands were not as totally random as the top (see close up of the bottom of the sampler below). This ends up pretty big, and would love to have this professionally framed. now to see how long it will take for me to save up that money.

Finished Bottom of Sampler

Finished Bottom of Sampler
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I take it back

View to a Spring Garden -Black Swan
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Figures, after all my whining yesterday, I got home pulled out View to a Spring Garden and started stitching on it. I would say I am 90% done with the center panel, which is 50% of the whole thing. The only fiber I am missing is 015HL Krenick for the gazing ball and the pond. I could of sworn I had bought it, but can't find it anywhere, so I may have to order that and move on down while I await its arrival. For a picture of what it will look like done...look here, anout half way down the page.

Halfway to Parenthood

Ian had to leave monday for 2 weeks in Orlando for school (his job makes him take updates on the airplanes he works on and sometimes they get to go to cool places). Unfortunately this leaves me alone and depressed with only the dog and cat for company. I have been trying to stay busy (read: clean the house). I have found a creative outlet that is working for me though. I have been working on my scrapbooks ...right now the one with all the pictures from Alaska. I think I can see the end of this one, with only about 6-8 pages left (I have done about 20 pages since Christmas). after that I am going to try to finish scrapbooking at least all of the 2006 pics. The only problem is that to use the only decent workspace I have (the coffeetable) I have to sit on the floor, and my butt is not approving of this after about an hour or 2.

If I had to analyze this (which I will) I would say that maybe (just maybe) my body is trying to get me to catch up on the photos that I been meaning to get to but have avoided, to get as much done as possible in the next 20 weeks. Even if this is true I am still a bit bummed about my stitching slump...so to cheer me up I looked at what I accomplished over the past years since I started this blog:

2006= 32 cross stitch projects completed and 25 finished off (framed, ornament ,etc)
2005= 33 cross stitch projects completed and 30 finished
2004 =12 cross stitch projects completed and 10 finished

Not too shabby, since I bet that those 3 years surpassed the sum total of my stitching up till that point. I think I will set a low goal for the year of 8-10 projects completed. Currently I have 5 WIPS. One of these View to a Spring Garden absolutely has to be finished so I can put that scroll frame away..it takes up too much space when I am not using it. I actually have more of it done than what is pictured there...maybe I'll take an updated photo for you all this evening... it will give me something to do.

New Year...Resolutions? nah...

....I have too much to do to make resolutions this year. Unfortunately Cross stitch is still elusive. I am going to sign up for valentines exchange though, even if it is just to force me to pick up a needle this month. Don't think I haven't tried, All i need is a new project right? Well the other day I started Four Trees by Bent Creek. three hours and one tree later I realized I was off center by a whole inch! this means ripping it all out and starting again. Like I said before, other pregnant ladies forget their keys,etc...I feel like I have lost my ability to stitch.

On the up side, (if it is an up side) I have entered the fat stage that all the books talk about happening during the third month. (where you don't look pregnant yet just fat) So even though I am entering my fifth month, my jeans only have another week or two of fitting.
In preparation of Babyhood, I started to clean out my Mary Kay stuff, which is currently housed in the baby's room. Being a consultant for 5 years can certianly build up a lot of trash, and I maintain a full inventory. Even though I am not fully active (I rarely hold classes) I still want to maintain my customers, so I reduced it down to the basics; inventory, samples, paperwork. and it is getting moved to a convenient location in the attic. This of course meant the attic needed a bit of sprucing...the result: 2 bags of trash, a giant pile for Goodwill, and a (almost) empty closet for Baby.

