Boxing Day

Happy Holidays everyone. Downer post ahead.

I am just glad things are winding down. Overexcited children, too much food, and my house looks like it threw up all over itself. My parents are here for the next few days. I am not enjoying this at all. I have been so disappointed so many times with their behaviour towards my children and why would I ever expect anything to change. My son is almost 2 and wouldn't be able to pick my mother out of a line up. I wish I could say to them, "They don't need more god damned presents from you - they need you to spend some time with them. They're growing up and you've missed it all." There is so much history - so many things wrong with everything between us. A year of therapy wasn't enough.

Please, if I could ask for and have anything this Christmas? It would be that I never, ever become my mother and make my children feel about me the way I feel about her. 12 more hours to go.

Anyone know where I can buy some time?

I have way too many projects on the go. It is starting to stress me out. Not the number of projects, but the lack of time to work on them. I feel guilty that I wish for nap time so that I can have an hour to myself to stitch. I worry that I'm wishing away the hooligan's babyhood.

Nothing like a bit of mummy guilt.

So - this weekend saw a bit of progress on Makhi and my Papillon Creations SAL. I seem to be focusing on Makhi, and I hope that this will be finished by the end of the year. Of course, I still need to finish the sweater for hooligan #1, so we'll see.

Phew!~

Hello out there for anyone still reading! What a month it's been. I have been busy so I'll give a little update on the projects that have seen the most love.

Here is my Papillon Creations SAL "How Does Your Garden Grow". I am now finally finished the first part and need to catch up the the other stitchers who have finished part three!

Makhi: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

Craziness - I am hoping to join in on Vonna's PS SAL - fabric is ready and I'm poised over the last chart, needle in hand. See this photo for the full effect: the picture that began teh crazy. Did you swoon a little? I did.

I finished the sweater for Hooligan #2. Since he'll be surprised all over again at Christmas, we decided to try it on a bit early and thankfully it fits. Hooligan #1's sweater is underway - I'm about 5 inches up the body.

So - there in a nutshell, has been my progress on a few projects. I really hope to update this blog more often, so please stay tuned!

oinkers

My daughter has the flu (oink oink) - I will not be going away this weekend. I really could have used a break, but I know that I couldn't leave her and that my little guy will probably get it as well.

:sigh:

hmmmmm

So, I'm a pretty shy gal. I've been having major back and neck troubles over the last week and my DH pinched a nerve in his neck a couple of nights ago. We just recently started paying for extended health coverage - which includes a small sum towards massage therapy. Can you guess where this is headed?

His name is Charles and I will be spending a glorious hour on his table tomorrow from 1:30-2:30pm. I'm gonna have to take my shirt off aren't I? It's OK - DH's bliss is named Sandra. Though sadly for him, there won't be a happy ending.

After that? I'm headed up North for my weekend stitching retreat. I'm so excited I'm not sure I'll sleep tonight. It's going to be rather grand. I'll have pictures on Monday!

unfortunately I'll play...

Meme-o-rific

Saw this on another's blog: Type your first name preceded by the word “unfortunately” into Google and see what comes up.

So.....

Unfortunately Caroline:

- unfortunately Caroline's bikini bottoms also got toasted

- unfortunately, Caroline's dreams of a relaxing and healing vacation go up in smoke when the spa's owner, Claudia De Vries, is found murdered in one of her own mud baths!

- unfortunately, Caroline's glorious time with Ridge was short-lived as she was soon diagnosed with leukemia and was told she only had months to live.

- unfortunately Caroline just went through a big growth spurt

- unfortunately Caroline's attempts to settle in Tunisia failed

- unfortunately Caroline died three months later

Well, hopefully I enjoyed my time in Tunisia toasting my bikini bottoms.........

Bread and such....

Have you ever been so proud of yourself and just had to tell someone? Based on opinions around the innernets I ordered this book: Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It really, truly was stupidly easy and looks amazing (taste test to come later tonight with dinner) Here's the bread:

We can't wait to eat it!

