Stitching Bag

Picking up the meme from Anna's blog, here's a look inside my stitching bag, which is a freebie I picked up at a work conference a couple of years ago. It's nice because it's tall and has a pocket in the front and two on the sides.



I used to be a one-project-at-a-time stitcher, but not anymore! Right now, I'm working on some ornaments for Christmas from last year's Just Cross Stitch issue (better pictures to come soon) as well as some Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ornaments for a friend, the baby sampler, and the second Snowman stocking. I only have one pair of scissors and I'm finding that with working on a lot of perforated paper recently, I could use a pair with much sharper points. Like Anna, I reuse other plastic bags. The red one came with a toy in it and the roomy, large one had curtains in it at one time. The small bag is recycled from a Pine Mountain kit and Rudolph is in a plain old Ziploc bag. Everyday supplies such as extra needles and the Tacky BOB are in the front pocket.

Swirlygig

Now that Anna's challenge is over, I can post a pic of my Bent Creek "Swirlygig" that I entered. Congratulations to the winners, both of whom I voted for (no, I didn't vote for myself!). I pretty much picked the colors for the pattern to match my family room, which is where this is going to hang.

Finishes

Finally finished that last little bit of "Holiday Seasons" after picking up the WDW Fire last week. On to the framing...


Also, one of my goals for many years now has been to have Christmas stockings for everyone in my family, all four of us. I made one for each of my nieces, but have yet to finish any for my family. I have started and stopped at least three different stockings, all from Dimensions or Bucilla kits, and then realized how awful they were. They just weren't what I was looking for. Eventually, I found a few stocking charts from Bent Creek that I loved. I believe I started "Snowman Stocking" for daughter #1 (who is now 7, by the way) some time last year. I finished it over the weekend on 28 ct. tea-dyed Monaco fabric using DMC threads. I'm going to add black buttons on the snowman and two gold stars on either side of the name after I sew the stocking together.


The finishing-finishing will be the real challenge if I want her to be able to use it this year because my mom sewed the other two for me. She won't be able to right now, so I guess I'll give it a try. Next, I need to start "Snowman" again, in pink, for daughter #2. Then I have "Holiday Home" for me and "Christmas Eve" for my husband.

Stash

I finally made it to Needlecraft Corner to get the WDW Fire I needed, along with a few other things, of course. I picked up the Halloween issue of JCS, as well as the Christmas ornament issue, which the shop was busy shipping off to those who pre-ordered. I've flipped through both a couple of times, but need more time to digest them. Plus, I look forward to Anna's review when she receives her issue. I also bought "Primitive Wizard of Oz" by Midsummer Night Design and the "Tree Farm" Buttoned & Beaded kit from Mill Hill.

Work in Progress

Not much stitching this past week, with back to school and then Big H's birthday party on Saturday. While I'm waiting to get the WDW Fire I need to finish "Holiday Seasons," one of the other projects I'm working on is the "Winter Baby" Sunshine Line by Brooke's Books. This will be Little H's baby sampler when it's finished. I completed the original "Baby Girl" Sunshine Line for Big H after she was born and these will hang next to each other in our upstairs hallway next to some baby pictures of the two of them. These are stitched on perforated paper with DMC floss and a little bit of beading.

A Finish

I quickly stitched this little octopus last week and turned it into a magnet for my mom. She has adopted the octopus as a symbol of her fight against cancer. The design was a freebie from Brooke's Books and I used DMC floss that closely matched the called for colors on white perforated paper.

After I was laid off in January, I started working on "Holiday Seasons" from Birds of a Feather. I've had this pattern and the supplies for ages. It's stitched on 32 ct. Belgium linen with the called for WDW floss (my first time using overdyed floss). This project was really like doing four different designs (similar to the Lizzie Kate four seasons boxers), but comes as one chart. I was so close to being done last week but then I ran out of WDW Fire, which I need to finish the last design (Winter holidays). Once the design is done, I plan to finish it in a frame I have that looks like a window pane. Lessons learned from this project - I prefer evenweave to linen and I don't like stitching on fabric smaller than 28 ct. (unless maybe I invest in an Ott Lite and magnifier).

Swirlygig Challenge

Last week, I finished stitching Bent Creek's "Swirlygig" design for Anna's challenge. This only took me a few hours to stitch and usually I'm a very slow stitcher. Now I need to "finish finish" the design and send a picture to Anna. I won't be able to post a pic here until September when the challenge is over.

