What's For Christmas?

Like many people, Christmas for me is 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"! I really do love all the bustle, the shopping, the cooking and all that goes with Christmas. From writing out cards and putting up all the decorations inside and outside the house, and planning our Family Reunion which follows Christmas generally. This year it will be one week before Christmas, and hopefully that works for everyone in the family so we have a good attendance. Most often it's not a problem, as everyone loves getting together. Also, I have a new Christmas tree this year. The one we had before was getting yellowed due to the heat in our garage in the summer time. It was a white tree originally and I couldn't figure out how to restore it, so I bought a green one this time. If you read below, you will see that My Rog will be celebrating Christ's Birthday with the Lord himself -- he's moved to Heaven, and though I miss him terribly, I know he would not want me to stop having our family reunions. He was so happy about being in my family and enjoying times with them, that I know he would not want me to stop celebrating how much we love each other. No, Christmas is not the same without Roger...needless to say, but it is still special, as it is a time to remember the Lord's birth and the reason for his coming, and that He will come again!! Something I truly celebrate in my heart! Actually, I believe that having to plan this event will help me from being consumed by the fact that Rog is not here with me this year to enjoy opening gifts on Christmas Day and our special Christmas dinner and just his presence every day. My family is great about keeping me busy and staying close so that I am not alone too much. It is not the easiest thing to work through life alone when you have known so much love and care from your husband, but I am having to learn, and I will.

Getting back to the celebrating of Christmas, I will be narrating our Christmas program this year, which will be fun, and singing with the Praise Team. That too will be good for me, as I will have things to do and that will be a blessing to others in the church family. Christmas is a time for blessing other people, and I hope to do some of that again this year.

I'm hoping we get some really good snow this Christmas. There is nothing so peaceful and beautiful in my opinion than new fallen snow. It leaves such a blanket of rest on the land, and in the soul. I love looking at it sparkle in the sunlight, and glisten in the moonlight at night. I love the frosty feeling in the air, and the unending beauty of snow that has not been touched or walked over. Rain and snow have the same affect on me -- they make me feel refreshed and at the same time very peaceful and calm. Both of which are good for me and maybe now more than ever.

• And as for What's Up for Christmas? Lots of good cooking. I want to experiment with some new desserts and if I find anything really exciting I will post it here for you to see....and give you the source for the recipe if it is a web recipe.
  
• I am learning to play some Christmas music, and if I am good enough, I may play at church during the Holidays, which will be good for me. I need to get accustomed to playing for other people. I used to play for Roger, and he loved hearing me practice my piano ...which only someone who loves you can enjoy when you are first starting out. Now I have been playing for awhile, so I am not exactly unable to play music, but the songs are not too terribly complicated. Enough to make them sound fairly good when I do it right though. So I need to find myself a new audience, and develop a comfort zone for playing publicly. Eventually I hope to play at church and make our worship services a little fuller than they are right now . With God's help, right!!?
  
• Cooking has always been something I enjoyed. I have learned to cook a lot of different foods while married to Roger, and I always liked experimenting with new recipes. Lately I haven't done much cooking, as Rog was the one who inspired me to cook. I've also lost a fair amount of weight in the last 6 months, which isn't a bad thing, but I haven't actually been trying to lose either. There is just a wonderful feeling when you walk into a house that smells of baking pies, or those wonderful almond, cinnamon and nutmeg and clove spicy scents. Yummy! So I will try to find some appropriate recipes to work on before our reunion happens. General things on the menu are Tamales, Red Chili, Carne Adovada (Pork marinated in Red Chili with a smidgen of oregano in it and baked in the oven), Posole, Baked Ham, Chili con Queso dip, Cheese Balls, Vegetable trays and dipping sauces, Homemade Bread Rolls, Bizcochitos (anise cookies), Gingerbread cake, Nut Rolls, Pecan Pie, and I have promised my great nephew cheesecake (Rog's recipe which he won lst prize for at work). I am going to look for some new cookie recipes, some fruit pie recipes for mini pies, and some interesting desserts. I may also make some seafood recipes, not sure yet -- depends upon what I find that works. If you have any, please pass them along.
  
• Decorating -- I will start decorating the house tomorrow inside, and do a little work outside before I string up any of the lights outside. I don't have the same landscaping out in the front yard -- for one thing my large area of junipers is gone, and I will have to find other ways to decorate the front yard -- but I will find something that works. I took out the lawn and put in planters and some Southwest plants, and rock, flagstone, and other 6x9 stones for a patio area in the front. I do have lots of bushes out front, but some are not fully developed -- so we'll see how it ends up. Thankfully I do have some good pine trees in my courtyard, and I will be putting lights on all those bushes this year so it will have a nice Christmas-y feel to it. I love the lights at Christmas! Last year I bought some lovely glistening wreaths for the gates, and I found some pretty glittery red bows for the pillars on the porch, and some lighted candy canes that I will put out in the yard somewhere . It will be a new challenge to figure out how to decorate -- but I generally am good about working it out given a little time. Inside the new tree will go up this week and it will be decorated with red ornaments and clear lights. I put up all my victorian houses on the window sills and I want to make it look really nice this year with some new snowy trees and a few more lighted pieces. I have lighted garland that I will use outside and on the mantle with some brass candle holders and poinsettias. So it will look very festive in the house. I also decorate the windows in the living room, dining room and kitchen which are all kind of open in the way my house is arranged. Christmas music is one of my most favorite things, and so I will be selecting my CDs and get them ready to play all month long. If you find a good Christmas music CD out there, please let me know. I have a lot of them, but I love checking out new music.
  
• Shopping -- Though I have always done a fair amount of shopping for the extended family, with my current situation, I wont' be doing the same amount of shopping, but I do enjoy giving gifts, so that is still part of my plan. I enjoy wrapping gifts and writing personal cards to each person -- that too is part of Christmas for me. Telling each person how special they are to you and why, and how you will be praying for them in the future. There are certain things you do at Christmas time that you may not do any other time of the year, and for me that is wringing the personal notes about my love, encouragement and faith in my individual family members. These new ones coming up are just so special to me and have such great promise and destiny in them. So every gift is something I really think about because it needs to match their personality and have special meaning for them. I do not want my gifts sitting in their garage or on the top shelf of their closet because it just didn't fit them or their personality .
  
