Raven's Stitching Nest

WIPocalypse February Update

2012-02-08T09:19:00.002-06:00

I haven't done much stitching due to having a new person in the house. My eldest niece has moved in, so I've been spending time with her. I have started to teach her to stitch as well and she seems to like it. Hopefully I can get some pics of her piece soon.

For the WIPocalypse here is my update on the Anniversary Sampler. I wanted to make sure I had enough fabric so I went ahead and started the outermost border, as usual I worried for nothing as there is plenty of fabric LOL

Here are the pics:

This is a closer pic of the stitches I added. The light green/blue (502 I believe it is..too lazy to go get pattern to check LOL) is the outermost border. There will be another line of the darker green/blue but it is only 3 more stitches wide, so I am sure I have plenty of room.

I did do a bit more of the blackwork middle border, not a whole lot but some. There will be larger blackwork bits in the empty space as well as specialty stitches in the center of the blackwork flower shape.

Measi of Measi's Musings is running the WIPocalypse. You can see the list of other participants and check out their progress HERE. Thanks Measi!

Valentine's Giveaway!

2012-01-30T11:19:00.000-06:00

Barbara from "To Stitch Or Not To Stitch" is hosting a Valentine's Day Giveaway! She is offering a gorgeous sachet that she stitched and finished. It is filled with rice and lavender crystals so it smells wonderful!

Check it out!

TUSAL

2012-01-22T19:59:00.001-06:00

Here is my TUSAL jar for Jan. 23rd. Daffycat from It's Daffycat is running the TUSAL this year.

Responses to Chronic Pain Video

2012-01-21T22:59:00.000-06:00

Susan and Nataly, thank you both for your replies! I appreciate it a great deal :)

Susan said...

Thank you for sharing this info. I live in California, and haven't yet had any difficulty in getting the pain meds I need for my conditions. I hope that your situation in Florida gets better, and I hope that this is not a nationwide trend.

My Reply:

***You are most welcome Susan. I am sorry to hear that you also live with chronic pain but I am glad to hear that you are not having difficulties getting proper treatment for your pain. I can't say for sure whether it is a nationwide trend or not, but I'm guessing it will be considering doctors are being attacked and arrested in many different states, not just Florida. What has bothered me the most about all this was finding out that some of the studies the FDA and DEA are using as proof for their statement that prescription drug abuse is an epidemic, are not very well done studies nor are they supported by the evidence.

natalyK said...

Missy, I am sorry for how chronic pain management is handled. As a pharmacist, there are many that do drug trafficking and doctor shopping which is why these ridiculous laws have been established. I wish that the proper people could be repremanded instead of the people with legitimate pain.

My reply:

Ohhhh I almost became a pharmacist Nataly! I worked in a retail pharmacy in MA for a while, then in the pharmacy in Children's Hospital in Boston. I LOVED that job so very much! I was accepted to the MA College Of Pharmacy and was supposed to start school that Sept. (1993), but in August I blew a disk in my back. Thanks to a bunch of errors from two doctors (my then PCP and the orthopedist he sent me to..such as not ordering any tests until I literally couldn't move my left leg at all and had lost bladder control) the herniation became a rupture, embedding pieces of the disk in my sciatic nerve root at L4-5, then the disk herniated again, hiding the rupture from the MRI. It was found during surgery to shave off the bulge (Laminectomy). I also had pelvic pain back then, but they were saying it was radiating from my lower back but now my doctors think it was my SI joints since they were not in great shape then either after delivering my daughter at just under 10 pounds with only 1 fontanel that was very small. Anyway, end result was disability and loss of school. My disabilities and injuries got worse over time, to where I am now; bad disks, nerve damage, broken pelvis etc. etc. (Though I do still think the 6 inch screw in my pelvis looks hilarious on x-rays LOL it was hilarious when a doctor saw my x-ray and said to me "I have smaller screws holding my roof on my house", we both laughed)

Anyway...I just wanted to say that I do understand why some of these rules are being put into effect, as a result of drug seekers, doctor shoppers, and addicts.

I agree with you, I too wish there was a way to reprimand the ones who are breaking the laws without punishing those of us who aren't, especially since the honest patients do outnumber the dishonest ones (depending on which report chronic pain sufferers number between 75 to 114 million). I remember how frustrated the pharmacists I worked with in retail would get when a controlled substance prescription came in because if they accidentally fill one that was not legal they can lose their license, their job, and be prosecuted. Maybe we should stop blaming the pharmacists and the doctors! Their jobs require them to do things based on what they are told. Neither can help it if a good liar comes to them, we (people) don't have the ability to read someone's mind and know they are lying. I never thought it was fair that a pharmacist can get in so much trouble (or even prosecuted) for filling a script if it turned out to be forged or altered and they didn't catch it. It is not always easy to catch and altered or forged script. I don't think its fair that a doctor can be prosecuted for writing a pain medication script to someone who turned out to have lied to obtain it. The doctor can only go by what the patient tells him/her. It just seems like we're punishing the wrong people, the doctors, pharmacists, and chronic pain patients.

Thanks again for your comment Nataly, sorry I rambled with such a long reply. :)

Below is general information, not directed at anyone specific. These are just thoughts that popped into my head while I was typing, so I included them.

I've been told that my medications will never be increased again and I'll just have to live with the higher levels of pain. I've been between a 6 and an 8 minimum every day for months now and it quickly goes to a 10 (where I fall and have passed out) if I stand for more than 3 to 5 minutes. This is different from how my pelvis and back were prior to April 2011. I have new symptoms and higher pain, but I was refused tests to find out what is going on from May 2011 until Jan. 2012 because they were afraid I am "Just making it up for more medication" (which I had not asked for more medication or a change in dose) despite the fact that in the 9 years I've seen this doctor I have never done anything wrong such as losing a script, getting my meds wet, calling for early refills, failing the urine test, etc. etc. (They've only been requiring urine testing for the past 4 years or so, same with contracts) This despite the fact that it took me 6 years of taking the same dose to reach a point where the dose finally had to be increased. Even my doctor was shocked when he realized how long it had been since my maintenance medication had been adjusted. I'm not seeking to be pain free, I just want to return to being below a 5 more often than not so I can function better. But that is now denied me because of other people's behavior/choices.

I have no problem with using just one pharmacy (Which I always did anyway because I know it is important to have all meds filled by same pharmacy to best catch possible interactions), doing a urine drug test (though I would appreciate if they used the lab result as deciding factor to end/stop treatment rather than the presumptive result which can often be wrong by giving a false positive). I have no problem with my doctor having access to my pharmacy records. But the idea that a law enforcement official can just access my medical record without a warrant or just cause, just because I'm a pain management patient, is not right. That he/she can just walk into my doctor's office and demand my record and my doctor has to give it to him. Taking my rights away is not the way to stop drug addiction. Honestly, I doubt we can stop drug addiction. People have been using things to get "high" for a very very long time, addiction is not new.

I think it is wrong that chronic pain patients are intimidated into submitting to procedures they do not want and that do not help them under the threat of losing what little pain control they do have. Other patients have a say in their treatment, but chronic pain patients often do not. Last week I underwent an epidural steroid injection, even though they do no good for me and I react to the steroids they use. Steroids are not a good thing in the long term anyway. They can erode/degenerate bone; seems like a bad thing to be injecting into a broken joint and areas of my spine that already have degenerative changes to the bones. When I tried to tell the doctor I didn't want the injection because they just don't help much at all, I was told if I refused then I would not receive any of my medications and would have to find another doctor because only addicts refuse treatment options. All these injections do is put me in a pain crisis for anywhere from 1 to 3 days (depends on where they injected me). What little pain relief they give me depends on where they injected as well, spinal facet joints do nothing, but the one into the SI joint helps a little for about a week, 2 weeks maximum.

My doctor has sought the guidance of an attorney to find out how to limit his risk of being investigated/arrested. The lawyer advised him to no longer accept any patient who pays cash for pain management, further he recommended that he stop accepting medicaid patients for pain management. Apparently the bias is that medicaid and cash paying patients are mostly addicts or people who sell the medications. As a result my daughter was dropped (after 5+ years with this doctor without any trouble at all) from the practice, as was my neighbor. Both of whom have legitimate reasons for needing pain management. So now the uninsured and low income medicaid patients are discriminated against and denied proper treatment because the doctor has to cover his butt not just for medical malpractice but from being unjustly prosecuted for drug offenses.

It's just nuts.

Pain Management Contracts

2012-01-20T21:33:00.001-06:00

I try to keep my chronic pain entries on my other blog. However, my focus with this little movie I made is to spread awareness of how chronic pain patients are treated if they are lucky enough to get treated at all. This video is based on my experiences, as well as the experiences of other patients I know in different areas. I live in Florida, where things are getting pretty bad for pain management patients. I think it is important for others to realize how we are treated. Here's the first video of what I hope will be a series.

For more information you can visit the following links:

Regarding Pain Management Contracts and loss of rights: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/06/963719/-Chronic-Pain-Patients-Lose-Their-Rights

Information on different topics that affect chronic pain patients, including discussion of different studies etc. (Written by doctors): http://pain-topics.org/ and/or http://updates.pain-topics.org/

For what happened to Richard Paey in Florida. A young man with many medical issues giving him constant pain who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking. The way Florida's laws are written it does not matter if you actually sell your medication or give it away, if you fill a prescription for more than 50 - 70 pills in the bottle, you are drug trafficking and can go to jail for 25 years. This means any chronic pain patient whose prescription totals more than 60 pills in the bottle, is a drug trafficker under Florida's law. To learn more visit here: http://www.november.org/thewall/cases/paey-r/paey-r.html

Sorry this isn't a stitching entry. I did do a little bit on the Sentimental Sampler, but not enough for a new picture.

WIPocalypse

2012-01-09T22:30:00.000-06:00

I joined Measi's WIPocalypse (Measi's Musings) to try and get some of my WIPs completed. You can find my WIP list for this challenge HERE. I started with the Sentimental Sampler, a chart from the US Magazine The Cross Stitcher. I didn't get very far, but here are my pics for the first update.

Sentimental Sampler © The Cross Stitcher

Closeup to show colors better

Closeup of area stitched

I had to pull out this area twice before I got it right, so I didn't get far. But I have started!!

The Stitcher's Night Before Christmas

2011-12-21T08:06:00.000-06:00

I found this on the blog An Eye For Threads @ Henley's Landing. I think its great and amusing. Enjoy!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas,

when all through my stash,
Every needle was threaded, with plenty to spare;
The charts all in order with a great deal of care,
In hopes that a good stitch on soon would be there;
The fabrics were nestled all snug with their threads,
While visions of cross stitch danced in their heads;
And me in my 'womb, and pop with remote

To read the rest go HERE.

Giveaways & SBQ

2011-12-20T19:29:00.009-06:00

Stitches by Carin is having a giveaway of a Country Cottage Needleworks chart. Go HERE to join in!

Nicola, a new blogger, from Stitching By A Cornish Seashore is holding a giveaway. Go HERE to join in!

Danielle, from Peace Love and Stitching is having a giveaway also. Go HERE to join in!

Nancy from The Victorian Motto Sampler Shop, is having two giveaways! The one that ends on Christmas Day is HERE. The second ends on January 1st is HERE.

December's Stitching Blogger Questions (SBQ) can be found on Lake Stitcher's Blog HERE. The question is:

Name your favorite designer(s). Have your tastes changed over time?

My answer: Teresa Wentzler and Joan Elliott are my favorite designers though I have many many more that I enjoy a lot such as Tam's Creations, Little House Needleworks, and so many more!

I have to say that yes my tastes have changed over time. A few years ago I would have said that I did not enjoy stitching samplers, well that has changed as I have found patterns of samplers that I just love such as Quakers and others. Basically I now choose patterns based on whether or not I like the design instead of just going by the designer's name/company name. I have a little bit of everything in my stash from HAEDs, to simply one color smalls, to samplers and more. If it makes me go "Ohhhh I love that!" everytime I see the design then eventually I purchase it.

Thank You and Ornie Challenge Thus Far

2011-12-11T16:53:00.003-06:00

I started this stitching blog in October of 2007. I really enjoyed reading other stitchers' blogs and seeing their progress pics as well as their finished or framed pieces. I enjoyed the little glimpses into their real lives when they post about things such as vacations, holidays, or anything they feel comfortable publishing on the web. As a result of starting my own blogs, I have received a great deal of support and well wishes from other stitchers. Since I posted about stitching more often a couple weeks ago I have received many positive and supportive comments.

Thank you Missy, Brigitte, Christine, Donna, Pumpkin, Sam (my daughter), Kaye, Mouse, and RuthB for all of your supportive and celebratory (I hope that's a word) comments on my recent posts about returning to stitching. I really appreciate the support and acknowledgement more than I can say!

Also, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has ever commented on my blog. Those comments really do make me feel good and I appreciate them all.

I have completed the stitching on 4 Christmas ornaments so far. My sister-in-law Stephanie picked up some seasonal fabric (A fat quarter bundle usually for quilters) and stuffing so I can finish the ornaments so they can be used. I plan on doing a finishing day in a couple weeks, where I finish them all at once. I need to take a day or two to learn my new (to me) sewing machine. Anyway here are the pictures of the 4 ornaments I have completed stitching on so far:

Believe © Daffycat Designs
2 over 2 DMC on 18ct Zweigart Jobelen in Sand

Christmas Motif (not sure of designer) Freeby
28ct 2 over 2 in DMC on White Zweigart Jobelen

Stocking Reindeer © DaffyCat Designs
2 over 2 on 28ct Sand (Hand dyed Jobelen Zweigart) in DMC floss

Christmas Cat Tree © Brittercup Designs
28ct white Jobelen from Zweigart using DMC floss

I am working on Mistletoe Reindeer from DaffyCat Designs and am half-way through it. I should be able to finish it today.

Feathers in the Nest is having a fantastic Christmas giveaway! Go HERE and check it out!

Victorian Motto Sampler Shop is having a wonderful giveaway on hand dyed flosses, in gorgeous colors! You can enter HERE.

Stitching

2011-12-04T08:32:00.001-06:00

I did finish the Christmas Cat Tree by Brittercup Designs and I also did a small design from Daffycat called Believe. I haven't taken pictures yet, but I will get them up soon. Its not as good as I wanted to do for the ornie challenge, but its better than none at all so I am pleased with it. I have a few more weeks and I'm hoping I can knock out one or two more. I enjoyed it a great deal too! I actually stitched all day last Wednesday (I think it was) which is something I haven't done in a long long time. Of course my pelvis was really unhappy with me and I paid for it the next day, but I enjoyed it a lot! I just have to find a better position for stitching and remember to get up, stretch, and walk around after 30 minutes or so. I just get so into the stitching I forget to stretch, get up, and move around LOL Maybe I will set a timer and see if that helps.

I am hoping to get the Reindeer charts from Daffycat done for this year as well. Sam wants to stitch one of them as well.

In preparation for TUSAL 2012, I found a jar and am collecting my orts again so I'm in the habit for next year. When Sam and I stitched together the other day, she collected hers as well so I have some of her threads in the jar.

Sam has created a cross stitch chart for her boyfriend and completed the stitching the other day. It looks fabulous! Her back is perfect, her stitching is perfect and I am so proud of her. I can't share any pictures of it because its a surprise for her boyfriend (who reads my blog) and I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I am so so proud! She is so pleased with herself also, which is great to see. I can't wait to share it. She did it on a red fabric which is more difficult to stitch on, as we all know, so I'm even more proud of her.

I managed to cook most of Thanksgiving dinner which meant a great deal to me. I am so very happy that I managed to do it. I am also very grateful to my husband Ron, my daughter Sam, my sister-in-law Stephanie, and my neighbor Diane who all helped me with the preparation and cooking in one way or another. I even managed to sit in the living room and enjoy my company for most of the day. It was great!

2 Days In A Row

2011-11-15T15:08:00.000-06:00

Woo Hoo! I stitched some more today making it two days in a row. YAY!

I didn't sleep last night so I've been tired all day. I chose not to take a nap because doing so would have left me awake all night tonight too. It doesn't take much to mess up my sleep schedule but it can take weeks to get it back to normal (sleeping at night). I was hoping to finish my first ornament for the Christmas Ornamenet Challenge 2011, but no such luck. I had to stop stitching when my eyes got blurry lol

So here is where I am on Christmas Cat Tree by Brittercup Designs

YAY I Stitched!

2011-11-14T01:43:00.003-06:00

Thank you all for your well wishes about my illness. I really appreciate it!

Today (Sunday the 13th) was a pretty good day all in all. I did manage to do some stitching. I almost got completely caught up on blog reading. I started a new blog that will be a directory of needlework blogs. Since I have so many in my reader and I've seen many new stitching bloggers comment that they've had a difficult time finding other stitching blogs, I thought creating a directory would be a good idea.

When I started this blog there were two sites (that I found) which contained listings of links to other stitching blogs. However neither site has beeen updated in a very long time and many of the links were broken. So I've started making a directory. You can see that blog here: Directory Of Stitching Blogs. I will start out by putting all the blogs that are listed in my reader into the directory. I hope to continue adding to the directory as people submit their blogs, submit a friend's blog, or I come across new blogs. If I am listed as a follower on your blog, you are already in my reader and will be added to the directory. Please feel free to submit a blog by emailing me.

I joined in on the Christmas Ornament Challenge 2011 that BeckySC started. I've been meaning to stitch ornaments for my Christmas tree for a couple years now, but just hadn't done them yet. This challenge sounded like a great motivation to get some done this year, so I joined in. Due to being sick for 3 weeks I wasn't able to start stitching ornaments on Nov. 1st like I had hoped, but I did manage to start stitching today! Woo Hoo!

For my first ornament I chose Christmas Cat Tree by Brittercup Designs from this year's Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue. I'm stitching on 28ct Antique White Jazzlyn from Wichelt Importers using DMC floss. I didn't get very far but at least it's a start! lol The colors are a bit faded on this picture as I had to use the flash.

Christmas Cat Tree © Brittercup Designs
DMC floss 2 over 2 on 28ct Jazzlyn

I am hoping to have this finished tomorrow and then I'll start doing the Reindeer patterns created by DaffyCat. They are really cute and will make a nice little set of ornaments. You can find information about the Reindeer patterns at DaffyCat's blog "It's DaffyCat!!". There are 4 Reindeer charts (among other freebies) and that link will open her blog entry for the Stocking Reindeer.

Enjoy!

Mail Call and I will stitch today darnit!

2011-11-13T12:01:00.000-06:00

Other than being sick, nothing else is going on. I am feeling a bit better today so I am going to try and stitch a Christmas Ornament for the challenge I joined. I was hoping to have at least 2 ornaments stitched by now, but no such luck. I'm going to try a simple design because my concentration isn't as good as it normally is and I'm afraid if I try something more difficult I'll just end up having to rip it all out. I'm going to try the Brittercup Designs "Christmas Cat Tree" from this year's JCS Ornament issue. It only uses a few colors so here's hoping I can get at least this one done.

I won a giveaway offered by Lisa from Hera Chronicles and the box arrived yesterday. WOW lots of wonderful stuff! Beautiful gold dusted aida fabric, a piece of gorgeous purple hand dyed evenweave, pretty pretty flosses, sparkly beads of many colors, fun purple socks, a q-snap cover, wonderful charts and a pair of reading glasses! There was also a headband with green yarn hair (in braids) and a black felt witch's hat attached, but my neice took that right away so its not in the picture (but it sure looked adorable on her!).

