Quaker Moon Progress

I was finally able to sit in my new chair for longer than one minute and do some stitching on Quaker Moon.  I am using petite black beads for the various pumpkins' eyes.  I don't do French knots.  Or should I say I have tried and failed to do a French knot and decided to do beads.  Plus I like their uniform look.  Now, threading the beading needle, well, that's a whole other story. 

On a funny note, The Stepdaughter came into my office after school a few days ago and said, direct quote, "we made babies in school today."  I said you did WHAT?!?!??!?!  Her health class had to make "pretend" babies out of those small, clear ornaments that you can fill with stuff.  After a few minutes when I could breathe again from laughing so hard I said you might want to word that differently when you tell people.  LOL.

Are any of you considering doing the Crazy January 2012 Challenge?  I am considering it, but kitting up 15 projects at once...well, I don't know.  But still considering it.  

New Start

Yesterday I started Blackbird Designs Pins & Tulips from their book Thank You, Sarah Tobias.  I am stitching it on Lakeside Linens 40 count Buttercream linen and using Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow, Sister Scarlet, Rosebud, and Carnation. 

The Stepdaughter presented me with this ceramic mug she made in art class.  I loved it!  It is my new snippet jar.  A perfect size.

In peace, love, and stitches,
Danielle

More Strawberry Shortcake

I was able to get in copious amounts of stitching time this weekend and was able to get a lot more done on Strawberry Shortcake.  I am so loving stitching on the 40 count!  You get used to the small holes just like with any other piece of fabric.  I even signed up for a fabric of the month club for Lakeside Linens 40 count through Traditional Stitches in Canada.

I also took The Daughter to The Stitching Post on Sunday to get her supplies for her next project.  It is a set of butterflies in the latest issue of UK's Cross Stitcher magazine.  If you click on this link and look on the left-hand side it shows the cover of the magazine and some of the butterflies are pictured.

And of course I picked up some stash of my own!  4 Country Cottage Needleworks patterns:  Sheep In The Meadow, Pumpkin Harvest, Snowflake Serenade, and Bunny Hop.

The Daughter recently completed a project and we framed it yesterday in a wooden hoop.  She changed all of the floss colors to her own liking and she did not want to stitch the cat's face that was in the pattern, so I found a button for her to use instead.

I am hoping she sticks with cross stitching, but right now it is sporadic.  I remember learning from a friend in 6th grade and not really picking it up seriously until I was married at 23.  Only time will tell!  But the good thing about the butterflies is that, one, she loves butterflies, and, two, they are all whole stitches, so no backstitch, quarter stitch, french knots, or specialty stitches.  And it is about the only thing we have in common, so it is nice to share this with her.

It is all about finding what works for each of us, and then the hobby becomes that much more enjoyable.

In peace, love, and stitches,
Danielle

A New Start

First, my rant of the day.  There always seems to be one.  LOL.  Our plan was to go to The Olive Tree for dinner.  I could taste the spaghetti with meat sauce and salad and glass of good wine.  Alas, it was not to be.  We arrived at the restaurant to find that everyone in our city seemed to have the same idea, as the parking lot was packed.  Inside they said it would be 20 minutes, but I didn't believe it.  So, BF had the idea to go to a restaurant down the street, which I had never been to.

I decided on chili in a bread bowl.  The waitress comes back a few minutes later and says they have no bread bowls.  She says do you need the menu back?  Cue me taking a deep breath and internally trying to meditate, as this ALWAYS seems to happen to me.  Places are always out of what I want on the menu.  So, I order spaghetti and meatballs, warily.

The spaghetti was bland.  Like tasting nothing.  My spaghetti at home is better.  The meatballs, blah.  I took one bit and did not eat anymore.  Disappointing to say the least.  Today's lesson, kids:  MAKE A RESERVATION at the restaurant you WANT to go to!!!!!

Ok.  Now, with that out of the way, on to happier topics.  While grocery shopping today at Target I decided to get a mug I had been eyeing at the Starbucks located inside the Target.  I LOVE this mug!!!  Here is a pic of both the front and back of it.

I also was able to do some stitching. I restarted Lizzie Kate's Live Simply Quick It that I had originally started yesterday at Panera Bread with Jill.  I switched out the fabric from the Dark Chocolate Cashel to Toasted Almond Cashel and stitched a bit while watching The Craigslist Killer movie on Lifetime that I had recorded.

Now I am home with a glass of wine, my heated throw, my iPad and a cheddar cheese Ritz Crackerful, which is my favorite snack.  Yum.

I leave you with a pic of BF reading instructions to help The Daughter make a wallet out of zebra print duct tape.

Have a great Sunday, at least what's left of it!!!

In peace, love, and stitches,
Danielle

I got the bunny!!!

Today was a busy shopping day. All pictures below are clickable for a much bigger and better view.

After getting my hair done I visited The Stitching Post, where I picked up Lizzie Kate's Live Simply Quick It and the ABC's of Aging Artfully kit, plus a piece of 28 count Dirty Cashel for LK's Snowman Snippet, my next project, and the fabric and threads for Live Simply.



On the way home I decided to stop at McDonald's and get a Hot Mocha. That location makes THE BEST ones. And guess what??? I got the bunny Happy Meal toy!!!! I was so surprised. Isn't it cute? He is pictured with some new lip glosses I bought today also. They both smell and taste like watermelon. Yum!!

At Marshalls I also picked up this cool mug. I LOVE coffee mugs and hadn't had a new one in a while.

I also found this great jewelry organizer at Marshalls. I have had this on my gift wish list for a while and just happened upon it. I love when stuff like that happens. And it's purple.

We also visited Annapolis Mall, mainly to go the Pandora jewelry store and Claire's so The Daughter could spend a gift certificate she received at Christmas, and I wanted to get some new earrings. The Pandora charms are so beautiful in person. I can't wait to get some more to fill my bracelet. The salesperson at Pandora was very helpful and gave me these catalogs to take home that list all of their charms. It's a great reference!

While in Claire's I picked up these great earrings and this headband with a peacock feather. The Daughter bought the two animal keychains. Isn't the one with the rainbow puffy hairdo great! I loved it.

And here is my progress on Where's The Party? A little bit more stitched.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired.

Here is hoping you had a smashing Saturday!!!

In peace, love, and stitches,
Danielle

I stitched, I stitched!!!!!

I actually sat down and did some stitching today.  A bit more on Where's The Party?

And The Daughter gave me this Christmas card today that she made for me.  I loved it!  I am going to keep it on my desk for a while, for those moments when I am annoyed or irritated at her, and then read it.

I hope your Monday is going well.

In peace, love, and stitches,
Danielle

A New Start

I started Lizzie*Kate's Where's The Party? Quick-It this morning.  This looks to be another fun stitch.   The fabric is actually green, which does not show up at all in this picture.

Tonight is The Daughter's winter concert at her school.  She is in 6th grade and in the chorus.  We will also be able to enjoy the band and strings.  I may go to Kohl's in a bit to see if I can't get a new sweater or shirt.

Have a great Monday!  5 days until Christmas!!

In peace, love and stitches,
Danielle