• Church Program -- This year I am narrating the Church Program, and I am looking forward to doing that, and also singing with the Praise Team for our Christmas program. I love Christmas, and being part of things at church is just something I truly enjoy any time of the year, but Christmas it is really special for me and I love all the wonderful messages that are part of our faith and being part of the whole thing. We generally have a celebration for Jesus Birthday after our Church Program, and it is just so joyful and full of exciting things -- the Children all get gifts, and it is just a very special time for all of us. Celebrating Christ's birthday and the reason he came is very spiritually impacting. The joy and peace He brings is still real today!
• Writing Out Cards -- I love this. Really it is something I enjoy doing, and I really try to make them personal and special for the ones that I am sending to. For family it is easy because I know them so well -- for friends who I know on the web, some I have known for 13 or more years, so it is almost as though they were family. Many of them I have never met face to face, but we are as close as friends get. Computers sure have brought the world together in ways we probably never imagined would happen. I always get my cards early and start in writing just after Thanksgiving, so this weekend I will probably dig them out of my closet and get down to writing my special greetings. It is as special in some ways as giving a gift.
• What do I want for Christmas! Mostly to make it through the holidays without coming apart. Life is so different and sometimes very sad without Rog that I have my moments. I want to get through the holidays without too many hard moments -- to remember happy things, and to celebrate the Lord in special ways that bring peace to my heart and future. This is probably the most important part for me this Christmas. Interestingly I don't have much of a list for Christmas -- which may make it difficult for my family to figure out what they want to get for me. I may not be much help . Seat covers for my car would be good, I need them since my leather seats are looking a little worn and they are beginning to tear in places. Yes, my car is not new and due for changing out, but since Rog got me that car, I have a hard time letting it go. He had been thinking of buying me a car before he went home to be with the Lord -- and we had been discussing getting me a car, but I was not that keen on doing it because I felt like my car could make it a few more years before we needed to do that. So I may not change it out until it gives up the ghost. Christmas lists are not a high priority for me now. I'd love to have a bit more direction in my life if I could ask for anything that would be it. God will have to be the one to give me that gift though -- not sure anyone else has the right prescription for that sort of gift. Perfume is always a good choice for me, I like to smell nice. I love spicy and woody scents, not too much flowery stuff -- it can give me a headache at times. I love what most people would call Oriental, woody, more pungent spicy scents. What I call winter-y or autumn scents. Gift certificates from Christian Book Distributing is also a good idea for me. I love to buy their books, and have a huge wish list on their website. If I could get anything else it might be a laptop. I used to try to talk Rog into buying me one, but he always had problems with wireless connections and the problems with security. That's why I don't have one . A new smaller computer with a lot of memory and storage would be good, and those little tower type computers are looking pretty inviting to me. But I don't think I will be getting one this year. AT least not as a gift . I may at some point get one for myself because I wouldn't mind having one to use in my little office in the back bedroom. Anyway, as I said I don't have much of a list....so we'll see what the Lord sends my way through my family. I may buy myself something from Rog, even though he is in Heaven as a way of celebrating HIM. Something to add to my memories of my beloved. Maybe a piece of jewelry with the numbers 18-12-12 engraved on it to show the number of years, months and days I had with him as his wife. Yes, that sounds like a good way to celebrate Christmas and keep the memory of our love. I so love that man, still, and always....

Well that is probably it for me. I am learning how to live my life in a new way, not easy, but I am trusting for guidance daily and will be working at some point next year. That is new to me too. I stopped working in 1995, and going back is a bit of a new turn for me, but God will provide there too.

Hoping that your Christmas plans are special and include a lot of loving friends and family to share the time with. There is nothing like the love you share with those in your life....make sure you take lots of pictures, and videos if possible to keep. They are invaluable, believe me....
God bless you and Merry Christmas -- Happy Hanukkah -- Celebrate with those you love! Give to those who have little...and be generous! God is watching.... :-) Love and blessings!!!

Cathy

Catching UP with Life and the year.....

Well, it's been a year. For those of you who know me personally, either on the web at all the different needlework areas, or my family, you know that it's been a year! Roger my beloved went to be with Jesus in May, and that has been quite a bolt for me to face. Life is beautiful when you are happy, and challenging when you face it without the same joys you knew when you were happy and life was even. Being a Christian, and knowing Jesus as I do, I am not unhappy that my husband is well and walking and running in heaven, and free of all the challenges he faced as a paraplegic on earth, but I miss him terribly! He is and was such a blessing to my life, that being without him is like taking color out of the world. I will never get accustomed to life without my best half. He was and is and always will be the love of my life! The One I treasured and enjoyed with the kind of happiness that people dream of and seldom have. I had it with my Rog, and being without him and all that he was to me is the biggest challenge of my life. We had the best love, the best marriage, the best life together, and it wasn't because we had perfect circumstances in our lives. One of the things I miss is Rog's singing. He used to sing what we called "silly songs", though some of them were very sweet and sometimes loving and romantic songs he made up for me. Rog became paraplegic 10 months after we were married, and we faced a lot of ups and downs as a result of that challenge in our lives, but we did learn to make life happy in spite of the challenges, and in my opinion a hero in the way he faced them. We grew into a oneness that most people never find. He was and is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and my best coach and always cheered me on in whatever I attempted. He loved me. I guess one of the things you never forget is the way they express their love to you, and Rog would tell me he loved me and his eyes would fill with tears from the depth of his love for me. He loved me....and I knew it! Anyway, you only find this love when God is in the center of your life I think and that was true for both of us. We were committed to God before we were committed to each other. One thing I do know in spite of the challenge of going on without my Rog beside me, is that God is with me, and I will face life courageously no matter what is ahead. God has plans for me obviously or I would not be here, and whatever His desire is for me, is my desire. I thank God for the promise of eternity and the hope of being in heaven someday with my Rog too, and experiencing the joys of reunion with my family that has gone on before me as well, and enjoying all the wonders of Home with God! In the meantime, I am pressing on into God's will for my life and with all the courage He provides, looking at the future with hope, knowing His purposes for me are good! This of course doesn't mean that there aren't challenges yet to face, and bridges to cross -- it doesn't mean I won't have days when I feel lost or that I won't miss Rog so much it seems unbearable...I've already had days like that, but I also know the God in whom I trust, and He has always been there through the tough times in my life and brought me through. He doesn't change, and the Lord will be with me throughout the rest of my journey -- of that I am sure. If you are facing something difficult today, I pray that God's arms will surround you and give you the strength and courage you need to face the day with hope and know that He too has good plans for your future. Be blessed...... Cathy....

Here is a picture of my beloved....my darling!!!
This is when Rog first came home from the Rehab hospital after he had had surgery and a time of learning how to function after the fall he had taken while rock climbing. We were both so glad to be home and to have the time to heal and work through our new life together. God made it possible for us to find great joy, peace and happiness in our lives, and a great love together. I could not have asked for a more perfect husband and friend as I found in my darling Roger.

I hope my Sweetheart is watching me from Heaven and praying that I will continue my race here and do it well. How grateful I am for the life I had with my husband Roger, and for the joys and happiness we shared. The riches we shared went well beyond what money can buy, or replace.

I've Received a Blog Award! How Cool Is That?

Well, thanks to Wawanna, I have received a very nice blog award -- my understanding is I have to list my 5 addictions -- thankfully they are harmless ones ....and list 5 others who I want to present with a "Your Blog Is Fabulous" Award! So here goes ----

As for my 5 addictions -- I will really have to ponder this one as I am not sure if I even have 5 .

1. Needlework -- stitching, and anything stitch related, from books, magazines, fabric, fibers and anything I can learn that is new in relation to needlework. I have really maxed out my space allotments in the house for stashing, so you know I am really a bit over the edge when it comes to my hobby.

2. Books -- I have lots of them, and not near enough space to keep them all. I don't do a lot of fiction reading anymore, but I do have a huge library of Christian books and study related books. I prepare our church's newsletter and write many of the articles so I do a fair amount of Bible study. It's one of my greatest joys, and I will never have enough books..

3. My nieces and nephews -- I don't have children. As a result, I spoil the dickens out of all my nieces and nephews and I have a lot of them! They are as precious to me as if they were my own kids, and I am so blessed to have them in all ages from nearly newborn to 50 years old! I am 56 1/2, and come from a family of 13 myself. So that is the reason I can have a niece who is nearly my age! Amazing! They are the apple of my eye, every single one of them!!!

4. Chili --and Coffee I live in New Mexico, and am Spanish (Castilian), as well as Dutch, Scottish, Jewish and Irish...what a combination! Anyway, living in New Mexico, and being Spanish, I am totally helpless if I don't have my chili. Just something I really enjoy....and put on almost everything . I love mashed potatoes with red chili on top! Yum!!! I do really enjoy coffee very much -- I have a machine that makes cappuccino and lattes, and lattes really is what I bought it for. I love coffee that don't have bitter aftertastes in them, so medium is usually good for me. Light roast if it has a fairly good flavor. I'm not into the potent versions like French Roast, they are just more than I can handle, tastewise, but I do enjoy my coffee.... Maybe I should have added to this perfume...Man do I love perfume!!! I have at last 20 bottle at any given time...and I just enjoy switching off, according to my mood and what I am doing or where I am going. It's loads of fun trying new fragrances.

