tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89259034880801753422024-03-18T10:48:54.076-06:00A Pause in the JourneyThe world's slowest stitcher, and now knitter, occasionally hits life's pause button to let a word or two (or maybe a thousand) fly.dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-60280783175378163572012-04-30T20:23:00.000-06:002012-04-30T20:23:09.253-06:00Weak Giveaway<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, my friends, we had a very weak little giveaway. The good news is that everyone had a great chance of winning the only chart that anyone wanted. So the winner of the Napa Valley Sampler chart is <a href="http://blacksheepsite.blogspot.com/">Edgar</a>! Woo hoo, Edgar, you are the recipient of a chart, some fabric and a few threads. If you'll send your snail mail address to my email (located in my profile), I'll put that little item in the post. Or I could just bring it to you when I arrive in San Francisco in June. Just kidding, Edgar, just kidding. I'd never make you wait.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No one expressed an interest in the other stitchy items, so I'm not certain what my sis and I will do with those. I'll find a group who collects things to give to someone in need. Now, if I misunderstood and there's someone out there who would like the other two charts, etc., you just let me know.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My next WIPocalypse update is sure to be rather weak, because I've been spending time learning to knit lace. I call it learning to put holes in knitting on purpose, rather than accidentally (that, of course, is something at which I excel). I completely missed the teacher's discussion about a very important element, so I spent several days trying to figure out why my journey through the laid out stitches wasn't working. I fixed it by adding more ... blah, blah, blah ... I am a stooge at knitting. The second class helped a lot, and now I can do it. Here's some proof.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These are pictures of the scarf that is done with my yarn-over mistakes, but you get the idea, don't you? It's definitely not perfect. Most of my learning experiences in knitting are comedies. My swain hears the ugliest of language when I've made a mistake and have to unknit an hour or more of work. Oh well, it's good for me. And now I know how to make holes in my knitting. On purpose!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's it for today. Thank you to those of you who commented on Rebekah's sampler. I picked it up from the framer the other day, and I'm now in the process of rearranging (because you just have to rearrange sometimes) the stairwell sampler wall to accommodate it. Maybe we need before and after pictures. Anyhoo, I'm off to work on something stitchy. Make some fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-51107107370289411222012-04-25T20:32:00.001-06:002012-04-25T20:36:37.121-06:00Gifts<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When you think of gifts, what do you think about? I think about all of the unexpected gifts I've been given, which manifest themselves in the most unlikely (to me) ways. I also think about the wonderful gifts I've been given and the people who have given them to me. I'm much more comfortable being the giver rather than the recipient of gifts. I'm often afraid that I haven't done enough to deserve the gift (I know ... sounds bad, but it's one of my quirks). Maybe that feeling makes me more appreciative. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now is the time of year that causes me to think about gifts, because I'd much rather focus on what I've been given rather than on what's been taken. Sometimes the only way to make an event and its consequences positive is to look for gifts.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My sister recently gave me a sampler that she stitched. To me, a stitched piece is always an enormous gift. This sampler is even more special because of the meaning behind it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's called An Angel for Rebekah, and it was designed by Kam and Barb at Ewe & Eye & Friends about 16 years ago. I was working for them at the time that my younger daughter died, so they designed it in her memory. She used to go to their shop with me once or twice a week to work on publishing charts and putting kits and charts in their packaging. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To say that she was entertaining would be an extreme understatement, and she made friends of all ages wherever she went. All of us in my family still tell hundreds of hilarious stories of her adventures and exasperating (for us) moments. She's fresh in our minds because she was a gift to everyone she met, as I'm sure your children are gifts to you. Of course, we consider all of our children in our family gifts, but Bekah is our shared gift. Somehow, that makes things different.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To receive my sister's gift of this sampler is especially overwhelming this year, because Bekah would've been 21 this coming Sunday. I'm even more grateful to have this sampler because I haven't been able to get myself to stitch it. I've stitched other things for her, but this one was more difficult to start. It's just one of those things. My mom stitched Rebekah's sampler several years ago, and I wanted to bring it home with me, but my dad wants to keep it for now. I think that's why Sharri stitched it for me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So why am I telling you all of this? Since Sharri brought this finished piece to me, it's been on my mind so much. I think I need to share it, so here you are. I want to make certain that y'all don't think of this as just a horribly sad story. It's sad, but Bekah was wonderful, and what I've learned since she died has been so much more than I could ever explain to anyone (more for the memoir). The most important lesson is to learn as much as you can from the absolute worst things that happen, because those lessons are the only positive things than can come from a truly horrific event. I refuse to be a victim of life, and I am determined to live as full a life as possible. Remembering Rebekah by living a positive life is the least I can do. So that's what I hope you all take from this post. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think every day of how incredibly lucky I am. I have children, grandchildren, a great place to live, friends, family, a swain, and so many other wonderful things to appreciate. I can't think of anyone I'd be willing to trade places with. We all have hard lessons and difficult times. As my mom always said, "Life is an endurance test." We'd better make it as good as it can be, right?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So how about some gifts for you who read/comment/follow? I have a couple of things from Mom's stash left to give away to you. All you have to do is express an interest in any or all of the following items, and I'll enter you in a drawing to be held on Sunday evening, April 29. I'll be back to tell about the winners on Monday.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First is Blossom Time by Papillon Creations. This is a chart with some fabric that Mom bought for it. The fabric looks like a 28-count evenweave, but I haven't counted it, so it could be 32-count. Mom chose Gentle Art Sampler Threads in antique rose and grape leaf for this project, so I'll include those. Here's a picture:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Also for your stitching pleasure are Woodland Walk and Christmas Stitches from The Drawn Thread. Woodland Walk is a chart only. Christmas Stitches comes with gold blending filament, Mill Hill beads and three colors of silk floss. I'm hoping that there is enough to complete the project, but I can't guarantee it. These two will be given away together. Here are pictures:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lastly, I offer you my Napa Valley Sampler chart, along with its kitted fabric (I used a different one) and some of the kitted threads (the ones I didn't use). I won't put a picture here, but you can look at my <a href="http://www.apauseinthejourney.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-wipocalypse-etc.html">April 15 post</a> to check it out.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I appreciate all of you who read, comment, follow, and trade emails with me. Even if I don't show it often enough or well enough, I'm grateful that you're here. The community that we have here in blogland is a gift we share. Thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Til next time, appreciate gifts that come your way, be kind to each other, make some fun. </span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-28995227252406081932012-04-15T14:54:00.004-06:002012-04-17T13:42:35.182-06:00April WIPocalypse, Etc.<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, I completely lost March. I had good intentions, took pictures, but I could never settle my butt into the office chair for long enough to post. So here I am two months later ... sheesh ... what's new?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Life has been busy, as always. Sweet Keagan turned two, and yummy little Blake is soon to be eight months. Here's a braggy grandma picture, because I just can't help myself</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I actually have a stitchy finish to show you. Here's the Napa Valley Sampler from Ewe & Eye & Friends.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5zGgtRNmD7fRnXvHTQ93CFqcWWKUarCLTN895_yaYIvkGpZ6GbjTI-x1H45vHDp7L_ogI7Ok-3F8zHneFWJP2uEZ_DiQ1sSrH_KipEK-0uYQwpBBx-icyd1isj5HdwgbByGy2vRam0le/s1600/P1010921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5zGgtRNmD7fRnXvHTQ93CFqcWWKUarCLTN895_yaYIvkGpZ6GbjTI-x1H45vHDp7L_ogI7Ok-3F8zHneFWJP2uEZ_DiQ1sSrH_KipEK-0uYQwpBBx-icyd1isj5HdwgbByGy2vRam0le/s320/P1010921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was kitted with Anchor floss and Gentle Art Sampler Threads, but I switched out the Anchor for DMC. The Anchor greens were just too close to each other. I also changed the fabric from 40-count Sandstone to a little piece of 36-count R & R of unknown color. It's darker and blotchier than the Sandstone was, and I wanted the piece to be a little larger. Instead of doing Kam's coils in the trees (my most dreaded stitch ... ugh), I used two strands of floss and did some Smyrna crosses. Finally, I added our friends' initials and ours. It looks much better in real life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adding to my WIP list, I've begun a small sampler from E&E&F. There's so little progress that I didn't take a pic yet, so maybe I can show you a finished version next month (more positive thinking).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Knitting has been big lately, and I finished a new pair of socks for my sister.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A new man came to live with me since I saw y'all last. He's very cute and will look perfect when sitting with his buddies on my mantle later this year.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pBTUs5OGd-EcDYTpFEGRr5QFyJKhv1Iig4_aCK7TAzQnjsmQ9zkhwPCvDSE0r6VAGK-rgYKXmzDM3t5la_I8hB6xd7xNlDG5DapkTVBMm_Xhm5_kQemG13jSsAROiGWRKWTKG25CfWtw/s1600/P1010916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pBTUs5OGd-EcDYTpFEGRr5QFyJKhv1Iig4_aCK7TAzQnjsmQ9zkhwPCvDSE0r6VAGK-rgYKXmzDM3t5la_I8hB6xd7xNlDG5DapkTVBMm_Xhm5_kQemG13jSsAROiGWRKWTKG25CfWtw/s320/P1010916.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He's the Ewe & Eye & Friends Limited Edition Santa from 1994 that I showed you <a href="http://www.apauseinthejourney.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-wipocalypse.html">here</a>. He turned out so nice and fat!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">OK, that's enough for today. Next time it'll be a finish to the giveaways, and I'll try to get on it sooner rather than later. Until then, make some fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-78513943953341827112012-02-22T19:59:00.002-07:002012-04-15T14:56:54.067-06:00Wild Weekend<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The wedding is over. It was one of those you-had-to-be-there events that defy description, and if I ever do write my memoirs, there will have to be a chapter each for the night before (we were forced by the bride to number off and play Table Topics), the day itself (a lost-but-later-found ring and turquoise-sequined bridesmaids) and the wedding evening with my siblings, nephews and nieces. The good news is that Dad is married and will, hopefully, be happy and will never need online dating again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To all of you lovely giveaway winners from the past weeks, your packages will go out tomorrow. I apologize for not getting them out sooner, but it took me a few days to recover from the wild weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been stitching a little bit on the Ewe & Eye & Friends Napa Valley Sampler. It's going to be a gift for the friends who housed us in their guest cottage last summer in the San Francisco area. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VE-SgcM8z3i4RAKQdrAC1qUwxfLhODS2PBCkfjPANPuAWhhyFCFhcHuvjgLn3UrEu6YHtE2umQXuc2IEP9XUIw_wQJG5qfToNKSfaCXI-Ci_iJpPm_98zyzCUcgX0gfmNfWUWGDsbEj4/s1600/P1010913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VE-SgcM8z3i4RAKQdrAC1qUwxfLhODS2PBCkfjPANPuAWhhyFCFhcHuvjgLn3UrEu6YHtE2umQXuc2IEP9XUIw_wQJG5qfToNKSfaCXI-Ci_iJpPm_98zyzCUcgX0gfmNfWUWGDsbEj4/s320/P1010913.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank goodness the painstaking mortar is finished! The satin-stitched shingles were fun.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kFPIfN6qm0cIi-7J5TEGI1hWP-wGDcSPaoTGOyCXkvPslA03SGHF6muQok7s7I4GM9j1NvoG0Pheabplf4MKV1m7XAOx-F5GVg1olc1sqvulPb-pso-B0R6YvlvdQN1uGTQnFG96mR6W/s1600/P1010852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kFPIfN6qm0cIi-7J5TEGI1hWP-wGDcSPaoTGOyCXkvPslA03SGHF6muQok7s7I4GM9j1NvoG0Pheabplf4MKV1m7XAOx-F5GVg1olc1sqvulPb-pso-B0R6YvlvdQN1uGTQnFG96mR6W/s320/P1010852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The heavenly guest cottage ... to die for. The sign in the window is a joke, thank goodness, and we proved it. Look at how pudgy I look reflected in the door's window!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp83Xpfmca6Nj2ZTteTZOnyJqVE74N42szad7V3nz0iC_lMRCQkUAMM5hXzL7jCww-t2VihjrbZENeGFn7YfHhj7vCh6N3SARIeOZkv_Dg6yV0pC6a1wl7Mo7J9Obk19X2-awtyAipgLa/s1600/P1010838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp83Xpfmca6Nj2ZTteTZOnyJqVE74N42szad7V3nz0iC_lMRCQkUAMM5hXzL7jCww-t2VihjrbZENeGFn7YfHhj7vCh6N3SARIeOZkv_Dg6yV0pC6a1wl7Mo7J9Obk19X2-awtyAipgLa/s320/P1010838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The path to the cottage, which is beautiful but could be difficult to negotiate after an evening with our friends.