June 26, 2009

Today was a non-stitching dialysis day. All I did during my treatment was freeze my @$$ off and read my book. My hands got so cold at one point, I had to add my wrap to the two blankets under which I huddled. After warming my hands under the blankets for about 15 minutes, I was able to hold my book to read again. My hands and head were the only parts of me that stuck out from under the blankets.

I don't understand why they can leave the thermostat on 77 dedrees all winter with no one complaining about being too hot or too cold, yet when it starts to get warm outside they put the thermostat all the way down to 73-74 degrees and say that's as high as it can go. All the patients are freezing, but they say it can't go any higher because "germs grow." Huh? So germs grow at lower temps in the summer than in the winter? I had NO idea!

Sometimes when I go there, I feel like I need to check my common sense at the door. Sorta scary for a medical facility, no?

I really wasn't in a stitching mood once I returned home, either. I listened to the Classical Masterpieces Music Choice channel for a while so that I could work on my blog without distractions.

Around 7:30pm I noticed that it looked weird outside. The light actually looked yellow. I went out to the carport door and saw that the wind had also picked up. If I was in the Midwest, I'd have thought a tornado was nearing. There was a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, but they all seemed to miss us. Apparently it rained all around us, though.

My mailman brought more goodies today! These charts, Stormy Seas and Diamond Mosaic, from Northern Pine Designs, are from a trade with Debi M. Thank you, D!

Jenn W sent these charts with leftover fibers as a RAK. Thank you very much, Jenn! These arrived earlier this week and I kept forgetting to take a picture.

Spoiled by the Generosity of Others-June 24, 2009

I came home from dialysis this evening with the intent of picking up Kasey and leaving directly for stitching group at Border's Books. I'd forgotten that tonight was our meeting until Carol called me, asking if I was going to be there. Of course I would!

But when I got home there was this box waiting for me. While it wasn't unexpected, as I was told something would be coming, I never in my wildest dreams expected all the goodies inside. It looks innocent enough, right? OMG!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Myrl!!!!

The note says:

"Since it is a Flat Rate Box I decided NOT to send it half empty!

In addition to the NN & Eileen Gurak stuff I cleaned out some stash stuff I no longer need/want. Keep or trade or give away.

Myrl"


This is what I found!




The first thing I noticed was the beautiful crocheted scarf. It's made with velvety yarn and will definitely keep me warm. Maybe I should put it in my dialysis bag for those days when I'm freezing and no one will turn up the thermostat? I ooh'ed at it for a minute before my eye caught the acorn.


I saw one of these at an EGA meeting where a lecture was given on antique and vintage needlework accessories. Not only is it a gorgeously carved acorn, but also the top comes off to reveal a carved thimble and a tiny spool of thread with a needle. It's a sewing kit! I think this is my favorite "gadget" of all time! If you click the next picture, you can see the acorn opened with its contents displayed.

See, these were what I expected: charts by Nancy Buhl of From Nancy's Needle. Myrl had emailed me to ask if they were still on my wishlist and told me she was going to Nancy's shop for a retreat. She even got Nancy to sign all the charts for me, and the Iris and Fans Quilt chart is personalized to me! Never in my wildest dreams did I think she'd get ALL of them! Included were Shades of Spring, Evening Star, Patriotic Stars, Medallion, and Iris and Fans Quilt. IaFQ is completely kitted up with mono canvas and fibers! I can start as soon as I like (although I think I'm going to go with a green that's more sage-colored). Also pictured are the purple suede bag with needlepoint insert and the Madiera silks to stitch it, the acorn, and the scarf.

Then there were the two needlepoint pieces by Handblessings that Myrl kitted up for me. They are "Needlepoint Spring Garden" and "Needlepoint Spring Wreath." I am sooooo looking forward to stitching these! Mom likes the Wreath, so her birthday present may have just been taken care of!

On the left is "Mini Noah's Ark" by Hester's Sister, a complete kit. Beside it is "A Miniature Reversible Sampler in the Style of the 17th Century" by The Drawn Thread. Linen and Needlepoint Silks were included for AMRS. I would like to do this one, as I've long been intrigued by reversible cross stitch. I want to give this a go.