5. I"m having difficulty coming up with another one...I have no pets, and my DH is not really an addiction, though I love the man dearly and couldn't do without him!! I'd have to put this down...I love to give presents to people! That is really something I couldn't do without in my life. I get more pleasure out of sharing things with others and seeing their joy than I do getting things myself. This is something I learned from my Mother who was probably the most generous person I've ever known. It's something that brings me great joy and at the same time adds joy to others at the same time. I guess this is a sort of an addiction considering how much I spend on gifts in a year's time.


Now for the "YOUR BLOG IS FABULOUS" awards ----

Here are the people I have selected --- (and I need to e-mail them as well!!)
I selected these blogs because they have some of the most interesting needlework pieces photographed on their sites. I love seeing other people's work and skills, and learning from them. You will enjoy visiting their blogs I'm sure....and congrats to you all!!! I will let you know that some of these blogs are in Spanish, but you will love the photos, and they also sometimes have comments in English. Enjoy!!!

El Diario de Mis Labores
Anita's Stitching Addiction
The Musing Badger
MagicXstitch
Las labores de Mercedes en España

I will be notifying each of them that they have been "awarded" for their very special needlework emphasis on their blogs! Congrats ladies!!!

WIP Elimination Album

Thought you might want to take a look at my WIP Elimination Album. I will be updating it as I find all my WIPs and UFOs and get them photographed and loaded to my album, so this will change over the next month or so.

I have linked to the album as a slideshow...have fun looking at my WIPs and UFOs...hopefully I manage to get a lot of them completed this year.

WIP Elimination Album

I'll be posting the finishes here too as I complete them....

Enjoy!!!

Want to PIF? Would love to have you sign up!!

HI all,
I had posted this earlier and I'm reposting it because I didn't get anyone signing up for the PIF (Pass it Forward) that I am working on. I was hoping I'd get someone to join in so I would have those 3 people to mail a nice stitched gift to, but no one signed up. I'd set a date of Dec. 31st as the end date, so I'm still waiting .. Maybe everyone was just too busy with the holidays to read my blog...I'm not really sure . So here it is again...if you are inclined to join, it would be nice. I really would enjoy stitching something for you and having you continue the PIF with 3 other people you would stitch something for. Since we have a full year to get the stitching done, it's not like you have to turn out something immediately...so if you are inclined, I am waiting to get some people signed so I can stitch for them . E-mail me if you like...or comment and let me know you are interested...thanks in advance!!!.

Below is the explanation of how it works

I just reconnected with a new friend from the UK, Hazel, and she has picked my name for her PIF members. I'll explain as I go along here.....some of you may have never heard of this kind of needlework group.

It's my first ever 'PIF" Pay it Forward experience. This is a totally new idea for me as well but I really do like thinking about sharing my needlework with 3 people that I may or may not know. It's a good thing I have a while to get the pieces done, but I am sure it won't be the full 365 days . People might get weary of waiting. I will give 'til the end of November for you to sign up. Anybody can sign up who does needlework and is willing to carry on the "PIF" idea as well. See, if you win, you also get to start your own PIF entry, and pick 3 people to send a stitched gift to. They in turn will do the same, and the game goes on. So please sign up by sending me an e-mail with the subject "PIF Entry". I hope I get a lot of takers .. it will be fun seeing who wins.

*** This is how it works ***

If you would like to receive something handmade by me within the next 365 days, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. I will then ask my DH to draw 3 names out of a hat on Saturday January 30th at 9pm (MST). If you are one of the chosen three then in return, please post the same offer on your blog once I have notified you.

This is a simple and a lovely way of spreading joy in the stitching world. I hope that you will join in and possibly become one of my PIF members!

This PIF is open for everyone!

You must be a cross stitcher of course. :-) So please add your comment/entry. When I have picked the names I will post the names here, and also post you from your blog e-mail. If you do not have your e-mail showing, I will post it here and hope you check back here so you can send me your mailing address. Looking forward to seeing who joins and who wins!

Hugs all around,

Cathy

"A New Face" for my blog!

Hi all,

Well, it's taken me a while to just get caught up with life and we are at the mid point in January! I guess that means I am either moving too slowly, or life has a lot more stuff going on than I really need to have happening! Ha! Ha!

How do you like my new Blog background? I just found this really cool place to download free backgrounds, and it is just so much fun! I am going to be playing with backgrounds I'm sure in the future. There were so many to pick from that I had a hard time deciding which one to use. So you'll get to preview all my changes as they come along .

All kidding aside, I am not the smartest when it comes to computer knowledge, and figuring out how to do things. I have wanted to change my blog for a long time, but hadn't found information and sources for the backgrounds. This time I happened on it quite by accident, but it was a wonderful surprise for me. Now I can have something pretty to look at and not be quite so ordinary . I love color and design, and there were just so many cute and playful and interesting backgrounds that I am sure to be changing them quite a bit in the future, just for the pure fun of it!!

What's new? Well, I have managed to get through our Family Reunion which was held on Dec. 27th, and we had a wonderful time! WE always do!! Which I guess is a good thing. It's a bit of work but well worth it! Now that that is done, and the Christmas decorations all taken down from both inside and outside the house, I am into the cleaning and organizing mode. This is a normal condition for me in January. I try to clean spaces, like the garage!! Closets and drawers, and just get rid of things if I can to make life a little less busy. Not all people struggle with clutter and collecting, but I do, so as much as I'd love to keep it all, it's not practical, and I really do enjoy it when I have cleared spaces and everything looks very orderly and there is actual space to store new things should I get the notion to buy something...and you know I will .

One of my goals for the year is to stitch more seasonal designs. I want to make a lot of pieces for all the holidays and seasons, and I've been thinking that making them up as flat folds, and stand up pieces, or door knockers will be a great way to get a lot of pieces stitched without having a lot of finishing costs. I can do most of the work myself anyway, so that really does save me money in the long run, and I can 'get creative' with the designs and finishing. It's fun! And I love experimenting with ribbons and other elements to decorate the stand ups or flat folds or bags so that they look unique. One of the best places for me to get ideas though is my own LNS (Stitcher's Garden in Albuquerque). The people there do such great things with their finishing that i learn something new every time I go there. AT least I get lots of new ideas for my own fnishing, and it really does inspire me to try something new as well.

This house has lots of windows, and the window sills are about 6" deep, or so, and you can easily put the flat folds there for decorating spaces, and they look nice and have enough room for displaying. So that is the plan for 2009...more holiday and seasonal pieces for my window sills and also for the doors. I love making door knockers, and bags that can be hung on the door with some pretty artificial dried flowers in them. I've only ever made one stand up in the past, but I am eager to learn how to do more of that this year and create some interesting pieces for my kitchen bay window. It's just nice to see some new pieces in the house now and then and I really do enjoy creating them.

What else? I have started logging my charts on my CrossMagic program. I hope to get all my UFOs and WIPs posted and then will post my list here. Or a link to my list if it is too long . I don't have any idea really how many I have, so that gives you some idea of where I'm at with it . Not a good sign!! Anyway, they will eventually be where you can see them and I can keep track of them as well. What I am hoping is that 2009 will be the year for really getting down to some serious stitching so I can clear a lot of the backlog of WIPs and some of those UFOs as well. I'd like to start some new things, and seriously the only way to do that without guilt is to finish osme of the current projects. Starting new projects is always a lot of fun, but after a while, they start bothering your conscience if you just keep stacking up new unfinished projects. WEll, I've done that, and so it's time to get back to stitching more and starting fewer projects. THe end result will definitely be worth it...so that's another goal for 2009.

