Dancing with Friends

I had another happy dance today. This time it happened among friends, a whole house full of them. The occasion was a summer SAL at my home with some great stitching friends. A lot of laughter, great food and some serious stitching results in a fantastic day! I'm sure you'll recognize several in the group and there were also some new additions to all the fun.

From my Tuesday night stitching group were Leslie, Lori and Roseanne. That's Leslie in the orange top and Roseanne in the plaid. Chantal was to have joined them but was ill. Chantal, we're so sorry you couldn't make it this time and I promise a repeat in the near future.

Lianne (on the right) is a local stitcher who found my blog as well as Dani's and contacted us in the hopes of getting together to stitch. We're so glad you were able to join us! Now that you know where I am and I know where you are, we'll have to make sure that this happens again soon!

Rebecca brought her mom, Sylvia, to join in on the day. I hope you know Sylvia that you're welcome to come again anytime.

All in all the group numbered 11 and filled the house with stitching chatter and laughter. I must admit that other than my finish I didn't put in any other stitches. I was too busy catching up and preparing the spread of food that always goes hand in hand with one of these get togethers. I swear we had enough to keep us holed up here stitching for days!

Clarisse even got in on the act, surveying things from her perch behind Lori's head. She also followed us into my stash room and crawled in where one of the drawer's resides. I guess she thought it was a good spot from which to observe. Later she delighted everyone with her toy mouse antics, dropping the mouse at their feet in the hopes they would throw it for her to retrieve. She also made it a point to greet each guest upon arrival and accompany them to the door as they left. The perfect hostess!!

A lot of the fun in these get togethers is checking out the stitching of your friends which you've admired on their blogs. I got to check out Beatrice's and Kathy's Desert Mandelas (that's Kathy's on top, Beatrice's on bottom) as well as Kathy's Royal Holiday, her Fairies and of course her lighthouse RR. Awesome Kathy!! Those ladies did a phenomenal job on that RR. I look forward to seeing it framed. Naturally I forgot to take a picture of it. I was too busy checking it out!!

Then we can't forget Dani's Celestial Dragon or Rebecca's Kaleidoscope, Beatrice's Cirque des Cercles. There was so much great stitching going on. I'm sorry that I've forgotten all the names of the pieces the other ladies were working on but believe me there was some fantastic stitching going on! I also find that these events give you a chance to see so many different tastes and styles of stitching. I always come away with a new perspective or interest in new designers and charts that I otherwise might not have investigated. Thank you ladies, one and all! I sure needed a day like this after the long week I had at work this week in that horrible heat.

Here are several more pics of the day. First up is Dani, getting ready to snap some pics, followed by Beatrice working on her Cirque. Then we have Rebecca followed by a pic of her mom Sylvia and Lori (on the right). Last but not least is Christin and Kathy.

For pics of yours truly, I'll think you'll find some on either Dani's or Beatrice's blogs. I know they snapped a few.

Now I'm off to grab some shut eye after a long but fun day. Tomorrow brings the hunt for a new project to tackle. Wish me luck!

My Easter finish - a little late!

So Easter may have come and gone but I finally got around to finishing my LHN He Is Risen.

I stitched up a storm on the weekend with this being the result. I ended up backstitching the wings so they'd stand out more. I also went back to the original phrasing with the small he in the second part of the phrase. After all, a girl is allowed to change her mind isn't she!!

I just got my order today from Volarium with my new charts from Tra La La and Tournicoton. I love them all and want to get one or two kitted up as soon as possible. I'll post pics later.

I can't post any other stitchy pictures and updates because my DH has gone to help his mother move and he's taken the camera with him. I'll have to wait until after the weekend to post more. By then I should have lots of stitching pictures since I'm having a SAL at my place on Saturday.

I'm expecting anywhere from 7 - 11 ladies to join me for a day of fun. Can't wait!

The weather here is extremely hot and humid and is expected to remain so for the next couple of days. I'd planned to go to the Cornwall Liftoff, the hot air balloon festival with my DS but if it's still this hot by Thursday I'm staying put in airconditioned comfort. I just can't handle that humidity anymore, I find it's difficult to breathe at times. It's too bad because following the liftoff of the balloons there is a concert by Our Lady Peace. You know you're getting old when your son tells you that you probably won't want to go to the concert because they don't start performing until 9:30 or 10:00pm and after all I have to get up at 5 for work in the morning! It's that working the next day that screws everything up doesn't it?