I also drooled over this hardanger pouch. It is completely hand-sewn, made from evenweave band. This is the front of the pouch when it is closed.



This is a look at it when it is open. I will have to try one of these, too. I love it! Carol does, too, but it's staying in MY possession!







Then I came across a chart from the Mary Jane Collection, part of the Welcome Series. This one is "Stitcher"...as in "Welcome to the home of a Stitcher." The bottom is black- and goldwork, which can easily become purple-y-ness! (See how twisted my mind is? As I look at designs, I picture them how *I* would stitch them!)

Then there was this wonder of purple-y-ness! I've not seen it before but it's called "Treasured Jewel II: Emerald and Amethyst" by Karen E. Dudzinski. I'm in love! It came complete with canvas, fibers, Rainbow Galleries' Splendor Silk Ribbon, and beads! Oooh! FOUL! Too many yummy choices, Myrl!

I next came across "American Heart" by Stiehler, an EGA Master Craftsman-Canvas Embroidery. This is right up my alley! Patriotic combined with different embroidery stitches! My idea of fun! And there was another Eileen Gurak design! It's called "A House is not a Home without Needlework." How perfect is that??

This is "Bands of Pearle Sampler" that Myrl started. I noticed she starts her rows with an "away knot." I've seen this discussed and suggested, but have not seen it in use until now. I think you're supposed to trim off the knots when you're done and run the thread ends under some of the stitching to secure them. Myrl generously included the fibers and linen for this project as well.

Last, but by all means not least, are these kits and charts. From left top corner: Dimensions' "Learn a Craft," Sunset's "Bay Inn" (stamped kit), "Alphabet" by the Historic Needlework Guild, "Sweetheart Topiary" Treasured Stitching Band by Mill Hill, "February" a year with charm by Lizzie*Kate, "Spring Hare" by Norden Crafts, "Celebrate Life" freebie by 4 My Boys, "Papa Noel" by Mary Engelbreit, "Hydrangea" by Donna Dewberry, Vertical Spool Pincushion kit by Sudberry, and "Easter" holidays with charm by Lizzie*Kate.

Not pictured are a Rainblow Gallery freebie called A Maze in Grace and The Flax Sampler by Sampler House. Don't ask me how I missed them, okay? I'm just overwhelmed!
Oh, so THEN I had to leave right away for Borders, remember??

Yeah...leave all this fiberous wonder to go stitch. The hardship!

But I tore myself away and when I arrived Deb gave me this book, "A Signature in Time" contemporary samplers to stitch. She said she found it at a yard sale and picked it up for me. Thank you, Deb! This was very thoughtful of you! Carol and I looked through and saw several motifs that can be used for a variety of finishes. Maybe I'll have time at some point soon to go through and flag the pages of special interest?

I worked on "It's Good to be Home" and chatted with the ladies around the table. We left when the store closed and I found another envelope of goodies in my pile of mail! Wawanna sent more hand-made floss tags!

Her newest creations are Dazzling Drops! I don't know how she finds the time to do all she does. Not only does she have her own gardens, make her own baked goods (including sourdough bread, y'all!), take care of three gorgeous girly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, create some of the prettiest Dazzling Ornaments I've ever seen, but also knits, blogs, and paper-crafts! Did I miss anything, Wawanna? I'm exhausted just thinking about all that! You are my hero!

Look at the attention to detail in these! The seahorses are so cute! Thank you, Wawanna!! I'm so honored to receive these! I didn't realize they were a new addition to Dazzling Ornaments until I looked at the Dazzling Ornaments blog.

Monday, June 1, 2009 I'm Baaa-aaack!

Thank you to everyone who checked in on me last month. It was heart-warming to hear so many different (virtual) voices of concern.

Make sure you scroll down to the two previous posts to sign up to receive a special something from me!