I've started working on my Marquoir Sampler. I'll get a picture posted before long here, and I am also working on Elizabeth by CHS this week. I'm working on my rotation, but haven't exactly figured out what I want to do. I'll post it here whenever I get it all written down. Hopefully I will have one FOCUS project, which most likely will be Marquior until it is finished. Then I will have one smaller project, which may be some smalls, or my CHS Elizabeth piece that I'm working on. I also have some other projects I really want to get back to....Carnation Sampler is one of them, and the Many Years Sampler which is a redwork sampler. Loving both of these samplers is the reason I want to get back to them fairly soon and they will take Marquoirs place when complete it as my new Focus Project.

Starting a new year is always exciting to me. I love opening a new calendar and planning my year . Yes, I really do that. I sit down and put in what I want to do that year, and try to break it up so that is sort of in reasonable and manageable pieces. This year organization and sewing projects are going to fill January and part of February. Painting will finish off the month of February. March is still pretty cold, so I won't be outside that much, but the trimming of bushes to some degree will happen during March. Otherwise I will just be stitching more and maybe doing a little sewing and decorating inside the house. Thankfully I don't have a long list of projects to do this year, inside the house or outside. Exercise will be on my list as a serious item, and I hope to really make some progress this year and get into a comfortable routine so that I can be consistent with it. That seems to be the problem most years, the work outweighs the exercise goal by miles, and so it ends up squeezed out of the schedule most of the time. Not a good thing, and I am turning that around this year. God willing of course.

Since my goals revolve a lot around my stitching this year, I am going to keep a journal near where I stitch so I can post my work on a daily basis, and the time spent on each project. I"m still trying to figure out the best way to do this so I can keep track of what I do on each project. It will be interesting to see just how much time goes into these works of art . I'm sure it is more than I imagine.

Right now I have in front of me a bunch of gorgeous blues and teal colored Vikki Clayton silks...they are so pretty. I am thinking these would be great for a Quaker sampler, even on a soft tan linen....I'm really liking these brown and teal and pink and brown combinations these days. I may be looking for another new project to start, or maybe a set of smalls using these colors pretty soon. They are just so pretty together, and there are about 15 of them.... in Gloss greens, Hemlock, Chrysocolla, and Faded Denim. JUST YUMMY!!! Nothing like pretty silk threads to stir your imagination!!!

Promise to get some progress pics up soon of my Works in Progress....also, I am working on a WIP Elimination Challenge (part of the WIP/UFO section on the Legacy Embroiderer's Guild Board) -- hopefully I will get a lot of my WIPs and UFOs completed this year. I've posted a lot of my projects on that section in their current state of completion, and hopefully by the end of the year a lot of them will have actual "finish" photos posted as well.

Wishing you the BEST YEAR EVER!!! God bless!!!

Cathy

Christmas Shopping On Its Way!!!

HI All,
Well, I sometimes have all my Christmas shopping done by the end of October. This year that didn't happen. But I managed to get to the Mall this week, and in one fell swoop, as they say, I got 1/3 of it done. I am really glad that I was there when everybody else was somewhere other than the Mall. It was relatively quiet, and I got to look around, without any of the bustle that happens around this time of year. I have all the women in our family taken care of, and my MIL as well. Now I will start working on the men, and my DH, and then the kiddos in the family. My family is quite large, and though I have no children of my own, I give to a lot of my nieces, nephews, and great, and great-great nieces and nephews, and a few of my sisters as well, so it gets to be pretty crazy this time of year. Believe it or not, I am cutting back ...that's hard to believe probably. But with some dental work that can't be postponed and is costing a small fortune, I have no choice but to hold the reins in a little this Christmas. Everyone will still get something but it won't be as elaborate as other years.

Soemthing interesting as far as this Christmas is that I have really very few things that I am even interested in buying for myself. That's normally not the problem. It is usually tryign to figure out what I want out of the 50 things I can list off the top of my head . This year, I have maybe 4 things on the list, and they are not necessarily things I want to spend on right now. So since my DH has been bothering me to figure out what I want, I decided to just buy some kitchenware that I will use. My Mom gave me a lovely little flan pan years ago, and I was pulling out pie pans to bake some pies for our Thanksgiving Dinner at church tomorrow. In teh process I came across this lovely little 8.5" pan, and thought I'd like to get some more of their pans. I'm kind of due for some new bakeware anyway, so that's what I did. Google is so helpful when it comes to tracking down brands and the best prices. I found this Kaiser brand bakeware on line and went to town. Found a few new and interesting things that I will enjoy using this CHristmas (we have our reunion after Christmas, so I can do some baking with my new toys). I have coming some new scallop edged rectangular cookie cutters, in different sizes, and the new flan pan, a very heavy loaf pan, and a interesting round bottom loaf pan that is kind of decorative. I"m sure I will find new ways to use that as well. Not too many items, but something I will definitely use over and over again. They will pay for themselves in a short time I'm sure. The place I purchased these items from is called Cookware.com

I hope you will take the tiem and visit their site, you'll have a ball!! I'm planning to go back and buy a few more things later on. Since I am in the process of reorganizingmy pantry and all the pots, pans, bakeware, etc., in my kitchen, it will be a good time to take inventory and see what I nee, or want to replace . Now Rog is happy -- he has the Christmas list thing taken care of -- he is not the shopper, so I have to come up with something that I can order on line, or pick up on my own in town. He then wraps them, and tells me I can't use any of it until after Christmas morning . This year I am going to spend more time just enjoying the real meaning of the season -- the Birth of Our Lord Jesus. I want to buy some nice things for family and bless them, but seriously, anymore, I find that it is hard to come up with anything I want becuase God has blessed us so much. I'm thankful....and I think it is always good to remember that giving is the reason for this season as well, not hoarding. HOpe you find a lot of great blessings under your Christmas tree or in your stocking this year, but I also hope you have a generous heart and give some nice things to others who are in need or who you just want to bless. IT's kind of early to say this, but Merry Christmas everyone!! And for those in the USA, Happy Thanksgiving, since that happens next Thursday! Rog is off and we are doing all sorts of things that need to be done, including seeing my oncologist for a follow up exam. But we also will be just spending time enjoying some peace and quiet, and taking time to thank God for the ways he has tkaen care of us all these years! God bless, everyone!!! Until next time...

Cathy

MY PIF and Making Resolutions for 2009

HI all, Well, I have been hoping that someone would sign my PIF post, and give me something fun to work on as far as smalls to give away. So far, nothing has happened, but I keep hoping that someone will be inspired to do that, and will carry on the PIF (Pass it Forward) idea so others can enjoy it as well. I know we're in the midst of preparing for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah) and it might not be the best time to ask for people to sign up for t his, but since you have a whole year to complete your commitment to send something to 3 people, it's not that much to have to do. Anyway, I hope that someone will sign up. You can read the rules in the last post...and I will hold off til the end of the year Dec. 31, 2008 to pick names if I even get 3 .

Okay, the next thing is I am already thinking about Resolutions for 2009.

