SBQ of the Week

Today's SBQ is:

How do you secure your thread when you begin a new one? Specifically, do you or have you ever used a waste knot?

Whenever I can , I use the loop method so I don't have to worry about securing my thread. However, when I have blended flosses or 1 strand of thread I always leave a little extra and work my stitches over it. I trim the excess after I have made sure that the thread is secure.

One of the benefits of moving back to Arkansas was that I would get to see snow in the winter time. According to the forecast I should get to see some by this evening. This time yesterday it was 70 degrees and now it is 34 degrees and falling. It has been raining since 5pm last night and it is supposed to turn to sleet/ice. Then it is supposed to turn to snow and they are saying anywhere from 4-6 inches tonight! I am excited!! Not for the bad weather or problems on the road but to SEE snow! I haven't seen snow in the past 6 years while living in Mississippi.

My kids are looking forward to the snow, too. Except that they are hoping for a snow day tomorrow! I am looking forward to seeing my puppy dog's reaction to the snow. She has never seen snow. She loves to go out and play in the rain and loves to attack the frost on the ground so it could prove to be interesting to see.

I had a good day of stitching yesterday. I worked on Woodland Faerie and got some more of the border done. Then last night I started another ornament. This one is A Christmas Wish of Health and Happiness from Blue Ribbon Designs. I wish I could post some pictures but right now I am camera-less due to some kids (not mine) dropping it.

Today I am hoping to finish the Blue Ribbon Designs. If I have time I would like to start Paws Off from Dragon Dreams.

On To Christmas

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my FIL's house. I still wasn't feeling great but I took some cough medicine and had a nice day. We all ate too much and now can't stand the sight of turkey at least until next Thanksgiving. Now we have to get ready for Christmas!

I didn't do any shopping the day after Thanksgiving mainly because I didn't feel great. I haven't been really sick in about 3 years and so when I do get sick I had to make sure that it was bronchitis. Yuck! I am starting to feel a little better but no where close to normal.

I did finish the beading on Cottege Garden Fairy over the weekend. I am pleased with how it turned out. I also worked on some finishing this weekend. I finished the Britty Kitty and Puppy into ornaments. I also made LOVE into an ornament. I had originally planned on making it into a pillow but I changed my mind at the last minute. I am currently working on finishing Jeweled Ornament from Ozark Sampler. I really like how this one is turning out.

Happy Thanksgiving

I haven't done much stitching the past few days because I have been feeling miserable. I am hoping to feel somewhat better tomorrow since we are going to FIL's house for Thanksgiving.

I wanted to wish all my US friends a Happy Thanksgiving!

Bad Hair Day

The weekend went by too fast leaving me feeling horrible. I woke up Saturday morning with a sore throat and headache. I managed to pull myself together and go to town and do my shopping that I needed to do. I even managed to stop by the LNS with Mac and Allie in tow! Okay, so I bribed them with a small toy before we got there but at least I was able to browse in peace.

I didn't get a lot of stitching time this weekend but I did manage to start and finish a small piece. I worked on the 2005 JCS Britty Christmas Kitty and finished it. I also started on the 2006 JCS Britty Christmas Puppy and hopefully I will finish it tonight. These two finishes will be ornaments for my mom and her husband for Christmas this year.

I actually got on the ball this year and have started my Christmas shopping early! I have managed to get just about everything except for Krissy's and Allie's "big" present. We usually buy one expensive gift for each of the kids and then the rest of the presents are usually things that they need. I know what I am getting Allie but I have no clue what to get Krissy. The joys of shopping for a teenage girl.

I have to share this horrible hair story with all of you. I went to pick Krissy up from her friend's house Sunday morning and when I got quite a shock. Krissy hair was down past the middle of her back when I dropped her of the night before and now it was above her shoulders! Oh that isn't the bad part! They had tried to layer it for her! Needless to say it wasn't a pretty sight. When we got home I tried to tell hubby what happened and before I could tell him what happened he took one look at Krissy and said "If you want to go and get it fixed, you can". Krissy took that as an insult and ran to her room and slammed the door shut.

I had to explain to hubby that a girls first really bad haircut is a traumatic experience. About 2 hours later, after hubby explained to Krissy that he didn't mean to hurt her feelings but that if she didn't like it we could get it fixed, we headed into town to get her hair fixed. Believe it or not she still wasn't happy about it when we got home. She has decided that nobody but me gets to cut her hair ever again. At least she did come out of her room and go to school this morning. :)

SBQ of the Week

Today's SBQ is:

Do you stitch Christmas ornaments? If so, how many do you stitch each year and for whom? If not, why not?