I think my hanging baskets in my garden this year could be considered patriotic if I was living in the US. They're a lovely mix of red, white and blue with bacopa, million bells and lobelia. I'm trying to keep them looking good in all this heat.

As far as escaping the heat is concerned, I'm very excited because as things have turned out, we are able to return to Muskoka again this summer! When we decided to go to Victoria, BC we figured that we couldn't manage both trips but things have worked out and we just booked a cottage rental this week. It's not our usual rental since that cottage is not available during the month of August. Our usual rental sits on a point of land which is surrounded by 2 bays in Lake Muskoka and the cottage we've rented this year is on the other side of the point on the North Bay. So technically it's on the other side of the road from our usual spot. The cottage is actually a boathouse which has one bedroom and an open concept living/kitchen area. When you step outside, it's onto a large deck with a lovely view of the lake. We'll head there on the return trip from my mother's birthday celebration. We can hardly wait!!

Have a good week everyone and keep cool!!

Canada Day Stitching

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian blogging and stitching friends and family! I hope you all have a very enjoyable day no matter how you choose to celebrate it. Myself, I plan on spending the day stitching . The weather is cooler than usual and the crowds will be larger than usual with the Queen's visit to Parliament Hill in Ottawa so we've decided to stay put for the day. We may go down to Morrisburg on the St Lawrence River for fireworks this evening if the weather holds.

After having just worked the last weekend, I had several days off which allowed me to get a lot of cleaning done at home. Now I'm home free, so bring on the stitching!!

I'll start off with a pic of my Nantucket Sampler which I picked up at the framers on Tuesday. I wanted a frame for it that gave that beach or cottage look and this is what we came up with. I love the results and it proudly resides in the entrance of my home over the deacon's bench. I've been so pleased with the framing I've had done here. I was worried about quality framing and stretching of my stitching after my LNS closed. They had always done such a fantastic job. This shop has picked up where my LNS left off. We've been fortunate that the man who did the stretching for us at the LNS agreed to continue to do so at this framer.

My trip to the framer's had a dual purpose. Besides picking up Nantucket, I dropped off my LK Prayer Sampler and while I was there I chose a frame for my upcoming finish of Forget Me Not. I only have a few days of stitching time on this one and it'll be done. I got started on stitching the remaining flowers on the top border and found I didn't really like the colour of floss called for. Since I've altered some of the colours in this already, the floss called for just didn't seem to fit in with things. I rummaged through my stash and came up with several choices which I took with me to my Tuesday night group for some input. I had a choice in mind and as it turned out the majority picked the same colour that I'd chosen. So instead of GAST Used Brick, the flowers will be stitched with CC Clay Pot. The frame I've chosen for this one is a red mahogany which really picks up the colours in the piece. I can't wait to get this one finished and framed! I trying to get as many pieces framed as I can afford during the next year before my retirement. My budget will be limited after that. That's also the excuse I'm using for enhancing my stash!

Speaking of which I'm awaiting the arrival of a copy of BTBN Halloween Cove as well as an online order from Violarium of some charts by Tra La La and Tournicoton. I'll be anxiously checking the mail during the next week or so!

I brought out LHN He Is Risen this week to try and get finished. I was going great guns on this one and then it came to an abrupt standstill while I worked on completing Nantucket. Here's where I am after last evenings stitches. I might have to do some BS around the angels' wings. They're not showing up very well with the white on white. What do you think?

I'll continue stitching on this one today. I'm also hoping to bring out my Winter Sheep ornie. It's long overdue for finishing. Speaking of the LHN ornaments, Diane Williams just posted on her blog that she's designed another year's worth of the ornaments so the SAL should continue. I thought it was great news because I'm a big fan of LHN designs and I really love these little ornaments.

My upcoming weekend SAL has been changed to only a one day stitch. I hated to do this but we have a lot more going on here than planned in the next few weeks which takes priority and I really need the extra days to get things organized. My DH is in the process of moving his mother from her apartment into a retirement home after she had a nasty fall recently and I have my sister and Mom arriving for a visit the week following our return from vacation. Our vacation begins on July 15th with a trip to Victoria, BC planned to attend the Canadian organist convention. I'll be seeing the sights while Bob is at lectures, etc.