Thank you so much Lisa! I love all of it! Thank you thank you!! Your package made me smile and I really needed the smile!

Sick sick sick

2011-11-11T23:16:00.001-06:00

I guess I should know better than to sign up for stuff. I signed up for the WIPOcalypse and the ornie sal and was very excited for both. I pulled out ornie issues of magazines and started listing the ones I wanted to stitch. So what happens?

I get pneumonia. I've been sick for over 3 weeks now. It is kind of hard to stitch while coughing nearly non-stop or while attached to a nebulizer machine. I'm on my third antibiotic and finally starting to feel a little better. Maybe I can start stitching in a couple more days.

Woo Hoo Giveaway Fun In The Blogosphere!

2011-10-25T09:36:00.002-05:00

I'm playing catch-up with the blogs in my reader. As I am reading I'm finding lots of giveaway contests. I will add more as I come across them.

Whoo Hooo!! Lots of giveaway fun is going on in the Blogosphere!

Daffycat of It's Daffycat is having a giveaway for her Blogaversary. Visit HERE for more information.

The Hera Chronicles is also having a Halloween giveaway. Visit HERE for details!

Linda of Stitching With My Furbabies is also having a giveaway. Visit HERE for details!

Rachel from Come Stitch With Me is also having a giveaway. Visit HERE for details!

Challenges/SAL/etc

2011-10-23T19:00:00.002-05:00

At the beginning of 2011 I remember lots of people starting the crazy 15 challenge, which was to start a new project every day for the first 15 days of January 2011. I have enjoyed watching people's progress on their blogs. As well as that someone created a similar challenge but instead of new starts it was to complete 15 UFOs/WIPs. I've also enjoyed watching progress on those as well. Then there is the TUSAL (totally useless stitch-a-long) where people post pics of an ort container on the full moon of every month. And so many other sal's. For next year Measi of Measi's Musings has come up with he idea of a WIPocalypse. It is kind of a joke over the idea of 2012 being the last year before the Apocalypse occurs. The idea is to get as many of our WIPS/UFOS completed before that happens. Updates are to be posted every full moon during 2012. I haven't joined in other blogging related SAL's before but for some reason I want to join this one, so I did.

Here are the links to further information should you wish to learn more or join up yourself:

Rules and sign up page on Measi's Blog is here
FAQ on Measi's Blog is HERE.
List of signups is HERE.
YUKU board for the group to keep up with each other and encourage each other is HERE.

My list:

Woodland Fairy by Teresa Wentzler
Stroke of Midnight by Teresa Wentzler
Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott
Sentimental Sampler (AKA Anniversary Sampler) from a magazine
Quaker (I forget full name but I think Marquior was part of it) by Mon Ami Pierre (I think)

I will add more WIPS as I find them. I know I have an LHN on the go, but can't find it right now and I don't remember it's title. Since the lists can be changed over time, I can add it later. Here's hoping I can keep up with this WIPocalypse. I tend to fall so far behind on everything because the depression and pain just seem to eat up all my time. I've spent most of this year just sort of "coasting" along because my mobility has been so severely decreased, daily pain level increased, and my motivation for many things decreased. So I figured I'd give this a try. It can't hurt I suppose and it may help me motivate myself.

Posting dates for progress pics:

Jan. 9

Feb. 7

March 8

April 6

May 5

June 4

July 3

Aug. 31

Sep. 29

Oct. 29

Nov. 28

Dec. 28

Wish me luck! LOL

Update on Sentimental Sampler used as Anniversary Sampler

2011-10-19T09:22:00.000-05:00

I realized that the picture I uploaded of Sentimental Sampler (using it as an Anniversary Sampler) is an old one. When I pulled it out to work on it I realized that I was further along than that picture showed. So I took a new picture. I did a bit of stitching last night and am hoping to get some more done today after I do a bit of cleaning in the bedroom.

Sentimental Sampler © The Cross Stitcher
28ct Jobelen with DMC floss over 2 threads
Closeup with decent representation of colors

Sentimental Sampler © The Cross Stitcher
As of Oct. 18, 2011

I had to alter the chart a little bit in order to fit the names into it. So I removed one line from the center and altered the line below the names. I kept the same dimensions (stitch count, number of rows etc.) so I would not have to figure out how to alter the borders of the piece. I was so nervous making these changes, but was very happy when the first border fit perfectly. I was so worried that my count might have been off and the border wouldn't fit anymore, but it did (that's the zig zag border just around the middle part).

Thank you all for your comments on my last post about Quaker Welcome and my daughter's stitching. I really appreciate it. Your support and well wishes do help me a great deal. Sam (my daughter) says thank you for the compliments; they made her smile.

Jenny said: "Isn't it wonderful when the passion for something finally returns?"

Yes Jenny it is fantastic! I was beginning to think my stitching bug was eaten by the frogs somewhere. LOL

OK I am off to do some cleaning and then hopefully some stitching. I am going to try to use my stitching as a coping mechanism for my pain. Cleaning my room will make my pain level go up. Stitching used to help me cope with my pain by distracting me from it. For a while now it hasn't been though I'm not sure if that is because of the pain or because I was in a bout of depression again. So I will try today. I am hoping that my stitching will once again help me deal with my pain.

My first finish for the year and daughter stitches

2011-10-05T14:39:00.000-05:00

YAY! I finally managed to finish something! I finished Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood. It is for my mother-in-law. I will give it to her for Christmas if I can get it framed by then. Here are some pictures:

Quaker Welcome
© The Stitcherhood
Finished Oct. 2, 2011 on 28ct Silkweaver's Jobelen
DMC 820

The backside

I am very proud of this piece. I did not carry threads between motifs, and I tried hard to keep the back neat. I love the dark blue on the sparkly light blue. Sue, my DMIL, saw it when we visited and it was almost half-way done and she really liked it. It felt so great to finally finish something!

I was stitching with my daughter. She is working on a piece that is a combination of two EMS baby designs. She will add a heart and some words between the two. The piece is for her friends who are engaged to be married. Here are pictures:

Penguin Baby © Ellen Maurer-Stroh
14 ct White Aida with reccomended DMC floss
Stitcher: Sam C.

Turtle Baby © Ellen Maurer-Stroh
14ct Aida DMC Floss
Stitcher: Sam C.

Carnation from book 2011 Cross Stitch Designs
14ct Aida DMC Floss
Stitcher: Sam C.

It was really nice to spend some time stitching and even better was spending that time with my daughter. I've been focusing on spending time with my family. I am once again homeschooling my son Kyle. My daughter Sam and I have been watching DVD's or movies via Netflix, chatting, and stitching. Due to my back not getting any better DH and I can't get out much, so we've also been watching movies and various documentaries on Netflix. So lots of chatting, goofing off, and just enjoying being together and it feels great. I think that is why I was finally able to feel a desire to stitch and enjoy every stitch, instead of just doing a few stitches because I "had" to and not enjoying it. I am hoping to pull out the wedding sampler I started for DH and I and continue working on it. If I remember correctly it is half-way done already and the changes I made to the chart (extending it to fit more words) were all worked out.

Sentimental Sampler
From a magazine

The colors are off on this but hopefully when I get some more done I can get a better picture of it.

Well that's pretty much it for me, hopefully I will have a new update soon!

Items I Have Received (picture heavy)

2011-08-24T12:17:00.001-05:00

Over the last couple months I have received some packages in the mail. Prizes from 2 give-aways, items in exchange for one of the kits in my stash, and a RAK. I did thank the senders via email but I didn't post pictures to my blog. Well I finally got my act together and took pictures for the blog, so here we go!

First up from Dusty (at Dusty's Daily Doings ) I received some Anchor floss already on bobbins. Towards the end of 2010 I had mentioned that I was working on acquiring a set of Anchor floss and Dusty said she had some that she wasn't going to use. She offered to send them to me and she did. Thank you very much Dusty I really appreciate it!

Bobbin wound anchor floss from Dusty

I sent one of the kits in my stash to Jane (no blog) in the UK. I'd already had it for a while and did not stitch it. She had been looking for it for a long time. So I offered to send it in exchange for a piece of 28ct evenweave type fabric. Jane was VERY generous! In addition to the fabric she also sent a beautiful brass and enamel bookmark, a dragon needleminder, and a kit for 3 little cards! WOW, Thank you so much Jane I love it all!

closeup to see daetail, isn't this fantastic?

Back in Sept. 2010 Karoline (From Karoline's Corner) held a giveaway to celebrate her 500th post. I was the lucky winner of that giveaway! I was floored when it arrived and I opened it to find a gorgeous stitcher's pocket, package of needles, and stork embroidery scissors! Thank you so much Karoline, it is all wonderful! I will treasure the stitcher's pocket always, you did a fantastic job on it!

closeup of front

full design on back

front open showing needle felt and rings for floss

with the scissors and needles

closed front

Isn't this positively gorgeous? I am floored! Thank you so much Karoline!

Jeanne (Willow Tree Stitcher) held a giveaway for her blogoversary and I was one of the lucky winners! I was so surprised when the package arrived. She made a gorgeous rose project bag and included in it a fantastic needlebook and added a package of needles (Bohin a brand I was wanting to try) and a pair of sheathed Ghinger stork scissors! And the scissors have a fob that match the stitched piece inside the needlebook! Everything is just wonderful! WOW!

Yes, Jeanne it did cheer me up a bit, thank you so very much!

everything together on top of the project pocket

Needlebook open with beautiful stitching and finishing!

needlebook closed with extras showing the fob

project pocket, sewn by Jeanne. Gorgeous roses!

I am so very touched by the generosity of stitchers and I will treasure these items always! Thank you all so very much!

Contest- Winners

2011-08-17T13:29:00.000-05:00

Since there has been no correct answer yet, and not a lot of interest, here is a picture that shows the error.

The motif is set to look like steps. The three stitches that the arrow are pointing to, should not be there.

So..there were two people who attempted to answer this, so I will send $25.00 gift certificates to them both for playing along! Thank you Christine and Jo. I hope you get something nice with your prize money!

Thank you both for playing along!

Pics and Fun

2011-08-14T12:22:00.003-05:00

As promised here is a picture of the progress I made on Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood while I was in Indiana.

Quaker Welcome © The Stitcherhood
Stitched by: Missy H.
DMC floss on Silkweaver Opalescent 28ct jobelen 2 over 2

This is not a large piece and I should have completed it by now. My mojo disappeared for many months while I was fundraising for Matt. This was followed by new symptoms in my back and pelvis and a sharp increase in my pain. This coupled with the doctor's decisions to lower my meds, do only half the RF procedures, and to tell me "We will do nothing more for you. You'll just have to live with it.", all brought back my depression and severely curtailed my mobility. I know many people find stitching helps them through rough times and I used to be one of them. I don't know when or why this changed, I just know that it has. Now when I am feeling real low the idea of stitching feels like trying to climb Mt. Everest covered in lard and alone. There is some good news about my medications etc. but that goes on the other blog. If you wish to read it you can find it here: Living With Chronic Pain and Depression.

When I got back from Indiana I pulled it out to work on it some more and noticed I made a mistake. I haven't frogged it yet, but I will soon. It doesn't set anything off by any stitches and I could probably just leave it an no one would know, but I can't do that with this error. I've done it in other designs (ex: wrong green for one stitch on a leaf in a Teresa Wentzler design, not noticeable) when it wouldn't be noticeable, but I think this one would be.

I thought it might be fun to play a little game. Look carefully at this picture and see if you can spot my error. If you think you have spotted it post in the comments. On Wednesday (17th) I will randomly chose a winner from all the correct answers and that person shall receive a $25.00 gift certificate to Down Sunshine Lane. Here is a hint: If no one has the correct answer by that time I will provide a hint and extend the contest until Saturday the 20th. You can click to make the picture larger.

Have fun!

Edited: Had to add the information of where I stopped stitching when I ran out of floss as it appears to be an error but its not the one I was talking about since its just not completed. I will however count Christine's comment as correct since it is my fault. thanks for playing along Christine!

I Stitched!

2011-08-09T20:09:00.000-05:00

I was visiting my in laws in Indiana last week. My FIL had to have a heart catheterization done as he has been having episodes of a very low heart beat (in the 30's and 40's) along with chest pain. We were so worried, so we ran up there to be with him. He came through the procedure just fine and they put in 3 stents to open up some of his arteries and veins. He will be undergoing another procedure on the 15th (I think it is) for at least 1 more stent. It was wonderful seeing everyone again, I just wish it had been under less stressful circumstances. The ride up and back was hard on me, specially since the doctor still hasn't corrected my breakthrough medication dose. I survived the car rides though.

I also stitched! Can you believe it? I took Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood with me just in case I wanted to stitch. I wasn't expecting to want to as I haven't wanted to stitch in a long time. But I did stitch! I finished the lower left hand side and put in most of the large motif on the left. While at the doctor's office today I did some more stitching, finishing the outer part of the large motif on the left and discovered a mistake. If I am seeing my floss tails properly I should only have to remove 3 or 4 rows to correct the error. I would just leave it but that would cause one of the smaller motifs to overlap.

I am hoping to be able to get some pictures uploaded of the many items I have received in the last couple of months, as well as a new WIP pic of the Quaker tomorrow. Here is where I was last time I stitched on it back in March:

Thank You and Great Giveaway

2011-07-08T14:11:00.003-05:00

Thank you everyone who has sent me warm and supportive comments. I greatly appreciate it and your caring did bring smiles for me. It helps a great deal to know there are people out there, even when I feel alone and withdraw to deal with my pain during those months that I have to wait for radio frequency. Thank you very much!

Parsley at Seasons Of My Mind is having a fantastic Christmas in July giveaway! Go to the blog and join in the fun!

In addition I have pictures of things I have received in the mail over the last few weeks. I am hoping to get those straightened out and into a post for the blog. Somewhere is my camera with the pictures on it.....hmmm..

Still no stitching

2011-06-28T22:15:00.001-05:00

I am still stuck in bed, am at 3 months and counting. I haven’t been stitching either, but I didn’t want people to think I had died.

Sorry

2011-04-19T20:10:00.000-05:00

I've been real busy coordinating a yard sale to raise funds for my DS's best friend Matt, who was badly burned on March 13. For the last 6 weeks or so I have been putting up posters, putting out donation jars, and picking up donations of items for the yard sale. We held the yard sale this weekend and instead of just 1 day, we had to run it for two days because we ended up with so much stuff! We had to use a large u-haul truck and a storage unit for the items we were given. Then on Saturday, the day of the sale, people dropped more stuff off and basically doubled what we already had. By the end of the day Saturday, we realized we did not have enough space to pack what was left back into the truck. So DH spent the night in the parking lot and we ran the sale Sunday as well. We did manage to sell quite a bit of the stuff, but the total earned wasn't as high as I was hoping for. Matt's family was very grateful though. DH, DD, DSIL, and DS were all great helps and did a wonderful job! I am so very proud of them! I just wish I could have done more than I did and taken more of the actual "doing" on my shoulders like I wanted to.

My pain has been pretty high these last few weeks. Partly due to stress (I am sure) and partly due to the fact that it has been 7 months since the first Radio Frequency procedures (lower back ones) and its starting to wear off, which means the pain in my lower back is ramping up again.

I've been feeling very down lately, specially since it has become blatantly obvious to me that I can no longer do things that need to be done and just push through the pain to do them. This has greatly saddened me.

So basically I'm in a funk..hurting more, struggling with feeling useless, struggling with fears for my future, struggling with feeling like a failure etc. etc. So no stitching lately, hence no blogging.

I am sorry for my lack of updates, lack of stitching and lack of motivation.

Wonderful Giveaway

2011-04-13T09:45:00.002-05:00

Check out Cross Stitch and Cupcakes for a wonderful giveaway!

Giveaway

2011-04-02T19:13:00.000-05:00

Rhode Island Stitchers is having a fantastic giveaway! Go HERE to join in on the fun!

Stylish Blogger Award & Charity Square Used

2011-03-30T15:16:00.000-05:00

Lorraine (AKA K1nS) from Cross Stitch Forum presented me with the Stylish Blogger Award! Thank you very much Lorraine, I appreciate it! :)

The rules for this award are:
1: Thank the person who gave it to you
2: List 7 things about yourself
3: Pass it along to 15 other bloggers

7 things about myself, hmm, that's going to be a tough one but I will try.

I am a giver whenever I can be and will push myself to do more than I should
I like to write
I like to read
I don't watch much television
I home school my son
I love my yellow Mustang
I love collecting cross stitch stash

You'd think listing 7 things about myself would be easy, but for some reason I'm never good at stuff like that and end up having to seriously think to find stuff to write. LOL

Pass it on to 15 other bloggers. This isn't going to be easy because I read many many stitching blogs as well as chronic pain blogs and many of them are favorites! I don't comment as much as I want to but I do read all the blogs that are listed on the right side of this page (you have to hit the more link to see them all). I will try to pick 15 though and they may not all be stitching blogs.

Yay I came up with all 15! I enjoy every blog I read, so I just randomly picked 15 and gave them in no particular order.

A while back I did a square for WOCS (a charity stitching group) and until today I did not know what it had been used on. Through another blog I was able to see a photo album of some of this groups' finished items and this is one of them. This is the Precious Moments square I stitched back in 2008 or 2009 I think it was. It has been finished into a tote bag. I hope the recipient liked it!

Update and Request

2011-03-21T12:26:00.002-05:00

Here is where I am at on Quaker Welcome. I am enjoying this piece. I love contrast between the dark blue floss and the light sparkley fabric.

Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood

Here is a nice closeup of the stitching. I am proud of this pIece even though it is taking me a lot longer than I thought it would.

With the economy being the way it is I know that giving a monetary donation may be very hard to do, so I had another idea for fundraising for Kyle's best friend Matt. In my area we have a weekly flea market where people can rent a table and sell items. A while back I stitched a card of a flower in the blue Delft type colors. I sent it to the UK to be sold to raise money for cancer research. My friends Sammy and Serinde asked me if doing something like that would be a good idea for raising money for Matt. It sounds good to me. So I have decided to do that. A few of my friends on the Cross Stitch Forum are going to stitch cards or bookmarks. Would anyone out in blog land be willing to stitch a card, baby bib, baby t-shirts, ornaments, pin cushions, bookmarks or any other small item that I could sell at the flea market? I am thinking of renting the table near the end of July or early August, so items would have to be mailed to me by the first week of July (20th of July if I go for early August).

Other crafts can be included as well such as jewelry, beaded items, small quilted items (table runners, place mats), paper crafted greeting cards, etc. I will take pictures of all items made and give these pictures as well as the crafter's name and contact information to Matt's parents so that they know who did what. If you would prefer to remain anonymous just tell me so and I won't give your name to Matt's parents. If you would like to do this please e-mail me. If you know someone who would like to do this please feel free to pass on the information and my email address to them. If you would like to join in or have any questions, please feel free to email me.

I would really appreciate any assistance people could give me. For more information on Matt, in case you haven't read it yet, please visit Matt's Hope. The page titled "What is Matt's Hope?" has the story.

I could really use the help!

Thank you!

More Help Please & giveaway

2011-03-17T18:27:00.004-05:00

Cath at The Stitchin Chicken is holding an absolutely fabulous giveaway for reaching 100 followers. Congratulations on 100 followers Cath!

My last post was asking for prayers, thoughts, well wishes, reiki (whatever it is you are comfortable doing) for my son Kyle's best friend Matt.