Brushing Off the Cobwebs

Well, it's been a long time. A lot has happened, but without going into everything, I've decided to make this more of a cross stitch/crafts blog, since I post most of my every day and family stuff over on Facebook. So look for the links on the right to change shortly and for some pics of projects in progress. There's an incredibly active cross stitch community out there and they are all very inspiring. Since I'm not working right now, I've had a lot more time to stitch and scrapbook and I'm actually getting a lot accomplished! So stay tuned...

2008 Reading List

Well, this list just gets more pathetic every year. I'm almost embarrassed to post it this year, but here goes. Less than 20!

2008 Reading List

1. Hard Row by Margaret Maron (M) (series) (library)
2. Beautiful Children by Charles Bock (F) (Powell’s) (free download)
3. Schuyler’s Monster by Robert Rummel-Hudson (NF) (new book from Amazon)
4. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner (F) (library)
5. Savage Run by C.J. Box (CF) (series) (library)
6. Winterkill by C.J. Box (CF) (series) (library)
7. Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz (NF) (library)
8. In the Woods by Tana French (CF) (library)
9. Home to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani (SF) (library)
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (F) (library)
11. The Likeness by Tana French (CF) (library)
12. Winter Study by Nevada Barr (CF) (series) (library)
13. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (CF) (series) (library)
14. Oral History by Lee Smith (F) (used PB)
15. She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb (F) (used PB)
16. The Night of the Gun by David Carr (NF) (library)
17. Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons (F) (library)

Did I even post the list from 2007? I couldn't find it. Here is, plus a link to 2006.

2007 Reading List

1. Deception by Denise Mina (CF) (library)
2. The Rock Orchard by Paula Wall (F) (library)
3. Sea Glass by Anita Shreve (F) (used)
4. Amagansett by Mark Mills (F) (library)
5. Summer Reading by Hilda Wolitzer (F) (library)
6. The Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp (CF) (library) (Powell’s)
7. Red River by Lalita Tademy (F) (library)
8. Bad Blood by Linda Fairstein (CF) (library)
9. Bloodthirsty by Marshall Karp (CF) (library)
10. The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos (CF) (library)
11. The Scold’s Bridle by Minette Walters (CF) (used paperback)
12. Dark Hollow by John Connolly (CF) (library)
13. The Woods by Harlan Coben (M) (library)
14. Winter’s Child by Margaret Maron (M) (library)
15. The Straw Men by Michael Marshall (CF) (library) (Powell’s)
16. Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty (YA) (library)
17. Sacred by Dennis Lehane (CF) (used)
18. Apprentice to the Flower Poet Z. by Debra Weinstein (F) (bookcloseouts)
19. Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner (CF) (library)
20. Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger (CF) (library)

Happy 10th Anniversary

A surprise delivered to work this morning for my 10th wedding anniversary.

Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons

How did I not know this was coming out? How did I not know that this has been out for the past month? From one of my most favorite authors? Who hasn't had a new book out since 2005? I was randomly checking the NY Times best seller list today and there it was (#21). And I was just in Borders on Saturday. Good thing it's the end of the day. I'm off to the library on my way home!

Hannah Montana Fever

We were babysitter-less on Monday, and I was thinking about taking a day off anyway, so I took the girls to see the Hannah Montana tour bus, a promotion sponsored by Great Clips to promote the release of the Hannah Montana concert DVD and the "Camp Rock" movie.

It was actually less crowded than I thought it would be, but there was still a good turnout, considering how hot it was, baking in the blacktopped parking lot. The activities available were karaoke, "rock star" hair-dos by Great Clips, giveaways (trading cards, magnets, poster) and the main attraction, a chance to board Hannah Montana's tour bus.

Big H jumped right in and did the karaoke, which surprised me, because she can be shy sometimes. She sang very quietly, but she did it all by herself. Disney videotaped each song and gave it to you on a SD card, but unfortunately, ours didn't work when we got it home.



The wait to get on the tour bus was timed, so we went and got some lunch in the A/C before it was our turn. We were on the bus for all of three minutes, hardly worth the wait, but Big H thought it was cool to see an actual Hannah Montana guitar and wig and where she slept while on tour. It was worthwhile, since Big H enjoyed it - and it was free!

Real Live Teacher

My "Real Live Teacher" blog is defunct, but I incorporated the posts into this blog. Keeping two blogs was too much and there hasn't been much to update on the teaching front since Little H was born. I really need to get motivated and make some decisions about teaching. If you want to read any of the teaching posts, just click on the teaching tag.

