Some Pictures ... at last!

Firstly - here is the, oh so cute, Brittercup Kitty that I've stitched up for my mother for Mother's Day - I never know what to buy her, and hadn't bought her anything by the end of last week, knowing I wouldn't see her until tonight - then my stash arrived from SB&B, including the Brittycat charts and I thought one of them would be perfect - I made it into my first ever flatfold and I'm very happy with the result, certainly beats expensive framing! LOL

Then we have the mostly finished ornament from our NZ SAL Ornament of the month - this is Paw Printings - from JCS Ornament Mag 2005 - I need to hand stitch the bottom and add cording - (Kristina - I had more gold thread at home, so don't worry about the extra!)

... and the Mirabilia RR? I've been putting off, and putting off finishing it - worked frantically on Monday night to get it finished and ready to send yesterday. Would you believe? Yesterday I get an email to say that the owner of this particular RR has pulled out - happened to me last month too, definitely not my favourite two I've ever stitched - and they both pulled out just as I'd finished their squares. Such is life, we can never know what walking in someone else's shoes is like and I'm sure both of these ladies had very valid reasons.

Here she is - I stitched the wings.

and lastly, my progress on Summer Fairie QS from HAED - I think I might be nearly half way!



Thanks for looking!

Sunday Morning

Where has the week gone? ... in yet another blur me thinks.

Firstly thank you all so much for your comments and praise on Celtic Summer - we sure have a wonderful community out there. There were a couple of comments from people I haven't "met" before ... and I have looked at your blogs, and fully intend to leave nice comments back :)

I've been doing lots of bitsy things this week ... I think I'm in avoidance mode, in fact I KNOW I've been in avoidance mode. I need to finish and send off the Mirabilia RR tomorrow and still need to finish it off - guess what I'll be stitching tonight? ... so last week, I started Woodland Cottage (need to get back to it after finding a big boo-boo, and needing a DMC colour where I'd be fudging ... and of course I didn't have it ...), I stitched our NZ SAL ornament, except for a few gold crosses where I ran out of thread ... need to finish that off too ... THEN I got some new stash, including the latest Brittykittys ... and decided one would be perfect for my mother for Mother's Day (I didn't see her on Sunday, but we will be there for dinner on Wednesday night so I will give it to her then) ... I've got just a little bit more to do on that - which I will do this morning, and then finish into my first ever flatfold - wish me luck! ... so no pictures, because I'm so close to having a few finished - but not quite there yet!

Oh - and tonight, I WILL be finishing the Mirabilia RR - maybe then I'll settle back into my stitching properly ;)

I've got so many ideas for my Friendship Buddy Jo ... I'm just not sure what one I'm going to do yet ... maybe I should do all of them! LOL

DH has taken the four older children to his parents today ... there is a whole lot of wood there from some pine tree felling that he did a couple of years ago - some cut up, some not - they have a wicked bank at the back of their place, and the pinetrees were blocking their view - so David went and got rid of a few branches, and felled a couple to tidy it up for them, and so we could have the firewood - and of course, then didn't talk to them for a year or two so it's been sitting there or a while. He was going to take the biggest boy and his mate, but the mate has piked out - so as soon as he mentioned that magic word PAY! the other three decided they'd quite like to go ... they WILL be working, all the bits of wood need to be carried up a steep bank and put into the trailer (for those who know NZ - they live in Maungaraki - and look out towards Wellington Harbour - beautiful view!). Which ... leaves me and Charlotte at home, I've got lots of sewing bits I want to do and plan to do that all day - I did say to Charlotte I'd let her help me make something for her, I might cut out a cut square of fabric and she can make a doorknob hanger or something.

Lastly, I'm not sure about putting this here ... but it's my blog, and my thoughts, so I will! - if you're offended or uncomfortable by religious talk ... you don't need to read on ;)

I've been going to a womens groups once a week with a good friend, it's a very Catholic group and I'm not at all Catholic, but they are such a wonderful group of women - that doesn't matter. I've really found myself thinking alot about my Christian faith, and lack of it over the past 10yrs or so - as a teenager I went to a lot of bible classes, church etc and was very touched by it all - but haven't really followed through - I've always thought of myself as a kinda of fence sitter, but living a christian life - does that make sense? Well, we're talking about blessings right now and praying for them, and listening/watching for them ... maybe it's coincidence, maybe it's me finally listening ... but in the last couple of weeks ...

- DH found a job advertisement for a job that sounds perfect, and has an interview on Monday.
- After our Wednesday session ... Thursday he found a letter he'd forgotten about at work that tells him he has a payrise - only a small one, but it's back dated to January, and will get the backpay this pay - just as I was wondering where the heck the money would come from to pay for our van to be warranted and serviced.
- Funny kind of blessing - but one for me - turns of events mean I'm getting my quiet Sunday to sew today.

I've got a wee mantra going on in my head ... I'm listening, I'm listening! LOL

At last!

She is finished - and I love her ... I don't think I really took in how many beads there are, hard work to put on, but really really worth it - I think the colours in this are just beautiful.

Started September 05, Finished 14 May 2006. Stitched on Kiwi Illusions - Riverstone (32ct Evenweave).

It was Mothers Day here yesterday, and I have to say I had a very disappointing day - I didn't expect gifts, I knew our bank account wouldn't allow it and I plan on buying a good photo editing program as soon as we're able as my gift anyway. But I did expect a bit more loving - know what I mean? But it's done and gone, and I'm grumpy, over-worked, over-demanded upon and just plain worn out right now, so a lot of it has got to do with my mood! I got my package from SB&B today in the mail, so that kinda made up for it - one of the nice things about them taking a bit longer is that I've usually forgotten what I've ordered, so it's always a nice surprise to open it! LOL

Because I was having a bad day yesterday, I decided to stitch whatever I wanted (instead of the darn Mirabilia RR I'm putting off finishing) ... and started Woodland Cottage by Elizabeth Designs, I'm really going to have to put it aside and stitch the Mirabilia tonight though ;)



Winter has arrived here ... I'm thinking of lighting the fire after I've picked up Charlotte from Kindy - my hands are freezing!