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've also been working on Mom's Calico Cat a little. My next WIPocalypse post will probably be without a finish.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After reading <a href="http://lakestitcher.blogspot.com/">Lee's</a> past two Stitching Bloggers' Questions, I decided to combine them and tell you about my oldest project. <a href="http://lakestitcher.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-sbq.html">January's SBQ</a> asked about our oldest projects. Mine is this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulC98a8GxWK5ihwEUhvwNu-xrMU0bHbShyND3e0XFM8FHZN0EBBC5MH69Iv9LftX0sV5DC2oZi3dRu7GQppyw8fecoNi3ypKQlU5XTeDm4NNfXqCJNgi4FW7_S0un1ZGFrkU-8m801mEn/s1600/P1010896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulC98a8GxWK5ihwEUhvwNu-xrMU0bHbShyND3e0XFM8FHZN0EBBC5MH69Iv9LftX0sV5DC2oZi3dRu7GQppyw8fecoNi3ypKQlU5XTeDm4NNfXqCJNgi4FW7_S0un1ZGFrkU-8m801mEn/s320/P1010896.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's called "The Chase", and I've had it since the summer of 1972, when I was driving my mom crazy. I had my second full-leg cast in two years, and I desperately needed entertainment. It's a Williamsburg reproduction kit printed on muslin. No counting was necessary.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwmNBq7kxmN6mvLUY5F7F_rDzxX5Uv7wnriJ-a74DrRv-O6H5LHdFdtNZ0yBHeZS-0lSWKhi24uH1b4xv8-mICpLxktuPOISYXCx9qwEmzY7vvodf2_m0nJC964AYv-ULMgDl-2Ud6vOA/s1600/P1010897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwmNBq7kxmN6mvLUY5F7F_rDzxX5Uv7wnriJ-a74DrRv-O6H5LHdFdtNZ0yBHeZS-0lSWKhi24uH1b4xv8-mICpLxktuPOISYXCx9qwEmzY7vvodf2_m0nJC964AYv-ULMgDl-2Ud6vOA/s320/P1010897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Look at those woven strawberries and chain stitch fill-in! The last time I worked on this piece, I was in college. It was probably 1978.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1LDapmg9vP487-6PiMhgr4V5u7JrTJT9PzvlXsnmtpqSI5lN9a6QplEPcvDq6tls5-HWhPHVJ_BKPeCHO8buDVZfoBvqM0qvCZpQ_PRyjDoMkvPFLvRaFUvRT_mX9GvZnLT0URObZG2f/s1600/P1010898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1LDapmg9vP487-6PiMhgr4V5u7JrTJT9PzvlXsnmtpqSI5lN9a6QplEPcvDq6tls5-HWhPHVJ_BKPeCHO8buDVZfoBvqM0qvCZpQ_PRyjDoMkvPFLvRaFUvRT_mX9GvZnLT0URObZG2f/s320/P1010898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I really "urned" my stripes (no, I'm not sorry for that) with outlined satin stitches and every other stitch you can imagine (ok, no queen's stitches, which are my faves). This poor baby has been lying in wait in boxes during uncountable moves and in my cedar chest for decades. I've picked it up and looked at it, but no needle has pierced its surface for more than 30 years. You'd never know that this is one of the reasons I fell in love with stitching.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lee's <a href="http://lakestitcher.blogspot.com/2012/02/breaking-up-is-hard-to-do.html">February SBQ</a> asks if we have a project we'd like to break up with. I think I broke up with this project many years ago. I'm not certain when it happened, but it did. I like looking at it and thinking about what was happening when I stitched certain sections, so I can't imagine ever getting rid of it. But the desire to finish it has left me. If I were to work on it again, I'd have to start over. I know too much now, including how little I knew when I was working on it. I've always waited too long to break up. Yes, I'm one of those dummies who wait until they are absolutely miserable and can't remember ever being happy with ... oh, wait ... those were relationships! Thank goodness I can still remember being happy with The Chase. <a href="http://bitsofmyown.blogspot.com/2008/03/hooray-chase-sampler-is-finished.html">Erica</a> finished it in 2008, and she has my respect and admiration. Maybe she'd like to finish mine. Just kidding, Erica, just kidding.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next time I'll give away our last two items from Mom's stash. Until then, make some fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-32877516354129667802012-02-13T20:32:00.000-07:002012-02-13T20:32:47.233-07:00Giveaway #2 Results<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Good evening. Wow, I'm sticking to my timetable, which is so shocking to me. It's Monday evening, and as promised, I'm drawing names for the second in a short series of giveaways to make sure some of Mom's stash goes to good homes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Into Spring and Summer Into Autumn will go to <a href="http://yellowflowermeadow.blogspot.com/">Susan</a>. Hooray, Susan!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Garden Recipe and The Violet Sampler will go to </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wanda (no blog). Hooray, Wanda!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank you to the five of you girls who entered both drawings. My sister and I appreciate you wanting to help us find homes for Mom's unstitched projects. Please click on "Email" in my profile so you can send me a note with your snail mail addresses. Wanda, I'm thinking that I have yours already, but please send it to me anyway so I know for certain.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I apologize that I forgot to link the names of the #1 giveaway winners to their blogs. When I have more than a few minutes, I'll do that. I also apologize that this is a quickie post. There is so much left to do here that I have to get right to it. Make some fun.</span><br />
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</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-25621948080952339992012-02-09T20:38:00.001-07:002012-02-09T20:39:15.923-07:00Giveaway #1 Results and Giveaway #2<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm jumping in a little earlier than promised, since I had a little gift of time this evening. My book group was canceled, so I'm taking care of business. Lots of you out there have recently gotten rid of some items and would rather not have more, and I understand perfectly. That means we had only a few giveaway participants, so their chances were great.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For Giveaway #1, Giovanna will get the fabrics, and JHM will be get the Winter Whitework Sampler. Ladies, if you'll drop me an email note with your snail mail addresses, I'll send your prizes. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since we're on a roll, let's have giveaway #2. This time, the prizes are in pairs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our first pair: Winter Into Spring and Summer Into Autumn by The Drawn Thread. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My pics are a little too small, but I know you can find better pictures online. Both are kits, complete with threads, fabric, beads, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our second pair: The Violet Sampler and Garden Recipe, also by The Drawn Thread.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Violet Sampler is a chart only, and you'll have to find a cute little dragonfly charm along with your supplies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Garden Recipe package contains silk ribbon, bow charm and rose quartz hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you'd like to be entered in either or both drawings, just let me know in the comments. I'll draw names Monday evening and let you know by Tuesday.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, I want to thank everyone who commented and emailed with hugs and good thoughts and very interesting tales after my last post. Ours is a situation that most of us don't expect, so we're feeling our way along rather blindly. We're also laughing as much as possible (there's so, so much to laugh about) and looking forward to having my brother and sister-in-law here for a few days. They'll be staying with me for what my SIL is calling "the royal wedding". I appreciate all of the kindness and smiles that fill the comments, not just now, but all the time. I share with my sister and daughter, who are smartasses (thank goodness), just like I am.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Til next time, make some big fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-50711114297044923712012-02-06T19:30:00.001-07:002012-02-06T19:33:47.955-07:00February WIPocalypse<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It doesn't feel like it's been almost a month since I posted ... it seems longer! Yep, it's been quite the month. I think I'll start with the happy stuff, like a new finish. Look below and you'll see my newest finished EEF Limited Edition Santa.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So sorry about the dim and crooked picture. The sun came out yesterday and this morning, but I was unprepared for photography at all the right times. I put his backing fabric and cord floss in the pic with him. He's from a 1994 (geez, I'm slow) Ewe & Eye & Friends kit. I had previously given him an incorrect birth year, but I've edited my sidebar and <a href="http://apauseinthejourney.blogspot.com/2009/11/whoopee-shores-block-3.html">the post</a> he's pictured in. I hadn't worked on him since the last time I took my mom to chemo more than two years ago, so I feel like I've really accomplished something by finishing him. I'm gonna treat myself and take him to the finisher tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those of you keeping score, that's my second finish of a WIP this year. I haven't been resting on my laurels (such as they are) since I finished Santa. I started a new pair of socks (no picture yet) ... well, two new pair ... long story for another time. I started the EEF Napa Valley Sampler that will be a gift for friends, but I haven't made enough progress yet to show you a picture.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have to explain a little about what I've been up to. My dad's getting married again, which has brought so many mixed feelings from our whole family that I can't possibly explain here. I guess it'll have to be in my memoirs (uh huh, when pigs fly). Anyhoo, we were told that we'd have to pick up some things (picture a room full of so, so many items) that had belonged to my mom and my grandma. We were also told that these things would be "unavailable" if they weren't claimed by a certain date. So my sister and I (in not-quite-panic mode) went over and started to weed out some things that no one would want to have, and then we've been parceling out the things that we know someone would want. We didn't want anything to disappear without looking at everything. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've become the keeper of many items in my basement, just in case someone wants the opportunity to go through some old pictures or would like something they weren't sure about earlier. Sharing was/is important to us, so we want everyone to have chances to decide. I've also become the proud owner of many beautiful things (an antique wardrobe, old quilts, needlework, jewelry, etc.) that had to be put away. It's taken some time to find space and clean out Nikki's (she thinks it's still hers) closet to make room. We've all come to the obvious, shared conclusion that we'd rather have my mom than have her things.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So why am I telling you all this? I've added a new WIP to my list. It's an old needlepoint canvas that Mom started in 1987 (we found the receipt ... the woman never threw things away!). My sister and I can both remember when Mom bought it at The Needleworker, a shop in Denver. She bought it with all the fibers and took a class to learn the stitches and techniques, and she was incredibly excited. Mom called it the Calico Cat (so did I in my WIP list), but Kitty Cat was on the receipt. Who knows? My sister wants me to finish it so we can share it. Is that like a little sister, or what? Take a look ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yep, the 80's called and we answered! Notice the water stains at the bottom? I could only find some of the fibers (they were a mess, which was such a surprise), but I'm gonna take it with me to a needlepoint shop to see if they can help me match one wool. The only areas that haven't been stitched are that wool and some DMC colors that I'm pretty sure I can figure out. All the hard stuff has been done. So why did Mom stop working on it? Why do any of us stop working on something? Another bright, shiny object comes into view ... y'all know how to complete that story.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My sister and I kept all of Mom's WIPs and not-yet-started projects we'd like to stitch, and we gave away some needlepoint canvases (nothing hand-painted) that had been started long, long ago. But we have some things that need good homes, and we'd like to offer them to you. So I'll be giving away a couple of things at a time, in upcoming posts, until they're gone. How's that?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First on the list are three 28-count (two are identified, and one we're pretty sure about) fabrics.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ugh, that's a horrible picture! Sorry about that. There's Jubilee Amaretto (center), Jobelan Bay Rum (we don't know which one is bay rum), and an unidentified fabric. Each piece is 18-by-18 or larger. All three will be given away together.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Also, here is The Drawn Thread's Winter Whitework Sampler.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon4zMXzWYrAKoffhA1kIDhso4A9ly6dI9B6PFxDLmBvrT0y8FRgIV27rj4TFdxp1KV-LGl3G25fBrTMa7A6znA4LDL09Hi5rLYFRRHEvpyvtY-SvVShdb5fOYpkyKz63B2iHtXZQVJA9O/s1600/P1010904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon4zMXzWYrAKoffhA1kIDhso4A9ly6dI9B6PFxDLmBvrT0y8FRgIV27rj4TFdxp1KV-LGl3G25fBrTMa7A6znA4LDL09Hi5rLYFRRHEvpyvtY-SvVShdb5fOYpkyKz63B2iHtXZQVJA9O/s320/P1010904.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This sampler pack contains silk floss, beads, buttons, snowflake charm and silk ribbon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'll do two drawings. If you're interested in owning and loving either the sampler or the fabric, just let me know which you'd like to have, or if you'd like to be in both drawings, in a comment. I'll draw names the old-fashioned way on Thursday, February 9, and let y'all know about a winner on Friday. Sound good?