A very good Christmas!

Wow, I'm still recovering from all the Christmas Hoopla! We went to my In-Law's house on Christmas Eve. The boys got bikes and went on a Sea Plane ride with the neighbor, who was dressed up like Santa. My husband went with them - I refused to go, I hate little planes. Bradley had fun and Jake fell asleep before they even took off, I couldn't believe it!



Bradley and Jake on their new bikes.



View of my In-Law's subdivision from the plane.



Jake asleep on the plane.



Coming home finally (I was just a little worried!).


On Christmas day we opened presents with my mom and brother and his wife. I got my mom some Cath Kidston pillow cases and you would've thought I was giving her a diamond ring! She was so excited over those pillow cases, it was pretty funny. I got my magnifying Ott-Lite from my Mother-in-Law (I really didn't mean to blurt out that's what I wanted in front of her). :) I haven't really gotten a chance to try it out yet. I also got an iPod, which I absolutely love!



iPod with Grey's Anatomy downloaded on it.


The biggest thing I got was from my brother. He decided I needed a company car! I told him no, that it was too much, but he had made up his mind and there was no changing it. He told me what he was planning last week, and I was kind of in disbelief, and yesterday he called me and asked me to meet him at the car dealer. He had me test drive a minivan, and then told me I could go home and he'd take care of it. I came back when he was done and drove home with this...



Chrysler Town & Country minivan.


I love this car so much! It's so nice - all the doors open automatically, it's the coolest thing! And I can separate the kids - no more fighting in the car, it's wonderful! :) So anyway, I definitely can't quit my job anytime soon, there's no way I could give up that car! :) We all caught a little cold, and it's been dragging me down, so no stitching again tonight - I'm off to bed! Write later! :) Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Stitching Stash from the Golden Needle.
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I went to Stitch Night last Thursday at the Golden Needle. They had food and a gift exchange. It was a lot of fun. Only - I made a boo boo. Since it was my first time I didn't really know what to put in the exchange, so I put a little of everything. A little stitched piece in a tuck-a-way pillow, a little piece of fabric, threads, chocolates, etc. It was really cute. Only once everyone started opening their bags I realized I went overboard. They said they usually just do dollar store items. Oops! I'm so used to looking online at everyone's wonderful exchanges and that's pretty much what I went by. One lady was pretty upset that I did that, but I truly did not know. And the shop owner asked if I had read her email, but all I saw in the email was to bring a gift and it would be nice if it was stitched. I didn't do it to get something in return - I did it because I like giving - especially stitching gifts! Anyway, I'll know next time! Didn't mean to rock the boat!


Pictured is what I bought - I got the Whitman's Sampler tin at the grocery store. I haven't been stitching much at all this week. It's been filled with working, getting tire fixed (ran over a big piece of metal tues.), Christmas program at Bradley's school, Christmas shopping and wrapping presents. The only time I stitched was a little bit at stitch night. Maybe I can get a little more done tonight. I rented "Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest," so now that I've gotten pretty much everything done relating to Christmas I can relax and stitch! :) Write later!

I actually finished a sock!

One Finished sock and one WIP sock as of 12/17/06
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I got this sock finished Saturday night and cast on right away for the second one. I'm determined to get these finished! I knitted a lot yesterday on the way to see my MIL - just a little more and I'll be ready to start the heel.


Well, not much going on here. Just trying to get ready for Christmas! My dh is finishing up our shopping for his dad, brother, and grandpa. Matthew is fussing again, so I'd better go! Write later! :)

Sock as of 12/16/06

Sock as of 12/16/06
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

The sock is growing.... I have been knitting a little bit here and there on my sock. It's knitting up fairly fast. I'm anxious to get to the toe shaping! I have been thinking about getting some stitching done on Winter Wind or starting Jingle. I haven't decided yet. :)


