I don't believe it, I haven't put a single stitch in this week! Where on earth did the last week go???
Meh, Truth be told, I went back to work this week and the kids are back at school after two weeks off for the July/Winter school holidays... I get heaps of stitching done in the holidays and have plenty of time for blog updates but once we get back into it, time doesn't just fly, it hurtles by! Such is the life of a full time Mama/Teacher.
Tonight, I'll put in a few stitches whilst indulging in my other passion - motor racing! Yes, yes, strange I know but I love fast cars and racing bikes... This weekend is a big one too - The Formula 1 is on late tonight and the MotoGP is on early tomorrow morning. There's an Aussie; Mark Webber for Red Bull Racing, on Pole for the F1 and another Aussie; Casey Stoner, for Repsol Honda, is fighting to defend his lead in the world championship in the MotoGP. All this and the end of the Tour de France (no motors involved there of course) tonight too - An Aussie proudly wearing the yellow jumper into Paris carrying the pride of an entire nation with him.
We were up late last night watching the qualifiers for the F1, up early this morning for the GP quali's... Love it!
Before I go any further, I'll make it clear I am not an Australian. I live here - have done for over a third of my life now, I have Aussie blood in my veins and a genuine transported convict in the family tree but I am not an Australian. It is important to make the distinction that I am a New Zealander. Born and bread, a proud Kiwi, a One-Eyed-Cantabrian. My heart and soul are in Christchurch with my family but for what it's worth, I've fallen in love with this country and that also spills over to its' sports, as long as there are no Kiwi's involved! LOL...
So tonight, while I'm yelling my head off for the Aussies, I'll try to rev up the stitching mojo! I've just signed up for the about.com Christmas exchange, so I've got to get the scissor case finished for the current exchange!
Right, I'm off, I've got to head out for rehearsal in a bit, we've got a gig Wednesday night - got to be on time so I get home in time for the racing!
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Friday, 22 July 2011
A Summer Giveaway!
Hop on over to Measi's blog "Measi's Musings: Ramblings of a Geeky Witch" and check out her summer giveaway - she's got some lovely bits there and her blog is a great read :)
Here's what she has to say about the giveaway:
Here's what she has to say about the giveaway:
So… I’m excited to open entries for my Summer Fun Giveaway! The winner will receive:
- Summer at the Shore by Country Cottage Needleworks
- Cape Cod Summer by Pickle Barrel Designs
- Six skeins of Gentle Arts hand-dyed threads in colors themed to summer (including Thundercloud, labeled as a limited edition color).
All of these items are brand new – bought just two weeks ago. They’ll be coming from a smoke-free, but not pet-free home (I have cats… keeping these items in a protective bag, but you never know!).
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
HAED "30% Off" Sale, Ends at Midnight!
*Looking furtively over my shoulder*
Don't tell anyone but I just bought myself an early birthday present.
Train of Dreams by Randal Spangler for Heaven and Earth Designs. It's WAY smaller than Queenie - Like 307 000 stitches less... only 10 000 odd stitches instead of 317 500. I think I'll be able to knock it off over the course of next year.
Jacob wants me to stitch this one for him so it's on my 12 in 2012 list... which reminds me, I must update my 11 in 11 list...
The 11 in 11 have expanded somewhat, so the list is now more like 15 in 2011 but I'm doing ok with actually getting some finishes under my belt. I had intended this year to be the "year of the finished UFO's/WIP's" and to a point, I'm achieving that goal. I wasn't supposed to start anything new (except Queenie) but then I hadn't planned on joining three exchanges, finding the perfect sampler for Mum or discovering a new friend and being invited to her three year old's birthday party!
LOL, now come on, don't tell me you don't know exactly what I'm talking about!
I have come to the conclusion though, that at heart, I really am a OAAT girl. The idea of a rotation works perfectly in my head but in reality, I only manage to work on one at a time. I had to get the cube finished before I could get anything else going and now I'm on the fob and scissor case, I have no desire to pick up anything else. (I desperately want to post photos of the above, because I'm very proud of my efforts so far but as some of you, dear readers, are also involved in said exchange, I don't want to give the game away!)
Anyways... if any of you are hankering after a particular HAED, I suggest you pop off and take advantage of the 30% off - it ends at midnight tonight (July 18) - go on, do it! I know you want to!
Just don't tell anyone I told you!
LOL!
xxx
K
Don't tell anyone but I just bought myself an early birthday present.
Train of Dreams by Randal Spangler for Heaven and Earth Designs. It's WAY smaller than Queenie - Like 307 000 stitches less... only 10 000 odd stitches instead of 317 500. I think I'll be able to knock it off over the course of next year.