This year I haven't made any ornaments because I haven't had the time. In previous years, I have made them for my family, friends, and teachers. I usually make between five and ten ornaments a year.

I'm glad it is Friday and the end of the week but that doesn't mean I get to relax. Hubby is working OT so that means I get to referee the kids by myself tonight and all day tomorrow. Tomorrow is a full day of running errands. I also need to do laundry (that is a never ending battle in my house!)

Will I learn?

I had planned on having a quiet evening and relaxing last night. You would think by now I wouldn't try and plan for a quiet evening because that just means it won't happen. Anyways, I got home around 4:30 from babysitting. The kids got their snacks and started to pick up and do some laundry. About 15 minutes later my FIL shows up. He is having some computer problems and brought it for Mike to fix. He left around 6pm because Mike had to work late. So with dinner and everything it was around 9 before I actually sat down and relaxed!

I did manage to finish stitching the spot on CGF wings and started the beading last night. I didn't get too far since I only worked on it for an hour before I went to bed. I am not sure how much I will get to work on her in the next few days since Mike has to work late and won't get home until after 8:30pm.

Renee and Jenn-thank you for the cards! They really brightened my day.

Last night I sat down to start the beading on Cottege Garden Fairy but after a minute or two of looking at the fabric I realized I missed stitching the top of her wings! Immidiatley my stitching mood was deflated like a balloon. Needless to say, I didn't get any stitching accomplished last night.

I have been in a blah mood for the past few days and I was going to cheer myself up and go to the LNS. Unfortunately, when I woke up this morning it was raining and is supposed to rain all day. I don't like to drive in the rain and won't unless its neccessary. So now it looks like I won't have a chance to go until Saturday. At least I should get the rest of the stitching done on CGF today!

A Good Laugh

I had a pretty good weekend. I got my house cleaning and laundry done. I didn't make it to the library as I remembered that morning that it was Vetern's Day the library would be closed. That just gave me more time to go to the LNS and see what I could find! I bought the 2006 & 2005 JCS Ornament issues. I also bought a beautiful ornament off the ornament tree and with my donation I received a freebie packet.

I had planned on having a quiet Saturday night but I knew that wasn't going to happen as soon as I pulled into the driveway. I was accosted by 5 girls ranging from 12-14 years old. Apparently, the girls' friends showed up right after I left to go shopping so Mike didn't get his peaceful day either. The day ended up with Allie having one girl spend the night here and Krissy went to her friend's house. We had to run to the girl's house to pick up clothes for her. So, while I am waiting on the girls to get their stuff so we can go back home the girls come up to from behind talking about how cute this pet was(I forget the name) and I needed to see her. I turn around to what I swear was a rat! Yep, I screamed and jumped like a little girl. I was expecting a kitty or a puppy since they have 4 dogs and a couple of cats. The girls were laughing hysterically at me and so were the other adults. I took it all in stride as the girls explained it was a cousin of the gerbil or something like that but they still couldn't talk me into petting it! I just couldn't make myself touch something that looks like a rat. Needless to say that was just the beginning of the sleep over.

I didn't get to relax on Sunday either since we had to go out to FIL's house for a visit. By the time we got back it was time to start supper and then showers for the kids. So today I am going to sit down and stitch this afternoon!

SBQ of the Week

Today's SBQ was suggested by Jan and is:

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.)

When I first started stitching I only bought the colors that I needed. After several years of stitching I have the complete set of DMC flosses. As for the specialty threads, I only buy them as needed. I keep my flosses in numerical order in plastic craft boxes.

I am so glad that it is Friday. Whoo-hoo!! That means I don't have to get up at 5:30 am to get the kids off to school. Even better is Mike has the day off! He hasn't had a Saturday off in 2 months. I already know he plans on do absolutely nothing. Me, on the other hand, will spend the morning cleaning and doing laundry. Then the kids and I need to go to the library to check out some more books and if I have enough time I am going to stop at LNS to see what goodies I must have. :)

I have decided to start joining in some exchanges again. After the move, I figured it was best that I didn't sign up for any because I had no idea what my schedule would be like. I am still participating in the Adopt-A-Stitcher Exchange. However, I noticed that I haven't been stitching small designs since I moved. That doesn't mean that I stopped buying small patterns...lol.

Have a great weekend!

Playing Catch Up

Some of you may remember before I moved I was working on Deepest Love. I was lucky enough to get a picture before my camera was broken this summer. I am planning on taking her to be framed and kept by me.

Here is my progress for Woodland Faerie in July. I have stitched on her more. I have finished her wings and the right corner. This one seems to be moving slow for me.



Here is my Seasonal Round Robing that Renee, Nicki, and Laurie stitched for me. I love it!



