What am I doing?

So, why am I here, instead of working on the house, or preparing the shopping list, or any of the other 100 things I should be doing?  Am I the procrastinator extreme?  Not typically – but perhaps that’s who I’m becoming.  Yes, in my ‘grand plan’ today was to be the House day – tomorrow the Food prep day – Tuesday and Wednesday Cooking days.  Therein lies the procrastination… there may be an extra hour or two in the cooking days…

DS and I had planned to get the tree and go to see Avatar yesterday.  He picked me up at about 2:00, so we got the tickets then went for lunch before the movie.  Lunch was good, but the movie was awesome!  My first 3-D of this generation, and these are the glasses they distribute.  Remind you of Jack Nicholson?  You're supposed to recycle them, but I passed the container before I knew it, and wasn't about to turn back in that mob.  The 3-D alone wasn’t what made it so great.  The story was good, the cinema was awesome, and it was almost three hours, but you’d never realize it.  All the hype and noise about this movie is worthy – even at $11 – go see it if you’re a movie person like me – longing for a visit with the Na’vi on Pandora.

Last night I tried out the new Sulky cotton thread I got from Anita's Little Stitches.  Go check out her fine examples!    

Did you notice there was no mention of a tree?  I asked DS what he thought about the idea of not having a big tree this year, but having several small trees and other decorations.  He said, If that’s what you want to do, and I do believe it is!  There are no small children, and the others who want one have theirs at home… my home, my décor.  Finally talked myself into it – or out of it in this case.

Here's hoping you have all your shopping and preparations finished and are ready to enjoy your holidays with family and friends!

Merry Christmas to everyone ~ I wish for you a season filled with peace ~ love ~ joy and Happy Stitching!

 Charlene

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… more in some places than others!  Around here, it’s coming along slowly, but it is coming!  I’ve been working on a menu and grocery list, plans for decorating running through my mind and stitching very little.  Late, you say?  Yes, quite, but that’s the way it has gone this year.

A few stitches added to the Sewing Box - right.

Finished the Shepherd's Bush ~ Snow for a former coworker.  She got it and was very pleased.

Started a new ornament, and think it will be a surprise - unless someone cares to guess what it is :-)  

I've had a birthday since the last post - I'm 56.  Seeing that in print looks SO old, but most of the time I honestly don't feel how I think that age should feel!  It was quite nice, but very uneventful.  Celebrated with the family the evening before with dinner and gifts.  Got some lovely Christmas serving dishes from Mom and an electric drill/screwdriver from Dad (wish I'd had it when putting up the new curtain rods), and a fantastic universal remote control from DS.  His comment was something like it made him tired to watch me juggle three remotes to watch TV.  The child (yes, he's 28 - ah ha - half my age) always comes up with the Best surprises!! 

Our LNS stitch night was on the actual date, so that's where I chose to be.  It was Christmas goodies' night, so we each brought some snack foods.  One of the girls was in a terrible auto accident in November (broken back, etc.) and she was able to be there in her body cast with the assistance of her DH.

Just a little blog surfing, then it's time to get up and busy.  Thank you for coming by.  I appreciate your visits and especially your comments.  Hope you'll come back again, soon!

Merry Christmas to everyone ~ I wish for you a season filled with peace ~ love ~ joy
and

Happy Stitching



Charlene in SC USA

Let the Count Down Begin

Christmas is only a few short days away, and no one has mentioned this directly to me, other than Mom asking carefully, “Is the party supposed to be at your house this year?  You can have it here if you’d rather.”  Why carefully, you ask.  There are years when I am a Christmas Scrooge, but so far this year has been going along rather nicely.

Remember, Thanksgiving was here at our house, and I enjoyed it very much.  Reason being?  I didn’t knock myself out trying to make the house sparkle and the food taste like Martha had helped.  I did the bare minimum – made the house look like people really do live here, and cooked the way I like to eat. 

My great LNS, Stitch and Frame, gives those who are registered a certificate for 20% off a complete project during their birthday month.  Since this is my month, I decided (a while back) it would be for Rosewood Manor’s Quaker Diamonds.  One of the girls at stitch night Tuesday was working on it, and it is so pretty!  When will I stitch it?  Don’t know, but it’s in my stash now!

I am still working on Fanny and Company’s Sewing Box.  Someone asked if it is for Christmas, and no, it’s for another project after the first of the year, but will wait until a little later to show that to you.  

The Santa Sampler is also  getting a few stitches now and again.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you're having a great weekend doing everything you enjoy! 

Happy Stitching
Charlene in SC USA

My last cigarette was on November 13, 2009. 