I'm back now, so I'll get down to business:

First, for those who don't know, my current WIP is Lavenderblue Celtic Knot Quilt by From Nancy's Needle. I started it on May 13 and have worked on it for 12 days, including today. I know I kept saying that I wouldn't start anything new until my BRD gameboard was complete but I had to. It was either start something new or not stitch at all. I couldn't stand to make another X. I don't know why, because I've always found it relaxing, but I couldn't bring myself to stitch if I had to cross stitch. So I switched to this lovely design. It's stitched completely with one strand of either Caron's Watercolours or DMC #5 Perle cotton and is all straight stitches except for the five Rhodes diamonds in the center, so it goes super fast. This is my progress as of midnight.

The chart was my prize from Sue V of Every Stitch Counts for winning a Bingo game. I used some of my stimulus money from Uncle Sam to kit it up. My LNS, The Stitching Post has needlepoint canvas and a great variety of fibers so they supplied everything I needed for this piece. I took advantage of their website ordering because sometimes it's just easier to have them mail it to me rather than navigate the Baltimore Beltway (US Interstate 695).

When I posted pictures of my stitching retreat goodies, I completely forgot to show you the RAK's I received from Carol BC and Sue V.

Sue made this gorgeous scissors fob and it's perfect for me! Purple and a dog pawprint. You can't go wrong with that! Thank you Susie! I love it.

Carol gave Sue, Laura, and I each one of these bags of goodies. Inside the mesh zipper bag was a biscornu freebie that she kitted up for us, a Small Token by Blackbird Designs, a piece of cream Lugana, and four skeins of Crescent Colours. Carol, you make up the coolest gift bags! Thank you!

Last, but not least, is a RAK that I am sending out. Where is it going? What's inside? I'll let you know as soon as it arrives at its destination!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I woke up this morning and found these sitting on the table by my chair. Amy sent this wonderful arrangement and I had to call and thank her because an email just wouldn't do! We chatted for a little while and I look forward to many future talks. She is one amazing lady!

Just a note: all these pictures are clickable if you want to see them enlarged.

I know I said I was planning on leaving the laptop off so that I could stitch all day, but that didn't happen. Debi was the first to wish me a happy birthday just after midnight. While we were on the phone she told me that I had birthday wishes waiting for me. I went to answer them and got sucked in to reading the rest of the messages.

I asked Uncle Wes if he wanted to go to Sakura Steakhouse with me for a late lunch/early dinner. I made reservations for 3:00 and we went to enjoy a great meal. If you've never been to a Japanese Tappan restaurant, the food is all cooked right in front of you on a big grill table. The chef puts on an entertaining show while preparing everything.









Wes had the filet mignon and scallops while I had the filet and shrimp. The fried rice, appetizer, vegetables and hot tea all come with the meal. Sakura is the only place that serves ice cream I can eat. I'm not sure where they get it from, but their green tea ice cream is the smoothest, creamiest ice cream I've ever had. It also has a palate-cleansing flavor (or non-flavor, in this case) that isn't sweet at all. I really can't explain it, but I had Uncle Wes try some, too, so he could see what I meant.

I made sure to let our server know that I was going to order the ice cream because there was another birthday girl at a neighboring table and they brought out a piece of chocolate-covered cake for her. Since I'm not big on chocolate or cake I didn't want them to waste it on me. Here's what Scott brought out, while everyone at the table sang happy birthday to me.

When we returned home I went to soak in the bathtub with my book. I thought about taking a nap but never made it that far. Instead I dozed in the bathtub for a little bit and then came back out to the livingroom.
Once again the laptop sucked me in. While I was going through my email I found the second surprise of the day. Myrl, who RAK'd me with two HandBlessings charts last fall, has offered me the use of her 3 bedroom, 2 bath ocean front condo the weekend of Salty Yarns' Stitcher's Retreat! I couldn't believe it at first, so I read and re-read the email. Then I started jumping up and down. Kasey and Chet probably thought something was seriously wrong with me, but I couldn't help myself! This is just a dream come true! Thank you, Myrl!!
Late this evening I opened all my Birthday Floss Club cards. I belong to three BFC's so there were about twenty cards. I laid them all out on the dining room table collage-like with the floss on top of them. I still have about 10 more cards on the way, but this is what's arrived so far.

In case you're wondering, I haven't picked up a needle since the Thursday afternoon stitching group at Barnes and Noble. I'm hoping to change that tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes!

