Double Whammy

I want to welcome everyone to the first official Totally Useless post of 2012! Welcome too all the new members of the Stitch-A-Long. Big thanks to those posting their ORT report and linking back to my blog!

Note: TUSALers leaving a comment with the link to their ORT report on this post will receive "extra credit" in the end of the year giveaway!

Here is my ORT report for January's New Moon. What an awesomely full ORT jar. I stitched my fingers to the bone from the looks of these ORTs! I will dump my jar into my big jar before I stitch any today. Don't worry if you are adding next month's on top of this month's ORTs or if you are dumping the contents of the jar in the trash...you do what YOU want to. Me, I'm psychotic about saving ORTs ~ I'd probably carry one back into the house if I found it in the car!

If you'd like to join in on this Totally Useless endeavor click here to sign up!

Since this was my first International Hermit and Stitch Weekend I took full advantage and started stitching the second I got home from work on Friday afternoon. Between loads of laundry and a little house-cleaning here and there I got so much done. Look ~ a bird!



The Finery of Nature is really growing fast! I was tickled to see a bit of blended thread in the design. Nothing like a Teresa Wentzler let's-blend-every-thread insanity ~ just enough to give a bit of bling. The bird section is close to being finished...backstitching saved until the end. I stitch in hand and I'd rather wait so the threads don't go fuzzy.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

The Totally Useless Winner

It is about time I announce the winner of the 2011 Totally Useless SAL Giveaway, isn't it? More on that later...first I want to show you the total prize box. Sound like fun?

Here are all the charts:

The fabrics:

The fibers:

The finishing fabrics:

The handmade items and a couple of crafty things:

The kits:

The tools:

Isn't this a fabulous prize for the lucky winner? All of these items were sent to me by your fellow TUSALers to give to the winner of the giveaway. There are a couple of donations that are to be sent directly to the winner by individual parties. Those parties can contact the winner directly. Wait! Who is it, you ask? Oh, yeah...I nearly forgot!

Big congratulations to Catherine of Bramblewood Stitches! Thank you so much for being a part of this Totally Useless adventure.

I wanted to remind everyone that the 2012 Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long has begun. You can click the link here for information on how to sign up. I am NOT accepting donations for the giveaway this year but there will still be prizes.

Also a reminder that the first New Moon of 2012 is tomorrow so get those ORT jars shined up and ready for their debut!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Guilty Pleasures

I am not a zombie girl. Not much for slasher films either. I've never seen any of the Saw movies but I admit I may have seen Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street in my younger, wilder days. But zombies ~ how hokey is that?

I have become addicted to a zombie show. Hopelessly. Addicted. I am suffering withdrawal since season 2 is on a bit of a break until February 12. Don't call me on the 12th. Don't email. I'll be busy. Until then, I'm re-watching season 1 on Netflix and the first half of season 2 on DVR...for like the millionth time. The Walking Dead is so totally freaking awesome. And I am NOT a zombie girl.

If you haven't watched The Walking Dead on AMC because you aren't a zombie fan, you might be missing out! This show isn't really about the zombies but the zombies are an integral part of the story. This is a story about people. These characters are incredible ~ with all the faults and complexities of real people and the zombie bits (pun intended, sorry!) are done completely realistically, as if this horror really happens. I'm hoping AMC keeps this show in their line-up.

With eye candy like that, why would I watch anything else?

Tell me your guilty pleasure. Even if you are into zombies.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Jardin January

Our Theme-a-licious for January is to relax in the gardens after the stressful holidays just past. We are to stitch on any piece with flowers or gardens. My Finery of Nature sure fits the bill...although I'm not sure exactly how relaxing it is to stitch ~ I'm too terribly excited about stitching on it! The colors are so vivid on the black Jobelan that every time I have introduced a new color my heart soars.

I'm still learning how to photograph on the dark background and yes, it's linty. But isn't it luscious? It has been quite a challenge to become accustomed to stitching on black and I'm glad to say the frogs are disappearing with practice. I will definitely be stitching more on black after this!

