More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

More PL


Well, Halloween is pretty much over, the curtains are drawn, the pumpkin is ready to be disposed of and the candy is sitting in my kitchen. Its never a busy night for us... we live in a rural area so we don't get a lot of kids. Actually, I had 8 which is about the same number of kids I had last year. My favourite had to be the little boy who rang my doorbell dressed as Dracula, his Mom was a witch and Dad was a scarecrow. How cute! Needless to say there's plenty of candy left!

This evening's stitching project was a second round with Paradigm Lost. I got a lot more of the border done and even started the letter "A" before it was time to pack up for the night. Tomorrow I'll pick out an ornament to stitch for my ornament exchange on the Needle and Thread BB.

Happy Halloween!!!

The Pumpkin Is Carved
The Candy Is Set Out
We're Ready For The Kiddies!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Finish... Lines!

Well, the first thing on my agenda tonight wasn't to get stitching, but to get my monster pumpkin carved! It took a bit of agonizing over design... and the poor thing lost a tooth, but its done! I'll share that picture with you tomorrow! My next priority was to finish up Heather's Neighbourhood RR. It took me until after 9pm tonight but Heather's RR is done! I have to say it looks great!

Of Farm And Field
c2000 Dragon Dreams

I had about two hours to work on/start Paradigm Lost... I think I'll work on it again tomorrow. All I have to show you... lines. Yup border. I haven't quite decided how I'm going to tackle this piece yet... am I going to do as much border as possible? Work on one page at a time. We'll see where my next session with this piece takes me.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Fair & Square Round 3 Received

Wow, last night I shared with you what I stitched up for Pokua for round 3 of Fair & Square. Well what was in today's mail but her piece for me! And I just love it. The design says Amite which is french for friendship, how lovely!


She also spoilt me with some lovely blue ribbon that mimics a tape measure and a gorgeous scissor fob! I went through all my scissors and they all have fobs. Guess I'm going to have to order a new pair of scissors... oh the horror!

Tonight I finished up all the cross stitch on Of Farm and Field, tomorrow I'll tackle the backstitching. I don't know about you folk but I always underestimate when I'm going to finish a piece... I'm always off by a day to a week (depending on the size I suppose). I was pretty sure I was going to finish Heather's RR today, I even took it to work and stitched a little during lunch. I guess my 2 1/2 hr nap when I got home didn't help but I had a borderline migraine all afternoon and I pretty much passed out! Once that is done... then I'll be pulling out Paradigm Lost!

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Stitching Updates

Alrighty, lets hope you all find this post much more interesting than my weekend report. Not up to my normal standard was it? Sorry about that!

Let's see what has been going on stitching wise, my Fair & Square round 3 was received by Pokua and I'm glad to see she's very happy with it! Mine is on its way and I can't wait to see it!

Full Moon (freebie)
c2000 Elizabeth's Designs
The Alphabet was added to increase the height of the design
Stitched on 32ct Natural Linen
Using GAST, WDW & Whisper


Earlier this week I finished the first panel on the Pomegranate Needlebook by Jeannette Douglas. I'm really looking forward to getting back to this and trying out her finishing instructions.

Also this week I started Heather's RR, her theme is Farm and I'm stitching up Dragon Dream's Of Farm and Field. I should be able to finish it up tomorrow night! (my part is bottom right)

Finally, on Tuesday of this week I'll be starting Paradigm Lost! Finally! Kathy says she'll be crossing into the US that day and I wasn't allowed to start until she crossed. You can follow our progress and that of our SAL mates (some are stitching Cirque des Cercles) at the Snowbird's SAL blog. If you'd like to stitch one of these two projects or have it started you're welcome to join us. Just send me an e-mail for an invite to the blog!

That Was Lovely!


Well I was too lazy to pull my camera out this weekend, needless to say we had a lovely time! Also the participants this weekend were all the usual suspects who you have seen on my blog before!

Friday night Chrisanne, Christin, and Rebecca came out to my place. We stayed up late chatted, stitched and watched movies. I mean what more can a stitcher ask for?

Saturday was just the perfect day to sit in and stitch, it was dreary and rainy. Lynn joined us shortly before lunch and the living room was just full! In the afternoon I taught Lynn and Rebecca how to make flat folds.

Now I'm home by myself, waiting for Todd to get back from Toronto and... I have wayyyy too much food left over!

