Snowman exchange again

Lisa sent word the package I sent her for the Snowman exchange has arrived. This is affectionately known as Disaster Snowman but I do have proper info listed below! This is the design that gave me so much trouble. I finally decided to completely finish him before giving him up and I'm glad I did. After washing and iron-blocking his stitched settled and he looked fine. I backed him in the fabric he is photographed on.

Design~Candy Cane Snowmen from The Cross Stitcher (USA) Dec 2004.

Designer~Ursula Michael

Fabric~32 count Belfast, hand-dyed with blue Rit.

Fiber~DMC

Finish~Ornament

Here is the entire exchange parcel I sent. Lots of fun snowman goodies. There were so many 1/2 price sales and $1 items; I was able to fill out a good sized box. I think Lisa was pleased. I really enjoyed hosting the exchange and I hope to do it again some time.

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Today I cooked a turkey dinner...it was a mini-Thanksgiving of our own. We are always guests for dinner so we usually cook a turkey of our own so we can have turkey sandwiches. Yum! OSU lost the game so Rick buys dinner. Again. I picked them up after the game and it took me a good 45 minutes to drive home with all the traffic! I think they both had a good time together. My second snowman is all ready to finish but I was too busy cooking turkey to put it together. I have stitched a lot on Summer Joy the past couple of days and will update with a picture of it soon.

Thank you for reading my blog today!

Bedlam football Saturday

It's bedlam time! Rick is a OSU Cowboys fan, my dad is an OU Sooners fan. Rick scored tickets to the bedlam game and invited Dad to go with. Seriously, these two should be mortal enemies but they are best buds instead. Rick smoked BBQ ribs and grilled stuffed jalapenos. I dropped them off so they could avoid the crazy football traffic and outrageous parking prices. I saw they only wanted $50 to park at the convenience store...and they looked pretty full...OMG! The game starts in an hour. The boys have a standing bet on this game every year. The loser buys the winner dinner out. Unfortunately, Rick usually ends up buying...

There was a surprise in my mailbox from Lisa. She sent me a darling ornament and a reindeer teatowel with my Christmas card. Jessie has called dibbs on the towel, already!

Isn't this the sweetest ornament? I really need to get my tree up!

Thank you so much, Lisa!

Good night, I completely forgot to tag people for the Bookworm meme. ***blush***

I was able to remove a few blogs from my following list (ones that don't use Blogger) to make a little room. I also requested to Blogger to give us more room!

I am nearly finished with my second snowman exchange so I will finish him tomorrow. Then, I think I'll work on my regular (and long neglected) WIPs.

Thanks for reading my blog today!

Fun holiday

We had a fun holiday yesterday. I had to work the morning but as soon as I was off we packed up the bike and rode to Edmond, where my parents live. Yes, it was actually warm enough to ride, 65 degrees! We had turkey, with all the trimmings, shared with my parents, sister, brother and his wife & kids. Jessie came too, of course. It was a fun time even if we were all in different stages of sniffling and coughing! It was pretty cold on the ride home...leather chaps and coats are pretty toasty even in the wind...but the chaps don't cover your rear. Just call me icicle butt.

Christine sent word the floss tag she won from me arrived. When I saw who'd won the draw I knew I wouldn't be able to resist sending a few extras. Christine loves penguins! Here is a snap of the goodies I sent and visit Christine's blog too!

I tried to add a new blog to my following list today and it refused. It said I had reached 200 blogs and that was the limit. How sad is that? Apparently, I have too many friends.

Thanks for visiting my blog today! I want you all to know how much I enjoy your comments. I treasure your friendship!

It's Turkey Day!

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tagged by Annie

Annie tagged me for the bookworm meme...

The rules:
1) Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.
2) Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.
3) Write out the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that...

I am currently reading Standard of Honor by Jack Whyte, a whopping 774 pages. I love historical fiction and I love long books. This is Whytes' second Templar Novel...

Page 56:

"The first one worked wonders for you, so this next one should do even more, and if you improve as much between now and tonight as you did yesterday, then you'll be able to walk on your own and I will not have to break my back again."

