SBQ and April goals

I'm really excited to post a set of April goals as I've never really set goals for myself before, but here we go!

1. Finish the top half of the Petal Fairy chart (excluding beading - I'm a glutton for punishment and always save it for the end)
2. Finish working my way across the top of Motherhood.
3. Start and finish at *least* 1 page of Rainbow Bridge (the chart has shipped - just waiting on SW for my fabric)

I think I'll leave it at that for now.

By this time next week, I'll be in Utah! I haven't seen my sister/her kiddies since she and my brother in law moved there this past October (he is in the military - they relocated them :( ).
I'll be leaving this coming Thurday - April 5th. And as sad as this may be, this is my first flight completely on my own! I've never flown alone and I'm kinda nervous!

Thank you to all who commented on Tinkerbell - it makes me feel good (even though I really dislike that little thing! lol). And, Noreen, she was actually done on a one-of-a-king Stab and Stash fabbie. :)

Stitching Bits & Bobs is having a sale and, WOW, do they ever have some beautiful new charts!! Its taking every ounce of will power I have not to BUY like crazy... I may end up ordering anyway. Heh... I'm a serious stash-a-holic. One of my favorite new designs (although I probably wouldn't order this one... LOL...) is this by Dimples Designs:

Before I go, the SBQ....

SBQ: Freebie Organization
This week’s SBQ was suggested by Cindy and is:

Do you have a system for organizing freebie charts in your stash? If so, what is it? Do you print out copies of all of the freebies that you find on the web (that you think you might actually stitch) or do you maintain electronic copies of them until you are ready to stitch them?

**I have a ton saved on my computer, but I also have about 20-30 printed out and stored in plastic sleeves in a binder**

XOXO,

Carolyn

Tinker is a stinker....

First, I wanted to thank everyone for all their positive words & prayers for my Dad. It really means a lot to me. :) Hugs to you all. :)

I finished the last of Tinkerbell last night. I really do *not* like the way this turned out. The chart was horrible and I can honestly say that if I had never stitched before and this kit was my first experience, I would never have finished it or looked into stitching again. Blech....

Well, here she is in all her... ahem.... "glory"

Also, I was RAK'd for the first time. Three lovely ladies (Novi, Joyce & Ee Koon from the Coven) sent me this beautiful DMC chart - it can't be bought in the U.S. so that makes it even MORE special! Thank you ladies!!!

XOXO,

Carolyn

Heh... I'm bummed

I've been trying to think that my Dad's skin cancer isn't all that much to worry about (because, well, I guess lung cancer or lymphoma or other types of cancer just seem so much worse), but I am worried :( I mean, cancer is cancer, right? I'll just feel better once its removed and any testing the docs have to do come back clear.

In other news, Vanessa (magicmonster) from the Mira board and I are going to do a SAL (my first, no less!) of Rainbow Bridge by Sue Hillis. It has the sweetest poem - it warms my heart and makes me all teary-eyed at the same time. If anyone would like to participate, please let me know (I just ordered it, so I'm way behind Vanessa). Here's a picture:

Hmm... come to think of it, I need to get myself a larger piece of fabric for this piece. While at ABCstitch, I also ordered a couple of items off of my wishlist (Mermaids of the Deep & a Calico Crossroads design) along with all the "fixings" to do the Pixies my Mirabilia and some of their sale/clearance stuff.

Also, I'm still plugging away on Tinker Bell and I have to say - I HATE this kit. It was so poorly charted and I just don't like the way its turning out. I'm determined to finish it though - I just need to complete the wings, a tiny bit of backstitching and her wand.

Anyway, I guess thats all for tonight.

XOXO,

Carolyn

My Dad...

Well, I went to my Dad's today. He was so happy with the framed picture I made for him. :)
He also, casually, mentioned that his doctor sent him to a dermatologist.... he had a biopsy of a spot on his back. The results say its melanoma. Thats no good. They are going to cut out a massive chunk of his skin soon. Luckily, they found it early. Heh.... he wasn't overly concerned by it though - and the weird part is - he always wears hats, sun glasses, a t-shirt with a long sleeved button-up shirt over it when he is outside. I guess stuff just happens no matter how careful you try to be.

Rainy Days are here again....

I'm so glad its almost Friday. Its been so busy at work - I'm ready for a break!! Its also been raining all day and is supposed to rain tomorow. I love it - its given us a break from temps there were dangerously close to 100F!