Now I am asking that you please spread the word. Matt was severely burned. All the burns are either bad 2nd degree to 3rd degree burns with the worst being on his hands and face (3rd degree; entire right side of his face). His neck, chest, both arms and hands were also badly burned. He is looking at a year worth of doctor appointments, surgeries, procedures etc. to treat these burns.

I am doing fund raising in the hopes of helping the family through this time so they can focus on helping Matt rather than worrying about gas money, medical bills etc.

Please visit http://hopeformatt.blogspot.com for more information on how you can help Matt and his family!

Please post a link to his blog anywhere you want to so the word spreads!

If you want to send direct messages to Matt you can post a comment on the blog, email him at mattshope11@gmail.com or contact me and I can provide a snail mail address for cards or letters.

Thank you all for your well wishes! I have passed them all on to Matt and his family. Matt says thank you as do his parents.

Prayers Please

2011-03-14T20:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my son's best friend was badly burned in an accident in his backyard. I am asking for prayers, thoughts, whatever it is that you do for this 11 year old boy. He is currently in a burn unit in Augusta Georgia with 2nd degree burns over 40% of his body. His name is Matt.

Sticky Board FAIL and stitch update

2011-03-02T17:15:00.000-06:00

About 9 years ago my daughter started a cross stitch of a unicorn out of a teaching book. She got about half-way through it and gave up so I finished it. I used one of those sticky boards and put it in a frame and hung it in the hallway bathroom since the walls in there are blue. Then I pretty much forgot about it. On the 17th I had to use that bathroom (I usually use the one connected to my bedroom) and noticed the cross stitch on my way out. I realized it was very dirty so I took it down.

Those sticky boards say that the stitching is easily removable so it can be repositioned, even years later. They LIE. When I started gently pulling on the fabric, I realized quickly that the sticky board was coming apart and half of it was stuck to the fabric. When you look at the edge of a sticky board you see a couple layers. The top layer is white (this has the glue on it) and sometimes the bottom layer is also white but without glue, the middle layer is brown like cardboard. The top layer and half the middle were peeling away from the bottom layer and was completely stuck to the back of the fabric.

Luckily this piece was done on Aida with DMC floss, so I didn't have to worry about fading, bleeding or anything and could scrub the fabric itself a bit harder than I would dare do on an evenweave or linen.

I spent 45 minutes or so peeling off as much as I could and took pictures of what was left after that: (I didn't think to take pictures when I started, was too focused on getting it off)

This is what the right side looked like after I peeled as much off as I could.

This is almost the whole piece. That bit of brown on the left side of the picture continues in a straight line for the entire length of the side.

This is a close up of the cardboard fused to the stitching.

Upon seeing this I panicked, remembering that I had placed my niece's birth sampler on a sticky board because a book I had read from a well known stitching author said sticky boards are okay.

She was WRONG.

I thought maybe this only happened because it was hung in the bathroom in an unsealed frame. To be sure I went and got the birth announcement and took it out of the frame. Sure enough the board did the same thing, only not the entire board. Just a small line down either side of the piece and luckily it came off fairly easily. My guess is that it wasn't worse because it hadn't been framed for as long. I was able to get it off fairly easily and the piece now lays flat in my completed drawer until I can afford to have it professionally framed. I would have been devastated if that piece had been ruined. It is a mirabilia done on hand-dyed fabric with beads and crystal treasures.

The unicorn has been soaking in water ever since. I managed to get almost all of it off, but there are a few spots of white that just will not come off and does show through when I hold the fabric up. These spots are mostly not on the areas that are stitched.

I will not use sticky boards again because they fuse to the fabric fairly quickly.

In better news, a stitching update!

Here is an update of where I was on Quaker Welcome as of Feb 9, 2011.

More Stitching!

2011-02-09T16:19:00.000-06:00

At the doctor's office yesterday I got some more stitching done while I was waiting. So here is a new update picture.

Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood

Dusty, I am hoping Bridgette will want to stitch when she gets older. I'm trying to help that happen by letting her help me stitch sometimes. I put the needle in and she pulls it through. She has a blast doing it. I have some pictures of her helping me stitch her birth announcement, Crescent Dreams by Miribilia in 2009. She also helped me with Blackwork Winter by Tam's Creations so I put her initials as well as my own within the sampler as stitchers. Here are some of the pics, you can see the rest here.

Thank you everyone for the comments and your opinions on replying to comments, I really appreciate it.

Stitching At Last and a Question

2011-02-08T11:32:00.001-06:00

I did some stitching Sunday night. I worked on Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood. Here are some pictures.

Bridgette holding Quaker Welcome

Quaker Welcome, I added the bits on the right

I would have gotten more stitching done but I had a cute little helper. My niece kept wanting to help me stitch, which is cute but it does not amount to much actual help. LOL

But I did manage to stitch finally! YAY!

Now I have a question. I do read every comment that comes through on my blog but I am never sure how to respond to them. I have responded by posting reply comments in the comment section, but I'm not sure anyone sees them. Would it be better to reply using email as other bloggers do, or posts that reply to comments, or just comment on my own posts in reply? I don't want to annoy people by sending unwanted email thanking them for reading and commenting on my ramblings, but I also don't want people to think I do not read them or appreciate them (because I definitely do both!). So please, let me know what you think is the best way to reply to comments.

Thank You and Still Alive

2011-02-02T20:45:00.000-06:00

Thank you all for your condolences and caring comments on the post back in early December about Pharoah. I really appreciated every one of them. His loss has affected me more than I expected the loss of an animal to do. I've been saddened by it and felt "off" since then. I haven't stitched much at all. I did a few stitches here and there but not enough on any piece to take pictures. That is why there haven't been any new posts to this blog.

I spent 3 weeks of January sick as a dog, which didn't help my mood much. I finally got over the sickness only to land in bed for the last couple of days due to increased pain. We've had wet weather and that always makes me hurt more. Though I did finally catch up with all the blog posts I hadn't read yet. I don't comment very often but I do read them. Now that I am caught up I hope to be able to start commenting more often.

I know I missed my blogoversary (it was in October) but I am hoping to be able to do a giveaway for it within the next week. So keep your eyes peeled for that!

I did do a little bit of stitching today and will be doing some more tonight before bed, so hopefully I will have some progress that I can post a picture of tomorrow.

Again, thank you all for your support and concern. I really do appreciate it!

Giveaway For Valentine's Day!

2011-02-02T19:13:00.000-06:00

Nataly K at Nataly's Needle Creations is holding a fantastic giveaway for Valentine's Day! She has put together a fantastic package of prizes. Go to her blog and join in the fun!

It has been a while

2011-01-13T20:43:00.000-06:00

I realize it has been a month since I posted. It has been a busy month, though I didn't get a lot of stitching done. I started a Little House Needleworks piece but didn't get very far on it. I had to start it over on a new piece of fabric because the white didn't show up.

My pain is in better control. I had radio frequency done on Dec 27th on the left SI joint, which is broken. It has helped a great deal but OHMAN that was horrible! The procedure itself hurt like absolute hell and when the lidocaine wore off I was in agony! I actually screamed from the pain when my husband had to help me sit up. On top of that I've been sick as a dog for the last 2 weeks. So it has been a rough month.

Christmas was good though. On Christmas Eve we went downtown. The city puts up light displays in a park downtown and we went to see them. They were beautiful! Bridgette had a blast looking at the pretty lights. I actually took a picture that doesn't look too bad. Here are a couple pictures of the lights and Christmas Day.


Ron and Bridgette decorating the tree

Brian, Bridgette and Stephanie under the light arch


Me and Ron under the light arch

Bridgette opening presents

Kyle opening presents

I cooked Christmas dinner. We had a ham. We also had company over and had a very good day.

I have so many things I want to write about that I can't figure out which one to write first, so I haven't been writing. Thanks to the lower pain level I have been doing more at home and thanks to being sick my brain feels like it is under water. But I figured I better post something before everyone thinks I disappeared or something. LOL

Sad Painful Day

2010-12-05T23:07:00.000-06:00

Curled up in the baby doll car seat that Bridgette has for her stuffed Minnie Mouse Doll


On lay-z-boy with Stephanie talking on phone

playing on the bed when I went to get clean sheets

The above pictures are of my baby Pharaoh. We have cats. 3 black and white tuxedo cats (Calliou [9yrs], Blackbeard [6yrs] and JJ [5yrs]) whom we call the "black cat mafia" (there used to be 4 of them, but Romeo [JJ's brother] went to live with my daughter Sam in Wisconsin this past August), and one Siamese cat named Pharoah (2 yrs). I think I have the ages correct. We had a second siamese cat (female named Shinya) but she recently went to live with her favorite person (my step-daughter Rachel) in September, leaving us with just the 4 cats.

This morning my brother Brian was woken up by a dog yelping and what he thought was another dog growling etc. He assumed it was two dogs fighting in our side yard. When he looked out the window he saw a large dog (breed was Akita, apparently a breed known for attacking cats) attacking Pharaoh. Before he could do anything, the dog killed my cat by breaking his neck. Brian woke Stephanie (his wife) and told her, she came and woke up Ron and I to tell us.

I immediately went outside, not caring where the dog was (by that time the police had him in a yard across the street and were keeping an eye on him waiting for animal control to come get him). I was hoping that my cat was okay, just stunned or something, maybe unconscious, but not dead. But no matter how intensely I wished it, he was gone. I've been crying off and on all day. Especially after I found what was on my front steps because the story this evidence told is very clear and it hurts to know that when my baby really needed one of us, needed our help, we weren't there..I wasn't there. I didn't save him when he wanted and needed it. That hurts. I know its not my fault, but emotions are not always logical.

Animal control wanted to take him. They wanted to put him in a bag and "dispose" of him. I was appalled at the idea! No way! I would take care of my baby not some stranger. I lovingly wrapped him up in a soft towel and held him for a while, telling him I was sorry that we weren't awake and didn't help him and that I love him. A couple hours later, with my husband's help, we buried him in the back yard next to the garage. It was so hard and I cried a lot. I've been crying off and on all day because every time I do something I expect Pharaoh to be there like he usually is and it hits me real hard when I look for him and he's not there and I remember this morning. I want my cat back.

Pharaoh was one of my favorite cats. He really loved me, cared about me and I really loved him too. We got him when a friend of my daughter's joined the navy. He owned two cats, Pharaoh, and an all black female (American short haired) named Isis. His brother took Isis, so I took Pharaoh. He was only about a year old when we got him. Such a pretty, soft, sweet, and lovable cat. When I was stuck in bed due to pain, he would insist on coming into my room and laying on the bed with me. If I was in too much pain for him to lay right up against me or on my lap, he would stretch out and lay next to me without touching me. Or he would curl up around the top of my head, just above my head, on my pillow. Other times he would lay along my chest, with his head resting on my arm. When I was sitting up reading, he would lay on my crossed legs/ankles (I tend to sit with my legs and ankles crossed, Indian style) and put his head on one of my thighs and just go to sleep. He would sit with me on my computer chair too, either curled up on my lap, behind me, or stretched out beside me. When he wanted to be near me but wasn't in the mood for cuddles or petting, he would lay on Ron's side of the bed and sleep.

He was very playful too. He loved to chase this little red laser light we had, it would make a red circle. We'd turn it on and move it around on the floor in circles and he would turn in circles chasing it. We'd move it along the floor and he'd pounce on it, he'd even try to climb the wall after it! He loved it and we would laugh, it was a lot of fun. I would play with him with a long piece of embroidery floss, or a balled up piece of paper, or just my hand under a blanket or towel.

When I would make a sandwich or a bowl of cereal, he would follow me to the kitchen. There he would hop up on to my bar stool (That I use when I'm preparing a meal so I can sit down while working) and watch me carefully. Then he would meow, asking me for some. I would give a piece or two of my sandwich meat. His favorite was roast beef and he did not like pastrami when it was heated up for a hot pastrami sandwich. When I was eating cereal, he would follow me sit and wait until I was done eating because he knew that I would give him a small amount of the milk at the bottom of the bowl (amounted to a tablespoon, the rest I drank). It was so funny! His eyes would never leave the spoon and he'd move his head following the spoon from the bowl to my mouth. A few times I teased him by moving the spoon in circles, or side to side but he kept his eyes glued to it and just followed every movement. It was so funny!

I'm not the only one he would cuddle with, slept with, played with, or begged food from. He would also cuddle with Stephanie (my sister-in-law) and Brian; sometimes even Kyle and he would let Bridgette pet him. With Stephanie, he would lay with her same as with me, along her chest with his head on her arm or shoulder and his body under the blanket. When she was sitting in the lay-z-boy recliner, he would get into her lap, or lay right beside her and cuddle up, just like in the picture above.

He really was one of our favorite cats and I am really going to miss him very much.

WARNING: FOLLOWING STORY/DESCRIPTION COULD BE VERY UPSETTING TO SOME

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
When I started to go back into the house after speaking with the animal control officers (who took the dog) I noticed odd lines on the concrete of my front steps. I looked closer and what I found tore my heart apart. Apparently the dog dragged the cat off the steps. Pharaoh tried to hold on and left claw marks in the cement on the steps as well as the cement that is on top of the little brick wall that is around a flower bed in front of the house, right next to the steps. (the second step actually meets the edge of the wall as can be seen in the first picture). Also on the steps we found two of my baby's claws which were torn off while he tried so hard to hold onto the cement step. I also found paw prints, drag marks, and claw marks dug deeply into the dirt of the flower bed. All I could think of is that my cat came to the door for help and since no one was awake, we weren't there and the damn dog literally dragged him from the porch, over the step and through the flower bed then into the side yard, cornering him where the chain link fence makes a corner. This left my baby with no choice but to turn and try to fight. A fight that woke Brian, but that Pharaoh lost.

Animal control took the dog. It seems that this dog belong to a neighbor on the next street and is a breed that is known to strongly dislike cats and to kill them. This is not the first cat in the neighborhood that this dog has killed, but animal control can't do anything until the dog hurts or kills more than one cat or attacks/harms a human being. I am so angry that the owner was negligent and allowed an aggressive dog to get loose in a neighborhood full of small children and many cats.

I took the pictures of my stairs to show how the animal behaved in getting my cat, should it be needed as I plan to do my best to get this dog either relocated to a farm area, or put down as he is very aggressive. He was aggressive with the police officers and animal control officers as well.

But mostly..I WANT MY CAT BACK!

top of brick wall around flower bed, to left of second step

beginning of claw marks, set of 4 but 4th isn't very visible

left side longer mark a few inches from first set, am guessing front paws

right side claw marks, inches behind first set of 4, am guessing right front paw

The dog looked almost exactly like this

Update Christmas Dreams and Quaker Welcome

2010-11-27T15:33:00.000-06:00

I managed to complete the main part of stitching on Christmas Dreams, the crescent shaped Santa. All that is left is the backstitch, the words, a few stars, and the beads. Here it is:

Christmas Dreams © Joan Elliott
Stitched by: Missy H.

I wanted to switch to a different piece so I pulled out Quaker Welcome by the Stitcherhood and corrected the error that Sam made when she tried stitching on it to attempt over 2 thread stitching. Here that is:

Quaker Welcome © The Stitcherhood
Stitched by: Missy H.

That's it for stitching this past week, but I did get some done so that's good!

Update on Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott

2010-11-16T21:51:00.000-06:00

Because my camera is in North Carolina, I had to scan my progress. So this picture is a bit yellow. The fabric is white with silver metallic threads through it. Looking at the last WIP pictures I took, I can see that I have made more progress than I thought. In the last couple days I have filled in quite a bit, hopefully I can continue making progress.

Christmas Dreams © Joan Elliott
Stitched by: Missy H.

I am getting closer to a finsh! YAY!

It feels good to have my pain level low enough to actually do some stitching.

Being Awake Again

2010-11-13T17:17:00.000-06:00

Sorry I have not been posting. It has been a very rough few months and I am finally recovering. I will hopefully get the pictures I promised up soon. My camera is currently in North Carolina with my sister in law and brother who are up there visiting family. They should be back next Friday or Saturday.

I haven't been doing much stitching. I just haven't had the energy or the ability to sit up long enough to do any. The more detailed account is on my Chronic Pain Blog.

I am finally feeling better physically and am working on the mental and emotional aspects of spending weeks in severe pain without relief.

I am still around :)

Radio Frequency Procedure

2010-10-13T11:22:00.000-05:00

I put up a post, complete with a flouroscopy picture, on my chronic pain blog about radio frequency. This is a procedure which is done to assist me with my pain levels. I describe how it is done and how it feels for me. If you wish to read it you can view by going to http://ravenpain.blogspot.com/

I hope to have new pics for tomorrow showing an update on Christmas Dreams and the peach/white stocking completed (washed, blocked, threads all tied off and hidden correctly, and the ribbon in place).

Love the Postman

2010-10-09T12:16:00.001-05:00

I love ebay and getting mail and I've gotten a bunch of stuff over the past few weeks. This will be a picture heavy post.

These are some of the back issues of magazines and hard cover books I got

More books I received and my son Kyle. He insisted on being in the picture

Ann, from Beadlework, was selling some silk floss from Caron. So I bought the skeins. They are gorgeous!

These are Soie Crystal. Aren't they beautiful?!?!

These are Caron Waterlilies, the two on the left are cotton, the rest are silk. They are just gorgeous!

Ann included a gift of a very pretty beaded scissor fob. These actually fit my scissors so I put them on. This is my one pair of needlework scissors that my friend Curtis gave me a few years ago on Christmas.

Thank you so much Ann! The silks are gorgeous and the fob is wonderful!

Back in May I had a giveaway for a couple gift certificates to 123 Stitch (ONS). Karen (Karen's Handiwork) was one of the winners. In late September I received a small package, inside were these gorgeous hand made note cards! Karen made them for me as a Thank You for the giveaway! They are beautiful Karen, thank you so much!

And last but not least..a crochet project I finished:

In one of the Leisure Arts The Magazine issues I got was this pattern for little Christmas Stockings in thread crochet. They looked easy enough so I thought I'd give it a try. This is my first one. I think it is adorable! I started a second one that will be red on top and white for the rest. Near the top a thin ribbon will be run through the stitches (I have to get some ribbon).

I have done some work on Christmas Dreams but didn't take a new picture. I filled in the stitches I skipped in Santa's hair and upper beard, so the progress is not easy to see. Hopefully I will do some more stitching on him today and upload a new pic in a couple days.

Giveaways

2010-09-25T16:01:00.002-05:00

Katherine at Windy Ridge Designs is having a giveaway! If you like LHN and petite needles, load her blog and enter! Here

Edgar is having his birthday giveaway. You can join in here.

Deborah at cranberry samplings is also having a giveaway. You can join in here.

Floss, WIPs and RAKs ...Ohmy! Floss, WIPs, and RAKs...ohmy!

2010-09-23T07:19:00.001-05:00

I can't believe I forgot to post this! I am very sorry Robin! A couple weeks ago I received an unexpected gift in the mail. When I opened the package it contained a beautiful LHN chart called Two Red Houses, some floss, fat quarter of very pretty fabric, a little thread cutter with magnifier, and a notepad with a note written by Robin on the top sheet. I was very surprised! Thank you so much Robin, I really appreciate this RAK and I love it all!