Hugs,
Beth

February 17, 2009

I was stuck at home today because the truck is in the shop getting new front brakes. You'd think I got alot of stitching done, right?

*Snort of disgust* NO!

I read email until Uncle Wes picked me up at 3:00 to go get the truck. Then I read email for another hour and a half until I had to get Kasey and I ready to go to Heirloom Stitchers.

Carol and Kathy were there and Sharon was able to stop by on her way home to show us her beautiful finishes. She even gave Kathy and I each a piece of hand-dyed Jobelan, complete with Thunder (her black Lab) hair! The bit in the middle is where she frogged some black floss, so I'll get that out with a piece of tape. I love how wispy the blue and white is. I'm sure I'll find something to stitch on this!

Kathy showed off a new finish last week and I was drooling over the chart. Imagine my surprise when she gifted the chart and floss to me! She said she bought the chart as my birthday present, but when she saw how cute it was she had to stitch it herself! This is 'Patriotic Hearts & Sampler Stitches' by Sekas & Co. It is definitely going in the "Favorites" drawer of my stash cabinet!

We were also joined by Carol's husband, George and her son, Raymond. Kasey was in Heaven with two admirers! George sat down and she was more than willing to rest her chin on his leg so that he could give her the admiration she thinks she so richly deserves. She was also quite smitten with Raymond, but I had to remind her that she was working and couldn't rough-house.

Carol brought Kasey a box of doggie-goodies as a goodwill gesture. At last week's Border's meeting, I found a tick on Kasey's neck. I couldn't get the whole thing so Carol used my needle-nosed tweezers and dug it out. I think Carol was more traumatized by the incident than Kasey Kay was.

When I reached in my stitching bag to get out Lasseter's Reef I discovered that I left it sitting on my Ergo stand at home! The BRD gameboard was in my bag so I thought "might as well." And then...

It almost became a QSnap Frisbee! But I was in a library and didn't want to scare Kasey with the loud bang and scream of frustration that would have accompanied it. Somehow, in my geniousness (that's sarcasm, btw), I made the flag one stitch too short! Therefore, the right side of the box, that faint line you see going down the length of the picture, was two threads too far to the left! How I managed this feat, I cannot begin to tell you! I frogged the offending line and then put the almost-Frisbee into my stitching bag, out of sight. I spent the last half hour of our stitch-in eating my shredded chicken mini sammies and chatting with Carol and Kathy instead.

So my stitching progress today is...

NEGATIVE 80 +/- stitches.

My truck's brakes are replaced, though! The only good news of the day was that the rotors didn't have to be resurfaced! That saved me 25 bucks!

February 5, 2009

Wow did Kasey and I have a busy day! We headed out this morning to stop by the bank and the post office. I had to mail trades to Maggie, Peg, and Lynn. I also mailed a loaner chart to Wawanna. While there, I was able to pick up my trade from Judith. I received 'Dogs Collection 4' by Pegasus Originals and 'Raspberry Homecoming' by Told in a Garden.

Kathy Y said I need to switch out the Scottish Terriers in the sampler on the cover of the Dog leaflet with "Kaseys." She told me it's too cute a sentiment not to stitch it with little Kaseys on it. It says "A dog is the only true love money can buy." How right is that?!

I also adore the mini quilts in RH, which is why I asked for it in the first place. I'm adding it to my "quilt" pile. I'm pretty sure I have enough now to stitch for an entire year without finishing all the quilt charts I own.

The mailman has been very nice to me this week and has brought me Silkweaver fabbies from Patti G. She sent me Turquoise and Karma Sparkle opalescents from Silkweaver in exchange for a piece of dirty linen she needed. Now I have to find designs to stitch on all these opalescents I've collected! I don't think that'll be a problem, however!

Maggie D purchased some stash from my trade blog and graciously included a paperback copy of Sandra Brown's novel, 'The Switch.' She's also the lady who suggested I read SB's 'Envy,' so I'm anxious to finish my current book in order to start one of them. SB is so great at keeping you guessing! I've thoroughly enjoyed her books that I've listened to on CD, but this will be the first time I'll have actually read one.


