Butterfly Shamrocks Wreath update

Well, I spent most of last week and through the weekend on Butterfly Shamrocks Wreath. Remember this piece?

Butterfly Shamrocks Wreath as of 3/7/12

 

Well, this is what is looked like when I took a picture Sunday afternoon:

 

I did a bit more stitching on it after taking the pic and plan to work on it a little more tonight. With persistence, I should have it done by the end of this week.

I have stalled out on Medallions again. I am a little annoyed with how the color is on the new skein of floss. I know, and am sure, dye lot has something to do with it. I am going to try to use the 3rd skein I have when I finish the Wreath. Hopefully, by cutting it differently, I can get the effect I want. Otherwise, I need to purchase more floss and hope for the best.

Last, but certainly not least, a very big WELCOME to my newest followers! I don’t say it often enough, but I am thankful to have you all perusing my blog from time to time.

September WIPocalypse Update

Well, here we are at the end of another month and season. Well, the season ended a few days ago. Here in Florida, it still feels MUCH like summer and will for several more weeks. One of the biggest reasons I moved to this state, other than family, is for the warm temps year round. I do miss the fall color changes at times and the new crispness in the air as cool weather approaches, but nothing beats being able to wear shorts and tank tops year round, lol.

But, I digress…

Over the past month, I have lost my father (as many of you read about earlier in the month) and put many stitches into a few pieces. Here is my progress for the month:

Medallions. I finished page #2 (I started with this page as well, so I still have 1, 3 and 4). For the year, I used 3 strands of floss instead of 2 and added a stitch between the “0” and “1” to fill in the space a little better. I will have this finished by the end of the year!

Cirque des Carreaux. I am just about halfway through page #3. If I work steady on this piece, I could have it finished by the end of the year.

Coming Home for the Holidays. I so wanted to have this done before my dad passed, but alas that did not happen. I was soooo close! I am still going to try to complete it by year’s end including cleaning it, pressing it and framing it. I miss you daddy and I know you enjoyed watching me progress on this one!

The past few weeks have been everything from sad to surreal. While I may not be used to being alone for some time to come, I am working toward finding that peace within and taking everything one day at a time. Sandy and Abu look for my dad, but seem to be coming out of their grieving process. Sandy has been playing more, which is a good sign!

Hope everyone is getting ready for the fall holidays with much gusto! I have decorated a tiny bit and will share pics of that later.

~~~Until Next Time~~~

Blue Moon WIPocalypse Update ~ August #2

What a week this has been! I have done some stitching on Cirque des Carreaux this week and I can say that I am almost halfway through the 3rd page (of 6). I am not going to put this one off like I did Coming Home for the Holidays as now I am on a time crunch to finish the latter  (more about that in a bit). Anyway, here is my progress report:

The Gardeners

Cirque des Carreaux

As you can see, I have gotten a little bit more in since my last post a few days ago.

This past week has seen the beginnings of what will be some dramatic changes in my life. My dad has been in the hospital little more than a week now. His cancer has pretty much taken over his major organs and he is now living day by day until the Lord takes him home.

We are hoping he will come home this weekend to live his final days but the doctor’s still want to see some more stability before that can happen. The week has seen a little more than 2 gallons of fluid drained from his stomach. While the doctor’s gave him less than 3 months, realistically we are looking at less than 1 month because of the rate he is retaining fluid. For those who may not understand, when the body begins retaining fluid it is because the organs are trying to shut down. He still has a little fight in him, but I can tell he is ready for this phase to be over. God willing, dad will go peacefully and with as little pain as possible, when HE is ready to bring him home.

In the meantime, I will enjoy what time we have left in this physical existence, know that he is always with me, and look forward to the day when we are together again (selfishly, I hope that is a loooooong time from now).

So, I anxiously am trying to finish Coming Home this weekend so that my dad may enjoy the finished piece for even just a little while.

August WIPocalypse update

Haven’t done too much stitching over the past month. I do have some progress to share though.
First: Coming Home for the HolidaysSorry about the bottom bit being cut off, but as you can see, I am on the top portions now (again).


 Second: The Gardeners

Third: Cirque des Carreaux
I worked on this a teeny tiny bit while at my mom’s in July. I had every intention of getting much more accomplished on this piece, but I was having too much fun with my mom and niece

Well, maybe a bit more than I thought, lol!