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have work to do! I'm off to get busy. Make some fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-3305451706586345272012-01-13T14:38:00.002-07:002012-01-13T14:41:17.328-07:00January WIPocalypse<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hopefully, this will be a pretty fast post, because it's happening during my free time at school. I've been spending my time at home getting a couple of things accomplished. Of course, in my life, there are always a great number of things on my to-do list, but I've been able to scratch off a couple of items.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As my first WIP finish for the year (hooray!), here are a few looks at Jeffrey's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX70KOuvJx1jaKAkwydukTv00Go7clN1XMdQxYXEU0j6dh5smnhyphenhyphenbX-FDalmspcxrJW9E98Z9zTNYMsfEbBHBZEW86pLoaN8wybTukS7IaoEjyJDTmwlnHogx9p5XcaE5IrBaAov7JdDls/s1600/P1010888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX70KOuvJx1jaKAkwydukTv00Go7clN1XMdQxYXEU0j6dh5smnhyphenhyphenbX-FDalmspcxrJW9E98Z9zTNYMsfEbBHBZEW86pLoaN8wybTukS7IaoEjyJDTmwlnHogx9p5XcaE5IrBaAov7JdDls/s400/P1010888.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So sorry about the kooky lighting in this picture. I rushed to get home to catch some natural light, and I could only get direct sun right before it dropped behind the mountains.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX2oUHKsKmcYag7FghBmMXiT2eLCKD7eaOhNlFuxamBLr9UJLmq3hPphVtT6mDspjtN1d60LO-bhuapLYDFBzMZFPDhd_J1xH5aAGOVXWPG9nXYkUHsr4RbYU69RN76mO0LtuYdDNWicc/s1600/P1010889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX2oUHKsKmcYag7FghBmMXiT2eLCKD7eaOhNlFuxamBLr9UJLmq3hPphVtT6mDspjtN1d60LO-bhuapLYDFBzMZFPDhd_J1xH5aAGOVXWPG9nXYkUHsr4RbYU69RN76mO0LtuYdDNWicc/s320/P1010889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Isn't this a great green glass leaf?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5W7mtnJzxhDQhGI4md5W2XQ0_KGKVT6bQryfkYH0ehC74MwQs8ZAGgD-sLCn_e-PiQlHuA8Yxi8pgpiOV7GzA5nEVFCerb3_-yo2ce26FmcZX1FGY3KaYoyVafbSeLjsUPbXS27IC8lB/s1600/P1010891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5W7mtnJzxhDQhGI4md5W2XQ0_KGKVT6bQryfkYH0ehC74MwQs8ZAGgD-sLCn_e-PiQlHuA8Yxi8pgpiOV7GzA5nEVFCerb3_-yo2ce26FmcZX1FGY3KaYoyVafbSeLjsUPbXS27IC8lB/s320/P1010891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And look at the little snowman button! How do they do that face? OK, I know you're saying, "She spends way too much time with little kids." In my defense, their enthusiasm for wondering is contagious. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Anyway, as soon as I get this back from the finisher (no way am I sewing it together myself, incompetently), little Blake will have a stocking.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One more finish to add to my list, unofficially, was a pair of socks for a friend.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDEhd70TQDNqfyxkCVENRu7MpywGJKQTGPkSfQjIqEmcUdoPM2BvcCWQRpGZ26l2a6F4HmMTJgcRO0a80usGCW_BhzYmGp0l_NEgJAnorBGC-dnheV2xQIwn_0IDYsf59ReyX4-vkwlZi/s1600/P1010893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDEhd70TQDNqfyxkCVENRu7MpywGJKQTGPkSfQjIqEmcUdoPM2BvcCWQRpGZ26l2a6F4HmMTJgcRO0a80usGCW_BhzYmGp0l_NEgJAnorBGC-dnheV2xQIwn_0IDYsf59ReyX4-vkwlZi/s320/P1010893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tada! They're knitted from bamboo yarn, so they're very soft and they'll wear well. I'm thrilled with the brown and blue tones of the yarn.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I haven't decided which WIP will bite the dust next. I'm leaning toward something smaller, since I feel like I'm on a roll. I'm also suffering from a little stitchy ADD, and it's hard to stick to anything. We'll see what strikes me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's it for now. Update completed. My long weekend starts at 3:30 ... woo hoo! Make some fun.</span><br />
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</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-30893867209814750772012-01-05T20:07:00.000-07:002012-01-05T20:07:00.384-07:002012, How I Love Thee!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Look! My blog finally got a facelift! It's about time, huh? I know it's not much, but it's something. Maybe at some future date I'll grow some courage and really branch out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">New Year's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Unless you're having a party, there's not much to prepare. All that's required most of the time is that you've made appropriate plans, or no plans at all, and have enough celebratory beverages on hand. We visited my swain's brother and sister-in-law on New Year's Eve, left there early, and then relaxed. It was good. Then on New Year's Day, we went to see friends for black-eyed peas and collard greens, and then watched the Broncos lose. Ugh, what a season. Now we have to watch post-season; a heart-stopping proposition. If we make it past one game, we'll be stunned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For Christmas we took a 2200 mile road trip to visit the swain's son and family in Santa Monica. It was interesting and fun. The highlight, besides meeting his California grandchildren, was seeing a friend I hadn't seen for 16 years. I saw sweet Estrella as a mom for the first time and met her young daughter. What can compare with getting to know a new three-and-a-half-year-old new best friend while having lunch and sitting on the beach? We went on some killer walks, enjoyed fabulous weather, saw the tar pits (yes, I'm a big, fat geek), we stopped in Nevada for golf (a great course that was the source of much poor-golfing hilarity), and had a wonderful time together. It's what we do, thank goodness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Does it sound awful that I deserted my daughter and grandsons for Christmas? Don't worry ... we had a fun-filled evening before we left and a great visiting day after returning, so I got to see my boys during my break from school. I honestly can't imagine leaving them during another Christmas vacation for a long time. Keagan's new mission is to help his mom with everything possible, including Blake's diaper changes. He thinks he's 12 and can do anything on his own. His newest words are football, high chair and Grandpa (for my dad). Blake is growing big and pudgy and trying to roll over. What a pair at four and 21 months!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Well, kids, I'm not much for planning and goal-setting when it comes to stitching. I wrote that as if you don't already know what a bird-hopper I am! This year could be different, because I've signed up for <a href="http://measi.net/measiblog/">Measi's</a> WIPocalypse. If you'll glance at the sidebar, you'll see my list of WIPs that I'm carrying over into 2012. The list is long (she whined pitifully), and I'd love to whittle that WIP list to a mere fraction of its present size so I can stitch more things. Here's what I'm up against:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoyUswBjWE-NtwP-h7yBnfyfPTfxOORv-NbzvViZ7vHx7FgSlL7DVywh-dIox47adtE0ogiCFVZTqN6Le64xqQKeS5SvQjT78feO3kSvYMWwoymyMWd5vGaKqnu7ADSQCM9AvABSJY5qM/s1600/P1010887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoyUswBjWE-NtwP-h7yBnfyfPTfxOORv-NbzvViZ7vHx7FgSlL7DVywh-dIox47adtE0ogiCFVZTqN6Le64xqQKeS5SvQjT78feO3kSvYMWwoymyMWd5vGaKqnu7ADSQCM9AvABSJY5qM/s320/P1010887.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTJaqm3VDD7zNg5JcfPxKqh1Zg2EOKBkhOqavv6Ec948S681pCiFvuB3MMEUVodOFH1UaPpfLXG5slnB4SH-QYTZlSLiCaG8whztuGFEhmWrsDZH63m2u6xZkBTnW-vlOtb-2iPKAttLr/s1600/P1010886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTJaqm3VDD7zNg5JcfPxKqh1Zg2EOKBkhOqavv6Ec948S681pCiFvuB3MMEUVodOFH1UaPpfLXG5slnB4SH-QYTZlSLiCaG8whztuGFEhmWrsDZH63m2u6xZkBTnW-vlOtb-2iPKAttLr/s320/P1010886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Holy cow! Yep, I piled them on the bed (and a few are missing) just to get a look at the size of my mission. If you look carefully, you'll see a little hooked piece that's begging to be finished. There are also some ancient (as in 1980's) pieces and some unidentified objects. I'm hoping for great changes to the pile, since I have only a couple of gifty things to stitch this year (uh huh, we've heard that before).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One project that won't be in the mix is my swain's stocking, which is Bertie's Stocking from Shepherd's Bush. Here are a few pics ...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c1cMguDCfe-Oa7izth8C6ws1EGw4RyXm4wSs9k8vCi7pxl1yoo194wWejlP_KtqHBBTV_fZFeSEbCI_yDrnzXSqqV_rRjdxlFHf60Tu3AaSOlxYH67Aaw-PUiaMgY5YJjlAXZB9KXnme/s1600/P1010883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c1cMguDCfe-Oa7izth8C6ws1EGw4RyXm4wSs9k8vCi7pxl1yoo194wWejlP_KtqHBBTV_fZFeSEbCI_yDrnzXSqqV_rRjdxlFHf60Tu3AaSOlxYH67Aaw-PUiaMgY5YJjlAXZB9KXnme/s320/P1010883.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I love the little froggy in the vegies. This stocking goes with mine (Tina's Stocking), so gardening is the theme.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkCJKhI0sLp11t_QHMuRfNOCsthcGHnhp_NRqzvNdotVK5q92Ztahe-w-_YiXT22Ea5yGGvx8u85QwKBwQKWqjDojeZE_6_BLkf61tIdBG0eT2Lw5kOl5juvQeP6tdRy_jLAKn-St1O3I/s1600/P1010880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkCJKhI0sLp11t_QHMuRfNOCsthcGHnhp_NRqzvNdotVK5q92Ztahe-w-_YiXT22Ea5yGGvx8u85QwKBwQKWqjDojeZE_6_BLkf61tIdBG0eT2Lw5kOl5juvQeP6tdRy_jLAKn-St1O3I/s320/P1010880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My newest WIP to join the pile is Jeffrey's Stocking for Blake. I just couldn't quite get it finished with all the Christmas and trip preparations, but I've been working at it. Here's where I am ...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOwafv39unPKTt0LqEXlmVkAscF_IzmsD3Jci02U2uf32bYd2illcNWHS2V7k5RIwHhHbWyjXIMlZGOlmiNU6j8DAYQft4ut29VANto-xTjDlb7j2Ab3VkcR6CZNzHTvVffNObzI2v5xK/s1600/P1010884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOwafv39unPKTt0LqEXlmVkAscF_IzmsD3Jci02U2uf32bYd2illcNWHS2V7k5RIwHhHbWyjXIMlZGOlmiNU6j8DAYQft4ut29VANto-xTjDlb7j2Ab3VkcR6CZNzHTvVffNObzI2v5xK/s320/P1010884.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Isn't it looking good? So far, he hasn't noticed that he didn't have a stocking this year. It's been a fun stitch, and the colors are dreamy for someone who loves purple. Maybe by next week it can be my first WIPocalypse finish! Cross your fingers for me, because I still haven't taken down my Christmas tree (about 400 ornaments, OMG), and my little house needs a good cleaning.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm off to get something accomplished and maybe stitch a little. I'll do my best to get back next week (always the same story, huh?) for an update. Almost all of my students returned to school this week with colds, so think germ-killing thoughts for me. And make some fun!</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-67006448416631985512011-12-07T20:35:00.001-07:002011-12-09T13:59:47.809-07:00Oops!<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I thought I'd be right back! Honestly, what happens to the days/weeks/months? They just keep flying by, and there's so, so much to do. But I'm here now with some pictures to share.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Like many of you bloggy girls, I start projects and then set them down in favor of working on (usually starting) something else. I've never been very disciplined in my stitching endeavors, maybe because life requires us to be disciplined in other ways, and I need stitching to be fun. Whatever the reasons, here are some of the projects I've put aside to make room for new projects. First up is my Shepherd's Bush Neck Roll Pillow. No, the lace isn't sewn on yet, and this is where I left it last spring ...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrq-q-Yeq3J2k08ZpO56ZIGtOJzh2_O7NFdKiFfJSplMJ0rTQ73zixygm8lwzDU23REw9xW5ckuyXIF66cNjIB8jXL-vgfQSfiq2Tv6XYssbPpGfDYnXKMRkgZPASx4BvK2FRy0SPeIPII/s1600/P1010867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrq-q-Yeq3J2k08ZpO56ZIGtOJzh2_O7NFdKiFfJSplMJ0rTQ73zixygm8lwzDU23REw9xW5ckuyXIF66cNjIB8jXL-vgfQSfiq2Tv6XYssbPpGfDYnXKMRkgZPASx4BvK2FRy0SPeIPII/s320/P1010867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">... when I picked up the Yellow House Sampler again. It's an old Sheepish Designs piece from long, long ago. Isn't it pretty? I was feeling so great about my progress during the summer ...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_G5UWxKFARH7ZU_qddANjcSmfqXL1rWL6A1gITYOjYFHDvToddkX1l8lEfzDjIBhgoMuM2aNPsZd6RmmwIbMKgIYJvWmHzwBHPUesy5aQEykpRh-4G7qeOqHw4OVRHOXnMVvW_gIubeu/s1600/P1010866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_G5UWxKFARH7ZU_qddANjcSmfqXL1rWL6A1gITYOjYFHDvToddkX1l8lEfzDjIBhgoMuM2aNPsZd6RmmwIbMKgIYJvWmHzwBHPUesy5aQEykpRh-4G7qeOqHw4OVRHOXnMVvW_gIubeu/s320/P1010866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">... when <strong>this</strong> came along. I just couldn't resist starting (and foolishly thinking I'd finish) the Ann Wheatley 1829 Sampler, Attic Needlework's summer SAL led by <a href="http://daysofasamplerlover.blogspot.com/">Margaret</a>. It's a NeedleWorkPress beauty stitched on the recommended 40-count Vintage Pearled Barley with Belle Soie silks. She's been a dream to stitch, and stitching with Belle Soie for the first time has made this project truly wonderful. I'm looking at this picture, and I could've sworn that I was farther along. No surprise there, huh?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc__YDkwgr73B83Zl3xIKRZ2yL_L6AtUHbn71zXMe1uaVOTMJa5T1nVV8iGHr4e-2RyGdWkFWk3jnvK8Q5iUGRFvD5qtwE91a5lZnK44JdEHngSquIKdE1AnL__-MQWfTu8tdjN6iA44mP/s1600/P1010865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc__YDkwgr73B83Zl3xIKRZ2yL_L6AtUHbn71zXMe1uaVOTMJa5T1nVV8iGHr4e-2RyGdWkFWk3jnvK8Q5iUGRFvD5qtwE91a5lZnK44JdEHngSquIKdE1AnL__-MQWfTu8tdjN6iA44mP/s320/P1010865.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sadly, I set her down (sniff) when I figured out that I had not one, but two Shepherd's Bush stockings to stitch for some favorite menfolk this year. I'll show them to you next time. I know, don't any of you hold your breath!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">One of the many chores that have kept me busy over the last few months is pictured below. Last summer, I had more wood flooring put into my little townhouse, and then painted the upstairs hallway and stairwell. The latest (and last until next summer) painting project was to update my two-story living room during the week I had off at Thanksgiving. In order to accomplish such a lofty (literally!) goal, it was necessary to rent scaffolding and put it together. Putting it together, with the help of my swain (the man in my life - thanks, <a href="http://stitchbitch.blogspot.com/">Anna</a>, for the suggestions to rename him), was a two-hour Laurel and Hardy film. Luckily, all we have are a few stills. The picture below shows the new color, a brownish taupe against the whitish ceiling and the top of the 12-foot scaffolding.