I've been stitching a little bit the last couple of days. I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked but I did make some. I chose to work on Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott which I am stitching on Charlescraft Silver Dusted 14 ct Aida fabric. Here are some pictures:

Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott ©
Stitched by Raven's Stitching Nest

closeup of new areas added in the beard

Better picture of whole piece as of September 22, 2010

I have also started collecting Anchor floss. Some of the designs which are in my magazines are ones I would love to stitch, but they are charted for Anchor floss. Since I am not real good at color conversions, and the conversion charts that I have found are not very accurate, I decided to just go ahead and start building my Anchor stash. Off of ebay I managed to purchase 254 skeins for $20.00, which was a very nice price! Now comes the fun of getting it all wound up on bobbins and put into boxes. I've already wound a few skeins and marked a box Anchor Floss, but since it only has 5 bobbins in it I didn't bother taking a picture. I did get some skeins that I was not expecting. There are variegated skeins in the bunch and I was expecting only solid colors so this was a very pleasant surprise. One of the orders was for 201 skeins but I only got 198. The seller was real nice about it and immediately shipped me out the missing floss. I got that small package today and was very surprised to find 6 skeins in it instead of just 3. I thought this was wonderful and I really appreciate the seller sending a few extra when she did not have to.

Well that is all that has been going on with me as far as stitching goes. Now that homeschooling has gotten into a routine I have started stitching when my son is doing written work that does not require my direct input. So while he is working on the assignment, I sit at the table and stitch. This way he gets to have my company (which he really wants) and I get to stitch (which I really want and enjoy)!. I would like to finish another project before the end of September if I can. I'm hoping to get Christmas Dreams finished so I can turn it into a small wall quilt and pack it up ready for gifting.

Full Set Of DMC

2010-08-29T15:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks to ebay I have finally managed to get a full set of DMC embroidery floss. I have at least one skein of each color. My floss is arranged by number, with that bunch of skeins waiting to be put on bobbins. YAY!

I have also managed to give my sister-in-law Stephanie almost a complete set of DMC floss for her stitching. She is about 15 to 20 skeins short. Hopefully I can complete her set in the next couple of months.

I have one more order from ebay coming in and this will be 201 colors of Anchor embroidery floss. I figure that will give me a decent start to that brand of floss and make it possible for me to stitch the designs that I like which are charted for Anchor. I'm not very good at conversions so I figure having some Anchor floss won't hurt.

Because I won an auction I wasn't expecting to win, we ended up with a bunch of duplicates as well, which replaced my backup floss which I have packaged up to send to a friend of mine.

So now I have plenty of floss, lets see if I can actually start stitching again to use the floss. LOL

Blackwork

2010-08-23T09:14:00.000-05:00

I haven't been doing much stitching. My daughter Sam came home for a 2 week visit. She went home again yesterday. I already miss her! It was so nice to have her in the house again. I have to say that there are many difficult times for a parent, but having my child move out has been very hard. I am very proud of her though, she handles things better than I did at 22 years old!

While she was here she started a blackwork piece for her boyfriend's mother's birthday. It didn't get done in time, and she left it here, so I will work on it then send it to her to finish. I wanted to stitch part of it as well because I really like her boyfriend's mother. Sam had a rough time counting the blackwork piece, but this is her first piece. She picked a fairly small design that has no name of it's own. It it contained in the softcover book "Beginner's Guide To Blackwork" by Lesley Wilkins. This is a great book that explains blackwork very well and has gorgeous examples of the technique. The one Sam chose is on pages 18 and 19, a small sampler with a pretty border and floral motifs in the center. Sam had put in the 2 straight line outlines and started the knot-work border down the left side. When I picked it up on Wednesday (early morning, like 3AM) to add to the piece, I found a miscount and had to pull the entire section and start it over. So I didn't make much progress, but I did make a little as I did both sides of the knot-work border (easiest way to work it was to split it in half, come down one side, then go back up the other using Holbein stitch to fill in the extras).

Anyway here is a picture of the whole piece so far:


Small Blackwork Sampler by Lesley Wilkins Stitched by Sam C and Missy H.

Here is a closeup of the knot-work border:

I do love doing blackwork, it looks so wonderful when it is done!

So far this year seems to be my start new stuff without finishing much year. LOL Oh well, I will try to finish stuff soon!

My Prize From Cyndy, Stash Enhancement, and Magazine Review

2010-08-08T07:36:00.002-05:00

This is kind of a long post but I have lots of updates! No new stitching pics though, sorry about that! I have a couple other things going on but I'll put those in another post as this one is already long enough LOL

On July 31st I won a giveaway on Cindy's Blog ( Cindy's Cross Stitching Ornaments and Projects ). I was so excited to be chosen as a winner! I was expecting a few stitching goodies as that was the stated prize for the giveaway but Cyndy's generosity went way beyond just a few stitching goodies. The box arrived yesterday afternoon. It felt like Christmas! I was so excited and when I opened the box I was completely floored! So many wonderful stitching goodies, trims, ribbons, patterns and just WOW!

In the box was a ziploc bag full of ribbons, ric rac in lots of different colors, a packet of Madeira metallic floss (dark blue), a keychain to put stitching in and a tiny little tuck pillow for making an ornament (it is so cute!); ohhhh so very wonderful! One of the ribbons has beautiful little roses on it, the other is a very pretty blue. Now I have lots of stuff to try my hand at finishing stitching into items other than little pillows such as maybe a flat fold or pinkeep. The ribbon and ric-rac will be excellent trims for those items!

Stitching Goodies from Cyndy's giveaway!

As if this wasn't more than enough, Cyndy spoiled me even more! Included with all the wonderful finishing items was a large stack of magazines, charts, and a kit! There is a 2009 calendar full of Margaret Sherry designs. A UK Cross Stitch Crazy magazine, an older Just Cross Stitch (US) magazine, a few Cross Quick magazines including the premier issue, a bunch of Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazines, Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine and a magazine I have not seen before called Stitch and Craft. I am enjoying reading each one (I started with Cross Stitch Crazy UK mag). I love magazines and have quite a collection. They are a great resource for patterns. There is a Prarie Schooler Santa chart, and a Stoney Creek booklet of celebration type samplers (weddings, anniversaries and such). The kit is a Needle Treasures kit of an adorable mother and baby giraffe. Here is a pic of all these goodies as well!

Charts and magazines from Cyndy's Giveaway!

Cyndy thank you so much! You have spoiled me with all these wonderful stitching goodies, thank you so much! I was not expecting so many different items and I am truly grateful for your generosity. Thank you very much I love it all and I am sure I will put these items to good use!

Thank you thank you thank you!

I've been working on increasing my magazine stash and helping my sister-in-law build a stash of patterns through magazines as well. I won a few auctions on ebay for lots of magazines (one was 15, one was 30 and one was 40+). These lots pretty much doubled my stash of magazines. lol I am slowly going through them all. I love reading stitching magazines, specially the older ones. I find it very interesting to see how patterns have changed over the years, and reading the interviews with older designers that are new to me. I now have magazines from the mid-eighties, as well as 90's and early 2000's. Some I already had so those duplicates I gave to Stephanie (DSIL) right away. The others I am currently sorting and reading, then I will let DSIL take her picks. As I have gone through them I've come across a couple that are a third copy. Since Stephanie and I both have a copy of those issues (legal copy, actual magazine not a photocopy) I have decided that when the sorting is done I will post a giveaway for those extra magazines and some additional stitching goodies! So keep an eye out for the giveaway announcement and rules.

Speaking of magazines, I got a subscription to Stitch Magazine from The Embroiderer's Guild in the UK. I ordered it because Jane Greenoff's (The Cross Stitch Guild) The Embroideress sampler is being published in the magazine over 3 issues and I really wanted the chart. Since I also enjoy stitching magazines and have enjoyed my subscriptions to other UK magazines (Cross Stitch Gold, Cross Stitch Collection etc.) I wanted to see what this magazine was like. So rather than just order the 3 individual issues, I got a subscription. I am very impressed with this magazine! It is full of gorgeous pictures of many different types of stitching and needleart. It has great articles and projects for trying different embroidery techniques and articles about different artists. In the current issue (Aug/Sep. 2010) there is an article that includes blackwork (which I love) and getting shading with blackwork. There is an absolutely fantastic full page picture of a blackwork tiger that was designed and stitched by Sarah Homfray. If you scroll down on this page http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/currentissue.html you can see a small image of the sketch Ms. Homfray used to design her blackwork tiger. The completed embroidery is as beautiful as the sketch and the shading is gorgeous. A very impressive piece! I wish the chart was included because the piece is truly outstanding and I would love to stitch it for my DD Sam as she loves tigers! If you are looking for a magazine that includes information and articles on many different forms of needlearts, as well as how to's and charts for various beautiful projects, then you may want to give this magazine a try! Here is a picture of the current issue. On the front is a beautiful biscornu that is canvas work embroidery rather than cross stitch. It is quite beautiful!

Again, thank you very much Cyndy for the wonderful giveaway prizes! I love them all!

An Honest Look At The Size Of Copyright Problem

2010-08-04T12:26:00.002-05:00

For the last 3 days, I have been making a list so I can do some math as an example of the scope of the copyright infringement problem. This is in response to the opinions I have been told (via email etc.) that this is blown out of proportion, exaggerated, or in some manner made-up to hide a loss of interest in the needlework industry as a whole.

I went through the 2009 posts for the site located at http://acspontocruz.blogspot.com to give a clearer picture of just how large copyright infringement has become and to show that it is not being exaggerated as some would like to believe it is.

I made a list (available as a word document upon email request) of every entry from Feb 7, 2009 to Dec 30, 2009, that counted the number of charts, or magazine pages full of charts posted on those dates. I would continue for 2010 but this has already taken me enough time (3 days) and I think it makes my point quite nicely the way it is.

On the pages where entire pages of magazines, leaflets etc were posted I counted the pages rather than the individual motifs found on each page when those pages had more than 4 motifs to the page. Otherwise I counted individual charts. I noted the copyright holders if I recognized them, or the copyright statement was part of the scan (as it is on many of the scans posted)

Here are some facts about that site:

This site has 213 followers as of 10:14AM (Central US Time) Aug. 4, 2010.

The site counter shows over 900,000 hits.

It links to 36 other blogs on its front page, left-side column. Of those 36 links: 20 have copyrighted cross stitch charts posted for free download within the first two pages of their blog. 2 have knitting and crocheting patterns, including full copies of magazines (copyrighted) available for download (not counted in those 20) and 1 needs to be logged into before it can be read (also not counted in those 20).

So 20 out of 36, that is over 50% of her links are also stealing copyrighted charts. So right there you have 21 blogs (counting the original) and 21 separate people providing cross stitch charts for illegal download. The 50 people that MyMark Designs used as a figure isn’t looking so “made-up” now.

The site owner links to a second blog (on the right side of blog, not in list of 36 links) that she runs which also lists copyrighted charts for download. So this one person has 2 blogs providing stolen copyrighted charts.

Of the 5 commenter’s whose blogs I loaded, 4 also provide copyrighted charts for free download. Most comments are “Anonymous”. So that brings us up to 25 separate people providing charts, all associated with this first site in one way or another.

Total charts on offer during that time: 2242

Following copyright Holders that I recognized: DMC, Anchor, Rico Designs, Beatrix Potter, Disney, EMS (31 of her animal baby charts are on this blog), Brittercup Designs, Leisure Arts, Cross Stitch Card Shop (UK Magazine), Cross Stitch Crazy (UK Magazine), a Russian Magazine and a Spanish Magazine, Hello Kitty, Garfield (paws, Inc), Vervaco, Lanarte, and others.

Now let’s do some math. For the sake of argument, and to allow for errors I will use the following numbers for my math:

Instead of all 213 followers, I will assume that only half (213 divide by 2 = 106.5) or 106 people downloaded charts.

Also to allow for not every chart appealing to every stitcher, I will use only half of the available charts for the year 2009. 2242 divide by 2 = 1121

I will use an average of $5.00 (USD) per chart because magazines cost about that much, most of the charts I recognized were at least 10.00 (or more) each so we’ll use a slightly smaller number to allow for variations.
106 people downloaded 1121 charts each: total downloaded 118,826 charts downloaded in 1 year

118,826 times $5.00 each equals $594,130 dollars lost to the needlework industry if they were only downloaded by those 106 people and only downloaded once in the entire year.

This is just 1 site, using half of the followers and half of the charts available for the year 2009. My guess is that the actual figures lost (if they could be accurately calculated) would be a lot higher because I doubt that only half the followers downloaded these charts and I doubt only half of them were downloaded. I am quite sure many people who are not listed as followers also downloaded charts without making their presence known via following or commenting. Since those pages are all still visible, and the charts are still available, people are still downloading them even though they were posted a year ago. Due to these unknowns there really is no way of figuring out the exact amount of money lost, but even the conservative estimate I have created is far too much money.

Since 1 person with just one site can cost this much to the needlework industry, it is not exaggerated that 50 people can cause over 800,000 dollars to be lost on a single $7.00 chart.

Remember this one person also links to a second blog she offers additional charts on, plus 20 more people’s blogs that also offer charts. That’s 20 more people off this single site, plus the 5 commenter I loaded making a total of 25 additional blogs and people with stolen charts. If you follow the links on all 25 of those sites, you’ll find even more people providing even more copyrighted charts.

As you can see this is not being exaggerated, made up, or in any other manner lied about in order to cover up a loss of interest in the needlework industry. This is an actual, major problem that costs the needlework industry a lot of money per year.

I wish that I could just turn away and justify it to myself as being exaggerated, made up, or a lie to cover-up a loss of interest in the needlework industry, but I can’t because I have seen it for myself. What I have given here truly is a SMALL sample of the sites that are available out there.

There are sites out there that offer charts and magazines literally within a few hours of them first being published. Those sites have thousands of charts and magazines available for download with thousands of users downloading daily. Some of those sites even require the users to PAY for the privilege of uploading and downloading pirated charts and NONE of that money goes to the needlework industry, it goes to the site owner who provides the space for the pirated charts to be accessed.

Copyright infringement is a major problem and the figures I have provided here, based solely on 1 site, are not exaggerated. In fact, the numbers are conservative and in actuality are probably much higher.

You can continue to believe that the problem is not this large if you wish, but you can no longer believe that the problem does not exist at all. It does.

Now for something to smile about, a WIP update:


Quaker Welcome © The Stitcherhood 28ct Jobelen

This is where I am at on Quaker Welcome and I think it is coming along very well!

Another Loss to Needlework and Stitchers

2010-08-01T18:28:00.001-05:00

Many people believe that designers aren't affected very much by piracy of their charts. This is not true. In my last post I did some math with very basic numbers to show a few different things, one that cross stitch charts are reasonably priced and do not reflect the hours put into producing them, and two to show how much money is actually lost through theft of the charts.

Well a designer, Monique of My Mark designs, posted a blog entry where she did the math surrounding actual piracy of just one of her charts. I feel it is quite an eye opener if people actually read it. Her figures show a loss of over 800,000 dollars in a single year for the needlework industry. This loss takes into consideration 50 people providing a single chart which is normally priced at $7.00 and uses the actual number of downloads from a single person in one year (2,470). It is utterly amazing! I would say that $800,000 dollars is a MASSIVE loss to the needlework industry!

See for yourself how seriously stealing cross stitch charts does affect the needlework industry.Go here and read it: http://mymarkdesigns.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/do-the-math-2/

Sadly another designer is closing her doors as a direct result of internet piracy crippling sales for her business. As of October 31, 2010 Lavender Wings will close and the charts will no longer be available for purchase. Ms. Hinckley makes it very clear on the first page of her website that internet piracy is the reason for closing her company. Her charts are beautiful and due to piracy the needlework industry is losing yet another wonderful designer. You can read her words here: http://www.lavenderwings.com/

Out of curiosity I started following the links that these thieves put in their emails to pirate groups. Each link leads to a blog or posting board that contains even more links. All of these links lead to yet another web site, posting board, email group, or blog that "shares" stolen charts for free. Thousands of people are doing this every day. The money lost has to be somewhere in the millions per year! These same people profess to love needlework yet they happily continue to steal charts and cripple the industry they say they love. To me, that is not love.

I have also noticed that not many people respond to posts about copyright infringement (either on blogs or facebook or emails). I hope that this does not mean that the majority of people do not care, but I suppose it could mean that. Heck, it could mean many different things. But if more people spoke out against copyright infringement, if more people notified designers when they find a site that steals charts, and if more people refused to share copies of charts then we could put a major dent in the number of thefts occurring every day. We can't keep waiting for "someone else" to work against piracy. It only takes a moment to fire off an email about a web site or email group that is sharing charts. That one moment could be the one that keeps a favorite designer from closing their doors and quitting.

This web page answers many of the common misconceptions about copyright of needlework and other craft patterns. http://www.skinnersisters.com/copyright/not_innocent.html

If we continue to turn a blind eye to piracy, and continue to think "someone else" will handle it, then we will continue to lose designers and the hobby we love so much will suffer.

New WIP

2010-07-24T09:45:00.003-05:00

I started a new design as my desire to stitch smaller pieces continues. Here is my start on Quaker Welcome by The Stitcherhood. This is a small Quaker design that I really liked. To give it a little extra impact I chose to stitch it on opalescent jobelen from Enchanting Lair called Meadow. It is a very pretty shade of light blue. Rather than stitch the piece in black I chose a dark navy blue from DMC, number 820. I am really liking the dark blue against the light blue fabric. Like the larger Quaker WIP I have it seems to be crisp, and clean even though it is a dark blue floss on a light blue fabric. I wasn't sure I would still get that crisp appearance on a colored fabric like I got with the white, but it still looks that way to me. The colors in this picture are a bit faded. I took the picture late at night, using the flash because that is when I finished stitching.

Quaker Welcome © The Stitcherhood
DMC floss 820
28ct Opalescent Jobelen "Meadow" By Enchanting Lair

I did do a little more on Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott, but it wasn't enough progress to take another picture. I filled in a little more white on his beard but not much.

I noticed that I now have 75 followers! WOW! Thank you all very much for following my little blog despite the occasional rambling post. I really enjoy reading other stitchers' blogs and am happy that you seem to enjoy reading mine.

Apology and Update to Yesterday's Post

2010-07-18T12:05:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I posted about copyright infringement. Sadly I posted some erroneous information. Since I know not everyone goes back and re-reads an old post, I am posting the corrected information as a new post as well. The additions and new information to this (now) essay are in italics.

Thank you for taking a few moments to read this plea.

An Honest Plea For Help

Edited to add: I made an error, Dragon Dreams has not closed its doors completely! Please re-read for correct information. Mrs. Aikman-Smith, thank you for correcting me and again I am sorry that I posted inaccurate information about your company.

Earlier today I came across a web site. It is a Chinese posting forum that people have to spend money to get fake cyber money that they call "gold coins". The rate is 1 US dollar buys 100 gold coins. You then spend this cyber money to download stolen charts. I recognized many of the designers and made lists of their designs. I then emailed those companies and provided them the list with direct URL's to the files. I also created a fake log in and password so that I could access the "subscribers only" areas to get as complete a list as possible. I provided this log in information to the designers as well, so they could search for more of their charts. The site was just too large for me to find every chart. As it was I spent 4 hours getting that list. I was so sad by this. The Gift Of Stitching magazine and Heaven and Earth Designs recently made public comments about copyright and copyright infringement. I was sad to find that this site must be one of the sites they meant as many issues of the magazine and many HAED designs are illegally posted for download. Little House Needleworks, Country Cottage Needleworks, Lizzie*Kate, Tam's Creations, Barbara Ana, Bothy Threads, Brittercup Designs, Brooks Books Publishing, Casey Buonaugurio, EMS, Golden Kite, Mystic Stitch, TGOSM, UK mags like Cross Stitch Card Shop, Cross Stitch Gold, and so so many more all had their charts stolen. This site requires that individual people scan in the charts and upload them so that others can download the files.