He busied himself then mixing the powder with water while Sinclair watched, and when he was done, the sick man swallowed the potion down obediently, with only the wrinkling of his nose denoting any unpleasantness of thought or taste.

"I'm going out now, and as I say, it ought not to take me long, but we are in the desert, so it makes sense to take precautions against my being delayed. I might get lost, or have an accident, or even meet some of Allah's faithful servants. You are not strong enough to come looking for me and it would be foolish of you to even try. I'll leave this bag of food above you, hanging from this peg provided by our thoughtful host, and with it will be this bag of water. I'll take some food and the smaller water bag with me, since it is lighter," He tilted his head, smiling down at Sinclair, whose eyes were now dull and unfocused beneath fluttering lashes as he fought against the powerful opiate. "Alec? Can you still hear me? Your eyes are closing. Will you remem..."

Thanks for the blog idea Annie, I needed one today!

Notes.

Lori, I knew you'd like that kung fu lamb!

Suzanne, yes, Jessie reads my blog. She appreciates the positive feedback very much.

Terri, tell your son he is that good. Jess liked his Star Wars comic and said it was very sophisticated and complex.

Farm, number three

Here is Jessie's third and final episode of Farm. This was my #1 favorite so I saved it for last.

There is just something really funny about lambs, puppies and kung fu!

Jessie gave me permission to post these but I had to promise to tell you that these were created by her when she was about 14-15 years old and that she is a much better artist these days. The scans are a little washed out color wise. These were drawn in inks and colored with pencils...no computer used at all. Oh yeah, I also had to promise to post some of her current art sometime so no one thinks she draws like a 9th grader!

The picture is clickable for easier reading. A reminder: this is copyrighted by my daughter; please, don't steal her work.

No post

I was going to post something with photos and blogger is being balky and won't upload them.
Now I'm frustrated and balky. Poo.

See everyone tomorrow. I'll be in a better mood then!

Blogoversary & SAL request revisited

Jean has let me know she received my blogoversary drawing gift. I sent her a big box of Christmas finishing supplies. It was lots of fun choosing what to include!

In the end, I stayed home yesterday. I figured it would be such poor taste to share my cold with unsuspecting others. Thank you all for the get-well-wishes; I don't feel too bad, just a bit run-down and I can't stop sneezing. I did get some great stitching time and was able to read blogs to my hearts content.

I have begun kitting up my Crabby All Year project. I am still looking for stitch-a-long partners if anyone is interested. Click the link above to see my original post. Click here to see the project I am planning, it's the fourth design down. I have purchased the floss and ordered the fabric. I chose Silkweaver's Days Gone By in 32 count Lugana. What do you think? I still need to order the buttons. OMG, they are $43.00 from 123 Stitch. It's hard to swallow that expense...I might ask for them for Christmas.

Snowman exchange

I hosted a private exchange with a few friends. It's theme was snowmen. We were to stitch a snowman design and finish any way we wanted, plus send some snowman goodies to go with. My present arrived this afternoon from Lindsay!

Lindsay stitched me the sweetest snowman and finished him in a little pillow ornament. Isn't this darling? The stitching and finishing is so perfect.

Here is the ornament and all the great goodies. I love the fabrics and ribbons and there is even a little snowman kit to sew. Look at that awesome pen with all the fuzzies...it has a little wiggly snowman that lights up...hilarious! I am going to use that pen for all my notes. But, I will have to hide it from Taco!

Thank you very much, Lindsay.

Your gifts are so precious!

Thoughts

I've been sitting here thinking. Reading blogs and commenting when I feel like doing so. My feet move and I feel resistance. Sheba has come to lay near my chair under my feet. So quiet I never heard her come in. Now, I know she is there and my legs need a stretch but I can't move because I have a good dog.

I don't read many blogs that aren't stitching related. One of my favorite non-stitchy blogs is We Three, Ginger Cats Tales. The cats have a Border Collie puppy living with them. I find their adventures fascinating.