I stitched this little kitty up for my daughter Allie. I am going to make it into a ruffled pillow for her for Christmas.

I actually have some time to sit down and write a somewhat decent entry today. I didn't have to take my FIL or my kids to any doctor appointments for once. Last week I had to take Krissy in to the Dr because she had strep throat and to have her medicine changed since she has not stopped bleeding since she left the hospital. Hopefully, this one will work. I know it has to be hard on her but her mood swings are going to kill us! I know the Dr. is trying his best to this figured out but waiting isn't my best quality.

On the stitching side of things I really haven't gotten much accomlished lately. I am about in the same spot on Woodland Faeire as I was a couple of weeks ago. I had been working on CGF but I am now ready to start putting the beads on and I think it would be best for me (sanity wise) to wait until the weekend to start that so that the little girl I watch doesn't accidently knock them over. As for Footprints I am only about half done with the border so I still have a long ways to go on that one!

Since the move I have pretty much abandoned my stitching rotation so right now I am just stitching what ever screams at me. It just seems like I don't have the time I did before to stitch. Hopefully once the holidays pass I might be able to get back on a rotation.

Crazy Week

It has been a crazy week for me here. I had Parent/Teacher conferences for all 3 kids this week and I am proud to say that all three of them made the honor roll! My son even made it!! I am so happy since last year it was a struggle to get him to do his homework. I even made it thru Halloween night. At first it was looking like we weren't going to go because Mike has been putting in a lot of overtime (about 20 hours a week!) but luckily he didn't have to work late that night. Mac was a quarterback, Allie went as a punk rocker, and Krissy I'm not for sure what she was..LOL. They had a good time even with the cold weather.

I haven't gone back to work so I have started to babysit a 5 year old girl. She is a sweet child but has her moments. I don't think that I am going to go back to property management as most of them want me to live on site and I don't want to do that. I love where we live and would hate to give up my solitude. Plus I would have to give up my dog and my cat. We got a new kitty in June. Her name is Zoey but she get called "Buddy or Super Kitty" more since her and the dog are inseparable. It is so funny to watch them play together since the cat beats the dog up all the time. However, the cat thinks she is more of a dog than a cat.

As for stitching, I am almost done with all the cross stitching on Cottege Garden Fairy (CGF) and will be on the beading by the weekend. I haven't bought really done any stash shopping lately since my birthday is going to be here soon. Although, I have let hubby know exactly what to get me....a day of shopping at the LNS!! :)

I hope everyone is doing great!!

Time Flies...

Wow!! it is hard to believe that it has been 2 months since my last post! Things are going fine here in Arkansas. The only thing that the kids have complained about so far is the chilly weather. It was 35 degrees this morning when we got up. It never got that cold in Mississippi...we probably would still be running our A/C if we were still there...lol.

As for stitching I have been working on 3 different patterns: Woodland Faerie, Footprints, and the Cottage Garden Fairy(Thank you, Annemiek!!). I have also (finally) found 2 LNS for me to go broke. One of them has a monthly stitch in and I am thinking of joining them. I have talked with the owner of the store and she seems like a really nice person. I fell in love with them right away since they do carry some of the dyed threads that I wasn't able to get in Miss.

I really have tons more to say but I have errands I have to go run. I hope everyone is doing great!!

I have a few minutes to post some things so I figured I would. First of all, I miss all of my blogging friends something fierce! I didn't realize how much I looked forward and enjoyed blogging.

We are settled into a nice 3bedroom/2 full bath place in a itty bitty town called Avoca. It is so small that they don't even have a school so my kids go to school in the next town (Rogers). I literally live in the woods. I can't even get a cell phone reception! I love being able to walk outside and not have any neighbors. The drawback is I have to drive for about 20 minutes to get into the next town and even further to get to the grocery store. I haven't found a good LNS yet. There was one here before but I guess it closed down about a year before we moved back. *sigh* just my luck!

I have been stitching a lot since I haven't gone back to work. I finished up The Fortunate Traveler by TW. It turned out awesome! I wish I could post some pics but I forgot to bring them with me to my friends house. I also have completed some small things like Wish Upon A Star by J.Aikmen-Smith and the beginner whitework from TW. I am about 1/2 done with Woodland Faerie by TW. I think my next big project will be Footprints by TW.

As for the daily things in my life things have been okay. Last week Krissy was in the hospital for a blood transfusion. She had uncontrollable vaginal bleeding and passed out 3 times in my bathroom so we flew to the ER. She ended up having 4 pints of blood and 2 pints of plasma. I didn't sleep for about 3 days until she was out of danger. Luckily, she is all better now. She is now on estrogen 3 times a day and iron twice a day. She will be on the iron for at least a year.