We're only just arrived home from BC when my family visits. The trip here was unexpected but circumstances are such that my sister is alone for the week and would like to come up and see all our renovations. Mom then jumped on the bandwagon and asked if she could join her. I can hardly wait since it's been several years since my youngest sister was up here. When I heard my Mom was going to join her, I called up my eldest son to see if his vacation coincided with their visit. My Mom has never met her great grandchildren and this would be the perfect opportunity. Jeff and family are not able to travel to Windsor for her 80th birthday party in August so this would be the next best thing. Yahoo! He's off work during the last 2 weeks in July and is able to join us for the visit. My other 2 boys are also hoping to land in that week. Now I'm scrambling to get things organized. I only have the next 2 weekends left before holidays in which to get things cleaned up around here. You see, I've been using 2 of my extra bedrooms as storage rooms during our renovations and have yet to get them cleaned out again. And I'm definitely going to need that extra space for all the beds. After all isn't that what a bedroom is for!!

On top of all this we were informed at work that there are several extra evening and weekend shifts that need to be covered. We had just finished training an extra tech for this purpose however he gave his notice and left! Now it looks like we'll be pulling some double shifts this summer and one of them for me is on the Sunday of my SAL. We were really trying to avoid a lot of overtime costs but have no choice now. Same old, same old. This sort of thing seems to happen every summer. I can't say I'll miss all this when I'm finished work.

I'll take this time now to wish a Happy Fourth of July to all my US stitching and blogging friends. I hope you have a great holiday weekend and may it contain lots of stitching!

So I missed the quake

It's not that I missed it really, I was there during it but I just didn't feel it. Neither did my son in Toronto or his brothers. Well, you know, no sense, no feeling! I just happened to be in an elevator at work when it occured and didn't feel a thing but most of my coworkers sure did. I'm only about an hour and a quarter from the epicenter and most of my neighbours work in Ottawa where they really felt things moving. My DH is away visiting family in Windsor and felt nothing but my BIL in Michigan said his desk was shaking during it. This is the third earthquake that has occured since I moved to this area 33 yrs ago. I remember seeing the wrought iron railing on my porch swaying during the first one and I slept through the second one. They're not an unusual occurence in this area but this one was a little stronger than they have been in the past. It was a bit of a crazy day because not long before the quake hit we lost power in the hospital followed by a loss of power to our generators! Thank goodness it didn't last long.

Since my DH has taken the camera with him on his visit I haven't been able to take any update photos of my stitching. Not that there's been a lot occuring so far this week . I've been way too tired to stitch the past few evenings. Work has been a little hectic and I haven't quite got my energy level back to where it was. I've made a point to take things easy in the evenings and for the most part have been getting to bed earlier. Here's a pic of Forget Me Not which I took just prior to the camera leaving town. I love that little sunflower!

This is the only thing I've touched recently. I've put aside the ornament for now and hopefully will pick it up again next week. I'm working all weekend but have several days off next week during which I can catch up. Now it's off to get my beauty sleep! Take care and I'll check in again soon.

A quick stitchy update

I hate to be so brief this post but I have very little energy going for me this week. I can't believe how much fatigue I'm still experiencing which I'm sure has a lot to do with being back at work full time. I don't remember being this tired after previous surgeries but then again I was a lot younger then! This is also the reason that I've fallen behind in my blog reading. I hope to catch up on the weekend.

As I write this it's teeming buckets outside, perfect for a stitchy evening. Here's an updated photo of my LHN ornie. Not much done on it and I haven't touched it again since this pic was taken last week. I already know there's a counting error and I don't feel like dealing with the frogs right now.

As for Forget Me Not, that one has seen it's share of frogs too. Mainly because I've not been happy with some of the colour choices. I spent this past weekend stitching and restitching the birds and numbering three times with different shades of blue until I found one which I liked. I've also restitched the butterfly wings, the windows in the house and the flowers which make up the border on the left. When I first saw this pattern I really like the colour choices in the picture. However as we all know, pictures don't always give an accurate representation of the actual piece. So as a result, once I got more stitches in on this one I realized that the floss colours didn't match those in the photo which I'd admired so much. I spent several hours, pulling out alternate shades and giving them a try. Finally I think I've come to the point where I'm happy with the results. Keep your fingers crossed....some days there's just no pleasing me, lol! So here it is so far. What do you think?

A fellow choir member has asked if I would stitch something for her. She said that she has long admired my work and would really like to have a large framed piece for her home. She has insisted on paying me for my time and will have the work framed herself when completed. I really haven't got a clue what I should charge her and don't really like the idea since she is retired and is on a fixed income. I would rather give her the piece as a gift. She has chosen a pattern by Tree of Life Samplings called New Mercies. I pulled it out yesterday to get started at finding fabric when I realized that it had been stitched on 40 ct. I've yet to try 40ct and don't think it would be wise when it's for someone else. However it's going to be a rather large project when stitched on 28ct. I tried to find something in my stash in a 32ct without luck. I don't want to incur the extra expense of ordering more fabric so the 28 ct it is. It's actually a lovely Silkweaver Solo in a lovely beige colour. For most of the floss I'll use the DMC equivalents except where the overdyed blending would look better. So I hope to be getting started on this on the near future. I don't want her waiting too long. After all it might take me a year to get this one completed.