I have been thinking about all the challenges everyone is committing themselves to. There is the 10/25/50 challenge where you don't buy any new stash until 10, 25, or 50 projects are completed and then there is the challenge not to buy any stash until a certain time period. I know I should do this, I really should, I just have a difficult time committing myself to one of these guidelines. I feel like if I do, then it will make me want stash even more! Instead of doing the impossible (for me) I think I'm going to really try to stick to a budget. I think $50/month is a fairly reasonable budget. I'm already giving up my Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks iced Lattes. I plan to only make them from home (or just get coffee at the gas station, which is a 1/3 to a 1/4 of the price. As much as I was going it was equaling to be over $50 a month! So I will give up some things to make room for my love of stash buying. I'm just too weak in this area. I love going to cross stitch shops and browsing and picking charts that I know I'll love along with the threads and fabric. I know I have more than I can possibly stitch in one or two or three lifetimes, but I love it. I love it and it makes me happy. So there, I'm not going to join a challenge, as much as I know I should, I just don't have it in me. But I am going to try very hard to stick to my budget.


In other news Matthew has taken THREE naps today! I'm so happy he's getting out of that fussy phase (knocking on wood). My SIL came over today. I think she drives my mom crazy. My mom has been short with the kids (telling Bradley to sit nice on a chair that her dog tramples 20 times a day), so I'm staying out of her way and I told the kids to stay in my room or their room. I can't wait to get my own place where the kids can sit however they want on their furniture. OK, enough ranting for now! Deep breaths, deep breaths! Write later!!! :)

The hidden stash...

Ooh, I forgot to post about the stash I got while visiting my MIL last Saturday. I found a new LNS called Nantz Needlework in Holiday, FL. When I walked in there was several ladies stitching and they were all talking at once! They seemed like a very friendly group. I'd love to go back and stitch with them sometime. Anyway, I picked up a few charts while I was there...



Nantz Needlework Stash.


I got Blackbird Designs Loose Feather #10 "Autumn Silhouette", LHN "ABC123" and "Pinetop Lodge," and Drawn Thread "12 Houses Sampler." It was a cute little shop and the owner was very friendly. I also got my "Jingle" kit from Elegant Stitch today - it's so cute! I'm seriously thinking of stitching this before Christmas...



Shepherd's Bush "Jingle".


I can't wait to get my Brightneedle class project! I think it's going to be a fun project. And I think I know one of my presents from my MIL that will help with the over one. One day I was looking at a Jo-Ann's add at her house and saw an Ott-lite magnifier lamp and said I'd like that for Christmas (not to her - I was basically just thinking out loud). I didn't mean for her to get it, but I think she did because when I was over there last time I saw a box with my name on it that looked like the right size. So even though I didn't mean for her to get it I'm still excited! I'm such a child! :)


Speaking of child - my child, my six year old, picked out Charlotte's Web today at the book store. It almost brought tears of nostalgia to my eyes. I remember when I was a little older than him and my mom let me pick out Charlotte's Web at a bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember how excited I was to have that book. It was so sweet hearing him read it to himself in a little whispery voice. I let him get the hardcover. I just think that's a book worth getting in the hardcover - it will hopefully last him a lifetime.


Ok, this is a very long post - and I guess I'm typing because I'm not in a stitching or knitting mood right now. Matthew is still fussy, although sleeping right now, I really hope it's just a phase he's going through!

More Sock!

Lorna's Laces sock as of 12/15/06
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I've turned the heel and now I'm on the home stretch - just straight knitting until I get to the toes. I think I may actually finish a sock! I didn't make it very long, it's just four inches.


My mom put up her tree the other day. It's very pretty, and very white! I was giving her a hard time about everything being so white in her house! I think it's pretty, but it's not my style - I like color.








And here's a picture of the kid's christmas tree because Bradley really wanted colored lights!!





Well, matthew is fussing, so I'd better go! Write later! :)

Knitting...

Lorna's Laces sock in "Georgetown" colorway
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I was in a knitting mood yesterday, so I started a sock! I don't dare say a pair of socks because it's been quite awhile since I've finished one sock much less a pair! :) I bought this yarn a looong time ago - it's Lorna's Laces, and wow is is it nice to work with! So soft and I love the colors!


Well, I had another rough night with Matthew - I don't know if it's the shots or the teething, but he did not want to take a nap today. I finally got him to go to sleep about 7:30 pm. I gave him a bottle and he fell asleep in my arms - so sweet. Makes it all worth it. Well, I think I'm going to knit a little more on my sock! Write later! :)

A little more progress...

