My Valentine's Exchange

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Sorry about the late post this week, my mom amd stepdad had come in thursday evening on their way to a vacation (from the PA snow) in Tampa. They left this morning, I mailed out my Hooked on Exchanging valentine's exchange and when I got home...voila, my exchange from Edgar was in my mailbox. Don't you love it! It is a Goode Huswife piece called The Valentine Sampler on 32 ct. He also filled the box with fabric, candy and some yummy Vicki Clayton silks in bayberry. I am trying to figure out what I want to stitch with them. So thanks to Edgar I had something to show you today , yay.

Almost an oops

mystery project
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

mmmmyeah So looks like i signed up for the valentine exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging blog a while ago and forgot about it till yesterday...due on the 24th...whew, I still have time. I pulled a pattern and floss yesterday evening and started it , and am actually progressing pretty quickly on it (can't show it to you of course hence the cool macro shot) but I am not sure how i will finish it yet.

I have been back at work all week getting ready for classes to start next tuesday....Yep the first day of classes is on inauguration day...and guess when my 200 person lecture class is? Yeah 11-12:15. anyone wanna take bets on how many will be in class?? I'm thinking I'll be lucky to see 50.

Just a quick update

Pumpkin Patches WIP
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I am totally uninspired by my current WIPs, SO Istarted something new of course. I know it is not the season, but i was feeling something colorful...Pumpkin Patches by Full Circle Designs.

In truth I haven't been stitching as much because we got a Wii after christmas, and I have been playing Animal Crossing: City Folk way too much. It is a bit obsessing, for those who have one understand. those who don't ...be very careful, if you have things to do (cooking cleaning, sleeping), they will not get done while you play this game. (if you do have it and want to visit my town... email me!)

Nothing else is new around here...

Hellllllllooooooo 2009

We had a very quiet New Years. We visited some friends New Years Eve, but got home and were pooped out by 10. I think it is the first time in at least 10 years I did not see midnight, but I don't feel like I missed anything. We visited even more friends for New Years Day dinner, A western PA friend so it was pork and sauerkraut--a german thing I think. I think it is funny how different areas of the country have different things you should eat for luck. Here in the south it is black eyed peas.

Any way my resolution this year is to blog at least once a week all year.
In stitching resolutions lets take a look at my list for 2008:


If ithe project is done it is in Red. "resting" in a drawer is in green, and active WIP in Blue.


1. Simple Gifts, Homespun elegance
2. Mitten Games, Crossed Wings
3. Little Angel in the Clouds, Heart in Hand
4. A is for acorn and B is for Butterfly, Erica Michaels
5. Nine Patch Village, Brightneedle
6. Four Trees, Bent Creek
7. Dragonflies, ladybugs, and bees, oh my!, M designs
8. Blackbird Sampler, Blackbird designs
9. Rune Sampler, Enchanted Needle (May)
10. For the Birds, Drawn Thread (May)
11. Blessings, JBW designs (Oct)
12. Grand Old Duke, Arelate Studio
13. Birth Sampler
14. Miss Mary Mack, La Di Da
15. Four seasons ornament series, Prarie Schooler JCS Mags (2007)
16. Quaker Diamond, Hillside Samplings
17. Puppy Dog Row, Bent Creek
18. Pumpkin Patches, Full Circle Designs
19. Halloween House Sampler, Drawn Thread
20. Ringlet Tree, Marilynn and Jackie’s Collectibles (Changed my mind...I got rid of it)
21. Snowman Needleroll, M Designs
22. Just a Little Snowman ornament from Twisted Threads JCS Mag
23. Angel of Joy ornament from Bent Creek JCS Mag
24. Mimi's desk weight Olde Colonial Designs
25. Jeannette Douglas christmas ornament 08
Santa's cottage Mary Englebright
I Believe ornament(2) Amy Brueker designs JCS mag
Floss tag and scissor fob for exchanges

14 out of my original 25. not too bad for my first year of listing them this way. .So without further Ado: here is my list of 20 for 2009:

First 5 are WIPs

1. A is for Acorn, B is for butterfly, Erica Michaels
2. Nine Patch village, Brightneedle
3. Blackbird Sampler, Blackbird designs
4. Miss Mary Mack, La Di Da
5. Just a Little Snowman ornament, Twisted threads
6. Quaker Turtles, With My Needle
7. Home of a Needleworker, Little House Needleworks
8. The Beatings...., Sue Hillis
9. Grand Old Duke, Arelate Studio
10. Pumpkin Patches, Full circle designs
11. Dragonfles, Ladybugs and Bees oh my, M designs
12. Snowmen Needleroll, M designs
13. Polly Wolly Doodle, La di da
14. Christmas Forest Ornament, Historic Stitches
15. Birth Sampler
16. Christmas Ornament, Jeannette Douglas (other one in ornament mag...back for the one from Dec Mag...You'll see)
17. Kitty Cat Row, Bent Creek
18. Baby Blocks, JCS Sept 08 mag
19. OPEN
20. OPEN
21. Various exchanges and additional smalls/ornaments

Another one done.