Now the rain continues, I'm tiring and I've written far more than I intended. I'm off to bed with a good book. I'm afraid if I pick up my stitching at this point, the frogs will see all those lovely puddles out my window and decide to stay for awhile!

A surprise find

Last week's preparations for the Ottawa Doors Open display of my needlework resulted in a surprise find. I was rooting around in the drawers of my extra dressers looking for plate frames and stands on which to display my finished needlework. In the bottom drawer, tucked under some seasonal garden flags, I found 3 pieces of finished needlework. Two of these are from a group of projects I completed during my first few years of stitching and I've been looking for them ever since then. Because I was new to stitching, they were naturally done on aida. The first piece if my memory serves me right was from an issue of either BH&G Country Cross stitch or For the Love of Cross Stitch. It consists of three mittens hanging on a line surrounded by the quote, "A mother holds her children's hands for awhile, their hearts forever". The finished piece was meant to be inserted into a wooden coat rack with pegs. I remember I loved it because I had three sons and each of the mittens represented one of my boys.
The second piece, also on aida, is a monochrome done in blue. It consists of a cabin surrounded by woodland animals. Both pieces have yellowed and have marks on them from taping my edges as I stitched to prevent fraying. Obviously I never got around to washing them. Any ideas on how I can get them cleaned up? The monochrome piece was stitched on a piece of fabric which was obviously not large enough and as a result it can't be framed unless extra fabric is sewed on. Even then I'm not sure there's enough fabric around the top and bottom of the piece for stretching. Maybe a standup finish? Any ideas are more than welcome.

The third piece was also from another magazine which I'm unable to remember. Knowing the designer didn't seem to be important to me at the time but I sure wish I knew now! It's called Winter is For the Birds. Somewhere from my mind has surfaced the thought that this one is stitched on 25ct bone lugana. I noticed in my pics that there are marks from the hoop on this one. Hopefully they'll come out when washed. I'm thinking this would make a great pillow. Hmmm, I just noticed something. It looks like there's some backstitching missing on the last 2 pickets in the fence. Guess I'll have to do something about that.

Now I'll need to get pictures of these three developed so that I can add them to my album of finishes.

I also spent the past week updating said album so that I could include it as part of the exhibit of my needleworks. Apparently the weekend event was a hit and there were quite a number of people who came to visit our church and take in the displays. My works were well received and the ladies who volunteered at the event hope that next year I can join them so that I can answer questions as they arise. Hopefully I've sparked an interest in someone out there to find out what cross stitching is all about and enough interest to give it a try as well.

Just before the weekend I got a call that my cat sampler was ready at the framers so I rushed over so that it could be included as well. I've shown a closup pic of the frame so that you can see the small flowers all around its border. The girl at the framers' thought this one was perfect since it matched the flowers stitched in the corners of the piece. I'm really pleased with its finish.

Late last week I managed to finish LK Prayer Connection, well ahead of its deadline. It'll be headed to the framers shortly. I then got started on my LHN ornie of the sheep. This one is just too cute!! What little I have done was completed on my breaks at work. In the evenings at home I've concentrated on Forget Me Not. It's moving along slowly but surely. I find the colours in this are so pretty and its a fun stitch as well. I just realized that I've forgotten to take pics of these WIP so I'll do that tomorrow when the light's better and save them for another post.

Would you believe I'm already perusing my stash for my next start? After all I might have to place an order for fabric or floss so I have to give myself plenty of time! Perhaps I'll check out Halloween charts so that I actually have a finish ahead of schedule for a change.

Speaking of Halloween, have you seen the sneak peek of Donna's Halloween Cove over at By The Bay Needlearts? This one has definitely piqued my interest and I can hardly wait until she completes it.

Tomorrow is a day of rest for me after having just completed my first 5 consecutive full days at work. And am I pooped!! After alternating days the first 2 weeks back I was feeling pretty good but I expected that after my upcoming 7 day stretch I'd be done in. The health nurse suggested that I work only 5 , booking off a couple of days, and boy am I ever glad that I took her advice! My DH is having a day surgery procedure tomorrow and while I wait for him I intend to sit and stitch to my heart's content.

