More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Sunday, December 18, 2011

I Certainly Hermited This Weekend

It was the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend, and this month I had the time and luxury to be able to take part!  I've been so busy all I've been wanting was a weekend to stay home and stitch!  I did some finishing (see yesterday's blog entry) and I stitched!

Quaker Christmas Ornament
Kell Smurthwaite
Stitched one 32ct Cranberry Linen Stitched with DMC B5200

I stitched up this fantastic freebie I had a wee start on it before I got up from my nap after work on Friday but I worked on it that night, quite a bit on Saturday and wrapped it up today.  I really enjoyed this stitch, and of course if you don't know me by now, I love to switch up the colours!  This was charted up for red floss on white fabric I of course did the opposite!  Unfortunately this isn't the best picture, I didn't realize the whites had blown out until I got it on the computer and honestly I'm too busy watching the Survivor Finale to get up and re-take a picture!  I'll have a better picture when I do the finishing of this pretty.


I also pulled Enchantment of Winter back out.  For some reason lately I've been avoiding working on this piece, despite the fact that it needs to get finished!  I think I just don't want to face all that over one backstitching, which I was very good to do today until it drove me buggy!  When I switched back to stitching over two without my magnifier my eyes were immediately much happier!  Of course this picture just doesn't show what progress I've made.


-- Non-Stitchy Stuff --

Well there's still no new treadmill though we ordered a new one on December 3rd.  This order kinda turned into a comedy of errors.  Actually its not a comedy of errors, but just a bad case of STUPID PEOPLE!  They were told to send one back they had two arrive.  One had been ordered as a gift and ours.  They had been told by the warehouse to return a treadmill, but they didn't think to find out which one.  Since gifts NEVER have to go back they sent ours back before it barely arrived... never thinking to maybe CALL us to confirm we wanted it returned, since they had all our information to do that so we could come pick it up.  The long and the short of it is, our treadmill has been re-ordered, its now on sale so we got a further discount, and its being delivered to the house for free.  I hate STUPID PEOPLE!!!!  You can ask Chrsitin I go on about stupid people a lot, a pet peeve of mine.  I've not run in almost a month because its winter-like out there, and because of STUPID PEOPLE!

A wee self portrait, see that on the ground?  Yup evil, white stuff!

There's actually another reason why I'm going on about my treadmill.  My weight loss efforts are seriously suffering, its like I lost my safety blanket not being able to run on my schedule and my terms (I live in the country which is great for good weather running, but not great for winter running and its dark before 5PM right now and I mean dark!).  Today I bundled up and went out and walked my run route.  I went out for a brisk walk, with no distractions, no music to move me along (which I always run with).  It was very, very nice.  Part way through I realized, oh my gosh I actually MISS running?  Me, the short fat girl (well still short and a little fatter than I'd like to be at the moment but not as fat as I used to be) missing running?  The only time you would of caught me running in the past was out of a burning house with two cats under my arms and my stitching bag!  Despite the sub-zero temps I bundled up and it was very nice!  I'll have to do that again.

So my regular readers know the treadmill is on order because mine broke at the tail end of November, well Murphy paid us another visit.  A week away from Christmas to the day, our washing machine died today!  The motor was smoking and all that.  We have another big purchase coming this week, of all weeks.


33 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've really had a run of bad luck with the "appliances" lately. Hope the new treadmill comes soon and that you find a washing machine you really like.

The snowflake is beautiful. I love the color fabric you chose.

Freddysmama (Kirstin) said...

Urgh, that Mr Murphy needs to take a running jump.

A brisk walk on a cold day is wonderful - not that I appreciated it at all when I was walking to school in freezing temps as a kid. LOL.

Love the snowflake. The cranberry linen is very pretty.

BTW - IHSW pics are up on my blog now, LOL, I saw your request for pics and got onto it, pronto :)

valerie said...

OMGosh...what luck! Sorry to hear about the washer. I hate stupid people too...and bad drivers. Don't even get me started.

Great stitching tho! Love Enchantment of Winter. Wow!

Unknown said...

Love the white on red combo for your ornament I think its fab. Glad you finally got a weekend to just chill and take a breather. Really hope the treadmill issue sorts itself out, there is just no accounting for stupid people, they are a hazard, you know that right !.

Lesleyanne said...

I love your finish and the colour combination you used. Great progress on enchanted winter. So sorry to hear your washing machine has packed in and I hope you get your treadmill soon.

