Stitching to Share!

Wow I've got stitching to share!

This year I joined the Stitching Blogger Birthday Club, and my partner's birthday was January 9th! So I have to say I was in a bit of a panic to get something made and sent out in time! Well I didn't get the parcel in the mail to arrive in time for her birthday, but that's because I wanted to make her something. I did get it in the mail on January 10th (the day after her b-day) and I was assured it would get to Venezuela in 4-6 days well it took more like 6 weeks! She finally got it today... the last week of February. Needless to say Nela is over the moon with what I sent her! There were also a bunch of extra goodies, but I didn't take a picture.




Tin Toppers - May An Iris for Karen
c2006 Samplers and Such
Stitched on 32ct Mushroom Lugana using DMC


I've not stitched much this week. I've been getting a framing job finished so I can deliver it to the customer on the weekend!

Photo Hunt #91 "Delicious"

What's more yummy than birthday cake??? Even better b-day cake with smarties on top and ice cream! This was my niece on her 7th birthday in December.





Well I did the practical thing tonight, and worked on my model! So I'll be boring you with old Photo Hunts (I'm wayyy behind) and old SBQ's I haven't answered until I can share some real stitching progress with you!



I got the next four words of the Lizzie*Kate Double Flips... too bad I don't have the time to stitch them up for you right now! But they'll be waiting!

Sorry blogger readers!

Yup, Its a Border!

Well, this weekend I really SHOULD of started one of the three models I've got to get done... two which are due April 1st (I thought it was one but after checking my correspondence its two)! Alas, I did not. I wanted to complete my February goals and I've just completed my last one. That was to finish the border on Moonlight Guardian (which I hadn't touched since the beginning of January).


So here's the completed border on Moonlight Guardian (Dragon Dreams)



When I did finish this I pulled out the first of three models for A Needle Pulling Thread and got a start on that. Now the question is... tomorrow do I put in some time on Tour Des Marques? Or do I focus on my model. What do you think?

Oh yeah! We did get our tickets for the Police! We're actually in the lower level (not the floor) at the opposite end of the rink from the stage.

SBQ : February 13th

Sorry about not entry yesterday. I got home from my PD Day activities and grocery shopping with Christin and I... passed out! Must be why I'm up before 6am on a Saturday! I'm sitting here getting caught up on the online world, waiting for 10am to roll around, because tickets for The Police go on sale for an Ottawa show! Yay! I imagine tickets will be going fast, so I don't have high hopes but it would be nice to get some. Christin and I will be tag teaming online, while on the phone to each other... we need 4 tickets for me, Christin, Chrisanne and my Mum. LOL wish us luck!

Alright onto the latest question...

Q : Do you have any projects that you have scrapped and started over? What made you start over from scratch?

A : I don't think I've ever scrapped anything and started over, I'm very decisive with my stitching. I know what I want to stitch and I usually have a clear idea of how I want to stitch it. I've also been told that I have a good eye for colour... which I think really helps because then you don't pick the wrong fabric/fiber combination.

Photo (p&s) : Some wee flowers found in my lawn spring 2007

YAY SPELL CHECK WORKS!

February Ornament

This ornament was a quickie to stitch up, and boy I'm glad! I feel like all of a sudden a bunch of stitching has fallen into my lap and I'm never going to get to "my stuff"! This week I've gotten in the mail the supplies for the last 3 models in the series I have been doing for A Needle Pulling Thread (that makes a total of 6 pieces in under 6 months!). Also the next installment in the Neighbourhood RR I'm in has shown up. I know that one of my models is due April 1st so, I'm going to have to start that soon, the other two have a lengthier deadline. Also I've just checked and the RR has to go out on Apirl 1st as well, EEEK! I better get cracking!



At this point Moonlight Guardian hasn't been touched in a month (I may splurge and spend a day with it this weekend)! I know as soon as those latest Double Flips get here I'll want to dive right into those... and I'll have to resist! Oh well the sooner I get these projects started, the sooner they'll be done right?