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEnx7VjV0ccPHOCtMevq3qVLlAUeEeQ4Ir789ozpUgJGZYhzm7nVtyzETqgrXL-Ae7kIZrt04nDGEi_YO1ZzNnlXTHn_DXssxKbIaWJaDt-vD9YZK64n6SBiyOZ4Y9ZqB8FDKifPvm_sG/s1600/P1010876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEnx7VjV0ccPHOCtMevq3qVLlAUeEeQ4Ir789ozpUgJGZYhzm7nVtyzETqgrXL-Ae7kIZrt04nDGEi_YO1ZzNnlXTHn_DXssxKbIaWJaDt-vD9YZK64n6SBiyOZ4Y9ZqB8FDKifPvm_sG/s320/P1010876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The most unexpected aspect of the scaffolding was the constant sway, which made me seasick on the first day. The height wasn't difficult to get used to, and we were able to do a great job, if I do say so myself. And my swain? He worked above and beyond the call! What a wonderful man! Not a cross word was exchanged during the exhausting two-day process, but there were many laughs. As we were taking apart the scaffolding (think of very heavy, six-foot, metal pieces), we forgot to hold onto the end pieces. To our horror, they fell away from us, making a perfectly circular hole in one freshly-painted wall, and taking out a chunk of newly-painted mantel. Oh, the naughty, naughty words that were shouted! But then we had to laugh at our own stupidity and get out the spackling. It could've been, should've been, so much worse!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I'm leaving you with my favorite picture of the season. Yep, it's 20-month-old Keagan and three-month-old Blake, Santa's helpers. The only safe way Nikki can get a picture of them side-by-side is to have them lie on the floor. It works pretty well, doesn't it? Although Nikki's are simple pictures, her method reminds me of that woman who puts her baby on the floor and creates incredible scenes around her while she sleeps. Check out her <a href="http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/p/about-blog.html">blog</a>. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nlhRpU8FCpX4fioeE1zOsd-lFWJkySrjwoOORwBQ5OavAtexxDqa1uqDPLRYXqIhNWVMRA7X7PGJ8qt-iC2YoV8rnVz6rqMxxAxSR9fDZivslnxZTH4IWwv8tPGVtEq3e0arqauwfSfn/s1600/boys+Christmas+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nlhRpU8FCpX4fioeE1zOsd-lFWJkySrjwoOORwBQ5OavAtexxDqa1uqDPLRYXqIhNWVMRA7X7PGJ8qt-iC2YoV8rnVz6rqMxxAxSR9fDZivslnxZTH4IWwv8tPGVtEq3e0arqauwfSfn/s320/boys+Christmas+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's Keagan's smile-for-the-camera face. What a little ham we've created! He loves his little brother, constantly offering hugs and kisses. The most wonderful part of my week is walking into their house. Keagan yells HI, runs to me, waits while I set down whatever I'm carrying and take off my coat, then holds up his arms for hugs. Together we find Blake and give him some kisses. Is there a better reward? No way!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">I'll be back as soon as I can drag myself back down here to the computer (brrrr, the basement is cold) with pictures of stockings and my plans for WIPocalypse. I know, I just had to sign up for it. Doris, the undisciplined, attempts to pare the project pile. We'll see what shenanigans follow a stitchy commitment. 'Til later, make some big fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-32594134431582460382011-09-08T19:55:00.001-06:002011-09-08T20:00:26.079-06:00An Update? Really?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Are you surprised yet? I hope someone is, because I am! It's been so long since I updated pictures on my computer that I had forgotten how to do it. Where have all the brain cells gone (sung to the tune of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?")? I used to have some, right up until I went to college ... never mind. Anyway, I was successful at figuring out what I knew a while back, and here are some pics.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Keagan was the recipient of my first baby sweater. Do I have a picture of him wearing it? NO! Nikki has it somewhere, but she's a little too busy to bother right now. All I have is this knitting-complete-but-not-really-finished picture. You'll have to trust that it was finished and Keagan wore it and looked terribly cute (of course). I was amazed at how easy it was to knit. No kidding! I even knitted little button holes that worked. I feel smart every time I look at it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQD1GBVfeN46GWdcXM2PBm6Sydzun-iP7p8wuDhPmm8z2uSDOz9n3hcmK2QtnXuS_K6NmF5KddPlZhnJsJh5cNK7qrXudBM6C_RfUKul3UNIDbKXgQWaDe7crmpQCNyaX14kKe0Oj3JRG/s1600/P1010770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQD1GBVfeN46GWdcXM2PBm6Sydzun-iP7p8wuDhPmm8z2uSDOz9n3hcmK2QtnXuS_K6NmF5KddPlZhnJsJh5cNK7qrXudBM6C_RfUKul3UNIDbKXgQWaDe7crmpQCNyaX14kKe0Oj3JRG/s320/P1010770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Socks have been a big item for me since I started knitting, so I have to show you the few pair that I've completed. This first pair are top-down socks made of wool. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmL-oiOvr3q6q-oQi7yqVwhXJkKN5c8yoFmwmGd1_v61fHtzbvVbU5hxd25PDFFKlbw2-vg4xYKpqu86mHK-d619JOE0sWHJr2gbXhRtUoxr6jPw51Qpop0jwEvTjKnj7hgfIgB3B6Bh4/s1600/P1010868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmL-oiOvr3q6q-oQi7yqVwhXJkKN5c8yoFmwmGd1_v61fHtzbvVbU5hxd25PDFFKlbw2-vg4xYKpqu86mHK-d619JOE0sWHJr2gbXhRtUoxr6jPw51Qpop0jwEvTjKnj7hgfIgB3B6Bh4/s320/P1010868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By the way, the pair I had started when I left you a year ago (the post before last) were finished and have been worn by the man in my life (there has to be something better to call him) for a year. He wears them and tells everyone that I knitted them. I think that's a good thing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next up are some toe-up socks. My first pair of this type worked out pretty well. The yarn is wool and a little bamboo, so they're very soft. They're mine ... heh, heh, heh ... and I'm very happy with them.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeunEdu5T2JixdzGBWJg1OQhuo4EWwEZa6FQmY2BuENxgcSich8HzpEpSBwFl-ZIHFiKcUQj11VUkUEa01hsApq907PKtZRQADs3L6w7g80Adg1Ry62PwxDz-fCq34Rp93kiMemE0jI9yM/s1600/P1010869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeunEdu5T2JixdzGBWJg1OQhuo4EWwEZa6FQmY2BuENxgcSich8HzpEpSBwFl-ZIHFiKcUQj11VUkUEa01hsApq907PKtZRQADs3L6w7g80Adg1Ry62PwxDz-fCq34Rp93kiMemE0jI9yM/s320/P1010869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The lovely camo socks below were also toe-up using the same pattern as the pretty purple ones, but I had an issue. I knitted them for the man in my life (really ... new name needed), but they won't fit over his heel! The only way I know to fix this problem is to pull the bind-off out and bind off more loosely. Or should I pull out the ribbed part, add some stitches and re-bind off loosely? <a href="http://snippetsandstash.blogspot.com/">Staci</a>, queen of knitting, if you're reading this, please give me a hint. I thought about <strike>screaming and ripping them to shreds</strike> just tossing them in a drawer, but they're a wonderful blend of wool and cashmere, so they're <strike>stupidly expensive</strike> incredibly soft and cozy. The color ... eh, not so great for me, but someone loves them. Suggestions about how to handle the too-small bind-off would be appreciated. I suppose I could take them to the LYS where I've spent a <strike>crapload of</strike> little money on yarn and ask for some help.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5EB-8OrcYX888wkhlWbAPudajtTi9gJggGsSngMslp3GXeXItPJ0W1Vuma2D2PX7_x10A1v5XF8Wl-FwROEBkD2INM-69oXmf2KA81ivd-VY11TXauXwUKidQ7xbHYJDVwMNtrxauNlO/s1600/P1010870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5EB-8OrcYX888wkhlWbAPudajtTi9gJggGsSngMslp3GXeXItPJ0W1Vuma2D2PX7_x10A1v5XF8Wl-FwROEBkD2INM-69oXmf2KA81ivd-VY11TXauXwUKidQ7xbHYJDVwMNtrxauNlO/s320/P1010870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally we've arrived at some stitching. I finished the <a href="http://www.twistedthreads.com/eef/charts_s.html">Ewe & Eye & Friends Small Sampler #6</a> and personalized it for a happy anniversary. I used the recommended DMC threads and 40-count Sandstone, and it turned out great. Oh wait ... I used an overdyed floss for the alphabet. It's hard to tell in my bad picture, but I satin-stitched the insides of the leaves and put my own stuff in the cartouche, including a queen-stitched heart. I used to think these pictures were all clickable to make them bigger, but that hasn't worked lately. Figuring it out doesn't fit into my plans for the evening. ***Edited: The clicking does work! Holy cow! As usual, I'm in the dark.***</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7TzqJbFu60zsBj8kIseek-BM7BosMbmXseFo_i5cC36EQgMVvE9XtozfpVLmiz5IlLWa4xElnGLV1Wr8rQKov8eSsQf5rszJgB1fvAq4zn-yGBfFm4VBIk8PwZo-GGU-Hc7r-fH5wNE-/s1600/P1010781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7TzqJbFu60zsBj8kIseek-BM7BosMbmXseFo_i5cC36EQgMVvE9XtozfpVLmiz5IlLWa4xElnGLV1Wr8rQKov8eSsQf5rszJgB1fvAq4zn-yGBfFm4VBIk8PwZo-GGU-Hc7r-fH5wNE-/s320/P1010781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's enough stuff for now. I've got some stitching to do! Next time I'll show you what I've been working on but haven't finished (evidence of ADD).</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Tomorrow would've been my mom's 75th birthday. The special day reminded me that a few of you have asked about my dad. He's doing rather well, despite the case of Shingles he has. If, like me, you've had them, you know that isn't a happy way to spend your time. He's been dating, which is fine but weird. I could tell you stories, but you'll have to wait for my book to be published (don't tempt me). Life changes often, and we adjust in whatever ways we can, right? For those of you who have asked about him, thank you. That was extremely kind of you to remember him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">TGIF tomorrow! Is it just me, or do these short weeks seem long? Enjoy your weekend and make some fun.</span></div>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-61583608849094396622011-08-28T16:52:00.001-06:002011-08-28T16:56:23.262-06:00Wonders Never Cease<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That's one of my favorite quotes. The first, but not most important, wonder is that I'm posting (holy cow)! I know you thought you were rid of me, but I've returned from real life to blogland. I've been hanging around here and there when I have time, commenting on a few blogs, but until today, I haven't felt the urge to get back to writing with the community. My excuse? I don't have one. Life here is busy, just as it is for all of you. Maybe the urge just wasn't strong enough to drag me back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next wonder, which is far more fascinating, is a new grandson. Blake Michael introduced himself at 4:27 pm on August 18. He's another little precious for this grandma to spoil rotten, and I'm getting started right away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZe23paxsqlOjnGTngLAPoO-IJ4oZGNuM3V193ib4R3J-PHO-4r3EfVVIN-PezFJyDM3d7Z1Q0XQdhOB_mJg-GVDtFl_tbeqBMeSP_8p3Mx5dju7LnXIqkVydh_7eQEhE4TUAhMAtSFG0/s1600/August+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZe23paxsqlOjnGTngLAPoO-IJ4oZGNuM3V193ib4R3J-PHO-4r3EfVVIN-PezFJyDM3d7Z1Q0XQdhOB_mJg-GVDtFl_tbeqBMeSP_8p3Mx5dju7LnXIqkVydh_7eQEhE4TUAhMAtSFG0/s320/August+23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Below is</span> <span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">big brother Keagan (today's wonder #3) pictured with his mom a couple of months ago (a while back as toddlers go, but it's one of my favorites). He's now a big 17-month-old wild child, as he should be. Since Blake came home to join him, he's been the sweetest big brother anyone could ask for. Contrary to what you might be thinking, Nikki does know where babies come from. We're not the type of family to shy away from a gift. Considering that Nikki spends her days (and nights) with a newborn and a toddler, she's very cool, calm and collected. Their dad works long hours and comes home ready to hold whoever needs it. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE8HmyhErxNVLq0DCDi7KmH3J5JTmIvcSnNEwHJX6m8j86FCCMkgmG4P_M3KK5AXPf4s7b6Geyp9oi7YFSUqz6ZZ5IBk84t-uUJF_5-1d3gQBM9A7x-8yXmQO9a-g_xYWjbWg7mrY0Ev-/s1600/Nikki+and+Keags%252C+June+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE8HmyhErxNVLq0DCDi7KmH3J5JTmIvcSnNEwHJX6m8j86FCCMkgmG4P_M3KK5AXPf4s7b6Geyp9oi7YFSUqz6ZZ5IBk84t-uUJF_5-1d3gQBM9A7x-8yXmQO9a-g_xYWjbWg7mrY0Ev-/s320/Nikki+and+Keags%252C+June+8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, yeah, life's busy. I've been back to school for three weeks, so there's much less time to spend with Keags and Blake than I'd like. That lottery win still hasn't materialized!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It's been so long since I've posted that I don't know where to start on the stitching and knitting front. I thought about starting with what I'm working on now, but I've been very lazy about taking pictures of the few (remember ... I'm the world's slowest stitcher) things I've done. So I'll leave you with a pic of Keagan's stocking, completed in November 2010. It's a Shepherd's Bush, of course, to match the <a href="http://apauseinthejourney.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-and-after.html">others</a>. This one is Brett's Stocking.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TfDwWuFWQwx3q-r5cmY-vsDMikwPQPxG6KavC16qS6Y5AYZuuL0wBz0y8bygDIga-SiCa9GdadrXdlSpvQENRyo_Get5BgkwxsyCZOv96lhxmV3HwLK9wGfYvfx0KgejIZjLFPPGW-jr/s1600/P1010778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TfDwWuFWQwx3q-r5cmY-vsDMikwPQPxG6KavC16qS6Y5AYZuuL0wBz0y8bygDIga-SiCa9GdadrXdlSpvQENRyo_Get5BgkwxsyCZOv96lhxmV3HwLK9wGfYvfx0KgejIZjLFPPGW-jr/s320/P1010778.