Disney, Christmas, Cross stitch, Baby update...Long Post

Ian and I at the Osbourne spectacle of Dancing lights
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Hi everyone, I would like to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukah/Winter Solstice. But I am right on time for Happy New Year! Ian and I got back from Disney last wed, and he had to return to work the next day ...so that left me with laundry and refilling the fridge, and doing some (minor) prep for christmas, like cooking and baking a bit for the two of us.
But now the updates

Disney: I shall not bore you with the long winded version of 10 days worth of park hopping and hanging out, so let me summarize. The weather was great, it only rained one day and while it was overcast most of the time, the temp was about 75-80 during the day. We had 7 full days to visit all 4 parks and went to all of the at least twice and saw almost everything. Ian, having never been, absolutely loved it (except not being able to ride the coasters with me, and the fact that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is gone). I had been to all (but Animal Kingdom) before but it was a great as I remember, if not better because we had the time to browse Disney instead of rushing through it, and being on their dining plan (a bargain for $30 a day per person...we would of spent twice to three times as much if we had paid the list prices) I got to eat at all the places that I had ever wanted to...and some I learned I won't go back to. We never had to worry about transport, the busses, boats, and monorail took us everywhere. We saw all the christmas extras, the fireworks at Epcot, the fireworks at Magic Kingdom (twice), and the candlelight processional at Epcot where we heard beautiful carols, and the readings were done by Neil Patrick Harris.
If you want further insights or review, you can email me at the address in my profile

Christmas: As I had mentioned before I did not decorate this year, so Ian and I just opened our gifts from our families in front of the fire, even though it has beenin the 60s outside. Ian and I did not exchange gifts this year, Disney was it. But I did get a couple of things off my cross stitch wishlist from my mom, Pine Mountain Designs, Stitching and Easter Pillows and Homespun Elegance Winter motif and Fall motif samplers (I have links to pictures of these here on my wishlist). Speaking of cross stitch

Cross stitch: I have done nothing. Sigh. This stiching slump started right after I found out I was pregnant and finished Santa of the forest. It is frustrating because now is the time to stitch...before my life gets kicked in the head by a baby. I want to stitch but it has been boring me after a row or two (even on small projects). Everyone blames weird stuff during pregnancy on hormones. and even though I have not seen my share of any of that yet (no cravings or big mood swings) maybe I can blame my loss of cross stitch desire on the hormones. Sigh. Maybe a new project?

Baby: I went in for a doctor visit yesterday and Ian and I were hoping for an Ultrasound because we were visiting 6 weeks instead of 4 after our last visit. But the doctor said they don't do it till 18-20 weeks. So then I whined a bit about it being 18 weeks for me in 2 days, she obliged by bringing in the portable ultrasound, an older model with a tiny screen and scratchy picture, But we saw a head, a nose, a mouth, 2 eyes, an arm, a spine, 2 legs, and 2 knees. I have to wait 3 weeks for more than that. But I can do that now, because I am finally feeling him/her. Like someone is flicking me with a finger from the inside, I have been feeling kicks since friday, and everyday I feel more of them (in strength and number). I am still not showing very much, my jeans still fit, and I haven't gained but a couple of pounds. But Ian and I have now begun heavy discussion about cleaning out the room that is to be the baby's room..and where all that crap is going to go now. You know...I think I might actually be having a baby.

We meet Stitch!

We meet Stitch!
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Just a quick post cause it costs us $10 for 24 hours of internet time. So no more posts till we return, You can see some highlighted photos of our journey so far if you click on the photo it should take you to a couple of other photos.

Ian wanted to meet Tigger and Stitch, we were very lucky and got to both yesterday (quite by accident) at the Magic Kngdom. Ian was upset that Mr Toads Wild Ride is no more. We have been to Epcot 2ce and are going back today to finish up the World part. MGM was done on Tues. Yet to go to Animal Kingdom...maybe Sunday.

Off to the Land Of Walt Disney

Peace By Heart in Hand
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I finally got all the christmas gifts off in the mail to the Parents and Inlaws. Doing the last load of laundry and beginning to pack. Tomorrow I am dropping Max off at the kennel (we call it puppy camp) cutely named The Bed and Biscuit. Then off to a Tarheel stitcher meeting to do a christmas exchange. Then packing and off on Sunday morning.
The cross stitch is a ornament I made for the exchange ..Peace by Heart in Hand. I adjusted some of the colors to fit what I had on hand, but I think it came out ok.

I am bringing my laptop and will try to post while I am in FL. But if I don't get to, then I shall see you all in the 20th.