There has not been any stitching going on here since Sunday. Sad, huh? I was pleased as punch to get disaster snowman fixed, finished and sent and even made great progress on my next one...then fizzle. No worries though, I'll get mojo'd up tonight and be back to normal.

I bought an album last weekend. It's So Far by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. A dear favorite of mine. I had this once from my brother as an LP when I turned 14. When I was young he always bought me a record album for my birthday.

It turned off cold this week but not for long. I'm getting pretty upset with you girls to the north getting lots of snow and we probably won't get much as usual. You big snow hogs. Seriously, I love snow; I hate driving in it. Careful what you wish for, right?

Jessie has a workshop at school tomorrow. Rick is going out with friends to a football game. Not for anything would I go sit outside in 40 degree weather for hours. This is why I like arena football=central heat & air. I'm an indoor kind of girl. Oh, I'm off topic...ha! Like this post actually ever had a topic...I have the day to myself tomorrow. I can't decide what I want to do. I could go to Tulsa and go stash shopping. Except, I need exactly nothing and I'd end up spending (lots) money on stuff I really don't need. I could go to Oklahoma City and visit my sister & mom. Though, I'm sick with a snotty sneezely cold and I'd hate to infect them with it. I could sit at home all day and stitch and jam to music. Gahhh, I can't decide.

Rick has crinkled what sounds like a chips bag. Sheba has left to investigate. He might need help with those chips and Sheba is a good Border Collie.

I need chocolate.

There won't be another new episode of Supernatural until January 15th.

Yes, January 15th.

Oh.



My.



God.

I don't think I'll survive it. Halp!

Tagged, again!

Sharon at One Life To Live tagged me for this. I tagged her with the 6 Random Things and she played along; so it's only fair...

The rules: Find the 6th folder in your photos folder and then the 6th photo in it.
* Pray that you remember the details *
Post it on your blog.
Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.

Nature's Creatures


At least this was a picture of something I can write about!

I stitched this a couple of years ago but I had the kit since I was first married. Probably since 1985 or 1986? OMG! When we were newly married we lived in Virginia, near Newport News. Rick was a Marine, stationed at the Naval base near there. Anyhoo, we would go to the mall but never could really buy anything as we were always broke! There was a needlework store in the mall and I used to look at this kit every time we went. I think it was like $12-a fortune to us. One day, Rick up and bought it for me! I was just a beginner stitcher and I did a quite a few stitches in the tree before becoming completely intimidated with the size of the project. It sat in my stash through many moves until a couple of years ago when Jessie spotted it's cuteness and begged me to stitch it. I rekitted it with DMC and stitched it on white 22 count aida.

The only thing I don't like is my little worm in the apple. He is supposed to be a bullion stitch but after many unsuccessful attempts I gave up. Defeated by a damn worm. Rats.

I tag: Paula, Julie, Kendra (she might need blogging ideas.) Jennifer and Karen.

Tuesday Tickles

Seeing this video this morning made my whole day.

Are you Irish too?

Click here.

RAK! Again!

Jessie was leaving the house and came back in with a puffy envelope.
I didn't order anything.
It's from 123 Stitch?
Holy cow, it's a RAK!

I ripped it (carefully) open in three seconds flat. WOW! Two (count 'em) charts from Sisters and Best Friends...Pear Sampler and Autumn Thanks. From my wish list! OMG stash! This comes from Barb in Australia. Barb doesn't blog but she does keep a photo album. Can you read the note sent with it? It says "For the best ever floss mom. Love Barb in OZ" Awww! That is so nice! OMG I better get stitching...I haven't finished Summer Joy yet!!!

Thank you, Barb!

I will enjoy these so very much.

Now, for those of you asking for more of Jessie's work. Recap: Jessie is a Theatre Technologies student so the majority of her creativity these days gets channeled into costumes, props and items for class. Ta da! Here is a little sample.

This first picture is a character head for a mascot costume. Jess made this just because she is awesome. Yes, it is wearable; you can see through those eyes and it doesn't feel anything like wearing a Halloween costume. It really kind of creepy to put that head on and it's like you become that character...
This dashing chapeau was created for costumes class this semester. Way cool. The kid can make cool hats!!! I'll try to post up more of her work as I can.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Deadlines. I fails thems.