Victorian Lace Snowflake

c2007 Rosewood Manor

JCS 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on 28ct white cashel linen using DMC & Mill Hill Beads

At the moment I'm facing two personal quandries that seems to be on my mind a lot. They're not huge issues really and they're not serious but perhaps if I put them down here, they'll leave me alone for awhile. The first one : what on earth am I going to do during March Break (8th-16th)? Unfortunately this year I'm not going somewhere warm and sunny, and after this winter I so badly want to do that! So am I going to visit friends? A day trip to Montreal? Am I going to go mad, hop in my car and either drive to Myrtle Beach or show up on Claire's doorstep in Chatanooga? Those who have read this blog for some time know I have no quandries about jumping into my car and driving 17 hours! Who knows, but its funny how much its bothering me this year that I don't have "solid" plans. I think I was spoilt last year getting to spend the week in San Diego, Ca. and Yuma, Az.!

The second one : my b-day is coming up in about a month (March 27th), and of course I'm getting the age old question... "what do you want for your birthday?". I've almost always had a very clear idea of what I've wanted and have not hesitated to let the right people know. This year that's not the case... if I was going away, the answer would be simple... $ money $ I'm just amazed that there isn't anything I really want (except maybe a haircut)... I mean I always want/am eyeing something! Hmmmm...

See what silly things obsess me lately?

Darn it! Still Not Finished!

I pulled out PL tonight, but didn't get in as much stitching time as I had hoped. I napped in my stitching chair for about 30 minutes and talked to my Mum on the phone THREE times! LOL! So I'm still not done that huge motif. Oh well, there's always next week!

Family Day Stitching

Today is a new provincial holiday : Family Day! Todd and I spent it in the best way possible! In our PJ's me stitching on Tour and Todd playing video games. My eyes were kind to me, I was able to stitch all day over one!

I also got a small start on this month's ornament. I'll continue with that tomorrow.

Tagged! 7 Things

There's a lot of tags and awards going on out there in blogger land! I figured one of these would hit me sooner or later. I was right! I got tagged by Linda. She's a new reader to my blog (I think since I know she's not a regular commenter, correct me if I'm wrong!) and only been blogging for about 8 months.

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post THE RULES on your blog.

3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 people and link to them.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Alrighty then I'm not a nomal person this should be easy right?

1. Deep down inside... I'm a Trekkie! I've even been to some conventions back in the 80's ... oops just dated myself!


2. I looove to organize things, but hate cleaning house


3. I just love going to Staples! What's more exciting than office supplies?


4. I don't like girlie, girlie things


5. When I was a kid it was more fun to climb trees and play G.I. Joe than it was to play Barbie... I mean you can only change her clothes so many times and she can only go out on so many dates with Ken!


6. I'm the middle child of three (I don't speak about my siblings often)


7. Rice with ketchup is comfort food. Serously try it someitme!

Alrighty I tag....

Christin, Chrisanne, Rebecca, Beatrice, Kathy, Manon, and Claire!

Photo (SLR) : Crocus in a pot... still too cold for them outside!

It Comes To Life!

If you've ever stitched a design by Michael Powell then you appreciate what backstitch can truly do! His designs as you work on them are non-descript blobs of colour. That is until you put the backstitch in. Then the details just come alive!

I finished this tonight...

Mini Spanish Cottages 5

c2004 Michael Powell

Stitched on 14ct aida using Anchor cotton floss

Tonight, before I hit the hay I'll start my February ornament. Tomorrow I have a full day to work on Tour Des Marques (or as long as my eyes can put up with it), its a new provincial holiday for us : Family Day!

Friday I brought Christin home with me and she stayed until this afternoon. This morning Manon stopped by to stitch with us, until the rain started. We're now being hit by rain from Texas no big deal right? That is until we go below zero (we're hovering around there now) then my winter wonder land (which I would gladly give up for warm temps!) will turn into an icy world that can be dangerous at times.

Fair & Square Round 5 Finished!

Yay I just finished stitching up Heidi's squares for round 5 of Fair & Square. I'm very happy with the results of what I picked for her. Not only the design, but the fabric and thread! Now to find some extra goodies to include in Hedi's parcel!

Tomorrow I'm going to work on Michael Powell's Mini Cottages 5, since that is my next piece closest to completion. Tonight I brought Christin home with me for a stitchy weekend! I tried to arrange a get together for either Saturday or Sunday this weekend, but things just didn't work out for anyone to be free to come over. Except Manon said she'll try her best to come out on Sunday (she just had a lovely HD so check out her blog!) to stitch with us! However I'm afraid that might not happen since Environment Canada says we may get hit with a nasty storm late Sunday/Monday that is supposedly now just developing over Texas. I can assure you I'm ready to batten down the hatches and stitch! If anyone is in the Ottawa area and would like to come stitch... drop me a line, the more the merrier!

