NaBloPoMo Victory!!!!

Its November 30th and I can officially declare victory over NaBloPoMo!!!!  November is National Blog Posting Month and the goal is to blog daily for the entire month.  That's thirty days and thirty blog entries!

Did you try to participate this year, and how did you do?

Retro Photo Hunt - July 26, 2010 - Purple

Since I showed off all of my stitching last night, tonight you're just going to have to put up with an older PhotoHunt!

The theme on July 26, 2010 was Purple.  When I used to travel I would get Todd a cheesy shot glass from the town/area I was visiting.  After a few years, you know you have a lot of them and not a lot of space for them.  So I changed things up and started buying him ugly/cheesy/brightly coloured fishing lures.  Todd is an avid fisherman!  As you can see, this purple perch did its job nicely......

November WIPocalypse!!!

Oh my!  Oh my!  The world is coming to an end (or is it Aliens coming?) I'd better get stitching!!!

This month was productive, but not in terms of number of items stitched but got lots done on one major project.  I have two finishes this month that I can't share with you, they will be going in the mail soon!  So December will have at least 3 reveals for you.  I also have a lot of finishes that need to get done so those will be upcoming as well.

My one focus project this period was on the Accolade its kinda grabbed my attention lately.

I also gave Kathy's ABC Sampler a little love.

Sock Monkey!!!! And Some Finishing Stash!

In the last little while my Mum has taken up a new little hobby between quilting and beading.  She has started making sock monkeys!  She's made quite a few, but this is the first one that's made it over to my house.  I suspect most of them are at my brother's and that he's got quite a family of sock monkeys at his house!  Supposedly my sister had eyes on this one but my Mum wouldn't let her have it!

He needs a name, don't you think?  Any ideas?

The mailman was kind to me today, he brought me a parcel containing these lovely goodies!  Mary Ann sent me these wonderful ornament finishing supplies which will come in handy VERY soon!  I think I need to stitch up something so I can specifically use the super cute gingerbread men fabric!  Mary Ann thank you for your generous gift!

Retro Photo Hunt

I've been in bed since I got home from work today with a migraine, I'll be going back to bed in a few hours.  So there's really no time/energy for a creative blogging.

The PhotoHunt theme from June 12, 2010 was "Bubbles"

Kids love bubbles period.

Theory of a Deadman & Big Wreck!

Waiting in line with Marline

Its been a little while since I've been to a concert (Madonna in September),  last night my friend Marline and I joined her friend Martin and we went to the EC Center here in Ottawa to see Theory of a Deadman (TOAD) and Big Wreck in concert.  I last saw TOAD in July of 2008 in Cornwall, so it wasn't my first time seeing them perform.  Who I was really excited to see was Big Wreck.  I've loved their music for years and their singles off of their newest album Albatross are just awesome!  My favorite tracks off of the album are of course Albatross and Wolves, worth checking out!

Marline before the show

Both bands were great, but I have to say for me Big Wreck was just awesome!  The crowd was really into it and the lead singer is also awesome on the guitar!

Martin, waiting for TOAD to hit the stage

Ooops, you didn't see me enjoying that beer!

Here are my shots from the night, first up TOAD

Next Big Wreck

Something For Angela

Earlier in the fall Angela and I agreed to do a fall themed personal exchange.  Then life proceeded to go sideways for Angela.  She was honest, and prompt and let me know she wouldn't be able to participate in the exchange anymore.  Since the piece was already in progress and I had no other plans for it, I finished it anyways and sent it onto Angela!

Autumn Thanks

Cross-Stitch & Needlework Magazine September 2012

Stitched on 28ct Moorland Green Linen

Its backed with the wonderful, fun fall leaf fabric its sitting on here.  I finished it to be hung on the wall, trimmed with brown cord.

So this is the first of several things that I can finally share.  The others will have to wait until sometime in December!!!

I'm off to a rock concert tonight!  Really looking forward to seeing Theory of a Deadman and Big Wreck with my friend Marline!  I'll be sure to have pictures for you tomorrow.

PhotoHunt - Quietly

This week's theme is "Quietly"

While scrolling through my massive library of photos I came across this one and thought it was perfect for this week's theme.  I took this picture in July of 2009 at the Holstein Rodeo.  This cowboy was sitting quietly by himself before it was his turn to ride the bull.

Kirk & Tyrone!!!

First of all, I'd like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends south of the 49th Paralell.  I hope you enjoy Thanksgiving with people you love and please don't get too crazy over the commercial materialism of Black Friday.  Kick back, put your feet up and stitch!

Kirk & Tyrone?  Some of you may ask... if you're a Corrie fan (Coronation Street) you don't even have to guess... you KNOW!  Over the last few years, stars from Coronation Street have been coming across "The Pond" and doing little tours where they talk and have a Q&A session.

This is the third one of these my Mum and I have gone to.  My Mum has been watching it since it first aired in 1960 when she was a young girl, and except for the few years we lived in Texas I've watched it all my life.    I don't miss an episode, its something my PVR is impermanently programmed to record.

This time around it was the actors who played the characters Kirk (Andrew Whyment) and Tyrone (Alan Halsall).  Once again all I can say is it was such an enjoyable evening!  The actors were witty and fun and we had a lot of great laughs.

So now, I've seen five actors from Coronation Street.  The characters I've now seen speak are Roy, Haley  Ken, Kirk, and Tyrone.  If I had an opportunity I'd love to see the actors who play Tracey and Steve, what a riot that would be!!!

 Who else out there in Stitching Blogland are Corrie fans???

Retro PhotoHunt

Here's more old PhotoHunts for you!  The theme on April 24, 2010 was "Addiction"

Cross Stitch IS my Addiction!!!!

