what would you do???

Okay, I'm taking a teeny-tiny poll here to find out what everyone else would do if they came upon THIS dilemma...

I turned her over and this is what I found. I'm pissed! I'm not going to lie. I know better than to go all this way without checking the back. Damn muscle relaxers!

This is the backside (obviously!). With that in mind, I don't know if I should frog all this or secure it and leave it. If I frog it that means having to start from the beginning of the green. Since this is the back, the thread is around 18" in length starting from the right side, continuing left and jumping down and traveling back the way I came. Make sense? Hmmm ~ I guess that's why they call this design the Traveling Stitcher. I didn't know they'd mean that literally...ahem! lol

Here's another close-up and angle of that stupid loop. I'm torn on what I should do. Should I securely leave it or rip it all out? Please, please, please...I want your thoughts.

On a lighter note, I can show you the front for progress' sake...and mine.

I am so enjoying this piece, even with that awful loop on the back. I have the top border to stitch and the verse underneath and I already have the case for it. I have this piece on a rod 'n roll so that's why the right hand house cannot be seen fully. I am lazy and still pissed.

WHAT'S HE DOIN' NOW!!!!!! (This is exactly what my grandmother would say if she were here today.) Cameron is nuts ~ that's all I can say about him right now!

Jose turns 12 on Sunday, May 31! We're celebrating his day on Saturday though. His Mamaw is coming into town from Canada tomorrow to spend his birthday with him. We'll be busy the next couple days. I can't believe my little boy is a tween - I'm in a bit of shock right now and I'm always overwhelmed around this time...but more so now than ever before. Thirteen is going to kill me, I believe.

Talk soon!

revising and playing catch-up

You know, I get on a roll, something happens and I am set back. Cameron has broken the wireless adapter to my laptop ~ he cracked it as a matter of fact. So, I haven’t had my laptop in 2 weeks. I was making due and finding little ways to use my desktop PC since it is in an area of the house that’s off limits to Cameron, but this past week I’ve fallen way behind. I mean, way behind. I have blog catch-up, group catch-up and email catch-up to do. Then my email/Internet was interrupted and thankfully my dh fixed it, but I didn’t have any access for nearly two days. I loath the dependency I have on technology. It’s frustrating and addictive. Okay, I’m off my Internet/computer hang-ups soapbox...until next time (keeping fingers x'd).

I have fallen off the current rotation wagon. SHAME ON ME!!! I’m disappointed with myself, but a little relieved. Having seven projects for each day of the week leaves little time for those very special projects you just can’t seem to put down. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ve decided, the heck with the current rotation and have a loosely fit rotation schedule with less going on. I think I’ll get more projects done this way. Besides, there are days I can’t stitch until nighttime and if that is the case then how much progress am I really having?!?! Not much.

“Who’s that girl” finally has a tree to sit underneath on those hot, hot days, along with a sweet visit from birdie. And suddenly before I knew it, “who’s that girl” had the starting of a pink little cottage to visit.

I can’t keep my hands off the Traveling Stitcher by LHN. It uses Crescent Colors and done on lambswool and is fun to stitch. I’ve had the Needles design stitched, but not assembled into the needlecase holder yet. Aside from the LHN project, I cannot keep my needle away from Susan’s Sweet Tin by Susan Greening Davis.

These stitches are so neat. One is called the Lace Wheels Reversed stitch (right) and Grid for Strap stitch (left). There are several sections or rows to this piece and I have more stitches to learn. One is called the German Interlaced Herringbone stitch (I've stitched it since this photo was taken so more on this specialty stitch later) which is known to make people talk to themselves and go crazy bc of its complexity. This design was all about pulling threads and re-weaving with a Perle cotton thread. So far, I’m having a ton of fun with this project.

I can’t decide which other project, if any, to add to the revised current rotation. I would like to stitch on each project for a couple days and then switch designs, which means that I can only have 2-4 projects per week. Four at the most. I’m thinking I’d be better off with three. I believe I’ll get more accomplished with fewer projects in my hands. I mean, c'mon, I do only have two hands =)!

My mom sent me a link this weekend and I think lots of you will be interested. It’s a free SAL. Go check it out HERE for more details.

Jose’s 12th birthday is May 31st. I can’t believe he’s turning 12 – a tween as society calls them. Where has the time gone? Jose’s last day of school was Thursday, but unfortunately he lacked effort through this school year and has to attend summer school. On the flip side of the unfortunate is fortunately for him summer school only lasts 3 weeks. Whatever happened to summer-long summer school? Ahhh, we need a vacation.