Don't people realize that doing this takes money from their favorite designers? That doing this will eventually cause those designers to stop designing charts? It is written on every chart and magazine that they are copyrighted and can NOT be copied or redistributed in any manner without written consent of the copyright holder, yet people still insist they did not know this. How can they not know it in this day and age? Especially after the massive news stories that arose when Napster (the music file sharing program) was sued and found to be breaking copyright laws? That was all over the news for weeks!

Think about it, if the designers can no longer support themselves and have to stop designing, then the demand for such luxury threads as over-dyed flosses and silks and hand-dyed fabrics will also drop and as a side effect we'll lose those also; we'll lose the different magazines that are currently available. Every aspect of stitching that we currently enjoy will be affected. Stitching will go back to only those designs that the larger companies (such as Leisure Arts) provide us. People who run their own companies have many reasons for doing so and one of those reasons has to include profit. If a company loses money (such as occurs when their product is stolen) then eventually that company will no longer be able to afford to stay open.

Edited to add: Considering the number of hours it takes a designer to create a cross stitch chart, compared to the price those charts are sold for, their profit comes from the total number of charts sold, not from the price of a single chart.

If charts were priced based on an hourly wage, they would be a lot more expensive. For example (using small easy number for this example only):

small design/drawing/idea takes 10 hours..
charting the idea takes additional 10 hours..
model stitching takes 10 hours..
corrections to chart found during model stitching takes 5 hours
that small chart required 35 hours to create.

At minimum wage (USA minimum wage $6.55/hr) that would be worth $229.25 (35 hours X $6.55=$229.25). That's just the man hours required to produce a single small chart. The larger and more detailed the chart, the more hours and materials it takes and even a small chart probably takes more than 35 hours to create.

Now add in cost of printing the chart, materials with which to stitch the model, postage, and hours required to put it all together and the price goes even higher. Many charts are sold through a distributor, who takes a cut from each chart sold thus lowering the revenue that the designer receives from the sale of their charts. Yet charts remain at reasonable prices and selling a single chart of any design does NOT come close to even breaking even for the designer's time spent. Kits, of course, cost more as materials are included in the pack. For ease of understanding I am speaking solely of a chart, not a kit.

So every chart that is stolen and given to someone for free, directly affects the income of that designer's company and even a few such thefts are devastating. The more thefts which occur, the more damaging it is to the business. The less income that business generates until eventually the business can no longer stay open as there is no profit. A business can not operate if their costs are higher than their income same as a person's household budget will not work if they spend more money than they make.

Please, fellow stitchers, if you come across a person or a web site that is violating the copyright of a cross stitch designer (or other copyright holder such as an author), send an e-mail with the URL to that designer. If we don't all band together and fight copyright violations more of our favorite designers will be forced to stop designing or severely reduce the number of charts they put out per year like Dragon Dreams had to do. Some of these designers are running small businesses and thus can't afford to hire an attorney to fight this, but if stitchers band together, pass the word and refuse to tolerate the theft of a designer's hard work we can put quite a dent in such theft! If we don't, if we just sit by and think that it is no big deal, we will eventually find ourselves losing many of our favorite designers and the wonderful variations that are currently found in the stitching world.

So please, do not tolerate such theft when or if you come across it and help preserve the wonderful variations that are currently available in our favorite hobby! If you have copied patterns to pass along to your friends in the past, please stop doing so! It is stealing. It is illegal and it does take a toll, one that every stitcher including yourself will pay for when those companies have to close their doors.

If it makes a difference to hear this directly from a designer then go to Jennifer Aikman-Smith's old blog and read about how copyright infringement affected her business "Dragon Dreams" and how it forced her to ~~stop~~ severely curtail the number of cross stitch charts she designs in a year. She had to turn her focus to other areas (such as her beautiful illustrations) in order to keep her business open. ~~designing cross-stitch charts~~. The entries are all still visible at this link: http://dragondreamsjen.multiply.com/journal

**edited to add: The above link is to Mrs. Aikman-Smith's old blog. I provide that link as it gives her specific story of her battles against copyright infringement in her own words, and clearly states the major impact this had on her business including the percentage of income lost to such theft. To see what Mrs. Aikman-Smith is currently involved in please visit her current web-site at http://www.dragondreams.ca and be aware that she is still producing the occasional cross stitch chart through Patterns Online.

This is not a joke and we can no longer sit back and assume someone else will take care of it, or that it doesn't affect us, or that it can't be that bad.

It does affect us and it is that bad!

We all need to do our best to preserve our favorite hobby!

Edited to add: Mrs. Aikman-Smith, I am very sorry for posting that Dragon Dreams had closed. I went back and re-read your older blog and realized that I had misread it. I am sorry and have corrected the post.

I am *very* glad to hear that you are still designing, even though it is not as many charts as in the past. I love your work and have many of your charts in my stash and on my to do list. Thank you for taking the time to correct me, I greatly appreciate it.

Un-neat Back and More Copyright Infringement

2010-07-17T20:12:00.004-05:00

To show that not all my backs come out neatly here are some pictures of the backside of The Guardian by Teresa Wentzler. This is a large design with many blended threads and lots of color changes in small areas, specially the dragon's scales and wings. I couldn't do the knotwork border as I damaged the fabric right where one of the corners was supposed to go, so I had to leave it off. I cried for hours when I realized I had damaged the fabric and since I was three-quarters done with this at the time, I refused to start over.

Here is the full picture of the front:


The Guardian © Teresa Wentzler Front Side Full View

Full size picture of the back:

The Guardian © Teresa Wentzler
Full Size View Of Back

Closeup of the head front:

The Guardian Teresa Wentzler
Close-up of dragon's head front side view

Closeup of the head back:

The Guardian © Teresa Wentzler
Close up of the head back side view

Closeup of the wings front:

The Guardian © Teresa Wentzler
Close up view of wings, front side

Closeup of the wings Back

The Guardian © Teresa Wentzler
Close up view of wings, back side

Closeup of stitching to show the color blends and changes in the wings:


The Guardian © Teresa Wentzler Close up of wings to show stitching detail

So as you can see, my backs are not always neat. The longer carried threads show where I got tired of trying to hide them by running them under already placed stitches and just focused on getting the stitches done. lol

Earlier today I came across a web site. It is a Chinese posting forum that people have to spend money to get fake cyber money that they call "gold coins". The rate is 1 US dollar buys 100 gold coins. You then spend this cyber money to download stolen charts. I recognized many of the designers and made lists of their designs. I then emailed those companies and provided them the list with direct URL's to the files. I also created a fake log in and password so that I could access the "subscribers only" areas to get as complete a list as possible. I provided this log in information to the designers as well, so they could search for more of their charts. The site was just too large for me to find every chart. As it was I spent 4 hours getting that list. I was so sad by this. The Gift Of Stitching magazine and Heaven and Earth Designs recently made public comments about copyright and copyright infringement. I was sad to find that this site must be one of the sites they meant as many issues of the magazine and many HAED designs are illegally posted for download. Little House Needleworks, Country Cottage Needleworks, Lizzie*Kate, Tam's Creations, Barbara Ana, Bothy Threads, Brittercup Designs, Brooks Books Publishing, Casey Buonaugurio, EMS, Golden Kite, Mystic Stitch, TGOSM, UK mags like Cross Stitch Card Shop, Cross Stitch Gold, and so so many more all had their charts stolen. This site requires that individual people scan in the charts and upload them so that others can download the files.

Don't people realize that doing this takes money from their favorite designers? That doing this will eventually cause those designers to stop designing charts? It is written on every chart and magazine that they are copyrighted and can NOT be copied or redistributed in any manner without written consent of the copyright holder, yet people still insist they did not know this. How can they not know it in this day and age? Especially after the massive news stories that arose when Napster (the music file sharing program) was sued and found to be breaking copyright laws? That was all over the news for weeks!

Please, my friends, if you come across a person or a web site that is violating the copyright laws of a cross stitch designer (or other copyright holder such as an author), send an e-mail with the URL to that designer. If we don't all band together and fight copyright violations more of our favorite designers will be forced to stop designing or severely reduce the number of charts they put out per year like Dragon Dreams had to do. Some of these designers are running small businesses and thus can't afford to hire an attorney to fight this, but if stitchers band together, pass the word and refuse to tolerate the theft of a designer's hard work we can put quite a dent in such theft! If we don't, if we just sit by and think that it is no big deal, we will eventually find ourselves losing many of our favorite designers and the wonderful variations that are currently found in the stitching world.

Think about it, if the designers can no longer support themselves and have to stop designing, then the demand for such luxury threads as over-dyed flosses and silks and hand-dyed fabrics will also drop and as a side effect we'll lose those also; we'll lose the different magazines that are currently available. Every aspect of stitching that we currently enjoy will be affected. Stitching will go back to only those designs that the larger companies (such as Leisure Arts) provide us. People who run their own companies have many reasons for doing so and one of those reasons has to include profit. If a company loses money (such as occurs when their product is stolen) then eventually that company will no longer be able to afford to stay open.

Edited to add: Considering the number of hours it takes a designer to create a cross stitch chart, compared to the price those charts are sold for, their profit comes from the total number of charts sold, not from the price of a single chart.

If charts were priced based on an hourly wage, they would be a lot more expensive. For example (using small easy number for this example only):

small design/drawing/idea takes 10 hours..
charting the idea takes additional 10 hours..
model stitching takes 10 hours..
corrections to chart found during model stitching takes 5 hours
that small chart required 35 hours to create.

At minimum wage (USA minimum wage $6.55/hr) that would be worth $229.25 (35 hours X $6.55=$229.25). That's just the man hours required to produce the chart. The larger and more detailed the chart, the more hours and materials it takes and even a small chart probably takes more than 35 hours to create.

Now add in cost of printing the chart, materials with which to stitch the model, postage, and hours required to put it all together and the price goes even higher. Yet charts remain at reasonable prices and selling a single chart of any design does NOT come close to even breaking even for the designer's time spent.

So every chart that is stolen and given to someone for free, directly affects the income of that designer's company and even a few such thefts are devestating. The more thefts which occur, the more damaging it is to the business.

So please, do not tolerate such theft when or if you come across it and help preserve the wonderful variations that are currently available in our favorite hobby! If you have copied patterns to pass along to your friends in the past, please stop doing so! It is stealing. It is illegal and it does take a toll, one that every stitcher including yourself will pay for when those companies have to close their doors.

If it makes a difference to hear this directly from a designer then go to Jennifer Aikman-Smith's old blog and read about how copyright infringement affected her business "Dragon Dreams" and how it forced her to ~~stop~~ severely curtail the number of cross stitch charts she designs in a year. She had to turn her focus to other areas (such as her beautiful illustrations) in order to keep her business open. ~~designing cross-stitch charts~~. The entries are all still visible at this link: http://dragondreamsjen.multiply.com/journal

**edited to add: The above link is to Mrs. Aikman-Smith's old blog. I provide that link as it gives her specific story of her battles against copyright infringement in her own words, and clearly states the major impact this had on her business including the percentage of income lost to such theft. To see what Mrs. Aikman-Smith is currently involved in please visit her current web-site at http://www.dragondreams.ca

This is not a joke and we can no longer sit back and assume someone else will take care of it, or that it doesn't affect us, or that it can't be that bad. It does affect us and it is that bad!

We all need to do our best to preserve our favorite hobby!

Edited to add: Mrs. Aikman-Smith, I am very sorry for posting that Dragon Dreams had closed. I went back and re-read your older blog and realized that I had misread it. I am sorry and have corrected the post.

I am *very* glad to hear that you are still designing, even though it is not as many charts as in the past. I love your work and have many of your charts in my stash and on my to do list. Thank you for taking the time to correct me, I greatly appreciate it.

New Finish And Wonderful Find!

2010-07-16T07:18:00.000-05:00

I have my third finish for 2010! YAY! I finished Lizzie * Kate's "Peace, Love, and a Cure".

Blogger still won't let me upload pictures so I uploaded to Webshots again. Here is the front of the piece.

I am so very proud of the back of it as it is one of the neatest backs I have done so far. Here is a picture of the back as well.

I really enjoy stitching works by Teresa Wentzler. I was very sad when she announced that she was closing her needlework design company TW Designworks. So I was very happy to find that she started a second blog, solely for her needlework and that she will post updates to her designs (and new designs as well) on this blog. For any of you who would like to read her needlework blog here is the URL: TW's Needlework Blog (http://twneedlework.wordpress.com/) Her original blog will now contain updates for her artwork, which are very beautiful to see. The URL for that blog is here: TW's Artwork Blog.

Biopsy Results

2010-07-13T06:06:00.001-05:00

The biopsy results are a good and bad kind of thing.

Good news first: BENIGN (not cancer yet)

I do not have cancer yet, but it was a tumor called Phyllodes Tumor. This is a rare tumor (counts for less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnosis). It is a connective tissue tumor rather than the more common ductal or lobal tumors. It is very aggressive (it grew 3cm in 9 days..2.4 at ultrasound..5.4 when removed 9 days or so later, it weighed 25grams), does not respond well to chemo or radiation. It counts as a positive breast cancer diagnosis even if the tumor is benign at the time it is found. Unlike other breast cancers it is not classed by stages (example stage 1-4), it is classified as benign, borderline, or malignant (cancer) based on the number of irregularly shaped cells in the tumor and how fast cell division is occurring.

I am glad that I insisted on a full lumpectomy for this biopsy because these tumors ALWAYS give a false negative (remember Dr Idiot said false negatives never happen?!?! IDIOT) on a needle biopsy, in fact they usually come back with a misdiagnosis of fibroadenoma (very benign type growth). Had I followed the surgeon's idea of a needle biopsy, I would have been misdiagnosed. They are also very hard to diagnose by mammogram, ultrasound and MRI due to the fact that they look very similar to fibroadenoma. Though an MRI can give the best view of the tumor and thus be helpful in planning surgical removal. Surgical removal is the usual choice for treatment of these tumors, sometimes requiring full mastectomy.

Next step will be genetic test (Dr. Idiot said if I come up with one of the genes, he will do the mastectomy I asked for) and bilateral mastectomy as this is the best way to prevent a new tumor (which will be cancerous) from growing (the less breast tissue I have, the lower my chances of growing a second tumor (this one cancerous) of this type.

You can find out more here:
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/types/p/phyllodes_sa.htm"

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-what-is-breast-cancer"

Due to the type of tumor I will be seeing a couple different surgeons in the hopes that one of them will do the mastectomy without the genetic test, though I plan on getting blood drawn for the test in case all the surgeons I see demand the test.

Leave it to me to get a rare type of tumor that is difficult to treat and difficult to diagnose.

A Blogging Milestone and Giveaway

2010-07-12T06:44:00.000-05:00

Cindy of "Cindy's Cross Stitching: Ornaments and Projects" has reached 100 followers on her blog! Congratulations Cindy!

To commemorate the occasion she is hosting a giveaway, check it out!

Here is where I am at on Lizzie*Kate's "Peace Love and a Cure". For some reason Blogger is not wanting to let me upload pictures, so I placed them in my Webshots album for WIPs and will try to link them.

and a closer view

Not stitching

2010-07-05T19:06:00.000-05:00

I haven't done anymore stitching on the L*K design. I've been too antsy to do much of anything. I really hate the waiting periods of medical stuff, I am not very good at it.

I will try to stitch some tonight, because I doubt I will be able to stitch for a few days after the lumpectomy tomorrow. I am not sure, but I am guessing that the incision in my breast may make it difficult to raise my arm for stitching (hopefully it won't, but who knows).

Just wanted to let you know I'm still around..just not doing much but waiting.

Giveaway Alert!

2010-07-02T09:54:00.000-05:00

Missie over at Eat, Stitch, Love is holding a Christmas In July giveaway! She is going to give a pair of Ghinger scissors to one lucky winner!

Aren't they beautiful? I love the pattern on the handles! So go on over to Missie's Blog for a chance to win!

Saw The Surgeon

2010-06-29T15:28:00.001-05:00

I think this guy got his medical license from a Cracker Jack box or something.

What a most wonderful visit!! (NOT)

He started out wanting to know why I take the medication I take and I told him. He proceeded to tell me they never should have attempted to fuse my SI joint because "everyone's sacrum moves like that" (over 30 degrees of movement, very unstable)

According to him family history does not count in breast cancer, neither does the changes to my breasts, the calcifications noticed in 2006 should have been biopsied (no one mentioned it). No mastectomy because my reasoning for wanting it isn't good enough, and the above statements.

Lumpectomy only on Tuesday the 6th.

Would consider a mastectomy if a genetic test shows I have the gene (even though the gene and family history don't matter re: chances of developing cancer as he said earlier in the visit), and if lump is cancer then they will do a mastectomy.

According to him needle and core biopsies never have a false negative either.

Not a fun visit. Doctors really hate it when a patient comes in with ideas of their own and he is, apparently, one of those.

End result after crying from pure frustration: July 6th, complete lumpectomy to biopsy whole lump (which I requested and he didn't like but followed along on this point at least). That's pretty much it.

Came home, cried, went to bed. Apparently wanting my best chance at preventing breast cancer is not a good enough reason for mastectomy, the American Cancer Society lies to people, and everything I know is wrong. Lovely visit with a doctor *sigh*

So today I called one of the local oncologist centers and spoke with their nurse (the one who answers patient questions and such). After the way the surgeon so adamantly refuted everything I had been told, or read about breast cancer, I was confused and wanted answers. I wanted to be sure that my information was correct just for my peace of mind. So I called an oncologist office, I figure since they are the cancer treatment doctors they would have accurate up to date information regarding cancer. Yes family history does matter. If you have a first line relative (mother or sister) who had breast cancer, it increases your chances of developing BC. For me, my chance is very high because ALL female relatives had BC diagnosis, before menopause, and all died of BC on both biological mother and father's sides. The gene does count in increasing BC chances but apparently there are several additional genes that are being researched as possible contributors as well as the BRCA I and II. Yes enlargement, thickening of tissues (making it harder to diagnose possible spots on mammogram etc.), and calcifications in a person with family history can be "pre-cancerous changes" and/or precursors to cancer. (all of which I have) The nurse I was speaking with called this surgeon an "idiot" and I laughed. She then told me that despite prophylactic mastectomy being my best chance, I probably won't find a surgeon willing to take the chance on doing it until cancer actually shows up. She also recommended having the genetic test done because it would carry more weight with a surgeon and might tip the scales in favor of mastectomy since the surgeons are refuting an extensive family history are "not enough".

My primary care doctor's office called this morning to set an appointment for me to come in and discuss my thyroid test results, so while there (Next Friday the 9th) I will ask them to order the BRCA genetic blood test.

So at least I know that my information is accurate, even if my surgeon doesn't believe it to be. It is nice to know I'm not nuts LOL

All this stress, and today's lovely rainy weather, is driving my pain levels up pretty dang high. So its been a rough couple of days and it doesn't look like its going to get any better for a little while.

