Part I Arrrrgggghhhhhh. I was working on Starlight starbright last night and I was noticing that the snowman did not seem to have as much coverage as the pic on the front. I checked the directions and lo and behold it says to use 3 strands...I was using 2! ugh. Now armed with the knowledge that it could look better, I debated just finishing it as is. But I know that i will not be happy and every with every stitch I will question whether I made the right decision. So based on past experience I will be frogging the whole thing (well not the whole thing the scarf looks ok). Man I hate that.
Part II Makeup. For those who may not know... I have been a Mary Kay consultant for about 4 years. Most recently it is a spare time job. Last night my Sales Director came in from Ohio and Ian and I had dinner with her. I was lamenting the fact that although I have a full inventory on my shelves and a few regular customers, I am slowly accumulating more and more discontinued product. So she came up with a great open house idea for me...and my head was spinning with plans all night for it. I love to plan stuff like this, make everything pretty, send out flyers, call folks. But then the big let down comes when no one shows up....as has happened with a few christmas open houses I have had in the past. So I am trying to strike a balance between excitement and reality. I think I will hold it in August....hmmmm
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Baby Sampler for Tessa
This is a sampler from JBW designs.
I did not get the embellishment pack (white buttons, 2 rabbit buttons) so I substituted two stitched rabbits up top and left out the extra buttons. but i did add the beads for their tails...cute huh.
I had most of this done 2 months ago...just needed a birth to fill in the rest.
I did not get the embellishment pack (white buttons, 2 rabbit buttons) so I substituted two stitched rabbits up top and left out the extra buttons. but i did add the beads for their tails...cute huh.
I had most of this done 2 months ago...just needed a birth to fill in the rest.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Starlight Starbright
Here is my work so far on Waxing Moon's Starlight starbright. The Waiting for Santa below (see previous post) was originally for my sister but that was done in 2000! Now that I found the frame I really want to keep it, soooo she may get this one instead. Whatcha think Liz?
Anywho nothing exciting going on today...need to head over to the library and photocopy some papers....my advisor is coming back from Alaska tomorrow and I have to have something to tell her. She doesn't know that I am heading off to NY next week for a short trip to my inlaws house ...it was kinda a last minute decision.
I finished a baby sampler for my friends new baby and I plan on framing and posting a picture tomorrow.
Framing.....
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.
Framed Thinking of you sampler
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.
Originally uploaded by Stitching scientist.
Monday, July 11, 2005
One year older...
Yesterday was my 31st birthday.....but lets recap the entire weekend
Saturday I went out shopping for frames, since I havent been stitching much lately I have felt the urge to at least finish a few of my 20+ finished Xstiches. I didn't want to spend too much $$ so I hit the thrift and Goodwill stores first. ($4 for 4 frames!) I found the perfect frames for Bent Creek's Waiting for Santa, the Gud Huswife freebie sampler, a frame to remount a sampler I had on sticky board, and a PERFECT frame for HIH Little House in the Woods. To go with Little house in the woods there is also similar themed Angel in the Clouds, Pumpkin in the patch and Snowman in the drifts...I am thinking of hanging the frame in my kitchen and rotating all 4 them thru out the year. Now I am inspired to stitch them all.
So What to do when you don't feel like stitching your WIP's......Start more projects Yeah! I started a Leo Cattitudes (Margaret Sherry) for a friend whose birthday is coming up soon and Waxing Moon's Starlight Starbright. It was kitted and ready to go....
Saturday night we went out to Fire and Sticks, a hibachi place to celebrate a friend's son's birthday (and mine too). Then Ian and I went home and watched Somethings Gotta Give. It was funnier than we thought it was going to be.
Sunday I went out to lunch with them and helped my friends drop their kids off at the Y camp down the street. I got a David Yurman bracelet from Ian, and some earrings from my MIL, and I got some stash from my friend ....the aformentioned Little snowman in the drifts, Trilogy's Dog Treats, Crossed Wings Mitten Games, and Bent Creek Dancing Bumblebee.
Overall an Ok weekend
Saturday I went out shopping for frames, since I havent been stitching much lately I have felt the urge to at least finish a few of my 20+ finished Xstiches. I didn't want to spend too much $$ so I hit the thrift and Goodwill stores first. ($4 for 4 frames!) I found the perfect frames for Bent Creek's Waiting for Santa, the Gud Huswife freebie sampler, a frame to remount a sampler I had on sticky board, and a PERFECT frame for HIH Little House in the Woods. To go with Little house in the woods there is also similar themed Angel in the Clouds, Pumpkin in the patch and Snowman in the drifts...I am thinking of hanging the frame in my kitchen and rotating all 4 them thru out the year. Now I am inspired to stitch them all.
