And maybe even something else different...

I can't make up my mind what I want to do! Now I'm thinking of a more goal oriented rotation. I know, it's silly, I wonder too how this rotation can take up so much of my time. Why don't I just stitch and get it over with?? There is so much more to worry about in this world. :)

Anyway, I'm thinking Goal because I just have to admit I'm not good at keeping track of my hours. So I think if I tell myself I'm going to stitch two houses on Game Board, finish up the sheep on My Earth, stitch the rest of the alphabet on Pomegranate, etc. that would suit me better than keeping track of my hours.

Well, I would take a picture of my earth, but my dh took it with him fishing (I guess he needs proof if he does catch any fish). I'm all done with the sheep, now I'm working on the grass and the flowers by the sheep. My goal is to finish that up and then work on Sunflower Bellpull. :) I hate to have a pictureless post, so I'll leave you with a picture of Matthew taken last Friday...



You can really see his teeth in this picture! I think he's getting one on the top now. He's been gnawing on his hand and drooling like crazy! Well, write more later (when I have my camera back)!

Thinking of trying something different...

I was doing fairly well with my new rotation, but I feel days are slipping away from me and I'm not getting to work on all the projects in my rotation. So - I'm going to try to do an hourly rotation. I've got a great stopwatch on my iPod, and I was thinking of doing 5 or 6 hours on one project instead of 10. I think 10 is too long for me. I get bored too easily! :) I decided this because I didn't get to work on My Earth, which I love, and I thought this way no project gets left out. We'll see if I can stick to it. I think now that I'm not working at night like I used to, and usually get definite stitching time each night that I think I can make it work. I got a little bit done on My Earth last night and I'm going to try to get the sheepies finished up tonight. Here's my latest pic...



Well, I'd better get stitching before I get too tired! Write later! :)

Cat's is finished!

I finished up Cats by Carriage House Samplings yesterday. I'm behind on my rotation though. I didn't stitch on Game Board Sampler on Fri. or My Earth on Sat. Oh well, hopefully I'll get back to it next week! Here's a picture of Cats...



And here's a picture of them together...



I also finished up Sweet Sweet Babe yesterday, and left it with JoAnne from Needleworks and Framing in Holiday to be framed. I don't have a picture beause I forgot my camera. :( Oh well, it will be done in four weeks and I'll take a pic then. I'm so excited because it's been so long since I've had anything professionally framed! I hope my SIL likes it!

I left Jake (my 4yo) with my MIL for a couple of days. He screamed like crazy when I left, but I figured he'd get over it, and he did. I just thought it would be good for both of them because she gets lonely and he doesn't get enough one on one time. I do miss him so much though. It seems so quiet here and just not quite right - like something is definitely missing! He will be back on Tuesday though, it's not like he's going to be away for weeks or anything! :) Well, not much else going on here! Write later!

Carriage House Samplings Alphabet

I got a little bit of stitching done last night while watching the new episode of Grey's Anatomy, which was very good by the way! :) Here's my pic...



I'm stitching it on 36 ct. Examplar by Lakeside Linens using one strand of thread over two. Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to try to finish "Cats" up tonight, or work on my Friday project - Game Board Sampler. Hmmm... decisions, decisions. :)

Thank you all for your very kind comments - they mean so much! :) Write later!

Winter Wind Progress

I worked on Winter Wind the last couple of nights...



I really love this design. Maybe I'll work on it again tonight?? :) Right now I'm worn out though. I bought some walking shoes yesterday because I'm determined to start walking. I went out this morning after taking ds to school and there were so many people walking along the beach - it's just so beautiful here right now. I wish it could be like this year round! Anyway, I'd like to lose some baby weight... it seems with each child I've kept 10lbs, and I'd like to get rid of some of it! Well, not much else - write later! :)

Pomegranate Sampler as 2/19/07

Pomegranate Sampler as 2/19/07
Originally uploaded by nevillen.

I met my goal and got a row of letters stitched! Next week I'll hopefully finish up the letters and then get back to the pomegranate border.

I'm going to work on Winter Wind tonight. I searched and searched everywhere for this project. I thought for sure it was lost and then I just found it. I was a little worried there for a minute.

While waiting for ds at school today I worked on his ripple afghan some. I think it's turning out very cute in a kitschy sort of way.