Allie and Mac are both doing great. Mac loves living in the woods because he finds all sorts of critters and bugs. We have a constant supply of lizards and tree frogs. All three are looking forward to school starting on Aug. 21. Actually I don't know who is looking forward more them or me! :)

I am going to browse a few blogs before I head out so I not sure when my next post will be but you can be sure all of you are in my thoughts daily.

All is Well

This is just a quick post to let everyone know that we are doing fine in Arkansas. I'm still stitching away. :)

In less than 24 hours we will be on the highway driving to the Ozark Mountains. I still have tons left to do, too! We are picking up the moving truck this morning while the kids are at school. Hopefully we can get the truck loaded before the kids get home from school. I know they want to help but it is just much easier if they don't.

I haven't been stitching a lot in the past few days. I did manage a small start on Renee's Birthday Exchange gift.
While I am on "leave" from the net I am planning on still working on Woodland Faerie on Mondays and Deepest Love on Thursdays.

This will be my final post from Mississippi. Next time you hear from me I will be living in Rogers, Arkansas. I am going to miss blogging and reading everyone's blogs while we are in transition. I didn't realize how much I enjoy blogging until I realized I would be without it for awhile. I want to thank each and everyone of you that have left me comments in the past as they are a real motivator for me.

Night Garden

Last night I finished Laurie's RR for her. It was one of those days that I just needed to sit down and do some stitching to relax me. I stitched Night Garden from The Prairie Schooler. I was surprised on how quick I got this stitched and done. It had a lot to do with no backstitching. :D I was going to wait until after the move to start this one but I couldn't. LOL Now, all I have left to do is go to the P.O. and mail it off.


Later today I am going to kit up my project for Renee for the Birthday Exchange. I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to stitch for her. I finally found something on my last trip to the LNS. I have a tentative idea on how I am going to finish it but I am reserving my woman's right to change my mind. LOL

SBQ of the Week

Today's SBQ is:

Do you stitch "on the go?" (On the commute to and from work, during your lunch break, waiting for the kids, etc.) If so, do you have a specific "travel" project or do you just grab whatever you happen to be working on and take it with you?

When we went back for MIL funeral I tried to stitch while my hubby was driving. That didn't work out to well! Every time there was a small bump in the road I managed to jab myself with the needle. After about 6 times of that I decided that I can't stitch in a moving vehicle. However, I do manage to get some stitching done when I am waiting in the car pool line for the kids. I usually just grab whatever I am working on that day and bring it with me.

My house is an organized chaos. I have boxes everywhere and piles of things in every room of the house. I am trying to keep things in three different piles: stuff going with us, stuff for the yard sale, and whatever is left I am giving to the church. Of course, the kids are trying to help pack which leads to more work for me since they don't seem to understand that you fill a box full not just with one or two items.

Only 5 days left until we move to Arkansas and I still have tons of things to do!

Last Happy Dance in Mississippi

Late last night I put the final stitches in Our Days for my mom. I am pleased with how it turned out. I always get nervous when I have to center words on the fabric because I usually mess up and get it off centered. I only messed up once on the names and date. Luckily, I caught it rather quickly so I didn't have to rip out a bunch of stitches. I am going to go to the post office and get it mailed off today so I don't have to worry about losing it in the move.


If I get a chance to stitch this evening I am going to start Laurie's house RR. It's not due till May 15 but I know she is looking forward to getting it back so I want to get it finished and mailed back to her as soon as I can. I am hoping to also start working on Renee's Birthday exchange this week, too.

I have decided to put my rotation on hold until things get calmed down. Since my mom's anniversary is on the 17th I really need to get Our Days done for her. I would have had some more of the backstitching done on the wedding bells but I noticed a mistake on the flowers on the "O" and spent the rest of the night frogging and restitching.



Things are moving right along for the move. We have our truck reserved for next Monday. I'm not sure if we will leave that day or the next. I would prefer the next day since I don't like to drive at night. It will be about 9 hours on the interstate. I have to make sure I have a pack of gum in my purse! Once we get close to Ft. Smith my ears will start to pop. I forgot about that when we drove up for MIL's funeral!

The kids are excited about moving. We have family and friends that live there so it makes it easier already knowing people. The kids have a list a mile long of things they want to do when we get there. I can't wait to go to the LNS!! One other thing, that is really neat is we get to visit the park where we got married on our anniversary this year. When we lived there before every year on our anniversary we used to visit the park and ring the bell for the amount of years we were married. We haven't been able to do that for the last 6 years living in Mississippi. All in all everyone is positive about the move. :)