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers out there - I hope you're having a really nice day :)

Celtic Summer

Ha! You thought I was going to say I finished it didn't you? No such luck, I swear the world is against me trying to finish this one. Wednesday night, I got really close - but was too tired to do the last small part of the beading.

Took it work Thursday night, thinking I'd at least have an hour at the end of the shift to finish it, no such luck - work was really busy, definitely no time to stitch!

Friday I managed to sit for about half an hour before I went to work - but didn't quite get to the very last beads before I had to get ready for work, that's okay - I usually have an hour or so when I get home on a Friday night to stitch, so was SURE I'd get it finished last night.

Caught the 8.30pm train, should have got home about 9.30pm. Noooooo a freight train lost it's door and managed to cut off a signal ... which turned the signals off for the rest of trains - got halfway (with the train people getting out and manually checking the points at every section) at about 10.30pm ... into taxis and home about 11.00pm

Saturday today - normally I'd definitely stitch tonight ... nooooo, we're going out for dinner to celebrate DH's sister's 40th birthday - after I've done soccer accounts this morning (which I had with me to do at work on Thursday), after I've taken the kids into a show into Wellington ...

I better get a Mother's Day break tomorrow - that will be the first on my list to do!!!

Weekend Stitching

I'm seriously lacking in stitching time lately - but I did manage to stitch this weekend between soccer games, making bean bags, catching up with work etc etc!

I stitched my "Quick Stitch" last night - because, well, I just felt like it - I should have been carrying on with my Mirablia RR, should have been beading Celtic Summer - but decided to stitch on what I really wanted to :)

Progress is to the left :) Oh! Rhiannon has asked me if I can stitch one of the fairies for her ... awwwwww ... I love it when my little girl is interested in my stitching - so I'm going to let her choose one (could regret that! LOL).

Also - here is the Mirabilia RR I'm stitching on - I must admit I had eyebrows raised when I first pulled this out of the bag it came in, but now I've started adding the wings, I like it more, the lady wants a fairy, but of mixed up charts - I'm doing the wings, they're from Lily the Dreaming Fairy - and lucky enough the chart fits quite well with what was already there AND it is one I have kitted so I have all the sparklies and beads to do it :) (picture below)


and lastly - here is Maisie with her favourite person, Josh - cats are shallow creatures, guess who feeds her every day! LOL ... in the morning when Josh is practicing his flute she sits outside his bedroom door waiting for him to come out because she knows that he will feed her about he's finished.
(I'll come back and post the picture - I've lost it - cut it out to paste it, but now it won't paste!)


Okay, I lied - lastly, lastly ... little Charlotte has been playing Nursery grade soccer this year - DH has been taking her because if I do she will just do her cling on routine, she's been doing REALLY well - so well that she got player of the day on Saturday after scoring the only three goals in her little game :)

A couple of little finishes -

Just to prove that I have been stitching!

Peace Ornament - made up into a little needleroll -



and a Teacup for a RR that actually finished a while ago, but this lady's got lost so has sent around a replacement - threw me really, but I didn't mind stitching a replacement for her :)



Saturday morning here - so soccer morning. DH has taken the middle three and dropped them off at various places and gone to watch Rhiannon in Otaki. I'll be going to watch David and then the end of Cameron's game. It is really nice as they get older and more responsible, Cameron is staying at the main fields and watching Josh, then Josh will stay there and watch Cameron until I get there - MUCH easier than a few years ago when we'd have to have one of us at every game!

Anyway - I better get moving ... quickly tidy the house and make it look like I was busy while DH left with the early run ;)

Oh, and how could I forget - I have my partner for the Friendship Exchange ... and I got Kiwi Jo - I love Jo's blog and am really looking forward to getting to know her better :)

Bye for now!

April Round Up - May Goals

Well, I really lost my way in April - but I enjoyed the stitching I did do!

April Goals:

1. Finish DT - Love and Wisdom - yes!
2. NZ Ornament SAL - Yes!
3. 1 More Ornament - no - started one, but didn't get far.
4. Mirabilia RR and send off - no - there was some muck ups in mailing, and it didn't arrive until last week - this mail out has been put back for two weeks.
5. Finish Celtic Summer - oh, so, so close ... about half the beads to go.
6. Restart Faery Tales - no - but started an experimental QS instead, and made decision to start it on 28ct.
7. 1 other ebay Piece - no - and no excuses for that one!

Funny enough, I'm not sure what I want to finish or stitch this month ... so it might be a wishy washy one. I need to get stuck into doing some ebay pieces, Rhiannon has a possible gym competition in Hamilton in July, and I've decided we will go IF we have the spare money ... so ebay, here I come! I still need to sell Love and Wisdom, I find it hard to find time to actually do the mucking around to get them onto ebay - it shouldn't be that hard, but it's one of those "little" jobs I have trouble finding time to do - partly because I like them to finish during the pm in US time ... so it cuts down the time of day I have to do it.

Here goes ... some wishy washy May goals -

1. Finish tea-cup RR - send off.
2. Finish Mirabilia RR - send off.
3. Two ebay pieces.
4. Finish Celtic Summer (I think this is the 3rd month I have this as a goal!)
5. Stitch on HAED QS Summer Fairy
6. NZ Ornament SAL
7. 1 other ornament

... and just because we all like pictures on blogs - here are my two monkeys -

Rhiannon -

Charlotte -

and I love the look on Charlotte's face of this one ... that intent "I can do this" look!

An Update

So much for daily blogging, I'm turning into a weekly blogger! Life just seems to have been busy lately - I worked a few extra Easter/Anzac breaks and of course, that doesn't make the rest of my life any less busier!

