Author Archives: Terri

Free days aren't really

Posted on January 18, 2010 | 3 comments

I have a love/hate relationship with extra days off work.

I hate that I only have 4 days to do 5 days work in, and add on to that the fact that my days are still only 6 hours long and I feel like I’m required to put in 8 hours of work, well, let’s just say that it makes me look all the more forward to the next weekend. Since today is a no-pay day for me, I hate it for that reason as well. I know I could use vacation time, but I’m saving it for my surgery recovery.

I love that I get an extra day for a weekend because I’m not rushed to get all my ‘chores’ done so I can sit to stitch, read, play with the puppies, watch stoopid stuff on TV. I normally don’t have a ton of laundry because I do a load every night after work, but when I know I have a long weekend, I’ll put it off (I have no idea why my brain works this way) so today will be spent climbing Mt. Washmore (or rather getting to the bottom of the laundry barrel). I have an extra day to do the grocery shopping. I have an extra day to read/stitch. I have an extra day to actually rest.

Today is an extra good extra day off because it’s raining. We have some huge water headed our way. People here do NOT know how to drive in the sprinkle, much less in the rain 😉 I’ll stay home (unless Kahuna drags me out to a movie or something).

Today is a good day because I’m starting a new stitching project. It was hard for me to actually stitch on Summer Queen yesterday and not start HOHRH 😀

So, before I get on to HOHRH, here’s my latest progress on Summer Queen.

Oh, and a word to the wise (which sometimes I’m not). When I pulled out my fabric to cut this morning I discovered 2 things. It was no longer a full yard (I cannot for the life of me remember when I cut it much less what I cut it for) and I had 2 pieces of 40 ct Vintage Sand Dune bagged and tagged already for HOHRH and VOHRH! This is what happens when you go on a mega-long stitching hiatus and have way too much stash. All I could think after my discovery was thank goodness I had the Sand Dune because I would have been one upset stitchy person if I didn’t have fabric like I thought I did.

3 Comments

Posted in Carriage House Samplings, HOHRH, Mirabilia, Stitching, Work

Quaker Needlework Treasures Update

Posted on January 17, 2010 | Comments Off

Here’s as far as I got last week. I’m going to have to go back and frog the ’06’ out of the main piece 😆

Last night was full of football goodness by way of my Saints! Woo to the Hoo!!!

Today Kahuna’s team plays…the Cowboys. Yuk. He’s a Saints fan too and doesn’t know what he’s going to do if they end up playing each other. I know what he better do, and that’s all I’m going to say about that 😉

I made my floss tags for HOHRH last night and ‘loaded up’ the NPIs for the first house. I even made my working copy of the house I’m starting with — the upper left house. I’m SO excited! I still need to cut and serge my fabric but will tackle that in the morning.

More Summer Queen stitching today and maybe even a new progress picture tonight.

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Posted in Football, HOHRH, Mirabilia, Stitching, With My Needle

Unexpected pleasures

Posted on January 16, 2010 | Comments Off

I’ve had a very good all around week.

Work

Received a memo that I will definitely be doing mostly work for atty J! Woohoo! I was also told yesterday that I could move my stuff to the ‘big desk’ which means more spreading out room for me. I think it also means that someone else is going to be brought in. The case settled on Thursday, which means the attorneys are back in the office. Late yesterday afternoon head attorney said he wanted to close the office on Monday so I’m getting an unexpected three-day weekend!

Puppies

Have caught them several times snuggled up to each other 🙂

Stitching

I spent the better part of the past week working on Needlework Treasures. While it did stitch up faster than I thought, and I was further along that I remembered, it didn’t get finished this week. I’ll post a picture later, when I put it away and pull out Summer Queen.

I don’t know how much stitching I’ll get done on Summer Queen this weekend because I have been bitten by the stash bug. Not the buying one, the organizing one. I have been trying to post my stash on the picture portion of my webpage. As of right this minute, this is how far I’ve gotten. Oh my! What a mistake this has been. I have forgotten more than remembered what I have. It’s almost like being turned loose in a stitching shop. Part of me is tempted to see how long I could stitch without ever spending another dime…but what would be the fun in that. I’m almost embarrassed by how much I have, though.

One design I’ve come across that I have forgotten was Industrious Ladies. Such a beautiful thing.

As I’ve been going through it, I’ve pulled out more stuff to sell. I think instead of posting all of it on the page tab above, I’m going to list what I can on my webpage. I’ll post updates here.