Christin was also a sweetie and while we were out grocery shopping Christin let me pick out some flowers. She knew Todd wouldn't get me any for Vanlentine's Day so she treated me to some as well. I picked out some gorgeous orange gerbers and white-ish carnations.

Photo (SLR) : Gerber from Christin

A Stitcher Needs A Little Help!

I'm taking this quote right off of Ann's blog. She asked me to post this here as I tend to get a little more traffic than hers.

Barb (Thursday stitcher) is one strand of thread away from finishing Cirque des
Cercles.She ran out of Waterlilies Antique Brass only mere stitches from the
end.Does anybody out there have about one yard of one strand of that
thread?Barb, all the Thursday stitchers and the Snowbirds blog stitchers will
all be thankful!!!

I've checked my stash and I don't have any. If you can do us a huge favour and if you can check your stash and let me know if we can help Barb out!

Thanks!!!!

PL Night

Well, another week and I still haven't seen the end of that motif! Its a big sucker, hopefully next week will see me wrapping up this motif and moving onto another one. When this motif is done I'm going to pull out my measuring tape and see just how big it is (on 32ct.). I've been asked several times what colour of floss I'm using. Its DMC Colour Variations 4240, I wanted to use an overdyed for this project but becuase of the sheer size I had to keep the cost reasonable. The new DMC colours were the right solution, I've bought 36 skiens I'm hoping its enough.

Tomorrow's Valentine's Day and I'm actually looking forward to it. Todd asked me what I'd like this year, I kept it very simple for him. I told him all I wanted was to go up to our local pub for a burger and beer, and I wanted to go on Valentine's Day. He was a very good boy and made a reservation.

SBQ : February 6th

Well since I'm doing secret stitching yet again... this time its Fair & Square so why not answer an SBQ instead???

Q :Are there other crafts that you have tried and abandoned? Why do youlike stitching better?

A : I've tried temari, dabbled in a wee bit of quilting, and some chain maille. Why do I like stitching better? I can't really explain it, there's something soooo soothing about stitching. I like its exactness, the fact that you have to organize and be organized. Can you tell I love organization (heck its my field!). I just LOVE stitching!

Well I got my results today from my bone scan and MRI. The bone scan didn't really show anything we didn't already know, that there are signs indicative of Plantar Fasciitis. Quel suprise. However we did get an answer from the MRI (which also confirmed my PF), the exact wording is : "Focal fluid accumulation on the plantar aspect of the fourth tarsal-metatarsal joint outlining ligamentous structure." So this translates to I have also dammaged the ligaments in the top of my foot! My Dr. suspects it probably happened at the same time I partially tore my P.F May 2007 the reason this pain didn't present itself until months later is because my P.F. hurt more! LOL. The Dr. was very frank and said there was nothing he could do for me to treat it, but he had consulted with some colleagues of his.

He's referring me to a doctor specializing in musculoskeletal medicine for a treatment called prolothereapy. Essentially I'll be injected with a saline or sugar/water solution in the area where the ligaments are dammaged. This will cause inflammation which in turn my ligaments will go into healing mode and my ligaments will start producing collogen (which is what they're made of). The idea is that through this process my ligaments will begin to heal/strengthen and the pain will go away (we hope). So if you've had this treatment I'd love to hear your input. Did it work for you? For me the down side, nither the provincial health care plan nor my insurance plan cover this treatment and its not cheap. But what am I to do???

Also I'm being put on the list to see one of the two foot/ankle surgeons in the region. Unfortunately the list is a long one and I won't get in to see the surgeon until the fall. This doesen't mean surgery is a sure thing but if this prolotherapy doesen't work a surgeon is most likely my last resort... if he can do anything.

Photo (SLR) : Ice sculpture at Winterlude 2008

An Evening With Tour

Yay! I'm so proud of myself! I worked on Tour Des Marques for the second week in a row. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times : if you work on a project you can actually see some progress!

Tomorrow I've got a follow up appointment with my new Sports Dr. I'm hoping he has all my resluts and there will be a reason why I'm in pain! I'll be sure to let you know what he says.