I believe ornament by Amy Bruecken Designs
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I Believe ornament by Amy Brueken Designs, this was in 2008 JCS ornament mag. I stitched it in DMC conversions (except the yellow , it was an overdyed Dye is Cast thread I had on hand.). I stitched it on an overdyed yellow faby I had (not sure of the count it is an evenweave.)
I finished 2 of these. One was made for my Tarheel exchange gift, and I finished this one for me a couple days a go.

Puppydog row by Bent Creek

Puppydog row by Bent Creek
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is Puppy dog Row by Bent creek. I did it on the 28 count linen called for by the pattern. using DMC. I am sorry about the distance in the photo, but it is long! I did this one mostly because I found a custom frame for it by Poppy Kreations very cheap. and frames for these rows are not your standard size.(it is on their website in frame gallery # 29). I hope to have it framed and hung next week. I did not like the original pink poodle that was second from the left so I made it a off-black (3799) poodle...i am still unsure about it, mostly cause of the eyes...but they just do not appear if I use black. what do you think?

Keep it or change it?

Closeup of changed dog
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

More stitching tomorrow!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

From my family to yours.

P.S. See the dress came out pretty good. I'll be back friday with ......Stitching!

My Kitchen

old walls with wallpaper
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I still can't find my camera, It had better "Before" photos. But you can see here the wallpaper coming down.

Here are the spackled walls, the painting, and finally the stenciling.

Spackled walls
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Finished walls
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.
We painted the wainscoting white, and the walls are now Liveable Green (Duron). I originally spotted the color in a friends redone master bath! the stencil is of oak leaves, which cover my yard right now.

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

We will eventually paint the cabinets, and doors.....

This is for you Melanie and Jane:

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I think I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Past finals, holiday parties and a trashed house. I submit my end of the semester grades in 2 hours. Then I have 4 weeks till spring semester begins. This past week my mom and my stepdad were in town to help take down wallpaper and repaint my kitchen walls. It took 4 days to do, and it took 3 days to reorganize the house (my kitchen floor is still covered in spackle dust). I had my work party this past friday, and a Tarheel (cross stitch crew) get together and christmas exchange this past sat. At which point there was whining about my lack of updating the blog. (hence the title.)

Somehow in the past 2 weeks I have lost my camera, but here is what I do have for you: Annabeth photos! you can see her sprinkling cookies here (she did well till she found she could in fact eat the dough). planning her attack on the house plants, and just being cute.

Sprinklin cookies
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Tomorrow: kitchen photos before and after! (preview: you can see some of the before wallpaper in the background of the photos of her at the table)

I'll be back soon

Things are simply crazy here. I don't know why I just haven't had a sec to even upload new photos of annabeth or stitching to my computer. I have a question for all you moms out there. I read blogs where people are posting during nap time, how the hell are you doing that? when do you do laundry/ take a nap/ do dishes/ prep dinner? I mean I am lucky A will go down for 2 hours but I need every sec.

I am stitching but can't post what i have been working on till the recipient recieves it. I am wrapping up the school year and should have more time after this coming week. On top of that my mom and my stepdad are coming down from PA tomorrow for 1) early christmas, and 2) remove wallpaper and paint my kitchen (they wanted a project!).

In baby news A. is climbing, and readily pulling herself up to standing. She is cruising cautiously, we are hoping for a christmas miracle for walking. She is signing a few signs now, "milk" "all done" and "duck" go figure. It all came in a rush after she figured out how to wave bye. Guess the books were right.

Meanwhile Abi tagged me....and I have to tell you this was tough for me...I am just not that interesting. Oh and I am invoking the blogger chain mail killer rule and not doing Rule# 4 and 5 (i don't know enough bloggers well enough)


Here are the tag rules:
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.

#1. I was in a sorority in college. I know I don't seem like the type, right? but let me tell you it is a great opportunity for folks who need the social nudge to help meet people and make friends (no, they are not ready made friends, I didn't like them all!) I'll tell you this, I always had a party to go to and knew people there. (see #6 for a bit of background)

#2 For about 10 years I used to keep track in a ledger all the books I read and how many pages a day I read. the most books in a year: 38 (1994) and the most pages in a day: 590 (same year)

#3 I have a half brother who is 10 and lives in Canada. A result of my dad's 2nd marriage (now divorced), I haven't seen him since he was 3 but i hope some day to meet him again.

#4 My favorite flavor is mint, chocolate mint, peppermint, spearmint, doesn't matter. I love christmas just for the mint factor

#5 I am a certified, card carrying, bartender. I haven't tended a bar in 5 years..but i can still tell you what is in a Pink Squirrel.