~~~Until Next Time~~~

Olympic Stitching, anyone?!

I am just curious how many of you are actually watching the Olympics and working on stitching projects. No, I am not taking a poll on this, but I found myself working away over the weekend on The Gardeners and almost have another page finished! I am pleased with it for sure. And I am also enjoying the Olympics. The Summer games are by far my favorite!

This is where I was last September when I last stitched on this piece.

 Current progress

 

Speaking of Olympics! I am thinking about creating a design based on this year’s logo. Nothing fancy, but I really like the logo this go around!! Does anyone know if someone has already done this yet???

My grandmother spent the week with us last week. Now, keep in mind that my dad and I live in an old single-wide trailer with 2 bedrooms and 1 completely functional bathroom (mine is partially functional in that I cannot use my bathtub whereas dad’s has a functional shower). It was a bit cramped, but we managed. She’s almost 87 years old and really needs to live with someone. Her memory is starting to show some signs of failing. She’s a sweetheart, but can be overly annoying when she wants to be. She’s on a kick now that she wants me to call her every single day. I told her that’s not gonna happen. Not that I don’t want to talk with her. I just work on my feet all day long and the last thing I want to do is sit on the phone for any length of time when I get home. I shouldn’t complain, I know. I am thankful she is still around. I just need to learn better coping skills, lol!!!

At any rate, by the end of this year, grandma should be moving in with us. Dad and I are looking to get into a bigger place. Ideally, there will be 3 beds and 3 baths, but realistically 3 beds and 2 baths.

Next weekend is SAL weekend with Joy! I am looking forward to working on Coming Home for the Holidays some more. 

~~~ Until Next Time ~~~

July WIPocalypse Update

Well, it’s been a more productive month that it has been most of the year! I had a finish and some much needed progress on a couple of pieces.

First, Cancer Awareness Ribbons:

Next, some progress on Medallions:

And finally, progress on Coming Home for the Holidays (my SAL with Lana):

I am heading to Michigan at the end of this week for vacation and I plan to take Cirques des Carreaux with me as my only project for the week. Only 4 more pages to go! It would be wonderful to finish it while I am there so that I can give it to my mom to frame and hang in her home.

~~~Until Next Time~~~

My Eleven and some progress

I was recently tagged to answer 11 questions. Here are my answers to the questions presented:       

 

1.  What is the strangest thing you’ve ever confessed to eating for breakfast?

Bonnie:  Two fruit servings – Orange juice and Peach Schnapps.

Tracey: Shreddies along with Homemade Skor Bars.

Anita: Original Mini Wheats along with Reeces Peanut Butter Cups.

Jody: Cold, left over asparagus.

Julie: I don’t think I’ve ever had anything strange for breakfast.

 

2.    When shopping, what aisle do you gravitate to first?

Bonnie:  Home Décor unless distracted by Bling.

Tracey: Books and magazines.

Julie: Movies

 

3.    What is the most recent book you’ve read?

Tracey: 50 Shades of Grey.

Anita:  50 Shades of Grey.

Jody:   50 Shades of Grey.

Bonnie:  30 Shades of Grey – I’m not done yet.
Julie: I am currently reading “The Hidden Power of the Gospels”. Most recently finished Janet Evanovich’s book (#17 Plum series)

 

4.    Who is your favourite movie star dream guy/gal?

Tracey: Johnny Depp.

Anita: Richard Gere.

Jody: Robert Downey Jr.
Bonnie: Colin Firth, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Mike Delfino from Desperate Housewives, Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs; Bonnie is greedy!!

Julie: This is a toughie! Dominic Cooper was hot in “The Devil’s Double”. Orlando Bloom and David Schwimmer round out my top 3.

 

5.    Do you file your patterns by Designer, Alphabetically or by Category?

Bonnie:  Who files??

Tracey:  Mainly by category, unless it’s a series.

Anita:  Ditto to Tracey. 

Jody:  Ditto to Anita.

Julie: Filing? What is that??

 

6.    Do you stick to the pattern when stitching or change it up?

Bonnie:  I tend to change it up.

Tracey: hmmmmm 9 times out of 10, I”ll stick to the pattern.