I’m really looking foward to my day off on Monday since I’ll be starting Houses of Hawk Run Hollow. I have the supplies to make up some thread drops and creating those is also going to put a dent in my Summer Queen stitching. I’m not too worried about that though, since the next week will be devoted strictly to stitching on her.

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Posted in 4Sale, Carriage House Samplings, HOHRH, Mirabilia, Puppies, With My Needle, Work

What's new?

Posted on January 13, 2010 | Comments Off

My needle has been smokin’ this week. I’m thinking I may even finish the stitching part of Quaker Needlework Treasures by Friday (don’t hold me to that though).

I am a multi-tasking stitcher. 😉 I tend to think about stitching while I’m stitching and watching TV. The thinking I’m doing though is on a stitchy matter usually not associated with what I’m currently stitching on 😆

Last night’s stitchy thought (while watching The Biggest Loser) was what designer did I have in my stash whose designs I’ve never stitched. While there are many – and they were all floating through my head – I think the two I’m most looking forward to ‘trying out’ are Chessie & Me and Carriage House Samplings. I have several of their designs but have never stitched any. I also like Moira Blackburn’s designs but can’t remember if I have any in my stash or not.

What about you? Who do you want to give a try?

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Posted in Stitching

Happy dancing

Posted on January 11, 2010 | Comments Off

Kahuna
Today marks 28 years since Kahuna stood on the yellow bootprints at MCRD. It’s rather hard for me to believe that we’ve been married as long as we have, and that he’s been a Marine for this long. While it hasn’t always been easy, being a military wife, I wouldn’t give up a day of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of anything in my life, than being his wife.

Work
It’s so nice to be at work and have peace and quiet. The attorneys are in trial and I’m slowing getting caught up. I can already tell the difference just after one day. I have grand plans of having the filing, supply ordering, and medical records updates all done by the time trial is over.

Puppies
They continue to bond. Both are camera shy though so I don’t have pictures of some of their cutest moments. I do have these tho:

Watching mom type

Just hanging out

Stitching
I have my first 2010 finish! I met with Melissa and Darla this past Saturday for an impromptu stitch-together. Thursday and Friday were rough at work and I needed some ‘me’ time and what better way to recharge than hanging out with your BSF (best stitchy friends). Since I was too pooped to stitch those nights, and was so close to finishing, I continued to work on Flying Monkeys and am thrilled to say that I finished it (I love that bat button!). I’m currently making arrangements to have it finished.

Flying Monkeys

When I got home Saturday night I immediately picked up Summer Queen and worked on her throughout the rest of the weekend when Kahuna and I weren’t out running errands.

Summer Queen

As soon as I hit ‘publish’ I’ll be off to work on this week’s project, With My Needle’s Quaker Needlework Treasures.

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Posted in Glory Bee, Life, Mirabilia, Stitching, Work

The storm before the calm

Posted on January 7, 2010 | Comments Off

Work

It’s absolutely crazy in my office right now. We have a trial starting on Monday and it’s the Attys first solo trial on a case we’ve had for 5 years. It’s a really good case, and I think she’s really organized and ready. There are always last minute details that crop up and that’s what we’re running around taking care of. It’s a little stressful to me since I only work 6 hours a day. I have an “if I could work those 2 extra hours a day things would get done” mentality. We have another trial that starts immediately after this one and I’m still waiting to find out about subpoenas! I have been pushing aside a bunch of work that I’m hoping to get caught up on over the next two-three weeks the attys are in trial. I’ll be ready for this weekend!

Puppies

The dogs continue to bond. Harley is feeling more comfortable around Jasper and becoming a bit more submissive to him. She’s a little put out with us because her routine has changed somewhat but she’s adjusting. Tonight we’re taking them both downtown for a walk around our weekly evening market.

Stitching

I’m more than half way through Flying Monkeys. I think I’ll get it finished by tomorrow night, even with our trip out tonight. I’m trying to decide whether or not to include the bat button or not. I can’t remember if I said or not but I want it finished as a ‘door knocker.’

: Flying Monkeys

Kahuna is in half-ironman training mode. He’s running and biking almost every day, plus some days he’s running twice. He’s built himself a new roadbike that he’s training on at work (another Cervelo). I swear my garage looks like a sports shop between all the bikes, surfboards, workout equipment, spare parts etc. His surfmobile is down and out and he hasn’t been surfing for almost 2 months. Gasp! The latest thought from him on retirement is that he’s going to gather his paperwork and turn it in for an extension. Everyone hold your breath, ok? tee hee!