#6 Growing up I survived the bully attracting trimverate : Glasses, braces, and curly hair. But i still get hives driving past a junior high or middle school.

I feel like i just left a psychiatrist's office: thanks for listening!

Max and the floss tag exchange

Max and the floss tag exchange
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I received my floss tag exchange form Jayne in the UK (she does not have a blog). Here is Max all mpressed with the tag and treat she sent for him.also she sent some cool floss and fabric.


Floss tage from the UK
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Floss tag exchange

Floss tag exchange
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ok So Georgie recieved my floss tag exchange (I am on The Hooked on Exchanging blog) and she got it pretty fast. I posted it on the mail out date of the 3rd and she posted here on the 10th. She is in Australia people!

I did a Debbie Draper designs freebie called Hearts Desire, with Dinky dyes silk over 1 on 28 even weave. I was pretty happy with it. I think I used too thick batting in it though, I had a heck of a time getting the eyelet in. I may do this again, but honestly I don't use rings alot...I think I would rather have a scissor fob. I am still (im)patiently waiting for my tag to arrive.

The holiday dress is almost done. I hemmed it and will be attatching a zipper tonight (I found my machine's zipper foot...that's good). And when I was at Hobby Lobby I took another good look at the model...they used a zipper not available at the store...and attached side loops for the ribbons sash (not in the pattern, hmph). I still have to get stockings and shoes to match!

Labor of love

Labor of love
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I haven't been stitching, but I have been sewing, this is Annabeths dress so far as of last night.

If you look at that hobby lobby pic below you can see that the sleeves have these cute black bows on the gathered sleeves. Well this is a "Project Runway" simplicity dress. Which means that the bodice, sleeves, and skirt can all be done like 12 different ways and then put together for an infinite amount of dress combinations. But for the model maker (see pic from previous blogging) apparently this wasn't enough cause she (or he, lets not be sexist) decided to construct the sleeves differently than the 12 ways shown. So I was going along my merry way following what i thought was the sleeve pattern i saw in the store exactly (I haven't used a pattern in 20 years people! I am reading this pattern like my life depends on it) And i end up with a sleeve hat made its bow from the band itself...not tacked on like in the store. It took me forever to figure out that i might be able to fake my way through the construction i saw in the store (it would just be more gathering/measuring/ screaming etc.) but after all my debating I figured I made one sleeve, i guess ill just do the other.
And the neckline...well the pattern just says to hem it (actually it doesn't say that, it just says to hem all remaining hems , of which the neckline is one). But I looked in the store model, and the neck is all reinforced and pretty, and finished looking. So I DID fake my way through that one, cutting fabric for the inside with interfacing and akll that nonsense.


Lord helped me I was able to do the sleeves gathered and attached to the bodice somewhat evenly. I am going to make sure this fits around Annabeth before attaching the skirt...than i get to attach a zipper (new for me too) and MAYBE we will do a holiday photo before tha holidays

Anna B Panda

Anna B Panda
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Hello my name is Heather....and I am not stitching.

I know I have been avoiding telling you but I am just not into it right now. I put together my floss tag for my exchange this weekend and sent it out (when it gets where it is going I'll post a photo). and I have a secret project i am to be working on for christmas for someone who reads this blog so any progress htere cannot be viewed, and Miss Mary Mack has hit the skids.

In other news A. went trick or treating for the first time friday night...here she is in her consignment aquired costume...a cute Panda. we went around with a skeleton and a bumble bee, and hit about 8 houses before she decreed enough! I am a bit dissapointed with the haul this year...not enough chocolate...aparrently LaffyTaffy was on sale ick.

Tricking and Treating
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

In Crafty news....I bit off more than I can chew...I was looking for a holiday dress for A, for Thanksgiving/christmas pictures etc. And everything out there is way too frouffy...I was wandering through Hobby Lobby and saw this:

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Isn't it great!.. I know it is a camera pic but you can see it is simple and the fabric is great. So i used a 40% off coupon and bought the Simplicity Pattern and the fabric, I have cut the pattern and stitched the bodice together...but the sleeves are giving me fits! I have to go back to hobby Lobby and look at the display for some help. Wish me luck...I was hoping to finish this this week for our family picture next week.

Psst....OBAMA WON!!!

Family outing

Annabeth and I at the renissance fair
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Ian, Annabeth, and I did our yearly fall family tradition and went to the Carolina Renissance Fair. It is our 8th year going! I wore my bridesmaid dress from sis's wedding and fit right in. This photo was taken as Annabeth was watching the joust. We weren't able to stay long this time, and for annabeth it has to be rough sitting 1.5 hour drive there, then sit in a stroller for 3 hours, then sit another 1.5 hours on the way home. Thank god this not walking thing comes with a bit more patience than your average toddler, or we would be up a creek wih her. I cannot wait till she can walk around and enjoy things like the toddler rides, the petting zoo,watch shows,go into the shops (cause they are too small or crowded for strollers) etc. Oh and I am also looking forward to COMMUNICATION..any day now we are hoping for a word....any word...even a swear word.