Julie: Generally I stick with the pattern. I have made a few modifications on occasion

 

7.    Would you ever want to try your hand at designing?

Bonnie: Why yes of course.

Tracey: Perhaps…

Julie: Depends on the kind of designing you are talking about, LOL! I have created a couple of my own designs.

 

8.    Do you tend to stitch more or less in the summer months?

Bonnie:  Less.  I spend more time in the gardens.

Tracey: Definitely less!  The gardens always seem to be calling my name.

Julie: I tend to stitch more when I feel the urge. Season doesn’t equate into my mood for stitching unfortunately.

 

9.    Have you ever attended a stitching retreat?

Bonnie: Yes, at Brentwood on the Beach with the Stitching Sisters and soon to be at a cozy cabin in the woods.

Tracey: Ditto

Anita:  Ditto

Jody: Ditto

Julie: Nope. But sure would like to sometime. I would love to go to the one in Nashua (NH – where I lived for a few years) and to Colonial Williamsburg.

 

10.  If money wasn’t an issue and you had the opportunity to choose from one or the other, would you totally renovate your home and stay, or move.

Bonnie:  I would move to a one level home. (with a pool and lazy river)

Tracey: I would pick my house up and move it to the country.  Is that an option?
Bonnie:  No Tracey, that is not an option.

Julie: MOVE!

 

11.  Do you track the hours you spend on a stitching project?

Bonnie:  Not always, but I did for a special gift.  I tracked it as 197 hours.

Tracey:  I used to... I just don’t care anymore.  I finish when I finish.

Julie: Never. It takes away the fun of the craft for me. 

 

I am now supposed to ask 11 questions and tag other bloggers. Hmmmm….Let me think on this for a minute while I share with you my progress on Medallions:

Medallions by Rosewood Manor VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

I am so glad that I started this piece over on dark fabric!

Now for my eleven tags:

1. LANA ~ A Joyful Stitcher
2. Lisa ~ A Southern Belle Misplaced
3. Jennifer ~ Confessions of a Serial Starter
4. Marcy ~ Stitching Plus
5. Denise ~ Riverside Stitching
6. Coni ~ Spinster Stitcher
7. Melissa ~ St. John's Stitcher
8. Lee ~ Lake Stitcher
9. Nataly ~ Nataly’s Needle Creations
10. P.J. ~ Porcupine Needle
11. Rebekah ~ The Stitching Frog

And for my questions:

I think I am going to use the same one’s that I had to answer (see above).

Have fun!!! And please, do not feel obligated to play this game, especially if you have already been tagged.

~~~Until Next Time~~~

June WIPocalypse update

Finally, I am able to post my update. I received word from Terri that she received her win from my giveaway. Here are some pics of the piece I stitched for her:

Blackwork Jewels Pincushion VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I am still slowly getting back into my stitching mood. I think doing the giveaway helped quite a bit in that effort as I have been doing more stitching over the past couple weeks than I have in a couple months.

Now for my WIPocalypse update:

First up is Coming Home for the Holidays (my SAL with Lana):

I have determined that if I can park my bum for an entire day, I might just be able to finish this piece before summer’s end. We’ll see!!

Next is [Colon] Cancer Awareness Ribbons by Ink Circles:

I am actually much further along; almost finished actually. I am not sure how I will finish it, but am leaning towards an ornament or a pillow. Also, on the four ribbons that are stitched in the variegated color, I have decided to use 3 strands for the border (solid) color. I am also leaning toward adding some backstitch around the ribbons to make them pop a little more.

That’s all the update I have for WIPocalypse at this time. I plan to finish up Cancer Awareness this afternoon/evening and pick up Medallions. I am hoping to have a couple of finishes to share with you next time!

By the way, I wanted to share with you that my dad had a bone scan this past Monday. The oncologist was checking to see if the cancer had spread into his bones or if the chemo has softened them. He’s been having pain in his right hip for quite a while. The results: Arthritis!

 

~~~Until next time~~~

May WIPocalypse check-in and a Giveaway

Well, it’s almost here! I am almost 40!! Why do I sound so happy about it you might be wondering. Most people get to this age and act as though their world is coming to an end. I choose to look at it in a positive way: I am STILL ALIVE!!! I know HE has a plan for me and my life. I am thankful everyday that I wake up.