You can see every one's progress in their Jardin January stitches by visiting this link here. You are also welcome to join us the entire year for some fun stitching and some awesome blog prompts!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Ch ch ch Changes

Those of you visiting my blog today may notice the new header and background. This is a work-in-progress  so  forgive the dust and confusion of construction! It may be completely different when next you visit and there is quite a bit of tweaking that needs to be done.

I know, I know...I've had the same header photo for forever. I get stuck in a rut! BUT I happened to see Jessie's new header on her blog and I made her draw me one. My daughter has been playing with a new graphic program and creating pictures like this:

She calls this "speed painting" and has it done in under an hour. I'm guessing it's an exercise designed to increase skill? Wow! You must visit her blog and see the pretty Blue Jay too. Jessie also has her art posted on this site here. Really, this amazing person is my child?

Thank you, Jessie!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

WIPocalypse Now

First full moon of the year that means it's WIPocalypse time! I'm literally astonished at my progress so far. This is unheard of in my stitching chair. The border got a little repetitive so I stitched a couple of flowers before I unstuck my rear from the chair. This project must be really interesting to me for me to stitch so much so fast.

Still linty. Don't look too close.

I find I'm frogging a bit more than usual. The dark fabric makes it difficult to see holes and I keep missing or adding a hole. At least I'm in the habit of checking to see if things are lining up so I catch it before I get too far but now I'm nervous I'll miss one and not catch it before it's really far gone! Dratted frogs.

If you would like to join us for WIPocalypse and "stitch like it's the end of the world" ~ click here!

I know I am supposed to make a list for WIPocalypse. I can't do it. Don't get me wrong, I love lists in general. Shopping lists, things to do lists, things I want lists ~ all of them! But I can't make a list of to-stitch items without feeling completely overwhelmed and becoming very stressed out. Since this is my hobby the last thing I want to do is get stressed about it! I haven't had a "real" loss of mojo in ten or twelve years so I am NOT risking it. My WIPocalypse list will have to remain the vague thoughts in my head and the pile of charts in my basket. I guess I could show you the basket:

Now, how is that for a list? You see why I could get a little freaked out? I admit I have no self control when it comes to my hobby. Now that we all have that straight lets just say for WIPocalypse I'd like to complete The Finery of Nature, make some progress on each of my long-time WIPs as seen in the left sidebar and fill in the gaps with designs from my basket. I will make every effort to go through the basket and sort it into some kind of reasonable order at some point. I heard those snickers! Stop laughing!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Thrilled

Someone threw this jar in the trash at work and I happened to find it before it disappeared. Can you believe someone would throw away a perfectly good ORT jar? I rushed it right home and washed it and filled it with my ORTs. This is at least twice as big as my old jar plus it photographs with much less glare. My old jar was a gift from Jessie, my daughter. I hope she doesn't mind me replacing it! Sorry, kiddo!

I've had a couple of hours free to stitch on The Finery of Nature. Sadly, this does not photograph as well as the new jar. Ugh, black fabric is hard to shoot! I will figure out the best way to take this one's photo before I'm done stitching. For now, will you please excuse the lint and odd colors?

I'm enjoying the stitching but I keep being insanely distracted by fuzzies. You can't see these fuzzies when stitching on lighter colored fabrics unless it happens to be a black-dog-hair fuzzy. On this black background I see them ALL. I keep "picking" at them. Oh gee ~ they are all over the place! My advice ~ buy stock in companies that make lint rollers. They are sure to gain before I'm through with this project. 

