Getting in the spirit

Made these cute red and white polka dot pillowcases for a little festive touch in the boudior. Love them!! Cheap and easy - LOL! Will post more later - I have a cute wreath to show you. Take care!!

Still here!

I am still here, but computer problems have me up in arms!! I hate computers when they don't work and love them when they do. I miss blogging! I will post more this weekend and will have pictures of the final finishes of Halloween and some new things. I have a few Thanksgiving patterns I may stitch, but I have started on my first Christmas (gasp!) project. Christmas is not my favorite holiday, so I don't know what is going on, but I felt drawn to start this little ornament. I think maybe it is just some stitching therapy. I love to stitch when I have things going on and I think this will be a very, very productive holiday season. I think that this is my favorite time to stitch when the weather has turned cold. It is supposed to SNOW today, but it is November and I do live in Michigan. I knew it was going to happen at some point in time. Now I will just be wishing for snow days!! For those of you who have asked, the job is still going great. I love it and I love being with the children again. Football season has ended and now we just have hockey season. My favorite. Number 5 is not playing high school hockey but will play at the local rink instead. There is a game tomorrow and we are really looking forward to it. Well, have to go. Time for work. Talk to you all very soon or at least when I can get on someone's computer!!

A few stitchy finishes

I hoped to have finished pieces to show you but my family kinda likes clean clothes and food (they are so silly) so I may or may not get to post the final results. But, here are the ones I can show. I have 2 more, but they are for exchanges and I can't reveal them until they are mailed and they show up at their new home. These designs are Prairie Schooler and the other is a freebie from LaChantelain. Work is going very well and I am increasing my hours a little bit, which makes me at work from 7:45 some mornings until 1:00pm. Yes, I like it that much! I actually was a little sad to go home the other day. That has never happened to me! I love teaching and feel that I am just about back in my groove. This is my favorite time of the year to teach, with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!! Needless to say, we will do alot of crafts! LOL! Take care, friends and if I have the time I will get some finished pieces posted!!

A Fun Craft

I may have some more finishes to post soon, but I wanted to get this up! This is such a cute craft. If you google "Posh Squash" you will get the site I got it from and there are others that had the same idea. So cute! I went through my stash of fabric and made these 3 as examples. Two are dark brown taffeta (not sure why I had this fabric, but ok) and the other is an off white that has some sequins in it. Hard to get a pic of, but so cute in person. I have some leopard print that I might make one out of just for fun.

I am so.....

Tired! Some goober scheduled a hockey game for #5 at 9:30 pm last night. An hour away. On a school night. Yeah, he is not my favorite person right now, who ever he is.

Grateful! That the job is going so well - I truly love it!!

Inspired! Just got some great crafting ideas for Halloween that I may have to do and store for next year. Will post pics when I get them done, but there are so many crafty people on the internet that I just love trying new things right now!!

Behind! In my housework, that is. Hopefully I will get caught up soon.

Technological! That's right, I am texting now. Big Daddy got me a new phone that I can text on (thank you God for QWERTY) and now I can keep up with everyone and their craziness. I'm still learning, but it's alot of fun. What will they come up with next? LOL, I just sounded like MeMaw!~!

Well, thanks for sticking with me - I will post some finishes soon and then I am packing away the Halloween stitching and focusing on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Oh, where did the year go? Oops, there's MeMaw again. Talk to you all soon! Keep those comments and questions coming!
Hugs!

A Very Quick Update

At the risk of having it all turn south, I will go ahead and put it out there that I LOVE my new job. It is all kinds of wonderful, from the people to the hours that I work. We're just coming off a very fun weekend here of hockey, football, apple orchard trip with the grand younguns and all that good stuff. I have pics and some FINISHES to post later!! Have a great week everybody!

Wait for it - wait for it......

