Saturday, March 31, 2012

Been Shopping

Upgraded to the new version of blogger -- not sure how much (or if) I like it.

Anyway -- Went to Cleveland today and I got new stuff.


Do you see that new Prairie Moon? I think it looks like a companion piece to Thine is the Trick or Treat! And I checked out the pattern - mostly full stitches. Thine had tons of partial stitches and over 1. This one will be a breeze. That's the fabric I chose for it there to the left of the pattern. Then the SilverCreek Samplers -- I've done 3 of their patterns and love each one. Woohoo - 2 more! And don't even comment on the blackbird. I know I said I was done with them but apparently I'm not.

Got some other stuff too. In the future there will be a surprise and here's a sneak peak of the goodies.


Can you guess what holiday this could be? Anyway, I was just too darned pleased with myself not to show it. And those scissors are totally Stitch Bitch's fault!

Played the lottery last night -- needless to say, we didn't win. Hope the winner uses their new found wealth sensibly and remembers to donate some to charities.

The boy went for a tux fitting yesterday. He's gonna be the cat's meow at that prom. Black tux with a black shirt and 'malibu' for the tie and vest. Malibu is some color between teal and aqua. But, we forgot to get shoes! I see another shopping experience coming up.

Think I'll go heat up my left-overs from Carrabba's. Chicken Parmesan with pasta, a mozzarella thingy, and some fennel sausage soup. Yum, yum, yum. Almost could say the meal was better than the stash shopping -- almost.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! And GO B-U-C-K-S! Final Two baby!
Denise

Monday, March 26, 2012

Quick Post While Waiting on Concrete

This will very possibly be a fly-by post. We are waiting for concrete to pour the footer for our new front steps. Mind you this has been a long time coming. We started this remodel July 29, 2000! But, better late than never. It will be one of the final steps towards the front porch being fini! The fans are the last piece. But, they are waiting for me to power wash first and with today's temps being in the 30's -- it's gonna be a little bit before that happens.

I keep hearing trucks and pause til I can see what's coming onto the bridge -- sorry. Oh, yeah, you wouldn't know that part would you?

Ok, onto why you stop by - the stitching! Made some progress this week. Wanted to get more dark green in this morning because it sets the white off better. But... once again it didn't happen.

Last Weeks Pic











Imagine my surprise yesterday when searching for some green and it turned out to be pink. Here I thought 777 was green - not EVEN close. There are flowers to the left of the bird that I had forgotten were there. Most of page one is done. And the 4th page (which is below page 1) is fast approaching finished status too.

Changing subjects quickly - you should be used to the whiplash by now - I wanted to thank all of you who congratulated me on the Liebster Award. Your kind comments made my day! So - thank you thank you thank you!

When the concrete is in and the steps are up (Thursday is delivery) I'll show you what real steps look like instead of used up worn out wooden ones!

Have a wonderful week and stay warm - those temps dropped 50 degrees in 3 days!
Denise

Friday, March 23, 2012

The Liebster Award!


Imagine my surprise today to find a comment left by Gracewood Stitches - Kathy awarded my little blog a Liebster Blog Award! Thank you so very much Kathy! 


If you aren't familiar with the Liebster, which means 'favorite' in German, it is a way for bloggers to help each other out by spreading the word about their blogs.


As part of the Liebster tradition it is passed along to 5 bloggers that have motivated and inspired you. To accept the award you must -


1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them.
2. Post the award to your blog. 
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you appreciate and value. 
4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award.
5. Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you. 


It is my pleasure to offer the Liebster blog award to these 5 blogs -


Jayne @ An Eye for Threads - I found Jayne while looking for bloggers who aren't afraid of BAP's. She has been a great friend and terrific inspiration to me! 


Rose @ Christmas City Stitcher - Rose hasn't had the chance to be around bloggerville much lately. Take the time and stop by - leave a comment. Maybe we can get her to stop by a bit more! lol


Angela @ Indomitable Angela -   Now, if you want to follow a strong woman - stop by and see Angela! She quilts and stitches and knows pets! Ask her about Miss Poppy! 


Shari @ Shari's Sharings - If you would like to meet a stitcher that moves - follow Shari around a bit. She normally finishes at least 50 projects a year! Can you imagine?? 


Paula @ the ramblings and musings of a fur-babies momma - I met Paula almost the first day of blogging. Paula not only stitches but crochets! And she shares recipes! Woohoo - good eats! 


Ladies - thank you for being part of my blogging life! You have moved me and inspired me more than you know! 


Now, the five facts - 


1. I don't have a green thumb but have kept one plant alive for nearly 20 years.
2. My favorite color is blue but I have never had a blue car.
3. Wanted to be an architect when I was in grade school.
4. I've never been west of the Mississippi River.
5. And I've kept every rose my husband has ever given me. There are now 10 jars of dried roses.


Thank you again - Kathy!
Denise

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

I see this happening...

Me sitting on the porch stitching away with music playing. Loudly. And the neighbors calling to request songs. You know you are playing your music too loud when that happens. But, it drowns the road noise completely out!

And I found out today that the porch has WONDERFUL acoustics. lol

Loving this weather - a few more days of the hot stuff and then it will be cooler this coming week. But, hey, who's complaining?

Denise

Monday, March 19, 2012

Another Monday Morning Update and A Question!

When last you left the Red Bird - she had some color. Now she has a lot more! 



Good Morning everyone! Yesterday was a wonderful stitching day. The temps were perfect, the sun was out, and there was a breeze. I spent my first day out on the porch enjoying the fine weather and stitching. If the Good Lord graces us with more days like yesterday - my whole summer will be on that porch.

last week












as of today
It's amazing to me how different something can look in a picture. I couldn't see the red coming together and now I see the 'real' beginnings of the flower. So wanted to get more of the berries at the bottom finished before today's picture - didn't make it. Oops.