We had great news! Sheba's last blood test was normal! The doctor has prescribed a heart medication and a vitamin supplement. The heart medicine is so her heart does not have to work as hard and this should give her a little more energy. The supplement is for joint health. Sheba is feeling much better these days. She isn't quite up to tennis ball fetching like a pup but now and again she has been getting out a stuffy-toy and shaking it to pieces. Her neck is dreadfully itchy. Not sure if this is the incision or the shaved fur but we have spent a lot of time rubbing a stubbly neck lately! Thanks again to everyone for all the well wishes for Sheba. Much appreciated!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Joining In The Fun

I'm not usually a "joiner." You know...the girl that has two dozen club/church/friendship groups to go to every week? I am shy and quiet and usually tend to go my own way. But 2012 looks like there are loads of awesome things to do online!

First up comes the TUSAL. This one is easy since I've been hosting for the past year! TUSAL posts on the NEW moon each month.

Then there is Measi's WIPocalypse. This one should be fun since there is an overflowing bin of things that want stitching and an overloaded WIP bin of stuff that needs working on. WIPocalypse posts on the FULL moon each month.

Next we have Joysze's International Hermit and Stitch Weekend. There is nothing I like better than a do-not-disturb-stitching-session! IHSW "meets" the 3rd weekend of each month, posting on the Monday following.

There is also Heather's Theme-a-licious to follow! Every month is a fun theme to stitch too. It will be fun trying to come up with interesting posts each month. Theme-a-licious posts on the 15th and again on the last day each month.

Finally, we have Becky's BAP Challenge. This is a project to stitch between January 1st and December 31st of 2012. The project must be at least 10 x 12 and not a current WIP. There is a prize to be given away (a $100 GC) drawn from those that finish their project. This challenge is a post-any-time but does need to be updated when there is progress.

Holy crows! I'm gonna be so busy! I wonder if there is anything left out there for me to join?

So this brings me to that picture I'm teasing you with up there! That is Dimensions The Finery of Nature, a kit I have had in my stash for years. I will be starting this for the BAP Challenge which also takes up the Theme-a-licious of Jardin January. Starting this one will also count towards my WIPocalypse goal of reducing my unworked-but-wanting-to-stitch stash. I should be able to make good progress during the International Hermit and Stitch weekends, filling up that ORT jar for the TUSAL.

I hope I can remember all this stuff.

I'm in the process of kitting up this kit. Yeah, I said that right. It came as a kit but I just don't like it! First off, I didn't like the aida ~ toss ~ replaced with 28 count black Jobelan. Then I couldn't bring myself to use the yucky threads it came with. Today I matched them all up with DMC and I will buy those after work tomorrow. I'd be really mad if I ran out of a color after I had a major frog. DMC is just safer, even if it is only in my head. I am excited about my new start!

I do have quite a few other things in my stash that need stitching too. Updates will follow. If I don't get lost.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox



Lavender Bliss

Went a did a little bit of stashing. I stopped by a local fabric shop called Quilting Post. I swear, I could buy a piece of every fabric I saw! I picked out a few I liked and settled for those. Too bad I don't have room for one each. As I was checking out I happened to look down and see this:

Ooo, Lavender, my favorite scent! Lavishea? I picked up the little sample tin and opened it. Holy crows, real Lavender bliss wafted out. I tipped the cake out into my hand and rubbed it a little. Smooth and buttery. "This is lotion?" I asked the lady ringing me up. It really, really was. I snatched up a tin and handed it over, only later thinking to ask how much it cost ~ not very much ~ as it turned out. Well, I did say if there was a Lavender lotion I'd buy it by the gallon tub, remember? 

This lotion is amazing! It isn't greasy at all, just the perfect stuff for stitching. It smells incredible and I mean like "you-wouldn't-believe-how-yummy" incredible! It does come in other scents and unscented as well. There is even a manly-flavored one. My hands are going to be so happy this winter! Don't you hate snagging threads on cracked, scaly fingers? Lavishea has a website so you can click here to see if some place near you sells it or you could buy it from there. I am not associated with Lavishea and I wasn't asked to write this post, I am just a happy customer!