Retro PhotoHunt

Here's another older PhotoHunt, this one is from April 17, 2010.  The theme was "Covered"

Look closely.... this lovely Mural was "covered" with a little graffiti!

IHSW Report

It was nice to sit down and get some stitching in on Sunday!  I may not of gotten in the whole weekend to stitch but I used my Sunday well.

I did have a Happy Dance, but I can't share it because its for an exchange.  But it did involve the above supplies.

After I HD'ed I moved onto The Accolade, and made excellent progress!

Recent Acquisitions

I've decided to save my IHSW results for tomorrow's post this way I can stitch right up to bedtime if I want!  So Instead I'll share with you some of my recent stash.

I know when I shared with you my recent retreat someone accused me of not sharing any new stash!  Well yes I did buy some new stash at Knowledge and Needles but honestly I had it set aside a few weeks before.  So I didn't really dig through the shop to find more new goodies.  I picked up a few more new JBWs... cause you all know I really hate JBW Designs.  I also picked up the latest in the Ink Circles Cirque series Cirque des Coeur.  I really like this one!

I was also fortunate a short while ago to win one of Sally's giveaways.  Earlier during the week these wonderful goodies arrived!  A Blackbird Design that I actually like (not usually my thing), and lo and behold, look its a JBW!!!  Thanks Sally!

IHSW : November Edition

Its the third weekend of the month (already??!!??) which means its time for the IHSW : International Hermit and Stitch Weekend.  After the busy/insane week I've had I wish I could of Hermitted starting Friday but I've not had a moment to pick up a needle and thread since Tuesday.  I've been so busy I've pretty much only been home to sleep, and only for 5-6 hours each night.  Today was my final commitment and I've been home since the mid-afternoon.  I've crashed out for few hours, and its now into the evening hours. I'm not sure if I'm going to even pick up my stitching tonight.  I will be stitching tomorrow, I have the house to myself, I'm not turning on an alarm and I don't care what time I get out of bed at!

I'm not sure if I'll have much progress to share with you since I plan on finishing up another (and final) exchange piece tomorrow.

PhotoHunt: Mural

This week's PhotoHunt theme is "Mural"

I spotted this lovely (wintery) mural earlier this summer when Lynn invited my Tuesday stitching group out to her place to stitch on a Saturday.  We walked into the town of Chesterville to check out the Art Festival going on.

Retro Photo Hunt April 10, 2010 - Vertical

Another busy day, another easy post!  Here's another older PhotoHunt that I missed in the past!

Another shot from that same Quebec City trip I referred to in my last blog entry.  I love the angle I shot this building at, it clearly shows off the "vertical" theme.  I love shooting buildings, and my dream would be to get to New York City someday and walk around with my camera!  Actually the getting there isn't the problem, its only a 9-10 hour drive for me.  Its the expense of the hotels there!  I just imagine the shots I could take there!!!!

Retro Photo Hunt - April 3, 2010

I have a very busy week, so I'm cheating/spazzing out here and posting some older PhotoHunts that I didn't do this week.

Talk about sweet!  Doesn't this look tasty!  We came across this candy shop in Quebec City during our trip in August of 2011.  I am definitely a "sweets girl"!  Amongst my favourites are: chocolate, jujubes, Sweedeish Berries, and Twizzlers!

Today is my Dad's birthday!  Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

TUSAL or Beware of the CHICKENS!!!!

OMG its only Tuesday and I'm freakin' exhausted!!!!  I would say I can't wait for the weekend to rest and relax, but Saturday is spoken for and will be a busy obligatory day!!!

Its the new moon, and its TUSAL time!  My ort jar keeps getting a little fuller each month, soon its going to be time to start squishing them down!  The chickens... well I didn't have any idea what to photograph my orts with this month, my Mum made me these little quilted chicken pincushions!  They look like they're up to no good!!!!

Annual Knowledge & Needles Retreat

Before I get onto great stitchy stuff, Jan who left a comment on my Remembrance Day post... can you e-mail me tkd_chick at hotmail dot com)?  I can't access your Blogger profile to get in touch with you... thanks!

Rebbecca and Lianne

This weekend was one of my favorites of the year!  I get together with a whole bunch of my stitchy friends at the Timberhouse in Brighton and we stitch until our butts are square!  I made a good start on my new mystery project (still can't share the details as its an exchange piece) and excellent progress on The Accolade

Our hostess and owner of Knowledge & Needles, Ann

Besides stitching with great friends for two days, some of the other highlights are:

The finished stitching on display:

 Sharon has stitched all of these snowflakes... of course she has to finish them too!

 Close up of one of her snowflakes

 Judie's fisherman, reminds her of her husband

Dinner Chez Dan:

 Our Chef, Dan

The night's menu

 Dinner

 Dessert courtesy of Fran (recipe here)

 Christin and Bonnie

 Beatrice and Judie

 Joyce and Sylvia

Shopping:

The annual ornament exchange!

All of the exchange ornaments are "disguised" in brown paper bags under our Charlie Brown tree

Best reaction from Bernie!  She received Judie's ornament

Judie received Kathy's ornament she can't join us as she's on the road but she will often put an ornament in the exchange anyhow!

Sheila picked Sharon's ornament one of the most lovely ones stitched up

Anne received Beatrice's ornament, it was a big hit and we all want the pattern now!

Sylvia received my ornament!  Will blog about it later

I got Ann's ornament!

 Closeup of Ann's ornament that I received

 Our "Charlie Brown" ornament tree after the exchange

As usual its over all too quickly, we all go home our separate ways and some of these lovely ladies I won't be seeing again for months, until the spring.  Ann puts on a great retreat!