So sorry that I disappeared from Blogland, but things got a little hectic and I just needed a little break. I have been stitching like crazy and have a fun fall craft to share with you. And, pictures and news at the end of the post!!
Ok, you know how I am with Blogger and pictures, but I'm going to give it a good try to get the pictures in the right order.
First, these are some great thrift store finds I scored this past week. I love the red candleholder - very kitchy!!

 I love these picnic baskets and I bought them at 2 seperate stores, but they match!! Lovely for storage!!

 Someone got crafty! The picture below this one is a shot of the back - they painted the glass with chalkboard paint. I will clean it up and see if I need to reapaint it.

 Did this for a swap - love this freebie pattern and I have stitched it twice and need to stitch it again, for myself!!

 This is the back side - see the vintage button for the accent?

 Flower frogs from my sweet mother for my birthday! She sent me the greatest package with wonderful stuff (and a new project to start!) but these are my favorite!

 Another stitchy finish!!

 Back of the above stitchy finish!

 More finishes!

 And, their backsides!

 Another mug tree, but only has 2 arms.

 OK. this is the coolest craft. Supposed to be done in fall colors and I am definatly doing this in the proper colors, but this was my trial project. This sweater was  99 cents at the goodwill and I had the glass candleholder. Here is the link to the tutorial. Try it - it's fun and what a great way to decorate your fall table!! Go to http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/09/more-recycled-sweater-vases-easy-simple.html

Ok, if you  have lasted long enough to get to the end of this post, I love you!! LOL! Remember the pity party post? Well, everything happens for a reason. I started a new job on Friday. Didn't want to jinx it until I saw if it was going to work out. I can't really blog about it, but I am teaching again. That's right, I'm out there corupting aother generation of little ones! LOL! This place will work with my crazy schedule and is full of really nice ladies. So far, so good!! I'm blessed to have found this place. It's only 20-25 hours a week, so that's perfect! I can still take an EMT class in the spring and now I will have the money to pay for it myself, instead of asking Big Daddy! Now, I pormise I will blog more often, I have lots of crafts to show you!! Hugs to all!!

Also, I joined a PIF and I am taking 3 names that I will stitch a something for in the next 365 days. However, you have to have your own PIF on your blog for 3 people. I will take the first 3 comments that are interested and I will lock you in when you post your PIF. Come on, you know you want to!!!

Go Here, Stitchers!!

Go to http://cranberrysamplings.blogspot.com for a great giveaway!

Thank you, Thank you!!

Thanks for all your sweet comments on my finishes. I will post again this afternoon with a great fall craft I found on the internets and maybe, MAYBE a few more finishes. Looking forward to a low-key Saturday, capped off with babysitting for the Little Man and Pretty Princess tonight. YEAH!!! Later!

Oh, the finishes!!

Here are some finished finishes - I love how they look on what I think is a mug tree? I found this at the thrift store and it's perfect for holding a few ornaments and really showcasing them. I have another one that only has 3 arms and now I'm on the lookout for more. They are perfect to place on a table for the holidays! I'm trying to get a little more "fancy" with the backs and embellishing them a little bit, so I tried to fussy up some of them with buttons or charms on the back. It's fun looking for just the right thing to go with a design! Here are some pics - hope you like them!!

Great Giveaway!

Hey, go to Edgar's Blog and enter in his giveaway!!
Go Here - www.blacksheepsite.blogspot.com

Finishes! Yeah!!

Well, here are some finishes that I have done lately. Before you start worrying that my children are going hungry and my house is messy (well, that one doesn't count) let me tell you that some of these were finished months ago and I found them in the "to-be-finished" basket or maybe they were half-done and also, I have had alot of time waiting for practices to end, school to get out, stc. There. I've justified. As I finish-finish each one, I will post a pic and I hope to get alot of them done this weekend. And we have started Halloween decorating. I love,love, love Halloween and I usually put the stuff up the 1st of Oct. or right after my birthday on the 27th, but this year I am early because I want to do some crafts that might take some time to finish. Well, I'll post more tomorrow. Taking #2 to the Big City to the airport so he can go south and visit with the Cute Girlfriend. See ya!!