Well, Matthew is sleeping, so I'm going to try to stitch for a little bit! Thank you all for your kind comments! Write later! :)

Back on track...

I worked on my Sunday project yesterday, which is Sunflower Bellpull...



I just got a couple rows of lettering done. I didn't stitch on it much because I was busy finishing my strawberry...



It was a pretty easy finish. I think I would definitely like to make another one, except this time on a smaller count linen.

I wanted a little basket to hold some of my needlework accessories and remembered I had one in the closet. I asked my mom if she could make me a liner for it and she got right to work. I think it turned out so cute!


Empty


Filled

Tonight I plan on working on my Pomegranate Sampler again. I'm hoping to get another row above the numbers finished. Write more later! :)

P.S. My baby is seven months today! Where does the time go?? :)

A Couple Other Things...

I also got an order from Handcrafts Online the other day. I got the new LHN Blueberries chart with Crescent Colour threads along with the finishing kit that Mary Kathryn puts together...



I also got Geranium House by CCN and February Flip-It Bits Chart and a CC thread I was missing for Spring Violets...

While I was browsing her blog I noticed she had an Etsy shop and saw the cutest pin cushion that she had made, so I got that too! :) Here's a pic...



I also wanted to share a pretty patchwork pillow my mom made...



She got the idea from the book Vintage Fabric Style, which I got at Jo-ann's using my 40% off coupon (I love those things!).

And last I'm almost finished with the stitching part of my strawberry. It's on 20 ct. linen over two, so it's going pretty fast.



I'm going to try to get it finished up today and then see if my mom can help me put it together (she's a much better sewer/finisher than me). Well, my 6yo is wanting to use the computer, so I'll write more later!! :)

Oops!

Well, I kind of got off schedule. Instead of working on my rotation from Tuesday on I started Crocheting. I started an afghan kind of like this one made by Alicia from Posie Gets Cozy (except not as pretty). I actually started and restarted about three or four times. My ripples weren't lining up. It was pretty sad and that is why there was no stitching for a few days - I was just obsessed with getting ripples to line up. Well, I finally got it right, and I didn't take a picture because it's in my trunk and it's too cold to go out and get it (yes, I'm a big baby - cold here in FL is about 45 degrees - if that). I do have pictures of other things...

Friday I took a class with Susan Greening Davis at Golden Needle. It was a lot of fun - went way too fast, but was fun! Here's what I got done there...


Strawberry Social class

And it was Nashville Night, so of course I had to pick up a few new things that were out...



I love the new Blackbird Designs Book. It has so many pretty designs. Here are a few of my favorites...


Bluebird's Needles & Pins


Tulip & Star Pinkeep


My Quaker House


Friendship's Sheltering Vine

I got back on my rotation schedule today at JoAnne Nantz's with My Earth. I got a band and a sheepie stitched...


Shepherd's Bush - My Earth

Well, that's all for now! It's time for bed now! :) Write later!

Pomegranate Sampler Update

I worked on my Monday project last night! :) I got part of the top section done...



I think I'm going to work on Winter Wind today instead of my LK flip-it. We'll see... :) Write later - baby's crying!

Day Three!

I worked on my Sunday project last night... Sunflower Bell Pull by Drawn Thread. I got a few bands done.



Sorry it's not the greatest pic - it's a little overcast today. Well, today's project is Pomegranate Sampler. I haven't worked on that in quite awhile! Here's the latest picture I have ot it...



Hopefully tomorrow I'll have more to show you! :)

edited to put in the correct latest picture of Pomegranate Sampler - oops!

Two Days of Rotating...

And I'm doing it! I'm so happy - it's working out for me! I'm really hoping I can stick with it! Friday I got a late start, so I didn't get too much done on my Game Board Sampler, but I did finish up one house and a motif...


The red house and red flower are the ones I completed.


The whole thing!

Edited to add - I had a couple people ask about the fabric I'm using for the Game Board Sampler - It's 28 ct. Light Mocha Cashel.

Saturday I went up to MIL's house and went stitching at JoAnne Nantz's. So I took my Saturday Project with me - Shepherd's Bush My Earth and I got quite a bit of stitching done on it! :)



I used Cindy's lettering for the My Earth words, and I'm very happy with it! While I was at JoAnne's shop I picked up the new Country Cottage Needleworks design and some threads to stitch it...