I have to say sorry for being so quiet this week. Wednesday and Thursday night were spent cleaning my house and getting it ready for company. I don't know about you, but I tend to only really clean the house when company's coming. I mean it takes away from stitching time right?

I've been stitching a little the last few days, but not much. I find after I finish a model or I'm focused on getting a big pieced it takes me quite a few days to get re-focused on my next project. I've been slowly working along with Heather's round robin, and its taken me until late last night to start getting into it. Of course there's not too, too much left now.

I apologize this isn't the best or most exciting blog entry ever. I'm off to get that RR wrapped up!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

SBQ, A Question and A Photo Hunt

Well I have nothing near as exciting to tell you about after this past weekend's retreat! So I'll give you a mish-mash of things tonight.

First an old SBQ for you this one from September 6th

Q : Would you ever stitch one of your BAPs a second time? (This does not include starting over because of mistakes, bad fabric, etc., rather stitching something from the first stitch for a second time.)

A : Hmmm no. If I ever did, it would be because of one of three reasons. Either one of my pieces was damaged beyond repair and I have a strong sentimental connection with it. Someone I really cared for deserved to have it stitched for them and its just the perfect piece. Or someone offered me a disgusting amount of money for it.

Now for a question from Judy

Q : The Legend of Sleepy Hallow piece from The Cricket Collection sure is a cool looking design. Do you think you'll stitch it up the same way as their model is done?

A : For sure! I think that's a huge part of its charm!

Finally, Photo Hunt #75 Plastic :
This plastic and feather tiara was given to my nephew Nick on his birthday as a joke by one of his buddies.

Oh and a stitching update ... I really, really, really want to work on my class pieces form Jeannette. Alas, I must be disciplined... I only worked on my needle case a little bit! I've got the center panel all stitched up. When I got home from work today I pulled all the floss that I'm going to need for Heather's neighbourhood RR. She has a farm theme. I've chosen to stitch for her the center panel from Dragon Dreams Of Farm and Field. I think its just perfect! I've got a small start on that tonight. I did need a bit of a nap on the couch this evening.
I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Finally I'm having some stitchers come out to my place! If you're one of my regular readers you know I'm quite the road warrior, its often easier for me to go to someones then for them to come out to me (life is much easier when you don't have kiddies to take care of). So coming out this weekend are : Christin, Chrisanne, Lynn, and Rebecca. If you're a stitcher that lives in the national capital region and would like to come out and stitch with us on Saturday. Drop me a line.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

I Think My Butt Is Square ... or Retreat Was Great!

Well I'm home all settled in, the laundry is done ... and better yet, my model is DONE! DONE! DONE! I really wanted to have it done while I was at retreat... but frustratingly I ran out of beads... and very luckily I had them in my stash.

Now onto the exciting stuff to make you all wish you were with me this past weekend!

Saturday
The only drawback to going to retreat and taking classes is that... you have to get up early! Can you just imagine me pouting over this! However, we got up to a lovely breakfast (all our meals were in the dining room) buffet with wonderful choices from yogurt, fruit and cereal to scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and potatoes... I love breakfast foods mmmm (but the hips don't)... Needless to say we're fed VERY well. We had to get ready and finished eating by 9am for Lynn and my full day class with Jeannette Douglas she's in the top percentile of my favourite designer's list! The class piece is called Pomegranates and Pears stitched on R&R linen using various silks, GAST's new hand dyed wool, beads, metallics all in very rich colours! The class was small which was nice where we all got personal attention from Jeannette and entertained by her wonderful stories. Not only did we have breakfast in the morning... we get a fantastic snack of fruit and fruit loaves... more food (do you see the theme of the weekend). Lunch was wonderful, with salads, and Lynn and I both had fish & chips, dessert was white chocolate mousse, oh yummy!

We were in class until 4pm once everyone had moved onto the stitching room or to take breaks or naps I stayed behind and had a lovely chat with Jeannette and got to show off The Castle to her! Lynn and I just went back down to the St. Lawrence room to continue stitching, back to my model ... and those beads!

