Photo Hunt "Triangle"

I've not had much to talk about lately... actually I do have pictures from the concert I went to on Sunday but I haven't had time to download them yet. So lets do a photohunt instead!



The PhotoHunt theme back on April 11th was "Triangle" this building in Old Montreal was the best example I could find!

Good news, last night I got the all clear from the head instructor at Taekwon-Do to try for my 3rd Degree Black Belt at the end of November. First, I've got one more pattern to learn, which I started tonight then I'll get the go ahead!

One Week From Today : Run For The Cure

One week from today, next Sunday I'll be participating in Run For The Cure to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. This is my second year participating and once again I will run the full 5 KM route. I just hope that the weather is better than it has been today, its been cold, damp and miserable.

So far I've raised $440.00 towards Breast Cancer Research. With just a week of furndraising left to go, I'm still not near what I raised last year. I'm hoping to beat last year's total of $605.00 by raising $650.00

Thanks to all who have donated so far. If you're interested in making a donation you can visit my online donation page HERE

I Made it Through!

Today was my 2nd interim test at Taekwon-Do. This is my last interim test as a 2nd degree black belt. What does this mean? I have one more pattern to learn and perfect before going for my 3rd degree black belt. I was really hoping for a late fall test for my 3rd degree, realistically I don't think I can learn one of the tougher patterns, Juche in about a month and a half, to two months. Also as usual, my head instructor has the final say.

First I had to perform my highest pattern Choong-Jang (I handed off my camera ... not my fancy-schmancy one to Paige).

Then Paige and I partnered up for one step sparring, and model sparring. (This time my camera went to Bob... he video taped that for you to watch) One step sparring is essentially one attack followed by one defense and a counter attack. I had to create three of these, based on my current pattern. Model sparring is one attack, one defense and 3-5 counter attacks. Both one step and model sparring help demonstrate that we understand the purpose and application of the moves we have learnt. I've spent over an hour trying to get blogger to upload the video but its not co-operating... sorry!

Finally there was the break! At first I was supposed to break 3 boards, but that didn't go so well (its been a long time since I've done a break so I wasn't so confident). After we took away one board I was successful!

Get Ready...

Get Set...

Crack!

There were all kinds of colour belts testing as well, but the cutest had to be the 4-6 year olds! Aren't they adorable?

Now I can relax for the rest of the weekend!

Give Me A "W"

Yup I'm at it again, more monograms! I was asked if I was trying to spell something specific. No, I'm not... nor will I be stitching the whole alphabet. I'm stitching up a bunch of monogram ornaments for Christmas this year! So here's another one. I started it today and finished it today. I haven't put it together yet, I'll whip stitch it together tomorrow but I'll wait until I have several more before I make and put on cord.

Letter "W" - Red Threads

c2002 Rosewood Manor

Stitched on : 28ct Queen Ann's Lace Joblean

Stitched with Carrie's Creations : Raspberry

I'm glad the week is almost over, like I said yesterday its been a rough one for me. I spent most of the day feeling like crap again. This evening, I didn't lie down for a nap but stayed up and started letter W, I made a proper dinner, went to Taekwon-Do (for the 3rd time this week), and finished the letter W. Oddly enough I'm feeling not bad this evening.

Unfortunately I've got a busy weekend ahead, so there won't be lots of sleeping in (or stitching)... though I wish I could! Saturday morning I'll be back at Taekwon-Do, I've been asked to go in for the 10am class to review my pattern. The starting at 12:30 there's testing. I'm not testing for my 3rd degree, but its an interim test leading to my next promotion. So its going to be a long day as there will be colour belt testing going on as well and usually us black belts get to wait until the end. Sunday I have most of the day to myself, but then that evening Todd's sister and I will be going out for dinner, and to see The Tragically Hip at the NAC that night. Sounds like we have great seats too!

The Fine Details!

Its been a stressful week for me, and I've not been coping well. There have been migraines, and naps whenever I can catch one. I've been feeling pretty tired and run down. When I have managed to, I have been working away on the backstitching on page 3 of Tour des Marques. This page has really come alive with the backstitching!

Progress on Tour

I spent the day, lazy-style! I never got dressed (stayed in my jammies all day!), there were no formal meals, just food when I was hungry. I watched movies, and I stitched!

With a solid day of stitching under my belt I have managed to finish all the over one on page 3 of Tour Des Marques! I've even gotten a start on the backstitching. I'm looking forward to starting page 4, its been a long time since I've finished a page on this project!

Give Me An....

Give Me An B....

Red Threads Letter "B"

c2002 Rosewood Manor

Stitched on : 28ct White Jazlyn

Stitched with : Carrie's Creation Black Cherry

Give Me An R...

Red Threads Letter "R"

c2002 Rosewood Manor

Stitched on : 28ct White Jazlyn

Stitched with : Carrie's Creation Bittersweet

What does that spell??? Happy Dance! LOL! Yup here are my two ornaments for September, yet more monograms! I think this year they're never ending!

The B I finished earlier this week and the R this morning. Then I spent the afternoon making cord and sewing it onto five ornaments I had put together over the last little while. So I'm all caught up on the finishing of my Monograms so far!

Here are all the Monograms I've stitched up to date!

A Beautiful Weekend

It was a gorgeous weekend here in Eastern Ontario! Finally (well up until today), summer had found us! We've had two weeks of sun, and temperatures in the mid 20's. Why didn't we have this weather months ago???

Saturday turned into a busy Taekwon-Do filled day! I did something I rarely do, go to a Saturday morning class. I like being able to start at least one day a week in a leisurely manner. However we had a bit of an open house, and I was asked to be there. The open house was followed by a meeting for instructors at the school.