Sucked in by a book

So instead of stitching, cleaning, packing, shipping, preparing etc. Yesterday I was sucked in by a book. The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. I came home fully prepared to cook, clean, and do all the things that I need to do in the next 5 days, and instead I read straight from 5pm till 1am. This is not abnormal for me, just abnormal for me lately. I used to read straight through large volumes when I was in jr high and high school, it was a struggle for me to put down stephen king so I could do homework. I kept track of all the books I read and usually averaged about 30-35 a year. I get sucked into books in a way which is not possible with TV or movies, and so I knew I had to swear off the novels while I was in Graduate school or my thesis would of never gotten done. Now that the grading is done and the final I am giving is copied and ready for judgement day tomorrow, I guess I just gave in to the reading monster.

Anyway, the Queens Fool was not the best book ever but it was pretty darn good. A bit more far reaching than most historical novels, this has a fully contrived character that we follow in the tudor court of (mostly) Queen Mary. I have loved the whole Tudor story and Elizabethian england since I was a young girl. I love to read historical novels of the time. I mentioned to my advisor this summer that I loved these types of book and she lent me two, The Virgin Queen by Maureen Peters, a facinating version of the relationship between Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour, and The Last Boleyn by Karen Peters which I had mistaken for The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory both are about Mary Boleyn, sister to Anne, mistress to the king. I will be interested to see how The Other Boleyn Girl compares to The Last Boleyn which overall whas written a bit better than the Queen's Fool, but then again maybe I just like my character exploration to stick closer to the known facts of history.

More ornamentation

side 2
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is Frosty Nights by Whisky Creek Ink from 2003 JCS ornament magazine. It is done in all DMC on perforated paper, there are 2 sides, see the back in the below post, and then it is folded into a open sided triangle I haven't had any time to stitch much else, been cleaning, finishing up grading and finals (I get to give them not take them!) and trying to get random things done like christmas shopping before we leave in exactly one week. 10 Days vacation!! I can't wait.

Frosty nights back side

side 1
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Parasitic infestation of the best kind

No I'm not kidding
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

And you were expecting cross stitch! Surprise!. I'm Pregnant.

Actually this is not a surprise for us, this child (our first) has been scrupulously planned. From years of heated debate, to a resigned decision, to waiting till I was done with school and aquired a full time job, to limiting time for conception so the birth would fall during the summer break when I was not working.

We will be expecting the baby June 1st. Of course it will be late because late babies run in the family (my sister and I were both 3 weeks late!). I have known since the stick test you see a day after my missed period, in Sept. It was faint, but the doctors took it as accurate, and that is all the proof I had till I got to hear the heartbeat on Nov 14th. Now that all the immediate relatives know (it is the first grandchild on both sides). I can tell you, my loyal bloggers/stitchers.

To answer the standard questions: I feel fine, I was only nausous the first few weeks. Yes we will be finding out the sex. No I am not showing yet, and No I do not have an ultrasound yet ( they make the healthy people wait till 18 weeks!).

I did finish 1 ornament over the break, but have not photographed it yet...so you will have to wait in suspense till tomorrow

And another one down.....

Symbolic X christmas ornament
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is my favorite this year, Symbolic X by the Sampler House, JCS 2002. I did not like alot of the ones in 2002 mag, and this one didn't "pop" but it is simple and elegant (and fast). I like how it is ornate but in only one color.

I think I might do a couple more before heading ack to the bigger projects. (though I'll have to save a couple for the flights to and from FL).

Which leads us to the Question of the Week (last week):Do you stitch Christmas ornaments? If so, how many do you stitch each year and for whom? If not, why not? Silly rabbit, yes I do. I started really stitching last year, most for myself. This year I am just stitching what I like, again mostly for me. Although I think that I would like to continue doing 4-6 a year and start giving them away in the future.

Another Ornament

Home for the holidays
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is Home for the Holidays, an ornament by Little house Needleworks. 2005 JCS ornament mag. I did it on blu linen instead of natural like it shows in magazine. I am not really happy with the green, it is a bit to dark, I thought about lightening it up, but I think I'll just move on. I placed an order with Nordic Needle for a couple of charts and some Krenik silk mori threads for Nine Patch. so that is on hold for now till that comes in. I am loving these fast ornaments. I will probably stop stitching and finish them after Thanksgiving.