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll give you a few more looks in my next post. Hopefully it'll be less than a year away! Make some fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-50607175399527450102010-07-31T17:34:00.000-06:002010-07-31T17:34:50.256-06:00Places Being Seen, Things Being Done<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you for all of your kind and welcoming comments! Returning to blogging after a long absence is kind of like going back to school after having been sick for several days. It's scary in some weird way. I appreciate your help in coming back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">How about some pictures of what I've been doing? Below is The Yellow House Sampler from Sheepish Designs. I love working on it and looking at it when I'm not working on it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWc1MkwO_ISP1sVB0VDaTSvpxJZgH1wey5RufEh-dw_iS-FoN7qXkQS5Gpksm43v-KwM79hYMoj8My7qYnqU1pCD9Ye9grl1BBGkLaaDTwLTKkpgsDnONWDSAM8KV7GTXKtgMO-EhWtoA/s1600/P1010768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWc1MkwO_ISP1sVB0VDaTSvpxJZgH1wey5RufEh-dw_iS-FoN7qXkQS5Gpksm43v-KwM79hYMoj8My7qYnqU1pCD9Ye9grl1BBGkLaaDTwLTKkpgsDnONWDSAM8KV7GTXKtgMO-EhWtoA/s320/P1010768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The fabric is 40-count Iced Cappuccino ... the lightest IC I've ever seen, in fact, and I'm using one DMC thread over two. It's been such a long time since I've worked with regular old DMC that I'd forgotten how much I like it. A little voice in my head is telling me to dunk it in come coffee when I finish. We'll see.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Below is the new pair of socks I'm working on. As you can see, hopefully, the second sock isn't gonna match up exactly with the first. I know the idea is to make them look the same, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted to see how it turns out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKSKAFaIX3edJvUxUSxlNqtm4ie1AQQaiQSsd6pa4Tw1WySJ6zljw4JbZKqbsLg8uG3bF_MyB73a-n6B2ndbISoZNpq0_8MgOiVyW0w6OQFql4ZlbxmIJLT6StbHP1ptApCpALl5lWRZ4/s1600/P1010769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKSKAFaIX3edJvUxUSxlNqtm4ie1AQQaiQSsd6pa4Tw1WySJ6zljw4JbZKqbsLg8uG3bF_MyB73a-n6B2ndbISoZNpq0_8MgOiVyW0w6OQFql4ZlbxmIJLT6StbHP1ptApCpALl5lWRZ4/s320/P1010769.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love the colors so far, but they aren't for me. They're for a special birthday gift in September. Someone gave me a pattern for toe-up socks, but it'll take me a little time on the internet to figure out how to start them. The pattern makes beginning sound extremely complicated, so I'll be searching for a video (the internet is a wonderful thing) to help me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I've been gone for several days. We decided to take a little trip to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore (I love it there) again and play some golf. We had some very exciting weather, so there wasn't much golf, but it was a great getaway.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Earlier this month we took a trip to Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon. Even though I've lived out west all my life, I'd never been to either place. Finally, I've seen what "awesome" means. The Grand Canyon is incredible. You've seen a million pictures of it, I know, so I won't bore you with mine. We took two days to visit the South and North Rims, and the drive between is worth your time. On the way to the North Rim, you can stop at Navajo Bridge, which is 700 feet above the Colorado River. Here are some rafters who waved and told us to jump (I'm sure they meant it in the nicest way).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BCOWT90V3TQAZeAYr_Sa8JuOszjjMAUCPrblTjwCg-Li6Ql__9BdaZFnISK8NmyHpSO4WDM6Lq-SaJcnV4c2tn1pSeDqewjlqyQjMvxC0x077SAl5g8j-X8EjsUrtfsQe6dWRCZulHlV/s1600/P1010696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BCOWT90V3TQAZeAYr_Sa8JuOszjjMAUCPrblTjwCg-Li6Ql__9BdaZFnISK8NmyHpSO4WDM6Lq-SaJcnV4c2tn1pSeDqewjlqyQjMvxC0x077SAl5g8j-X8EjsUrtfsQe6dWRCZulHlV/s400/P1010696.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First you see them close-up, and now here's a view as we saw them from the bridge. Pretty cool, huh? I'm pretty sure I need a raft ride.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14rzO7NLX8XA9sTPZ4oVBQ1EEGAlhccn08qpF6Wep5CnLalunN79oXC0Joaau3h7js4IRj0SoQCAwhB-bTqZ23eWont31VtVImsBsctGesHaAcgyMbm11bJKnbIqcrL9Lrikmq0CE1OU1/s1600/P1010698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14rzO7NLX8XA9sTPZ4oVBQ1EEGAlhccn08qpF6Wep5CnLalunN79oXC0Joaau3h7js4IRj0SoQCAwhB-bTqZ23eWont31VtVImsBsctGesHaAcgyMbm11bJKnbIqcrL9Lrikmq0CE1OU1/s320/P1010698.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Mesa Verde was also amazing. I loved it there, so I'm forcing you to look at one picture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8ut9tsszIsoZqyB3X9q1OIXQKisr2XWzaNOyLhqBWYnV1aNKjrP3FFQSB7dPqdrQlALz9m9JIjSNsUkfEodpwe-yrjK-EaODEAi460_rTfskJYGZcpSgUpZWUyRWp6AndJKAecaFSHet/s1600/P1010624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8ut9tsszIsoZqyB3X9q1OIXQKisr2XWzaNOyLhqBWYnV1aNKjrP3FFQSB7dPqdrQlALz9m9JIjSNsUkfEodpwe-yrjK-EaODEAi460_rTfskJYGZcpSgUpZWUyRWp6AndJKAecaFSHet/s400/P1010624.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thinking of how long these dwellings have been there makes looking at them even better. We got to climb down into a kiva with the other kids (really, there were one or two other adults). On our way home, we went on a crazy road called the <a href="http://www.midwestroads.com/otherstates/mokidugway/">Moki Dugway</a></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, which was a blast. The pictures taken by other people are much better than mine, and you'll get a great idea of what it was like if you click on the link. If you're ever in that area, do it!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I think that's about it for now. I have one more full week and a day of summer vacation (gasp! sob!!), which has been reduced by almost three full days because of meetings (yawn) that my new principal and the big bosses think I need to attend. Meetings aren't my thing, and I'll be doing my best to learn something, but I'll take my knitting just in case my brain needs some help. I'm naughty, huh? Make some fun.</span></div>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-10323060782018864242010-07-19T16:20:00.001-06:002010-07-19T16:22:42.227-06:00Where, Oh, Where ...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">... have I been for almost four months? Well, life took me by the hand, sat me down and said, "Get organized." So I did. Chaos of work and real life was making me a crazy person, so I worked on changing a few things.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Regarding work, after making some big changes to our school, our principal resigned to return to a high school classroom. Interesting, huh? Then, because he and the IB program left (short version of a long story), the woman who got my job left. With some help from a few supporters at my school and at the administrative level, I got my job back! I know! How exciting! So, instead of being in a first grade classroom, I'll continue to work with kindergarten through second grade during mornings, and I'll be coaching (yes, you're reading it correctly) other teachers in the afternoons. I'm not certain I'm mature enough to handle the afternoon part of my job, but other people think I am (golly, they've been fooled), so I'll do my best. We have a new principal who seems to be level-headed and has a plan, so we'll see what happens next. I'm hesitantly optimistic about school, which is such a change for me!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">During our summer vacation, I've been spending loads of time with this little cutie.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvaZXoceNuUAb0Kj1lmtXDfHvT2vpQZEN3ICxDVn-Rl0Gd1ILPNaHGx8PtBVOXEz8crwwurI9D89ndHVRwJQTUxuSyT78OuGp_OpcByC0d1XjiRWllfZsFwhM1hAMD-fFnfCfZlP2pqS-/s1600/IMG_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvaZXoceNuUAb0Kj1lmtXDfHvT2vpQZEN3ICxDVn-Rl0Gd1ILPNaHGx8PtBVOXEz8crwwurI9D89ndHVRwJQTUxuSyT78OuGp_OpcByC0d1XjiRWllfZsFwhM1hAMD-fFnfCfZlP2pqS-/s400/IMG_0150.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hasn't he become a tub? Mother's milk has made Keagan a very big boy. He'll be four months old tomorrow and he's weighing in at over 14 pounds. All he wants to do is eat. That's his job until crawling begins ... if he can lift himself. Right now he's working on sitting up by himself. Other than feeling like a milk truck, Nikki is doing well. Her husband, Grady, has taken a better-paying job so she can stay home with Keags. I can't get enough of his smiles and giggles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On the therapeutic activities front, I finally finished stitching Sarah Esh, so here's her not-so-great picture. How sad that my photography skills haven't improved during my absence. Oh well. She's not framed yet, but she's ready to join other A&E samplers when I get something else stitched. Right now, thanks to a bloggy friend (you know who you are and I love you even though I've neglected you), I'm working on The Yellow House Sampler by Sheepish Designs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuaAfAnobpVF1IN-6jN-VgIiMoGusVzIFfEedpcFuVeuH0GXyVTtr9DmMzgTmBITqjpWvSrRRHxpgaiuVs-pWS0uUgxFxIlufXrVyDDz8jPrKnkU3bYnFJJ9HYLJMNVBl-okYdEroaM4u/s1600/P1010616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuaAfAnobpVF1IN-6jN-VgIiMoGusVzIFfEedpcFuVeuH0GXyVTtr9DmMzgTmBITqjpWvSrRRHxpgaiuVs-pWS0uUgxFxIlufXrVyDDz8jPrKnkU3bYnFJJ9HYLJMNVBl-okYdEroaM4u/s400/P1010616.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A skill I <em>have</em> acquired while absent is sock knitting. I know! I knit socks! Looky here ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ZICWmcfDmtsl8mNu3wd7IjWh5UQ_56JPL_a9TaW5mVFaUmzP6lQ86q1-3Z3nYjAK7Rq3jzxUG-FRKiqbRYKdTHRuug6wfOlHwktUp_VDAB4fhlvXr-SRus6k6n1PjRitlB6-kRi1yYg/s1600/P1010613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ZICWmcfDmtsl8mNu3wd7IjWh5UQ_56JPL_a9TaW5mVFaUmzP6lQ86q1-3Z3nYjAK7Rq3jzxUG-FRKiqbRYKdTHRuug6wfOlHwktUp_VDAB4fhlvXr-SRus6k6n1PjRitlB6-kRi1yYg/s320/P1010613.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Shocking, isn't it? Or should I say socking? That's my first pair of socks, and I'm at work on a second pair. In fact, the first sock is finished and I've started the second. I'll show you a picture in another post. This summer I've learned that knitting is much easier to manage than stitching is while traveling. Well, for me it is. So there's been more knitting than stitching going on. I've also completed a felted bag for a friend in Maine and a felted bowl. Wanna see?</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqIS0Qq-c1CDV6IMSra-ZLQzAsoj5tHVH33c2JvoikM7TtG8M1jfggyI7hPB2gytmKOQFlfq62jF4XaN_g5b_DkmXyByDap7x8Oc5-twkEG7UCe4lMwJ_1kwq517N3uRdqyK1-BKQRv37/s1600/P1010617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqIS0Qq-c1CDV6IMSra-ZLQzAsoj5tHVH33c2JvoikM7TtG8M1jfggyI7hPB2gytmKOQFlfq62jF4XaN_g5b_DkmXyByDap7x8Oc5-twkEG7UCe4lMwJ_1kwq517N3uRdqyK1-BKQRv37/s400/P1010617.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you can see, I haven't lost my obsession for felting. Hey, it keeps me off the streets and out of the bars. Sorry to say, I'm just as slow at knitting as I am at stitching!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So much has happened since I've spent more than a few moments in blogland. Poor Merlin, my old man cat, had to be put down a day after my last post. All of you pet lovers know how that is. Dad's been doing ok, by the way. He struggles, like we all do, but he's working at finding his way through the world without Mom. During some of my chaos removal, I left the man I hung around with behind. That was hard, but it brought along an opportunity to meet a cool, calm, collected and extremely kind man. My mom always used to tell me that thing about one door closing and another one opening. I really hadn't believed it until now. So we'll see. It's nice to have someone to spend time with besides family. And he puts up with my hideous golf game!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I hope that those of you who've read here before will start to read here again. I'll be catching up with what you've been doing and I hope to comment here and there. I've missed you all more than you know. The Sisterhood of the Rose is alive and about to move on. I'll explain where we are with that in my next post. With any luck, four months won't pass before you hear from me again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Whatever you do, make some fun!</span></div>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-14089770561382110942010-03-29T19:45:00.003-06:002010-03-29T20:19:37.177-06:00WHOOSH!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">That's the sound spring break made as it flew by. I tried to dig in my heels to slow time down, but no luck. There were even a couple of snowy days during which I could've sat at my computer to post, but I just couldn't do it. I was busy holding a baby and knitting a little and stitching a little and family stuff and ... well, I don't know!</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Please forgive some more grandmotherly picture-bragging, but here's a little of my knitting with Keagan (yes, in my here's-my-new-grandson post, I didn't realize the actual spelling was different from my version ... bad, bad grandma). I knitted this Baby Pea Pod (available on Ravelry) in no time a couple of weeks ago. It was super easy and he loves it. Nikki took the pic with her cell phone, so it's awful, but you get the idea. He's just as cute as he was last time.</p></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454237706174308898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HLQu0NQgULLiyW2B7R46TOxUHOfs26azo0cl4ns28hjoM_VTVvmqK20e2WvEPe_JVKg55TS8Ur0lwYCjkFc7__sXoCqpEQ8OrQzkh_iDlGeqx7LMG9yxVN7uhq85l1bgyXnzymuD1G7u/s400/keagan+in+pea+pod+1.jpg" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">In other knitty news, I've been working on a pillow from the book <u>One Skein</u>, and when I checked out the photo I took on the monitor screen, it was incredibly out of focus. What I was thinking when I took the pic, I have no idea. Chalk it up to old-lady vision. Anyway, I branched out with the pattern, using different-than-called-for alpaca yarn (oooh, pretty and soft) and larger-than-called-for needles to make a larger pillow (yes, it seems I'm a knitting experimentalist), and it's turning out just the right size. I know! Who knew I could wing it? I know enough to realize that one day this knitty thrill-seeking will bite me right in the butt. Until then, look out. I also knitted a felted bowl from the same book (a great book), but I haven't felted it yet. Pictures of the pillow-in-progress and bowl will magically appear in the next post ... whenever that is. Oh, I almost forgot. I also finished a felted bag for Nikki and another one for me. No pictures because I figured you've got to be bored with the bags. So I really have been doing <strong>something</strong> with my time.</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Then there's Miss Sarah Esh. I've been working on her, but work is a little slow. My goal is to finish this week. Uh huh, dream on. Goals are a good thing, right? So sorry for another awful photo.