A heartfelt apology to my exchange partner...your snowman won't get mailed until tomorrow. I was able to finish it though and what are you looking at me like that for? Yes, I know I organized this exchange and I'm the last one who should be late. Hey, chill out it's only one day late! I promise, it goes out in tomorrow's mail...

Blank

Yes, my title is "blank" because I can't think of anything very interesting to write about today.

I've finished the "disaster" snowman. He turned out alright. Not my best work by a long shot, it's mostly the fabrics' fault...it made the stitches go scrunched. Messy looking stitching drives me nuts. I only need to add the trim and it will be ready for mailing. I am hoping to have it finished tomorrow, after buying wider ribbon!

Started the second snowman exchange today and was able to complete quite a bit of it. And no scrunching on the stitches! That got me to thinking...I haven't heard from my partner for weeks and I am not sure she even wants to continue...? I hope so!

Farm, number two

Here is the second installment of "Farm" created by Jessie B.
Jessie gave me permission to post these but I had to promise to tell you that these were created by her when she was about 14-15 years old and that she is a much better artist these days. The scans are a little washed out color wise. These were drawn in inks and colored with pencils...no computer used at all. Oh yeah, I also had to promise to post some of her current art sometime so no one thinks she draws like a 9th grader!

The picture is clickable for easier reading. A reminder: this is copyrighted by my daughter; please, don't steal her work.

Tagged!

OK! Enough, I cave! Sandra, Sadie, Sharon and Michelle all all tagged me for the 6 Random Facts About Me meme going around. I think Cathey tagged me with it a long while back too?

Rules are...

Link back to the person that tagged you.
Post the rules on your Blog.
Share 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
Tag 6 people at the end of your post by linking to their Blog.
Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.

1. I can easily recite the alphabet backwards.

2. I used to work in a pet store. I have actually been shopping and heard little children squeal in glee, "Mom, look; it's the hamster (fish, rat, bird) lady!"

3. I detest blog music. If you have music on your blog, the first thing I do is hunt that sucker down and pause the dreadful noise. Besides, it scares me to pieces when it starts unexpectedly. Don't get me wrong, I love music...just not when I'm reading your blog.

4. I have to be really careful when I start cleaning house. Sometimes I can't stop.

5. My favorite beverage is (3 parts) iced water with (1 or 2 parts) fresh lemon juice. Tart and deliciously refreshing.

6. I never had a paying job until I was nearly 30 years old.

My six tags are: Sharon, Jessie, Lori, Janice, Martha and Jan. Don't worry girls, you aren't that obligated to join in...fun only!

A giveaway!

Be sure to stop by Chiloe's Corner to enter in her giveaway. The chatty thing has made 600 posts...OMG what a blabbermouth! It's OK, we love her anyway!

The best thing about Thursdays is Supernatural. I like it best when the preview says, "Tune in next week for a new episode." I hate waiting and they haven't made me wait so far this season.

It's late (yes, only 9:30 pm...I'm still on Daylight Savings Time, sheesh!) I'm tired. Thank heaven tomorrow is Friday; it has been a long week! Night all!

RAK!

Margaret, of A Sampler of Stitches, recently finished the most beautiful bourse. It's by the Cat's Whiskers and when I admired it, Margaret sent me the chart! I found in the envelope a cute Bent Creek and a darling Lizzie*Kate chart as well. I wonder how she knew I like cats?

Thank you, sweet Margaret!

That's it? Half an hour to go through the 230+ blogs in my reader? Was everyone invited to a party, except me? Post, people, post! Don't you know I am lonely? Really, I'm serious. Jessie has been busy with school and work and Rick's shift has him at work until late. This is my third evening all alone this week. (Sniff, sniff.) You'd think I could get lots of stitching done, but I haven't. I decided to plug away at this snowman. I'm thinking I am probably being too fussy and critical. If I still don't like it when it's done I'll work something out with my partner.