Jacob wants me to stitch this one for him so it's on my 12 in 2012 list... which reminds me, I must update my 11 in 11 list...
The 11 in 11 have expanded somewhat, so the list is now more like 15 in 2011 but I'm doing ok with actually getting some finishes under my belt. I had intended this year to be the "year of the finished UFO's/WIP's" and to a point, I'm achieving that goal. I wasn't supposed to start anything new (except Queenie) but then I hadn't planned on joining three exchanges, finding the perfect sampler for Mum or discovering a new friend and being invited to her three year old's birthday party!
LOL, now come on, don't tell me you don't know exactly what I'm talking about!
I have come to the conclusion though, that at heart, I really am a OAAT girl. The idea of a rotation works perfectly in my head but in reality, I only manage to work on one at a time. I had to get the cube finished before I could get anything else going and now I'm on the fob and scissor case, I have no desire to pick up anything else. (I desperately want to post photos of the above, because I'm very proud of my efforts so far but as some of you, dear readers, are also involved in said exchange, I don't want to give the game away!)
Anyways... if any of you are hankering after a particular HAED, I suggest you pop off and take advantage of the 30% off - it ends at midnight tonight (July 18) - go on, do it! I know you want to!
Just don't tell anyone I told you!
LOL!
xxx
K
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
IHSW
Enough with these acronyms already!
LOL...
The SWAT week at about.com is halfway through and I feel like I've achieved some significant results... a finish for the cube, two figures done for my advent calendar and a goodly amount on my scissor fob for the upcoming exchange, also at the about.com forum. Sorry, no fob photo, it's a secret exchange.
I've just returned home from my morning wanderings around the stitchy blogosphere and this morning I happened to stumble upon a post titled: "IHSW"... acronyms intrigue me, so of course I had to stop to read!
So... hop on over to Random Ramblings and sign up for the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend
"IHSW takes place every 3rd weekend of each month, for us to squirrel some time away for ourselves and "Hermit and Stitch." You can stitch as much or as little as your time permits, on anything you like, and on Monday of the following week, we post a progress picture and check out each others' blogs"
As this is coincides with the end of the SWAT, I've signed up to give myself that extra bit of motivation - more stitchers to meet and of course more beautiful pieces of stitching to drool over...
Go on, if you've got a blog, sign up, there's lots of fun to be had.
Happy Stitchin', my fellow addicts!
xxx
K
LOL...
The SWAT week at about.com is halfway through and I feel like I've achieved some significant results... a finish for the cube, two figures done for my advent calendar and a goodly amount on my scissor fob for the upcoming exchange, also at the about.com forum. Sorry, no fob photo, it's a secret exchange.
I've just returned home from my morning wanderings around the stitchy blogosphere and this morning I happened to stumble upon a post titled: "IHSW"... acronyms intrigue me, so of course I had to stop to read!
So... hop on over to Random Ramblings and sign up for the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend
"IHSW takes place every 3rd weekend of each month, for us to squirrel some time away for ourselves and "Hermit and Stitch." You can stitch as much or as little as your time permits, on anything you like, and on Monday of the following week, we post a progress picture and check out each others' blogs"
As this is coincides with the end of the SWAT, I've signed up to give myself that extra bit of motivation - more stitchers to meet and of course more beautiful pieces of stitching to drool over...
Go on, if you've got a blog, sign up, there's lots of fun to be had.
Happy Stitchin', my fellow addicts!
xxx
K
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
A Mid-Winter Happy Dance!
The cube is FINISHED!!!
Finally. It only ended up taking five and a half months in total. Actual stitching hours: approx 65.
It's got a rattle on the inside which I thought was rather clever. It's one of those little cat toys - a rolling, rattly ball... I'd quite like to keep it for myself, LOL!
So, the nitty, gritty details:
Stitched on 16ct white aida. DMC floss. Chart from "The World of Cross Stitching" magazine, issue 168.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
It's SWAT Time...
SWAT? What's a SWAT? I hear you ask.
Every few months, the crew over at the about.com cross stitch forum have an intensive, week long, stitch-a-thon, therefore, we have dubbed it a "Stitch-Week-A-Thon." The aim of the SWAT is to stitch as much as you can every day for a whole week. You might only have time for a half-dozen stitches but as we all know, every stitch counts! The Saturday at either end of the SWAT week is included as a whole day SAT (stitch-a-thon). If you are super keen or have plenty of time up your sleeve, you can SAT on both Saturdays.
It's lots of fun, we often have lurkers who come out of the woodwork to join us for the week. There are always plenty of photo updates posted - drool cloths are essential.