(The above is duplicated on my Chronic Pain/Depression blog)

I did do some stitching in the office, but didn't get very far as I didn't have to wait very long. I was not up for doing much after I got home, but here is where I'm at on the Lizzie Kate design, this pic shows the colors pretty well, though not perfectly:

Peace Love and a Cure © Lizzie Kate
Stitched with DMC on 28ct white Jobelen fabric

New Start

2010-06-27T16:38:00.000-05:00

Rather than pick up one of my wips I started a new piece. I want to work on smaller pieces so I can have the joy of finishing things rather quickly. Right now with all the stress of the lump in my breast, my concentration just isn't there for working on larger pieces. So I started a Lizzie Kate design, "Peace Love And A Cure". I am going to make it into a little pillow and on the back I will stitch "HOPE" and "FIGHT" to remind me to fight it with all I have if it turns out to be a cancerous tumor. If not then I will just stitch HOPE, or find a pretty fabric to back the pillow and donate it. I also wanted to stitch something with brighter, cheerful colors, and this pattern jumped out at me.

Because I do not have any Weeks Dye Works threads, I had to use the DMC colors and since I didn't have all the ones that were charted or didn't like them, I made some changes. Here is the list of changes I made:

WDW Begonia to DMC 309---am using DMC 3831
WDW Moss to DMC 731 --- am using DMC 3833 (wanted the word Love to be pink/red not green)
WDW sweetheart Rose to DMC 316---am using DMC 210 (the 316 caused the "E" in love to get lost so I chose a lighter purple)

Here is a picture of where I've gotten so far, the flash washed the colors out a little but you can at least see where I'm at. This is being stitched on white 28ct jobelen:

Peace Love And A Cure
Designer: Lizzie Kate
DMC Floss 2 over 2 on 28ct white jobelen

2 finishes in 1 week, WOW

2010-06-25T08:15:00.000-05:00

I guess being nervous increases stitching time because I finished Frogging Around this week also (on Tuesday). Here are the pics. The one I took in morning sunlight has a yellowish cast to it, but between the two you can get a decent idea of fabric colors and floss colors.

Not A Cyst

2010-06-23T13:04:00.002-05:00

Diagnosis from Mamo and Ultrasound: Solid Palpable Mass

Next step: Biopsy to determine if it is malignant (cancer) or benign (fibroid type growth or other non-cancerous mass)

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, I appreciate it.

I'm going to go hide for a bit, cuddle with hubby and see if I can get my mind around this, get past the fear and shock and in to the "fight it" mindset.

Scared and needing strength

2010-06-23T09:12:00.000-05:00

I found a lump on my breast this weekend. I saw the doctor on Monday and she confirmed the lump. They are going to do an ultrasound and mammogram today. On an ultrasound a fluid filled thing (such as a cyst) will appear gray, a solid growth (like a tumor) will appear black as the sound waves can not go through them. I am praying for gray on the ultrasound.

Approval code paperwork has already been started for the surgeon in case I need a biopsy, this way I won't have to wait for approval codes.

I am terrified as breast cancer runs very strongly in my family and my chances are very very high (95%) to contract breast cancer in my lifetime.

I would appreciate any thoughts, prayers, well wishes or anything. Due to this I just haven't been stitching as I am too nervous to pay attention. I'm sorry

My Friend Returns To Blog-land & Frogging Around Update

2010-06-21T12:14:00.001-05:00

One of my best friends, Angi, has returned to blogging! She stitches and scrapbooks. She is the one who introduced me to hand dyed fabrics, silk threads, designers such as Passione Ricamo and Mirabilia. She taught me about railroading, thread heaven, and so many other things. She is responsible for taking my stitching beyond aida fabric and teddy bears and I am grateful to her for all of it, but mostly for her friendship.

Please hop on over and say hello to Angi and welcome her back please. Her blog is Scrap Or Stitch. I am really looking forward to reading her updates!

After I finished the Delft card last night (with all that help from Ron, Angi and Dan) I was all excited to keep stitching. So I pulled out Frogging Around and got quite a bit done on it. Hopefully I will finish this tonight or tomorrow! Here are 2 pics, but no matter what I do I can't get a picture that shows the colors properly. The variegated thread for the words is darker than it looks in these pictures, thus the words are easy to ready. The fabric is not such a light green either. Oh well, at least you can get a decent idea of what it looks like LOL

Frogging Around
© Jessica Burr from Six Strand Sweets
From The Gift Of Stitching magazine Issue 6 July 2006
Irish Fields Hand-dyed 28ct Jazlyn by Enchanting Lair
DMC threads

OMG It's Done!

2010-06-20T20:55:00.003-05:00

I did it! I did it! It's DONE! D-O-N-E...done! WOW

Thank you Ron, Angi, and Dan for egging me on and not letting me quit despite my asking multiple times if I could stop stitching. IT IS DONE! IT IS DONE! I did it!! My first finish since Crescent Dreams in Sept. 2009. When I first finished I was shocked and shaking, couldn't believe that I had actually finished it. But now the pure joy of having finished it has over taken me and I feel great! I did it! I can still stitch! I can still stitch well! WOW!!

Michelle, Elaine, Lee and Angi: Thank you for your supportive comments and encouragement, it really means a lot to me! I wasn't going to blog about this because it didn't make much sense and seemed so silly ("afraid to finish a piece? oh please how dumb!" kept going through my head), but I figured if I couldn't be honest in my blog then why bother blogging in the first place and maybe someone may have gone through something similar and had some advice to help me, so I went ahead and blogged about it. I am so glad I did!

I really appreciate the warmth and support you have all shown me since I started talking about the severe depression I suffered with and its many affects on me and my life. THANK YOU!

Without further ado:

Here is the back of it. The corners are a bit messy because they had 4 colors in a small space, but otherwise it doesn't look too bad.

Afraid to Finish

2010-06-20T16:31:00.000-05:00

Here is the delft card that needs to go in the mail no later than Wednesday. All that is left is the border (Lower right corner is completed border) and one more stem on left of bloom. The weird thing is, I find myself afraid to finish. Every time I pick it up, I start stitching and I enjoy the stitching. Then I start feeling afraid, nervous, and scared and have to put it away! I don't get it!

Maybe this is because I am afraid to find that I can't finish anything? It has been what, a year or more, since I actually finished a piece? I'm not sure because the depression ate everything for a good long time. But this fear shows up on every piece I have that is close to being done, like the Frogging Around piece too.When the depression was really bad I just did not want to stitch. I occasionally tried, but never got very far. I'd start a piece, then just not want to stitch anymore so I'd put it away. But now I want to stitch and I enjoy it again, I just don't seem to be able to finish anything. :(

Oh well, I will try to finish this today as it is so close, and maybe finishing something will make the fear go away. I hope so because I'd hate to lose my favorite hobby because of some silly depression side effect.

When the time is right, the right person comes into your life

2010-06-17T18:32:00.001-05:00

I went to the doctor today for my pain management appointment. I was assigned to a new physician's assistant (PA) named Denise. After finding out yesterday when the office called to remind me of my appointment that I would be seeing someone new (this has happened for my last 3 appointments) I was worried. But since I knew it was a woman I was also hopeful that she would be as good as my old PA (also named Denise). In my experiences I have much better luck with female doctors or PA's than I do with male ones. Anyway she is a really nice lady, who actually listens to her patients. She did a physical exam, which I was expecting since this is the first time we've met. She also told me that the reason I am scheduled for an appointment every 3 months instead of every month is because I am listed as not being at risk for addiction, diverting my medications, or anything like that. I already knew this about myself because I am very careful to follow all the rules and only take my medication as prescribed, but it was still nice to know that my doctor's office knows that I am not a risk as well. So it was a great visit just for the new PA, but something happened in the waiting room that made it a truly wonderful and touching visit.

I was stitching in the waiting room like I usually do. Usually the wait can be a couple hours so stitching keeps me occupied and helps keep me from getting annoyed that I have such a long wait time. This lovely older woman came over to me. Her name is Grace. She asked to see what I was stitching. I was working on the Delft Card for a friend in the UK to sell and raise money for cancer research. She said it looked wonderful then asked to see the back. I knew right then that she must be a stitcher because only a stitcher would know that the back of a piece is important. So I showed her the back and I was nervous! With her age I knew that she had most likely learned from her grandmother and mother, add in her accent and I knew she had learned from an older generation in a different country. The older generations, when teaching younger people to stitch, emphasized that they do it correctly, including making sure the back is as neat as possible. Knowing all this I was nervous to show her the back of my work, that it may not be up to her standards but she told me my back was perfect! She started complimenting me on how neat my stitches were, how neat the back was and complimented my grandmother and mother for teaching me. I had to tell her that they did not teach me, that I taught myself. She was surprised but said I obviously learned well.

She then told me how her mom and grandmother taught her to stitch when she was a little girl, back in Panama. She told me she used to stitch a lot and tried to teach her 3 daughters, but none of them were interested. She asked me to put some pieces in the County Fair in October and mentioned how sad she was that there was so little needlework being shown at the fair now a days. I told her about the ribbons I got in the Cochise County Fair back when I lived in Arizona. She said she wasn't surprised because my stitching is so neat.

She went on to tell me that she still had many patterns that belonged to her mother and how she kept them because they were her mother's. She talked about how much they meant to her and had tears in her eyes while talking. Then, she blew my mind! (i'm still very pleasantly surprised!)

She wants to give me those patterns! Can you believe it? Some of her most prized possessions and she wants to give them to me! I still can't believe it.

She said many of the patterns belonged to her mother and grandmother, but since she doesn't stitch anymore and her kids aren't interested, she has held on to it all hoping to find someone who would treasure them to give them to, someone who would use them as well. I almost cried! I will certainly treasure every single chart! I am so touched that she would give me the patterns that obviously mean so much to her, specially since we literally just met! I started to cry a little and couldn't thank her enough. I know how much those patterns mean to her because they were her mother's and her grandmother's. She said that she had watched me stitch for a few minutes before approaching me because she wanted to see if I was really enjoying the stitching or just doing it to get it over with. She said that I appeared to be a true stitcher, one who stitches for the joy of stitching. I told her how much I enjoy stitching, that it is very important to me because I can't work, so stitching gives me something to work for. I kind of see stitching as a job almost, I may not be able to work but I can make beautiful pieces of stitching for people. She understood. So we talked for a little while about stitching, her coming to the U.S., friends, family and lots of stuff. She gave me her phone number and took mine. She said she will call me in a couple of days, after she gets the patterns together. Her husband asked for directions to my house and we talked about being transplanted Yankees living in the south (He is from Maine and I am originally from Mass.) They were great people and I really enjoyed talking with them. I am hoping this is the start of a friendship.

June SBQ

2010-06-17T09:18:00.001-05:00

Lee, Lake Stitcher, has posted the June Stitching Blogger Question and here it is.

Tell us about something that you have stitched or plan to stitch for any father in your life. Maybe it’s for your father, your father-in-law, your children’s father, your grandfather, your godfather, or someone who was or still is an important father-figure in your life. Why did you choose this particular piece of stitching? Tell us the story behind it.

I was adopted at the age of 2 so I will talk about both my adoptive father, who died last summer, and my biological father. I have never stitched for either of them. I have had a few phone calls with my biological father but due to his requests of me (I was 24 or 25 at the time) which were WAY out of line, I never went to meet him and have not talked with him since. My adoptive father and I, well we were not close, mostly because I was not his biological child. As was said at his funeral "He had unconditional love for (his wife, bio daughter, her husband, their 2 sons) ... and was fond of Missy and (one of my bio brothers who was adopted with me, the other who died was not named at all) " So no stitching for either of them.

I have plans to stitch 4 Tinkerbell squares and then make them into a small quilt for my father in law as he really likes Tinkerbell. I don't know when I'll get them done as I have become a very slow stitcher, but I would like to do it soon. I'm not sure if the charts are good or not as I got them off e-bay, so I am hoping they are decent. I love my in-laws so much. They have accepted me in a way that the family I was raised with never has.

I have only stitched two things for people who are fathers, my DH and a close friend of mine from Arizona, Marty. For DH I stitched the wizard I turned into a wall quilt for him. I did it because he loves wizards and he really liked the design. It took about a year, but came out beautifully. It was my first time using Kreniek braid, blending filament, couching and beads, but I loved the effect!

Marty loves hummingbirds and roses. I stitched a wreath of roses with a hummingbird in the middle. This is one of the designs that won a ribbon at the county fair in Arizona. I was surprised to win a ribbon, but considering how detailed the design was I am no longer surprised by it. I was still fairly new to stitching and from what I have learned since, that was a pretty tough design with lots of floss changes in small areas. He says it hangs in his office and whenever he has moved the office to a new room, this is the first thing to move. I am glad that he still likes it.

Often times we identify our love of needlework and our skills with our mothers or grandmothers or other women. It’s understandable because often they were are first teachers or role models. Now let’s think about our stitching life as it relates to our dads. Is there anything about our approach to stitching that we can recognize as traits of our fathers? For instance, does your dad (or any other important man in your life) have an approach to one of his interests that you can observe and think, “Hey….if I substitute the word “needlework” for “fly fishing”, we’d be pretty darn similar!” So tell us about it.

I can't really answer this as I do not know my biological father and my adoptive father and I did not get along very well. But I can say that I have learned many things from my DH in our (just under) 10 years together. I have learned more patience than I had before, how to let things go easier, better control of my temper, and to be more secure with myself along with lots of other things. As for stitching, I would say that I approach my stitching in a similar way to how he approaches reading news articles; read many different articles on the same topic to find out anything you may have missed.

Crap..I have to go..have a doctor appointment in 30 minutes and I'm running late!

See ya!

Wednesday Stitching

2010-06-10T01:09:00.001-05:00

After I did the yard work, cooked dinner and such I was stuck in bed. So I pulled out the Delft Card and worked a bit on it. I got the flower half way backstitched. Hopefully I can do more tomorrow and get a picture put up.

Stephanie has completed the backstitching on the rose part of her design and it looks fantastic! I am so proud of her! She has learned very quickly and does a great job. She seems to really enjoy doing it as well. She should put a new WIP pic up soon (on her blog), or even a finished pic as she is very close to finishing it.

I got an email today from Olga, from Olenka's Stitches, in response to my post asking for assistance in picking a color for the words on Frogging Aound. She included a chart where she made the background green (the lightest shade from the pictures I put up of my hand-dyed fabric) and then added the word "frog" over and over in different color recommendations. She did this so I could see what the words would approximately look like in each color. I was very touched that she would take the time to do this for me, just because I asked for help! Thank you so much Olga, I really appreciate it! 3 of the colors she had chosen are in the variegated thread I decided to use and they show up well. It was really sweet of you to chart those different colors for me Olga, it helped a great deal. I could see how the different shades in the variegated I chose would definitely make the words show up as all three shades were the easiest to read on your created chart. Thank you thank you thank you! I hope to get back to the frog in a couple days. I want to finish the card first so I can get it in the mail to UK in plenty of time to allow for possible delays.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how many people posted comments or sent emails in response to my plea for assistance. Thank you all so much! I really appreciate the help. I've told people that stitchers tend to be wonderfully caring and generous people, and I still think that is the truth!

Thank you all for your wonderful comments, they make me smile every time I get one. I am very touched by how many of you read my posts and respond with an encouraging comment, it is truly one of the best things in my life. Thank you!

The Stash Fairy paid a visit

2010-06-08T19:19:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I got an envelope from 123stitch.com and a small box from Barnes and Nobles. Last Saturday the 5th I received a box from Barnes and Noble. Of course there were charts in them. Lots of dragons and other mythic and amusing subjects. Today I received another envelope from 123stitch.com, it had the one chart that was back ordered in it. Yesterday I received a second box from Barnes and Nobles and it had the stitching cards book in it. I just love getting stitchy stuff in the mail! It makes my whole day!

Zombie Cross Stitch
Published by Metro Books

12 designs created by Kristy Kizzee & Erika Kern

The zombies arrived on Saturday. I got this to stitch the zombies for my daughter as she loves horror movies (same as me) and zombie movies are some of her favorites. She's always cracking zombie jokes, so I figured she would get a major kick out of these designs. They aren't top notch but I think their quirkiness adds to their appeal, it at least makes them more amusing LOL

Cross Stitch Greeting Cards
Published by David and Charles

70 Cards Designed by Joan Elliott

I ordered this at the same time as the zombie kit (both from Barnes and Nobles book store) but for some reason they were delivered separately. This arrived yesterday. There are a lot of cards in there that I just love so I am going to try to stitch a few cards to send out this upcoming Christmas. The only card charts I had until I got this book were the ones that came in my UK stitching magazines. While stitching the card for breast cancer fundraiser I realized I was really enjoying stitching such a small design as there is a lot of instant gratification. Until this point I did not think I would like stitching cards, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I do enjoy it, so I went ahead and ordered this book. The cards inside are beautiful!

These two sets of leaflets arrived yesterday as well. Stoney Creek Mythical Fantasies and Dragons and Wizards.

The picture on the right are The Cross Eyed Cricket's The Cricket Collection's My Brother's Dragon. There are 3 charts from X's and Oh's, small dragon designs. Upper right is Shake It With Pride, Lower left is Wine Dragon and lower right is Share Your Heart.

There was one more dragon chart that was on back order. I saw it on someone's blog and just fell in love with it, so I ordered it.

This was the chart that was on back-order, it arrived today. It is called Chinese Dragon by Pinn. The colors in this are stunning! I saw this design being stitched on Claudette's blog "Bap Attack".So I ordered the chart. I really like it.

I found it very interesting that they put information about the legends of dragons in China. Supposedly the dragon stands as a symbol for the great unity of the Chinese nation. It says some Chinese considered themselves as descendants of a dragon. The dragon was the symbol of the emperor, yet people used to worship the dragon because they believed it would bring the timely winds and rains for their crops. The dragon was seen as a symbol of harmony. Not a great deal of information, but certainly the little bit there was I found to be quite interesting. I like it when chart books come with little bits of information like this one did. The pattern book Ancient Egyptian Cross Stitch by Barbara Hammet had a lot of information about ancient Egypt to go along with the beautiful patterns that were in there.

Well my back is killing me now and I am exhausted so I am going to bed. night!

Card Progress

2010-06-06T00:27:00.000-05:00

Here is my progress on the Delft card I am stitching for Carolyn's cancer fund raiser. The flower is done except for backstitch. All that is left is three more "stems", the border, and the backstitch on the flower. I am hoping to finish this tomorrow. I would keep stitching tonight but my back is real sore due to thunderstorms moving through the area and I am tired, so I had to stop.

I really like the way it looks and I think it will make a beautiful card. The flash on the camera washed the colors out a bit, but it still looks pretty good.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments, I really appreciate every single one! :)

Stitching On A Wednesday

2010-06-03T03:32:00.002-05:00

I have been stitching. On the Cross Stitch Forum I volunteered to make at least 1 stitched greeting card. One of the members has joined Relay For Life and would also like some stitched greeting cards to sell to raise additional funds for cancer research. Since I will have to send the card overseas (to the UK) I have to finish the 1 I said I would make (and hopefully a second one to go with it) by June 21st at the latest, to ensure she will receive it by the date needed. So I put Frogging Around on hold, went through all my UK stitching magazines because they contain the only greeting card charts that I have, and found a chart I liked. It is one of 4 from a series called Delft Cards". They were published in Cross Stitch Collection, March 2010 issue. I love this magazine as it always has at least 3 charts (or more!) that I want to stitch in every issue! I am hoping to get 2 of these cards done on time. Here is a picture of the one I've started already. I would say it is just a tiny bit away from half-way done already, and I've only stitched for 4 hours on it, so it shouldn't take much longer.

Delft Cards
14ct Aida using DMC Floss

My sister-in-law also wished to stitch a card. So she picked a chart from Jean Greenoff's "New Cross Stitcher's Bible" and started stitching. This is only her third stitching piece and I have to say she is doing a fantastic job! Her stitches are nice and even, well shaped, and great tension. Here is a picture of the front of her card so far. This is only about a few hours stitching time so far, she stitches quickly too!