Switching gears here - don't mind the whiplash. What is up with this?

Unfashion...

I've seen this before but can't decide if the person is -
1) rushing sandal season and afraid their tootsies will get cold,
2) afraid to show their feet,
3) too lazy to pull on shoes and already has their socks on,
4) thinks this looks good.

Can anyone clear up my confusion? Is this something 'new' that I must adjust to - like those stupid low hanging jeans that are 10 sizes to large for the person? I mean really - how can you walk when the pants are belted across your arse and the crotch hangs at your knees? And does anyone WANT to look at his boxers (or worse tighty whities) And when sitting - doesn't the belt dig into that sensitive man-land area?

Sorry, stepping down from my podium. But, are the people wearing these fashions that clueless or am I?

Since I've caused you to no doubt wonder how my mind works - I'm off to do something with my hair. Got it cut and I can't do a thing to it. Too short for the style I was heading for, too curly to just let it go after washing, and too short for the straightening iron. Please hair - grow quickly.

Wishing you all a wonderful week and warm weather!
Denise

Monday, March 12, 2012

Red Bird Update!

After not having the time to stitch - I found a few moments and the time flew! The stitches kept building and I am amazed how quickly the bird came together.

Red Birds - JCS Magazine late 2011
Country Mocha Cashel
DMC floss
Nothing much planned for the week. I should get off my rump and make some chili but I'm still not feeling the urge.

The weather on the other hand will be turning warm and I am dying to test drive my porch. If these clouds continue to hang on - there is a nap in my near future...

Yeah, I can feel that nap calling my name.
Sweet Dreams - Denise

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Road Trip!

(picture heavy post)

Logan and I took a little trip to Hopedale, OH. He needed to visit the Motorcyclist Memorial Wall.


On the way, he picked up the camera and captured these shots ~

Piedmont Lake

Viaduct over SR 151
But, what really got us --- the barns of Harrison County!









What a beautiful day for a drive! And spending time one on one with my boy - priceless.
Denise

Friday, March 9, 2012

My Mailman Delivers!

Ha, gotta love those postal workers. Sometimes they don't bring bills! Shari just recently completed Waxing Moon's January Monthly Sampler and I loved it. So, being the sweet woman that she is - she sent it to me! The only down side I see in this -- now there are another 11 patterns I need to get/do! haha - what I horrible thing - have to buy more patterns, linen, and floss!


Thank you Shari! I can't wait to work this into my to-do pile!

Stitching this week has been spotty. Told you we were doing some DIY projects. Well, here's what we've accomplished so far.

Before ~


And after ~


There is still some clean up to do, new furniture and 2 ceiling fans to get, plus new steps and railings. But, I think you get the picture. Never thought we'd be 'white picket fence' people. Gotta say I like it though.

The weekend is here and there are chores to get done. Hope this finds you happy and healthy!
Get stitching people!
Denise

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

One Nation Complete


May I present - 
One Nation
by ByGone Stitches
32 ct Belfast Country Mocha
DMC conversions
I checked back to a previous post and found that I started this project March 22, 2011. So, nearly a year later (well, 348 days to be exact) I have finished this bad boy.

Picked up Red Birds this morning. Still love the whole concept of the project. This is what it looked like last November.


It is a bit further along than this picture but I think this one will hold me until Mary Jane is ready to start 272 Words. 

Thanks to all of you who told me how you host your photos. Lee mentioned I may be misreading my limits. Hmm, this is always a possibility. But, if not, Cathey mentioned Photobucket. I think I have some research to do. 

Ordered the porch railing yesterday and we may get half the order this afternoon  - at the latest Friday afternoon! My porch will be smashing! hehehe happy dance

On another front the boy has orientation on Friday! He worked for a telemarketing firm last summer and hated it. So, this summer it's Mickey D's! At least the restaurant is one mile away instead of twenty-two. But, there's the issue of the goatie -- it has to go. (Pardon me while I chuckle) 

Smiles - 
Denise

Monday, March 5, 2012

Almost there ...

I'm this close to a finish on One Nation! Decided to stop and show an update photo. Not sure if this will be finished today or tomorrow.


As you can see just 6 more red stars to go. Once again blogger has decided to rotate my picture. No clue as to why.

But, this brings me to a question I'd love to have an answer to - how do you host your pictures on your blog? Mine go to Picasa and I have an album there. But, they only host about 600 photos until you need to pay them to host more. I'm being cheap and don't want to spend the $5 per year. So, should I open another Flickr account to host the pics? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Completed my 4th project of the year last week. Had I not stopped to do it - One Nation would have been toast this weekend. But, I wanted to stitch something else for a bit. Now DH needs to make a frame. I'm torn though - frame this new finish or make it into a pillow or flat finish. Nope - not showing it - it's a present. lol

We've made headway on the DIY. The porch fascia is up and all but 5 posts are now wrapped in vinyl. We are ordering the rail system today. I'll show pictures of the new improved porch after the railings are in. No sense in showing something like this half done!

Otherwise, nothing much has been happening. Last week I babysat my daughters house until FedEx arrived, watched Alivia on Thursday, took a trip to Millersburg to see about prices on the railing (omg, their prices were HIGH), helped on the porch, and stitched.

After the terrible storms that rolled through the mid-west last week and the earthquake in San Francisco - I think Mother Nature is upset. Hope all of you in bloggerville are safe and healthy!

Have a wonderful week - keep stitching!
Denise