The soccer season kicked off on Saturday and all seems to have gone very smoothly, phew ... that's a big thing in my life - no angry phone calls from parents whose children missed out on teams etc etc ... 650 children successfully processed and happy :)

Yesterday I spent the whole day putting the cricket accounts into MYOB ... all 10 months of them, just need to put in the last months and then next month will be a breeze and they'll be ready to send off to the auditor ready for preparing for the AGM in July ... another *phew*.

Don't I lead an exciting life?

The kids are good - nothing exciting happening in their lives, which is a good thing :)

Stitching - I've finished a couple of things, totally thrown off my rotation - sheesh! I can't even last a month LOL ... I completely blame Karen V this time though ... I saw her Homeward Bound needleroll and fell in love, I've had this kitted up for ages but didn't really know what I was going to do with it, so I'm shamelessly copying her idea ... and stitch To the Sea as well, which I will finish the same :)

Celtic Summer is nearly there - those beads are taking forever, i think I'm about halfway through them now ... I'm hoping to finish it today/tonight though ... then I'll pretend I live in the Northern Hemisphere so that I finished it in April ... not May! LOL

Here is Homeward Bound -



and Setting Sail -



I'll be back later to update my May rotation and April round up!

Long time, no blog!

I lost my blogging mojo! I just haven't had a lot to say, that's got to be good, right? I haven't even had any good stitching updates. I'm busy working on Celtic Summer, have started the beading and will wait until I've finished before I take a picture ... but oh my, that beading is sooo slow.

I should update on the Royal visit - it wasn't "so" bad ... MIL I think was making an effort - although there were some classic comments, but she was bearable, I still find it a total waste of a day though - and no, I won't bring out my stitching while she is there because she always manages to make some comment about cross-stitching "being boring and way too easy to be enjoyable" ... so I just don't go there. Anyway - deed is done, hopefully for a while!

Yesterday we had DH's cousin and his wife (Mike and Lisa - yeah, another Lisa LOL) plus five of their six children (some hers, some his, youngest theirs) - they all kind of match boys/girls and ages with our kids which is pretty cool - they all played pretty well together, although I must admit taking an instant dislike to the little girl Rhiannon's age and wasn't surprised when Rhiannon said to me afterwards that Teiana was bossy and she didn't like her much (but Rhiannon being the laid-back little girl she is obviously took it into her stride and coped fine!).

What else have I been doing? I've worked extra shifts, which is GREAT for the bank balance, in fact we've caught up enough that I'm hoping to buy Josh's birthday gifts (for July) with some of my overtime, it will be one less worry come July - soccer will have slowed down then too, which means less income for me ;) ... I've been busy sewing leotards, after seeing my girls I've had a couple of requests from other mothers AND I need to get going and sew 40 little beanbag squares for the gym club ... hmmm wonder why there is no stitching updates? LOL

I'll leave you with a photo of the evil MIL and Charlotte - it is quite sweet really ;)

A stitching update!

Firstly, a purple blob ... which has take a long time to stitch! I suppose this is my first official HAED ... funny enough called a "Quick Stitch" and I believed it! LOL ... I, in mny usual silly optimistic way, did think it would stitch up a lot faster ... I thought it would be a good Easter project.

This is on 32ct - I started Faery Tales on 25ct and decided I didn't like that - and this would be a good practice on a different fabric, I'm thinking that 28ct is probably the perfect balance, I'll try my next one on that before starting my life time project (Faery Tales). I've got into the rhythm of stitching 10x10 blocks - I've tried going right across, I've tried 20x20 blocks ... but the 10x10 really does work well - I still don't like that you can see the block - but I try to make sure a few stitches finish off over the 10, so it's not so obvious. I think I'm getting faster now I'm getting into a better rhythm as well.


Next up is our NZ SAL ornament - we've picked out 12? or maybe 10, one for each month and we have turns kitting up the speciality threads and passing them on to all of us - a bit like the ornament RR's, except we've got it all pre-piced out for the year. We stitch them at the beginning of each month. I stitched this at work on Thursday night - I didn't have a beading needle, so need to put the last few beads on that wouldn't fit through my petite needle, and pick up some extra sparkly threads that I ran out of from Kath - it was quick, fun stitch!

In case you haven't noticed, I've completely blown my rotation this month - I'm kinda hoping I'll still reach the goals ... but I'm having fun just stitching :)

and in life beyond stitching ... we have the Royal visit tomorrow - otherwise known as the in-laws visiting - I haven't seen them for 18mths or so ... the kids haven't seen them for over a year (and in 4yo innocence I heard Charlotte say to Rhiannon this morning "I don't really know those ones") ... there's been some issues (they only live 45min drive away), which I don't think will ever be worked through, but we're being polite. David asked what he should ask her to bring (meaning to help with lunch) ... I told him her positive attitude would be good, if she can find it - which basically sums it up - she is the most negative, bitter person I have met - a very small part of me feels sorry for her - the other part can't be bothered, especially when I know that she is very negative, bitter and plain backstabbing about us. But you've got to do what you've got to do ... I'm sure we will survive! So, anyway, today is tidying and making the house look sparkly for her ;)

So far my Easter weekend has been very productive - I've made 3 leotards (2 pink ones with skirts - one for Charlotte and one for a friend to give to her niece as a birthday gift and one plain black one for Rhiannon to train in), two pairs of bike pants (to go with Rhiannon's leotard) and a poncho. Today I'd like to maybe make a couple of bags as little girl gifts - we'll see though, I might be all sewn out, plus I need to do the house work thing, and get ready for soccer meeting tomorrow night.

Hope you are all having a lovely Easter :)

A very quick one ...

to show off (one) of the photos I took today - this is Cameron in action, I managed to anticipate the shot and push the button just at the right time (something I find hard with a digital camera and the kids' sports pictures).



This was in their final game for 1st/2nd place ... they lost 1-0 - but played really well, they're a great team :)

I promise to go back to stitchy photos tomorrow!

Roller-coasting ...

that what my life seems to be like at the moment ... full of ups, and downs, and ups, and downs ...

Break glasses - panic about cost - insurance will pay - phew.