Saturday night's dinner its not mandatory but its traditional to get dressed up. Lynn and I didn't go all out but we made ourselves look lovely. For dinner we both had the prime rib for dinner and the peach cobbler for. We had the same waiter that Todd and I had two weeks ago, LOL. After dinner everyone collects in the St. Lawrence room and we all get loot bags (aahh memories of birthday parties, and still love them as adults). Before the bags were handed out we were told/reminded of the "glass slipper". There was a glass slipper in one of the bags. If the glass slipper was in your bag the challenge is you must keep it secret and tell no one until they asked for it at lunch time on Sunday. If you managed to do this there was a prize, if someone found out they had it and let them know... they got your prize. So we're all digging through our bags not letting anyone else see what's inside. Well I've opened my bag and I reach inside to pull out some of the lovely fibres inside... my heart starts to race... my hands start to shake... it ... was... the.... glass... SLIPPER. Holy cow, how exciting. I'm just bursting because I can't say anything. While under the guise of checking out the goodies in my bag I sneakily put the slipper in my stitching bag that way I could show Lynn all the goodies I got. Unfortunately because I didn't want anyone to know I couldn't get a picture of said slipper for you. After goodie bags, there were names drawn for wrapped door prizes, everyone got something. I picked a nice heavy box, I got two bottles of Udder Cream. A girl can never have enough hand cream!

Once Saturday evening's activities wrapped up Lynn and I went back to stitching. This was when I realized I wasn't going to have enough beads for the model! All I kept hoping was that my ahem, substantial stash at home would contain the same beads. Several ladies also offered to check theirs if I didn't have them. Thank you ladies! I stayed in the stitching room to well past midnight... I kept meaning to go join Lynn in our room but I kept stopping and chatting, I think I talked a little too much this weekend LOL! Then Lynn and I stayed up chatting until 2am! That... and I was too excited to sleep I had to figure out how to carry around that slipper with me the next day and I didn't want it in my stitching bag because I'd be in and out of it all morning! I mean I couldn't tell anyone!


Sunday


Today started out beautiful, warm, and yet again early! It was the same routine as yesterday morning. Sunday there are several half day classes for you to choose from that come part of the package. I of course, took Jeannette's class it was a small needlebook based on Saturday's class piece. Its very lovely, uses the same threads and I'm quite excited to try out Jeannette's finishing instructions. The class was lovely, and the morning went way to quickly! At the tail end of the class a friend of Jeannette's showed up, Erma. I got to meet Erma about a year and a half ago at the Lakeshore Guild's retreat where Jeannette taught the Montreal Sampler. We sat together that whole weekend and had a blast! Erma is such a fantastic woman! We had a short visit before Jeannette and I had to get over to the dining room for lunch as there's more going on than just lunch (which I had the roast beef dip and strawberry shortcake). There were prizes from a nearby shop where you would be given a ballot if you stopped in. Lynn was very lucky she won one of their lovely prizes! After the River Myst prizes ... Maria (the CSC's owner) wanted to know if anyone knew who had the glass slipper. Well I had done my job well, no one spoke up! So when she asked who had it I stood up and said loud and clear "well I do!" I won two beautiful dark wood oval frames! There were more door prizes and finally the last prize of the weekend, a free retreat for next year. Sadly neither Lynn nor I won that one.

I had a lovely afternoon, after taking my new frames out to my car I got sidetracked and never made it back to Lynn in the dining room (sorry Lynn!) I ended up visiting with Erma as she had arrived at the Inn to spend the night there then she was taking Jeanntte back to Montreal with her on Monday for a few days before Jeannette has to be in Toronto for the Creativ Festival. The next thing I know it was show and tell time, then the three of us (Erma, Jeannette and I) went for a walk and had some fun taking pictures.


The last few hours of my day were spent quietly stitching in Jeannette's room with the ladies, and having some great conversations!

But all too soon my weekend was over, and its time for me to go to bed and back to the real world!

Retreat was awesome and Lynn thank you so much for sharing it with me!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Greetings from Ganenoque!


Well Lynn and I have arrived safe and sound from our homes to the Ganenoque Inn ... in Ganenoque, where else? I'm sitting here in the cosy lobby of the Inn blogging to you... the wireless connection was pretty weak in our room. So here I am, in my pyjamas in the lobby just so I can say hi to all of you.


Did you know that today was National Library Technician's Day? Well it was in Canada (just recently declared by the Canadian Library Association) , and many of the teachers took a moment to either drop me a line or stop by and let me know just how much they appreciated my help. That was very nice to hear! So to all you Library Techs out there, Happy Library Tech Day!