Still no word on my surgery date.

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Posted in Glory Bee, Puppies, Stitching, Work

This might just work out

Posted on January 5, 2010 | Comments Off

Puppies

I got home from work yesterday to two very happy puppies! It’s so much fun to walk in the door and be happy danced to death. Jasper was yipping at me and Harley was trying to climb up my leg. That’s the way it used to be when we had Bandit, and I missed it terribly when Harley didn’t meet me at the door. She did, however, take up watching for us out the front bedroom window. She’s a growly girl so we’ve nicknamed her Mrs. Bruiser Cravetz. Jasper has been nicknamed Mr. Prissy Pants, since he’s such a prissy momma’s boy. 🙂

Stitching

I got off my lazy heinie and trimmed The Token back last night and surged the edges. I’ll wait until I’m walking out the door to the framers before ironing it. Hopefully I can take it in this weekend.

I also cut, surged, and started stitching on Flying Monkeys last night. I’m thinking it’ll be finished by Friday. I guess I already need to start thinking about what to slide in its slot.

Work

Things at work were weird yesterday. Atty J told me that she told Atty D that he needs to hire someone to work strictly for him and let me start working strictly for her. She also told me what she wanted me to start doing for her, and I’m excited. Trying to not get my hopes up that it’ll happen, but we have two huge cases going to trial (one may settle beforehand) starting next week and that will free up a lot of time for me. I’ve spent a good part of this a.m. discussing the future with Atty J and I really hope it works out the way she wants it to because that means I’ll be strictly in litigation. Woohoo! maybe!

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Posted in Framing, Glory Bee, Puppies, Stitching, Work

Reorg day

Posted on January 3, 2010 | Comments Off

While I haven’t been stitching, I’ve been reorganizing and doing laundry.

I cleaned up my WIPs page (tab up top) and re-ordered the designs listed. I haven’t quite decided in what order to attack them other than the top 6. The progress bars for HoHRH and Flying Monkeys are in place but not showing up since there is no actual stitching yet.

I added my Ofc page back in. It shows the disaster that is my stitching room (not that I actually stitch in there). As you can see I have some goals to meet in there as well, but there’s no deadline other than to get it done by the time we move from here, whenever that may be. I’ll probably work left to right in there since I have several (too many to guestimate) designs that need to be filed away in the boxes on the first shelving unit. I also probably need to change some of those boxes around. The fabric not in too bad a shape, but I do have some stuff that needs to be added in there too. I dread tackling the two wicker baskets in the third photo. It is a major jumble in those and there will probably be many fibers that go up for sale/trade in them. The fourth photo really needs to be updated since my desk doesn’t look quite that bad anymore. Neither does the floor in the fifth photo. The last photo is also wrong. The copy paper boxes have been moved 😆 but they still need to be gone through.

Oh, does anyone know how to reorganize the categories in WordPress? I’d like to move some of my stitching ones under the main category of ‘stitching.’

Has anyone ever had problems with a seller not receiving notification that you sent them money thru PayPal? I purchased something from a well known designer off of her Etsy page. I paid with PayPal, but when I didn’t have the item I sent a follow up email to her. This is when I found out she never received notification of receiving funds. I didn’t know any way to protect my account except to file a dispute and we are in communication and that has been mentioned. She’s going to send me what I purchased, but I need to be sure she receives her money. Help?

Here’s where I’m at on Summer Queen. She’s been tucked away until next Saturday.

Tomorrow I’ll be starting Flying Monkeys. I’m using the recommended GAST fibers and using 28 ct Lambswool. Both fibers and fabric are from my stash.

: Glory Bee – Flying Monkeys

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Posted in Glory Bee, Mirabilia, Stitching

Stitchy Saturday

Posted on January 2, 2010 | Comments Off

Stitchy Saturday happened at my house instead of at the LNS. I just didn’t feel well enough to subject the others attending to what I may still have. So instead I played in my stash to help me with my stitching goals and then I stitched.

I think I have come to some firm goals:

1. Actual Stitching

Mirabilia Summer Queen – I’m already stitching this and it has to be finished and framed by mid-May in order to be entered into the fair. I’m thinking I may stitch on this every Saturday and Sunday as well as devoting a full week to it. The rest of the items I’ll stitch on Monday – Friday.