I decided to start a little project a day or two ago just because I was in the mood for it. There isn't much there yet, but I imagine I'll finish her off by the end of the weekend.


I've also accumulated a bit more stash this week....



Tammy from Stab & Stash is working on a beautiful piece of fabbie just for the Firefly Fairies.

There doesn't appear to be a new SBQ yet (or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place...) so I decided to answer the one from a couple of weeks ago:

SBQ: Rip, Rip!
Today’s SBQ is:
Do you use your needle, a seam ripper, or something else when you have to frog stitches? Why do you use the method that you do?

I think my answer is probably like most everyone else's. I use my needle and "unstitch" the area if its only a few stitches. Otherwise, I pull out my sharp, pointy scissors and cut those offending threads out!

XOXO,

Carolyn

Weekend update

Before I show my stitching pictures, I managed to snap a couple of pictures of my babies.

Here's Jagr having fun.

And here he is singing to his Mommy. He always does this after I say "Well, tell me!" Yes, I talk to my babies... I'll say, "want to go outside? want a treat? or want to go to bed?" (he starts wagging his tail) and I say, "well, tell me!" and he starts to sing to me. LOL.

And, I musn't leave out Miss Kita. She is as stubborn as a mule when it comes to picture time, so all I could manage was her with her sexy, sleepy eyes. LOL.

Now, behold my very first framing job! I really couldn't have done it without some seriously good tips from Vanessa (from the Mira board). She made what seemed like the impossible, very possible! :)

And finally - Motherhood update! Hey, look! I can actually make out part of an ear! (sorry about the horrible picture - its really tricky getting this one for some reason)

Before I go, if anyone has any answers/comments to my questions (from yesterday's post) regarding Gift of Stitching and UK stitching mags (for U.S. subscribers), please let me know. :)

Thanks & I hope you all have a wonderful, lazy day!

XOXO,

Carolyn

Oh, what a tease!

Well, I'm very proud of myself! I officially framed my Dad's birthday gift! I stretched it out onto the matboard, got the decorative mat and stuck it all in the frame. It looks good too if I do say so myself! Now here's the teaser... I'll post a picture tomorrow. :) Its dark here and I'd like to get it when the sun is out. :)
I also spent a few hours with my Mom today which was nice since I don't get to see her all that often. Also, instead of Hobby Lobby, I went to Michael's to get my decorative mat - I ended up buying three so I could choose the one I liked best (and at 2.99, it wasn't too bad - even acid free!). I also went to B&N and got the newest (for the states anyway) issues of World of Cross Stitching and The Cross Stitcher. So, 3 out of 4 of my "to-do" list isn't too bad!

I do have a couple of questions for whomever might have an answer:

1. whats this Gift of Stitching I hear so much about? I've gone to the website, but they appear to be dedicated mostly to folksy, sampler type designs. Is there more inside that I just *must* have?

2. Are there any U.S. readers who subscribe to any of the UK stitching mags? If you do, do you get the issue relatively soon after its release? Because when I buy them from the bookstore, I'm lucky to get the issue from the month that we're in - sometimes even from the month before!

I think thats it for the night. Have a wonderful and safe St. Patrick's Day!

XOXO,

Carolyn

Dagnabit!

I was really hoping to be able to get an updated picture of Motherhood up today, but alas - time got away from me. I'd really like to get a bit more stitching done on her this weekend and will likely post a picture on Saturday.

My goals for the weekend are:

Stitch on Motherhood
Take an inventory of all the UK stitching magazines so I don't go buying duplicates off of eBay
Go to Hobby Lobby (for mats) and Barnes & Noble for the latest UK stitchy mags
Frame my Dad's very belated birthday gift (after Hobby Lobby trip - its 30 miles 1 way for me - bah!)
Spend some time with my Mom tomorrow


In the meantime, I might as well answer my *FIRST* SBQ of the week:

If you had $500 to spend on stitching-related items, what would you buy?

Easy! First, I'd get an Ott Floor Lamp (which I'd likely buy from Joann because they are *always* having tons of sales on this things). Then, I'd try to get a decent recliner or some other type of comfy stitching chair. Lastly, with any left-overs - wishlist, here I come!! :)

Well, I'm gonna hit the sack pretty soon. Good night for now!!

XOXO,

Carolyn