Give is Finished!

Like I promised yesterday, I started and finished Give today! I'm now all caught up with this series. I know the next two charts just became available this weekend. I'll be anxiously awaiting them in my mailbox!

Give

c2007 Lizzie*Kate
Double Flip #71
Stitched on 32ct Lambswool linen using GAST & WDW

When I picked up the mail on Saturday I had a lovely surprise waiting for me! In round 4 of Fair & Square my partner crapped out on me. She never sent my squares, I honestly hate it when people sign up for things then don't follow through, don't send an explination, nothing. If there's any doubt that you're not going to complete and exchange or RR please don't sign up. Anyhow I didn't ask for anything, or demand a replacement but Vonna, the sweetie she is arranged to have Marie stitch me up replacement squares. I really appreciate the effort that went into these squares, they're beautiful and Marie included some beautiful extras. Thank you! On the Fair & Square note I finally stared the squares for Round 5!

Thank You Kathryn!

Kathryn awarded me with the You Make My Day Award (the second I received)! Thanks Kathryn! I always enjoy your blog because you give me a view into life in a tropical paradise, she has property in Maui and travels back and forth between the mainland and the island. I have yet to experience anywhere considered tropical ... yet. I'm sure my day will come. I enjoy her photos of Maui (actually they make me insanely jealous!) and the projects she picks to stitch are just lovely!

Its hard to single out ten people but I'd pass this award onto anyone who drops by and reads my blog. If you ever leave a comment be assured I'll pay you a return visit!

Hmmm spell check still dosen't work for me!

Stitching Updates

I have to say I'm horrible at keeping promises! I promised I'd share a progress picture of Paradigm Lost with you on Thrusday. Well I never did. What's my reason? I had really gotten into one of my projects while I went to the first stitch night at my LNS! Honestly you can ask Christin and Manon, I did try to work on PL while I was there but I just couldn't get focused and was easily distracted. Not a good idea when you're stitching Quaker motifs! Soooo I pulled out my much loved Double Flip-Its.

Tonight I finished Remember. I am so in love with this series, I'm pretty much obsessed! So I think I'll get caught up on these then I'll get back to my other projects. Luckily there's only one word left for me to stitch and that's Give. I'll get a start on that tomorrow. If I have a good, focused stitching day I might even finish it! Then I can finally start that Fair & Square I talked about earlier this week!

Remember

c2007 Lizzie*Kate

Double Flip #71

Stitched on 32ct Lambswool linen using GAST & WDW

I Just Don't Do Cold

Tonight after work I hopped in my car and drove into Downtown Ottawa. I met up downtown with Christin, Brenda, and Rachel (?). We had dinner at an Irish Pub in the Market. Then after dinner we walked down to Confederation park to check out the ice sculptures at Winterlude. I was a good girl and brough my D-SLR with me! I have to say I'm still in the learning stage with this camera. The first couple of shots didn't come out at all, but then once I figured out what settings would work best, I got some lovely shots.

Our main reason for meeting up downtown was to go see one of the performers at Winterlude. The opening act was called Swing, and they were a lot of fun! There were fireworks, large puppets, break dancers, native performers, and pipers! The main act was called the Road Hammers (never heard of them before was just going for an evenign out). About 3 songs into the main act my hands and toes were just frozen and I gave up! I don't understand how people love winter activities. Needless to say I came home and took a nice hot bath!

Photo Hunt #90 "Messy"

That's how my cupboards tend to be!

I worked on PL for a bit tonight. My LNS is having their first stitching night tomorrow, Manon has asked me to bring PL with me. So I'll be working on that a second night. You'll get a progress picture tomorrow!

A Little Lovin'

Today I have been migraine free! Yay! I woke up and it was gone, but I was absolutely exhausted. I often find they leave me feeling like I'd been run over by a bus. However as this evening has gone on I'm finding myself sensitive to light and sound, but the migraine hasn't developed.

I do want to say thanks to everyone for your concerns and wishes for my health. Yes, I should go to the doctor I'll just procrastiante a little longer. Just a little background info, I was diagnosed with migraines at the tender age of 9. So for me they're just a fact of life, I can continue to function through most of them (which would probably knock a non-sufferer on their ass). Having lived with them all my life, I do know my limits of when I can keep going and when its time to stop. Isn't it sad when I can see these as just a fact of life?