Apply for new income support (working families FIRST time we actually qualify for help) ... first payment goes in today. They obviously didn't know where we lived before that ... bill for over $1000 tax owed by DH comes in mail today - half of that is interest and late penalties, they haven't sent us a statement since 2003, which I don't for the life of me remember seeing ... I think it may have gone to our old address, although we moved in 2000, anyway, there goes the first six months or so of the extra money we really needed.

Had great parent/teacher interviews with the primary school kids' teachers yesterday. Today Cameron comes home from school to tell me he got winded by a ball in his stomach and lost consciousness for a few seconds ... the school DIDN'T ring me! ... usually I'm complaining (not actually to them) that they ring about stupid little things.

I'm sure there are other things, just seems to be the story of my life right now ... good news, then bad news.

But heck - we're still alive, still healthy and still mostly smiling!

No stitching news - I didn't even touch it yesterday, this week is one of those crazy ones! Yesterday the kids finished school early for the interviews, a friend dropped around, back and forth to soccer training etc, then gymnastics meeting.

Today shouldn't be too bad.

Tomorrow is crazy - Charlotte has eye appointment with the specialist in Wellington, I'll take her to the zoo afterwards as a treat (and BIG bribe! LOL), Cameron has his eye appointment straight after school, then Rhiannon to gym, Rhiannon to soccer, supposed to be going to Mum and Dad's for dinner (not sure how I'll fit that in yet), Cameron's teacher suggested I try and get an interview with his maths teacher (he is VERY good at maths and she doesn't think he is being extended enough but she can't complain, we need to), any way that will be after 6.00pm sometime, pick up Rhiannon from gym, then I think I've got a meeting at school for ski-camp fundraising ... AND I want to get to Kath's for our wee stitching group. Hope DH has a quiet day and can come home a bit earlier to help out.

Thursday I want to get soccer reports, cricket etc DONE because I want to give myself the long weekend off.

Oh - and I should mention Josh's teacher interview ... he scored highest in the school on the National English test they have them do ... and he's a Year 7 (school goes through to Year 8) ... he's one brainy boy :D Funny how he is definitely English based, and Cameron is math based though - they are only 17mths apart in age, but like chalk and cheese in looks, personality, everything - amazing to watch really.

Enough rambling? Have a good day everyone :)

Finished!

Woohooo! Happy, happy, happy dance :)

Love and Wisdom - The Drawn Thread

Stitched on Cream Belfast Linen, started 1 April 2006, finished 9 April 2006

Here are some closer pictures of it - this really was a fun stitch, I just love all the different speciality stitches (admittedly, some a lot less than others! LOL).



Carol - go for it! You've inspired me so much with your stitching and blog, that I'm pleased I can do the same.

I rang the insurance company this morning, and they do indeed cover glasses - whats even more impressive is basically I just give the optomerist the claim no., pay them the $100 insurance excess plus the eye examination that we'll get done for Cameron while we're getting new ones anyway ... and that's all I have to do - it doesn't seem to matter that the glasses we are planning on getting are a good $200 more than the original ones - they need to be replaced so they just go with it ... seems way to easy to me, I think DH needs to accidently break his! You know, this is the FIRST insurance thing we've ever claimed on for our house/contents insurance - and that would be over about 18 years, I'm beginning to think that maybe we are just too honest and trusting and maybe we should think of that option more often - heck, we pay for it, don't we!

Now just need to keep fingers and everything else crossed that everything goes well with Charlotte's trip to the opthomologist (eye specialist) on Wednesday ... she has the same genetic eye problem (long-sightedness) as Josh and Cameron, but it doesn't seem too bad - this is a last "just to be sure" check before she turns 5yo, so we're not really expecting to come away with a script needing them, but I'll still keep everything crossed, just in case ;)

Thanks for all your encouragement while I wildly stitched my sampler - it makes stitching so much more rewarding when you know other people who appreciate it are admiring it as well.

It's Sunday!

and I'm nearly there :)

I've reached the bottom ... so not far to go. Hopefully today - all going well! I'm a bit worried I'm going to run out of the dark Olive - I'm on to my last length - eek!

I'm determined that today will be a better day - it didn't get better yesterday, I ended up with a full blown tantrum from Charlotte and putting her to bed earlier, which included things being thrown, yelling, kicking ... and that was just Charlotte - I actually remained pretty calm. Funny enough she went to sleep pretty quickly so I'm picking she was pretty tired.

Mr 14yo and I are trying to work out a "healthy lifestyle" competition ... he has been inspire by the TV programme "Biggest Loser" ... and the fact he is feeling pretty unfiit. I desperately need something to click in my head to make me want to eat right and exercise again - we're both hoping some healthy competition will set us on the right track.

The first thing I need to do is set myself into a really good routine, I'm thinking if I answer and process any emails first thing in the morning (before my usual breakfast surfing) it will give me a head start, and even if I just do 30min of exercise, that will be better than nothing - hopefully then meaning I have time for work, housework and of course stitching. We'll see.

... and talking of work - it's time to go do some, including tidying my desk, so I can sit and stitch this afternoon :)

An everyday miracle - Anyone can discover a milion miracles in a single day. There are three steps to this. First, consider the miracle of technology. Next, dwell on the fact that technology cannot reproduce a single blade of grass. Then comes the last step: find a lawn.

Saturday

Can't think of any appropriate word to put with it today. I don't have an update of Love and Wisdom - mainly because I didn't do a whole lot yesterday, and most of all I can't be bothered going allll the way to the other end of the house to get it and take a photo! This entry is purely so I can rant and rave and whine ... so if you aren't into reading ranting, raving and whining ... don't bother reading any further ;)

Maybe I'll just do a shortened version ...