I am also thankful for my stitchy friends here in bloggy-land. Just because we don’t know one another on a personal level doesn’t mean we don’t know one another, right?! So, I am going to celebrate my birthday with you all. I am going to do a giveaway. Yup! I will call it “My 40th Year Giveaway”. What will be included in this giveaway you might ask? Well, stay tuned! I plan to reveal that a little later on, but first here is my check-in post for WIPocalypse:

I put a few stitches into Coming Home for the Holidays (my SAL with Joy):

I plan to work a little more on it this evening.

I also put some more into Cancer Ribbon Awareness by Ink Circles:

I think I am going to finally be getting back into my stitching. It’s been a while and it felt so good to do a little yesterday. Now that things are calming down for me at my job, I am not as tired on the weekends!

Now, a little more about My 40th Year Giveaway. this post will be the official post for entries. The rules are very simple:

You must make one comment on this post!

That’s it! Nothing to it!! Oh, let me know what your birth month is (date too if you are so inclined, but month is all I need).

I will close entries at 11:59pm EST Sunday, May 20th. The actual drawing will be sometime during the day of Monday, May 21st – MY BIRTHDAY!

Be sure to include an email address so I can notify you. Unfortunately, because of one of the prizes I am including, I can only take entries from the U.S.

You can expect something stitched by me and a gift certificate to my favorite restaurant (the item that cannot go outside the U.S. as it is not located abroad), and a few other goodies.

~~~Until next time~~~

WIPocalypse for April

Well, I am on a more normal schedule now. I still have 4 more days where I am driving for about 45 mins to and from work. I am sad that I will be leaving Hernando Correctional, but looking forward to begin my new job at Zephyrhills Correctional. For those who are asking “What is that?”, I work for the State of Florida Department of Corrections. Basically, I work in a prison, lol! I am going from working around female prisoners to male prisoners which is kinda scary, but I know some of the people at ZCI and feel safe enough!

With everything I have been dealing with over the past month, mainly the job transition, I haven’t found myself wanting to stitch much. Here are a couple of things I did work on:

Coming Home for the Holidays SAL with Joy! I filled in a little more in the center, especially around the bannister on the porch.

Ink Circles’ Breast Awareness Ribbons in shades of blue to represent Colon Cancer. I started this one and plan to finish it by Father’s Day for my dad.

The first piece is also for my dad, but it’s for Christmas (2010, LOL). Yeah, I started that monster back in January 2010 with all intention of finishing it for him that same year. Ummmm, that didn’t happen!

All in all, things are fine around here. Dad is still taking chemo for his cancer and will for the rest of his life. The new drug he gets is much stronger and makes him somewhat ill for several days, but he’s staying as strong as possible. Oh, we did trade in his van last month for this:

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt!!! We both are really enjoying it.

Finally, may you all have a Blessed Easter holiday!

He is Judged, He is Crucified, He is Risen!!!

WIPocalypse for March

Well, it’s just about that time again! I thought I would post a wee bit early since I (had to take) today off. Car troubles. Long story. Quite annoying and boring. I digress…

First up is an update on Butterfly and Shamrocks Wreath. I am really liking how this one is coming together, although I am rather tired of the constant color changes. It is a pretty piece though.

Next up are a couple of finished finishes. Since I had to stay home today, I decided to take the opportunity (and the motivation I was feeling) to make a couple of ornaments out of recent finishes. On the first one, I used a piece of cording received from Cindy Mae Designs (quite) a while back. The second one still needs some cording. I am leaning towards a red combination. I have also shared with you the coordinating backing fabrics I used on each ornament.

 

While we did not do our SAL this past weekend, I did decide to put a little time in on Coming Home this afternoon. I know that Joy had family visiting, so we decided to skip this month, officially that is, lol. I won’t post a progress pic on that until after the April SAL weekend.

~~~Until next time~~~

WIPocalypse post for February

And then some….

First, the “then some”. It’s been an emotional week for me. Well, weekend really. It started with some not-so-good news on my dad’s prognosis. His CT scans from Dec and Jan revealed a 25% increase in cancer cells in his liver and it has spread to his lower lungs. We will find out the course of further treatment this coming Friday. I also found out that same day (Thursday) that his brother went back into the hospital after being in post-op rehab for a week. He wound up with a blood transfusion.