I arrived in Gan. late afternoon and got myself checked in my room... lucky Lynn she was here already and stitching away in the St. Lawrence room! I got my stuff tucked away into our room and headed down there where I pulled out my model and got to beading. I have to say not much really got done this evening. There was a lot of talking and visiting with fellow retreaters! Before dinner we had a lovely wine and cheese hosted by the Inn. That's when I ran into Jeannette Douglas and we had a fantastic chat getting up to date on each other's lives. Next was a fantastic dinner, Jeannette was kind enough to have dinner with Lynn and I, we were also joined by Maria the owner of the Cross Stitch Cupboard. We had some great conversations... many of them stitching related.


Dinner was just to die for! The food here at the Inn is fine dining. I had a chicken breast stuffed with cranberries and pine nuts served on a bed of risotto. Mmmmmm! I stared with a roasted tomato and garlic soup and had a chocolate torte for dessert! Other selections on the menu were things such as salmon, rack of lam and steak. I wonder what will be on the menu for tomorrows meals?


We've spent the last couple of hours stitching, but our eyes are starting to give out on us... and we have to get up early for our class in the morning with Jeannette!


Unfortunately I haven't pulled out my camera once yet so no new photos for you! So the one above is from the retreat in 2004 of Jeannette and I at the end of the weekend.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Biscornu Exchange Received

Just a quick post tonight... I'm absolutely exhausted this week!
My bicornu in the Needle and Thread exchange was received just a few days ago. Here's what I stitched up for Malinda. This is a small part of a Dinky Dyes Design that was in one of this summer's Gift of Stitching issues. I stitched it using Gloriana silks.


Tomorrow night I'm meeting up with Kathy before she heads South for the winter. We're going out for dinner and a movie. Sniffle after this I won't see her until January if I'm lucky (when she comes up north for a visit with family) or April/May when she comes back.

My model is *almost* done... just a bunch of beads to stitch on and I'll be done.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Stash Arrived!

A few weeks ago, I ordered some goodies from Stitching Bits & Bobs when the Canadian dollar was at par with the American. Well my order finally arrived!
I got some more piecemaker needles, a mesh bag pencil case sized, a skein of Waterlillies, Cross Eyed Cricket's Sleepy Hollow, and Homespun Samplar's The Hunt. Oh and my copy of JCS's Ornament issue.
I made okay progress on my model tonight. I dawdled a bit.... I think I was just avoiding the DMC metallic thread that I've been dreading to work with. That stuff is just evil.
Judy wanted to know how long it took for me to stitch TW's Peacock Tapestry ... Judy it took me about a year. She's also wondering if I was enjoying my model... actually yes I have been, its not too complicated of a stitch for me... except for the mentioned DMC metallic. That stuff should be outlawed!
Joanne, you wanted to know if I can share pictures of my model stitching? Not yet, at least not until its published. The design I'm working on will be published in November, it will be in the Festive 2007 issue of the Canadian magazine, A Needle Pulling Thread. Once I see the magazine is out I'll post a picture here.
I want to say thank you for all the fantastic comments about my new look. I didn't realized that you folks found it a challenge to read my old template or I would of done something sooner. I'm still getting used to it... I miss that black cat!
Gail, loosely translated the saying on my old template translated to "Come my beautiful cat. You leave footprints on my heart. Let me stare into your beautiful eyes of metal and agate"
Well I'm starting to get excited! On Friday after work I'm on my way back to Ganenoque and the Ganenoque Inn! This time without Todd, I'm going to be at the Cross Stitch Cupboard's fall retreat. This will be my third time going to the retreat, my reason for going this year... Jeannette Douglas is one of the teachers and she is such a great teacher... and person. So I couldn't resist going! Jeannette will be teaching a piece called Pomegranates and Pears (scroll down to see the model) it looks yummy! This year I'll be rooming with Lynn who I met for the first time this summer... she jumped at the chance to go when she heard that there were still spaces available. This will be her first retreat, and boy she's in for a treat!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Another SBQ - August 15th

Q : How did you get started stitching? Was there a person that inspired you?



A : Back in the late 80's when I was in middle school "Santa" (aka Mum) got a little cross stitch kit of a calico cat and put it in my Christmas stocking. That first project was a... ahem disaster. Since my interest was peaked my Mum got me a few kits from Wal Mart. Now keep in mind there wasn't a lot of cool stuff out there for someone to stitch in the 80's. Mainly pastel flowers, which my second project was. I messed up sorting the colours so off to the garbage it went too! My next project was a stamped kit, which after loosing interest went into my closet. Then it got moved from Texas to Ontario... the from my parent's house to my first apartment. I re-discovered that project in the spring of 1997 while I was between contracts in my field (unemployed). I can assure you once you've spent your morning searching the papers for any job you might be qualified and putting resumes in the mail, then cleaning a tiny one bedroom apartment, and going for a walk... there was a lot of day left. So out came the cross stitch project... and the rest is history!