Cameron came home from camp with seriously broken glasses - took them in this morning, they are beyond repair. We'll get his eyes retested and new glasses ... the one's he wants (and needs for his active lifestyle) are $400, just for the frames ... so much for Love and Wisdom being used to treat us. I'm wondering if it is tempting fate by having him have his tested the same day Charlotte is having hers done (Wednesday) ... I can see that becoming a very expensive day.
(Editing to add a note for Pat who I know reads this ... It's all Richard's fault - he told Cameron to put his glasses in his pocket, they fell out, got rolled on, and then Richard STOOD on them! ~ but don't say anything ... he really did need a new pair and we were putting it off until we could afford it - I'm actually hoping he might have done us a favour and we can maybe (just maybe, please, please!) get insurance to help pay for them ;))

House is a pigstye.

DH took it upon himself to yell at a kid misbehaving at the playground, the mother was there, the mother is the office person at the gym. I'm still mortified and really angry with him.

I can't stop thinking about how nice it would be to live in an apartment, alone, and not have to continuouslly deal with crap.

Mostly - I'm treading a fine line between handling my busy life, and not handling it .. today that fine line is about as fine as a hair.

I promise to be happy tomorrow ... AND have a good update of Love and Wisdom.

Frustrating Friday

It was going to be freaky ... but I've tried to upload a photo that didn't work, tried to finish off a newsletter for soccer and our internet connection stopped working, sitting here thinking about all the housework I should be doing, but I'm tired and need to work up the energy to do it ... so it's got to be a frustrating, rather than freaky!

Here's the latest update - not a whole lot different to yesterday's, which I suspected would be the case ... a shame when work and children get in the way of stitching, but it happens! LOL

Work again today ... I think I'll work on the dark green border on the train on the way to work, then hopefully I'll get a chance to finish at least the inner sampler ... I might finish it by the end of the weekend! Although I really need to do some sewing, I have lots of ideas and lots of fabric ... just not enough time to do everything I want to.

Should have been a sports free day (the one and only between cricket and soccer seasons) tomorrow, but Cameron has a "practice" game with the grade above them tomorrow - got to the love the coach who obviously loves his soccer more than a free Saturday. Next weekend it's Easter and tournament weekend, then the weekend after Cameron starts the season (he plays Premier League, so different timetable and district to the other kids) ... and the other kids start the weekend after - definitely no rest for the wicked - and I must have been VERY wicked LOL

Had teacher/parent interviews at high school yesterday - I was dreading the maths one after being asked to go, and having got an email a couple of weeks ago about David being disruptive in class - but it went well, he has obviously listened to us when we've been saying no matter what he thinks of the teacher, how much they obviously clash etc, he has to deal with it and cope with it. She said he has been much better and she will let us know if there are a difficulties again, and more important, that she feels he is coping fine with the work and that isn't an issue (we thought it might have been and that is why he was acting up). His English teacher obviously loves him and also said that after the PAT (some general school testing - can't remember what it stands for) he came out within the top couple of kids in the class - at about 16/17yo level, English has always been his thing and it's nice to see him not only doing well in it, but really enjoying it too. History was the only other teacher we saw and he's doing fine there too - so all in all he's still doing more than okay - which is a relief!

My clicky finger did some clicking at HAED the other day - I decided that before I restart Faery Tales I should practice with a little one, and make sure the 32ct fabric looks right (or maybe 28ct - I'm still undecided) - hows that for justification? I bought QS Summer Fairy and I'm dying to start it ... I think I'm going to kit it all up and make it an Easter project (shhhh ... did you hear someone mention April rotation?).

Righty oh - it's off to do housework, after I've sent this newsletter out - then off to work!

Thursday Thoughts

... and another update! Karen - you said one more, have I persuaded you enough yet? It IS a fun stitch ... LOL

Thank you for ALL your comments, as always - they are very much appreciated!

Still not quite where I want to be (haven't been since I lost my Sunday afternoon stitching time ;)) ... today and tomorrow are my slow stitching days because I'm at work in the evening, even if there is no work, I still don't usually get as much stitching done as I would at home.

You know, I'm such a blonde sometimes ... it wasn't until I was looking at the next couple of sampler motifs coming up that I realised that every motif is labelled A-Z, I knew that, but thought it was just to follow which one was which ... but no, I only just realised as I read the "X" one and the chart says she couldn't think of anything else except x-stitch for it that I clicked that every motif not only is marked with A, B etc - but the particular stitch starts with that letter too e.g. Rug stitch (the red square blob ... which is most awful stitch I've ever done LOL!) ... and Darning for the the cross earlier on etc etc. I'm nearly at the end of those fiddly little stitches though - I'm hoping the rest of it grows pretty quickly after that.

Off to feed two little girls and quickly answer some emails so I'm ahead of myself for the morning :)

Mirror Image - Life is like a mirror. If you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting.

Whacky Wednesday!

... life is always pretty whacky around here - so Whacky is definitely fitting!

Just a quick one today - I typed up a longer one earlier, but darn thing froze when I tried to upload the images.


Here is Love and Wisdom ... about half way I think! I'm a wee bit behind on my self-imposed schedule, but that's okay :)






















Here is a close up - not sure how clear it is though - this is a such a fun stitch - all those different speciality stitches sure keep the old grey matter working ;)



















New Broom - Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart.

Have a good day everyone!

Terrific Tuesday!

Well - I'm not sure it is terrific, just pretty normal ... but Terrific is the only thing I could think of to put with Tuesday :)

Here is an update on Love and Wisdom - I'm not quite where I want to be ... but not too far off, hopefully today will be another good stitching day and I'll catch up.

(just used Blogger to upload the image, don't know why I've never tried that before - I usually load WIP's into a Picturetrail account, then copy paste the link ... it's MUCH easier doing it straight from the camera ... maybe you will get daily updates now! LOL)

I'm working on being organised and not letting soccer take over my life this week - last week I was mentally and physically exhausted to the point of nearly being in tears most of the time. This week is definitely a new week - I'm only working a couple of hours each morning, making sure I get a house "goal" (I cleaned the fridge yesterday) done every day ... and making sure I have time to stitch. It's only Tuesday, but I already feel so much better :)

Table 0f equivalents - "One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man."