Tudor Rose
by: Jane Greenoff
DMC on 14ct Aida
Stitched by: Stephanie C.

I am very impressed with how neat her back is already! The rose has 3 colors in it and the leaves have 2, but even with those color changes in such a small area, her stitching is still nice and neat! There are no knots, tangles, or hanging threads. Everything is nice and neatly tied off underneath stitches already placed. The back of my 3rd ever piece of cross stitch was never this neat! Stephanie is a great stitcher already! I am so very proud of her and how quickly she learned.

Tudor Rose stitched by Stephanie; back side.

Here is the promised update picture on Frogging Around. I love the way the variegated corals look on the words. As I said earlier, I set it aside to do the card so I haven't gotten anything else done since my last entry, but I did promise a picture. This picture is also the first one that shows the fabric color so well.

Frogging Around by Jessica Willis Burr
28ct Jazlyn Irish Fields by Enchanting Lair
Stitched by: M. Hull with DMC Floss

Again, thank you all for your help on finding a thread that would work for the words. I love the look of this thread even though the flash washed it out a bit in this picture. The words show up real well and the variations of the corals and pinks add a delicate flowery touch to the piece that I really like.

When rearranging my stash I found out that I have 2 of the same Dimensions Gold kit so I decided that it may be time to make a list of what I have so I won't duplicate them and thus waste money. So I made a list of all my charts, kits, and leaflets (not counting hard cover books, digital freebies, or magazines) so that I won't accidentally buy a chart I already have. It was a lot of fun to pull out all my charts. I rediscovered a bunch that I really want to stitch, and some I didn't realize I had because they were given to me as a gift from my mother-in-law a few years ago. I have 249 charts, leaflets, and/or kits. I haven't included my freebies because I haven't printed them all out. According to my computer there are 599 files in my cross stitch folder (not counting my folder for finishes). This, however, counts each folder name as a file and I give every designer their own folder so I always know who designed the freebie. There are 162 folders. I am quite surprised at how many freebies I have! Many of them are small charts. There are also 2 folders for digital magazines (The Gift Of Stitching and Blackwork Digital Magazine). Maybe it is silly of me to create an inventory of my patterns, I don't know. I am not meaning to brag or anything, I'm only babbling about it because of how surprised I was to find out how many I actually have. I wasn't expecting it to be that much! Now I will feel guilty every time I purchase a new chart because of how many I have already and I know I can't possibly stitch them all in my lifetime. But oh man they are so much fun to look through. While doing this I found a few charts and kits that I know I will not stitch. They are all in excellent condition, the kits have not even been opened. I will post a new page on this site listing those items for sale or trade. Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow. Maybe one of the items I list will be something you would like to have.

Well that's it for me on the stitching front. Thank you all for coming by and leaving comments, I really do appreciate every single one. They always make me smile :)

Stitching Blogger Question and Thank You

2010-05-31T10:37:00.000-05:00

Thank you everyone for the input on a color choice for the words on Frogging Around. Between the comments on the blog entry and the answers I got on the forum I made my choice. I went with the variegated pinks/corals and last night I stitched the word "Away" that goes right next to the frog (on his left side). It looks great! The letters stand out very well and the colors make me think of the flowers on lilypads. I will try to get a picture up tonight or tomorrow. Thank you all so much! Your input really helped me find something that would work!

Lee from Lake Stitcher has restarted the SBQ (Stitcher's Blogging Questions) and hopes to post a new question every month. This month's question is as follows: (copied from her blog)

"Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.

There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.

Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.

If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life."

I would love to say I am both because I know there are projects that I have done just because I loved the project itself, and there are some where I enjoyed the process of stitching. However, thinking back I think I have to say I am more of a project stitcher. I do enjoy the process, but I am drawn to pieces based on how they look. I enjoy many different types/styles of designs also, some that do not seem to go together and have prompted comments such as "I love looking at your projects because you have such a wide variety of styles!" and "I love looking at your work because you can't be easily pigeonholed on style". So yeah, I think I am mostly a project stitcher.

Thank you Lee, for starting up the SBQ again!

Help Please

2010-05-28T18:57:00.002-05:00

I tried backstitching Frogging Around's letters with both the darkest teal in the variegated and with black floss, neither looked good. So I started the letters again with 909 (that's the Y), the frog is done in 911.

The original called for a variegated Six Strand Sweets that looks to be a combo of purples and greens (dark). So I layed a bunch of different colors on the fabric but I can't make up my mind which to use. The first pic shows a decent representation of the actual fabric color. I'm leaning towards 702, 704, or 4050. I want something that will look nice, but stand out on the fabric so the letters will be visible.

It is a mix of dark and light shades of green with grays as well

This pic is clickable to make it bigger.
I am leaning towards 702, 704, or 4050 which is in 4th row, third from the left.
Top color: 739 Letter "Y" 909
2nd Row: 676, 744, 4050, 4120
3rd Row: 680, 782, 437
4th row: 955, 702, 704, 369, 208
5th Row: 3837, 552, 3834, 3835

Please guys give me your opinions because I am stumped. I just can't figure it out, though I think part of it is because I stink at color changing (which is why I rarely change charted colors) and because I am annoyed by this project. It shouldn't have taken more than a week and its been a month and I've already frogged the words 5 times. I put the purples on there because the original floss had purple in it and I like purple but I don't think it goes on the green fabric with a green frog.

Heck maybe I should just do the letters in black. ARRGGGHHH..ok putting this aside for a bit and waiting for your opinions. I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

New project: I started an afghan 2 nights ago. I did the gauge swatch and was very disappointed to find that despite stitching really loosely and using a hook 2 sizes larger than the pattern calls for, I still came up half an inch short on the gauge. So I gave up and did the starting chain with more stitches than called for, until it was 45" long, which is how wide the afghan should be. Since it is an afghan getting exact gauge isn't such a big deal like it would be for a sweater or something. Also it is a very simple pattern of double crochet, nothing fancy, so adding extra stitches won't disrupt the pattern.I am going to use a special stitch near the ends to add a raised area, just for a bit of decoration. Since this is simply a matter of doing front post doubles in the same spot as a double crochet would go, it won't upset the pattern or size either and it will add some depth and interest I think. Here's hoping I can actually finish this afghan, if so it will be my first.

And The Winner Is...

2010-05-25T06:45:00.000-05:00

Envelope please.....

The suspense is killing you ....

isn't it??

anticipation...is making me wait...(old Heinz ketchup commercial)

waiting

waiting

ok ok I'll announce it now..(sorry, I just felt like teasing a bit lol)

Ok, I used the random number generator this time since I did the drawing in the middle of the night, so I couldn't have my niece pull the names..

Because there were 19 entries I have decided to give 2 gift certificates away (I hit 50 followers also)..

First up is:

Number ....

2!

Congratulations Brigitte!

" Brigitte said...
Very nice little frog. It looks great on that fabric.
I've just looked at the pictures of your last post with all your stash. I always love to see other stitchers' stash as it always inspires me to go through my own stash again and find new old treasures in it.

May 18, 2010 5:52 AM"

And..the second winner is:

Number...

11!

Congratulations Karen!

" Karen said...

I "follow" a lot of blogs too and am so glad you are following mine! I love to see what everyone is stitching....sometimes is enabling, which can be bad since I already have too much stash.

Can't wait to have a look around blog!
May 18, 2010 10:43 PM"

Congratulations to you both. The gift certificates have been ordered and you should be receiving the information from 123 stitch soon!

Thank you all for entering this giveaway, it was a lot of fun!

Still Frogging Around & Thank you!

2010-05-18T21:07:00.003-05:00

I am still working on Frogging Around and put in some more. I'm not sure if I like the threads the letters are done in or not, but I don't want to pull it out (frog) them again. Here's the latest Pic. I just finished adding the "G" in "Go" and the "F" above it.

I still think this design is cute, just didn't really want to stitch tonight, but did add those two letters then called it good. LOL

I think I know how to make those letters stand out better, backstitch them even though the chart doesn't call for it. That should help, specially if I use the same dark color that is in the variation floss. Will have to give that a try.

WOW I have been pleasantly surprised by the many many comments and how happy people were that I clicked the "Follower" thing on their blogs. If I had realized it helped the authors see who follows their blogs, I would have done it sooner. Oh well, better late than never I guess! Thank you all!

Giveaway, Catching up on Blogs and stitching!

2010-05-17T19:13:00.000-05:00

I have a lot of blogs (166 I think it is now) in my google reader, but I realized that this doesn't let the blog owners know that I read their blogs unless I comment on every single one. Due to chronic pain I can't always comment to every post as I can't sit here long enough, but I do read them. So for the last couple of days I went and became a "follower" on those blogs that use the google follower thing. I absolutely love reading other stitchers' blogs. The pictures they post of their WIPS and finishes are very inspiring, and the little glimpses they give into their lives (such as gardening, family events etc.) help me to get to know them as the people they are. Does this mean I am a nosy person? LOL Reading their blogs also helps me to deal with chronic pain by giving me something interesting to focus on instead of focusing on my pain. Thank you so much for that!

Anyway, I noticed today that I have 30 followers to this blog and I was amazed! Thank you all for reading my little posts, I really appreciate it. To celebrate I will be giving away a $25.00 (US dollar) gift certificate to 123Stitch. If you wish to be included in this giveaway, leave a comment on this post and I will draw a name on May 24th (1 week).

I did some stitching last night. I worked on "Frogging Around" by Jessica Willis Burr (Six Strand Sweets) from The Gift Of Stitching magazine's July 2006 issue. I had done the backstitch with the recommended DMC floss of 3799 but it didn't show up real well on the dark fabric so I switched it to black. The outline of the frog was done in 2 strands to make nice sharp edges, and the interior backstitch was done in 1 strand. I love the way it looks; the frog is just so cute! I pulled the words out because the floss I had chosen didn't show up very well, so I will be doing the words over using a brighter variegated DMC (4040) and the backstitch words will be in black (2 strands) so they show up real well. I am expecting to be done in a couple days and then I will have my first HD of 2010!

Thank you all for your wonderful comments, I really appreciate them!

My Stash

2010-05-14T17:08:00.000-05:00

My favorite posting board (Cross Stitch Forum) started a topic asking people to post pictures of their stash. So I grabbed my camera and took pictures. I knew I had a decent sized stash, except for fabrics, but I didn't realize just how much I had mostly because it is spread out in two different rooms. Anyway, here are the pictures with descriptions beneath them.

This is the top shelf of a small bookshelf (3 shelves only) that sits in my bedroom, on my side of the bed. This shelf contains US Stitching Mags, lots of charts and some kits. The charts that come as leaflets, or in plastic baggies (such as HAED) are on this shelf.

These are my bobbin boxes that contain all the floss that I have on bobbins. Most are DMC floss, but there are a few silks on bobbins, metallics and such on bobbins as well. The red and black box holds my backup DMC in ziploc baggies, sorted by the hundreds (100, 200s, etc.) This all sits atop the small bookshelf in my room.

This pile sits atop the 3 drawer plastic chest next to the bookshelf in my bedroom. It contains a floss bobbin box from a finished project, waiting to put bobbins away. A travel case with all the floss needed for both of my Teresa Wentzler WIPS. Magazines I have received lately, and a few printed freebies, waiting to be put away.

This is a 3 drawer plastic cabinet. The top drawer holds extra floss, beads, metallics, needles, silks, and a couple small kits. The second drawer holds thread crochet stuff, hooks, ribbons and things like that. The bottom drawer holds fabric, wips, and kits. Behind this cabinet are two plastic tubes of Aida fabric. One is mine, one is my SIL's.

This is my stitching travel bag. It currently holds 4 projects because I took them to Indiana with me. There are two magazines I bought in it as well. Bobbin boxes containing the floss for those projects. The projects are: anniversary sampler, frog from TGOSM, Christmas Dreams and the Quaker.

Top shelf of large bookshelf in Den. This contains my hard and soft cover pattern books, leaflets and two binders. One binder has charts from done projects, as well as small charts (like Miribillia charts) all in those clear plastic page protectors. The other binder contains charts from an old mailing service I had joined then canceled because I didn't like most of the charts.

Bottom drawer of old dresser in the den. It contains UK Stitching magazines with a few US ones as well.

Middle drawer of dresser in Den. This contains all finished pieces that have not been framed or finished into something. They are protected with acid free tissue paper and white towels.

Top drawer of the dresser in the Den. It contains off-size charts, and UK and US stitching mags.

Well that is my stash. This does not count the items I packed up to send to the UK for a friend whose ex threw her stash out.

I am a bit embarrassed at how large my stash is. But I love it! I get a lot of pleasure out of re-reading the magazines, looking at the charts and re-arranging my threads, so it is very worth it to me!

In Indiana

2010-05-04T20:14:00.000-05:00

We made it to Indiana. It was a rough trip thanks to the weather in TN. We ended up having to spend a night in AL and another in Nashville because as soon as we got half way through Nashville they closed all the major highways and lesser highways and we couldn't get through. So we spent the night. We arrived yesterday. DH's aunt is still hanging in. We went to visit this evening and it was so very sad. It reminded me a great deal of when my oldest brother passed away. He was comatose for over 2 weeks before he passed, with everyone sitting around him in the room. We had been told that she would not make it through the night, but she has. From everything I have heard she is a very strong person. I wish I had been able to get to know her.

Mylene, thank you for your condolences, I appreciate them.

I should be home on Sunday.

Away for a while

2010-04-30T09:36:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to drop a quick note and let everyone know that I will be away for the next week. My DH's aunt passed away and we are going to attend the funeral.

If I can manage to get online while we are in Indiana, I will try to post a quick hello, but I can't promise.

I did do some more of the frog yesterday, but just 2 more rows of the green before I was distracted by preparations for going to Indiana.

YAY New Stitching Pics!

2010-04-26T01:34:00.000-05:00

I sat down and did some stitching on Christmas Dreams on Sunday April 25, 2010. I didn't get much done because my brain kept going back to the very cute (and very small) frog designs I had found on my hard drive. Finally I gave up on Santa and switched to the frogs. But here is the newest WIP picture of Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott.

Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott
Stitched by: M. Hull
Silver Dusted Aida by Charlescraft
DMC Floss

I was looking through my copies of The Gift Of Stitching Magazine 2 weeks ago. In the July 2006 Issue (issue #6) I found these two small charts that just made laugh out loud. I found myself really wanting to stitch both of them and make a pillow out of them to hang near my stitching chair. They are called Frogging Around by Jessica Willis Burr from Six Strand Sweets. The first chart has a green frog on the right side and he is looking up at a small bee buzzing above him. The words to the left of the frog say "Frog, Frog Go Away",
"(Go ruin someone else's day!).

I spent a while trying to find a light green fabric that I thought would go with this chart and not overwhelm the frog. I ordered Irish Fields 28ct Jazlyn from Enchanting Lair, but it is a bit darker than I was expecting. It is still beautiful and I decided to use it. As I said above I just couldn't get into Christmas Dreams earlier, my mind kept wanting to stitch the frog. So I finally gave in and got the fabric and floss and started it. I am using DMC threads not the Six Strand Sweets it was charted for. I am using the DMC variations 4060 for the letters, 910 for the frog and 3799 for the eye, bee, backstitch (as recommended on the chart).

Frogging Around by Jessica Willis Burr
28ct Jazlyn Irish Fields by Enchanting Lair
Stitched by: M. Hull with DMC Floss

The above picture shows the fabric color pretty well, not perfectly as it is a bit darker than this pic shows but it is close. The green on the frog is a bit darker and brighter than this pic shows also.

Frogging Around by Jessica Willis Burr
28ct Jazlyn Irish Fields by Enchanting Lair
Stitched by: M. Hull with DMC Floss

This second picture shows the color of the flosses a bit better. The second chart has the same frog and bee but the wording says "Count Thrice" on first line "Never Frog" on second line. I think the two together will make a cute hanging pillow. They aren't very big. They will be 8inches wide by 3 inches high, so it should be a perfect size for hanging from my lamp near my stitching chair.

Thank you for your wonderful comments. I really appreciate them!

Have a good night!

YAY I stitched today

2010-04-25T19:41:00.000-05:00

I did some more stitching on Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott today. I'm really wanting a finish now and am not really in the mood to stitch either of my two wips. So I decided I'd go ahead and start this small chart that I printed out of my The Gift Of Stitching Magazine. I don't remember what issue, but its a small piece. On the right side is a frog and the words "Frog Frog Go Away, Go Ruin Someone Else's Day" or something like that. It shouldn't take long to do and this is the reason I ordered the green fabric, though it is a tad darker than I was wanting. I was thinking it would be a cute pillow to hang near where I stitch. So I think I'll stitch on white or the blue fabric I got the other day, just so I can do it because that is the piece I've been wanting to stitch since I found it a couple weeks ago when I went through all my issues.

I will try to get a picture up of Christmas Dreams and the Frog one either later tonight or tomorrow!

New Stash! (Picture Heavy Post) & Mean Guy

2010-04-23T20:49:00.000-05:00

Over the past 4 weeks I've been able to order some new stash with some of the tax refund. So here is my new stash!

The Curse Of The Raven by Carriage House Samplings
Tuscan Rose by Sampler Cove

To Trim A Tree: Dragon Dreams
Summer's Magic: Dragon Dreams
Grace Quaker Sampler: Sampler Cove

A Quaker Christmas by ByGone Stitches
A Quaker Halloween Sampler by Cherished Stitches
Quaker Seasons Of Friendship by R&R Productions
Santa's Dragon by Dragon Dreams
Christmas Peace by Just Nan

My Needle and My Floss by Waxing Moon Designs
Stitching Mends The Soul by Waxing Moon Designs
Wings Of Courage by Dragon Dreams

Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issues 2004, 2005 and 2006

Murphy's Laws by Annette Bradshaw and Gwyn Franson
Subversive Cross Stitch by Julie Jackson

M Designs Trees: Family, Hope, Imagine, Dream & Cherish

Enchanted Lair: Firedance, Be A Dragon, Cookie Dragon, Teatime and Lans The Guardian

and last but not least:

Enchanted Lair fabrics: 28 count Jobelen or Jazzlyn
Meadow, Fairy Mist, and Irish Fields

I am so excited! I've been going through my stash and just enjoying looking at the charts, magazines, books, fibers, beads and everything else. I'm finally starting to build up a fabric stash as I didn't have any. I would order fabric when I chose a new piece to start rather than keep some on hand. Well a few years ago I ordered a 3 yard piece of 28 count evenweave to do the Sistene Chapel on but I decided to hold off on stitching such a huge project! So I've been using that large piece of evenweave for other projects and just cutting off pieces the size I need. In the meantime I have been ordering a few hand dyed fabrics here and there to help build up my fabric stash.