This is the project in question, which now resides at my parent's house.

My model project is going very well, I'll be done in a day or two.

New Look

I've been tempted for ages to change my look, and whoila... here it is!

What do you think?

Ooops Behind on SBQ's

I've been going through the folder where I've been storing the SBQ questions and boy... I'm behind!

Here's one from July 19th!

Q : Which project (finished or in progress) are you most proud of? Explain why.

A : I think that's a simple answer.... Peacock Tapestry by Teresa Wentzler!

Why? Because its big, daunting, colourful, full of blends, quarter stitches... pear leaves need I say more????
I've made good progress on my model today, I'm looking forward to finishing it and getting back to The Castle.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone whose joined up so enthusiastically for the Snowbird's SAL blog! Kathy and I are overwhelmed and never imagined it would grow this big or grow this fast! More stitchers are always welcome!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Photo Hunt #74 "Music"

Hmmm this one was a tough one for me! It came down to what concert picture to share with you. With a topic like music that was the first thing that came to mind!


So I decided to share this picture from a concert by my favourite Canadian Band, The Tragically Hip.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Feeling Better


Thank you for all the get well wishes. They must be working I'm feeling much better today... but then it also helps to take a sick day, which is what I did. I was going around work yesterday sounding just awful and all I kept hearing from the folk at work is boy you don't sound well, you should take a sick day. I'm not 100% but much, much better and will go into work tomorrow.

Unfortuantely there's no stitching progress to show... I'm now working away on my model. I have to stay its stitching up pretty quickly so far. I am held back in a few areas as there are questions to be answered by the designer. I don't wan't to stitch something that I'm second guessing on. There's other bits I can continue to work on so I can keep going. This weekend I'll be taking it easy at home so I can imagine possibly finishing or getting close to finishing the project.

Now that the Biscornu exchange I organized over at my BB Needle and Thread is just about wrapping up, I just introduced a new exchange. I'm hoping there will be just as much response. This exchange is a Christmas/Winter Ornament exchange. I love stitching ornaments so should be lots of fun!
Photo : One of the many gorgeous homes in the 1000 Islands on the St. Lawrence Seaway

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Thank You Beatrice!

I received a lovely surprise today! When I picked up my mail there was a parcel card in my box. What could it be? I figured it was my Stitching Bits & Bobs order. But it wasn't! I recognized the name on the return address, it was from Beatrice! Now what could she be up to!


Well she stitched up this lovely JBW Pumpkin and made a pillow for me! Thank you so much Beatrice! I just love it and it has a place of honor with all my pillows.

My supplies arrived for my model today, so don't be surprised if my blog entries slow down a little!

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Biscornu Exchange Received

Today I had a lovely little parcel in the mail! It was Malinda's biscornu from the exchange organized on the Needle and Thread board. I have to say its beautiful! Malinda said she pictured me as a Celtic kind of girl... and she's right I love knotwork!

She stitched up this beautiful biscornu for me...
Tonight I was pretty busy on the computer setting up a new blog for the SAL that's starting up on November 1st. Needless to say a bunch of us are starting either Paradigm Lost from Long Dog or Cirque des Circles from Ink Circles. The reasoning behind this SAL is explained on the new blog Snowbird's SAL. More SAL'ers are welcome just let me know and I'll add you to the blog.

I only stitched for a couple of hours tonight... like I said busy on the computer. However I started the top-right page on The Castle. Of the two pages left his one had the most stitching so I decided to get it out of the way first.

My cold is still hanging in there. Thank goodness, its just one of those inconvenient colds... not one of those ones that knocks you on your ass!

Monday, October 08, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

First of all I'd like to wish all of my fellow Canadians a Happy Thanksgiving and that the weekend was everything you wanted it to be. Once you read this... you'll know why I've been quiet for the last few days!

Todd & I on the boat (see you Brighton non-Todd believers, its the same guy from the other pictures!)