Monday Morning

Start of a new week, start of a "try to be a daily blogger" kick ;)

... and even a daily update on Love and Wisdom, why do I always put DT's off - I just love stitching their charts ... all those speciality stitches are always so much fun to stitch!

Didn't quite finish the section I wanted to - something to do with little birthday parties to go to ... with a 4yo who doesn't want to be left by herself! I'm hoping for a good stitching day today though - need to do some soccer work (as usual), housework and then I'm planning to stitch, stitch and stitch!

Lunch Logic - If I were given the choice between my heart's desire and a cheese sandwich, I would definitely choose the cheese sandwich. After all, nothing's better than your heart's desire, and a cheese sandwich is better than nothing.

Sunday Smile

Catch that Smile

We can all get more out of our lives if we avoid building unnecessary fences - work and play belong to the same world, and the possibilities for laughter lie equally within each of them.

March Re-Cap/April Goals

It does the soul good to look back on the goals and what has been stitched in the past month, I've been so busy - but I've also pretty much kept up with what I wanted to do ... I wrote in my March Goal post that I thought I was being pretty optimistic, but I did okay! (mental pat on the back from me, to me)

March Goals

1. Finish October Sky Sampler - Yes!
2. Two Ornaments (SAL + one other) - Yes!
3. Finish Mirabilia RR and send off. - Yes!
4. Finish Toy Shop (old UFO) - Yes!
5. Finish Celtic Summer - not quite, should this month though.
6. 2 ebay pieces - just one (that sold yesterday :))
7. Stick to rotation. - pretty much, lost the plot at the end of the month.

April Goals

1. Finish DT - Love and Wisdom
2. NZ Ornament SAL
3. 1 More Ornament
4. Mirabilia RR and send off
5. Finish Celtic Summer
6. Restart Faery Tales
7. 1 other Ebay Piece

Optimistic again ... but that makes it fun :)

I've put my planned rotation as well as the goals on my sidebar ... one day I'll get time to work out how to make them look right on there too!

Catching up

I can't believe it's nearly been another week! I've had a hellishly busy week this week, I'm usually pretty mild and placid, but I sent a couple of grouchy emails to people, and was particularly grouchy to the bar manager of the club yesterday (after urgently needing some cash on Thursday night and ringing me about it Thursday morning, then as I dropped it off to him, telling me he needed another cheque by the next day ... which I did organise then rushed off to work and forgot about - so he was ringing at 7.30am yesterday asking about it - and grumpy with me because I hadn't got it to him ... hello? maybe he should have come and collected it off me ... last straw really!).

Anyway - that's boring stuff! ... stitching updates are so much more exciting :) I've had a bit of can't settle week - directly related to being stressed and having too much to do no doubt! I did do a bit on Celtic Summer - I just have the last of the right-hand border to do and the beads - she's nearly there!

I also started a needlebook/pouch thingee - can't remember the name of it ... but got bored of it after one night, I will get back to it - probably when I'm in a better mood ;)

and then on Friday when I needed to quickly grab something to start at work ... and couldn't be bothered with my usual WIP's - I started DT's Love and Wisdom. I'm going to sell this on ebay - but with a twist ... I'm doing it in silks and on linen and am going to try to get a really good sale for it - if I don't I'll keep it. DH and I celebrate 20yrs since our first date next month and I really really want us to go away for a weekend (we both need it!) - we can't afford it, so I want this to sell for enough to pay or accommodation ... if it doesn't, I'll keep it as a celebration of 20yrs ... fate will decide :D (yeah - I'm slightly warped, but it keeps life interesting! LOL).

Now in even more warped me stuff ... I've worked out that there are 7 repeats on the downward border, that's one repeat per day to get it stitched in a week ... do you think I can do it?

Here it is so far -

I've been given a great book called 1001 smiles ... I'm going to try and post a smile every day. So if I haven't got time to update my blog daily, at least I can make everyone smile ... and remind myself to.

New Leotards!

Not for me, sheesh - I wish I looked that good in one though! LOL

I spent yesterday and part of today making the girls much needed new leotards - the couple I made Rhiannon a couple of years ago were getting way too small (indecently small!) ... of course Charlotte wore hers to gym today, and the coach was quick to point out (yep, she's like that - but I've got used to her) that Rhiannon shouldn't wear a skirted leotard for her gym because you can't see how flat and tight the tummy and bum is ... important when they mark them in a competition - sheesh!

Who's the model and who's the "I don't want my photo taken"?



and the upside down versions!

Yeah - I missed her head - it's hard to get that timing right AND frame on a digital camera! LOL

and Rhiannon being more sensible went over the grass, rather than staying on the concrete to do the upside down thing, very sensible - as a good mother, I should have thought of that when Charlotte was doing hers! Whoops!

Okay - off to bed ... I've been stitching Celtic Summer tonight and have nearly, nearly finished the main stitching on the dress - I should tomorrow, then maybe get the bottom gold edges done THEN the border ... THEN the beads ... and it will be finished! (maybe not tomorrow, or this month though ;))

Mirabilia RR and Birdhouses

I finally finished my RR section of the Mirabilia RR - with a few days to spare!

Here is my section - "Fire"

and here is the whole thing -

and because I only had a few minutes to find something to bring to work to stitch, "just in case" I finished the RR - I picked up Shepherd's Bush Birdhouse needleroll that I've had in my stash forever - I finished off all the stitching last night, I'll machine stitch it into a tube later when I have the sewing machine out.

I must say I was a bit disappointed with the kit itself and it's instructions, I have great respect for SB and was surprised at some of the errors - one band said to start one thread in, so you finished it one thread in at the other end, so I did - got to the end to find I was one thread out, it needed to be started in line - not one thread in at all. The ribbon is completely different to the photographed pictures, I suppose they run out over time and can't get the original, but the kitted one wasn't nearly as nice and actually needed the instructions altered for the bead placement, and lastly the "brown" beads are more of a rose colour - and it looks okay I guess, but sunflowers don't usually have purple middles - I dunno I expected more from them ... or maybe I was just grumpy! LOL

Anyway - here it is -

I really have to dig out the leotard patterns today and hope that I've got a big enough size to make Rhiannon a couple of new ones - she must have grown!