That reminds me to remind those of you participating in the snowman exchange...the mailing deadline is next Monday! If you think you are going to be late please let me know.

Chicken in the mail

The blogoversary prize from Joan of Stitching Squad came! I just love her little chickens; the problem is Taco loves them too and thinks they make purrfect cat toys. Isn't this a wonderful project bag Joan made? It's huge and it's the perfect colors for me. If you haven't already, be sure to stop by her blog and wish her a happy blogoversary! I must confess...Joan was my partner for the Fair And Square Fourth of July exchange this summer so this is my second set of Mama Joan's exclusive stitchy stuff! I know, hate me. I'm used to it. :op

However, I needed a new chicken. My first one has cat teeth holes.

Thank you, Joan!

Happy blogoversary!

Questions...Will we see more of Jessie's work? Yes, there are two more episodes of Farm for me to post. For those seriously interested you can view her Deviant Art gallery. Is Jessie studying art in school? Indirectly. She is a Technical Theatre major. She uses her creativity in her work and it is really impressive some of the things she does. Currently she is "into" props and costuming. I'll show you some of her work there soon! I know; I'm a tease.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

A winner, a thank-you and a disaster!

It is about time I drew a name for the penguin floss tag, isn't it? Or rather, I've drawn it; I just need to tell you who the winner is! Congratulations to dear Christine from The Alchymyst's Study! Christine, please email me with your mailing address!

I recently sent Rachael (she is my Floss Kid) some stash she needed and included a few gifts for the kids. Then, what do I receive? Thank you cards! And handmade ones too. Those are the best kind. Lucy made me the darling ladybird card with flowers. Jack made the striking black one with the glittery flowers. Rachael made the gold flower one. Aren't they wonderful!

Do you ever have those projects that turn into disasters? I would usually say no. Or very rarely, at least. Until now. I do not like how the snowman I am stitching is turning out. This is for an exchange too. Disaster! This is due to be mailed out in one week! Wahhh! I've never had an exchange project go south on me! I can't decide if I want to continue stitching this when I'm not happy with it or should I scrap it and start over? What would you do?

This one is for Terri...

Terri at Raised by Poodles occasionally posts little comics created by her son. They feature a little fox and are so cute! I told her how much I enjoyed them as they reminded me of Jessie doing the same when she was young(er).

Jessie gave me permission to post these but I had to promise to tell you that these were created by her when she was about 14-15 years old and that she is a much better artist these days. The scans are a little washed out color wise. These were drawn in inks and colored with pencils...no computer used at all. Oh yeah, I also had to promise to post some of her current art sometime so no one thinks she draws like a 9th grader!

So, for your comic reading pleasure, here is the first installment of "Farm" by Jessie B. The picture is clickable for easier reading. A reminder: this is copyrighted by my daughter; please, don't steal her work.

And the winner is...

The names were tossed in the hat and I came up with a winner! Congratulations to Jean, the Night Stitcher! Jean, please email me with your mailing address so I can send you your prize!

Thank you for celebrating my first blogoversary with me; I wish I could send all of you a gift.

Sorry this is being posted so late in the day. I have been such a good girl working on my exchange project. I did do laundry, dishes and such but I was able to stitch a great portion of the day. I plan on doing the same tomorrow to, so there!

Friday Eye Candy

Click here to see more lovely boys!

GROUCHY

Warning...I am in a peevish mood. I was running late this morning because I forgot I needed to iron my shirt. My footie has been hurting since Monday so I've been hobbling around since then. Jessie complained about a class assignment and I snapped at her about wasting her study time visiting friends. I cut my hand on broken glass when I went to fix dinner. Rick (such a sweetheart) took over. He cooked spaghetti with meat sauce while I pouted in my chair with a paper towel, direct pressure and a heating pad on the sore foot. My 1st snowman exchange will be coming due soon and I've not finished. Too much blog visiting? I am just full of grouches today.

