Weekly Update

It's been wild and crazy at work this week, and I'm so far behind in reading all my list mail and visiting my blog friends. A few day makes a HUGE difference - sometimes I have a chance to read a message or two, or follow alink to blog updates - but not this week. I hope all the members know that I don't respond with welcomes, happy birthdays, and other comments that sometimes would like to, but there's just not enough time in the day! I should be doing some work right now, but just have to take a break once in a while.


I finished reading Dead Wrong, by Mariah Stewart this week. It's the first in a series that I had already read number three, Dead Even. It wasn't such a bad thing, but if I hadn't started I would read them in order. Now I'm reading number two, Dead Certain. These are mystery FBI cases with a little romance thrown in. Pretty nice night time reading. If you like JD Robb you'll probably like these, too.

...and so, I decided to next work on Random Threads by Erica Michaels. It's on 28ct Light Exemplar by Lakeside, and I'm using ...silk buttonhole twist. I don't believe I've used it before for cross stitching, but am enjoying the way it stitches up on this 28ct linen.

This was the very beginning,

and this is where I am, now.

Long ago I finished Helga Mendal's On the Road Again mystery stitch along, and my plan was to use it on a tote bag. This isn't a really good shot, but it is on and I've been using it as a work carry-along bag.

I joined in with the group at Brookes Books Interactive for a Christmas in July swap. This is the sweet Joy ornament I received from Sue, and she also sent along a little kit with frame, fabric, threads, and even a needle for me to complete. This was a fun swap, and Sue, I really do like what you shared with me!

My recipient was Kathy, and this is the ornament I sent to her. It is from the JCS 2009 Ornament preview magazine. I included a couple of skeins of Christmas colored silk as well.

Thanks for taking your precious time to drop in today. I'm going to take a few minutes to go and do the same. Do come back again, soon!

Floss Tag Swap

I took part in the Floss Tag Swap at the Yahoo Friendly Stitchers' Group, and I'm so glad! I received this "Thread Keeper" from Abi. Isn't she lovely? She also sent beautiful Dinky-Dyes silk threads that I haven't used before...but I will !! Thank you SO much, Abi. I love her!!

Stitching and Such

I've had a few days off work, and it was time for some clearing and organizing. I'm still in the midst of all that, but thought I'd share (see why I'm still in the midst?) my grandpuppy, Kilo, with you. Her dad, my DS, has been working out of town for the last three weeks, so she stays with Pixie and me during the week. He finished early and got home on Thursday this week, but will be going to another location next week. She's just relaxing on the couch here, showing her dainty little paws (not). Then she was just about ready to have the photo shoot over - nap time!



This is some of what I've been up to the last little while on the stitching front. I'm attempting to catch up to the ASAW stitch along over at the Friendly Stitchers' Group on Yahoo. They're about 20x20, but they do have some detail, so it may take longer than I thought, but they are fun to work on! I'm not quite finished with the Robin or the Cottage, but here they are...

We also had a Floss Tag Swap, and this was my first. In hindsight, I probably should have kept this one and made another for Rebecca, but was so excited to get it out to her. I also made my first Humbug, and sent it along to her as well. It was such and afterthought that they don't match, but they won't necessarily be used together... Along with the floss tag we were to send floss, so I got a few pink shades of overdyed GAST (Gentle Arts Sampler Threads) and a silk HDF from Vikki Clayton. I hope she like them!



Thanks for dropping by -- come back soon!

Bookmark Swap

I joined the Needle-Tat group swap, and today I received my bookmark from Lisa. It is a spring daisy motif, her favorite flower, and it's just lovely! Lisa says she's been tatting for two years. Thank you so much for swapping, Lisa!

I mailed off Melinda's bookmark on Tuesday, May 29, but she hasn't gotten it yet. I forgot to take a scan or photo of it before it left, so when Melinda gets it, I asked her to share a copy of it with me.