Never Forget

Never forget where you were on this day 9 years ago.
Never forget the gut-wrenching feeling of watching it all unfold live on tv.
Never forget what it felt like to know where your loved ones were and that they were safe.
Never forget that it can happen again.
Today, I am brought to tears when I think of the horrific acts of 9/11. And the heroic acts of our firefighters and rescue workers who ran to the disaster, instead of away. I hope that we never see such a horrible thing happen again. I will be back tomorrow to blog about the silly little things in my life that go one every day. Today, I'm taking time to remember those who perished. Please join me.

I HAVE ON A SWEATER!

Ok, it's a cotton one and a tank under but still a sweater! Yikes. It's 57 here and windy. Really hope this isn't the real deal this early. Please let a few warm days come back! Ok, just thought you should know.
You're welcome.

It's Back!!

School, that is! I love the first day of school, but #5 said this morning, "Oh, do I have to go to school today?" A little early in the year to be skipping!! He's already been playing football for a month now and this Sunday hockey starts. OMG! Stay tuned - this should be interesting!!
Thank you all so much for your comments on my last pitiful post. I truly was down for a little while, but I know that now is not the right time for me to start working full-time right now. If you could see my calendar, you would know what I mean! LOL! Today, I got alot done around the house and I hope to get in some sort of groove so that things can run smoother. More organization and cleaning = more stitching time! Well, must dash for now. Will start blogging more and I might just have a giveaway coming up for my birthday!!

Welcome to the Party

The pity party, that is. Well, my wonderful news turned out to be not so wonderful. I was in talks for a job and thought that the job, which had been offered to me, was a lock. Then, the company started requesting yet another interview (would have been #3) and told me it was for a whole other job teaching younger children. I don't really have experience with the age group that they started talking about. I'm not really sure what happened. So now I am in a funk. It just opened up alot of hurt, which is silly. I know. I am very luck that Big Daddy works at a wonderful job that takes care of all our needs and then some, but I just wanted this job. It really is for the best, what with football and hockey season, choir, grandchildren, etc. but still...... Ok, I will wallow for a day or so and then I have to let it go. Stitch therapy is called for. Thanks for hanging in there, if you are reading this. I do appreciate all the comments and emails that I get from people who take the time to read when I do write. Take care all!!

Here Are Some Things I Don't Quite Understand

1) Why SOME people in my house think that leaving an empty shampoo bottle in the shower will mean that the shower fairy will fill it up. STOP IT! I'm the only one who puts new shampoo in there and I need to see that there isn't any shampoo to replace it. Thank you.
2) If you are going in the "in" door, please don't stop in the middle of it to text, read a text, or talk to your friend. Keep it moving, people.
3) Also, on that subject, the IN door is for going IN.
4) Please don't tell me you're going to do something and then not do it. And then ignore the fact that you didn't do it. Kharma, people.
5) I work (Occaisonally and only when absolutely necessary) for an upscale department store. Why would a man feel it was necessary to walk through at the close of the evening with his "part" hanging out? Really? OMG.
ok, I feel better now. I'm off tomorrow and I'm posting about the finishes I've had lately. No news to share yet, but I'm waiting somewhat patiently. Ok, not patiently. But I have no choice! Oh, anyone interested in an exchange of sorts? My thought was to fill up a $10.70 post paid box with cross stitch goodies, maybe patterns we won't stitch, or fabric or even just little gifties. You would take out what you would like to keep and then replace it with like-items? Anyone interested? Will work out the logistics if I get some interest. Later!!

Charts for sale

Ok, I am going to list some charts for sale. They are used but in good shape. You must pay with paypal within 2 days of commiting to buy. If there is more than one person who wants to buy a chart, it will go to the first comment. Shipping and handling is $2.00 and I will combine and give a shipping discount for more than one chart in a purchase. As with my ebay, no returns.

Gone to a new home! Thanks!