I'm involved in a SAL with my LNS and we're stitching an older freebie from Papillon Creations "How Does Your Garden Grow?" It's a mystery SAL and our fearless leader is handing out one part each month. I have only a few more days to finish up the first part or I'll be behind - so that's what I'll be stitching tonight. The specialty stitches have been really cool to work and the instructions are very clear.

Happy Monday y'all.

Yellow Blanket

What a week it's been. I had been feeling really out of sorts about all of the projects under way and NOTHING being finish finished. I started my Christmas knitting (more on that later) but needed a cable from another project that had been on the needles for awhile. When I was pregnant with my son I began a blanket for him - sunshine yellow, soft, squishy superwash wool. It was a lace pattern, and I learned a valuable lesson about dye lots (always order extra...) and gauge - mine was off - but it was a blanket right? Who cared about gauge? Well, I worked away for a good 10 months on that sucker - it grew heavy on my big belly, and heavier on my post partum flab and lap. I was so disappointed with it (dye lot differences - I had tried striping it, gauge - it would be HUGE when done - and I have to finish it - you know - even if its wrong) Then I hated it. I couldn't work on it anymore. So, I abandoned it, and I decided that I would rip it out and use the wool to make something else. I couldn't deal with it, so I left it behind a few piles of stuff and tried to forget about it. Then, last weekend I really needed the cable needle that was buried under the stitches of that blanket. You should know at this point that my son's favourite thing in the whole world is his blue knit blanket that my SIL made - he can not sleep without it. He digs knit stuff. I worked so hard on that damn thing that even if it wasn't right - he would like it - and that was the whole point. I didn't even look to see if I was at a completed pattern repeat - I simply cast that sucker off, wove in the ends and presented it to him.

I think he approved. I now think that it's the greatest thing I've ever made.

I also showed Makhi some love.

Then I cleaned out a stash drawer. This is something I stitched last year for my little guy's room. If you'd like the pattern - I'd be happy to pass it on to you - please leave me a comment. It's LHN "Counting House".

Now, onto the Christmas knitting. I decided to make my kids matching sweaters (just the pattern, not the colours) because I've always wanted to - KWIM? I'm using Wendy Bernard's "Drive-Thru" pattern. Dudes - this is a great pattern. Easy even, and I'm a very basic knitter. So, I've already knit the body of the babe's sweater (in the round, bottom up) and now I'm on to the first sleeve. Here's where I have to give myself props. I taught myself the magic loop method of knitting (with the book - awesome instructions...) Wanna know what's so magic? It's one long circular needle, and I'm knitting a tube that won't need to be seamed!!!

SEE?????
So, thank you and good night.

Hard week

It's been a very, very hard week and I am glad it is coming to a close. I have therefore made a special date with myself for tonight. My husband is leaving again around 2pm for 2 weeks, and I will miss him terribly. I'll pick DD up from school and we'll have a special dinner tonight together after the babe is in bed. Then, I'm making a large pot of coffee, putting some lindor chocolates in a crystal bowl and I plan on stitching into the wee hours. I have podcasts to listen to and a few movies on the PVR. I can't wait.

How will you spend your evening?

Startitis is a disease.....

Thank you Carolyn for your kind comment about Makhi. I really love working on it. Even with all of my other projects on the go, I never tire of these designs. They're easy, only 9 colours and I don't need to keep checking the pattern which makes for great TV stitching.

This is my new start! Sampler Cove's "Spanish Rouge" I have "Spanish Bleue" lined up in my queue (hee hee) as well though I may have some issues with my thread. Another story for another day.....

Ready to start back......

We're home from a great couple of weeks away, decent weather and happy children. School starts back tomorrow and my teaching schedule starts back up as well - I teach private music lessons. It will be nice to see (most of) my students again. I was able to stitch in the evenings after the babe was in bed so Makhi was the project of choice. I did have a new start as well - I love it, but I'll keep you in suspense until tomorrow to see it. I think you'll like it.........

How many points are in this post??