Toy Shop Finished!

Another very old WIP crossed off my list ... well, actually, I've never written a list - I kind of find them in my drawer and think hmmmmmm that's right, I'd forgotten about that piece LOL.

Anyway - here it is -

The Toy Shop - Patricia Andrle
From Cross Stitch & Needlework - December 1996
Started sometime in 2002 (I think), finished 21 March 2006

and a close up of the window -

As usual - I have no idea when I'll finally get it framed, but when I do - I have no idea where I'll put it, it just doesn't really "fit" anywhere in the house, not that I have a particular theme or design for the house, but this one just doesn't have an instant home ... but I love it, so I'm sure I'd find somewhere.

I am SO close to finally finishing the Mirabilia RR piece, I would have at work last night but David went to Edgefest (a concert thing - lots of bands and horrible teenagers), and I arranged to pick him and some friends up when it was finished and drove them home, so I ended up leaving a bit earlier than normal - normally I would have definitely finished those last few stitches! Hopefully I'll have a picture of it to put here tomorrow, I will be very pleased to have that done and gone, it seems to have taken a lot of time and effort to get it stitched.

Next up I have to stitch a teacup for a RR I finished up quite a while ago, but this lady's one went missing so she has sent around a replacement - I might try and get onto that today. I'm hoping to have the weekend reasonably free so that I can get on and try to finish Celtic Summer before the end of March ... no pressure, really, just in my head LOL

There's a picture of the latest Mirabilia out too - Bliss Fairy - another one to go on my "I love and have to stitch" list ... sheesh, she needs to slow down, or something, there is no way I can keep up with her lovely designs! ... but then again I've been looking and watching for the past week or so waiting in anticipation for the next one that I knew must be coming out soon! Us stitchers are a strange, nutty breed (or is it just me?).

Thank you, as always, for all the lovely comments ... and happy stitchie weekend to you all :)

Well, Here I am!

at last! Gosh - it's been over a week. Life really got busy last week, which is what I expected, but it just seemed extra exhausting this year. Soccer registrations DID go well - but totally shattered me, starting with sitting at the clubrooms signing people up, taking money etc etc from 9-3 both Saturday and Sunday - we had 500 children sign up over that weekend, and never stopped the whole time, from there I spent Sunday and Monday typing and updating them all in the database - finally sent off the team lists to each grade co-ordinator at 1.00am Tuesday morning ... along with the reports, agenda etc I needed to send off to the Cricket Assn Mgmt Committee for our meeting that Tuesday night. Of course it hasn't stopped all week, lots of phone calls from late registers, changes, etc etc etc.

Tonight is the first night I'll be at home for evening, and hopefully in bed before midnight!

I have stitched, off and on, when I have had time to sit I've had trouble concentrating because I've been pretty sleepy.

I'm sure I had other news and things to talk about, but I've forgotten them all ... so I'll show you a couple of stitching pictures instead :)

The Toy Shop "Top" all finished - I'm working on the over one cross-stitched toys that goes behind this piece - maybe, maybe I'll get it finished tonight.

Wild Rose - Amaryllis Artworks

Finished 15 March 2006 - stitched on a Kiwi Sparkles

I've kind of lost track of my March rotation - I'll probably actually do pretty well considering I've been so busy - but over the next week I have two RR's I definitely have to finish and send off. Really though I'd like to be finishing Celtic Summer!

I'm thinking when I've finished Celtic Summer that I might start Mirabilia's Star Gazer, it should be the Mermaids ... but Star Gazer is calling louder. I ordered the chart and beads from Stitching Bits and Bobs latest sale ... naughty naughty me ... although it is the first bit of stash I've ordered since the beginning of the year!

Just got a call from the Cricket Assn chairman asking for some financial details to be put together - ha! so much for a quieter week.

Hi-ho, Hi-ho it's off to do some work I go ...

Anne wins the prize!

For most useful hint :) ... Thanks Anne - sorry, no prize - but I'll definitely think about tacking a piece of muslin or something to the side of that piece so I can keep it in the Q-Snaps.

Stitching Updates

Celtic Summer (I finished the front green part of her dress!)

The Toy Shop - a very old UFO that I'm going to try and finish this month :) This is the front of the shop, a separate piece of fabric has one over one stitching that goes behind the windows. I finished the door and some vines on Monday night.

and a wee bit more on the RR -

Charlotte Funny's

This kid's brain just never stops! We're driving out of our place yesterday ...

"Mummy - did you know the lady next door is the same as the lady who framed your knitting?"

(knitting - hee hee, she does mean stitching ;))

"eh? are they? what do you mean?" (she had me stumped).

"They've got the same name."

"They have?"

"Yesssss"

(then I click) "Oh, yes they have - how did you know that?"

"I heard Kath call the framing lady Joy, and Daddy know's the lady next door is Joyce - see they're the same!".

Well ... not exactly the same ... but firstly, I had no idea she was listening so hard that she'd even notice Joy's name, and secondly - why on earth would she care or think of it anyway? LOL

... then two minutes later ...

"Mummy - did you know that when you blink your eyes close"

"Yep"

"So you shouldn't blink when you're driving because you won't be able to see where you're going."

ROTFLOL - I suppose she's right ... and I've got to wonder whether she was watching me very intently to make sure I wasn't blinking! LOL

Excitement of my Day, Week, Year ...

I ordered not one new lounge suite this morning, but TWO! We've been using an old brown one for the last 10 years, that I got when my grandfather died "to do us until we could afford a new one" ... well, we still can't afford a new one, but it is falling apart and I've been waiting for the next interest free, no deposit good deal to come along - and it did. One suite is a 2.5 seater, plus 2 seater - not quite big enough for us, so I ordered two, we will use one of the bigger couches for the front room and the three in the main lounge ... it's going to take five weeks to arrive, but I'm very excited! The fabric is a textured kind of thing, called Marine :)

Fun Sporting Administration

This weekend is our big registration weekend - so my head is full of everything I need to remember - forms, newsletter, people to run shifts etc etc ... I'll be glad when it's over. Not to mention it will seriously cut into my stitching time!