Here are the fabrics I bought. Two possibles for the Prairie Schooler ornaments and three fat quarters of the sweetest Halloween prints ever. I simply adore that candy fabric ~ so cute! The red check is nice but I'm still looking for some that is yarn-dyed and not printed, although this is a good, high-quality print. I am hoping to go to the city to Jo-ann's Fabrics this weekend. Do you think I could convince Dash to buy a bigger house so I could have more room to craft and stash?

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox 



Last Night...

...of Hanukkah. I don't celebrate but my sister, Carol, does. Every year I try to send her a little something, if only a greeting card. This year I decided to stitch her a card. It took some doing to find a design! I searched like mad and came up with this one. I had to change the colors since I didn't like the charted colors. It used 333 ~ purple? For Hanukkah? Really? Besides, my sister really likes blue and white, especially for Hanukkah. I also adjusted the design, adding in two more branches on the Menorah to make it a proper Chanukiah and changed the border design a bit. Carol seemed suitably pleased with her gift.

Design ~ Hanukkah

Designer ~ Maria Diaz

(From the book "Cross Stitch Greeting Cards)

Fabric ~ 32 count white Lugana

Fiber ~ DMC

When I finish greeting cards like this I add a tiny bit of fiberfill behind the design to make it a little puffy. I also iron on interfacing to the back side so the color from the card stock doesn't show through spoil the pretty. It has been a LONG time since I made a greeting card. This was fun!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Wishing...

...everyone a very merry Christmas!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Last ORT Report for 2011

With this post the 2011 TUSAL ends for me! I have lots and lots of Old Ratty Threads in my jar this month. It has been such a stressful month with the discovery of Sheba's illness. I tend to stitch more for stress-relief when I get like that. It is so amazing that I was actually able to post every new moon ORT report this year. I was a little bit late for a couple of them but they were all made! Wow! Have you made all of your new moon posts? Leave a comment and let us know! 

My ORT jar is pictured here with a sweet little handmade ornament that arrived in yesterday's mail from Annette. Thank you so much, Annette, this will be so pretty on my tree!

Can you believe our 2011 Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long is over? Has it been fun or what? I am looking forward to drawing a winner for that HUGE Totally Useless prize box of stash. I will be doing this sometime in January 2012, after all the hullabaloo of the holidays is over. Stay tuned!

Speaking of the Totally Useless Giveaway, I am dreadfully LATE in posting about the last parcel of stash I received from Marian of Gumbo and Grits. Sorry about that! Marian must have cleaned house and sent us half her stash cupboard!

 Just look at all the goodies! Loads of finishing fabrics, lots and lots of charts, threads, kits and even an adorable bunny rabbit. (The bunny is naked ~ hopefully the new owner will be able to stitch some pretty clothes for it!) Marian even stitched us a pretty Autumn ornament. Thank you, Marian!

If you would like to join the Totally Useless fun for 2012 it is so easy! Grab a clear jar, save your ORTs and post a picture of your jar every new moon. Sign up by commenting on this post. There are currently 240 participants for next year and we would LOVE to have you too!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox 

Presents

I got presents! We are having a very quiet Christmas this year. With Sheba being ill and so many vet bills we agreed to not go crazy this year. So I wasn't expecting any presents. Then I picked up the mail ~

From Myra came this lovely threadcatcher. This will be so handy when I stitch in the living room. I am always saving those ORTs for the TUSAL, ya know. Thank you so very much, Myra. I will treasure this! BTW, Myra's house must smell heavenly...

Then came this pretty wrapped package from Shirlee. It "says" jingle bells on the wrapping. AND it jingles! *squee* What could it be?

I thought about saving this to open on Christmas morning but greed got the best of me and I opened it:

Oh, my. Isn't it pretty? You wouldn't believe how carefully and perfectly this ornament is finished. I LOVE the jingle bell accent too. Thank you so much, Shirlee. This will join my treasured stitched ornaments on my tree every year!