Here are two different deliveries. On the left is the DMC from Lisa S. This was the last part of our trade for my old digital camera. Sweetheart that she is, she included an Amazon gift certificate to reimburse me for postage. Lisa, thank you for all three of the gift certificates! I can't wait to go shopping on Amazon next month! On the right is the remainder of the floss I ordered from Wasatch. The bright aqua is the Perle for Blue Bayou, the next chart I'm going to do in the Ebb Tide series by Northern Pine Designs. The rest of the WDW is for a Britty Kitty chart I'd like to stitch for Grandma. It has a cat and a bluebird in it, very appropriate for her!

I took Kasey to Muddy Paw Wash for her monthly bath this morning. As soon as we got through the door she started dancing around. Se was so excited to be there. The employees fawned all over her, as usual. Mike took her right back and bathed her. We stayed for a little while after she was done because we had some time to kill before the Barnes and Noble stitching group at 1pm. Kasey loved all the attention from her admirers. Today's new toy was a stuffed hippo with a squeaker in it. She was so intent on getting human attention that she ignored it until we returned home this evening.

Since she was so excited at MPW, I put Peace & Calming oil on her front feet before we left for my stitching group. By the time we arrived there, Kasey was her usual mellow, working persona. Kathy Y was able to join us this week and it was nice having another stitcher in the group. The cafe staff kindly prepared a cup of ice water for Kasey so that she could have a drink while we were there. I think she really enjoyed the cold water because the store was quite warm. I ordered a Chai as a treat for myself.

Everyone left by 3pm and it was only Kathy and I. I started counting down the stitches! Six...four...three...two...one and a half...one...half a stitch...DONE!

NOT!!

I still had to backstitch the oval! UGH! I thought I had completed that darn cover at last! Kathy had to get home so I packed up my things to leave as well.

My "Maintenance Reqd" light was lit on the dashboard, so I took the truck to the station where I always get my oil changed. You could have knocked me over with a feather when the mechanic came back in and told me my brakes were down to 10% and it was going to be more than $300 to put new ones on and resurface the rotors. My truck only has 35,000 miles on it!

There goes my birthday S.E.X. at Salty Yarns! BTW: S.E.X. is NOT the same as sex! It means Stash Enhancement eXperience, in case you thought I was getting into the TMI range. I've been planning a trip to Ocean City with Carol and Kathy Y to check out the LNS on the Boardwalk. Now I can't do it! WAAAAHH!! I have to get the truck fixed first!

Kasey and I finally got home around 4pm and Uncle Wes pulled up the drive shortly afterwards. I'd already called Mom and told her about the truck and that I wouldn't be able to stay with her from Sunday to Thursday next week. I'm going to have to limit how much driving I do.

Then I told Wessy what I was told and he immediately thought something was fishy. First, my brakes don't squeak, so it's hard to believe they're at 10%. Second, if my rotors don't need to be replaced, he doubts the $300 price tag. So I have to get a second opinion. I'm going to call the shop tomorrow, if I get up in time, to see if they can do a brake inspection. Several people, including the guy who runs the small service station close to home, have recommended this other shop to Uncle Wes for vehicle repairs. I'll let you know the final verdict as soon as I find out.

Oh! Stitching! Yep, did that today!! Here is 'Stitches Stars & Stripes' by Blue Ribbon Designs. I worked on it for a little while as I was waiting for the truck's oil change to be completed. I'm doing this both as part of The Year of the Sampler and to join in on the Blue Ribbon Designs SAL in Stitch_it_Quick. I didn't get much done, but each stitch is one closer to a finish, right? I've been concentrating on getting the borders done because they're straight lines and that's hard to mess up.

At home tonight I back-stitched the oval and put the charm on. My Stitching Album's cover is FINALLY done!! And I was good! I never found out if it would make a good Frisbee, although Chris W assures me that QSnaps *do* fly! This is my 4th finish in the YotS! I put the last stitch in at 11:45pm.

Now to decide what to stitch next...stay tuned!

January 30, 2009

First, I HAVE to apologize to Amy! I forgot to include some of the goodies she sent! In addition to all the wonderful things I mentioned in yesterday's post, she included two sheets of Valentine-themed stickers and a lollipop that looks too good to eat! Here is everything pictured together, minus the mesh bag. I'm using that for MSA!