Thanks for the comments - I'm in good company :)

I low carbed for so many years that going back to WW seems a bit foreign. I really believe in low carbing when it's done correctly - focusing on veg, protein and healthy oils (and then more veg!) but I just couldn't stick with it - and when I eat a slab of cake with my steak and salad that's not going to get me very far now, is it? So - instead of eating myself into the ground, I'm going back to accountability. 3 pounds down, 60 to go. I don't do the 100 cal packs - I'd simply eat the whole box. What I wouldn't give to just be normal around food - why does it have to be my focus? I could certainly live off the land for a while, so to speak.

So - I should have a simple project that's easy to pull out and work instead of grazing the refrigerator. It's so stupid, do I think that somethings going to magically appear in there that wasn't there 1/2 hour ago? I should stitch a little piggy and stick it to the fridge. Forget the fridge, just staple it to my butt.........

Bah Humbug.

I really hate, hate, hate being on a diet. I know the totally over used expression - "but, it's a lifestyle!" said in a chirpy voice.

I want my lifestyle to include Big Macs and big bags of candy.

Blah.

Mel's give away!

Check out Mel's blog and her fantastic give away!

There are some lovely things in there!

So - it's Weight Watchers time again. I've signed back up for the online program - wish me luck..... Now I'm off for a lovely cup of coffee to get me moving.

Dear Stewey......

Since Stella's been getting so much attention I thought it only fair to give Madi an introduction to the blog. Her given name is Madeira and she enjoys long walks and even longer naps. Stewey - Madi hopes that you are feeling better after your visit to the v-e-t, and is glad that it was you and not she that was there.

We love our girl dearly which is the only explanation for why we put up with four months out of every year - a shedding of fur that sorely test the limits of our vacuum.

Stitchy progress on Makhi:

Good night all!

Rustic Retreat start

This is a fun, easy stitch! 28 count natural linen - lovely natural colours, it is a pleasure!

Carolyn asked me a question - Thanks for reading and posting comments - love it! Makhi is from Landmark Charts. I couldn't find a website for them specifically but I did find a link to their tapesta pillow collection which I'm stitching from.

There are 12 designs in this collection and I will be stitching 10 of them. I'll frame them instead of making them into pillows. I posted a photo of one that I've completed here - Kazakh.

Here's what Makhi will look like once finished.

Good Questions!

So I found a new to me blog today - and Melissa had some great questions!

1)Why do you stitch?

It calms me. Stitching makes me feel at peace with myself even when the rest of my life is in chaos.

2) On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being least important and 10 being most important what is your cross stitch passion level?

A 10 for sure - a day without stitching is a miserable one.

3)If your only option for cross stitch supplies and patterns happened to be the major chain craft stores would you just walk away from the little X? Kiss it goodbye?

Well - very doubtful, but it would certainly suck a lot of the pleasure out of it for me, as their selection (at least here in Canada) is awful. Usually there are a few kits, a few magazines, some aida in a plastic bag and a wall of DMC. Depressing.

4)Also are you so passionate about cross stitch that if indeed your only option was the major chain craft stores, would that inspire you to create your own cross stitch pieces because you have to stitch and you've stitched your way through the whole of Dimensions catalog--because you must stitch and the thought of life without a relationship with the little X leaves you feeling empty?

Fortunately my stash to life expectancy ratio is heavily weighted to the former so I think I'll be alright.

5)Finally what do the cross stitch magazines on the market offer you? Do they relate to you as a cross stitcher? Do you look at them and think to yourself, who do they think buys this magazine? I guess what I'm asking, when you see the current cross stitch magazines do they make you feel like they know their readers or do you find it's more of the same? What could they do to be ambassadors for the art of cross stitch other than putting a sampler on the cover with "F-U" on it? What are we missing on a PR level that could change the opinion of cross stitch itself?

The only mag I ever buy is the JCS ornie issue. Mainly because I usually just browse and buy patterns from my LNS so I have never felt the need to buy the mags. So, I can't really offer a valid opinion here.

6) And finally, finally, do you do other crafts and if so what are they and why do they pull you away from cross stitch?