I always do this every year, or have for so many years I have forgotten when I started doing this. The good thing about making a list of goals is that I manage to get most of them done. It's amazing sometimes, and I really challenge myself most years, so it takes a lot of attention, time and even a little pressure to get me to the last of the list. Often, I miss one or two items, but I figure out of 50 items, that's a good percentage completed . The categories I make resolutions for are varied....from Yard work Projects, to Decorating Projects, Work Projects that I need or want to complete, Building Projects, Spiritual Goals, and Physical Goals, Health Goals are also part of the list, and the other is Relationship Goals which include mostly my Dear Husband, Roger. This year I think I will add to that Budget Goals...so that I can maybe have a little more control over spending. It is so easy to get carried away with buying things that you may not really need, or just stashing where my stitching is concerned. I must say though in the last 3 or 4 months, I have not purchased much of anything. I don't think I've spent $50, which is amazing for me. So maybe I'm not too far off from having my spending habits in order . I can hope, right

The items I really want to concentrate on now that most of the yard work changes are complete is buying appliances for the kitchen and new living room furniture. I also am hoping to acquire a new round dining room table in Oak. I love my chairs, so I am not concerned about buying new ones, but I am not happy with the current table I have...the base is really not very well designed IMO. I can't lift the table on my own, and it has two long pieces as a base to the table. The problem is if you don't move them at the same time, they can shift, and that's not good. So I have decided rather than fuss with it, I will look for a new table. Otherwise the table is very nice, but just not practical when I have to do the furniture moving around here on my own. I'd love to lose weight, and I know I'm not alone on this one. How many of you feel the same way? I can't concentrate on a lot of things at once, it stresses me out. So I have decided since I don't have a lot of outdoor projects I am going to concentrate on doing more exercise and balancing my diet more see if I can't get the weight off that I need to lose. I"m not so much in a hurry to get it all off as I am concerned to see consistent progress. So no stress..just keep on doing what works. That probably will take a high priority next year

My other goals will be to get some decorating done in the house. I am really more interested in doing a lot of stitching to decorate my walls, and get a lot of seasonal things made as well. Framing will be where i spend a lot of my cash next year probably, but that's fine with me. I really want to downsize my stash, and the best way to do that is to get it stitched, and empty a few of those cabinets of fabric, fibers, and charts. I'll enjoy this one especially. This is a definite plus in my list of goals. I don't generally make a lot of plans for my stitching because I am usually so busy with everything else that it is almost pointless. This coming year, I hope that there is enough time to get a lot of stitching into my schedule, and still get a few projects (work type) done.

My garage needs a face lift...I'm more concerned about cleaning it out, organizing what I keep, and making space for my elliptical . Then I can exercise in there, and enjoy it. It will work for me also in the winter, as I can do my exercising when it is not as cold in the daytime, and that will suffice. I really want to get my guest room back, and the only way to do that is to clean the garage . Rog will be thrilled, and actually, I will be too. I don't like clutter, but I tend to make a lot of it .

It's amazing since all the outdoor jobs are done for the most part, I won't have a lot going on, other than maintenance, and maybe planting flowers in Spring, or fertilizing, etc.

Not a lot of big plans, and I suppose that is good. If I do anything it will be taking out the front lawn, or downsizing it substantially and adding more rock or flagstone. It will make a nice area, less cost, and less work for me overall if I make that change, I'm just not sure yet if I will. The reason...rabbits!!! They eat my grass, and are seriously destroying it so I need to do something else in my front yard.

I won't post here my goals for my marriage, but let it suffice to say that I just want more time with my husband who is a dear and precious man. I'm hoping to buy a new sofa that he can transfer into from a wheelchair, as the one we have doesn't really work. It will just be nice to sit together and watch a game or program on TV and relax together comfortably. So that is a high priority for next year, get the new sofa, so we can enjoy it and each other. Most people don't think about

this sort of thing, but when you aren't at the same height, and one of you can't move easily, it affects a lot of how you do things together in life. We don't take walks together like we used to. It doesn't work as the pavement makes my husband's legs get tremors, and then cause rib pain, so it's not something we can enjoy the same as we used to. Also, if I am near him, it generally has to be in bed while he watches tv, but that's not as comfortable for me because of back problems, so it means I don't stay there long . Needless to say, it has changed how we relate in some ways, but I am hoping to get things back into some kind of closer space with a new sofa that Rog can transfer into easily and enjoy with me. I have a new 42" TV, which I really enjoy, and now he can watch his games on my TV and enjoy it comfortably, and maybe even take a nap. I plan to buy one with the long chaise sort of end on it, which will make it very comfortable for him. I might find that he takes over my remote control too . AS it is, I don't get to use the one in our bedroom -- that's HIS! Ha! Ha! But you gals know what I mean about this, right? I think most men have their say when the TV is on.

I'd really love to take some quilting classes next year, and get on with making a few of them for giving and a few for home. Rog has old ones from his Grandmother that are very special, but they are showing some wear, and I would like to have some new ones that are updated in colors as well. Plus I'd love to have a smaller one I can use on the sofa when it is cold....I don't like heat from the furnace that much, it dries me out, but I love getting cozy on a sofa with a nice quilt. Add to that some hot coffee, or chocolate, and it's perfect! So if it works out for me, I want to take a few classes and sew up at least oen, maybe two quilts in 2009.

We are due for new drapes in the house, and I may give a try at making them myself. I made our curtains for the kitchen, which are cafe curtains, and roman shade on the doors that exit to the back yard. I also have two more windows that have roman shades in the living room and I am in the process of making 3 sets of curtains for those windows. They are quite easy to do, once you figure out the process. So I am thinking if I can find fabric at a good price, I am going to try making my own drapes for our bedroom, which are really due. The things are starting to shred on one end, and I wouldn't dare take them to be laundered, they'd probably come out as a fuzz ball! Ha! Ha! So, that too is on the calendar for next year. Something I will enjoy doing, and save a lot of money if I can manage to do it well. If it works out, there are drapes in the dining room to redo and a very long window area in the living room (about 16') that I will also think about. That's huge, but I will save so much money doing it on my own, if I can manage it, I will. The trick is finding a surface where I can measure and cut easily, so investing in a cutting table might be what I look at as well. I've always wanted tohave a good cutting table that I could fold up and slide into a corner, and a maniquine, but that isn't quite as urgent right now as the cutting table will be if I take on the drapery project. Quite honestly I was very pleased with the curtains in the kitchen, it meant a lot of measuring, to get them all even in the bay window, and matching fabric so that it looked right after they were on the rods.

Here is a picture of the Curtains, only part of the bay window area, but you can get an idea of the colors.

I even took down the old rods (which were pull type for pinch pleated drapes) and put up the new cafe rods. I have been so happy with them. I may even select some new fabric to sew a second pair of drapes for the kitchen. I currently have a lovely yellow with a hint of green in it on my walls in the kitchen, so I will see what I fiind that works next year. I'm actually getting a little excited about this. I really do love sewing, and I haven't done that much of it since I married, but I used to sew a lot when I was single. I'm picking up the habit again, and I really do enjoy playing with interior decorating ideas that I can manage on my own.

Since I didn't get to all the painting I wanted to do in the house, I may try to finish off the Master Bath and dressing area this year and I'm thinking of adding a metallic on one of the walls...see how brave I am. My niece used it in her house and it was really pretty! Of course, her area is so much larger than mine, I'm just hoping it will work with a less open space. Ours is a long rectangle, with an L shaped closet area. If it works I will be so glad. I have an older home (about 25 years old) and I'm trying little by little to update the look inside, and get new light fixtures.