This year Todd and I took a different approach to Thanksgiving. We didn't spend it with family at all this year back in August I booked a weekend getaway for the two of us. Its something we've not done in a very long time. Yes I know, Thanksgiving is/should be a family time where you get together, eat way too much, and often go home complaining about someone or something. However, sometimes you have to focus on your partner and your relationship with him/her. That's what we did!



Saturday morning we stared out with a nice lie in at home, as we were leaving town we had breakfast at one of our favourite spots. We first drove into Kingston so Todd could check out the shop I buy all of his die-cast car models. Boy... it was like a kid in a candy store. We went to a few other shops before it was late in the afternoon for us to head back East a little to Gananoque and the Gananoque Inn. My long time readers may recognize this as where I've gone a couple of times in past years for the Cross Stitch Cupboard's fall retreat (where I'll be going not this upcoming Friday, but the next). Its a beautiful inn, right on the St. Lawrence River, with excellent food! Saturday evening we had dinner in the dining room, and boy its fine dining... Todd and I made sure to have food off of the menu we wouldn't normally get in a regular restaurant. It was a lovely three course, two hour meal!



Bolt Castle at the top of the Hill

Sunday was a gorgeous day! Sunny and 16c with a nice breeze, my favourite type of day. We got up early that morning, had breakfast in the dining room before we went on the 1000 Islands Cruise (3 hours) with a stop over at Heart Island with a tour of Bolt Castle (2 hours). The scenery was just stunning (this was actually the 3rd time I've done this tour... once as a child, once about 7-9 years ago and this past weekend). Having been to Bold Castle three times at different points in my life has been quite cool. Bolt Castle was under construction in the early 1900's a castle for Mr. Bolt's wife... all construction stopped in 1902 upon her death, the workers just put their tools down and walked away. Over the years they have been restoring/completing the work. When I first went as a child I have impressions of graffiti, rickety floors, and an all around dump. My second trip I remember parts of the castle being open and work was in progress. This year so many areas of the castle are open and safe for us tourists to walk about. They have finished quite a bit of the main floor complete with furnishings and art original to the period. I took over 200 pictures on Sunday afternoon! Last night saw us having dinner in the bar/grill at the Inn, Muskie Jakes... another good meal!


Our boat for the 3 hour tour


On the main channel of the St. Lawrence


Heart Island & Bolt Castle


The Bolt Castle Boat House


One of several restored rooms on the main floor of Bolt Castle


This morning we woke up... unfortunately it was time to pack up ... one last breakfast in the dining room and back to reality!

Now the only downside to this weekend... after yesterday's boat tour and a bit of a nap in our room before dinner (sun and water just tires you right out!)... I found my throat was scratchy and started a bit of a cough. So yet again I'm sick! I'll be taking things easy this week, I want to be healthy for when I head back down to Ganenoque!




I didn't stitch much this weekend as it was a weekend for us. When I did stitch a little (in the car) or when we were lounging in our room I worked on Mini Cottages 5.

When I got home I finished up my piece for the Fair & Square Exchange - round 3. I'm very happy with my results this round. Oh and I never got around to it but here's my piece from round 2.


Tantes Zolder (My Aunt's Attic)

32ct Natural Linen
DMC overdyed
Also... being Monday I was very good and worked on Tour des Marques... I finished the backstitching on page 2 and got a good start on page 3.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Photo Hunt #73 "Dirty"


Dirty... the best way to define my car when I've been running the back roads after some rain!

Offically 1/2 Done!

Today was a PD day at work and for the first time in a long time I took a day of annual leave. I don't think I've done that in seven years. The result of being at home today of course is that I've managed to finish the backstitching on The Castle to date. This means I'm officially at the 1/2 way mark! Yippeee!


However shortly The Castle will get put aside for a short while ... this is why my October goal was to work on it not finish it. In the mail are the supplies for a model for the magazine A Needle Pulling Thread. Its got a very tight deadline so I'll have to drop all other projects until it is done. I'm quite flattered as they contacted me to stitch this piece.


I also finally got pictures of my Sweetheart Tree RR. When I started this last year I didn't really plan this RR at all. Actually to the point where I didn't realize that I didn't have enough fabric on hand. Therefore I had to improvise and use two pieces I had on hand which weren't quite the same white. However I'm pleased with what I got back. I'll have to eventually turn them into two bell pulls.
Next on my stitching to-do list is my Fair & Square round 3 piece since I've got that model on the way I want it done ASAP!