This morning, I played traffic director after a major head-on collision in front of our church. There were 3 cars involved, however 2 were destroyed. Of those 2, one had 5 elderly citizens inside – three in the back, not in seatbelts, passed away. The driver and passenger were taken to hospital. I believe they were husband and wife. The other car had only a driver and he was also injured. So, to end my weekend a bit shaken up by all of this…

I turn to my WIPs!

First up is Coming Home for the Holidays, the SAL I am working on with Lana over at A Joyful Stitcher! Yes, the horse finally has a head, LOL!!!

 

Next is Medallions! I am really loving the darker fabric and hope to have this one finished by early Spring so I can get it on my wall.

 

And finally is Hope by Imaginating, Inc from the 2009 JCS Ornament issue. I actually finished the stitching portion and will probably finish it next weekend.

And another finish that I can finally share. I found out the Ellen at Cross Stitch Passion received her giveaway win. She told me that she loves everything and that the chocolate didn’t last long (of course)! LOL Anyway, I did finally finish that pin cushion pillow from The Gift of Stitching eZine and sent it in her package:

Medallions, Revisited

Well, I went to Mt. Dora over the weekend to one of my LNS’s – A Stitcher’s Dream. Part of the reason for going was to finish putting together the giveaway package for Miss Ellen! Rest assured, the package will be on the way to her this week.

Another reason for making that almost 2 hour drive north was to visit my Aunt who has been in the hospital fighting off an infection in her leg; well, partial leg. She lost part of her right leg a few years ago and recently developed an infection around the area where the prosthetic attaches to. She’s doing quite well and enjoyed a little bit of peace, I am sure!

I also made the trek north to pick up a darker fabric so that I could restart this piece:

Remember it from last year? That is where I left off in February (I keep wanting to type “fevrier”, lol, so if you see a “v” where there should be a “b” please forgive. That French is sneaking out on me. Anyhoos, here is where I am currently on Medallions:

Medallions

Rosewood Manor by Karen Kluba

Stitched on 28ct Navy Lugana linen

Floss: Silk’N- Aqua Clouds, DMC- 747 (bs)

Restarted: 14 January 2012

Sad news in Central Florida today. The Senator burned and crashed to his death. Who is “The Senator” you might ask? This was The Senator:

He was a beauty to behold.

His Lady Liberty still standing tall,

saddened by her Senator’s demise.

If you want to know more about Big Tree Park in Longwood, Florida, visit this link. It’s a small park, but very interesting and beautiful.

~~~ Until next time ~~~

WIPocalypse ~ January

Well, I am off to a slow start on this Challenge. I did manage to put in quite a bit more on Woodrow Wilson’s Birthplace over the New Year Weekend.

I have a little bit more to do in the grassy area on the lower right, the signature portion between the red and blue at the bottom, and I have to purchase another skein of floss to finish off the bottom center (where the white areas are).

I also started an ornament. This one is from the JCS 2009 Ornament Issue: “Hope” by Imaginating, Inc.

This afternoon, I plan to put some quality time in on Coming Home for the Holidays, or CH4TH ~ the SAL I have been working on with Lana over at A Joyful Stitcher. You should check out her blog if you haven’t already! This is where I left off last month:

 

 

Yes, the horse is still headless, but I will fix that this afternoon, lol!

 

~~~Until next time~~~

Woodrow Wilson update

Well, Wilson and I spent quite a bit of time together this weekend (mainly on Saturday). However, I did not complete him. I finally had to set him aside around 10:30 or 11pm as my eyes were just not focusing anymore. I even tried remarking my working copy with a darker color to follow where I am without success. Here is where we ended 2011:

I am working on him today and now know that either way, I would not have finished him before the end of the year. That is, unless there was a Michael’s or Joann’s nearby that was still open that late, lol! You see, I ran out of one of the colors. D’oh! So he will have to be a 2012 finish and you know I am fine with that.

I did start working on one of the ornaments yesterday. I am only going to show pics of those when they are completely finished. No, not to be picture greedy, but because they are small and I don’t want to bore you to death. The one I started is “Hope” by Imaginating, Inc. from the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue for my youngest grand-niece. It’s the one that I had the most stash-on-hand for at this time.

I hope you are off to a great stitchy start for 2012!