I knit. I really like knitting, but my passion is stitching. I would like to learn to quilt and sew, but something about cross stitch speaks to me on a deeper level (and I mean that) I heart it, and it hearts me right back.

Chirp, chirp.. there are crickets in the corner...

Well - it is official - I am really talking to myself. So - I guess the first person to tell me they want the PA Design gets it.

Here's Makhi - for some reason I'm loving working with the aida though it's been years since I've touched the stuff. It really works well with these designs. I'm almost halfway done!

I have been wanting to stitch this next one for a while. My husband will be away for most of this month and I've been feeling a bit blue about that. As a pick me up, I've got the floss and linen ready to go. I'll be stitching all three designs together within one border which is given as an option within the pattern.

So. My nemesis. This damn red house I have now stitched three times. It will not be done again :shaking my fist in the air: Perhaps I'll even leave it with a crumbling wall as a final "screw you".

So - there you have it. It'll be nice to get back into the stitching groove this month.

Lost camera and giveaway

GAH!

I can not find it anywhere and I have progress to show! How very frustrating..

I have an older chart from Patricia Ann Designs - Honeysuckle Courtyard that I would like to send on to a new home - see pic here - if you'd like it, please leave me a comment and I'll have my daughter pick a name out of a hat. It's a lovely design, very delicate.

Love

I can't stop kissing him.... This face is very distracting, as you can see by the pile of laundry behind him.

"Of female arts" was actually worked on last night, just a wee bit of progress to show:

Also - Makhi is a very relaxing stitch with endless x's of DMC 799.

Has anyone seen Revolutionary Road? I'm considering watching it tonight - it looks good.

Have a great evening!

Holidays

Been away.

Husband's overseas relatives - x9.

Small cottage.

Loud relatives.

No stitching in 7 days.

I think I'll go lie down quietly with a cold cloth and I'll see you in the morning.

(Lovely, lovely Georgian Bay however. I'll never tire of her rocky shores.)

Eh?

Happy Canada Day!!

Fobs and lobs......

Here's the fobs I won from Laura 

too cute!

Updated Makhi photo:

And now - the Strumpet comes out - I can not remain faithful, lo though I try.... see this?

A week ago it looked like this:

I was using a thread that I hated. My local LNS owner (who now knows me pretty well...) knew that I had put this away and correctly guessed that I had put it away simply because I hated the thread so much - she suggested an alternative and now $50 later (gulp) I have hand painted silk that I am over the moon about (that's it in the before photo - it's like a really wonderful 13 year old cheddar next to Velveeta - no offense to those who like that product..... well, on second hand - dudes take offense, that stuff is nasty.

As of today, both hooligans are home for the summer. The littlest hooligan had his first hair cut, and promptly fell over giving himself a black eye which enhanced the hooligan factor.

As for the lobs - well, it is Wimbledon week after all......... Stay cool!

Linky Goodness

Thanks to Cindy F. I think I've figured out how to add links! Thanks so much.

So in honour of my new skill I thought I'd share a few of my favourite sites:

hilarious cakes

fellow Canadian knitter - truly a national treasure

a lit podcast to craft by - Heather's podcast is really, really great.

I'm always looking for new sites, what are some of your favourites?

An older finish

My projects are so large that sometimes I need to remind myself that I do actually finish things. This is Landmark's Kazakh that I finished about 6 months ago. There are 12 patterns in this series and I have 10 of the patterns. Makhi is the second one that I'm working on. They are easy to stitch and really beautiful. As they are a set, I'd really like to match their frames, so it'll be awhile before that happens!

Update on my LHN - I salvaged the roof as it was two squares short in the right direction if you know what I mean. So, I added two more rows to the left side and ripped out the red and windows. Sadly I was using a really nice WDW in "Brick" - and I didn't think I'd have enough to re-do the house, so I switched out to the DMC which I don't like as much but it'll do. 