</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454237699158487202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLiUJtcOdEfpTmF-qcYa7Qo_eTXafuA_rHaY6lxIw7WebxxtjS2iN9GxA7iO_H2TpE25aQcdx35B4W1Za0s8FUEG6X5ebTq4LYf_oBBydChssQ6u3i8rrTQCo2IQDNbx_hPDnDBCwhMNI/s400/P1010495.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">That pretty much brings us up to date. I'm hustling through this post to get to my purple chair before my eyes close. Keagan and his mom and dad are doing great, school is as it is, and home is a nice place to be. Make some fun.</span>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-48697612368559128202010-03-22T15:44:00.003-06:002010-03-22T16:01:54.778-06:00Look What the Stork Brought!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Our little stranger arrived Saturday night, March 20, at 11:29. His name is Keegan. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, was almost 20 inches long, and he's a healthy little guy. Here he is in the arms of his dad, Grady, during his first hour ...<br /></span><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451577775882558802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnj0O7tWLoHXPZ29pPI84u-L_nyeVniCPhLTQvCLamJczPAIqWojfiAIIcXB26aa7OHOmKbf0oYyEbbc0xTXd9UpmyRNnq8qKAnyTm0KBBcpLLFaoSyiRkOjFon7NxGp_Rfl5DaW3hzubi/s400/keegan's+first+hour.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Isn't he a cutie? Nikki is doing very well, and the whole family is headed home today. Since they were still at the hospital yesterday, I had to go hold him again. He was awake for a little while ...<br /></span><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451577768651632018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98xV8PRlrfPcyIpRDjwa_BdUEMYGXjUGQ4ith1oLut6uBjRFlXCcCaJcVhKvq-0k_FP7JBTqD767vMRTYN1qVAN4KSrO9fyjFQhaXokOu7ed2k1lx_FxnnQyAOg1jft3VAg-4Jh9ptx4R/s400/keegan's+first+day+1.JPG" /></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">It's unanimous. We'll keep him! I can't think of a good word to describe what it was like to watch my new grandson being born. I was pretty sure I'd wimp out, but I made it through the whole thing. What a way to start spring break. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">I'm pathetically behind on blog reading, commenting and posting, but I have some things to do here at home. Hopefully, I'll return tomorrow with some knitting and stitching pics. It's been a while. Make some fun.</span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-13221370726004326972010-03-01T22:27:00.004-07:002010-03-01T23:05:11.186-07:00On a Happier Note ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3Ppn1XnRZUC_Ul7IJGNSIfPMfMGlbnHJpTzsb7j_t-u7JvuBKk9zu131rwRnEEePewWDDiDbpce7RRDnGrSe5W8BdqByIFjHJMyMtmmxAeJMQHh586yYGZiGhVJUR5jg5mVdco1Z2PV-/s1600-h/P1010423.JPG"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">How about a happier post to cancel out the cranky part of yesterday's post? Good idea! I appreciate all of your comments, and I think it's time to lighten up a little. You're not here to listen to whining and complaining, after all, and I don't really enjoy doing it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">A while back, I promised pictures of Nikki's shower. Warning: the location had some very tricky lighting, so beware of my truly amateur photos. Here's Nikki with her cute mother-in-law. I'm not sure what Nik's looking at, but since she's looking down, there isn't much to see but her tummy! Someone (maybe her mom?) must've made some smartassy remark about her delicate condition.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443905757465268098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cEcrxg4__0IsmcdbxtH3m-m1UQccgRnV9rjSoJfOsqORV8RJiz_EzvqkDj7xwpPuAyrERZrFQ1tSD1tdljK-OPhP6jXaPOuAYj0mNxu3auCw0W-kyLlFCAt1S4xovpNGRquObLmYw0D0/s400/P1010413.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Here's Nikki and her wonderful friend, Maribel, who hosted the shower. That sweet little guy is Alec, my new best friend. You've never seen anyone as goofy around babies as I am, and I'm happy to report that I got him to laughing pretty hard. A baby laugh is the very best sound in the world. Look at those smiles! </span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443905743724602114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94P__xLCRA0R8vcC_ftVBPM874penKNCJ9xmxQ_Gpn1KEceRuNvovzqQ0ExYeUZ7aw6Zy-SdJkgnxZXbf9nn3Hv8hRrsYivGlYStjQ-qlWnrcXH5yGK8WjPL5WTgpCs_PbUt_YtzxjEn9/s400/P1010416.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Oh, and the giant bruise on Nikki's arm is the result of an ugly slip down some icy steps, not domestic violence. I'm afraid she got her graceful manner from her mom. I could go on and on, but those are just a couple of pics to show you my happily pregnant daughter. It still doesn't seem possible that she's gonna be a mom. Everyone says this, but how do they grow up so quickly? One minute they're learning to walk and talk, and the next minute they want your car keys.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">To show that I really am accomplishing a little something, here's a picture of Nikki's knitting bag in progress. I started it for me, but she loves the colors as much as I do, so as soon as it's felted, it's hers. Another bag for me can wait.</span><br /><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1OOcXJIqZrbOxfzvNo16zSNfH2evR2GnSltjpABbIGj5QllUmH5bE19yqCXeQ37WwHthyphenhyphentKtA7MxfoSUKl_MlYumnnIcHDmpnVBAA1_-fpKVsQXus5bVYRAGUISfzI0oRa8qFkGbKw2x/s1600-h/P1010437.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443905734863812066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1OOcXJIqZrbOxfzvNo16zSNfH2evR2GnSltjpABbIGj5QllUmH5bE19yqCXeQ37WwHthyphenhyphentKtA7MxfoSUKl_MlYumnnIcHDmpnVBAA1_-fpKVsQXus5bVYRAGUISfzI0oRa8qFkGbKw2x/s400/P1010437.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <span style="color:#663366;">In between bags, because I'm feeling brave, I think I'll give washcloths a try. Something new to sink my needles into. Don't worry, I'm not feeling cocky. A knitting friend assures me that washcloths are a great way to get in some practice and try to become more consistent. We have a plan. I wanna knit socks so badly that I can taste it! Practice, practice, practice.</span></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">It's conference week, so today was the first of three 11-hour work days. Our reward is part of Thursday and all of Friday off. Ah ... Friday morning is mine to stitch away. What a treat! For now, my pillow calls. Make some fun.</span></span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-54533013199604781732010-02-28T10:23:00.008-07:002010-02-28T12:17:09.625-07:00Is It March Yet?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Well, another 12 days has passed between posts. It's been a very long couple of months. I've been stitching and knitting a little, but I'm incredibly distracted by life and work. I have quite a plateful right now. You know about Nikki and her son's birth within the next few weeks, and you know about my mom. I've pretty much stopped telling you about my job. It goes back to what my mom said: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">My job will change in a huge way next year. In my former teaching life, I spent 13 years as a classroom teacher in third through sixth grades, with one very interesting year in middle school. Bekah was born in 1991, and I figured out some at-home jobs (data entry and charting needlework for designers) in order to stay home with the kiddos. In 1996, Bekah died and I got divorced, so I returned to teaching in 1997. During that time, I've worked with small groups of kids who need help learning to read, but I haven't had my own classroom. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Because of our district's enormous budget shortfall, all of that's gonna change. My job has been eliminated and I must be "absorbed" into the school I was unhappily assigned to last year. That means that my only option was to accept the offer that my principal made to me. So, after 19 years out of the classroom, I'll be returning next year as a teacher in first grade (gasp!). <u><strong> I know!</strong></u> How scary! How fun! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I love first-graders, so that's not a problem. I'll be able to catch up with all of the math stuff, so that's not a problem. My teammates are very nice, and I've known them for years, so that's not a problem. My only problem is that I work for an ass. A boob. He's an immature, bird-brained, former high school administrator with negligible leadership skills who knows absolutely nothing about literacy and has no intention of learning. In fact, he never passes up an opportunity to display his ignorance or his lack of integrity. He's the only issue I have with the daunting prospect of enormous change. Unfortunately, it's a very large issue. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">So now I'm gonna shop around the district to see if I can find a better spot. Because of the budget, there's not much movement in and out of positions, but there are bound to be one or two. We'll see if anyone is silly enough to hire an old lady who hasn't been in a classroom position for 19 years. It can't hurt to try, and I've heard from several former coworkers (displaced by our school's closure last spring) who want to help me get into their schools. I'm updating and polishing up my 13-year-old resume, and thinking about interviews This could be interesting, huh? Things to remember: it's not life or death, only my job; it's good to be employed. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Thank you for allowing me to whine a little bit. OK, a lot. The stress knot under my shoulder blade feels better already. I wanted to explain my distractibility, because my stitching and knitting progress has been so lame lately. Sarah Esh has been occupying my lap (along with Merlin) while in the purple chair. I love, love the Olympics (another distraction), and Sarah's been watching with me. Once in a while I actually put a stitch in. I'm not completely satisfied with my choice of natural linen, but it's growing on me.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><u><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443348780743237154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNm8dMj-new08sjuYlTOHyhA38MVYznqzgcPqkhyphenhyphen_rW4ZOEoNif6K42RvEVkYnhBJkxuIot5ZoHv3yi5Uc-usaWhw1mM3tUNc3lOzr98G9SA89gIpAX2zDJiwmI6jPoBh0HYmVNbPy1Yr/s400/P1010436.JPG" /></strong></u><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">My house is largely back to its former self, minus the ugly beige carpet. At home, life is very good. I'm still allowing myself to engage in some slide therapy after school. Whatever helps, right? So here are some pics for you. The teeny tiny kitchen (note the Cedar Hill kitty on the wall and the bag o' magnets on the counter) ...</span><br /><strong><u><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443347984360910914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfr5cqZ_BIVUVKDpe7tan76J5M5yZaeHJuAj39_KRLjRRa8AeHnjO6v8bvaGDGT20WBKhnmfUTEE19eV1LJKr9MPVLTTYoLSdiDfIUVu_0ZjmHlNlnWwkW4jA5bMrFFqn7AtJ64tPDMIK/s400/P1010432.JPG" /><br /></u></strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">The living area (sorry about the glaring sun, and the speaker will move to a less conspicuous spot later on) ...</span></p><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_65Y6II8UZjqSAQK-PScccNG4Frm3OY4Ml1ehgsz7p4-eqIQgBTnyiHMxwp1aYJsZS52YlOBnzpgMdw-ENwP25eAsMK19AlUTevvgkufSKnyA0QM2rmZaSh6Zrt1uQBVjAvNSJ8xQBlSl/s1600-h/P1010433.JPG"></a><strong><u><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443347554547963522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0rpl3yhsUTQvhGFQdUuyaQn-xqwlA5Twt9oGTdW61scDLD_MxFGoXjaDOOvZhIswCVlxKl1i-3PEtfoCUPanzNMkV8iAXtPBwkWkaMrD55fYeDLMy0I435u5eJATwgVyIkvrnPL7ugP-/s400/P1010431.JPG" /></u></strong> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">The small dining area with my piano, my parents' dining set from the 50's (I love it), and the crocheted tablecloth I found in a Rhode Island antique store for $35 (I know!) ...<br /></span><br /><strong><u><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443347546754996642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LSlXvJQOpCBnrdTAGUL7ZjolFaBukUAZ9FbY_VuMMGZMAuPjvusv2W98B2G9_YZfFZfIPss2i5oIr_RCLbFvRL_bKlGz3BiRX-sBJZf5dsVLTOB_N6RhdX1Uvf0_DNQ64VomaSxnqsQ3/s400/P1010429.JPG" /></u></strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Home is a happy place to be! Too bad I can't retire and spend more time here, huh? Next, after some recovery time, will be the removal of ugly beige carpet and cheap-ass vinyl in the upstairs bathrooms. Ah, something to look forward to. </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I leave you today with a very late look at my TUSAL jar. I took the picture on time a few weeks ago but couldn't remember to post it (duh). I like the look of yarn in there. </span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bKAa-tM6XCoaI7VT0TpGzsCkX5BXfiw_U7v6ezfdb96h5uj84eGj7EA51L1VtZtCKCFG1evHa8VgsmpdX1vk7g8fxxD7TbNo0PoMwaq_9eK9jxvuabXkZzww7bHsM1KRcvGlKHUbs6MP/s1600-h/P1010428.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443347518702470530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bKAa-tM6XCoaI7VT0TpGzsCkX5BXfiw_U7v6ezfdb96h5uj84eGj7EA51L1VtZtCKCFG1evHa8VgsmpdX1vk7g8fxxD7TbNo0PoMwaq_9eK9jxvuabXkZzww7bHsM1KRcvGlKHUbs6MP/s400/P1010428.JPG" /></strong></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Make some fun!</span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-72161704641421872072010-02-16T20:03:00.005-07:002010-02-16T21:11:26.245-07:00More Fobulous February<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Look! I made it back almost as soon as I thought I might. This past week I finished a fob that was started who-knows-how-long ago. It has to be at least seven years, but there's no way to be certain unless I can attach it to another event. Apparently, I can't. You know how things seem to hide once they find their way to a WIP drawer. Or maybe you don't! That thought makes me feel rather lonely.</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"><u>Any</u>way, this is a fob from a Sheepish Designs leaflet called Bee Keeper. I stitched it on 36-count natural linen, so it's a little small. Putting it together was harder than I thought it would be. It looked like it'd be easy, and then it surprised me. Note to self: <em>never</em> think finish finishing will be easy. Please don't examine my work too closely. It could be disappointing. And I promise that I'll run right upstairs and tweeze out the little tiny hairs I can see. Ew.