Good things really did happen today. Joan of Stitching Squad pulled my name out of the hat in her blogoversary drawing. Woo hoo! I am tickled pink! I'm still grouchy but tickled. Happy blogoversary, Joan!

I thank you all for the kind support you offer in the comments on my last post. Yes, I do feel so much better. I didn't even get bronchitis or pneumonia when I caught that little cold in September. I can't remember the last time I didn't get a chest infection after having a cold! And another big, YES...I'm definitely spending cigarette money on stash nowadays!

I'll leave you with a Taco-kitty photo. Cats love sunbeams.

Sweet cheerleader

A BIG thank you to Lindsay for this little Mouseloft kit. Lindsay has been such a cheerleader for me in my quitting smoking campaign. This celebrates my four-month anniversary tomorrow. Go me!

Thank you, sweet Lindsay...you are a dear!

Penguin freebie and a giveaway!

I have penguins on my mind lately. It may be the Christmas wrapping paper I bought with penguins on the other day. Shame on me! Gift wrap is a serious weakness of mine and I did NOT need more...but the penguins were so darn cute. I have three huge boxes in the basement, THREE boxes, full of gift wrap. The penguin wrap was really cute. I admit it. I caved.

Penguin Floss Tag

Here is a little floss ring tag I made up using a penguin I designed myself. Didn't he turn out sweet? He makes me happy!

Please email me at: daffy-cat AT hotmail DOT com  to receive a copy of the pattern. Please, put "freebie request" in the subject line and tell me the title of the pattern you are requesting

You must have the free Adobe Reader program installed on your computer to view/print the pattern. 

 

To thank you for reading my blog...leave me a comment on this post and I'll draw a name in a couple of days...the winner gets the little penguin tag!

The winner has been drawn and posted!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

Being mysterious

I was planning a little surprise for you today. It was not finished in time. I will post it tomorrow instead. And you will just have to wonder about it until then...

Just a quick update post this evening...I am still working on my snowman exchanges. I hope to have the first of them ready to mail soon! It drives me nuts to be stitching and not share photos. Blech!

Please comment my November 1st post below to enter in the giveaway drawing to celebrate my one year blogoversary. Thank you for visiting my blog!

SAL anyone?

Jessie and I took a trip to Oklahoma City to go shopping with my mother and sister. We had a great girl's day out! Fabric stores and craft shops and even a stop in at Cross Stitch Haven. We had lunch out at Chelino's a favorite Mexican food stop. I had tamales and enchiladas and slurped down two beers, Tecate heaven. It was truly glorious.

While in the Haven, I had a (fabulous) breakdown! I've had my beady eyes on Raise The Roof's Crabby All Year charts for ages and when I saw them this time...they were bought and paid for before I could even say "But, I don't have time for another project!" Alas, they are mine. All mine-and I love them! So cute and silly!

I am thinking about gathering all the supplies up and stitching one block a month over the next year. Is there anyone interested in doing a stitch-a-long with me on this design?

Arriving home late in the evening, I found an envelope from France. I had RAK'd my friend, Marie-Hélène, a copy of the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments issue and look what she sent me in return! I cannot read but a few words...the designs are awesome. There is even a little mousie dressed up as a butterfly!

Thank you Marie-Hélène! I love these!

Thank you for visiting my blog. Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway on my November 1st post!

Blogoversary

It is my one year blogoversary! To celebrate, I have ordered a Scottish pipe band!

No, not really! That photo is actually from an Oklahoma Scottish gathering a couple of years ago and I thought it was a fun picture.

To really celebrate I am going to hold a stitchy grab bag giveaway drawing. I'm not telling what you might win but I promise you will like it! Just leave me a comment on this post to enter. New readers are welcome to enter. I will draw next Saturday, November 8th...so you all have one week!

I have had a grand time blogging this past year. I have made some truly great friends. The best part of every day is opening my reader to see who has posted that day and drooling over what has been stitched. Some days, I spend so much time visiting I forget to do my own darn stitching! Thank you all for visiting my blog and for blogging yourself!

The drawing is now closed and the winner will be announced in my next post. Thank you all for your lovely comments!