Here's the superstars at the school, Paige and Jason Showing off.

This is Paige and I... she may be half my age, but we have just too much fun together!

After most of the day being dedicated to TKD business I finally joined Todd out at his family's cottage (which funny enough is barely 15 minutes from our home, so its not a long trip!). I got to spend time stitching on the deck over looking the lake in the sun, my favourite activity. I took Monty, Todd's Mom's dog for walks. And well I took pictures!

Saturday evening we were treated to this beautiful sunset. I heard it was even more spectacular on Friday night.

On one of my long walks with Monty we came across this falling down barn.

The barn I spotted from the road, but first we had to walk across this field.

Here's Monty, it was hard to get him to sit still. Would you believe he's not even a year old???

I did break down and start a new project this week, Isabelle Vautier's Lettres A Mon Chat. Of course I have to be different, instead of doing it red on white I'm doing it white on red

Also I worked on Tour Des Marques... next on the chopping block! I hope!

Last week I felt very lost, not going to my Weight Watchers meeting (being lifetime I only have to go once a month). So tonight, though I didn't need to I went to my meeting. I'm proud to say I'm still maintaining (despite there being cupcakes everywhere lately!). I think its going to take me awhile to wean myself off of my security blanket!

Photohunt "Stripes"

Here's the Photohunt from April 4th (oh boy! I'm so far behind!) the theme is "Stripes"

I've picked out this photo I took of the St. Augustine Lighthouse I took on my trip to Florida in July/August of this year. Its nice and stripy isn't it?

September Goals and More Monograms

Its been a busy beginning of the month that I haven't had a chance to share my September stitching goals yet... so here they are!

August Goal Review

Work on Todd's Stocking - yes

Work on Tour - yes

Stitch Two Ornaments - yes

September Goals

Finish Todd's Stocking

Stitch 2 Ornaments

Work on Tour

I've taken the time to whip up another monogram!

Red Threads Letter "A"

cRosewood Manor

Stitched on 28ct White Lugana

Stitched with Carrie's Creation Masquerade

What A Great Long Weekend!

Boy, its been such a great long weekend that it was a cruel joke to go back to work this morning! Now where to start... with lots of pictures as usual????

First of all let's start with our hostess, Kathy! Christin and I arrived on Friday night, to be greeted by Kathy, and our blogging buddy Judy (who we were meeting for the first time) was there as well. We arrived to find Kathy's latest hair-do! She and her granddaughter had a bonding experience with the hairdresser and some purple dye! I know they had a ball!

Saturday morning we had a special visitor in the recycling bin. I got to deal with this little cutie and shoo him off to another location.

After dealing with our unwanted visitor I zipped into town and did a last minute grocery store run for Kathy, where I picked up some gorgeous sunflowers for the hostess.

When I returned our stitching friends were starting to arrive! Here's the entire group Saturday afternoon! In the picture are : Beatrice, Laura, Marj, Donna, Judy (of the Cows), Fran, Beth, Barb, Bonnie, Christin, Nan, Rebbecca, Kathy, Judy (new), Trista, Me, Ann, Adriana, and Angie (Felicia)

Is this just not an idyllic setting for a stitching weekend???

Rebbecca and Trista, there was a lot of stitching and a lot of laughter that day!

Hungry was ashamed to watch Judy (new) and I enjoying some of the delectable deserts after the pot luck lunch!

Judy (new) enjoying some well deserved stitching time! Like me, she has been committing a lot of her free time to loosing weight and being more active. She's done a great job and looks fantastic!

Judy (of the infamous Cows) chatting and stitching.

Laura enjoying a tranquil stitching moment on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Trista and Fran (also has pictures on her blog, check them out) stitching away in the shade.

Christin and Bonnie (they seemed to have really bonded this weekend!). I've managed to corrupt Bonnie and she's started Ink Circle's Blackstone Fantasy Garden on the exact same fabric I stitched mine on! Also Chrsitin seems to have talked her into Long Dog's Paradigm Lost! Ooooh we're so evil!

Beth looks like she's "holding court" with Beatrice and Adriana's complete attention.

In the afternoon the breeze off of the water started to pick up, so many of the ladies moved inside. There was a lot of camaraderie around Kathy's kitchen table that afternoon.

Fran's hubby who came by on Sunday afternoon to photograph our get together.

Barb also joined us for a second day of stitching on Sunday

Ann who didn't join us until Saturday evening (for dessert no less!) was busy running her shop Knowledge and Needles, which I took a van full of ladies to go shopping. Ann was able to join us for a full day of stitching on Sunday.

My favourite 93-year-old stitcher, Adriana also joined us for a second day of stitching!

On Sunday afternoon we were treated to a lovely, intimate wedding on the waterfront. None of us knew the bride or groom, there's a nearby B&B (the one I go to for fall & spring retreats) who has permission to use the common area for weddings.

The happy bride and groom after the ceremony.

After the crowd on Sunday started to thin out late Sunday afternoon, Kathy treated a few of us to an ort box tutorial. Donna cutting out her wallpaper (above)

Bonnie, putting together her ort box.

Here's Hungry modelling my completed ort box (both open and closed)

Kathy, Chrsitin Judy and I were so sad for Monday to come along. There was a lot of smiles and hugs as us overnight guests started to head out. Judy and Kathy all smiles and hugs!

Judy, Me and Kathy on the swing overlooking Lake Ontario on our last day.

To prove that the weekend wasn't a total waste, with me helping out, and playing social butterfly, and accompanying Judy (new) on her walks... I finished Todd's Stocking! The level of detail in this stocking is just insane! There was so much BS to do!

Fishing Santa Stocking

cBucilla

Stitched on 28ct white jazlyn using kit fibers and charms