Ornament Happy Dance and Other Stitching

I've been forced to stay home the last couple of evenings by a cold, so that means I've been satisfying the grouch in me with stitching time!

Today I finally finished up my December ornament

Byzantine Ornament #2

c1995 Just Cross Stitch

Teresa Wentzler

Stitched on : 32 ct Antique White Lugana

Stitched with : DMC & Mill Hill Beads

I also pulled Art Deco spirits back out and I've been plugging away at that.  After doing a bunch of little projects its been nice to focus on one of my larger WIPs.

Slowly Stitching

Its been a busy week and I've managed to squeeze in a little stitching here and there not enough to make me happy though.  I've noticed I've been a little grumpy when I haven't gotten my stitching in.

I have been working away on Teresa Wentzler's 2nd Byzantine Ornament, I just have backstitching and beads left.

I finished another ornament and I've got a few more in the wings, I just wish I had more time!

Students promoted at black belt testing

This weekend was full of Taekwon-Do stuff!  Saturday was black belt testing, I wasn't testing this time around but I was helping out Tasha with parts of her testing.  Also my buddy Jason got his 4th degree!  That's a big deal!!!

Me & my Little Tiger students

Today, was the Santa Clause parade in the town where I go to Taekwon-Do.  I was on the fence about going, but since my little tigers were going to be on the float, I kinda needed to be there.

I'm anxiously awaiting my Christmas Holidays!  I can't wait to be able to just stop for awhile.

I Made It!!!!

If I had confetti cannons they'd be going off right now!

I made it through NaBloPoMo!!!  I have posted every day for a month and not just on one blog, but TWO blogs!  Sooo if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, don't be surprised this girl probably needs a blog-break.  On the other hand, I've gotten into this daily habit!  I may surprise you and show up here tomorrow!

Still no real stitching to show, but I do have two other things to show you.  At work we have a "peer given" award called the "U Rock" award.    I was very surprised to be one of the recipients of the award!  When you work in a school as support staff where the majority of the employees are teachers sometimes us support staff get a little forgotten in the grand scheme of things.

Also we had a spectacular sunrise this morning!  The colours were gloriously pink, unfortunately my camera just didn't capture the true colours.

I've had a number of commenters asking me where I got my flat fold instructions from.  Sadly, they're not online I bought one of Judy O'Dell's finishing books with spectacular instructions and photos!  I highly recommend them.

Retro Photo Hunt

Another busy day so no stitching to report... so here's a PhotoHunt from November 7, 2009.  The theme was veterans/military

St. Augustine, Florida -- This little group reenacts shooting muskets and a cannon several times a day

Finishing Day

Today I had a finishing day!  I didn't really get to my ornaments like I probably should of but I was productive!

My friend Rebecca's Mom, Sylvia asked me to help her finish two fall pieces into flat folds.  We've not been able to cross paths for me to show her how to do it.  So I did the finishing for her.  Also because I'm picky about how things look they can be a bit of work!  I know many people glue-stretch their pieces and glue the pieces together.  I prefer the neater more seamless look using Judy O'Dell's instructions which involve actually stretching and stitching the pieces together.

The looked a little lost without anything on them so I dug through my stash to find the right floss colour, and I made cord to go around both the boy and the girl.

I also did the finishing on TW's Byzantine Ornament #1 I'm VERY pleased with how this turned out.

I made another floss tag as well!  I've got to hit Staples tomorrow and get some more rings!

I also made a scissor fob

And two ort boxes

It was a busy finishing day!

Byzantine Ornament #1

Late last night I finished up my first ornament in the new series I've started.  Teresa Wentzler designs always take much longer to finish than you think.  Also as usual, a lot of BEADS!  I might not have enough beads to do them all, might have to hit up Christin... she always seems to have what I've run out of!  LOL.

Byzantine Ornament #1

c1995 Just Cross Stitch

Theresa Wentzler Christmas Ornaments

Stitched on 32ct Antique White Lugana

Stitched with DMC, Mill Hill Beads & Kreinik Cord

I'm finally feeling better today, my migraine hung on for three freakin' days!

This week's PhotoHunt theme is "written"

The written word has a lot of power when put together in the right order.  Really would you get off the boat?  I didn't!

A Stitchy Meme!

I saw Riona answering these on her blog, and I thought what a great blog entry for today!  They originally come from Andie's blog.

1. What are you stitching at the moment?

Teresa Wentzler's Byzantine Ornaments, currently working on ornament #1

2. How many finishes have you had this year? Small? Medium? Large? Extra Large?

I have 28 finishes so far this year.  I've got at least 2 big finishes, a few medium and a lot of smalls!

3. Do you think you will finish any more in the next month and a half before the end of the year?

Yes, I hope to finish all the Byzantine ornaments and in an ideal world I'd love to finish Art Deco Spirits, that will depend on how busy my Christmas Break gets.

4. If you could buy 1 thing for yourself what would it be? (Doesn't have to be stitching)

Hmmm I don't know, the latest thing on my "to get" list was a new point and shoot digital camera... which I treated myself to on Wednesday night.  I wold love some higher end lenses for my D-SLR with image stabilization.

5. What is the best thing you have ever stitched?

Teresa Wentzler's Peacock Tapestry... I stitched it in under a year!

6. Do you like making lists?

I luuuuuv lists!!!

7. Do you stitch in rotation (how does it work?) or OAAT?

I'm a One At A Time girl, I do also always have an ornament on the go, but I don't count that as a rotation as the ornament is a travel project.

8. What is the next thing you plan to stitch?

Enchantment of Winter by Terrance Nolan

9. What is your fave ONS? And why?

I like to try to use Knowledge and Needles, and if Ann doesn't have an item in stock and can't get it I tend to go with Stitching Bits and Bobs if I'm not in a rush.  I know Ann personally and she always does her best to get you what you're looking for.  Stitching Bits and Bobs has great sales, slow service.

10. Do you have a stitching chair?

Yup, its a rocking/gliding/recliner!  I love it!

11. Do your children/pets get into your stitching things?

No kids, and really my cats are very good.  But I also tend not to leave things out either... you just never know!

12. Do you participate in any stitching forums?

I used to but not anymore, there just aren't enough hours in the day!