Okay so what could be the final game in the Stanley Cup is starting now and I'm heading to watch it with stitching in hand. It's been pretty fast hockey, think I'll actually get any done, lol?

Rainy Day Stitching

Finally I have a chance to park my butt in an attempt to get numb bum. I had hoped to stitch outside in the gazebo but indoors will have to do on account of the rain that is now falling. The rain is a welcome relief to the warm, dry weather of the past week or so. Our lawn has been yellowing and the gardens in need of a good soaking. Yesterday saw a haze settle over our area along with a smoky odour due to the forest fires currently raging in northern Quebec. There are about 50 fires raging, several out of control, and the winds carried the smoke as far as Boston and Rhode Island. Today's rain will be a blessing and help them gain back some control.

I returned to work last week on alternating days and found myself exhausted. Work, followed by the commute and the heat did me in. I'm only working 3 days this week before I start a 7 day stretch on the weekend. Our health nurse has suggested that I book a couple of vacation days so that I only work a regular 5 day week rather than the 7 days so I'm working on arranging that. We've also had a busy weekend here with overnight guests from Sault Ste. Marie on Friday followed by a potluck dinner for one of Bob's choirs on Sunday. Saturday I joined my friend Michelle in checking out the garage sales in the nearby village of Winchester. They put on a village wide sale each spring. This year it coincided with the huge Glebe garage sale in Ottawa which I'd definitely like to check out next year.

Because of all this my stitching has suffered this week. I did make some small progress on Prayer Connection and have a pathetic start on Forget Me Not. I seem to have a bit more energy this week so hopefully I can advance my progress.

Each year in Ottawa an event called Doors Open takes place. If you're an architecture or history buff it's great fun because you get to check out a lot of historic buildings and homes, some of which are off limits to the general public. Our church, St. Luke's Anglican, participates in this event by not only opening its doors but showcasing the talents of its congregation. In the past we've had some displays of sculpture by one of our parishoners as well as music ensembles made up of members. This year I was approached and asked if I would display some of my needlework throughout the church. What fun! I've chosen several framed pieces as well as some of my pinkeeps and flatfolds to display. I also had to write up a little blurb about how I got interested in stitching which I completed last night with the help of my DH.

Wouldn't you know it though! I have to work this weekend so I'll be unable to be present during the whole thing. I hated to ask someone to swap weekends when I've only just returned to work. One of the parishoners has said that she will be present to discuss my stitching. Toni is a needleworker herself having learned her craft at school in Ireland. It was a regular part of the curriculum at that time. She's offered to teach me drawn thread when I have some time on my hands.

My flower gardens are starting to come to life finally. I had a friend's daughter, who is studying landscaping, clean out and weed my beds for me since I had orders not to do any gardening post-op. I planted all my containers 2wks ago which are really starting to fill out now. My irises have finally bloomed and the peonies are just about ready to open. I'm pleased to see that some of the perennials I planted last year are really taking shape and my clematis is finally blooming again after a hiatus of 2 yrs. Here's some pics of my irises and the columbine I planted last summer.

Tuesday night stitching resumed last week but since it was my first day back at work I chose to stay home that night and rest. Tonight though I'll be there! Woohoo! Since I'm off work today I'll have plenty of time to rest up before going. Nothing like a good stitch with friends to make you feel great.

While making a pit stop at the pharmacy yesterday, I picked up a copy of the homecrafts entries for this year's fair. This is the first year in about 5 yrs that I won't be on vacation during the fair and will be able to submit entries. I was disappointed to discover that this year there is only one category for cross stitch which is stated as one small article of counted cross stitch. Perhaps we are a dying breed? Quilting seems to dominate this year's entries. There are a couple of other categories including a Christmas article of your choice where I plan on submitting my Noel flatfold and perhaps I can finish a biscornu in time for the Fancy pin cushion entry. It's too bad really. I always enjoyed seeing all the needlework displayed at the fair.

Barb recently asked how sweet, little Clarisse was doing. As you can see from the photo above she's being her usual pesky self and she isn't so little anymore! Look at the devil on her face. The minute I open my stitching bag she jumps in. I've found that while I'm sitting, quietly stitching, she'll deliberately jump up somewhere she doesn't belong in an effort to get my attention. She won't move until I get up and come towards her at which point she'll jump down, get her ball and drop it at my feet hoping I'll play. Now I'm off to do exactly that as she's just let me know it's time she got some attention!