Onto bigger and better things!!! Tonight, I finished Love!

Love
c2007 Lizzie*Kate
Double Flip #F70
Stitched on : 32 ct Lambswool Linen using WDW and GAST

I've also figured out what I'm going to stitch for Hanna, my partner for Fair & Square round 5! I've got the fabric cut, and on Thrusday I'll pull the floss (I'm looking forward to PL tomorrow night!) and get started.

A Tour of a Night!

Lookie what made an appearance tonight? I was sorely tempted to work on L*K's Love and I did break down and put in one thread length's worth, but then put it away for Tour.

Its amazing even though this piece is over one, it does start to fill in when you actually work on it. I would have liked to work on it for at least another hour tonight, but I'm getting yet another migraine and it feels like its going to be a doozie. So I'm not long for bed. Hopefully it'll be gone when I get up in the morning, because my rule is if I wake up with one I'm not going anywhere but back to bed!

I think on average I'm having them once a week at the moment, I've started documenting when I have them in my day planner. It might be time to go back into the doctor about my migraines (and its been years since I've had to do that).

Waiting Room Stitching

Well this morning when I headed to CHEO for my MRI I had my trusty Mini Cottages 5 in my purse. Thank goodness for Mini 5! It turned out the MRI department was behind schedule due to a couple of emergncies this morning. So out came Mini 5 and I plugged away at more ornage trees. It was about 50 minutes after the time of my appoinmtent when I finally got to go in and get changed.

Lucky for me, seeing as I was having the MRI done on my right foot I only had to go into the machine up to my mid-section. I tell you I've had a CT scan on my head and I'm sure the hole in that machine wasn't THAT small. I can see why people have a fear of clausophobia!!! They gave me a set of headphones and put on my favourite radio station to help drown out the sound of the machine. Now, imagine keeping your foot still for 45 minutes! I was in the machien about that long, no toe twitches, no nothing. I can assure you its not that easy!

This afternoon I started Love on my L*K Double Flips, I have the word stitched and that's about it. I wasn't in the best mood when I got home, then Todd's Dad and Sister came by to watch the Superbowl so I wasn't the most focused stitcher.

Tomorrow, the return of Tour!

Is it just me, have other people noticed that spell check isn't working? So parton the spelling mistakes and typos!

A Dream and Some Goals

I sat down this afternoon and started my Lizzie*Kate Double Flip-Its! These are sooo nice to stitch! I'll be stitching all of mine on one piece of fabric. I'm still going to count each one as a happy dance!

Dream

c2007 Lizzie*Kate

Double Flip #F70

Stitched on : 32 ct Lambswool Linen using WDW and GAST

My only complaint is that the linen is very stiff and scratches the arms while stitching I hope it softens up as I handle it!

January Wrap-Up
Start Moonlight Guardian - Yes!
Work on Paradigm Lost - Once
Work on Tour - Once
Stitch RR - Done & in the mail
Stitch one ornament - Yes
Stitch two models (when the supplies get here) - Yes!

February Goals

Finish Mini Cottages 5

Finish border on Moonlight Guardian

Work on Pardigm Lost

Work on Tour

Get caught up on L*K's Double Flips

Stitch one ornament

Sunday I have my MRI ... at the Children's Hospital. I guess they schedule adults between all the kids, I know those machines run practically 24/7 to keep up with the demand. I'll take Mini Cottages 5 to work on in the waiting room, and I hope to start Love on my L*K once I get back home.

Yeeee Hawwww!

Could you hear my whoop of joy at 3am??? Yes! Model #2 is done and I'm so happy its over! It looks nice, but towards the end it was starting to become a chore. So its done, and I'm back to my own stuff which I'll be able to start sharing with my first progress picture tonight.

The biggest decision I'll be making today will be... start my L*K Double Flip-Its, Work on Mini Cottages 5 (next project closest to an HD), or start my February ornament?

I think I'll go make lunch first and see what tempts me after my tummy is full!

Photo (SLR) : My cat (as my Mum calls her) Sybil she's 21 years old, she stayed with my parents when I moved out becuase it would be too cruel to move a cat used to the country and going outdoors to a one bedroom apartment.