</span></p><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439043998501014786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWsebLUFXLWVCkA-g1bpMFGOP-Rk4EeYXRIxMkBovW-b6FHAaKfAYYoOoF4xzfTP-fp68935s0bFhSdmeWMXXqr2Y7QDHVsRkuIkZgpF474IiFRfUtMdcB2fZPpJurF7NmEcZjcBflI2a/s400/P1010425.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Yes, those little flower clusters are done with silk ribbon. It's been at least a decade since I've tried that, but it wasn't too, too bad. The little bee skep fob is attached to a pair of scissors (I treated myself!) from <a href="http://yuks-behappy.blogspot.com/">Yuko</a>. I'm on the lookout for a little brass bee or two to stitch up toward the top. Hopefully, they'll be at my LNS soon.</span></div><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439043523456597842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LQj7JApc_VxK9n22EkYv-YbX0YtnHLLBCHrVcnzlcRgjzQwK8cTTaFUfMdH6KZQ8uuM6opEqHUdKS-NIHcfQsaPyIEmHWTysN8eQix5UcDHcEWVe4Hz5jQyQFVR9O2AEfjrlNFayKIj-/s400/P1010424.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Slowly but surely, I've been trying to put my house back in order. It's a wonderful feeling to be getting things back to normal (whatever that is), but I want it done <u>now</u>. Here's a pic I took this morning from the top stair. It kind of looks like doll furniture, doesn't it? My eyes think I could just reach in there with my fingers and move a few things around.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439043515677368658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD7pJWd86pk3kCPQJYvy7y3t7s5XUasPWJvU3VoGafB1U-9xV3Esvf_9AxoxePS6UI1Uxfi5oBep_v4Zw08v31B65mlinOr65qcqokbRJavnGtD11R3hyCXDK8ALHsGqi9oUKvffqx2Jw/s400/P1010427.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I still need to decide which plants (yes, I'm plant-crazed) will go back downstairs, and there are a few more items to be placed, but you get the idea. I have lots of baseboard painting to do, but that will be done here and there over time. The big summer project will be to paint the walls, so stay tuned for more shenanigans. I'll show pics of the dining area (complete with piano) and kitchen on my next post, along with another view of the living area.</span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">My daughter Nikki had a baby shower on Saturday, thrown by her friend Maribel. We had a great time. As soon as I get her approval on some pictures, I'll share one or two with you. There'll be a new baby boy in the family in about a month. Maybe less! I've informed Nikki that it'd be most convenient for me if he could be born before March 19 so I could have my entire spring break (and maybe more) for some serious baby-holding time. As Doris Day would say, "Que sera, sera."</span></p><p><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Make some fun.</span></span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-84651188697586954682010-02-10T19:56:00.005-07:002010-02-10T21:02:17.523-07:00F Words: Fob and Floor<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Every time I post here, I whine about not getting to the computer to post. Nothing's really changed! It's my own fault. I'm just not using my time in this direction. My sister and I are both having difficulty with stitching motivation. We want to stitch, but we're having a hard time deciding what to do. It'll pass, right?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I finished my Shepherd's Bush 2009 scissor fob. I showed you the fob stitched on 30-count over two and finished as a pin cushion. Here's the same fob stitched over one and finished as a fob.</span><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436816206263261122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGY_By3ZAHSdVicn3dtWL4WWRpiijlsG_ydTrGtnFVadOn4G7__U8d5hcRZNK_8FZvDpkbWAuRaUjsAvqp3Of7TM5KkCqw-e_JaEpcfFxqraT4kAMfA2kX3p1Dtcgbj83feZ2xDuC71un/s400/P1010399.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I used the ribbon from the kit to trim the pin cushion, and then I found some WDW perle cotton to trim the fob. The front was pretty much stitched as charted.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436816197673620962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3ivSgc_EzrG4iBhtjKJwqobtTPWMuf4ZsaEvFzTFo1Ht4TNQEzJ9TpZb2zlrrMNNianpR_6JkHhNsnp7tPE7d3ymK4p0RSEKAWhJyZ5VORmcoIlh8YFDIq627GuNNSkkZSngk51KmjBM/s400/P1010401.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">While stitching the back, I found that those backstitched letters just weren't gonna work. I worked it out with a pencil and a piece of graph paper and charted the letters and numbers to work over one. There was just a little rearranging involved. I'm pretty happy with the result.<br /></span><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436816179546577314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtG9AGq6SYRXfU7L3hyphenhyphenW3uvgXCo81CvLNyOnUTHy7kL7Lq9QqhascdOrz-Kk92Jaz-Sxfseae9JI3MoYusrar6R4uJWUvZPr9WeB00Q6sYJQGulYpG1L03dDsIbMFSFzdS7vkyjSNM6yS/s400/P1010400.JPG" /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Of course, all was NOT fine in 2009, but I'll go along with the sentiment. In Mom's words, if you don't have anything nice to say ... I've been working sporadically on another fob, Sarah Esh, Women of the Mayflower, and some knitting, so maybe there'll be something else to show in the near future. Uh huh, sure.</span></div><div> </div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">I can't blame all of the non-stitching time on my mood. Part of the problem involves a big ass project on the main floor of my little townhouse. I've been suffering from beige carpet syndrome (I'm pretty sure it's a real syndrome) since I moved here seven years ago. You know how beige carpet picks up every little bit of dirt and mud and cat puke and clings to it with Superman-type strength? After a few years, it really puts the "UG" in ugly. Well, I've been sick of it for a long, long time. So the carpet left my home about a week ago.</span> <div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436816160293978898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmltla_zkyKeYL_FXLMVCs3I561d9JKqu7tznZIwUS580mGPipRU82Wyw6B8REukqv_oRT99YRJXbg9GUqP6yT5DllBX3z-J79XKpfrd_zt3olKapQLhDffrzGD-XjjSrg3uQdPNn2cK9b/s400/P1010404.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">In its place now lies some pretty cool mill run maple. It's got beautiful grains and knots and a mixture of colors from very light to medium dark. I'm loving it! I come home every day and slide on it. My son came over and slid on it. My neighbor came over and slid on it. Simple minds, simply entertained, huh? Can you say "dance floor"?</span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436816147902421586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQYTG-eu8AnDK4HCn2AdoWlSrE0yuDhZY68UtmD9NRcy8nLcJZ7mgEiC90B0fr0sMpzEqxiFH2hXB89rBx8g7YqaHWHAe5FwEklLSKx4sgdoiCZagDxS1TIZ5SJrc4lOWvpIeCLpAigEC/s400/P1010406.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">As you can see, there are no baseboards on yet. Hopefully, all will be completed by Friday, and Dylan will come to help me move the furniture back in from the garage and up from the basement on Saturday (after a little sliding session). Being displaced (willingly, of course) has been disorienting. I like order. I'll take some more pics when work is done. Truth be told, I'm so damned excited about this that I can hardly stand myself. It's nice to have something positive going on. Ya'll are probably thinking, "What? That's it? That's the big deal going on at Doris's house? BFD!" What can I say? We've already established that I'm easily entertained!</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I'm nursing another annoying cold, so I'm off to bed. Hope everyone in Snowland is staying warm and dry and enjoying those snow days. There's nothing like a snow day! Make some fun.</span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-8966164492062872882010-02-01T21:41:00.003-07:002010-02-01T22:20:26.567-07:00Knitty, Knit, Knit<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">So much time has passed! I had such good intentions of returning sooner to show you all the knitting that's been going on. It'll be my luck that what they say about good intentions and the road to hell is true. As you can see, Merlin is less than enthusiastic about my new-found habit. He thinks there isn't enough room on my lap for him and my knitting. Actually, for him and anything. He wants me to focus my entire being on holding and petting. Just so I'd really know how he feels, here's what I found after I laid out the bag and went to get my camera.</span><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433502808363581586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hSQrALcQObZ739xhtxI6b1XLFeXa2CFGKLLt_9iv7vOEYhrrvdSX7TFk8vWLtsobJwRssZyu5GqEKDvLYFRU8IEnm9l10DW1qOl1945nyZZQNuCx8DFELrjaZpi_wzWPzxuNVHurakG8/s400/P1010395.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Merlin knows how to put those knitted items to good use! Below are said items without the furry beast on them. Do you see any long, black, old-man cat hairs?</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433502800285821586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGMoMsrjQBJ-SdvISG9eUJWFTlfaXCoraAJ-2ZywuHHNRlubYzEDU9q3R3wH1hwnH_XHsuuL8N_ZzPTa5AeMpJicpiBu6g8UNkKj4S1F5yKr8CnzwxtK2dRl4B4nm9OpM7ZUhG0Qicw8d/s400/P1010396.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">The pics are especially crappy because I can't seem to get home before dark. After days of trying, I finally gave it up and took the ugly pics so I could get on with the felting. I couldn't wait!</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433502794554893426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE35aIly0jUuMikTeLQvNBTtVYPxeD5QxE37ZoZBudg8Xbn6xpKfwv26B5bSJf8Fs-KkhOM4yFYa6OvHeWPVppx45xQQy8FLB1kWweZD2kL97u0JucA61aEQckBIDf2VLV6_n2SWW8nDNB/s400/P1010397.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">The most interesting and confusing part of this whole adventure is trying to predict how big you have to knit the bag to get the felted bag the size you want. All of this experimentation is getting kind of expensive. Do you think that'll stop me? NFW!! I'll just have to foist my unwanted creations onto unsuspecting friends and family. That'll teach 'em.<br /></span><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433502783867137794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAE9EBVKOOCIb8r0TVmyDo96vRnWL2YfRUJjvZAMdYCWrMldUUL0VG_8LJwUbLG5J7OzBTVTnOO0J9y5qakYK2dd_Y8-DD3AgA8pQt_tnTbYW02ZZNdbSgCs4xK4PnftA1MxAZugZdmqA/s400/P1010398.JPG" /></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">The purple bag was 13 x 16 before felting and 10 x 13 after ... about the size of a small purse or a big lunch bag. I knitted so tightly that my knitty teacher was teasing me that I'd end up with a change purse. The teal, cream, taupe bag was 22 x 16 before and 19 x 11 after. I stepped up a needle size and used the teacher-written directions for a bigger bag. It would be pretty close to the size I want if it were a little taller, but it's a pretty great knitting bag. As you can probably guess, I'm going for it again (yes, I am a glutton for punishment). I'm gonna knit the larger bag and make it taller. And I'm gonna do it in the purple colors. I'm in love with those colors. Besides, I need the larger (than stitching) therapy. I'll keep you posted. You were afraid I'd say that, weren't you?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I've been stitching a little also, but there were so many pictures and so little time that I decided to save the stitchy stuff for next time. There's something else interesting going on here, and if the stars are aligned and I make my way to the keyboard for more than a few minutes, I'll fill you in soon. Until then, make some fun.</span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-54522779161432668022010-01-19T22:02:00.007-07:002010-01-19T23:11:35.130-07:00See Doris Knit, Etc.<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">In what seems like a past life, when I was married and had three young kids, I used to knit. I knitted tiny beaded bags out of perle cotton on size 0000 needles (no, that's not a typo). It was like knitting with large tapestry needles. Now that I'm thinking of that little bag, I'll add a pic if I ever dredge it up from the black hole that has consumed my long-ago-abandoned projects. My silly sister gave me (and went as far as signing me up, schedule unseen) a knitting class for Christmas, because I keep saying, "I wanna make one of those felted bags" and "I wanna knit socks." Get ready for my new knitty experience ...</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428684026468628370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGf9dX_joLyhINVDtu-kQAie8yDItk7R7AJTA1k4OqNzLrJEcFiUKujMOljLjA9oaPjwYJ29DYaNNdnnGTp-cFR_9wuxcDcwpmeUC1kWDhw7y4tKBj83lKxuYO-mE11yzA2V_yCuxrA98I/s400/P1010388.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I know! This is the bottom of a buttonhole bag, which you can see <a href="http://www.masondixonknitting.com/archives/images/ButtonholeBagMasonDixon2[1].pdf">here</a>. While you're over there, check out the Mason-Dixon Knitting blog. It's very fun. So, anyway, I intended to bail on my class and try to get into one next month, when life will hopefully look better. But the lady at the LKS told me it'd be good for me. She was right. I was so quickly hooked that, when I got as far as I could after Lesson #1, I went back and got more stuff to start a second bag (because Sharri's gonna cry 'til she gets one) so I wouldn't forget what I'd learned (great excuse, huh?). And looky here (note Merlin in the background checking out the psycho-woman's new habit) ... </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428684019401182210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib48eKL-3ef-aXFcdpoMAtf1jR-keFQWt8nsmqml1Tf6oZZIqKQ16EIRABl15SsiHMAzyOoQMFYGO4RgL-i6Lu6TgORPKNWRnahpsipZBCW38vjF6vOAG5kzYZrGxS7eGRTePTF6RmZnO6/s400/P1010390.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Another bag bottom is ready to go. I'm beside myself in anticipation of the next class, so I'll be showing you more soon (she said confidently). How this new addiction will fit in with the old addiction, I'm not sure. We'll just go with it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">I took some days off last week to be away from people, and I figured I'd start something new to treat myself. I couldn't do it. So I cleaned and sat and watched a movie or two and read some blogs, and there it was. There, in <a href="http://susimac.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-pins.html">Su's</a> corner of blogland, was just the reminder I needed about a little project, hidden away in my I-wanna-do-this-soon drawer, that I could start and finish in a day. So I did.