That is the other thing on the list, buy new light fixtures for both bathrooms and the entry and get them installed. I may even change out the fixture in the kitchen, we'll see. Nothing wrong with the ones I have altogether, but I would like something a little more modern. I won't throw out these old ones though, they are really in good shape, and you never know when styles change if they will just be right again in a few years . So more stuff to store in the garage . I did say I wanted to clean it out, right? Well, if I make room, it won't be a problem storing them. The bathroom fixtures I will toss... They are dated, for sure, and I'm hoping to get new towel bars, etc., to match when I buy the fixtures so that everything looks planned. There is nothing like going into a bathroom that looks really 'finished'....and I am certainly working on that. The last thing on the list is to re-tile the entry and possibly my laundry room/ Pantry area. I still have the original linoleum in there, and though it is fine, I would love a tile floor whenever we change out our washer and dryer. Rog wants one of the front loading style, which is fine with me. These that we have work fine, but again, they are getting a little worn outside, from use. They certainly have served us well though, I have to say that about my kitchen appliances as well. God be praised! It's nice when they last and you aren't constantly having to hire repairmen to work on them. Hopefully we will have the same result with the new versions whenever we get them.

Well, I am just thinking out loud mostly, but the list isn't very long . It might be time to think about a part time job ....which I have thought about in the past, and never done anything about since I had more than my share of work to do here and not enough time sometimes to do that. But next year, it may be possible to get to that place. I don't want a full time job, but mostly because I will still be responsible for the maintenance of the landscaping which takes me a good while to get through, and whatever repairs, and redos in the house. It does feel good though to have most of the work I want done out of the way.

By the end of 2009, we might have the list really finished, and a job would be a good way to occupy my time . I know, some of you are saying "NO! NO!".....I may change my mind after getting there too, who knows. BUt I wouldn't really mind working a part time job and having a little more stash money or gift buying money. I dn't have children, but I buy gifts for all my nieces and nephews and a few sisters and brother in law, so I manage to spend a fair amount every year for those things. It would be nice to have a bit extra to do that with. Also the framing costs are so high these days that I am going to need some extra money . That might be a good thing to take up, framing my own pieces -- taking a class so I can learn all the right things, and then investing in some woods and tools to do the job with. Hmmm...that does sound like a good thing! If I only have to buy the glass, it might not be a bad thing, and I'm sure I can save a fair amount if I do the work myself. The other nice thing is my husband can carve, and I might get him to do some nice carving on some of the frames so they are one of a kind. Hmmm...might be a good thing for both of us, and get us doing something we enjoy together. Well, so much for my list of things to do next year. Nothing too major, but it will just be nice working through the list and not having so much to do. Believe me, this is a short list . I've had years where I had 58 things on my list!!! Yikes! I finished all but 2 that year too...so you know I don't let moss grow under my feet. Have a blessed day everyone! Hope I didn't bore you totally .

Hope you get to all your goals next year too...might start thinking about what will be on your list...I start early, and usually have it all written out by the end of December....ready to go January 1st!
Cathy

I've been picked to "PIF"

I just reconnected with a new friend from the UK, Hazel, and she has picked my name for her PIF members. I'll explain as I go along here.....some of you may have never heard of this kind of needlework group.

It's my first ever 'PIF" Pay it Forward experience. This is a totally new idea for me as well but I really do like thinking about sharing my needlework with 3 people that I may or may not know. It's a good thing I have a while to get the pieces done, but I am sure it won't be the full 365 days . People might get weary of waiting. I will give 'til the end of November for you to sign up. Anybody can sign up who does needlework and is willing to carry on the "PIF" idea as well. See, if you win, you also get to start your own PIF entry, and pick 3 people to send a stitched gift to. They in turn will do the same, and the game goes on. So please sign up by sending me an e-mail with the subject "PIF Entry". I hope I get a lot of takers .. it will be fun seeing who wins.

*** This is how it works ***

If you would like to receive something handmade by me within the next 365 days, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. I will then ask my DH to draw 3 names out of a hat on Saturday November 29th(MST). If you are one of the chosen three then in return, please post the same offer on your blog.

This is a simple and a lovely way of spreading joy in the stitching world. I hope that you will join in and possibly become one of my PIF members!

This PIF is open for everyone!

So please add your comment/entry entry. When I have picked the names I will post the names here, and also post you from your blog e-mail. If you do not have your e-mail showing, I will post it here and hope you check back here so you can send me your mailing address. Looking forward to seeing who joins and who wins!

Hugs all around,

Cathy

My Most Recent Finished Project - I love the frame!

ROCKHOME
SAMPLER

I have not finished a project in a while -- so this one is kind of special in that it is just nice to finally have something to share, and also have something to put up on my walls. I have so many plans, but life has been so busy this year with all the changes we have made in my yard, and then painting inside and outside the house, dealing with ground squirrels, and rabbits in the yard -- grubs in the lawn.. well, you get the idea. Anyway, it's been hectic to say the least, but a lot of the big jobs are done and I am almost at the end of my list of things to do this year. Once I get the fountain bowl repaired from this Winter's cold that caused it to separate in a few places so that it has a little open spot in the bowl. Well, that should be repaired by early next week and then I can settle down to getting ready for our Family Reunion which happens on October 11th. It's taken a while to get the work done, but I have a brand new barbecue area outside to enjoy, and new wisteria bushes, and new holly bushes in my yard, some old roses removed, and more Virginia creeper added, and lots more crepe myrtle bushes added as well. The house is painted, and a new floor in the kitchen, I've painted outside as well, my porches are done and over the garage door where we have a wooden surround. It's been something else...to way the least getting all this work done, but it's almost complete, and I can enjoy my accomplishments, and also stitch a lot after the Reunion is over. I'm so glad. I've really put in some labor this Summer.

I TOTALLY LOVE THIS FRAME!!

This is my Rockhome Sampler





Have a great day!

Cathy

More Stitching Time on the Horizon -- Yes!!

It's been a busy Summer, but I love getting things done, and seeing my 'dreams' come true as far as the plans i have for my home. WE don't travel hardly at all, so home is our haven. I have been wanting to just finish these plans, and we are very close now. Talk about ecstatic about it! I am definitely doing a happy dance about things coming to an end as far as the work goes. Also, it is os nice to go outside and see the thins that were just a note on paper at one time are actually finished, and we're able to enjoy them.

More Stitching Time is the result though. All this work getting done, and clearing off my list is going ot make more time to stitch for me. I have some sewing I want to do too. I want to make some velveteen tunics to go with some black, brown and green slacks for Winter. Those will be fun projects for me. That's what I call 'recreational sewing'. It's not work. It's fun! It's something I can use in my wardrobe and I'll actually save mone doing the work myself. Sewing is addictive, whether it is a sewing machine, or a needle and silk threads . I love both!

AS for what is on the horizon and what I am stitching. This is what I'm working on at present. This is the Marquior Sampler. The small yellow/green/red versionis what the original looks like. My stitched piece is shown to the left. I have finished the square on the right side and am working on the one just below it. I am only changing out a couple of motifs in this piece because I don't have children, so no baby buggy in this one, and I wasn't too fond of a few other motifs, so they will go out and I wiill find something to replace them with. In the incomplete section you see in the photo above, I have added some grapes, flowers, and a grandfather clock. I want to add my Father's Initials in the block I am working on now with is the lower right corner. I have my Mom's done near the piano with an over one red rose. My Mom's name was Rosalie, so I thought the red rose would be appropriate. I'll get new pics up this coming week.

I am working on a biscournu in autumn colors, and finishing up a needleroll, also in autumn shades that fits into a huswife that I started last year and didn't complete. I'm also working on a set of smalls from Merry Cox, so all those will be posted in their degree of completion in the next week.

These are other pieces I need to finish:


This is a biscournu, or it will be when it is all assembled. I need to make some cording for it, and a tassel or two.