Ode to the Red House two squares too far to the right

My fingers were flying I thought I was fine

That's when I noticed something amiss with the line

The stitches were even, the colour divine

Yet something was wrong still with my design

Oh no thought I, it can't be, what to do?

My time is so short, my free moments so few

My babes need feeding, bathing and more 

The paperwork glares at me there through the door

What a waste, what to do?

Will anyone notice if I just fudge a few? 

Yes, I will notice it, for sure most true

Now my language turns the air blue.

So tonight my dear friends I join in the group 

My scissors in hand to make right my kafloop

Poop.

Like I needed another obsession.....

So - thanks to this blog: http://iwasknittogetherinmymotherswomb.typepad.com/i_was_knit_together_in_my/ I've had the itch to learn to sew. Lynne's clothes that she makes are right up my alley. If the link doesn't show up properly, could someone please teach me how to add a link in Blogger - I'm terrible at this stuff....

Well, I found an el-cheapo machine on eBay. It arrived yesterday and I have it out of the box and have admired it. Now, I'll get myself over to the library and find some books to teach myself what to do.  I've got that tingly new project feeling going on.......

Strumpety behaviour

Well, yet again I find myself unable to stick with any one project - so thought I would post an update of the 4 projects that I seem to be going between.

I started the Primitive Needle - Of Female Arts a month ago - love this fabric, and stitching it one over one makes it teeny tiny.

My LHN design is growing, but I'm not sure I'll make my mid- June deadline (OK, so I know I won;t make it to be honest...)  The roof on my third house seemed to take forever.

I've put a few stitches in Makhi - love it, love it, love it.......

Lastly, my HAED which is causing me to dream about DMC 809. Blurg.

DH will be home again tonight for the weekend - what a relief! It's been a difficult week with my DS who had a mild reaction from his MMR shot last week. Totally normal, but made my normally sunny little boy a cranky pile of fussiness. Fortunately my DD (8) was great all week.

An update on the swallows - still nesting and her mate is pooping all over my porch furniture. Oh well - babies are a messy business. Happy Friday to all.

I'm a Winner!

I belong to a HAED SAL blog - http://ourfriendshaedsal.blogspot.com and I've won their May monthly draw!! I never win anything so this is such a treat! I've checked out the website for the business that is providing the prize and she has some really beautiful scissor fobs. Please visit: http://fabulousfobs.blogspot.com/

This is the fob that I chose as my prize and I also get a second one that was a colour of my choosing so I picked blue/ purple since my HAED design is still a big bluish blob. See?

Hurray for Friday!

Oh, weekend - how I've missed you. My DH will be home for a few nights so we all look forward to spending time with him. It was a crazy weather day here yesterday - massive thunderstorms all day - I think we're in for the same today.

Because there is no sunshine and she is up in a dark corner - it is almost impossible to get a clear picture of the swallow through my window. This one was the best of the (bad) lot and you can just make out how tall she has built her nest. She is sitting on it now and her mate is never far away.

Today is Friday so it's time for a little work on LHN's Neighbourhood - my goal is to finish this mid- June. When I actually put the time into it, it is a very quick stitch compared to some of my other big projects.

Let me out mum!

Enjoy your weekend!

Swallows and knitting - random ramblings

So, there are swallows building a nest on our porch. Everyone thinks I'm crazy to allow them to stay - that they'll dive bomb us to protect their eggs, that the mess will be horrendous etc...... I am just getting so much pleasure from them being there though that I can't imagine destroying what they've worked so hard to build. What you see below took 2 days to build - now it's 5 days later and the nest is about 4 times higher and both birds seem to be involved in the process. I'll post another pic tomorrow. We'll just have to enter the house through the garage until they're done. I love to see them swoop in under the roof.

Next up is a photo of DH's 3 year sweater - what you see is a finished arm and the back that is 3 inches from completion.........

Cat. Am I crazy or do all stitchers love pets? I think we're wired that way. This is Oscar - king of the castle. He is the laziest cat ever - he's also about 25 pounds........ When he sits, he looks like a giant hershey kiss from behind.

Happy Wednesday everyone!