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

You've been busy :D I like the colours you've picked for the quaker ornament.

Stitchabilities said...

Beautiful stitching!!

cucki said...

on no...so sorry to hear about the washer..
very beautiful stitching..i love them both so much..
big hugs ccuki xx

Diane (di) said...

Oh no Dani... why does it seem like when it rains it pours when it comes to appliances breaking? :( I'm crossing my fingers the treadmill/washer nightmare is over soon. Love the IHSW quaker ornie and I know BSing makes you crazy, but your Enchantment of Winter is so pretty. I really do look forward to your WIP pics. Love. :)

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm glad that you had a hermit weekend! We need to do that every once in a while.

Giovanna said...

I'm sorry you're having such rotten luck :-(
All of your ornaments (referring to previous post as well) are so pretty, well done.

Bette said...

A hermit weekend sounds wonderful. And I love the fabric color used on the ornament. Sorry to hear of your appliance troubles. It seems like it never rains but it pours. Stay warm!

kate n said...

I am in love with that cranberry linen too! It looks gorgeous.

blue star stitcher said...

i'm lucky it doesn't snow where i live, but I do appreciate running inside when it's dark out. I love the white snowflake on the cranberry linen.

Meari said...

Sorry to hear about your washing machine woes, and the treadmill snafu (but hey, at least you got another discount and free delivery! ☺)

Congrats on your Quaker finish. It's really pretty. And Winter E.. Wow, that looks awesome.

Claudette497 said...

Both your projects look wonderful, and I hope your treadmill comes soon. I'm glad you could at least take a walk!

Carol said...

I'm amazed each and every time you show your Enchantment of Winter WIP, Dani--it's really incredible. Cute little snowflake, too.

Sure hope the new treadmill arrives quickly--I get very, very grumpy when I don't use mine regularly :)

Kim said...

The Quaker Snowflake is lovely and Enchantment of Winter is stunning!

I feel your pain with stupid people--I hope your treadmill arrives quickly(I know how crazy I get when I can't work out, especially through no fault of my own).

Melanie said...

Oh no! Your washing machine. :(

Anonymous said...

Wow! You did a great job with the Quaker Ornament! I'm popping the pic in the blog gallery. :)

Kell @ Kincavel Krosses.
xxx

Joysze said...

Ornie looks great, Dani and I love the colors in Enchantment. Can't wait to see more of it, despite the over 1 stitching.

YUCK on stupid people!!! I'm glad it got sorted out and you're got a discount AND free shipping. Sorry about the washer. :( I hope you'll be able to find a good deal on year end sales.

Susan said...

Cute finish and love the Enchantment of Winter. The amount of over-1 on this one intimadates me a bit, but the results are beautiful.

Anne said...

What a gorgeous snowflake!! That fabrege egg design is beautiful too. Glad to hear you got the treadmill situation sorted out...but blast stupid people!!

Melissa said...

Your Christmas ornament looks great! I really love your fabric choice.

Aussie Stitcher said...

You need to give Mr Murphy and big kick in the butt to move him on. Enchantment is looking great, perhaps with the backstitch just do a thread a day and it will be done before you know it.

Nima said...

lovely snowflakes and beautful stitch progress.

Lynn said...

Murphy has been paying us a visit as well. After the water heater died, the furnace and air exchanger went. A/C is also on the way out so yesterday I had to fork out megga bucks for the new furnace and A/C. Figures!!!
Hope your woes are overwith soon.
Enchantment looks fabulous Dani! That ornament is pretty sweet too.

Sally said...

Enchantment of Winter looks fantastic Dani.

Love the ornament too.

Hope you get the treadmill sorted soon.

Julie said...

Lots of super ornaments, ou have been busy making up.
Hope the treadmill arrives soon

Michelle said...

Enchantment of winter is looking absolutely stunning! The snowflake is also very cute - can't wait to see the finishing.

Hope you don't have any more breakages and that the treadmill gets sorted soon!

Lillie said...

A lovely finish, sorry about the appliances and the mixed-up.

Hope your you'll have a Blessed and wonderful Christmas!

Christine S said...

Great finish, Dani! I also continue to be in awe of the beauty of Enchantment of Winter.

Merry Christmas!

♥ Nia said...

Jingle the bells and play the music loud, for Santa Claus is coming to town! :D
*゚¨゚゚・ ♫*:..。♡*゚¨゚゚・ Merry Christmas! ♫*:..。♡*゚¨゚゚・ ♫*:..。