Winter Wind progress as of 12/12/06.
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

After I wrote that post last night Matthew finally went to sleep! I didn't think it would ever happen! He was fussy again today - I'm sure getting shots earlier didn't help either! He fell asleep early tonight though - about 5:30 pm, so we'll see how long he sleeps! Jake just fell asleep in my bed with the cat curled up next to him. Too cute. I don't have the energy, or the heart to move him right now.


Well, I'm off to watch the very last episode of Grey's Anatomy from the 2nd season. Man, don't know what I'm going to watch at night now! :)

Calgon take me away!

Matthew teething!
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

Matthew has been so fussy for the past few days. I think he's teething. I hate teething. I hate fussy. I like nice, sweet, babies who take good naps. He has only been taking like one nap a day. I'm ready to pull my hair out! I have to get through this somehow? Somehow!


I haven't really gotten any stitching done. I got a little done Saturday at my MIL's house and little today while waiting for ds to get out of school.


Prairie Schooler Winter Wind progress as of today.


You'll have to excuse the half stitched row, that's all I could finish before Matthew started crying! :) Well, I'm going to have some chocolate and rock the baby some - while taking deep breaths! Write later!

Prairie Schooler Winter Wind

Prairie Schooler Winter Wind
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I got a small start on Winter Wind. That border is the thing that takes forever. The counting and recounting to make sure it will all match up. I'm enjoying it so far! Now if I could just get the baby to take a nap I could work on it some more! :)


Speaking of babies I had a dream I had another boy and I delivered him myself! It was so crazy. And then the boy ended up being twin boys. I woke up thinking I need to get my tubes tied! LOL! :) Well, not much else going on. Just glad it's Friday - we're going to my MIL's house tomorrow - I may sneak out for a little bit and to do some Christmas shopping. Write later!

Merry Christmas?

Village of Hawk Run Hollow as of 12/6/06
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I have been working on my VOHRH for the past couple of days. It's not very Christmasy - at all. But I am enjoying it and this block is coming along faster than I thought it would. I just have to fill in the background with black and do the tree and bats.


Speaking of Christmas my dh has been asking me and asking me what I want for Christmas and I didn't know - I couldn't decide. Well I decided today! I asked if I could order the online class Be Good To You by Brightneedle available through Elegant Stitch. He said yes, so I was sure to order it before they closed today. I just love the little shaker carrier - I think it's such a cute project. Oh I also snuck in the new Shepherd's Bush kit Jingle. I don't think he'll mind! :)


Well, back to the olde burial ground. Write later!

P.S. thank you again for all your kind comments on my Autumn Leaves and Watermelon pillow. You all are so sweet! I got some more fabric for Pears backing - I'll probably get it sewed up tomorrow. :)

A Pillow!

Watermelon finished into a pillow
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I decided to sew up Watermelon into a pillow. I used the fabric from Mary Kathryn's finishing kit. I decided to use it around the edges as a border instead of just in the back. I thought it was too pretty not to be able to see it. I used a pale pink in the back. For an amateur sewer I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Tomorrow I'll probably sew up Pear. I think I'll do it the same way because I also love the fabric for that one! Now I'm going to put Matthew to bed and get stitching! :)

Early Christmas Present!

My mom took me out to get my present yesterday. I'm so happy - it has been two years since I've had a nice new purse!



Vera Bradley "Betsy" in Java Blue.



Matching coin purse.



A 8x10 mesh project bag fits perfectly inside!


Can you tell I love it?? I didn't get any stitching done yesterday - watched a couple movies with dh. He's working tonight, so I'm hoping to get some done tonight. I'm either going to start Winter Wind or work on VOHRH. Write later! :)

Winter Wind

Winter Wind threads with 32 ct. Flax Belfast
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

Now that I've finished Autumn Leaves I was thinking of starting Winter Wind. I was going through my fabric and I think Flax would be pretty. I love the colors in this design.