Carriage House Houses of Hawk Run Hollow – It will satisfy more than one ‘requirement’ for my rotation. There are 12 blocks and I am going to attempt to stitch one a month. I have a yard size piece of 40 ct Vintage Maple Sugar already in my stash, and I have been collecting the NPIs over the past year for this design and the Village. Just need to measure twice, cut once, surge and go!(Fortunately, the other two HRH designs have not tempted me, but I hear there’s an autumnal design in the works and I may be in B.I.G. trouble when it comes out.)

Glory Bee Flying Monkies – new and small. I want to put this over my desk at work so I can just point to it 🙂

With My Needle Quaker Needlework Treasures – this has been around for over a year (I think even over 2!) and will fall into the ‘smalls’ category. I will decide whether or not to attempt the actual finishing once I get all the stitching done. I may just ‘farm’ it out. I do have everything for all the parts, etc., kitted.

Once Summer Queen is finished I’ll probably add in my French Alphabet Sampler or La Marquoir de Justine. I really would like for the two of them to be finished and framed this year.

2. Framing – Most of the designs I would like to see framed this year will be going on a ‘sampler wall’ in my bedroom. I am aiming for at least 6 designs.

3. Stash Enhancement – I have myself on a stitching budget. I am going to try really, really hard to not purchase anything but we all know how that usually goes 😆 so I’m budgeting. I have tons of fabric, so really can’t see myself buying any of that in the future and am going to try to stitch as much from my stash as possible. One thing that has worked for me in the past is to trade for things. I may try that when I start on #4 below.

4. Stash Downsizing – I am going to be thinning out my stash. I have some fibers to get rid of (anyone need to purchase the complete set of Vikki Clayton silks for HoHRH?) and I even want to sell some of my fabric. I know I have some duplicates in charts to weed through, plus my tastes have changed over the past 30+ years. I’ll be doing a lot of eBaying (user name is mcbcpsdca) and will post here when new stuff is going up and may even post things for trade before putting them up on eBay.

So for now, that’s it! And can I just say that with all the football that’s on TV, this feels like Sunday to me so I feel like I’m getting a free day for stitching tomorrow ! !

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Posted in Carriage House Samplings, Glory Bee, Goals, Mirabilia, With My Needle

Woohoo 2010 is here and I have a plan.

Posted on January 1, 2010 | Comments Off

I don’t know where 2010 is going to take me yet as far as where I’ll be living at the end of this year. Kahuna is still not being decisive on whether or not he’s retiring or extending his enlistment to his 30 year EAS. If he doesn’t extend he’ll be retired on October 17, 2010. If he does extend he’ll be retired on January 12, 2012.

One thing I’m definitely doing this year is keeping my checkbook balanced. I made this a ‘resolution’ a couple of years ago and stuck to it faithfully. I was so impressed with how much money I had when I was keeping track of it. I quit doing it when I took my current job. I don’t know why, it just happened, and I am constantly transferring money from savings to checking and back again. This is stopping today. I have some financial goals I want to meet by the 10/10/10. If Kahuna decides to retire this year, then that is hopefully the first day of my new job….Kept Woman.

As to my weight, well I do have some thoughts but can’t exactly get them down until I have my surgery date. I’ll revisit that issue at that time.

I’m thinking really hard about making some stitching goals for 2010. I’ve stitched more this week than I think I have all of 2009. I’ve found myself not wanting to read and have grabbed a cup of coffee and my needle as fast as I could every morning. So here are some thoughts to help me gel a plan:

One of the things I keep promising myself is to frame more of my finished work. There’s really no excuse for this to not happen this year since Kahuna has said he’s more than happy to finance it. I did pull The Token out earlier this week to trim it down and surge the edges.

I’m thinking I need to get back to rotating. I’ve been thinking of a 4-5 item rotation: Large, Small, Old, New, or something similar. I love charts with salt box houses and American flags, so I may make these one of my categories. I also have a ton of ‘smalls’ charts/kits. Maybe AmFlag-House, Old, New, Smalls…ack! I don’t know, but I do need to clear up some ‘old’ projects. I have many projects that only have a few stitches in them. They’re from my craziness of starting tons of new projects during the month of January in years past. I pull them out and look at them periodically and still like them and would like to get more stitching done on them.

I’ve posted on my facebook, but I’ll put here that both puppies have been sick. I think they have puppy stomach flu or something. I got Jasper well (after a trip to the Vet), and Harley was up all night long with it. It’s making for a very tired me and Kahuna.

Tomorrow is Stitchy Saturday and I’ll post a progress picture of Summer Queen after that.

Happy New Year all.