Country Music Question

Can someone please explain to me why Brad Paisley's "Waiting on a Woman" single, which was originally on the "Time Well Wasted" album, was included on "5th Gear" as a bonus track (although not on the version I have - maybe only on versions sold at one specific store, i.e. Target) and is now his latest single? Because to me, having listened to "Time Well Wasted" a million times, it seems old and not really a new single. I would much rather have seen/heard "Better Than This" released as a single, since it's my favorite track on the album and a great summer song.

Worst Album Covers Ever

A long slideshow feature, but worth it. From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

1. Cody Matherson – Can I Borrow a Feelin’? … And Lazy Eye Therapy
2. Roger … He gets bonus points for using the word “facet”
3. Orion Reborn … I’m pretty sure that’s Lyle Waggoner in disguise
4. The Frivolous Five – Sour Cream and Other Delights … I think there’s a dirty joke about “sour cream” in there somewhere
5. Harry and Terry Live … I hate ventriloquist dummies
6. The Handless Organist … At least she’s smiling, or is that a grimace?
7. Have Harp, Can’t Travel … As if the harp isn’t already the most difficult instrument to transport, let’s make the little person carry it
8. Les Baxter – Space Escapade … Judging by everyone’s smiles, maybe it should be called “Space Sexcapade”
9. Bathroom Baritones, Bathing Beauties … I’m sure everyone had a record player in their bathroom in the 1950s
10. Merrill Womach … not just an organist, but an undertaker, too. And he has a MySpace page!
11. Truckers Dream … every girl’s dream
12. Skidrow Joe … I think the name says it all
13. The Braillettes – Our Hearts Keep Singing … Worst. Name. Ever. for a musical act
14. Weela Gallez … I hate monkeys even more than I hate ventriloquist dummies
15. Don & Seymour … I’d like to see more of Don
16. Manfred Sings Love Songs – With a New Accent … I think every artist should put out an album using a different accent at least once
17. Cajun Music – This one actually looks fake (apparently not – he’s the king of Louisiana rockabilly)
18. Little David Wilkins … If only Chris Farley was still alive, this a SNL sketch waiting to happen
19. Rick McKnight – Free Indeed! … from jail, I’m guessing
20. Organ and Firelight … I don’t want to see anyone’s organ by firelight
21. Chicken Coupe de Ville – this one looks fake, too (wrong again – thanks, MySpace!)
22. Music for Dreaming … Last night, I had this dream where I was a giant sleeping in the snow. Then I rolled over and crushed an Alpine village.
23. Wayne & Charlie – Rapping Dummy … I’d actually like to hear this one, but only if he says the word “dummy” in Fred Sanford’s voice
24. The Incomparable Steve Warren – Reflection … literally
25. The McKeithen’s … featuring The Great Gazoo
26. Slim Goodbody - The Inside Story … Hey, don’t mess with Slim Goodbody (the only artist I’ve actually heard of on this list)
27. “Happiness” with Ron Johnson … Because “Happiness’ should always be spelled in a creepy, bloody Halloween font
28. Drums and More Drums … I’m laughing too hard to think of an octopus joke.
29. OK, that made me stop laughing. I’m too frightened to even think of something funny to say.
30. Disco Tango – No thank you, Tommy Seebach
31. Joyce … I didn’t know Dorothy Michaels released an album under a pseudonym
32. ET – Best Friends … Rick James wannabe or lovable alien?
33. Ali and His Gang vs. Mr. Tooth Decay … I bet this was a big hit in its day (and only the second name I recognize)
34. The Electric Amish – A Hard Day’s Work … You’d think they would play acoustic guitar
35. Jonah Jones – I Dig Chicks … And I use the most literal imagery I can find for my album covers to hide my homosexuality
36. John Bult – Julie’s Sixteenth Birthday … Also known as the day John went to jail
37. Anchor’s Away … this one isn’t that bad, since pirates are back in style
38. Gary Dee Bradford … The record company didn’t want to spend any money on album artwork, so they just used his school picture
39. I couldn’t read the title of this one, something about rainbows, but it looks more like it should be about nightmares
40. Understand Your’e Swede – Even if you disregard the misplaced apostrophe, this title still doesn’t make sense
41. Thank You for the Dove … that just pooped in my hand
42. Superman – Every Night and Day … in bed
43. The Best of the Singing Postman … The Cryptkeeper Postman!
44. Country Church … They look like they would be fun to hang out with
45. All My Friends are Dead … In the category of morbid death story songs, this beats “Last Kiss” hands down
46. Happy Louie, Julgia and the Boys … Only Louis is happy because he’s the only one getting it on with Julgia
47. Mike Terry – Live at the Pavilion Theatre … pre sex change operation
48. Moscow Nights – no one ever had that much fun in Moscow
49. Foster Edwards’ Orch. … Who abbreviates orchestra on an album cover? (I’m avoiding the obvious elephant in the room joke.)
50. Ken – By Request Only … Steve Warren could have used this cover (see #24)

In the News

Designer of Pringles can is buried in his invention

After I read this headline, I imagined a giant Pringles can-shaped casket, but alas, his ashes were buried in an actual Pringles can. I’m kind of disappointed.