I went to dialysis today and was able to work on the cover of My Stitching Album by Jeannette Douglas. I have NO idea why, but this lower motif is giving me fits! I had to frog and re-stitch a couple of the curlieques. I will be so glad when this part is completed!
When I got home I divided my time between preparing and eating dinner, watching television, reading email, and entering more of the One World~One Heart giveaways. I didn't get any stitching done after leaving dialysis.

I received a very unexpected call around 10:00 this evening. It was my friend, Jason, who called to let me know that he was okay after undergoing surgery. He's been battling Chron's disease for over a decade and has had complication after complication. I knew he had to have surgery this winter, but I hadn't heard when it was going to be. He sounded great and said that he was sore all over, but he reassured me that he'll get better and be home soon. We talked for about 45 minutes before he told me he was falling asleep. It was great to hear from him, and I have to admonish Uncle Jay for not telling me Jason was having his surgery! Jason is a friend from high school and a whiz with anything electronic or mechanical. He helps Uncle Jay out with things in his welding shop upon occasion and does auto repairs for anyone who asks.

I wanted to share this picture with you. I took it a few weeks ago and it's probably one of the very few times I will see my two Himalayans together. Now I have proof that there really ARE two of them in my house! I just never see Piper Kitty (on the left) because she stays in the basement. That's her domain.

January 28, 2009

I'm iced in! Uncle Wes took Kasey for a walk this afternoon to see the condition of our road. Because the road curves along the shoreline of Weems Creek and there are two very steep hills, I wasn't going anywhere without knowing how good/bad it was. I sort of knew the news wasn't promising when I saw Wes and Kay coming back up the driveway much earlier than anticipated. Uncle Wes said he didn't take Kasey all the way to the bridge because they were slipping and sliding too much before they even got to the first hill. One of our neighbors abandoned his car on the shoulder because he couldn't get it up the last hill. He ended up walking the last quarter mile home.

That was all I needed to hear. I stopped clearing the ice off the truck, turned off the ignition, and went inside to call my dialysis facility to tell them I wasn't going to be there. We were supposed to have rain most of today which was going to melt all the ice. That never seem to happened. The temperature hovered around freezing until after noon so the rain that fell overnight froze into a thick sheet of ice. Wierdly, it warmed up AFTER dark and the road conditions got better. I couldn't get out at 2pm, but I was able to go to Wawa at 9:30pm.

Uncle Wes was holding a box under his arm when he came back. When I opened it, I found these goodies from Amy VM. She spoiled me so wonderfully during the CSE Advent Exchange and she still wasn't done!

I found Cherry Blossom lotion and bubble bath from Bath & Body works; the replacement for the Yankee Candle that broke, this one is "Christmas Cookies" and smells heavenly; a box of Sweethearts; four Reece's heart candies; two spools of Valentine-themed ribbon, "Be Mine" and hearts; the cutest tape measure, disguised as a watermelon slice; and this custom-made mesh bag by Amy's friend Joan. How can I ever thank you enough?! I've already put some of my mother of pearl floss rings in the bag to organize the fibers for my gameboard. This will certainly see alot of use! But I'm almost afraid to burn the candle because it might make my mouth water! It smells like baking sugar cookies.

Since I didn't have to go to dialysis, I continued to work on 'A Stitcher's Companion' and finally completed the initials on the spine! There is supposed to be a diamond motif above and below the initials but there wasn't enough room. I centered them exactly and used the spacing indicated in the chart, but the H is three rows higher than most of the other letters. That was just enough to encroach on the diamonds so I frogged them before I started stitching the letters.

I've decided to do all the Rhodes stitches last so that they don't get ruined by the QSnap clamps. The Rhodes stitches go inside the border motif, in the empty elongated diamonds. The chart came with a dragonfly charm to place in the center motif on the front cover but I think I'm going to find something that's more "me." That can wait until later, too, though. For now, I'm considering this Finish #3 of The Year of the Sampler. I'm going to start working on another project rather than stitch the next page of ASC.