Very slow WIP

Mirabilia - Deco Spirits - Fire

This is for the Mirabilia RR I'm involved in - I can't believe how long it is taking to stitch! This is after a weekend's work ... and I stitched a lot this weekend, all of Saturday evening, and then most of yesterday afternoon and all evening again. It wasn't helped by having to stitch it in-hand (I didn't crop the side so you could see how close to the edge it is) ... it started moving faster last night when I was able to put it in my smallest Q-snaps and stitch how I usually do ... in-hand wasn't so bad - just slower, which is frustrating for me!

It will look great all finished, and it IS within the size limits - so this isn't a complaint at all ... just a frustration, because I have so many other things to stitch LOL (oh, and I'm impatient ;))

I think I'll work on it in the afternoons and stick to my rotation in the evenings ... just to keep me happy.

I've had one of those wonderful mornings this morning where everything has gone right and I'm feeling very efficient - I washed the floors, dusted and hung two loads of washing out - and then caught up on Soccer minutes and the posted in registrations - so I'm all up-to-date with those too. All going well I'll catch up on cricket work tomorrow morning and maybe start tackling our very cluttered (read - dumping ground) bedroom, a job I've been "going" to do since the beginning of this year.

This afternoon it's gym for Charlotte, plus I'm looking a friends two boys - a couple of cricket training/practices after school ... and two loads of washing to take OFF the line and fold and put away.

... and Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy to stitch to this evening - life isn't too bad at all :)

Sunday Morning

Ahhhhhh ... that is a contented sigh - a Sunday with pretty much an empty day, got to enjoy the moment because the next couple of weeks will be a lot different! LOL

Cameron has gone off to run in some local race - they have it every year and we usually forget about it - but he was very keen to do it, I think they go into school groups or something, I don't really know. DH has taken him, so they can tell me all when they get home.

We've had a definite touch of winter here over the last couple of days ... all the cuddly blankets were out last night to keep everyone warm! Cricket was cancelled for the morning ... I don't think we even really ventured out of the house yesterday.

What to do with a bonus free day? After I'd tidied up my Picturetrail albums I went to work on finally making a Tote Tray Bag for Charlotte ... an idea that has been brewing for a while, I've been using a plastic shopping bag to carry her tote tray in and knew there had to be something different I could do. The tote tray is a plastic box/tray kind of thing - they put their spare clothes, lunch box etc etc in it and then it slots into ready made shelves at the kindy.

Anyway, here it is - one Tote Tray Bag ... modelled by Rhiannon because Charlotte was still asleep :)

and a close up of her name -

and today, it's back to stitching on my Mirabilia RR, I have a feeling I was too optimistic about only allowing 3-4 days for it in my March rotation plans *sigh*.

Stitching Update

I just spent at least an hour moving photos from Picturetrail into new albums etc etc ... all to avoid paying the bigger update on my premium account ... which was very close to being deleted *phew* - hopefully I've got it working out okay and I don't have anything disappear!

Soooo instead of a nice long blogging entry (which I was going to do ... but then remembered the photos ... and well, you know how we get sidetracked!) - we'll just do a very quick picture update :)

Christmas Britty Kitty

JCS Ornament Mag - 2005

Stitched on 28ct Evenweave - over one

October Sky Sampler - Elizabeth Designs

Stitched on 28ct Misty Blue Evenweave

(I'm still missing about 8 beads on this one - I'll put them on when I get near a shop to buy them!).

And lastly - a black blob update of Faery Tales!

Removed to get side-bar right!

February Re-Cap/March Goals

February Recap

1. Finish Rose Arbour - Yes!
2. 3 Ebay pieces - not sure what yet - did 2 (the LHN pieces)
3. Finish October Sky Sampler - nearly
4. Finish 2 Ornament RRs and send them off - Yes (ended up being 3)
5. Finish Mirabilia RR and send off - Yes
6. Finish SAL Ornament - Yes
7. THIS month - stick to rotation plans - mostly, enough to keep me proud and happy LOL

March Rotation

Week One 1/3-5/3
Wed - Ornament SAL/October Sky Sampler
Thurs - October Sky Sampler
Fri - October Sky Sampler/Mirabilia RR
Sat - Mirabilia RR
Sun - Mirabilia RR

Week Two 6/3-12/3
Mon - Toy Shop
Tues - Celtic Summer
Wed - Mirabilia RR/Toy Shop
Thurs - Ornament
Fri - Ornament/Toy Shop
Sat - Toy Shop
Sun - Faery Tales

Week Three 13/3-19/3
Mon - Toy Shop
Tues - Celtic Summer
Wed - Ebay
Thurs - Ebay
Fri - Ebay
Sat - Toy Shop
Sun - Faery Tales

Week Four 20/3-26/3
Mon - Ebay
Tues - Celtic Summer
Wed - Ebay
Thurs - Celtic Summer
Fri - Celtic Summer
Sat - Toy Shop/Celtic Summer
Sun - Toy Shop/Celtic Summer

Week Five - 27/3-31/3
Mon - Celtic Summer
Tues - Celtic Summer
Wed - CS/TS - or whatever I like
Thurs - CS/TS - or whatever I like
Fri - CS/TS - or whatever I like

March Goals

1. Finish October Sky Sampler
2. Two Ornaments (SAL + one other)
3. Finish Mirabilia RR and send off.
4. Finish Toy Shop (old UFO)
5. Finish Celtic Summer
6. 2 ebay pieces
7. Stick to rotation.

I'm probably being wayyyyy too optimistic this month, as it's also soccer registration month which involves putting in 600 players into the database PLUS the banking, organising that goes with it! ... but I'm hoping for some quiet evenings that I get to stitch too - I'll need them to keep my sanity intact.