I was talking with a friend of mine yesterday and found out that she had broken up with her boyfriend. He turned around and threw out 95% of her stash! I couldn't believe it! She didn't have a huge stash, but she did have a decent sized one that was worth some pretty good money. She had a lot of silks, hand dyed fibers, over dyed fibers, fabrics, charts, magazines etc. And this asshole just threw it all away! She managed to save some of her silks, the design she had been working on at the time, and some of her linens and evenweaves. The rest, is all gone. So I am putting together a box for her that contains lots of DMC floss, needles, aida fabric, a stitch ripper, dmc plastic bobbins and color number stickers and anything else I can think of to help replace some of her stash. We have similar taste in charts (she loves fairies, dragons etc) so I probably have quite a few that she would like. I'm really pissed at her ex-boyfriend and I have never met the guy! What a horrible, spiteful, childish and mean thing to do! While I was talking to her she mentioned that she had been looking at stitching stores online and just couldn't decide where to start to replace her stash. I can understand that. If it were me I would feel so overwhelmed and depressed that the items that I spent years collecting and that I greatly enjoy were all gone because some asshole wanted to be mean. I do hope that the box I am going to send her cheers her up a little and helps her find a starting point from which she can begin to rebuild her stash.

Well that is pretty much it for me. I haven't stitched in a couple weeks because I've been sick off and on. I've done quite a bit today and my back is really hurting so I'm going to go ahead and go to bed.

Thank you all for reading my ramblings and your wonderful comments. They mean a great deal to me and always bring a smile to my face. Thank you for brightening my life.

Good night all!

Blacksheep's Blogoversary Giveaway! & Stitching Finally!

2010-04-10T16:59:00.002-05:00

One of the many blogs I read belongs to Edgar and is called Blacksheep's Bit Of The Web. It is a wonderful blog full of beautiful stitching, pictures of his local area and information about movies. His blog will soon be 3 years old and he is holding a giveaway where there will be three winners. To be entered all you have to do is leave a comment on this post (click the word post to go to the specific post on his blog).

Good luck!

Whatever the illness was that I had last week, it has come back. UGH! I feel so tired and out of it. But I finally did some stitching! I have added the C, D and E on the Quaker and plan on stitching some more after I eat. My pain is not real good today, woke up with my back screaming. It took me 15 minutes to get out of bed, but I decided that I was going to stitch anyway and use it to distract from the pain today. For the little bit of time I stitched, it did distract me from some of the pain, but not as much as I was hoping.

Ok time to go eat dinner which DH cooked (it smells fantastic), then back to stitching. I will try to get a picture and put it up later tonight or tomorrow. As well as pictures of the wonderful stash I got this week in the mail! I am so excited!

***Edited April 10, 2010 at 8:49PM (Central US Time)

I did some more stitching this evening. I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, but I got the top row of alphabet done (A-G). As promised here is a picture:

As soon as my niece lets me go to bed, I will get some more stitching done. My niece likes to have me in the living room and for a while she was helping me stitch. She helped me with the lowercase "f", then she wanted to play with my stuff so I had to put it away. We played "duck duck goose" and "London Bridge" and showed her how to do the Hokey Pokey. She had a blast! Me, Stephanie, Kyle and Bridgette were all laughing and having fun. I stopped when my back started to scream at me, but it was worth the increased pain to just play like that. Hopefully I can go to bed soon and then I can stitch some more. The first page of this piece is so close to being finished! I am anxious to get it done. I am still really enjoying stitching this piece. I love how crisp the floss colors look against the white background. It just looks very crisp, clean, and so very pretty!

Well that's it for me! See you all later :)

By Request (sort of)

2010-04-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

Still no stitching. I can't find a comfortable position to sit and stitch. Today is the first day my back hasn't been screaming all day long, though the pain is still high just not at agony levels.

My daughter (Yoshimara-Muse as she shows up on blogger) commented on my last post that her favorite piece of mine is the teddy bear on the china cabinet that I stitched for my biological mother. So I figured I would pop a pic up, since I still have no new progress.

This was my first ever cross stitch. Aurie (my birth-mother) had chosen it and I agreed to stitch it for her. I finished is a couple months before she passed away but was unable to go visit her due to a high risk pregnancy (my son in 1996) that wouldn't let me travel. I had to restart this piece 2 oir 3 times because I kept messing up the bear and there were just too many stitches to pull it all out. It was easier to just get new fabric and start over. On the third try I did the bear first and when I got it right I did the rest. This pic was taken with a polariod instant camera and then scanned in, so it is a horrible picture. The piece was buried with my mother, layed accross her chest with her hands folded atop it. I am sure she saw it and loved it.

No new stitching

2010-03-31T02:02:00.002-05:00

Due to my increase in pain and having to be in bed I haven't stitched anything. Since I have to shift positions between sitting up and laying down every 15 to 20 minutes, stitching just can't happen. I wish I could figure out how to stitch laying down (on my right side) it would make it a lot easier. Instead I've been reading.

Since everyone seemed to enjoy seeing a picture of the gold dragon I stitched, I thought I'd toss up a couple more pics of older designs I have done, just so you have something pretty to look at since you loaded my page. :)

Love Home Joy

Designer: Ursula Michael

I saw this design in the June 2005 issue of "The Cross Stitcher" magazine. I started stitching it when I saw it again while I was re-reading my magazines and finished it on July 12, 2006. It took me two weeks and it was my first sampler. It captured me somehow and I ended up stitching for hours every day until it was done. I loved the way the greens and blues worked together. The pic isn't great though.

Good Neighbors

Designer: Paula Vaughn

I finished this in 2001 after 18 months or so of stitching. This was difficult to do beacuse I did it on 18ct Aida. I hadn't tried evenweave at that point and my one earlier attempt on linen drove me batty. But I wished I had tried evenweave because there were a lot of 1/2 and 3/4 stitches on this piece and over 2 threads make those stitches so much easier! This is the one piece of my stitching that I have no clue what happened to it. A former friend of my son's had looked at it and said his mother would have loved to receive something like that. I told him I would teach him to stitch then put it back in the storage drawer. Well the next time I went to pull it out, it was gone and I have not found it anywhere. I figure that boy stole it because he did steal other things (video games and toys from my son), which is one of the reasons he is no longer my son's friend. Eventually I will stitch it again, it was a very enjoyable stitch and I figure it will be even better (and easier) on evenweave.

The Castle

Designer Teresa Wentzler

I finished this piece, on aida, in 3 months. I started in Dec of 1998 and finished in Feb or March of 1999. The only reason I finished such a complicated chart so quickly was because I was bedridden so I stitched all day long, every day. I gave this piece away to a friend of mine and she still has it to this day and still loves it. I bought it as a kit, and as usual (in my experiences anyway) for a kit I ran out of thread. Luckily it contained and was charted for DMC so I just pulled the appropriate colors from my small stash (was small then, not anymore!) and finished it.

Hopefully I will have some new stitching to show tomorrow. I will be in bed again, but I am able to sit up longer before having to lay down, so hopefully I can stitch on something!

Finally I stitched tonight!

2010-03-25T21:48:00.001-05:00

I took a few days off from stitching and focused on trying to get myself onto a schedule for household chores now that my depression has been relieved. I haven't felt this good in a very long time (it has been a year which is a long time) and I am enjoying feeling better! I've been focusing on getting back into control of my house and straightening things out, cleaning and all that. So I haven't been stitching this week.

I did stitch tonight and worked on Christmas Dreams. I realized that I seriously miscounted when I posted that it was time to switch back to the Quaker. I posted that I pulled out Christmas Dreams on the 7th, but the date of the post was the 14th and for the life of me I can't remember if I had stitched on it for that week, or if I had just looked at the wrong date on the calendar while writing the post. So to try and settle it I chose not to swith and kept Christmas Dreams out for this week. I didn't stitch until this evening. I worked on the blank area where his hair/sideburns meet his beard and filled most of it in. All that is left is the second blue color that marks the curls which I hope to finish tomorrow. Then I will return to the bottom and continue working on his beard. Sorry but I didn't get a picture.

After a couple hours on Christmas Dreams I pulled out Woodland Fairy by Teresa Wentzler. I haven't stitched on this piece in a very long time. I had started it for someone I considered to be a very close friend and whom I loved a great deal. Suffice it to say that my love and trust were badly misplaced. When I realized that, I lost the desire to work on this piece and that was 4 years ago (it was already a ufo). It has been languishing in my stitching drawers as a UFO. I decided to stitch it for myself instead! As today is Thursday it is UFO stitching day on the yahoo group Friendly Stitchers ( a great group that I really enjoy!) so I pulled her out and put in a couple threads. The progress isn't noticable from the last picture I took so I didn't bother taking another one. I did enjoy working on her though so maybe I'll do a bit more on her this weekend. Here is my last progress pic of Woodland Fairy, just so there is at least 1 stitching picture on this post LOL

I only have 2 UFO's and they are both Teresa Wentzler designs. The Woodland Fairy and Stroke Of Midnight (Cinderella). I love her designs, but they are complicated and take a lot of attention to keep from making major mistakes. The end results are fabulous and worth all the aggravation of stitching them (at least I think so). Here is a picture of The Guardian, a gold dragon of hers that I did. The border (an intricate Celtic Knotwork pattern) didn't get stitched because I damaged the fabric, but the dragon itself is just gorgeous!

Clickable to enlarge for detail

I then pulled out the Quaker for a short while and added the letter "B b" to the alphabet at the top of the page and graphed the change in year from 2006 to 2010. I didn't take a picture of this either, sorry.

On Sunday I will be rotating back to the Quaker and before I do I will take pictures of Christmas Dreams and Woodland Fairy to show my progress.

Thank you for the comments, I really do apprecaite them. They mean a lot to me and I read every single one.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

2010-03-20T22:32:00.001-05:00

It is time to rotate back to the Quaker piece. Here is a picture of Christmas Dreams as of March 20, 2010. I didn't get as far as I wanted to but I did get quite a bit done. I focused on filling in the areas above Santa's face, and his beard (which forms the crescent moon shape). I miscounted on the blue (which outlines the waves/curls in the hair) on the right side. I will pull those stitches out before putting this away for the next two weeks.

I can't believe it has already been 2 weeks since I started the rotation. But my blog says I switched to Christmas Dreams on the 7th, so it has been 2 weeks and tomorrow is time to rotate back to the Quaker piece.

On Friday I got some stitchy mail! I ordered a few Quaker charts and here they are:

A Quaker Halloween Sampler by: Cherished Stitches
A Quaker Christmas by: ByGone Stitches
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by: Heartstring Samplery

I love these three charts and can't wait to get them done. I think they'll make a beautiful set hanging on my wall together!

Thank you for the wonderful comments, they mean a lot to me and I appreciate every one!

Well that's it for stitchy news for me. Enjoy your stitching!

WIPS on Parade

2010-03-17T18:25:00.000-05:00

Here is where I left off on the Quaker when I switched projects for the next two weeks. I am really loving how this is looking!

Here is a closeup of the stitching on this piece. It is being done 2 strands over 2 threads on 28ct Jobelen.

On Sunday March 7 I pulled out Christmas Dreams to work on it for the next two weeks. I have made more progress than I thought I would. Then two days stuck in bed resting my knee gave me lots of time to stitch! I also did some stitching while I was at my doctor's office today. This is still in my hoop because I plan on doing some more stitching tonight.

This is really taking shape now! It is going to be gorgeous! When I am done with the blue version, I hope to stitch the red version on the gold dusted aida but I have to get the chart flipped so that when I make the wall quilt, both Santa's will be facing each other. I think its going to look great!

I ordered a few new charts, quaker designs. I can't wait to get them. I wasn't sure I would like stitching a Quaker design but I really love it! The mini-finishes helps keep my interest up, and the way each medallion/motif looks crisp and clean just looks great!

Well that is it for me for today.

Happy Stitches!

Time To Rotate The Stitches!

2010-03-14T10:02:00.000-05:00

A while back I tried doing rotation stitching. This is when you set a time table to switch projects. I tried a 2 day rotation. I think I lasted all of 2 weeks with it. I also got seriously depressed so instead of just altering the rotation timing, I stopped stitching for the most part.

I used to stitch only one project at a time because I worried that I would never finish anything if I had more than one on the go. Finally I started having 2 wips: an easier one for stitching when I was in a lot of pain or otherwise unable to concentrate solely on a complicated design (Teresa Wentzler) and a larger project for those times when I could focus better or had more time. I continued to finish projects and realized that I liked having more than one on the go because it allows me to choose which one to do within whatever my current circumstances are. Also having more than one on the go allowed me to take breaks from the larger projects without having to give up stitching completely. Being able to do that helped me to keep my interest up on my projects, which of course resulted in faster finishes on larger designs than I was getting stitching one at a time.

Some switch projects after so many hours spent on a project, some go by months, some by days etc. Whatever works best for the individual stitcher.

I was reading a friend's blog (Peggy) and she uses a weekly rotation. She stitches on one project for a week, then switches to a different one for the next week. Of course there is leeway should something come up like a wedding sampler or the need to stitch a birthday card. But this sounds like a better chocie for me than the other rotation schedules I have read about. I do real well stitching on a piece for a week or 2, then I tend to need a break and either stitch a different project or not stitch at all. So I figured I would give a weekly (and consider making it a 2 week ) rotation a shot. If it doesn't feel right to me I'll just go back to what I have been doing, stitching whichever of my wips strikes my fancy on that day. lol

When I stitched last night (well really early this morning, 3-6AM couldn't sleep) instead of working on the Quaker, I pulled out Christmas Dreams. I, once again, really enjoyed stitching on it and made some decent progress. Due to the time I didn't take any pictures but I will try to put one up later today or tomorrow.

Stitching A Quaker

2010-03-10T19:08:00.000-06:00

I am still working on the Quaker sampler and am close to finishing the first page. There are 4 pages in the design. I had a visit from the nasty old frog while stitching the rabbit and ended up having to pull it out and do it over, but I ended up getting it right. I am still enjoying stitching this piece a great deal!

Here is a pic as of March 6, 2010:

What do you think of the color changes? I don't want to overwhelm the piece by doing a lot of color changes, but so far I really like the additional shades. The roses are done in dark for the stem/leaves, and light for the blooms. The quilt square motif is done with dark in the center and medium for the triangles. The rabbitt and owl (at bottom unfinished) are done in dark with the heart between them done in the medium. I think the few changes give it some depth and interest and as long as I don't switch colors too often it will look real good!

Daughter Stitching and Quaker WIP

2010-03-05T00:01:00.001-06:00

My daughter Sam started a cross stitch of a Care Bear; Cheer Bear specifically. She decided to stitch it for her cousin (My niece) Bridgette. She had all the main stitching completed. All that was left was the little bit of snow at the bottom of the piece and adding Bridgette's name, so I went ahead and finished it for her since she is leaving tomorrow to go to Wisconsin and it is possible she will not be returning. She is moving in with her boyrfiend. She took a stitching project with her but didn't have enough room for Cheer Bear so I offered to finish it for her. I got it done just a little bit ago. She did a marvelous job! The back is very neat, her neatest back yet! Bridgette has seen it as well and she points to the bear and says "bear! Mine!" LOL

Here is a picture of the completed design.

Cheer Bear With Tree Lights

I have done a bit more on my Quaker sampler. I decided to go ahead and put some color changes in it. So I chose 3 shades of reddish pink: 3831: Dark, 3832: Medium, and 3833: Light. So far I think the subtle color changes have added to the beauty of this piece. I continue to enjoy the heck out of stitching this design. I guess my feeling that I would really enjoy stitching samplers was a true one. I remember how much I enjoyed stitching the Love Home Joy sampler a few years ago. I got into it so intensely that I finished it within 2 weeks by stitching every single day, almost all day long. I loved the mini-finishes that occured with each completed motif. I loved the way each motif blended with those around them and how the colors worked so well together. This Quaker doesn't have the obvious color changes that the Love Home Joy sampler had because I am stitching the Quaker with 3 shades of the same color, whereas Love Home Joy was stitching with different shades of blue and green. I am really enjoying every stitch I put into this piece and I want to stitch all day long! Sadly I can't stitch all day long because things such as laundry and cooking have to be done LOL

Anyway here is the latest wip picture of my Quaker Sampler:

I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you for stopping by and leaving comments. I enjoy every comment made and they make my day brighter and happier! Thank you all!

New Start and WIP Update

2010-02-27T20:32:00.001-06:00

Here is what Christmas Dreams looked like when I finished stitching last night (well actually was very early this morning...3 or 4 AM or so lol). I am liking how this is shaping up and I am looking forward to finishing it as a wall quilt.

Since I started reading stitching blogs I have seen many Quaker designs. I've wanted to stitch one for a long time. I also want a break from Christmas Dreams, so today I went hunting for a Quaker freebie that I could print out and stitch to see if I enjoyed stitching the designs as much as I enjoy looking at pictures of other stitcher's Quaker pieces. I downloaded a freebie called Quaker 6 Mains by Mon Ami Pierre dot net. I chose to stitch it monochrome for now (though that may change since I am mentally debating using different colors on certain motifs such as tan for the rabbitt). I am stitching this on 28ct White Jobelen using DMC floss #3831. I like the designs I have seen stitched in red only such as the many designs oin French stitching blogs. I did not want to use a bright red so I chose 3831 as it is red enough but more pink than red. I love the way it looks and I am enjoying stitching this Quaker piece a great deal! I am very glad that I decided to finally give it a shot by using a freebie. I didn't get very far as I am very tired after being awake all night last night and not getting a nap today. I stopped when I realized I was starting to doze over my stitching. Here is a pic of my Quaker WIP. I am looking forward to stitching more of it tomorrow.

So far I am loving this piece and I am real excited about stitching it. I like how it has medalions and different motifs that provide the stitcher with "mini-finishes" while stitching the sampler.

Well that's it for me, I'm going to try to get some sleep now.

Stitchy Mail and WIP

2010-02-26T13:11:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I got a package in the mail from my friend Angi. She is also a stitcher. Months ago she got a look at my wish list and said she had many of the Dragon Dreams charts that were on my list. She said she probably would not stitch them and offered to send them to me. I got the package yesterday. I was so happy! Here is a pic of everything she sent me:

Back Row Left to Right: Dragon Dreams: Child Of Mine, Childhood Memories Sampler, My Treasure, Morning Dragon, Proof, Dragonlets Birth Sampler, Sleeping Dragon Sampler, No Late Knight Snacking, A Stitcher's Blessing and Moonlight Guardian

Middle Row Left to Right: Dragon Dreams: The Time I Spend Stitching, I'll Make My Own Happy Ending, Blackwork Princess, A Dragon's Tea Party (with all floss); Chatelaine's Weeping Willow Keep with all floss and silks plus Kiwi Illusions 32ct Belfast Linen from Country Stitch

Third Row left to right: Country Cottage Needlework's The Flower Shop and Passione Ricamo's Moon Fairy Spirit

This package made my entire day! Now I get the wonderful job of figuring out what to stitch when I finish Christmas Dreams. I love the Dragon Dream's charts. They are cute without being too cartoonish and I love dragons as well. Thank you so much Angi, I really appreciate it!

Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott

Here is the latest WIP pic of Christmas Dreams by Joan Elliott. It is looking pretty good I think!

This is a closeup of the stitching. I still love how much detail my camera can get.

I gave Rachel the framed Raccoon Baby. She loved it! She was really happy with it and seemed to be very touched by the information that I added to the back of the frame and the message I wrote on the paper covering the back of the frame. The message was wishing her a Happy 21st Birthday and telling her I love her. I used clear packing tape to attach a piece of paper to the back of the frame. This paper contained the same birthday message as well as the information on the design. Designer name, threads used, fabric used, design's name, who it is for, who it was stitched by, when it was stitched, and when it was framed. I didn't think to take any pictures of her opening it and I keep mentally kicking myself for that. She said the message and information on the back was very sweet. She loved the carved scrolls on the frame and kept running her fingers over it following the curls and loops. I am very happy that she liked it so much!

Well that's it for my stitching update! Have a good day everyone!