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428684009393239346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXXxlzKkX64JCdWzI5hdlhHojgTEKK2awS2A17kHY_2h_UdiU9JS1fMqCRvpi9Kgxd1jMFfJAakRZB14b1pVkwwgOxWdUhFrrnLrnfpzfbJSspKlT9kFRLP-XhRnuGA3DBi52m-0Fdu2D/s400/P1010387.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">It's My Pins, of course, from Shepherd's Bush, stitched as kitted, finished as directed, and stuffed with walnut shells. The ricrac was a little bright for me, so I treated it to a boiling coffee bath to tone it down a little. It didn't help much, but it's cute enough. I appreciate Su's inspiration at just the right moment to get me going.</span></p><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Then I pulled out the Shepherd's Bush 2009 Fob that I stitched <a href="http://apauseinthejourney.blogspot.com/search/label/Shepherds%20Bush%20scissor%20fob">a while back</a>. Anyway, I dragged it out of the WIP drawer and finished it up as a pin cushion. This one is stitched as kitted, finished sort-of as directed (I added knots in the silk ribbon at each corner), stuffed with walnut shells, and photographed (ugh, in artificial light this evening) on the backing fabric I chose (which matches so much better IRL).</span> <div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428684014588180642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zF6A_sAH5FUTBrmvradNKKjsLQSRaYIp1ePari8xmYxmMpgiZSfgQJ8__C1d04jq1aZN-MafpLaBhTyqcf1og7x7BHdOswrkiqCEdmWH09l3MPB8etINitlbLbCgtpHa7iFQ_1DrYQW3/s400/P1010391.JPG" /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I stitched another one over one, which will be making an appearance here as soon as another little button comes in. So another little project is finished and a third is waiting to be finish-finished. Finishing little projects is surprisingly therapeutic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I'm gonna leave you with many thanks for the uplifting and extremely kind words you've all shared with me about Mom. I sat here last week and cried into my oatmeal more than once, and I probably needed to do that. I'm not gonna tell you how awful work is (except the kids who are lovely), but I'm gonna tell you something positive. I make fun of men a lot, largely because it's so easy (oops, that wasn't nice ... see what I mean?), but I have to tell you about the man I hang around with. He has been nothing but supportive and helpful and understanding during the last few months, and especially since our extremely emotional family Christmas. What a man ... truly. That's just one of the ways that I'm lucky. There are many others, and I'm working at remembering them. And now I'm gonna try to sleep. Make some fun. </span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-88750447381426069632010-01-11T15:57:00.005-07:002010-01-11T17:44:01.385-07:00One More Post About Mom<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">My mom, Estelle Brown, died on January 6. She was the only daughter of Doris and Neill Hartman; the sister of Aldean and Larry; the wife of Don; the mother of Doris, Ron and Sharri; the grandmother of Dylan, Nicole, Rebekah, Monica, Kelly, Josh, Meagan and Seth; and great-grandmother to Korbyn and my unborn grandson. She was everything to all of us and the kindest person we ever knew. To say that her family is heartsick is a gross understatement, but we are all relieved that Mom is no longer suffering. In fact, I'm thinking of Mom holding Bekah's hand right now. She called her illness vile, and it was.</span><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">I have some pictures to share with you. First is Mom in possibly her favorite role: Mom/Grandma cooks for the holidays. It's from a few Christmases ago, and she's holding what we lovingly call "red stuff" (only because she thought "red shit" was too vulgar ... she was right, of course), which is second only to my brother's favorite "orange crap". I believe that look is on her face because one of the grandkids asked, "Did you make orange crap, too?"</span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425629993414738594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19KhXmCsUXu7oObczIRlkb2MdNccmBNSznTNtBlUQteGGAfN_0MA0HQqqpHbnsZ4hBXVqQX9khZrnclUSBjR3l5Zm3ULPbasLqG2BTiip9Rf8oESXq0ZL5v6yUiWtOk_Lm0INn5it98eX/s400/P1000139.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Next is Mom as Sun Princess for the Sun Bowl in the 50's. Isn't she pretty? My niece Meagan said that when she was little, she thought her grandma was a movie star. She saved some of her fabulous dresses from those days, and they were carefully used for Halloween. Wouldn't this make a great Glenda-Good-Witch-of-the-North dress?<br /></span><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425621342543026594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PhdcOXRVBKBB7PAXCMruh04iz7ronP4KYgzAs4YYD_vYRHpsV7FbNoHcU8drqoRZA7q7-jmKiqdLDvyfd4cW_Qm9fTAwwrpi2cXbknJ7JNCGv5mmGIONrVNhNGL5NuhlTXA-Az7fuW20/s400/Sun+Princess+1.jpg" /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Below is Mom as a little, little girl. I have this picture of her in my bedroom, and she's so cute I can hardly stand it. She reminds me of the sweet little kids at school. I think this could be about the age when my grandma got Mom to stop sucking her thumb by offering her very own rocking chair. Mom got the rocking chair and sat in it with her hands in her lap, staring at her thumb.</span><br /></p><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425621344849251010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxaNURTDa1u5EDIirnuplPqqxY-1DJIDv8PtYze2nmJf2ZjPYltntznLUtE9UyWFEJsaUebqXnLlFlIKM3QbmhmzYrDtB4lBzrtVswX-uDtPGNuypuqR1DjuD5HQTzOVgCj1cmy_AjS9K/s400/mom+as+a+girl.jpg" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Some of you will ask about my dad. He's doing ok for now. Mom said from the beginning that she'd need a miracle, so she and Dad had time to talk about the future. She was a great coach and encourager. We've been with him a lot, but all the family left today. We'll call a lot and drop in to make sure all is well. He has a huge support system of friends in their church. They have plans, and that's a good thing. He is very involved in genealogy, and he wants to travel to see where some of our ancestors lived. Dad and Mom already traveled to Germany and Pennsylvania in the last couple of years, and I think he'll continue with some trips he had stopped planning.</span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">I think another question you'll have is Mom's And They Sinned. She wasn't really feeling like stitching a lot of days, so I've been working on it when I visited their house since October. I picked it up again when we were all at the hospital, and now Sharri has it. She's almost finished (Sharri is one of those super-speedy stitchers). In our minds, it's the perfect gift for someone, but we'll see. I'll be sure to get a picture for you and fill you in on its future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Thank you all again for your prayers, good thoughts and kind notes. It used to be hard for me to imagine how much comments from people I've never met would mean to me. Next time: stitchy talk and other regular stuff. Make some fun. Do it now.</span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-30041450467234660112009-12-29T09:59:00.003-07:002009-12-29T10:33:45.584-07:00Christmas and After<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Hi all. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with your families. I was able to finish all of my baking and then take charge of Christmas dinner (with some help, of course), even with an hour-and-a-half power outage (I KNOW!) while the turkey and dressing were in the oven. You should've seen all of the menfolk (brother, son, nephews, dad) hustling outside to get wood hauled in and start a fire. The man I hang around with showed up during the outage and saved the wine-drinkers with a fresh bottle. It all turned out great, and my son and I are considering turning the oven off during the roasting next year, just to see if it works out as well.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Mom was going downhill on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (her favorite days of the whole year), so we finally took her to the hospital Christmas Night. As it turns out, we did the right thing. She's perked up a little, and the docs are trying to bring on some improvement, but it looks bleak. My brother and sister-in-law left for home on Sunday to tidy up some work things. I'm picking up my sister-in-law at the airport in a little bit, and my brother will probably come back this weekend.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">So I'll be in and out here, but mostly out. I'm gonna leave you with some happy pics of my tree and the stockings. I'll check in when I can. Make some fun. It's really important to make as much fun as you can.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420704951070703746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6AUj1gR8DrGKMFyQHM6BTCjsNlQe2ftD494zoj8TuYmJLATEf8d6enam4Dj4MD1fibPjvW4SGKrrUxumn1VTPZ8_BgeK9-trifSx5G1-9qRYRb_NnNzWfVHJ9rxo1LiJ1HsjsQKp_o7h/s400/P1010331.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420704943230937042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3wIb608BAnjiyTpAR0IaBvMc0kq9GuvxExEX8lMATa0gQY_3TjK0EHS11BH5xOMcwkvA5XlQ_rskH4NtftTx3AATpP6Gb-gZdmfCObW6QpjQ4w-N8f6pTMhurgOjMvZ9sikmPjuN0-O2/s400/P1010330.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420704931946733538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yLo6rd1y77-vRTvrpiOvVUnOlHVqOe0Zxeqzl8UIo050WLcRJcd8KH9v1m60VrMvHhPr1nB4M0Cj2-9SQ31xRPnrr1-c8FI0EQNmP4RE9J9MJJyGMTAVMql5DcZ6pY2H_1l7l1DxLL_O/s400/P1010328.JPG" /></div></div>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8925903488080175342.post-32263588588557019402009-12-23T21:15:00.003-07:002009-12-23T22:12:53.325-07:00Shores Block 4 and More<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Gee, I thought I'd be back before now. I had taken pics to post and had ideas in my head, and then I didn't sit down at the computer long enough. You missed my whiny how-many-days-left-'til-Christmas-break countdown, you lucky readers. My break started at 3:45 last Friday, but things have been koo koo since before that. During my last week of school for 2009, I was treated to a yukky cold and wicked laryngitis. That made the week extra fun, because I went to school anyway! What did I learn from that? If you go to school without a voice, many kids will whisper. Really! </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">How about some stitchy stuff? Here is Shores Block 4 all finished up.</span><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418652316951322338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRizUNusCxAsGwRF4V7e0C5774WoXp3EYgZCpPQeyqBCSItfLPFCf9c5WiSXudL2Pa8AfUEry6eTf2D_rERuPSpnky6b7ct1BgXKJP5qB0hSLbtxZrAnX8hDTLsjYB_khCEAZ-yoEAcIv/s400/P1010338.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Putting the last stitch in that block was delightful. I liked it, but it took so much longer than I thought it would. Doesn't it always? I'll probably put off the start of Block 5 until January, or maybe even February. We'll see. Plans don't work out well around here lately, so I think "we'll see" is the best way to handle Shores for now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">When I finished Block 5, I pulled out the long lost Miss Lila's House. I know! Long time no see, huh? It was my 2009 New Year's start, and I've hardly touched it since January. I've had a very tough time being happy with Miss Lila over one, and I've decided that it's the Needlepoint Silk over one on 30 count linen. I've stitched a lot of over one on 25 to 40 count fabrics, but the stitches on Miss Lila seem very crowded and irregular to me. To test my theory, I stitched the head and neck of the goose with DMC. Could I get a decent pic to show you? Not really. But there is definitely a difference, and I like the DMC better. So what does that mean? It means there'll be some unstitching between now and January 1, and I may restart Miss Lila for my 2010 New Year's start. Damn it! (Excuse me while I take two calming breaths.) Maybe unstitching will be somewhat therapeutic. Uh huh.</span><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418652308176777730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBDqsNdyEeW5HS646mqNneYAwzRODrYqG66-64wxQM31EEDjaTe1UCUt3w1WixQk_tlCLHp5ZszexUD1niIltWTmdPq4kbLM7X9nfL7O4LwDF24HmBmfIAnbPe9Y2F8daCaYU6LJVAPkG/s400/P1010337.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">Then there's the new man I've told you about. There's been some progress on his suit and mittens since I last showed him to you.</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418652303278089698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xlPztmnIydMzzOcXVOcs9ub4UZMRI6Ma1tSeGRaWeMGM_-LI5fpO3aNb5LizQOGkeCoaTqJDCBOjJ5WYp6OpXgwvvDbxJKzR066lVyneh03lA7gU3zz8nimY5h0taedOMj4GPtzXTsyl/s400/P1010339.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#663366;">He's pretty cute, isn't he? Wait 'til you see his fuzzy beard and eyebrows. In fact, this sweet Santa has been the one good thing about long days (yesterday we left my parents' house at 7:00 am and returned at about 5:45 pm) at chemo with Mom. There's nothing to do there but hang out and stitch. So when Mom is drowsing or doesn't need anything, Santa is my companion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">So about Mom ... there's no good news. That's probably enough to say. Thank you all, again, for your positive messages (all of you who comment), notes to check up on me (<a href="http://carolinastitcher.blogspot.com/">Faye</a>) or say something nice (<a href="http://lakestitcher.blogspot.com/">Lee</a>), and fabulous prizes in the mail (<a href="http://snippetsandstash.blogspot.com/">Staci</a>, I took a picture of your gorgeous fabric but forgot to load it into this post!), and good thoughts and prayers. I can never tell you enough how much every word is valued. Your bloggy friendship has been an unexpected treasure, and your blogs have provided me with entertaining info and hilarity, not to mention stashy encouragement (you naughty girls).</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#663366;">Tomorrow or the next day, I'll line up the pics of stockings and tree for you. Today has been a baking day (mmmmmm, cookies and fudge). Tomorrow will be last-minute running around, off to see family at the folks', and then baking in the evening. Make loads of fun.</span></p>dorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702339127060616036noreply@blogger.com14