So What to do when you don't feel like stitching your WIP's......Start more projects Yeah! I started a Leo Cattitudes (Margaret Sherry) for a friend whose birthday is coming up soon and Waxing Moon's Starlight Starbright. It was kitted and ready to go....
Saturday night we went out to Fire and Sticks, a hibachi place to celebrate a friend's son's birthday (and mine too). Then Ian and I went home and watched Somethings Gotta Give. It was funnier than we thought it was going to be.
Sunday I went out to lunch with them and helped my friends drop their kids off at the Y camp down the street. I got a David Yurman bracelet from Ian, and some earrings from my MIL, and I got some stash from my friend ....the aformentioned Little snowman in the drifts, Trilogy's Dog Treats, Crossed Wings Mitten Games, and Bent Creek Dancing Bumblebee.
Overall an Ok weekend
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Cage Rattler
When I walk Max around the neighborhood there is a black dog that does not bark at us but instead rises it self up onto its back legs and shakes the chain link fence gate with his front paws...I have taken to calling him the Cage Rattler (sounds like a good WWF name eh?).
I have been restless all week...feel like i am in a cage too, I haven't stitched a single cross, maybe because I am more upset than i thought at losing my birds. I have read 2 books in the past 3 days (and I haven't read any novels in months) both by Orson Scott Card. He is my favorite author (and lives here in Greensboro too) and for some reason every once in a while his stories get stuck in my head, like a favorite scene in a movie....I reread Treason (for the third or fouth time) and Songmaster (second time) . And I am fighting the urge to re read Enchantment and Lovelock....I love his stand alone stories...although the series books are fabulous, it is satisfying to finish a book and not have to worry about reading the next before your memory forgets the first one. Everytime a new Ender or Alvin book comes out I have to reread the first 4-8 books...True with Harry Potter too...I will at least have to re read the fifth book by the time i get my hands on the sixth.. I am rambling but are you getting the feel of my nervous twitch....I feel like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop...not that the first one ever did. The sky is falling.
We saw War of the Worlds a few days ago and it was better than I had feared but not a classic ...I won't be running out to buy it. I have mixed feelings about Tom (Wil thinks he sucks) and Dakota is getting soooooooo many movies lately you would think she is the only girl in hollywood. but at least she plays it real....I forget she is an actor .
Oh I hired Design-a-Blog to redo this bad boy so keep your eyes on this space.
I have been restless all week...feel like i am in a cage too, I haven't stitched a single cross, maybe because I am more upset than i thought at losing my birds. I have read 2 books in the past 3 days (and I haven't read any novels in months) both by Orson Scott Card. He is my favorite author (and lives here in Greensboro too) and for some reason every once in a while his stories get stuck in my head, like a favorite scene in a movie....I reread Treason (for the third or fouth time) and Songmaster (second time) . And I am fighting the urge to re read Enchantment and Lovelock....I love his stand alone stories...although the series books are fabulous, it is satisfying to finish a book and not have to worry about reading the next before your memory forgets the first one. Everytime a new Ender or Alvin book comes out I have to reread the first 4-8 books...True with Harry Potter too...I will at least have to re read the fifth book by the time i get my hands on the sixth.. I am rambling but are you getting the feel of my nervous twitch....I feel like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop...not that the first one ever did. The sky is falling.
We saw War of the Worlds a few days ago and it was better than I had feared but not a classic ...I won't be running out to buy it. I have mixed feelings about Tom (Wil thinks he sucks) and Dakota is getting soooooooo many movies lately you would think she is the only girl in hollywood. but at least she plays it real....I forget she is an actor .
Oh I hired Design-a-Blog to redo this bad boy so keep your eyes on this space.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
4th BBQ Pics
All the 4th photos are now in flickr.com....go check 'em out (just click on pic)
In other news.....bad bad news, this past friday I took several cross stitch pieces to Joann Fabrics to match them for pillow backs and I discovered that when I came back home my Waxing Moon birds were missing. I called the store but to no avail...they claimed no one had seen it. I was then going to go there in person....but the weekend and the party took over. Then yesterday my car won't start...we have it towed to the shop...and of course they have no problem starting it.....they think it is a faulty air flow sensor. But I basically have to wait for it to not start again before we can be sure. ugh. Anyway Ill be heading to Joanns today and hope a miracle will have occured and that my birds will be there. I was planning on stitching the birds again.....but there was alot of time and $$ (overdyed threads) involved in that one...sigh.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Holiday weekend---Pretty good:)
The BBQ was a sucess. I had cleaned for most of the weekend and bought all of the food. Monday Ian and I straightened up and got the last few things for a rocking party haha.