My mom, stepdad, and sister are arriving on wed for thanksiving, then one last week of school, then one week after that till we head to Wald Disney World on the 10th. I don't know if I'll have time to even send out christmas cards this year. I haven't done any christmas shopping yet. Al though these past 2 months have CRAWLED by, thanksgiving seems like it got here quicker than usual, like it is a week early or something.

S.E.X. at the retreat

S.E.X. at the retreat
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I had a great time, thank you. I arrived around 4 on friday and got right to stitching. I decided to start Mitten Games by Crossed Wing, (see progress below). I stayed up till 11 when I had to crash, luckily my hotel room was a full 5 steps from the meeting room...no kidding.

On Sat we went to Knoxville (30 min away) to visit a LNS..Doublecross. A couple of ladies had arrived the day before and had visited Dixie Darlin the local LNS in Pigeon Forge we usually visit and reported that it had gone downhill, there seems to be a change in management (not ownwership though!) and now it was not as well stocked. Double cross was nice and I was able to get a few things on my wishlist (it has been since updated).

• 
  Miss Mary Mack by La-Di-Da
  Pumpkin Patches by Full Circle Designs
  Dragonflies, Ladybugs, and Bees oh my! by M designs
• Priceless by Glory Bee
• Christmas Forest Ornament by Historic stitches
• and some fabric that was pretty, cheap, or both

That evening we did the Dirty Santa Exchange and the ornament exchange (I did get a handmade one), and stitched some on Mitten games, and once bored with it, started Nine Patch Village by Brightneedle, till about midnight

On Sunday, everyone left and since I had a bit of time and was n't carpooling, I stopped by the Pfaltzgraff outlet to pick up a couple things and then swung by Dixie Darlins to confirm the rumors for myself. Although the reports were slightly exaggerated, It was definately a different store than I saw 2 years ago...and not to the positive. I did buy Winter wonderland by LHN. but that was it.

Everyone loved Santa of the Forest (I brought him to show him off)

See progress in below posts

Start on Mitten Games by Crossed Wing

Start on Mitten Games by Crossed Wing
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I am doing this one on the fabric called for, I got it last year at CATS, I think it will come out great, It is just tough to see with all the greys and whites so far.

Start on Nine Patch Village by Bright needle

Start on Nine Patch Village by Bright needle
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

On 28 count over one.. It calls for 32 over 1 on linen but I said to that HELLL no and it looks great on evenweave.... I really like this one, stay tuned

Thanks Pine Mtn Pillow

Thanks Pine Mtn Pillow
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Done on Sat while driving to Doublecross in Knoxville

Im heading out

The car is inspected, topped off, aligned and has been given the final seal of approval by the man...So I am off in about an hour. They kept adding meetings at work today, butI was able to get out of 2 of the 3 , the one I am attending means I can't leave till 11, but hey no complaints here....at least I get to go.

Have fun stitching this weekend, I know I will

Stitching Questions

Last weeks from Lee:
How did you decide on the title of your stitching blog? Was it random, or does it have a special meaning to you or about you?

I started this blog while I was a grad student in the field of biology so my life was consumed by science and stitching...hence... stitching scientist

This weeks from Jan:
How many different brands of “complete” embroidery floss sets do you own? How do you keep track of it? (i.e., spread sheet program, index cards, palm pilot, etc.)

Well I don't have any idea if my sets are "complete" I think I have like 95% of DMC and maybe 20% GAST and 10% WDW. with other random ones included in minority like, Dye is Cast and Six strand Sweets, and Cresent Colors. Only my DMC is organized and I used to have a complete list of what I did and didn't but it was never complete because a lot of my colors were kitted up elsewhere. It is easier for me to see if I have something when I go to kit it. If not then I go buy it.

The Car Lives!!