This is going to be another quick post. I have to get ready to get my son from school. Thank you for all your nice comments recently - they mean so much! :)

Autumn Leaves Finished!

I finished up Autumn Leaves tonight. I was determined to get it done! I'm so happy with how it turned out. At first I wasn't sure about going with the pumpkin, but now I like it...



Prairie Schooler Autumn Leaves
32 ct. Light Cappuccino linen by R&R
DMC Threads


Well, this is going to be short - have to check on the kids! Write later!

Needle Roll Finish!

I finally finished Happy Day into a needle roll. I did all the hemstitching and got out the sewing maching and carefully sewed the needle roll up. When I went to turn it right side out I realized it was already right side out! Argh! My mom was laughing at me as she handed me a seam ripper. I finally got it together...



Happy Day Roll by Shepherd's Bush


I was going to finish up my other pillows while I was at it, but I ran out of fiberfil. So I figured I'd used my 50% off coupon at Jo-ann's and get one of those quilter's kits that have the rotary cutter, ruler and board and get some more fiberfil while I'm there. I'd like to get them finished tomorrow if I get a chance. Maybe I'll head out to Jo-Ann's in the morning. :) Tonight I'm going to watch more Grey's Anatomy and try to get that sampler closer to being finished!

Not going to make it...

I thought I might be able to get Autumn Leaves done by the end of November, but it didn't happen. I should be able to get it finished up within a couple days though. I had a good stitching night last night.



I stayed up watching the first four episodes of Grey's Anatomy.



And I was able to get quite a bit of stitching done,
but I didn't reach my goal!


I decided to do the pumpkin for the middle - Jake (4 yo) liked that one the best, and I did too! :) I don't think I did very well on any other goals I had planned for November. It seems like this month just flew by!


Goals for November...
1.) Finish Pear Tree Inn - Yes
2.) Finish October Flip-it Stamp - No
3.) Start and Finish November Flip-It Stamp - No
4.) Finish Jillian's Stocking Ornament - No
5.) Start and try to finish PS Autumn Leaves - Yes
7.) Get LHN Pear and Watermelon finished into pillows - No
9.) Start and Finish LHN Peaches - No


Ooh not good at all! Oh well, I think I'm too flighty to be tied down to goals. I try, but I float from one thing to the next. I'm just not disciplined enough. I was never good at having a rotation - I'd start out ok, and then it would always fall apart. My method has always been the screaming rotation - whatever calls to me the loudest. Should I try to change, I mean really try to make an effort, or should I just accept that that's who I am? Hmm... Anyway, I've got to do some work! Write more later! :)

Autumn Leaves as of 11/28/06

Autumn Leaves as of 11/28/06
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I got a little bit more done on Autumn Leaves last night. Mostly lettering and some of the tree branch. I've been cleaning a lot today. We tend to get cluttered very fast in our little room. I'll be so glad when our house sells and we can get our own place. I know my mom will miss me, and I'll miss her, but I don't think she realizes how hard it is for us here. Our room really isn't that small, but it has our computer in it, which is really my office when I'm working for my brother. It also has Matthew's pack and play (that he sleeps in, I still can't get him to sleep in his crib!) and two dressers. The washer and dryer is in like a little hallway that's attached, so my husband says it feels like we are living in the laundry room. It's sad because the living room and family room are rarely used, but I consider it my mom's and don't go in there much. And then the bathroom is actually the hallway to get to the kids room and then out to the kitchen and living room, which isn't very private. I'm not complaining (well, kinda), I appreciate being able to stay here while our house sells especially since we don't have to pay anything. I was paying the electric, but my brother (who is too nice) took over paying it again even though I told him at least five times that I would pay it! Oh and did I mention there are fishing poles on my ceiling? This used to be my brother's office and he left them up there. I don't notice them that much - it's just funny having them there.

Anyway, enough about that - I didn't mean to get into such a long rant about my living situation. It was worse when we first got here because of the adjustment period. My mom and dh weren't getting along too well, but it's better now. The sad thing is I don't think anyone's even looked at my house(click to view). :( Ok, done whining - I promise! :) I'm going to stitch for a little bit and then it's bedtime for me! Write later! :)

Autumn Leaves Progress

I got a little stitching done on Autumn Leaves last night. I was catching up on my soaps and Desparate Housewives. :)



Autumn Leaves as of 11/26/06.