We had 16 people show altogether...over the course of the evening...It poured around 6 when we were just finishing up the grilling...but then cleared up after about 45 min. I even had enough dry wood to have a fire and we did smores. I ended up with a ton of food left over. Pasta salad,potato salad, banana bread, 2 cheesecakes, 14 burgers, several packs of hot dogs, 18-20 hot italian sausages..assorted buns, and enough smores makings for the next 2 summers. The only conclusion I have is that we need more friends
I was able to perfect my mint julep recipe. I had my first in New Orleans a month ago and I have been working on it for about two weeks trying in vain to replicate it. I went all over the internet and through all my bartending books. I finally settled on this one. I made the syrup a few days ago. But modified the mix to a 4 count pour of kentucky bourbon (thats about 2 ounces) and a 6 count pour of the syrup (way more than a tablespoon). Sweet but smooth and screw any one who trys the muddling technique. Everyone loved it. I have plenty of syrup left to dring mint juleps for the rest of the summer. Strange thing is...the mint juleps in New Orleans were clear...now where do you find clear bourbon?
We had 16 people show altogether...over the course of the evening...It poured around 6 when we were just finishing up the grilling...but then cleared up after about 45 min. I even had enough dry wood to have a fire and we did smores. I ended up with a ton of food left over. Pasta salad,potato salad, banana bread, 2 cheesecakes, 14 burgers, several packs of hot dogs, 18-20 hot italian sausages..assorted buns, and enough smores makings for the next 2 summers. The only conclusion I have is that we need more friends
I was able to perfect my mint julep recipe. I had my first in New Orleans a month ago and I have been working on it for about two weeks trying in vain to replicate it. I went all over the internet and through all my bartending books. I finally settled on this one. I made the syrup a few days ago. But modified the mix to a 4 count pour of kentucky bourbon (thats about 2 ounces) and a 6 count pour of the syrup (way more than a tablespoon). Sweet but smooth and screw any one who trys the muddling technique. Everyone loved it. I have plenty of syrup left to dring mint juleps for the rest of the summer. Strange thing is...the mint juleps in New Orleans were clear...now where do you find clear bourbon?
Friday, July 01, 2005
Stitching Bloggers Question of the Week
When starting a new project, do you start in the middle? If you do, once you’ve worked down to the bottom, do you turn your chart and fabric around so that you are stitching the top section downwards again or do you just stitch upwards from the middle?
I was taught to start in the middle and have never seen any problems with it. Only recently have I read about that you should only stitch from top to bottom and if you start in the middle should turn around the fabric for uniformity of stitches. But as I have mentioned before I do not stitch for perfection, only for my own enjoyment and pleasure. I have made an effort recently to start at the top when it seems feasible...a band sampler or something that I don't have to worry about the amount of fabric and spacing but old habits die hard.
I was taught to start in the middle and have never seen any problems with it. Only recently have I read about that you should only stitch from top to bottom and if you start in the middle should turn around the fabric for uniformity of stitches. But as I have mentioned before I do not stitch for perfection, only for my own enjoyment and pleasure. I have made an effort recently to start at the top when it seems feasible...a band sampler or something that I don't have to worry about the amount of fabric and spacing but old habits die hard.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Sydney's Cross Stitch
A friend of mine's stepdaughter comes to stay with them every summer (I think she is 11 or 12) and a few weeks ago asked if she could try what I was doing. Well at the time I was working on my June Flip it and so I gave her an 11 ct piece of aida and she picked the colors and I enlarged the draonfly square of the pattern...and tryed to teach her what to do. So she heads home with it (I tell her I'll teach her backstitching next week) and then I see her 1 week later and this is what she has done. She taught herself how to do the backstitch (using a example that i had done in her house) And did the hearts and lettering freehand...she even added her initials and date (like I do )! I gave her another small piece (a flower on 14 ct aida) and a more complicated kitted piece by Janlynn (confetti stitches). I had sent for the DMC mentor kit but I think she will be way beyond that stage by the time it arrives. She will be reading this blog so I am sure she would love to see what you think of this cross stitch whiz kid.
