PhotoHunt - April 30 "Square"

I took this photo back in March during my return trip from Arizona.  This particular walk-way at Chicago's O'Hare Airport was full of light and art!  It was such a lovely and breathtaking break from the hustle and bustle of the busy terminals!  These "squares" of plastic were each differently painted/decorated and hung from the ceiling above the lights.  I must admit I took quite a few pictures through here.

Stitching Update & PhotoHunt

My Internet has been spotty the last two days, I've been meaning to update my blog since Wednesday.  We've been plagued with heavy rains, thunderstorms, and high winds.  I have been stitching away when I can.

Here's Enchantment of Winter to date, still enjoying it.

I also managed to finish off another quilt block!  Only a million more to go.

Here's the PhotoHunt from December 12, 2009 the theme was "Undesirable"

This picture was taken shortly before Christmas.  There is nothing more undesirable than shitty winter weather.  On top of that is being out driving in it, and even worse?  Getting stuck behind a couple of slow moving snowploughs.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone who celebrates Easter has had a wonderful time with friends and family, and if you don't I hope you enjoyed the long weekend!  Mine has been low key and perfect.  There has been time with friends and family and of course my stitching.

I have one Happy Dance I can't share with you, its my second giveaway item.  But I do have one I can share, its my April Ornament!  I have one more day off and I'll be dedicating the rest of tonight, and tomorrow to Enchantment of Winter.

Unknown Freebie

Stitched on: 32ct Autumn Field Belfast from Zwiegart

Stitched with: WDW Turkish Red

How about this week's PhotoHunt?  The theme for April 23rd is "Dusty".  I did have an obvious picture, but dug back through my files for the last year and didn't come up with anything super interesting.  That and well I want to get back to stitching, now that the family dinner is done and over with.

This is one of the pictures I took during my road trip with Kathy this past March, we were driving in the deserted, dusty, desert-like landscape to Miracopia, Az.  Boy is that some dusty landscape!!!

An Evening With Roy & Hailey

Tonight I had a surprisingly wonderful evening out with my Mum.  Now I'm in now way saying I don't like spending time with my Mum, I do.  Its just I wasn't sure what to expect out of tonight's evening out and I was surprised at how much of a good time it was!

I picked my Mum up after work and first we went out for dinner, I had a salad (sigh) but it was very good.  Food, my willpower, and I are not getting along so well lately.  We then headed over to Centerpointe Theater for "An Evening With the Croppers from Coronation Street"

Hailey's infamous anorak and Roy's bag

There it is, I've put it in print, out there for the world to see I'm a Corrie fan!  It was kinda by proxy, my Mum has watched the show since it first started when she was 9 and I've grown up watching it.  I still do as an adult.  On Friday night my Mum called me to tell me she heard that "Roy & Hailey" were in town and you could get tickets.  We both weren't sure what to expect but life is short and we decided to go!

It was a 2 hour interview style event with an audience Q&A at the end.  All I can say is they were great speakers, they looked like they were having fun doing this, and the audience had a good time too!!

Thanks Mum!

Let's throw in a quick PhotoHunt, the theme for March 17th was "Licence Plate"

No special meaning behind this shot, its just one of the many very fun shots I got back in the fall when I went to a junk/antique shop with a friend of mine.

Stitching Progress & Photo Hunt

I had every intention to blog this weekend, but I ended up taking things easy with stitching, naps, oh and a trip to the gym with a good friend.   The weekend started off really nicely with a wonderful pizza & beer dinner out with Todd, oh my goodness it was heaven!

I do have a Happy Dance to report, but I can't share it.  I know, I know its sad.  Its the first of my two giveaway gifts!  It was fun and colourful!  Now to do finishing and a 4-Day weekend is coming up!  Yay!

I am missing Enchantment of Winter, working on my giveaway pieces!  I did start the over one and here's a closeup of it for you.

Aren't the colours just awesome in this piece?

Here's the PhotoHunt for April 16th the theme was "Road"

I picked this photo awhile ago and you know what I really can't remember why?  I just know its a gorgeous view and wouldn't it be fun to drive a sports car down that road?

Of course you want a Zeus update right?  This is my new favourite picture, of Todd and Zeus!

Winners Announced!

Courtesy of random.org I have picked my two draw winners from my 1,501st post/Birthday celebrations!

#73 Congratulations to Joanne -- Aussie Stitcher!

Joanne has been a long time reader and commenter of my blog so it was lovely to see random pick her comment!

#38 Congratulations to Bette -- Reflections of a Desert Rat! 

Which is doubly nice because Bette is also a long time reader AND we got to meet in person back in March, too cool!  Thanks Mr. Random!

I've already got in mind what I'm going to stitch you ladies, now just to find the time right!?!

I should make this post a little more colourful with a PhotoHunt!  I of course need to get a little caught up from the last month or so.  Here's the PhotoHunt from March 26th, the theme was "Cage(d).

This photo was taken this past February during my trip to the Dominican Republic.  This one is from the slum Simon Bollivar in the capital Santo Domingo.  Not only in the slums do people have bars over their doors in windows but in the influential neighbourhoods as well.  In the nicer neighbourhoods its just more ornate!  Its something we can't imagine in North America, being caged in your own home to be safe.

I finally hit the over one on Enchantment of Winter.  Oh my!  Have you ever tried over one on 32ct linen without magnification???  I am so going to go blind.  I have my eye on a lovely LED lamp/Magnifier from my favourite NSLNS (Not So Local Needlework Store) Knowledge and Needles.