JBW Designs - $4.00 ++ shipping

Gone to a new home - Happy Stitching!!

By Diane Arthurs - $3.00 + shipping

Gone to a new home - Thanks!!

 

JBW Designs - Lovely!! $3.00 + shipping

By Diane Arthurs - $5.00 + shipping

Heart in Hand - great pattern $3.00 + shipping

Hmmmm

There is something wonderful (WONDERFUL) that's going to happen in my life in the next 2 weeks. I will talk about it when I get all the details. Here is a quote that I feel very strongly about and I will use this, going forward, to inspire and rededicate my life to ........ well, you'll just have to wait a bit for that info. I'm so excited!!



I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture, or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de –escalated, and a person humanized or dehumanized.
If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming. - Goethe

First Day of JV Football Practice

Ah, yes. The football practices have begun. On the field at 8 am and off at 1ish. School doesn't start here until after Labor Day (Can I hear an amen!) but this is our first clue that summer is over and we are getting back to it. Today, #5 (who is in great shape from hockey) remembered that football uses other muscles and he is a little tired. That's a long time on the field. I asked him if he was going to take a nap when we got home. He replied, " I'm not going to take a nap. I might die, but I'm not going to take a nap." Bless his little macho heart! The lack of blogging has been from hockey, now football and the presence of #1, Pretty Princess and Little Man. I just can't seem to get myself together! Oh, and I am tackling some major jobs around the house. I hope to get some form of "normal" around here soon. Things are looking good for that, but time will tell. Oh, and all the waiting I mentioned in a previous post? Someone asked if if was something bad, but it's just my life right now. I am transportation to several (4) people and I spend ALOT of time in the car waiting. Great stitching time! Oh, and I jumped on the bandwagon and I started "Tis Green in the JCS Ornament preview issue. Seems that everyone is doing that pattern! Will let you know how it turns out. Anyone else out there doing this pattern?

YES!!

WE HAVE AIR!!! Thank you for your best wishes on a speedy recovery for our central aic unit - it was a quick fix and we now are waiting for our house to cool down. More later......

My Granddaughter - Sophie Grace

Just popping in with a quick picture that my daughter took of me and SG, also known on this blog as Pretty Princess. Take care - more posts to follow. Oh, and as soon as I schedule the air repair, it turns cooler. Of course.

I'm Melting!

Sorry, folks. No post until the wonderful, fantastic, super repairman )or woman) gets here tomorrow precisely between 10 and 1 to fix our ac. I can't even think right now. I am so thankful that we have air!!!!!!! Will post when my fingers aren't sticking to the keys! LOL!

Holy Cow!

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I blogged!! Well, it got really crazy around here and I guess I just got a little sidetracked. I think I'm back now. As you can see, I did change up my blog template and I love it! I will list some charts I have for sale and show some pictures of some finishes this evening or tomorrow. I've had lots of "wait time" and that is when I am most productive, I think. I seem to get alot of stitching done this way. I always have a project with me, just in case. Well, I need to get ready for the day and I will definately try to get some time this afternoon to blog.

Charts for sale

I think I am going to try to list some of the charts I have for sale here on my blog. Here is the information you need to know if you see any chart that you would like to have. You must pay by paypal and I charge $2.00 for shipping and handling. I am going to list some charts here and some on Ebay and see which way I like better. I will try to post what I have tonight. First comment gets the chart, if there are multiple people interested and then you have 2 days to pay or I offer it to the next person. Just like ebay, there are no returns. Thanks and I hope that this works out for all my fellow stitchers out there!

OMG!

ONE of my children just called me into my room. He is taking a nap before work in my room, because it's quieter on that end of the house and he works night shift. He was concerned that he was on my "stunt pillows" - you know, the ones that are just there for looks! LOL! Well, at least he knows NOT to sleep on my stunt pillows. Too funny!! Oh, sorry it's been awhile since I blogged. Life, you know. I will be back in the swing of things tomorrow hopefully.

