PhotoHunt - February 5, 2011

Once again I'm behind in my PhotoHunts, what's new?

So the PhotoHunt topic was "Fashion" does this photo not scream fashion... and fun!

Happy Valentines Day

I hope everyone managed to mark the day in some way and have a nice Valentine's Day.  A few weeks ago Todd asked me about what I wanted to do for Valentine's Day this year, I think he was covering his behind because in quite a few years he's just dropped the ball.  I'm sure many of you out there have had years like that.
So I thought about it for a moment, and realized how busy and crazy my life was going to be this week and I told him quite simply I would just like for you to acknowledge the day.  I knew there would be no time to go out for dinner as I had a Taekwon-Do seminar to be at this past Saturday and tonight, I was teaching the whole night at Taekwon-Do.  Also I'm heading back to the Dominican Republic on Friday for a week.  For those who aren't long-time readers of mine, last year in March I went to the DR with 10 students from the school I work at for a Third World Experience.  If I've peaked your interest go back in my archives to March of 2010 and read/see all about it.  I'll be sure to have a full report for you in the weeks following the trip (its a lot of work!).  Then, three weeks following this trip I'll be boarding a plane again this time to visit with Kathy in SW Arizona.

Back to Valentine's Day, Todd did pull through this year and when I came home Saturday evening he had a lovely bouquet of flowers and a card waiting for me.  I returned the favour with a card and his favourite box of chocolates (Ferrero Rocher).  It was nice, it was simple, it was perfect for this very busy time.

This will probably be my last stitching update for at least a week and a half maybe two so enjoy!  I was reading another blog and the writer mentioned she loved seeing previous and current progress pictures so I'm going to do the same for you, let me know what you think.

The Accolade - Before

The Accolade  - Today

Enchantment of Winter - Before

Enchantment of Winter - Today

Taking Care of Number One

Sometimes we just have to put ourselves first, its a really hard thing to do, especially if you have a family to take care of (which I don't but I still spread myself thin sometimes).


As many of you know I've been down in the dumps lately, its probably winter, and a little bit of myself feeling sorry for myself.

Before

One of the things I was going to work on this past week was something for myself, and I did! Back in November I got my hair cut by a new hairdresser and well I hated it... really, I did. I pretty much have had my hair pulled back since then. I finally bit the bullet, picked up the phone and called my hairdresser got an appointment for this week. Why did I not see her in the first place back in the fall? Well her salon is downtown and I live outside of the city so its a considerable drive to go see her. But I sucked it up, drove downtown and circled the block to find some parking!

A different kind of WIP

I really splurged and got my eyebrows waxed (something I normally do but kept putting off), my hair highlighted and cut. I was there for HOURS!

I'm very happy with the results! Why do I do this every few years go and try someone else when I know Azra is the only one who can cut my hair just right!

Thank You Kathy!

Mysteriously lately my circle of stitching friends have been receiving scissors in the mail!  Kathy did tell me recently that a little parcel was heading my way!

Earlier this week I received a new pair of fun scissors!  Thank you so much Kathy!  Just a few short weeks until I see you and I can't wait!

February Ornament

This is just a quick drive by posting... I really should be going to bed!  My stitching group was cancelled tonight because there was no heat in the church and well its too cold to do without!  My hair wasn't completely dry when I left the gym and in the short walk to the car my wet hair was frozen!  Not as cold as it has been, but cold enough.  Now I did take advantage of the evening and when I got home I stitched my little heart out!

I was lucky enough to get the last backstitches and beads into my ornament and happy danced tonight!

Byzantine Ornament #3

cTeresa Wentzler

Stitched on 32ct Antique White Lugana

Stitched with DMC, Kreink Cord and Mill Hill Beads

I then put quite a bit of work into The Accolade, I actually did 3 10x10 blocks tonight, making up for those last days where I ignored everything except Art Deco Spirits.  After that I pulled out Enchantment of Winter and quite enjoyed putting some stitches into that tonight!

February Stitching Goals

Well, we're almost a week into February, so its about time I figured out my stitching goals for this month and review what I wanted to get done in January.