My husband said that my blog entry yesterday may have been a bit obnoxious and I trust him to recognize when I go too far. Since I can't stand other whiny blogs I try not to do it myself. I know I rarely comment here about my own personal stuff to such a deep extent, so I bet some of you were caught off guard. So if you were offended or put out by it I apologize.

An update on Little Car 2 (thats her name). As I mentioned before the damage was enough that we got the "totalled" cost of the vehicle. although the actual damage (bumper, condenser, light) was only about $3-500, the airbags were $2-3000, with no body work needed. Well my husband the mechanic (no kidding, he really is: works on airplanes for $ and vehicles for fun and to save $) went out and russled up some used parts at the junkyard (98 Nissan Sentras are a dime a dozen) and a few new parts wholesale. He even snagged some airbags and the control module for $300 at the junkyard too. All for less than the check we got for the car. He reassembled little car today and dropped it at the shop for a full inspection (due this month anyway) and check up. If you all will send good healing energy to my car, then it will pass with flying colors and I might be allowed to drive to the retreat on Friday.

Moral: If you are a bad driver, marry a mechanic

I am NOT OK, okay? so quit asking

Christmas Chorus
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

First the good news, here is The ornament I told you I was starting: Christmas Chorus by Elizabeth's designs. I did it on 32 instead of 36 so it is a bit bigger, and I used red beads instead of the black. I think I am going to finish this as they did in the magazine, blanket stitched on to a felt pillow. but that may be a couple of weeks.

Now the bad. I was in a car accident Sunday, no I was not hurt, yes it is my fault, and here begins my rant. I hate it, absolutely HATE it when people say, well as long as your Ok and no one was hurt. Why would I hate this sentiment, you ask? I am not really sure I can explain so it makes sense but here I go. First off if I am standing here talking to you then I am obviously fine, second even if the human bodies are OK that doesn't mean I am mentally. I am ashamed, and angry, I am upset that my car is "totaled" just cause the airbags went off and the cost of replacing them ($3,000!) is more than the car is worth. I am pissed cause I just paid my car off for the first time in my life am not making payments and angry that the girl I hit (who got away with a bit of paint transfer, not even a dent) is trying to get a ton of $$ from my insurance co. I am angry that my insurance will go up because of my stupidity. I am crying because I chose to take the road I did, instead of going straight home. I am infuriated that I may not get to go to the cross stitch retreat this weekend because I didn't hit the brakes soon enough.

Ever since I was a small child, whenever I fell down, I became angry at the person who asked me if I was ok, it is just an automatic irrational reaction. I think I was just displacing my anger at myself for falling. Once in college, I slipped and fell on my butt, my supervisor, came over, bent to my ear so only I could hear him and whispered "Can I help?" I was astounded, said no, and loved him from that moment on.

I gonna try to hit November running.

Ornaments
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Well as for my October Goals: I did finish and frame santa, I did not touch Spookline, and now that may sit in a drawer till next fall, but I did pick several ornaments out of my 7 JCS mags for, this season on Halloween! I picked way more than 5 (I think 10 or so) but plan on doing them all this year. I have decided to do nothing but smalls for the rest of the year to get my cross stitching mood back up. I may pick a medium project for the Retreat next weekend, but for the rest of the year it is going to be ornament city

As you can see pictured above I finished 2 ornaments this month already, the first on the left is Heaven and Nature Sing by Fancy Work..in JCS 2005 I had it half done from last year and finished it last night. The second one on the right is Seka's Doubled Sided stained glass ornament from JCS 2000. It is on perforated paper and was one of the first ornaments I ever did,. This one is for the exchange at the retreat, it was easy and I still had all the materials left over from my first one. I was burned 2 years ago, spending hours on a over one ornament that i adored, only to recieve a cheap 50 cent Target ornament in return (the ornament did not have to be handmade, I did it cause I thought (correctly) that it was the preffered option). Luckily the one I made went to a fellow Tarheel who appreciated it very much. So long story short (too late!) I did not want to put to much of my heart into this years, but it looks like i did.

Tonight I plan on starting Elizabeth's Designs' CHristmas Chorus from JCS 2006...Its all kitted and ready to go...........