Wedding

NH and NY and Wedding 187
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Annabeth. Ian, and I flew up to Pgh last friday. A. was very good on the planes, but then again this is her 4 time flying and she is only 16 months old! We arrived late fri night, and Sat had a rehearsal lunch ( even though we had not rehearsed yet), and then spent the day making bouquets, flower arrangements, cords for the handfasting, and ironing dresses. Ian was the MC/DJ so he worked on the music...all we had was a ipod shuffle (or maybe it was a nano).

Anyway the next day , Sunday was the wedding. My sister had a planner for the day, so we just dropped stuff off and waited till it was time for the wedding. We did rehearse at 1pm, then got ready for the wedding at 3. Ian looked a bit dismayed at the big closet full of DJ equipment, and all he had was this tiny shuffle to attach to it, but then,the photographer brought a laptop computer and another iPod for the music, so Ian was all set . My in-laws were able to watch A, and make sure she napped before the wedding, while the rest of us got ready.
The ceremony went great (they had 3 clergy involved!) . It was in the Pavillion at Avonworth park, the reception hall (Mayernik Center) being right next to it. The food was very good, and the only flaw was we didn't have alot of time for all the music Ian prepped (the reception was only about 4 hours, by the time we were done with dinner it only left about 1 hour for dancing.

Above you see me trying to get A to sit still for the wedding party photo... She was a part of the party but really only in theory...Ian had to walk her down the aisle, and since she couldn't stand for the photos we tried a small stool but she wanted to pick at the flowers in the bouquet.

So here is the rest of us.
NH and NY and Wedding 192
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

The next day, monday my mom hosted a brunch for our family (alot of them traveled in from across the country) and Liz and Zach opened all their gifts.

Then we left tuesday morning at 5am...joy.

oh and Annabeth loved Delta's cookies.

Finish for my Sista

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Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Here is the stitching I finished weeks ago but couldn't show you. It is JBW Designs, Blessings. I changed the colors a bit to match her wedding colors and finished it as a folding stand up.


finished as a stand up
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Tune in tomorrow for a few wedding photos and Annabeth photos, and maybe some new stitching...

Don't give up on me!!

I am here, but been very busy. My sisters wedding is this sunday, so I am leaving tomorrow for PA and will be back tues. I hope to post pictures of both the wedding (annabeth and I are in the bridal party) and stitching that I A) could not show you orB) haven't completed.

Miss Mary Mack is helping me clean out some of my old 310 on floss cards, but she is far from being done, and I haven't been stitching all that much lately. Maybe after this last trip of the year things will be more settled.

Annabeth went thru a weird couple of weeks where she started fussing a bit when going to sleep and then is either up at 5 or 6 am or sleeps in till 8. She is not being her consistant 8pm-7:30am self lately. Part of it is teething (3 new ones in the past few weeks) and part is that she started in the older toddler room at daycare. She is napping better now that she is away from the babies, but she is exhausted at the end of the day. I think it takes more energy to crawl after all those walking kids. But the transition could not have gone better, they are watching her carefully (as well the other kids) to make sure she isn't run over.

Wee will see you soon

Miss Mary mack mack mack is quite big big big

Miss Mary Mack
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

I guess after all my smalls and over ones, She just looks huge to me. I am doing Miss Mary Mack (La di da) on 32 count english rose linen. and the patterns says it will be 8 1/2 in, by 8 1/2 in. but i thinks she looks like she will be bigger than that. One upside, she is stitching up very fast.

In other news I got the new JCS ornament issue yesterday. I was excited to see that the preview ornaments from a couple of issues ago are not repeated here, but have their complimentary versions. I think I will do Jeanette Douglas's first to be the back of the one I completed already.
I found that I want to do about 7 of these ornaments.:
Blackbird Designs, Moss Creek Designs, Hands to Work, The victoria sampler,Jeanette Douglas,Jemini Designs, and Brittercup Designs.

I was surprised at how many of these ornaments look totally phoned in. At least five of them look like " oh crap I have to have an ornament designed for JCS tomorrow" procrastination. There is always one or two, but this year there seems to be more than usual. Or am I just becoming more picky with age?

Stitching picture!

Bent Creek Angel of Joy
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.

Finished this last night. Bent Creek's Angel of Joy . It was in the 2000 JCS ornament issue. I love the little twisty arms. I used some old Dye is Cast threads. I especially like how the green (Basil) came out.

Sorry the photo is fuzzy. Does anyone know of a point and shoot digital camera that can take macro photos without a flash and be in focus??? seriously, I am so taking stitching in with me next time I go shop for a camera.