A Great Giveaway

Go here http://belfontenotes.blogspot.com/ for a great stitcher's giveaway. She has a really nice blog, too! Back later with cheap chic and other stuff.
Later!

Here It Is!

Here is is - FINISHED! :(

It's a Heart in Hand kit that I got off Ebay for $5.00 - with the linen, threads, charm and everything. I had such a great time stitching it! Close up -

I don't normally show the backs of my projects, but I've been working on keeping things really neat on the back. Here is what I ended up with this time -

Not too bad! I'm trying to decide if I want to stitch it again or maybe I should just move on to the other 99 projects I have on the go? Oh, and I finished an exchange for Michelle and I'll show pics when she gets it in the mail. Michelle, if you are reading this I'm putting your July in the mail today! See you later friends!

Obsession

Have you ever started a project and just become TOTALLY SMITTEN with it? Couldn't put it down, why can't it be bigger, oh I don't want it to end - that kind of feeling? Tomorrow I am going to show the object of my attention for the last 3 days. Now, keep in mind that I have roughly 100 projects started at this point. And yet, I started this one. Patriotic stitching has occupied my mind these days but I feel that Halloween stitching thoughts are starting to wander around in my brain. Well, come back tomorrow to see the latest project finished. I'll be sad. Good thing there's another one (or more) waiting in the wings!!

A Little Bit of This for A Little Bit of That

We had to do this in TN:

To do this in Michigan:

Just to be clear - the kids did not ride in the moving truck. Everyone is moved in and settled. Most days I walk the 2 streets over and have a visit with Little Man, Pretty Princess and #1. DD is even learning to cross stitch! Life is good!

Linking up to Frugal Fashionista Fashions on Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Linking up to Frugal Fashionista on Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Go here to read more about frugal finds! She is the one who inspired me to start putting together outfits that fall into the "cheap chic" catagory! I will be back next week with another outfit that makes great financial and fashion sense. Well, MY fashion sense, at least! LOL!

When Do We Get Back To "Normal"?

I have a small thing about chaos. Don't like it. Makes me anxious, so needless to say this past week has just about put me in the bed! But, after today at 4:30 at least I will know how to plan my week. And today is Tuesday. I usually do this on Sun, but Monday was a holiday for almost everybody. I got jury duty for the month and this little bit of civic duty has just played havoc with my schedule. Hopefully tonight we will have the glorious schedule and all will be well. And apparently we must apologize to all of Michigan for bringing back heat and humidity from TN with #1, the Marine, Little Man and Pretty Princess. I don't know how it slipped into the moving truck, but I'm arranging to FedEx it back where it belongs. As soon as I can schedule it.
In stitching news, there will be some glorious show and tell soon as I have been so stressed that I have stitched myself into a frenzy! There is an upside to all this, I think! Well, take care and keep cool.

We're back and all is well

Just popping in to say that out of 36 hours we were gone, 25 of that was in the car. Of the 25 hours, 15 of that was with 2 toddlers. They did a really great job. DVD's in cars are awesome! Will pop in later with pics and all that. Happy Fourth!!

Some finishes, some stash and WIP's

Here are some of the finishes I've had in the last 2 days. I've had alot of wait time at the rink and outside time on the front porch stitching. It gives me something to occupy my mind, which tends to race with what if's and buts and OMG's. Here is some stash that I got yesterday. I had a big sale on ebay which allowed me to get some things off of my wishlist.

Here are some WIP's - I have several projects that are near completion. I'm sure I will get some stuff done on the 12 hour trip to TN, but no stitching on the way back, as I have to drive. Boo,hiss.

I'll be back on Friday with an update on the move. Everything is ready at their new house here and now it's just a matter of getting down there, getting the kids in the car and coming home! Yeah!! I promise this blog won't turn into an obnoxious grandma blog, but I just might have to blog occaisonally about them until the newness wears off! LOL! Take care friends - I looove having this place to share my thoughts.