I’ll leave you with a couple of pictures of my sneaky little snake. Cameron managed to get an empty Coke bottle out of the trash, got the cap off, and then quietly snuck into the bathroom and used the cap as a cup. The things that go on his little head…

Talk soon!

who's that girl???

I was up late last night stitching. I have been going back and forth from Little House Needleworks to Susan Greening Davis. I was in bed stitching when it dawned on me how cute this little girl is from the Traveling Stitcher design. Isn't she cute!? Before I continued I had to take a photo of her sweetness.

Today I'm going back and forth from Stacy Nash's Country Sampler Velvet Bag (with a blue peacock motif) to my Susan tin. That's all on the stitching front.

As we speak, me and mom are planning to bring my Aunt Pam here for a week-long visit and I'm getting very excited about that. If my aunt will let me, I really want to take photos of our visit. We are going to take little adventures to the local quilt shops and to the LNS. It's going to be soooooo much fun ~ I can hardly wait!

I'm on page 31 of The Rosewood Casket. It first told of Indians in the Appalachian in the 1800's and now I believe we're in present day. It's keeping me interested. (Thanks Sally! - I hope you're enjoying The Host.)

Our dishwasher has died on us and I'm actually okay with that. I'm just glad it isn't the furnace, water heater, stove, refrigerator, etc. Those are a necessity but the dishwasher is not. I used to hand wash dishes years ago so it isn't as bad as it could be. I'm not as upset about it as dh is. Is having a dishwasher a nice thing? Sure! But it isn't necessary and I'm okay with such things.

Cameron is napping so I'm off to stitch. Talk soon!

never do today what can be done tomorrow

That’s my newly adopted motto and for good reason. Today, March 28, marks my DH’s one whole year being smoke free. I am so very proud of him! He has gone through more in the last 4 years than most people do in half a lifetime and to quit smoking only gave him more of a challenge, but he kicked that ugly and thieving habit. Way to go my DH!!!

I was supposed to do filing today but me and DH went target shooting and then had a late lunch with my parents at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Then we were shaken a bit by tornado sirens. Those things went off at least ten times and funnel clouds were spotted in areas around Nashville. I hate tornado season and it is underway.

I’ve rearranged projects from the rotation. Long Dog’s Ages of Man has moved from Saturday to Sunday because I am eager to start the Traveling Stitcher by LHN, which I got together today and hope to start stitching after this post. I moved my “secret” project from Sunday to Monday and I still haven’t decided on Wednesday yet.

My parents bought me the Twilight soundtrack today. I can't wait to put this in and play it loud! They and Jose surprised me with the James Bond Quatum of Solace DVD. I'm the biggest 007 fan! I've seen the movie, but I have to own it like I do all the others. :D

G’night and talk soon!

progress not perfection

I am progressing beautifully with my new (adaptation) system for current rotations. By today’s end it will be my 4th day in the rotation. I’ve become so quickly successful that I actually finished a project last night and I’m so happy about it. I’ve already chosen a project to put in Wednesday’s place ~ I am excited to see it again! It’s a punchneedle design that is almost completely punched called Pig and Chicken by Hooked on Rugs. Its folk art and so cute! All that's left to punch is the background which has already been started.

punched on plain weaver's cloth & used WDW cotton threads

(this is the back to which you work from)

(started November 4, 2008)

(right now)
28 ct Vintage Country Cream by Lakeside Linens & used Crescent Colours Bandana

Vintage Country Cream

I finished up Schoolgirl Lessons by LHN. I started this November 4, 2008 and because of its small size and being stitched monochromatically this should have been done a looooong time ago. I’m so embarrassed about it. See, this is why I need a reliable rotation system. So far, I think this is going to work wonderfully for me. My mother may even adopt this same system. Good for her because she probably has more UFO’s than I do. :o)

Yesterday afternoon and into last night I worked on cleaning up my crafting area. It’s been such a mess and a catchall place for months. It has been a disgrace and completely unlike me. But now it is clean and ready to use…for now. I’m still not done though. I need to install two wired shelves above my work station so I can access my more commonly used supplies and stash instead of them being shoved into closed doors and cabinets where they are not easily accessible. In addition to cleaning the mess, I rearranged two pieces of furniture in this space. I moved my sewing machine table next to the craft table and the cabinet that was once there is now where the sewing machine table used to stand. I like it so much better this way; however, I need better lighting or more lighting rather.

Be Still...by The Sampler Girl
28 ct. Jobelan Sand Castle & using DMC

Today is really nice out ~ high is 65 and sunny with a bit of overcast. It is Thursday so that means I’ll be stitching on Be Still…by The Sampler Girl. I’m almost done with this so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get this stitched up today. Wish me luck!