And what is my next project, you might ask. It's the long-talked-about 'My Stitching Album' by Jeannette Douglas Designs! This is the front cover (I must be on a book kick, huh?), showing my progress as of midnight.

January 21, 2009

First, I have to thank Dee for the trade. I received five skeins of GAST in exchange for a Mill Hill kit. She also included a skein of Kreinik Silk Mori. Thank you very much, Dee. These colors will be very useful for upcoming projects.

Second, a thank-you goes out to Kathy Y for the wonderful Vicki Clayton silk she gave me at last night's Heirloom Stitchers meeting. I received a skein of "Old Maid of Liberty" which is Vicki's version of a patriotic varigated. I can't wait to try this on one of my many patriotic pieces!





Last, but certainly not least, I want to say "thank you" to Virginia D for the Tacky BOB she sent me in trade. I'm hoping I'll get alot of use out of this. I've heard many good things from people who own them. Thank you Virginia!




Kathy uses Vicki's silks for alot of her projects and I've figured out why: They COST LESS than Weeks & GAST! Can you believe that?! ...and HEL-LOOO!! They're SILK!! Silk is WONDERFUL to stitch with!! Check out http://www.hand-dyedfibers.com/

I still love my Dinky Dyes but I think Vicki's fibers are going to be my new over-dyed fiber of choice! I plan on purchasing her sample albums with my February stash allowance. Then I will be able to do my own conversions and floss tosses. I'm also looking forward to seeing Vicki in person at the Stitching Jubilee in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, next October.

On a completely different note:
Something I don't talk alot about is that I, myself, am a cancer survivor. The genetic condition I have is called Gardner's Syndrome and is the rarest form of Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). I was lucky because my condition was found in its earliest form, before it became cancerous (Stage 0 according to the American Cancer Society website). But I had somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 polyps that had a 100% chance of becoming cancerous. I was told by the doctor that I "would be lucky to see 21 without radical surgery." That's not something you want to hear ten days after graduating high school, but that's what happened.

I had the surgery and the Gardner's syndrome caused growths in the tissue around my intestine that eventually blocked off my kidneys, which is the reason I'm on dialysis today. (that's the short version, anyway) Suffice it to say that the first five years were H-E-L-L and I don't like going back to that time. Now I live!

That being said, I've decided to donate my stitched "Love, Laugh, Survive & Thrive" to Donna for her Stitching for a Cure Auction. I will be including the 'Pink Snips' from Kelmscott Designs that Amy gave me in the CSE Advent Exchange. I pulled out LLS&T and found that the pins are stuck in the glue and I can't get them out, so I'm stitching it again. I had put this piece away after cursing at it because it stabbed me three times as I was trying to get the fabric wrapped around the backing. Now the joke's on me because the pins will NOT come out. I pulled the heads off two of 'em and stabbed myself another two times, so I chucked the whole thing!

I was honest with myself and admitted that I won't use the 'Pink Snips' or the scissor slide. I'm just not a pink girl. Sorry Amy! I want them to go to someone who will enjoy them, though! What better way to ensure that than to donate them to a cause where they will raise money for a cure?

While I did work on A Stitcher's Companion at dialysis, I plan on stitching LLS&T tonight and tomorrow. I'm hoping to wake up in time to go to the Barnes & Noble afternoon stitching group.

I don't know about you, but when I have to concentrate on something, I can't have the television on or the radio playing. Words seem to distract me when I'm reading or writing. For that reason, my television isn't usually turned on when I'm working on my blog or concentrating on a difficult piece of stitching. Tonight, though, for some reason, I actually listened to the Classical Masterpieces music channel on Comcast. I'm still listening to it now, as a matter of fact, as I'm writing and it's not distracting me. I guess because it's strictly instrumental, but I find the music very soothing. I soaked in the tub for about an hour earlier and didn't even pick up my book. I just soaked in the warm water and the soothing music. It was very nice.

I think the music helped me get through writing that difficult passage up there in this entry, too. I don't talk about that. I can't, really. I just burst into tears. Darn it! Here I go! I'm done talkin' about it.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thursday and can get some stitches in! I'm going to bed early so that I will be awake for the 1pm stitching group. Goodnight, my friends!