January Stitching Goals

Work on Art Deco Spirits - Lots and lots!
Work on The Accolade - Almost daily!
Stitch 1 Ornament - Stitched a bunch of snowflakes!

February Stitching Goals
Finish Art Deco Spirits
Work on The Accolade
Work on Enchantment of Winter
Stitch 1 Ornament
Stitch Petit Chat

In the end I have to say that January was VERY productive for me stitching wise, I'm not expecting February to be as productive as life is getting busy!

How about a PhotoHunt?  I'm getting behind again!  This is the PhotoHunt from January 29th the theme was "standing"

This is my friend Lynn's cat, Clariesse.  She will stand up and beg for a treat!

First Big Happy Dance of 2011!!! & TUSAL

Yes, I know, I know I've been silent for days and days haven't I?  I've been quiet for two reasons, first of all I've been furiously stitching and second, I've been feeling meh again and haven't felt like doing anything!  Getting out of bed in the morning has been very difficult, I've had to really make myself go to work, I've not been motivated to exercise, and I have to admit I don't want to go anywhere lately.

Art Deco Spirits

c1996 Nora Corbett - Mirabilia

Stitched on 32ct Jazlyn with DMC, Kreinik #4, Rainbow Galleries Pettite Treasure Braid

I started Art Deco Spirits on January 1st of 2009 as a part of a Stitch-A-Long with my friends Kathy, Beatrice, and Christin.  Kathy and Beatrice were great to get their Mirabilias done that year, Christin and I ... well we took a little longer.  Other projects just kept grabbing my attention.  In 2010 instead of joining my friends in a New Year's Day start/SAL I decided it was the year I would start getting projects out of my stitching basket!  Art Deco Spirits was one of the projects that had been left unloved in my basket for far too long (but not as long as other projects).

Last year after finishing Celestial Dragon, it was Art Deco's turn to come out and play!  I have been plugging away at this beauty for some months now and I'm proud to say "Its Done!"

People are surprised to find out that  yes, this piece is a Miriabilia an early one, number 19 to be exact.  I bought the chart during my first trip to the Creativ Festival in Toronto back in 2001 where I saw it on display as a model.  It took far too many years to come to the top of the must stitch pile and I spent far too long working ignoring it once started.  Despite all the metallics it was a joy to stitch!

I am so happy with this piece.

I did make some slight changes with the metallic threads.  The model which is stitched on 32ct is stitched with #8 braid.  Right away, I changed that to #4 braid.  Also the gold metallic is supposed to be DMC 284Z which is the worst stuff on earth!  I used Rainbow Galleries Pettite Treasure Braid PB01 instead, lovely to work with.

So what's next on the horizon you may ask?  I have a bunch of quilt blocks to stitch up, for a quilt my dear friend Marie-Paule is helping me with.  She had this completed back in August and I fell in love with it!  Marie-Paule offered to hook me up to copy what she created.  I've also got some stitching friends lined up to help me out.  These will also be my travel stitching in two weeks when I head down to the Dominican Republic on a third world experience for one week.  There is also my upcoming March Break trip to Arizona, I'll be travelling and sitting in airports for 11-12 hours there and back, lots of stitching time!!!

My Focus project is going to be Enchantment Of Winter by Dimples Designs (Terrance Nolan), which I made a small start on in the fall.  This piece is going to be a challenge for sure!  I'm stitching it on the recommended 32ct linen and the whole center of the design is stitched over one!  My friend Ann, owner of Knowledge and Needles sells these great LED light/magnifiers and I'll be buying one soon for sure!  This piece will be a labour of love for sure!

Of course I'm going to continue my 10x10 daily blocks on the Accolade, which I'm ashamed to say I haven't touched since I could see Art Deco's finish line so close!

Thursday was the New Moon so time for the TUSAL!  Here is my jar looking quite prettyful filled with lots of threads from Art Deco Spirits.  I love watching the layers of my projects develop.  Now the colours will change to purple and gold as I work on Enchantment!