11/13/2009

12/5/2009

-22 days

November Ends

Where did it go?  I had posted, went back to edit text, and it vanished.  Try again... come on pictures...  Hope it works this time!

November ends with a beautiful day.  The sun is shining, and it’s almost 60 degrees.

Thanksgiving dinner was a success.  Everyone enjoyed the meal which is fairly traditional for our family ~ Turkey, dressing, cream turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, squash casserole, collard greens, cornbread, rolls, and pumpkin cake.  DS even said “that’s the best you’ve ever done, Mom.”  Wow – I sent him home with tons of it. 

I enjoyed using my new mixer! Started out with butter cookies.  

Next the cake here in the prep stage, and I meant to take a finished shot,

but this is when I thought about it again.

With sickness and Thanksgiving, I forgot to update my TUSAL for November 19.  Here it is for November – turning to Christmas colors!

Now for some stitching updates:

Continuing the French project, Point de Croix (Sewing Box) by Fanny and Company, started on Friday, November 20.  It’s on 30ct Alabaster linen using DMC variations 4210.

Also started a Santa sampler from Kirsten at TGOS, on 32 ct linen over 1 using DMC 815.

Thank you for coming by.  I appreciate your visits and especially your comments.  Come back again, soon!

My last cigarette was on November 13, 2009.
Happy Stitching
Charlene in SC USA

October – Breast Cancer Awareness

October – Breast Cancer Awareness

There’s a Pink link in the left column that allows you to sign up to receive a daily email reminder to click to provide (free) mammograms for women.  Just a click from your busy day…

 Did you know September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month?  I didn’t …  Click to go learn more about the symptoms of the ‘hard-to-diagnose’ disease. 

Quite some time ago, I finished stitching the Crazy Quilt piece, and the plan was to make it into a pillow for my aunt who has been fighting ovarian cancer for almost five years!  Her daughter is converting one of her bedrooms into a room for Mom after she has chemo and needs to be with someone.  DC asked if I’d make some window toppers for her, and of course I said yes.  She had the fabric, but didn’t know how to sew it up.  She had bought some of similar fabric that are hanging in the other BR.  When I held up the fabric, it looked short… She had measured the ready-made ones, top to bottom, and cut the fabric to that exact length!  I went home and dug into the muslin drawer, lined them, and they came out ‘just about’ the right length.  Of course I forgot to take a picture, but maybe I’ll get one of them hanging some time.  ANYway…  While the sewing machine was accessible (*path cleared to get to it), I decided to put the pillow together.  We had dinner together the other night, and DA was thanking me for the pillow, and said DC made her leave it at her house, in her room there.  J 

We had talked about the fall stitching getaway, so I took the stitched pieces from TWTQ to show them what we had done there, and how much I had stitched.  They were very complimentary of the piece, but they are amazed that I can ‘sit and stitch all that tedious work’ for hours on end.  They don’t know what they’re missing, do they?  DC is one of those obsessed housekeepers (she vacuums her entire house EVERY day) and works full time, so I told her that’s why her house looks like it does, and *mine looks like it does!! 

I’ve finished the stitching of the Tea with the Queen project (plus a scissor fob and will probably add a bit of design to the back of the scissor pouch), but we’ll see how long it takes to get it completely sewn up! 

Front of needleroll and closeup

Bag label and front of scissor pouch

This is an ornament by Sue Hillis from the JCS Christmas Ornament edition.  Again, I’ve improvised a bit to include a little silver strand in the snowflakes, and am considering using tiny star shaped pearl beads in place of the pearl buttons.  I’ll have to look at my pearl buttons to see if there are any tiny enough – what with the scissors and spools…

I’m writing this on Friday, to be posted on Saturday (complete with pictures).  I’m SO glad it’s Friday – and it’s Ladies Night!  A group of friends get together once every couple of months or so to have a cocktail, usually with a theme of some sort - these aren’t stitching ladies - like manicures or coupon swapping or tales by the outdoor fire pit (any theme will do), and dinner.  Tonight is cold cut sandwiches.  They usually request that I bring dessert,
We don’t have ANY dessert yet????? Marquirita pie – I would never drop hints!!!!

So tonight is Margarita pie encore – recipe from Pampered Chef.  I’ll TRY to remember to take a picture before we dig in.  It’s easy and GOOD if you like lime.  I tried Key Lime last time, but for me it wasn’t tart enough with the other ingredients, so this time it’s regular lime.  We’ll see if THEY like it as well.  They didn't notice any difference...nor did I.