Spring Violets

And the other day I stopped at Alex-Paras Needlearts to get some Needle Necessities in Very Berry (103) because I saw that Nancy was using it stitch her Quaker Samplings. I definitely want to do one in that color (sorry Nancy for being a copy cat!). I also got a few spools of Kreinik to stitch Petal Fairy and some magnets and a bag. :)



That shop is just amazing. It's mostly needlepoint (they have a tiny selection of cross stitch), but they have just about every thread imaginable. It's heaven just to walk in there. Well, not much else - today is Sunflower Bellpull, so we'll see how much I can get done on that! :) Write later!

UFO's!

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the projects I've started recently and I really want to get a rotation of some kind going.

I came up with a way to sort out what I really wanted to finish and what I didn't think I would or could right now. I came up with this list...

Design - Designer - Date Started - Percent Complete
Pomegranate Sampler - Hillside Samplings - 7/1/2006 - 70
Winter Wind - Prairie Schooler - 12/8/2006 - 25
Game Board Sampler - Drawn Thread - 5/8/2006 - 25
My Earth - Shepherd's Bush - 2005 - 20
Sunflower Bellpull - Drawn Thread - 1/21/2007 - 15
CHS Alphabets - Carriage House Samplings - 7/15/2006 -10
Village of Hawk Run Hollow - Carriage House Samplings - 11/18/2006 - 10
The Petal Fairy Mirabilia - 2/2/2007 - 5
The Token - Long Dog Samplers - 9/23/2006 - 5
February Flip-It Stamps Lizzie Kate - 1/28/2007 - 5

So what I'm thinking is to take the project with the most completed and make that my focus and then work on other little things. Or set aside a certain day to work on the big things like Carol does. I could do something like this...

Monday - Pomegranate Sampler
Tuesday - Something small (dh off work - I never get much stitching time on these days)
Wednesday - See Above
Thursday - Winter Wind
Friday - Game Board Sampler
Saturday - My Earth
Sunday - Sunflower Bellpull

And then once something is finished move it up the list. Hmmm.. I wonder if this would work for me?? I've always been more of a sreaming rotation kind of person. That's how I get in these messes! :) I guess it couldn't hurt to try it out!

I went to see my niece today. I didn't hold her because she was sleeping. There's no way I was going to be the one to wake her up! She's so sweet - I'm so happy for my Brother and SIL. She really seems be doing well. Motherhood definitely becomes her. Well, today is Friday - I guess I should work on my Game Board Sampler, huh? :) Write later!

Just a little stitching...

I started on February the other day. I don't have much to show, just the border...





Thank you all for your kind comments. They mean to so much to me! :) Here's the latest picture of my niece...





She's so sweet! I think I'm going to go see her today. I've waited long enough, but now I've got to hold her! :) Since I started so many new projects I've got to get organized. I've got to get a rotation of some sort going. Something I need to think about! Write later (and hopefully have more pics of Halle). :)

A teeny tiny finish

I finished up my January Flip-It Stamp last night. I think it's pretty cute. :)





I started on February today. This is going to be a quick update because I have to get my ds from school! I will leave you with this picture of Matthew...





He's starting to sit up! He's also starting to rock on his knees and hands, he'll be taking off soon! He's doing it all at once. I can't believe he's going to be seven months old on the 19th. It's goes too fast! :) Write later!

Confession Time...

Remember when I said please don’t let me start a new project because I knew I was just so antsy about the baby coming?? Well, I did. I couldn’t help myself. And I went out to Michael’s the night before she was born to get a piece of linen to stitch it on because all the linen I have was not right for it. I started this...


Mirabilia’s The Petal Fairy

I haven’t done a big Angel or Fairy in ages... I don’t know what drew me to this one. I guess I had seen a lot of them stitched and just thought she was pretty. So we’ll see if I can stick with it! Those darn babies.. the things they make me do (or start). Since I’m determined to finish something (even if it’s small) I stitched on my little January Flip-It today...


Lizzie Kate’s January Flip-It Stamp

I also stopped by Michael’s today with my handy dandy 40% off coupon. I got a scroll rod set and got $28 off. Not too shabby!


E-Z Stitch Needlework Frame Set

And I got the latest Cross Stitch & Needlework because it had this really pretty sampler in it...