So, on behalf of all the stitchers at about.com, please come join us - we'd love to have you! Everyone is super friendly. We love to chat - and not just about cross stitch. There are plenty of experienced stitchers always ready to help out or give advice and just as many not so experience stitchers. Everyone is welcome, no piece of stitching to big or too small and no question is ever "too silly."
Oh, and while your there, check out our Forum Guide, Connie's, page. There are plenty of freebie charts, photos, advice and blog entries for the addicts we all are!
I'm planning on finishing Zach's cube in the first part of the week.
Here's my starting point:
So do drop by, come and say "Hi", we'd love to see you!
xxx K
Every few months, the crew over at the about.com cross stitch forum have an intensive, week long, stitch-a-thon, therefore, we have dubbed it a "Stitch-Week-A-Thon." The aim of the SWAT is to stitch as much as you can every day for a whole week. You might only have time for a half-dozen stitches but as we all know, every stitch counts! The Saturday at either end of the SWAT week is included as a whole day SAT (stitch-a-thon). If you are super keen or have plenty of time up your sleeve, you can SAT on both Saturdays.
It's lots of fun, we often have lurkers who come out of the woodwork to join us for the week. There are always plenty of photo updates posted - drool cloths are essential.
So, on behalf of all the stitchers at about.com, please come join us - we'd love to have you! Everyone is super friendly. We love to chat - and not just about cross stitch. There are plenty of experienced stitchers always ready to help out or give advice and just as many not so experience stitchers. Everyone is welcome, no piece of stitching to big or too small and no question is ever "too silly."
Oh, and while your there, check out our Forum Guide, Connie's, page. There are plenty of freebie charts, photos, advice and blog entries for the addicts we all are!
I'm planning on finishing Zach's cube in the first part of the week.
Here's my starting point:So do drop by, come and say "Hi", we'd love to see you!
xxx K
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Latest Aquisitions...(or the ones I'll own up to at least...)
LOL...
I posted a while back that Guy went through my 123stitch wishlist and chose some bits and pieces for my Mother's Day present. The package duly arrived and I was rather impressed with his choices although because he picked at random, I have to admit I haven't got the foggiest clue just which charts the threads and beads belong to. I can narrow it down to the threads most likely being Nora Corbett designs as they are all Crescent Colours but the beads... well, who knows! They sure look pretty in my boxes though. *grin*
I also managed to get my hands on a copy of the limited edition "Ultimate Joan Elliot Collection." I didn't think I'd manage to get a copy - we don't often get the special edition stuff here in Australia and if we do, it costs a bomb! Anyway, I found a reasonably priced copy on e-bay and bought it, yay. I've since heard on the grapevine of a fellow stitcher in Oz who has picked one up in her local newsagent but all I know is, I haven't seen it in mine and I'm happy I bought the copy I've got, when I did.
Hmmm what else should I confess... ok...whilst "wandering around" on e-bay, I found a seller who was auctioning off a "deceased estate" including a pile of Mirabilia charts. She had them on "best
offer" so I got cheeky and offered $3.50 each for four Mira's and two Lavender and Lace...she accepted. Postage was minimal so I aquired six brand new, unopened charts (albeit with a faint miasma of cigarette smoke) for $25USD. Many of you will have heard me rattle on about the excellent exchange rate currently from USD to AUD, so this cost me $21.56AUD... Keep in mind that just one Mira chart alone cost around $22 here in Oz... SCORE!!!
A few weeks ago I was blessed very unexpectedly, with a $50 pre-paid mastercard. I've been working voluntarily with the bands at one of the primary (elementary) schools that a large number of my music students attend. The band master and committee decided I deserved some recognition and gave me a thank you card that made me cry, lol, and the pre-paid card. I, of course, hopped straight onto my 123 wish list and started working out how I could get the most for my money...
I ended up with:
Here Comes Treble and First Bass, from Ink Circles and all the Crescent Colours for them too.
Lavender Luminescence from the Sweetheart Tree plus the one colour of Mill Hill beads and Weeks Dye Works floss I didn't have.
Believe from Stoney Creek...
I felt very spoilt :)
Lastly, I "accidently" ended up at the (not so local) LNS again just last week... they had that pesky bowl on the counter again - you know, the one with all the "I need to be bought by YOU" floss in it - I came home with another pile of Gloriana silks for a dollar each, Caron Soie Cristales for two dollars each, Crescent Silks for two dollars and finally four Crescent overdyes for fifty cents each... oh yeah, and one Gloriana Silk Ribbon for a dollar that will go perfectly on another piece I have stashed away...
Oops!
Oh man... I'm in trouble aren't I...