Margarita Pie

Crust

1 ¼ cups finely crushed pretzels (I leave a few chunky pieces for texture)
½ cup butter or margarine, melted
¼ cup sugar

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate

Filling

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk) [Note to self – new can opener]
2 teaspoons grated lime peel
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup orange juice
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Combine milk, lime peel, and juices in medium bowl; fold in whipped topping.  Spoon mixture into crust.  Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.                  Yield:  8 servings

Thanks for stopping by today, and please come back again!

Tea with the Queen

I had my yearly gyn checkup this week.  Thankfully all is well from that end (pun intended), BUT my BP and cholesterol still need to be medicated, and surprise, surprise, I weigh more than ever – in my life.  One of these days I will get back on the wagon, but he didn’t care for that attitude.  He’s right, but we all know your head AND your heart have to be in it before success will be achieved.   On to more fun things…

I noticed today that the Bride’s Tree Ornament SAL blog is asking someone to take over as administrator.  It is a fun project to do, so if you have the time and interest, hop over and volunteer.

You’ve listened to my chatter about the stitching getaway weekend my LNS, The Stitch and Frame Shop, sponsored with a project by Clara Blalock from The Stitching Parlor.  She was inspired by the lovely china tea set.  It is such a beautiful project, even more so in person.  The velvet bag is scrumptious on its own!   Clara is a delightful lady, excellent designer and teacher, and her project is superb!   If you ever have an opportunity to have a class with her, GO!

The getaway started on Friday afternoon with friends gathering and greeting, some we don’t see very often, others I’d never met, and one on-line friend I got to meet!   Angel was there, and I hadn’t seen her since Camp Stitchaway,  and  Carolyn was able to work out the details of life to be able to come to the retreat!  It was such a treat getting to meet her in person! 

She is such a kind and funny GirlFriend.  Can’t wait until we get together again.    

After some time chatting and such, we all went out for dinner for more fun and chatter.  When we got back, we reviewed the project, fondled, ohhed and ahhed the velvet and satin, and started our outline backstitches.  We got to take a trip over to the Shop for a private purchase evening!  Since I live in the town, I decided to sleep at home, but I’m sure I missed a lot of late night fun! 

Saturday, we stitched more, had lunch, stitched more, had Tea, stitched more…  You get the point – the purpose was stitching, and we did!!  We had dinner on our own, so some went shopping, Peggy opened the shop again, and I went to care for Pixie.  After that break there was more stitching, THEN Show and Tell.  What wonderful work these ladies do!    Of the 50-some pictures I took, here are a few…

 

Sunday was the final day – a bit of stitching, packing up, with fond farewells and hope to see you soons!  In the afternoon, I did more stitching and got my name graphed ‘over one’ and stitched, between naps. 

 

Thanks to Peggy, for such a great getaway!  I know a lot of planning and work goes into making this a success, and in my book this one was Excellent.  S&F also sponsors a fall retreat at Myrtle Beach in November, but I do believe I heard that it is full.  If you want to check it out, I imagine it will be posted on their site before long.

PS:

I meant to show you what I've been stitching.  The Three Amigos finished the inside of the needle book roll at the retreat, and I've been working on the outside...

Christmas Stitch Along

Someone on one of the Yahoo Lists I frequent posted a link to a french website where a Christmas SAL was being offered.  That site is Les Croixxx Et Moi.  Even though in french, you can click on your favorite 'translate' package if you need English.  It is such a pretty design, and there is lots of chatter by those already being finished with part 1.  There are two color selections, and I have chosen to use deeper shades of green and red.  Carole also has other designs available if you're interested.  Have fun.
 

CQ Cross Stitch Finished

The crazy quilt piece I've been working on is finished. I believe I'm going to make it into a little pillow for my aunt who has been struggling with ovarian cancer for several years. It has been a long time since I made anything for her, and this is bright and hopefully cheery!

Cross Stitch Crazy Quilt

Just a little update of the Crazy Quilt cross stitch piece WIP. It's coming along, slowly! Click on the stack to see progress made.

ASAW - Update

This week I've been working on the Friendly Stitchers ASAW Stitch Along, trying to get caught up. So far 25 weekly charts have been shared, and I've just completed seven... But that's what catching up is all about; right? It's been fun experiementing with different stitches and techniques. As the charts are shared, Abi or Val give us some suggestions about stitches or techniques we may want to try, but it's up to us whether or not we use any of them. Typically they don't suggest fibers or colors, so there is a lot of variety in how the Gardens are completed.

This is the first row of my Garden

And some closeup shots...

Snowman

I couldn't get in focus AND show the sparkle of Mr. Snow...

Owl

Catrails

Cottage

Snowdrops

Snowflake

Same issue with the snowflake...


Robin


Garden Joy