Disappearing act: Revue is robbed

Although this is a serious crime, any article that features the phrase ‘breakaway pants’ makes me laugh. It figures a male reporter was assigned to the story. You can practically hear him trying not to laugh out loud as he writes this story.

A Day Late and A Dollar Short

Of course, now they come out with this - Bindi Partyware. Where was it when I needed it back in September for Big H's birthday? I guess we were just ahead of our time.

Back in September, Big H had a Bindi-themed birthday party. We made our own invitations using graphics from the "Bindi the Jungle Girl" site on Discovery Kids. We went with a green theme for the plates, napkins, etc. and a general jungle animal theme for everything else. We had animal print balloons and all of the little girls received animal print tote bags with an animal print notepad, pen and stickers. Very cute, but I love those Bindi favor boxes. I might have to order a few, along with the stickers, for Big H.

Speaking of stickers, they would have come in handy on Halloween, when Big H dressed up as Bindi. I made stickers with my Xyron machine for her shirt, but those would have been perfect. Here's a pic of Big H on Halloween (the sticker is hidden under the snake but looks like it is embroidered on her shirt, just like Bindi's).

For the record, since I was MIA from updating in October, little H was a bumblebee.

2007 Reading List

Well, I thought last year's list was pathetic, but 2007's was even worse. I was able to sustain my reading rate even with less free time at home by reading over my lunch hour, but now I'm usually running errands or working over lunch, since I come in a half hour later now due to the bus schedule. I also blame "The Wire." Mark and I have been working our way through all four seasons of the series on DVD since August and it's all-consuming. I can't read and watch TV at the same time when it's on - you have to pay close attention! We finished the last disc of season 4 on New Year's Eve and just signed up for digital cable with free HBO for 60 days so we can watch Season 5 when it starts on Sunday. Anyway, I digress. Here's my 2007 reading list. As before, the abbreviations are: CF - crime fiction, M - mystery, F - fiction, SF - southern fiction, not scifi, YA - young adult and then in parens, where I got the book (usually from the library). Unofficial New Year's resolution - go back to reading more!

1. Deception by Denise Mina (CF) (library)
2. The Rock Orchard by Paula Wall (SF) (library)
3. Sea Glass by Anita Shreve (F) (used PB)
4. Amagansett by Mark Mills (F) (library)
5. Summer Reading by Hilda Wolitzer (F) (library)
6. The Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp (CF) (library) (via Powell’s)
7. Red River by Lalita Tademy (F) (library)
8. Bad Blood by Linda Fairstein (CF) (library)
9. Bloodthirsty by Marshall Karp (CF) (library)
10. The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos (CF) (library)
11. The Scold’s Bridle by Minette Walters (CF) (used paperback)
12. Dark Hollow by John Connolly (CF) (library)
13. The Woods by Harlan Coben (M) (library)
14. Winter’s Child by Margaret Maron (M) (library)
15. The Straw Men by Michael Marshall (CF) (library) (Powell’s)
16. Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty (YA) (library)
17. Sacred by Dennis Lehane (CF) (used)
18. Apprentice to the Flower Poet Z. by Debra Weinstein (F) (bookcloseouts)
19. Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner (CF) (library)
20. Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger (CF) (library)

Kidisms

#1 - While watching "Frosty the Snowman" the other night:

Big H: Why does Frosty have a hammer in his mouth?

Me: It's not a hammer, it's a pipe.

Big H: Then why doesn't it have smoke coming out of it?

In her defense, she's a Baltimore girl at heart and it does look like a crab mallet, which she uses when she does Play-Doh. And now that I think about it, I'm surprised "they" haven't revised Frosty to remove the pipe from all scenes.

#2 - When talking about getting a Christmas tree, Big H kept calling the Christmas Tree farm the "Christmas Tree Patch," like the pumpkin patch, which I think is adorable.