As for me I started my August Flip it yesterday and am still working on Santa. Ian and I played hooky yesterday and spent the day cleaning up an old metal cabinet (with about 30 drawers) that used to be a garage piece. the drawers he is taking to work and bead blasting 2 at a time. but the cabinet itself had to be cleaned, sanded, and washed. We were able to prime and paint it....after MUCH deliberation I finally settled on the hammered brown metal from Rustoleum...although the cabinet doesn't look very "hammered" the color is good and makes the cabinet look useable in ( drum roll) the craft room! The drawers will be so clean and lined that Ill be able to store cross stitch and beading supplies in them all. I will post pics of it when it is done (the drawers will take a while there are 30 of them).
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
A Good Weekend
Are you officially old and boring if a good weekend is one in which you spend it at home and clean? I mean sure I have no $$ to go out shopping or to the movies or a bar, but even if I did I would probably just spend it on something for the house.
We are having a 4th of July party and my mom and stepdad are coming for a visit on their way to the beach on the 18th so I thought now would be a good time to start cleaning (I mean really cleaning) the house.
Sat I raked the whole backyard of twigs and burned them. Mowed the high parts, watered the garden well, and weeded and deadheaded alot of stuff...so the yard won't look like total crap next week. Then Sunday I cleaned up and dusted the Master bedroom, the Drunken Library (see below), and the Craft /Guest bedroom. These rooms are not as often used as the others so those get next weekend. Ian and I discussed the scrapbooking/photo sorting plan for July...and are putting it off til August, since July is rapidly filling up and Santa is coming along fast...I mean cruzin, I got the rabbit done and the beard will be completely done this week.
What is the Drunken Library? well it is this dark panelled room that seemed to have no purpose when we moved in. Besides a fireplace and a built in cupboard...it is not a dining room (maybe if it was opened to the kitchen more...but that requires removing walls and redoing the kitchen $$$). and it is not a "family room" (fireplace and very dark). It's just sort of an extension off of the hall from the kitchen to the bed rooms...So we put in bookshelves and a bar in that builtin cupboard complete with fridge and maybe someday a sink. and called it ...the Drunken Library...I can see I will have to post pictures now...edit:added photos.
PS. Does any one out there watch the Dead Zone on USA? last nights episode was great I loved the character of Alex! Give her a permanent spot!
Friday, June 24, 2005
As advertised
Here he is...you can see the rabbit outline where he goes next (to the right of the dove) then it is back to the top to work down the right side. It doesn't look that bad from here but the green on the bottom (934) is taking forever. I feel like I have been stitching green for the past 4 days.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
What was your first 45?
We were talking firsts the other day and here are some Questions for you....if you are old enough!
Your first 45: She-Bop by Cindi Lauper, I didn't realize till much later (like last week) that this song is about masturbation...you didn't either mom?
Your first 33: Break out by The Pointer Sisters I did a solo dance to Neutron Dance at my 5th grade talent show...don't ask me where I got the guts to do that.
First Cassette: Dr. Hook. I can't remeber which album but it did have my favorite song on it... "You make my Pants want to get up and Dance". What can I say it -was in the 99c bin at the local kmart or somewhere.
First CD....god help me I can't remember?..maybe the Robin Hood soundtrack.
As for stitching I finished th June Flip it but don't have appropriate fabric for the back, and sinc we are still broke I can't go shopping till July...Well at least Julys Flip it was done last year maybe I can get August done before the month starts. I am currently working on Santa...I took him with me to the Tarheel get together last Sat and have been on him ever since....I just have the rabbit to do and I'll be close to 50% done. (I'll post the pic tomorrow). I am getting ready to pull all my photos and scrapbook memoriabilia out of the attic to organize them. I'll be putting most of my stitching aside for July (we shall se how long that lasts).
Your first 45: She-Bop by Cindi Lauper, I didn't realize till much later (like last week) that this song is about masturbation...you didn't either mom?
Your first 33: Break out by The Pointer Sisters I did a solo dance to Neutron Dance at my 5th grade talent show...don't ask me where I got the guts to do that.
First Cassette: Dr. Hook. I can't remeber which album but it did have my favorite song on it... "You make my Pants want to get up and Dance". What can I say it -was in the 99c bin at the local kmart or somewhere.
First CD....god help me I can't remember?..maybe the Robin Hood soundtrack.
As for stitching I finished th June Flip it but don't have appropriate fabric for the back, and sinc we are still broke I can't go shopping till July...Well at least Julys Flip it was done last year maybe I can get August done before the month starts. I am currently working on Santa...I took him with me to the Tarheel get together last Sat and have been on him ever since....I just have the rabbit to do and I'll be close to 50% done. (I'll post the pic tomorrow). I am getting ready to pull all my photos and scrapbook memoriabilia out of the attic to organize them. I'll be putting most of my stitching aside for July (we shall se how long that lasts).
