Frederick

I am finally finished with this pattern! I substituted beads for the french knots.

I think this gave it a little extra something...

Latest Projects

Well, I have been a bit silent for a few weeks now. I am working on a cross-stitch (and almost finished) put out be Dimensions under their Creative Accents group..."Frederick". Below is a clipart of the design...



I love cats and it seems that most of my cross-stitching revolves around them. "Frederick" is a cute pattern of a tabby sleeping amongst the books in a bookshelf. I couldn't resist purchasing this kit and working on it. It does have some metallic floss, which I have found difficult to work with due to its inflexible nature. It also has french knots, which I loathe. In place of the knots, I have decided to use Mill Hill Seed Beads. This is working out rather well and looks particularly sharp. When I am finished, I will post a photo of the completed work.

Other little projects I am working on are bookmarks for my niece for Christmas. She actually suggested that I use my down time (that is, the time until I find a job) to create things for presents. What she didn't know was that I had already been planning on that. LOL! From the mouths of babes...

Speaking of babes, my cousin-in-law loved the bibs I made for her little boy. She decided that they were not going to be used as bibs, but for decoration instead.

New Blog

I created a new blogspot called "Julie's Creations". This new blog will be devoted to the cross-stitch projects I create/stitch.

http://julies-creations.blogspot.com/

Random Projects

Here are a few random projects I have done over the past couple of years.


This one is called "Forever Wild". It is part of the Roger W. Reinardy series put out by Janlynn.

This one is called "Nautical Light". It is part of the Creative Accents division of Dimensions. What I really liked about this project was the map in the background and the compass. It really added something interesting to the whole piece.

The last three are my own creations. I use PCStitch 7.0 software to create my own patterns. I decided to make 3 bibs over the weekend. Each bib took approximately 3 hours to complete. The primary reason for the bibs is a baby shower I am going to later this month.

Cross Stitching Joy

I thought I would create a new blog devoted to one of my other hobbies: cross-stitching. I picked up this hobby about 4 years ago and have become addicted to it. I mainly look for counted cross-stitch kits by Janlynn, Dimensions, and Bucilla. I have found that most of the projects I have completed are of cats. I recently completed one called "Gettysburg" by Sunset/Dimensions.

I began this project while my dad was recovering from major heart surgery in March of this year. I spent about a month on it before I had to set it aside when Spring semester started up for me. I didn't start working on it again until mid-July when I found myself out of a job and with more "free time" on my hands. It was completed this past weekend.

Life's Journey

We are all on a journey; one that is very specific to our needs, wants, and dreams. God has placed this upon our heart and embedded it within our soul. No one really knows what journey must be taken. The only way to find out is to travel along a twisted road. A road with potholes and obstacles in our way. The following is a poem written some time ago as I embarked on one part of my life's journey:

Difficult journey

A difficult journey
Was taken
Down a long road
To find one
That would make
A difference
One that would
Be dear

It took many
Long days
And even
Longer nights
Until that one
Was found
Now the days and nights
Are filled with
A new journey

This time
The journey is different
It consists of
Making a change
Until that one
Was found
The routine was
Always new
Now the routine
Is the same

The journey
Will never
End
The path is
Too long

June 16, 1991

God Bless Our Troops

For some reason, our service men and women have been on my mind lately. I have been reminiscing about my time in the Navy during the early 1990's. I treasure that time in my life deeply. My only regret is that I didn't stay on active duty. My life since the Navy has taken so many twists and turns that I sometimes forget which way I am heading. Then again, where in the world would I be today if I were still enlisted and serving actively?



Here is a little poem I wrote in honor of our American Heros...and also those foreign allies serving alongside us in Iraq and Afghanistan (please note that the use of "he" is not gender specific and is intended to mean both male and female):

Soldier

He is there
In an unknown world
Helping
To keep peace alive

He is there
Wondering and waiting
Praying
The day will come

For the return
To his home

He is there
Protecting the weak
Protecting them all
From ruin and death

He is there
He is the soldier

January 4, 1991