I need to frame this piece by Bent Creek, and I have the frame, just a matter of getting it laced onto a piece of coreboard, and getting it into the frame. This piece is going into my husband's dressing area. I actually have two of these kits, so I will stitch the other one and put it into my laundry room.

And yet another biscournu in process. I will be finishing this one in September or early October I think. Plan to get it assembled and add some pretty multi colored pink and rose tassels on the 4 upper corners (biscournus have 8 corners). I also have to find some prtty fabric for the backing. I'm not using linen for the backing on this particular one. It's the first time I have made a biscournu witih fabric on the back side, so we'll see how it turns out. Hopefully, nice .
Currently I am working on this, and it will take a while to complete it, but I love pink and green together. I'm still undecided about the way the darker pink looks. Not sure it will remain or not, but we'll see. This definitely will be a fun piece, and I'd honestly like to finish this sampler before the end of December. It will require that I focus on it alot, and I am hoping to increase the number of stitching hours I get every week. This btw is called "The Carnation Sampler" by Martina.




This piece to the right is in process also, and wont' take long to finish. I plan to make a pin keep in a heart shape with it. I have never done a pin keep before, so this is a new finishing technique for me to experiment with. I'm looking forward to giving it a try. All this probably during October, because life right now is going to be pretty busy til the end of the month. Did I mention that there is a wedding in between now and our Family Reunion here at my house? Well, that is definitely going to take up some time, so stitching may not be moving all that fast for the rest of this month. Stitching is such a soothing past time for me, it really calms me down, so I like to get at least a little time for stitching every day before bedtime. Thankfully I am not in a rush for these pieces, but I do hope to get these finished in October. More pics will be forthcoming :-).

This is one of my favorites to work on at the moment. First I love red, and I am just totally delighted at hos the tan fabric looks with this color of red. It's a mystery spool so I can't even tell you what color it is, only that I really love it. I'm mixing a little garnet in with this, using Vikki Clayton silks, to make the mystery spool last longer
I'm hoping to get back to this seriously when October Comes along. I won't finish it as the parts won't be all released by the end of the year, but I'd sure like to catch myself up with this piece. It's called the "Many Years Sampler" and is a free design on line by Gudi. She is such a sweet lady to share this with us.

This is another project I am currently working on. I don't have a picture of my own work yet, but will get one posted in October sometime. I love the "Girls" series by Carriage House Samplings. They are going to hang in my laundry room which I recently painted a really 'happy" shade of pale yellow with a hint of lime to it. Very different, and fun. These pieces are going to make that a really enjoyable place to spend time. I enjoy looking at finished needlework as much as I enjoy working on pieces in progress. It certainly will make laundry day a delight. The one I am working on now is called "Elizabeth", and you can see it here....

https://www.stitchingbitsandbobs.com/cgi-bin/Store/showimage.cgi?CarriageHouseSamplings0Elizabeth1000
I'll be posting updates soon...so keep watching....and boy am I looking forward to October and more stitching time!!! YOu can see that I need to get moving on these projects.

til then...
Cathy

Making New Resolutions

I'm not sure how many of you make resolutions at the first of the year, but I always do. This year has been different to say the least. I had surgery for uterine cancer in April, which put everything on hold for a while. But all is well, and I give God the Glory for it! I am well, and back to normal, though normal for me is like fast forward at the moment. I've been working in my yard, and house, doing all sorts of changes. We're at the end of building a barbecue area in our back yard and extended our patio area where it is being built a little more. Not a lot, but it is a little bigger with some added stones that actually 'frame' the cemented area. I've changed some bushes out, and taken out 10 roses in my yard. Some replaced by crepe myrtle in a raspberry color, and the others replaced with wisteria. We've added a trellis for some trumpet vines to grow on, and added a few more Virginia creeper to the back wall in our back yard. I had some issues with my lawn, all kinds of things attacked it from ants to grubs, and I am finally getting that in shape. Also weeds! We have this spurge stuff that grows wild here in New Mexico and it really went a little wild in my lawn for a while but that too is getting under control. One thing at a time. I've been painting now, and will be doing more of that this week, also upholstering my dining room chairs. I have already upholstered two breakfast bar chairs, and I will post a picture of them so you can see the fabric I am using. I'll refinish some baseboards and window sills, and that will be the last of the work here. Our reunion is the end of September, so I have a lot to do before that happens.

My stitching has not taken a back seat completely. I am managing to work ona few things here and there. Yesterday I took in my Rockhome sampler for framing, and to my delight, they will have it done in a week and a half. So that's good news. I've gone back to working on my marquior sampler and will get an updated picture as soon as I finish block 5. I hope to finish the whole thing by the end of October, and get it in to the framer as well. Another goal for me to meet . I do like having goals, it really does help me to set time frames for things, and list all the things I would like to accomplish. Some years I don't quite finish the list, but if you get 48 out of 50, well, I think that's pretty good! Ha! Ha!
Yes, and most years I have at least 50 things on my list.
Just wanted to pop in here and post that my work is coming to an end -- in two weeks i hope to have most of it all crossed off, and all of it by the end of October. I do have some other sewing to do, but that is not critical so it is not taking a high priority at the moment. It consists of some outdoor pillows for my benches and chairs, and 4 Roman shades (two for doors and two for windows in my livingroom). It's nice to get to the last of the list before the end of the year I will say that!!
Since I have a lot of catching up to do with my stitching, the rest of the year, I hope to spend a lot of time stitching and getting things framed. I will be having another reunion at the end of the year after Christmas -- so I only have a few months before we are doing this all over again. The nice thing is that we get to spend time together as family and that to me is so important. And I do get a lot of help with all the food from the women in my family and some of the men too .
Next week I hope to have some pictures to update what I have been working on so you can see where I have spent my time, and I will also post pics of my new barbecue area when we get that lst of it put together.

Have a great week! I hope to get a lot of painting, refinishing of the woodwork in the house and some upholstering done as well....I know, I'm a little into overkill here . Pray for me that I'll finish on time .

Cathy

Can you believe it's already September!?????

My goodness! Time is moving so fast these days, it's hard to imagine that we are so far into the year already. Where did the time go? I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that the year has zoomed by me and I may have missed a thing or two as a result .

Well, I hope you are having a good time, even if time is moving along so fast it's hard to keep up with life. I have a gazillion things happening in September, and well the end of August too. Three birthdays the end of August, 2 in September, and a bridal shower, a wedding and a baby dedication....well I think this month tops the list for activities in our family...oh and I forgot to mention we are having our Family Reunion the last week in September as well. So I am spinning around trying to get a lot of loose ends tied, and be ready for that when it happens. The Reunion is at our home, so it we're finishing up a build on a barbecue area outside, and adding a trellis for my Trumpet vine that didn't die when we pulled it up and put a shed on top of it . The thing is sprouting out in other places outside our new fence (about 4 plants out there) and then there are some sprouting inside the fenced area, (about 4 more). So instead of attempting to figure out how to kill them, I decided they are pretty enough that I will let them grow and so we are putting up a trellis by our new shed so that they have somewhere to climb. I already have one climbing up the pine tree in the same location...and hopefully it will do alright there. I am a little concerned that the branches might get a little bothersome for the tree, and I would hate to lose it, so we'll see how this goes. The jury is still out whether it will stay or not .

I have been painting, and managed to flood my laundry room last week, so decided since I had to clean behind the machines in there, I might as well do the painting while I was at it . I suppose that's not the first time something like this has happened and put you into a project a lot sooner than you had intended. Anyway, it is finished, and looks very perky -- I chose a very cool pale yellow with a hint of lime in it...a kind of modern color, and looks very cheerful on the walls. Now to stitch a few projects to decorate the walls. I do have a few things up, but my intention is to make that my folk art and seasonal space, and it will be fun filling the walls with my stitching as I get some time to create those pieces.