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Curly Girls!!
So I was at the library the other day looking for some books and I just happen to glance down and pick up a book called Curly Girls by Lorraine Massey. This book is like an epiphany...she talks about growing up hating curly hair (me) trying every method of straightening it (me again) and walking around with a shirt halfway on your head hanging down your back pretending it was long straight hair (this woman was spying on me when I was 7!). The only thing she doesn't talk about is how everyone tell you how fabulous your hair is (grown-ups what do they know) but of course you don't believe them cause all the popular girls in school and all the pretty girls on tv have stick straight blonde hair. I wish the book was written in 1985...but better late than never. I have come to terms with my hair (as has my sister) but I know and knew alot of people who don't and spend hours straightening it out. Lorraine's book on how to care for curly hair includes 2 TWO products that you already have, a conditioner and a gel....thats it! no moouse, frizz ease, special shampoos and conditioners, no combs, brushes, or hair dryers, no chenicals and no pills. she even has a whole chapter on how to care for childrens curly hair. It's like finding a weight loss diet that worked in 10 minutes. The picture is me after 2 days of starting her method (and at the end of a day of high humidity!). (I am trying find a before pic....)
I highly recommend her book to anyone with curly or wavy hair. This is the type of book you want to buy for all your curly haired friends....or just find it in your library!
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Tuesdays Labor
This past tuesday Ian and I finished the walkway from the driveway to the back patio. We had dug it out and installed the rain barrel about 3 weeks ago, then it started to rain...and didn't stop for 2 weeks (ok maybe for a day or 2), point is that the rain barrel is full and we had to re dig the walk.
We also poured a concrete slab for under the garden hose, and put the parking stops to good use (we found 5 in our yard under the leaf pile when we moved in, one borders the new herb bed, one borders azaleas in the back and now 2 run by the walkway- just one left!)
I am planning on putting stepping stones in the gravel eventually. I will be looking into kits and how to make my own as well as perhaps purchasing some.
WIP- View to a Spring Garden
here it is so far... but I think I will be taking a break before returning to this since the directions from here on out are confusing and the picture of the finished sampler is not very clear so that is no assistance.
Any one out there seen a finished picture of this sampler?
As for the QOTW: Do you feel the need to stitch a design from a specific designer just to say that you've experienced stitching one of their designs?
Heck no...I only do what I like, regardless of designer. I do not collect all the designs from 1 designer, nor do the ones that are a challenge to show how "good" I am. I only do the designs I can see up on a wall (someday haha).
Thursday, June 09, 2005
View to a Spring Garden WIP
Yep I started this last night and got the first band (all backstitching) done.
So the plan is to work on this till I get bored or its done....then I am contimplating taking a break (Gasp) don't panic, I would still continue the ornaments and Flip its...But my photos are calling me. Ian and I have one of those big 3o something gallon rubbermaid full of loose photos, and I dont want to just album them...its too big of a job. My neighbor is a Creative Memories consultant and I have enough stuff to start. I have just been putting it off for so long, saying I do it when I graduate, that our photos are extremely disorganized.
Part of my frustration is based on a scrapbook album that I started after college...which Iwas very proud of.....that has disappeared, and I keep hoping it will show up and I will be able to continue from there. But I think I amready to let go of that grief and organize Both mine (AND IANS!!) photos...he has also indicated intrest in helping me.
But I'll detail out plans if and when that project begins.
In other news...yesterday was a depressing day due to the fact that we had a fence estimator tell us that the only way we could have a fence put in to finish fencing off the back yard (2 sides are done but the third borders a road) would be to lose about 15 feet of our back yard. Our property line is much further in than either of us had suspected. So we either have to re think the entire back yard or install a big hedge and invisible fence for the dog. So our plans for a fence went from when to if ...I hate that.
Seaside Garden Done
Woo Hoo I love this...I think Ill finish it as a bell pull instead of framing.
It was so easy (too bad it was so expensive or I would do more).This was my first time working with silk floss and it has nice coverage but I don't feel that it is worth the expense.
I again apologize for the crappy photo...lately all the photos are too light or too dark...but can you see? It is the first overdyed fabric I have ever tried blue and white...it looks like a sky.
It was so easy (too bad it was so expensive or I would do more).This was my first time working with silk floss and it has nice coverage but I don't feel that it is worth the expense.
I again apologize for the crappy photo...lately all the photos are too light or too dark...but can you see? It is the first overdyed fabric I have ever tried blue and white...it looks like a sky.
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