PhotoHunt - April 9 "Trees"

The theme for today's PhotoHunt is "Trees"

I came across these adorable garbage bins last weekend, filled with branches from someone trimming the trees on their property.  Spring is very slow to arrive here in Ontario this year, but yard work and tree trimming is a sign that warmer weather is slowly coming.  I just loved the smiley faces!

Finally, the Stitching Update!

I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for my stitching update!  So without further ado, here it is!

This is a finish from during March Break, I just keep forgetting to share it with you.  I had barely started this piece before I lost Cuddles, and I decided it would be a perfect memorial piece for Cuddles.  I will frame it with one of his pictures.

Petit Chat

Des Filles et une Aiguille

Stitched on : 32ct Cloudy Day Grey Belfast from Silkweavers

Stitched with overdyed cotton

I have been progressing with my Quilt Squares, I've finished two more since I last showed them to you.  I've now got a total of 4 blocks done, and I've started a 5th.  This is my on the go/I'm exhausted project.

Finally, my obsession... Enchantment of Winter!

Oh and here's a little more Zeus cuteness!

Stitching Goals & PhotoHunt

Since its the start of a new month its time to review what stitching goals I had set for March (a very busy month) and see what I've got in mind for the month ahead.

March Goal Review
Work on The Accolade - a little

Work on Enchantment of Winterr - I am so in love with this piece!
Stitch 1 Ornament - Yes
Stitch Petit Chat - Finished (keep forgetting to share this with you
Work on Quilt Blocks - Completed 4

April Goals
Work on Enchantment of Winter
Work on The Accolade
Stitch 1 Ornament
Work on Quilt Blocks
Stitch gifts for Draw Winners

Here's the latest PhotoHunt for you to see, the theme for April 2nd was "closed"

I took this photo of this closed door in the slums of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic back in February.  Not only is this door closed but the home kept safe with a metal gate.

Fantastic Stitchy Weekend

I had a good and busy weekend (I think I'm starting to get a little tired of the busy thing)! I first got to check-in with Beatrice, a lovely visit and we chatted about our Southwestern adventures!  Of course we stitched.

Beatrice spoiled me with these lovely Birthday goodies!  I know I'll be putting these to good use.  Thank you Beatrice, and thank you for your hospitality.

Clare putting in the outlining on the ruler pocket

I continued my trip to go and spend the weekend with Clare, another wonderful friend I've made through stitching.  We of course stitched, but the main purpose of this trip was for Clare and I to go check out Gitta's first Needleworker's Marketplace.  There was a retreat as well but we didn't attend that, however they did have classes open to not only retreat members but the public too.  We both registered for Jeannette Douglas's class Three Pines Accessories.

Jeannette teaching us a really cool way to do Queen Stitches!

As usual classes with Jeannette are just fantastic, we didn't really get any true stitching done, but I learnt some really cool finishing techniques/ideas that I'll be putting to good use down the road.  I suppose this means I now have one more WIP in the stitching bag.

Me & Jeannette

It was also so nice to see Jeannette again, its been too long, and she really hasn't done much teaching in the area.  Jeannette if you read this... we want more of your classes in Eastern Ontario!

Gorgeous painted fabric from X's and Oh's -- dunno what I'm doing with this yet

I had to buy something from Jeannette and I have stitched Pomegranates and Pears and the needlebook too

After our morning class Clare and I hit the Marketplace!  This was a great start for Gitta's and I hope they'll be planning a repeat for next year, and that more vendors will get on board.  The first year is always tricky trying to get people on board.  I know from when I was doing my shopping the rooms were crowded and people were buying!  If they run this again next year I'll be there again to show my support!

A new Michael Powell kit

Some Canadiana

So I did shop, and did enough damage on the weekend.

For lunch Clare wanted to try a local place she had heard a lot about, called Burrito Boyz.  Its just a little building, with not really any seating, an assembly line of burritos and a line up out the door.  Always a good sign!  Doesn't this just look tasty?  I can assure you it was!  Great idea Clare.

On our way back to Clare's place we stopped to check out a local Fiber Arts exhibit that was going on this weekend as well.  It was VERY impressive.  I was drooling over the work by the weavers, wonderful scarves, blanket and shawls that I couldn't afford (I of course have wonderful, expensive tastes!).  There were also vendors there too... lots of gorgeous wools that would almost tempt me to try my hand at knitting.

Speaking of knitting, I once said to Clare who is an avid (sock) knitter I didn't understand the point of knitted socks.  Well NOW I DO!  Clare gifted me with a gorgeous pair of hand knitted socks for my Birthday... eat your heart out Dee (whose socks I've been mocking as well... I mean who in Florida needs knitted socks?)

TUSAL for April

Well, here's my TUSAL for April, it really is a crappy picture but I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on but I'd rather be stitching right now but I realize I'm long overdue for an update.

I realize I didn't say on my last post when I'd be picking my two draw winners.  Well I don't feel like doing that tonight so you have at least one more day to enter if you haven't done so... maybe more!

Why haven't I blogged since last weekend?  Well I had a migraine Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday...not fun.  When I wasn't suffering I was darned busy or stitching away on Art Deco Spirits.  I'll do a stitching update sometime this week (lets hope right?  I've got a poor blogging track record for March).  I suppose I also owe you my stitching goals too... hmmm another blog entry "sometime" this week I suppose.

Zeus is doing well and is nicely settled in.  Him and Hunter seem to have reached some sort of agreement.