I did manage to finish a project last week, and have posted on the right side border, you can go check it out there. It's the Eileen Bennett Rockhome Sampler. I chose my own colors for this, and it is actually fairly soft in color with that darker border on it. It is so hard to get computer screens to show things as they really are, and I think it changes depending on what you are photographing. At times it is almost perfect, other times it's not. It may also have something to do with the photographer, which I am not .

Just thought I would pop in and share a few things with you. I may be taking some pictures of the progress on our barbecue and adding them to this post, so you can see them. Might do that tomorrow, we'll see. There is still an "L" portion, the short end to add to the current barbecue space we're created, so we're not done, but we have added the stone pavers around the area where the cement is, and it added so much to the space. I'm doing this also because we are having the reunion and I wanted a new serving area outside as well as a really nice barbecue grill to cook at. It will be here before we know it.....

BTW, I am also painting two bedrooms, and two bathrooms before we have the reunion and I hope stitching a few roman shades, one for a door, two for the narrow windows that flank my fireplace. The last thing on my list is to organize my stash room and clean out the garage. Not sure the garage will get all the attention it needs before the end of the month, but it will soon afterwards. That's the end of the work list for me this year -- whew !! It's been a year, let me tell you! BUt I am loving how things are shaping up. WE've also pulled out 10 rose bushes and added 7 crepe myrtle in a lovely raspberry color. We'll be replacing the roses we pulled out with 2 wisteria, which I hope will eventually grow over the block wall we put up last year. So that ends the work on the yard for this year, and hopefully my list will be very short in 2009.

I will post pics as we get all this finished...so keep looking in .

Cathy

Goign through a bit of Startitis!!

I've had a b it of startitis . Of course this happens to a lot of us stitchers from time to time. It's been fun too!!

The projects I have started are as follows:

The Peripheria Designs Spanish SAmpler -- I have actually done 3 versions of this, as I kept changing fabric and threads, and I am finally at a place where I think I am happy with the end result. I'll post a picture soon so you can see what I am doing, and I will also post the first and second tries on this one, so you can see what I did. It is a struggle for me sometimes to find the right colors to go with the fabric I am using, and at times what looks good when you do a floss toss, doesn't happen when you do the actual stitching.

The second one I started is the Many Years Sampler, and you can see the photo of my beginnings on this one below. It's a gorgeous Sampler, and I am so excited about working on this one.

The third is the SALexandre SAL, which will be working on their pocket (tri fold) next month doing the assembly, which also means I need to concentrate on the stitching the rest of thsi month so I am ready to do the work of assembly when they start on it.

The fourth sampler I bought and started is the Quaker Mystery 2008 from Martina, which I really will enjoy. I am thinking that the colors of gold, lavender and green would be pretty for this piece, but I also am thinking that a totally pastel version, sort of Spring-like would be lovely too. I'm caught between which one to do though...so I am experimenting at the moment.

The fifth sampler I started is the Quaker 5 which is one of the quakers that I believe began las t year, I got a late start with it, but I still want to work on it, so I am putting things together to start that one as well.

I also started a cute 'doily' like piece that has rose patterns on it, and the outline of the cloth, with the sections showing so that it looks like it is crocheted. Very pretty and lacy looking. I plan to make a cute little needle book that folds into itself. I received the loveliest gifts from a friend of mine in Canada and one of the gifts was a little needle book piece that folds into itself. I had seen them before and thought I would love to create one of my own. Well, now I am going to do just that, and see how I do. It is not a difficult chart to stitch, so hopefully I will have it ready to finish up by the end of the month. With all the other things I am working on well, it will be a bit of a challenge to get it done any sooner than the end of June. But I hope to so that I can experiment with the finishing. For me that is just as much fun as the stitching is. I'll also take pictures of the needle book I received so you can see how it is done, and you can maybe try it yourself on your own. I think it is easy enough to do without a pattern, just your own imagination and a bit of experimentation are required.

Another piece I started is an on line group on Yahoo, that is mostly French speaking people, but ther eare a few who speak English. What i have been doing is translating my messages into both English and French, or sometimes in Spanish as there are a couple of gals there who speak Spanish and French -- so it has been interesting communicating on that forum. Anyway, the project is called Sampler Espagnole -- and it is a lovely blackwork sampler, which I am doing in red, and I will dedicate this one to my Father. I am Castilian, as well as Irish, Scottish, Dutch, and a bit of Jewish heritage there as well. I've been wanting to create a memorial sampler for my Dad who passed away just over a year ago, and this sampler is going ot be the piece I dedicate to him. It will be a nice way to work through some of my own feelings of missing him and also a nice reminder of my dear Daddy! I plan also to make one for my Mom, but have not found any Irish samplers. There are Scottish ones, and I may end up having to just do a Scottish sampler style piece for my Mom's memorial sampler. I also have some ideas about doing a rose sampler for my Mom as her name was Rosalie, or Leah (nickname), and I would love to stitch something with roses for her.

In fact, I have a couple of great ones on hand, that are free charts as well. The one is a Maripeles Rose Sampler, which I have downloaded, and I may stitch that one for my Mom as it would be a good one to use for this sort of memorial sampler. It has a lovely rose border and roses in the sampler, plus some wreaths with initials inside, etc. That I have not started as yet, but it is probably going to be one of the next ones I start as I plan to do both samplers for my Mom and Dad this year, no matter what else doesn't get done, those ones will.

I also have a rose sampler from Ellen Maurer Stroh -- which is a free sampler, and it is a lovely border so far, that she's published. It is very elegant, and would be wonderful on a tablecloth edge...which I am very tempted to work in ecru on white or white on ecru linen...I have the linen on hand (Glasgow linen 28 ct) which would be perfect for this. So that may be another start sometime this year. I am waiting for the rest of the sampler to be published, but it surely is a winner!!! If you love roses, you would love this one.

Also there is another sampler I am starting which is called the "Mother's Day" Suzanne Vierlanden Sampler piece from Martina, that was also a free offering to the ladies who are on her yahoo group for Mother's Day. It is not free to anyone, just to those on her yahoo group. Anyway, I decided to start this one as well, and I am thinking it would be lovely in pastel colors. But it would also be great in a combination of greens, and so I am not sure what colors I will choose for this one as yet. It is still in the planning stages.

That is 10 projects~!!! I told you I had that thing called "Startitis"....(ha! ha! ha!)........

I'll post pictures of these as I get them started so you can see my beginnings on each one. I have some WiPs I will be working on as well, like Plymouth Sampler by Brenda Keyes, Carriage House Samplings Elizabeth, Permin Celle by Permin of Copenhagen, my Quaker RR piece, Silk Sampler which is another small Quaker design, and a few smalls that I am making as gifts for friends. I have to get to some of that finishing work on those pieces too, very soon!! So I have a few other pieces to work into my stitching schedule. How that will happen, I honestly have no clue at all! Anybody have some ideas on how to fit this many pieces into your monthly schedule????

Well, I am off now to get a few household chores out of the way, and start working on organizing my stash room, which I have wanted to do for months now! I am finally getting caught up to the place where I can actually get in there and start doing some rearranging, inventorying, and eventually I will buy a few pieces of furniture for that room and a new TV/DVD/VCR unit as well. It is going to be my 'get away' room, my 'prayer and study' room, and my 'office', sort of. I do'nt have much space to work with, so I will have to be VERY creative when I get down to arranging things in that space. Wish me well!!!

Cathy