I also got a little bit more done on VOHRH the other day...



Village of Hawk Run Hollow as of 11/25/06.


I'm really enjoying both projects. I'm hoping to get Autumn Leaves finished by the end of November, so I'm really going to concentrate on that for a few days. Hopefully I can do it. I have to leave you with a picture of my silly cat. He's so lazy and won't move once he gets in bed. You can push him out of the way, throw the covers on him and he stays put!



Pumpkin - silly kitty!


Well, everyone is sleeping or being good watching Blue's Clues, so I think I'm going to stitch for a little bit! Write later!

I can never resist a sale!

Elegant Stitch just had a sale and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get some fabric and threads for a couple of patterns I bought recently...



This is why I love Elegant Stitch.
Whenever they send anything out it's like
getting a present!



Fabric and Threads!



Some NPI silks and 40 ct. Vintage Examplar by Lakeside Linens
for Hands to Work Be Not Weary.



30 ct. Old Mill Java by R&R
for Blackbird Designs Sailing Home.



30 ct. La Crosse by R&R
for Blackbird Designs Garland Fair.



36 ct Examplar for Sarah Moon.


Mmm, mmm! Love it all! This has helped me get in a little better mood! :) Matthew has definitely caught a cold - the poor baby. He's all stuffed up. I've been giving him Tylenol about every four hours. He's just miserable.



My first cold, and I'm not happy! :(


I did get a little, tiny bit of stitching done last night. I finished up another tombstone (my dh can't believe I'm stitching tombstones!) and some grass in the graveyard.



VOHRH as of 11/23/06.


I'm going to try to get some more stitching done on this tonight. Well, not much else. Hopefully Matthew feels better soon, and hopefully he sleeps a little more tonight! :)

A teeny bit of progress...

Village of Hawk Run Hollow as of 11/22/06.


Here is my little progress pic. I'm so happy with the fabric. I'm so glad I started over. :) I didn't get any stitching done today. We went to my brother's in-law's house. They're like our family - they always invite us to their get togethers. They're so nice. I woke up in a bad mood though... I was tired and grouchy and I didn't want to go and my mom wasn't letting me out of it. She told me it would be rude for me not to go. So I went - the kids had a blast, which was nice for them. Matthew was very fussy today. I don't know if he's getting a cold, had gas, or teething, but he finally just fell asleep. I gave him tylenol cold, gas medicine and oragel. One of those things, or all did the trick! :) Hopefully he sleeps all night - that would be so nice!! I need sleep!



Dark Chocolate - the sanity saver!


I'm going to have a little bit more chocolate and then try to get a little stiching done before I can't keep my eyes open any longer! Write later! :)

We're Back!

I ended up leaving Matthew with my mom after all. When I started packing everyone up and began thinking about taking all of his gear I realized it would be pretty hard to take him also. She did really well with him and I did really well without him. Although it was good to see him when I got back! I didn't get as much stitching done as I would've liked, but we still had fun. :)



Our Room.



The view out our back door.



Quilt I bought my mom at an antique shop
in Dunedin as a thank you for watching Matthew.



The boat we got married on (13 years ago) in Clearwater.



Hulk Hogan's beach house in Clearwater.



Hulk Hogan's house in Belleair that he has for sale
for about 25 million dollars!!


My husband loves to look at houses, which is why we have the pictures of Hulk Hogan's houses. He watches the show on VH1 and recognized the beach house when we drove by and then as we were going over the bridge coming back from Clearwater beach he recognized his regular house. They're actually not far from each other. I like their house in Belleair so much better than their new one in Miami. It's too modern! Anyway, enough about the Hogan's! :)


I got a little bit of stitching done on VOHRH, but I ripped out everything because I was off a stitch - very frustrating! I fixed it, but I don't have much done at all. I think I may stitch a little on it right now! Write later! :) Before I go I have to leave a picture of Matthew eating his cereal - too cute!



He looks like a little birdie!