I posted a while back that Guy went through my 123stitch wishlist and chose some bits and pieces for my Mother's Day present. The package duly arrived and I was rather impressed with his choices although because he picked at random, I have to admit I haven't got the foggiest clue just which charts the threads and beads belong to. I can narrow it down to the threads most likely being Nora Corbett designs as they are all Crescent Colours but the beads... well, who knows! They sure look pretty in my boxes though. *grin* 
I also managed to get my hands on a copy of the limited edition "Ultimate Joan Elliot Collection." I didn't think I'd manage to get a copy - we don't often get the special edition stuff here in Australia and if we do, it costs a bomb! Anyway, I found a reasonably priced copy on e-bay and bought it, yay. I've since heard on the grapevine of a fellow stitcher in Oz who has picked one up in her local newsagent but all I know is, I haven't seen it in mine and I'm happy I bought the copy I've got, when I did. 
Hmmm what else should I confess... ok...whilst "wandering around" on e-bay, I found a seller who was auctioning off a "deceased estate" including a pile of Mirabilia charts. She had them on "best
offer" so I got cheeky and offered $3.50 each for four Mira's and two Lavender and Lace...she accepted. Postage was minimal so I aquired six brand new, unopened charts (albeit with a faint miasma of cigarette smoke) for $25USD. Many of you will have heard me rattle on about the excellent exchange rate currently from USD to AUD, so this cost me $21.56AUD... Keep in mind that just one Mira chart alone cost around $22 here in Oz... SCORE!!!
A few weeks ago I was blessed very unexpectedly, with a $50 pre-paid mastercard. I've been working voluntarily with the bands at one of the primary (elementary) schools that a large number of my music students attend. The band master and committee decided I deserved some recognition and gave me a thank you card that made me cry, lol, and the pre-paid card. I, of course, hopped straight onto my 123 wish list and started working out how I could get the most for my money...
I ended up with:
Here Comes Treble and First Bass, from Ink Circles and all the Crescent Colours for them too.
Lavender Luminescence from the Sweetheart Tree plus the one colour of Mill Hill beads and Weeks Dye Works floss I didn't have.
Believe from Stoney Creek...
I felt very spoilt :)
Lastly, I "accidently" ended up at the (not so local) LNS again just last week... they had that pesky bowl on the counter again - you know, the one with all the "I need to be bought by YOU" floss in it - I came home with another pile of Gloriana silks for a dollar each, Caron Soie Cristales for two dollars each, Crescent Silks for two dollars and finally four Crescent overdyes for fifty cents each... oh yeah, and one Gloriana Silk Ribbon for a dollar that will go perfectly on another piece I have stashed away...
Oops!
Oh man... I'm in trouble aren't I...
Monday, 4 July 2011
Nearly done...
Wow, you know how it is... you pick up a "small project" and think for sure it'll be done in a month at the most... well, somehow, this one has turned into a six month plus marathon. LOL!
All that's left now is the backstitch on the parrot, then assembly. I figure if I post, then I'll stay accountable and actually finish the thing before the end of the month!
When finished, this will be a toy cube for a cute little man who's going on eight months old.
I'm planning on whip stitching the sides together as you do with a biscornu... sounds simple! If I can manage a "15" surely I can make a cube...
Wish me luck! I'll finish the backstitch tonight I hope.
HAPPY 4th of JULY wishes from Australia to those of you in the USA! Safe travels if you're out and about :)
xxx K
All that's left now is the backstitch on the parrot, then assembly. I figure if I post, then I'll stay accountable and actually finish the thing before the end of the month!When finished, this will be a toy cube for a cute little man who's going on eight months old.
I'm planning on whip stitching the sides together as you do with a biscornu... sounds simple! If I can manage a "15" surely I can make a cube...
Wish me luck! I'll finish the backstitch tonight I hope.
HAPPY 4th of JULY wishes from Australia to those of you in the USA! Safe travels if you're out and about :)
xxx K
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Ten Valid Reasons for Adding to your Stash...
(I can claim no credit for the cleverness of this list. It was posted on the about.com cross stitch forum this morning and made me laugh. Thanks Maureen for sharing this with your fellow addicts!)
1.It insulates the cupboard where it is kept.
2. It keeps the economy moving. It is my duty to support cross stitch shops.
3. It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
4. I'm participating in a contest - the one who dies with the most cross stitch wins.
5. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, you never have to feed it, change it, wipe it's nose or walk it.
6. Because I'm worth it.
7. Like dust, it's good for protecting previously unprotected spaces in the house; like the dining room table.
8. It not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms the nerves, soothes the soul and makes me feel good.
9. Because it is on sale... Because that is such a beautiful design...I've never seen it before...I must have it.
10. Buy it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions.
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