Sarah Pownall’s 1852 Sampler

Well, I had lunch with my brother today. He said he spent a lot of time holding the baby last night. He said she would not sleep in her bassinet, and I told him I could relate! Matthew didn’t like to sleep in his either until he was about four weeks. I just talked to my SIL, she seems to be doing fine, and appreciated that I got everything ready for her. I just feel for her because I know what she's going through! Well, not much else! I didn't stitch last night - just went right to bed, I think I'll stitch tonight though! :)

My Christmas present arrived!

My Brightneedle class kit arrived the other day. It's so cute! The shaker carrier is so tiny, much smaller than I thought it would be, but still very cute.



Be Good to You by Brightneedle.



Close up of threads.


The class starts tomorrow... can't wait! :) I also got my fabric for Celtic Banner today. To save a little money I decided to go with Jobelan. I got 32 ct. Lambswool and I'm very happy with it. It's a lot nicer than I thought it would be. Here's a pic of it with the threads...





Well, we haven't really heard too much about Halle today. They took her home today, and I hope they're doing well. I know how hard it can be when you feel like you've been run over by a truck and haven't gotten any sleep. I hope they call if they need anything. It's funny my Brother and SIL are eight years older than me, but I still worry so much. Anyway, I'm sure they'll be fine. We all make it through somehow! :) Well, I'm going to stitch a little bit... write later! :)

She's Here!!

Halle Nicole

My niece (finally) arrived today! She is just gorgeous and so tiny! This was the best pic I could get (I had to crop out a lot). As you can see her middle name is the same as mine... isn't that so sweet! :) She was born at 11:59 am today and she weighs 5 lbs, 12 oz, and is 19 1/2 inches long. I saw her for just a little bit. I didn't want to stay too long. My SIL is learning how to nurse and I know from experience how hard that can be!

We are all just so excited... I can't wait until I get to spend more time with her... I can't wait to hold her! I went to my brother's house to feed his cat and realized they were not prepared at all to come home with the baby. They didn't have any diapers or wipes that I saw, the bassinet didn't have sheets, so I went out and got everything they'd need (and probably more) to get them through the first few days. This is really unfamiliar territory for them. I know they are going to be terrific parents though! :)

Well, what do you think of the new look? I was getting bored with my old template! Write later!

Ahh... that's better!

 

I went to my LNS today and picked out a few AVAS to replace some of the Vikki Clayton silks. I think most of them were right on, there were just a few that didn't really go. Anyway, I'm much happier with the more subtle look.


Well, I think I've realized why I've been starting so many projects. I'm anxious. It always happened when I was pregnant. I didn't realize that I may be anxious for my brother and my SIL. She's due with my niece on the 7th. I think I have been subconsiously anxious about the baby. I know, it's not my baby, but we are very close and I may be helping to take care of the baby when she goes back to work. It's just so exciting. And I worry though... I know how hard it was when I had my first baby. Everything is new and your life is turned upside down. Anyway, so I think I've come up with a cause for the startitis. By the way, she's in the hospital now, they're going to induce her because she had hypertension and gestational diabetes. I hope everything goes well for her. Please tell me not to start another new project tonight. I came very close. I need help. I need someone to tie down my hands! :) No, seriously I'll be fine. I'm going to work on my little January Flip-it, maybe I can actually finish something! Hopefully I'll have baby news next time I write! :) 

And the startitis continues....

I swear I need professional help! I received my silks I ordered from Vikki Clayton yesterday for Ann Trump and Sarah Moon. I already had the fabric (36 ct. Examplar by Lakeside) I got on sale at Elegant Stitch, so I couldn't resist starting a little on Ann Trump. I came across a small dilemma though...



Ann Trump by Needleprint


The peach I started stitching is brighter than the DMC, should I change it, or just keep going... hmmm? I wonder if it will matter once it's all stitched. This is my first time using VC silks. I'm very happy with the quality of the silks, especially since they are such a good deal! I guess I could always use the DMC for that section, or look through my silk stash to see if I could get it matched up better.


I got a tiny bit more stitched on January - got some of the lettering filled in. DH has been home, so I haven't been able to do much more. He goes back to work and new Grey's comes on tonight - not that I'm excited about that or anything! :) The LNS I go to in Port Charlotte is having a big sale Saturday and Sunday... I'm trying to tell myself not to go, that I don't need anything (which is so true!), but it's a SALE! Why can't I resist sales? :P Well, baby is awake, so I'd better go! Write later! :)