No stitching of my own to share yet. I started another project on Sunday and very nearly completed it! I want to wait until I'm done before I show it off.

Sad news. Sheba's biopsy indicated a malignant cancer. This means it can easily spread ~ to the other thyroid and to the lungs most likely. Our vet is researching our options with an oncologist and we will see. She did say it was a 50/50 chance of recurrence and it could be as long as two years or more before that happens. Of course, Sheba will not be allowed to suffer no matter how much we want to keep her with us. For now, we will enjoy her company and work on keeping her happy and healthy. Thank you all for the good thoughts and wishes in my posts on this subject. You have helped us so much. *hugs* to all.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Seven Swans

The Prairie Schooler ornaments are still being worked on. I finished Seven Swans a-swimming this morning. Wait, I take that back. It was finished shortly after I started to take pictures of it. Realizing I had forgotten to stitch the grey in the wing, I paused my photo shoot. 

This project is over half way finished! Here are all the pieces completed so far. Sorry about the weirdly cropped picture. I had to edit out my ridiculously cluttered desk or you will know I'm a slob. I meant to clean it off this weekend but rather stitched in abandon instead. Now, it is even more cluttered. Life could be worse.



No, haven't found backing fabric as yet. I am not going to start any finishing until all the ornament pieces are complete. I want them all to be exactly matching each other and the only way I can pull that off is to do them all at once. That means there is no hurry to find the fabric.

Doggy update: Sheba had her stitches out on Friday. The incision looks good and although a very furry dog with a shaved neck should stand out ~ the long fur remaining hides it pretty well. There is still no word on the biopsy; the vet said she would call the minute it came back. We are also going to wait on the next blood test a couple more weeks. Sheba still has a heart murmur and the vet is hoping that it will go away after the high thyroid levels out. If it doesn't she may need medicine to correct it.

On the plus side, Sheba is slowly returning to normal behavior. The constant panting is gone and she is sleeping in bed for longer periods. Yes, I sleep with my dog. The hyperthyroidism made her so restless she would come to bed but then go sleep somewhere else, then somewhere else again. And this was the dog that never once got out of bed after we laid down. Really, that should have been my first clue that something was dreadfully wrong. Tennis ball fetching is slow to return but I've been able to toss a couple more each day. She will get more energy in time. It might be my imagination but I believe her fur is already getting shinier. She has put on a couple of pounds too, best watch that or we will be back on a diet!

Back to stitching!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox  

How to fake a French Knot

This post is for Chris who is having fits with his French Knots. I've never had to do this myself. I am one of those that learned easily how to make a French knot and quickly perfected them but I know many, many stitchers have trouble with them. No one wants to wait to finish a project until the stitch has been learned reliably, and beads sometimes look out of place. I am not advocating using this technique forever. Practise! Learn those French Knots! But until you do ~ here is how to "fake" a French Knot:

I stitched a block of cross stitches for my foundation. Take two strands of floss and tie a simple pretzel knot and pull it snug. I left it loose in the photo so you could see the shape I used to form the knot. When you pull it snug (not tight) make sure you have all the threads pulled in, with no little loose loops.

Thread one end of your floss on the needle and go through the front where your French Knot is supposed to be. Remove the needle from the floss and just leave the tail hanging loose on the back.

Now, thread the other end of the floss on the other side of the knot and go through very near where your first thread went through. Try to split a fabric thread and go through that for stability. Pull that end to the back and flip the piece over. Be careful not to pop the knot through to the back side!

Tie both ends in another pretzel knot. Again, don't pull so tight you pop your knot though to the back! Tying the back ends will give the knot on the front the round shape you are looking for.

Then thread the ends on your needle again and secure them underneath stitches like you would to finish off any other stitch.



Can you tell which of these is a "real" French Knot and which is "fake"? No? The one in the middle is the real French Knot. Yes, this is troublesome and fiddly but it could get you through until you learn that stitch!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox