A Non-Stitchy Meme...

You get to answer with one word. (One word was harder than I thought - I always feel a need to explain myself!)

1. Where is your Cellphone?  Kitchen
2. Relationship? Married
3. Your Hair? Blonde
4. Work? Everyday
5. Your sister? Bestest
6. Your favorite thing? JacobandLily (That counts as one word right? LOL)
7. Your dream last night? Good
8. Your favorite drink? Coke
9. Your dream car? F1 
10. The room you’re in? Lounge
11. Your shoes? Jandals (thongs/flip-flops)
12. Your fears? Earthquakes
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Happy
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Kids
15. What are you not good at? Sport
16. Muffin? Chocolate
17. One of your wish list items? This
18. Where you grew up? Kaiapoi (New Zealand)
19. Last thing you did? Read
20. What are you wearing? Jeans
21. What aren’t you wearing? Makeup
22. Your pet? Cat
23. Your computer? Netbook
24. Your life? Crazy
25. Your mood? Blah
26. Missing? Chocolate
27. What are you thinking about right now? Chocolate
28. Your car? Tarago
29. Your kitchen? Blah
30. Your summer? HOT
31. Your favorite color? Blue
32. Last time you laughed? Today
33. Last time you cried? Yesterday
34. School? Montessori
35. Love? Mykids (it's that one word thing again, ok?)

Hear, Hear!

Had to post a link to this blog entry at An Eye for Threads  - in light of what has happened this week to Heather of Stitch in Thyme...

Stop over at Heather's blog, leave her a message.  Let her know that the vast majority of stitchers really are the nicest people in the world!

A Shout-Out for Tangled Threads On-Line Launch.

Hop over and check out Rhona's latest blog post.

She has just launched her business Tangled Threads on-line.  Beautiful charts - check out her gallery and why not give her a shout out on your blog.

Fast Cars and Stitches...

Sat up late last night - or rather early this morning - as is my weekend habit, watching the Singapore Grand Prix.  Two hour race, lots of excitement and importantly, lots of (mostly) uninterrupted stitching time...

Thus, here is my LK ABC:

I realised not long after I started, that I had miscounted the stitches between the basket and the 'n' to the right.  I'd decided to leave it and bluff my way around it but the more time has passed, the more it annoyed me.  Part of yesterday's stitching effort inevitably became a frog session.  The basket is now correctly placed and I am much happier.  Frogging is always a worry when the project is purchased in kit form but this time, I managed to unpick the thread without damage and restitch the basket without thread wastage.  I'm a bit of a stinge when it comes to my threads.  I regularly stitch with an "empty needle" and use my needle threader to catch the tails at the end, so I shouldn't run out but I didn't want to take the risk.

Are you a Thread Stinge?  What about fabric?  I like to keep my scraps, you never know when they might come in handy!

xxx K

Abeeceedee!

Got a little bored with my fishies.  Felt like something different, so out came Lizzie Kate's ABC's for Parents.

I am loving stitching this!  It's so easy but not so easy that it's a no brainer.  I keep forgetting that I'm using the variegated Crescent Colours and end up having to frog a half dozen stitches each time I pick it up.  LOL.

I'm definitely going to be asking for  LK's in my letter to Santa!

The fish will be finished in another week I think, then I'll finish Mum's June sampler and probably do bits here and there on LK - Did I mention how much I'm enjoying stitching it?  LOL.

xxx K

Another Week has Flown...

Alive without breath,

As cold as death; 

Never thirsty, ever drinking,

All in mail never clinking.

For those of you who guessed, yes, they are fish.  My Dad has been a mad keen angler all his life and I just could not resist stitching this piece for him.  The fabric, as you would have seen in my previous posts, is a soft mint green Belfast.  Weird how in the photo, it looks off white or creamy...

The empty spaces on the two top fish will be filled with Kreinik #4 and #8 Braid.  I had to order the braid from 123stitch and lucky for me, I got in a few days before our soaring Aussie dollar dropped dramatically.  I'm guessing the package will arrive by the end of this week, so if I can get the rest of the stitching done before then, I'll be done by the end of next weekend!  A two week stitch - that's a record for me!

Oh, the chart can be found here.  It's a Kreinik freebie. "Freshwater Fish."  The chart calls for braid but you could just as easily substitute plain DMC.  I'm loving the realistic look of the scales that comes from using the braid.  I already had the pearl #4 but there are four others too.

And the quote?  

Gollum's fish riddle from The Hobbit.

Happy weekend stitching everyone.

xxx K

More Hermitting...

Sunday's progress on my IHSW piece...

(Saturday's progress can be found here)

Very happy that this is stitching up so quickly.

I hope you have all had a successful IHSW weekend.  Enjoy the coming week.

xxx K

Hermitting...

Progress photo for Saturday...

Started the day with a floss toss (see previous post). Almost went with a 32ct wedgewood lugana but decided the mint green Belfast suited the piece much better.

Ed to add:  Oooo, have just spotted I have some new followers!  Welcome!  It's lovely to have you here.

xxx K

September IHSW.

Can you believe a month rolled around that fast?

I can't!

If you don't know about IHSW, click on the cute little "Hermie the Crab" button on the side bar, down a little to the right hand side.
You'll find yourself at Joyce's blog where you'll find all the information you'll need.

I've got another new start for this weekend.  Yes, yes, I know.  I'm not supposed to do that but this time it's for my Dad.  You can't hold that against me, surely?

Dad's turning 70 in November.  Seeing as I'm stitching the Sweetheart Tree Sampler for Mother, I figured Father might be somewhat upset (and rightly so) if his darling oldest daughter (That would be me) didn't do something special for him, too.

Ok, here's the floss toss... I wonder if anyone can figure out what might be going on here?

Oh, and I've suddenly realised I didn't update my progress on the LK ABC  earlier in the week, so here's a pic of that one too:

Alright, I'm off.  Time to stitch!

Looking forward to seeing everyone's progress over the weekend.

Happy Stitching :D

x K

I Didn't Mean to!!!

Really, I didn't.  It just sort of happened...

I mean, they're such pretty colours and I could hear them calling my name...

I just had to start the Lizzie Kate ABC's of Parenting!

This is my floss toss from a couple of weeks ago

. . . and this is my start from last night.  

At work on Friday, I finally finished the last advent calendar piece - Happy Dance!!!  Now I can get started on the actual calendar.   (yeah, yeah, I know - the eyes aren't done yet.  Haven't decided whether to bead or french knot.  For the record, I hate FK's... )

And after several months of neglect, I put in some stitches on Mum's June sampler... it's not far off finished.  I should have done some more work on it instead of starting the Lizzie Kate but, well, you know, I didn't mean to start anything new...  

First Happy Dance of Spring!

I finished my scissor case today!

Happy Dance, Happy Dance!

It's all finished except for a button to close the flap.  I'm off to find one tomorrow. After that, it'll be a trip to the post office.  I still can't post photos until after the exchange but please join me in a very happy dance around the room.

Also hauled out the Sweetheart Tree "June Pearl and Roses" Sampler, tonight.  I've got photos but I'll post them in the morning.  I've got to go to bed - Have an early piano lesson in the morning.  Early, as in "sparrow fart", as in 6:45am.  Yes, there are people out there mad enough to want a piano lesson that early in the morning... and yes.  I am mad enough to agree to teach said piano lesson...

This is what we call "burning the candle at both ends."

Enough said.

Good night.  Sweet dreams.

Photos tomorrow.

xxx

K

All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...

...and that has to include birthday presents one gives oneself!

*insert happy dance of the birthday kind*

Ok, my birthday was back at the end of July but I figured the most sensible thing to do with the money in my account was to pay things like power/gas bills, rent, kid's school fees - you know, all those grown up things.  Blah.

I sat here and watched the exchange rate rocket to an amazing high and debated over the contents of my 123 shopping cart.  I filled it, chucked it all out again... "Do I?  Don't I?  Should I?"  Well, once I'd been the grown up of the household and paid the bills, the answer appeared to be "Why the heck shouldn't I???"

So, without further ado; Grab your drool cloth, settle back.  Here are the good things that came to me after an extra month of waiting:

 
Bits and pieces; beads, new needle threaders, a pair of scissors for hardanger, Caron Watercolours - burnt toast and flame - for L&L Autumn Angel and tape to attach my fabric to my scroll rods...


Kreinik #4 braids that I forgot to add to the last picture, lol. Silver HL and Citron.













A selection of fabric for various projects - the top one on the left is an opalescent lugana, 32ct, I plan on teaming with the Ruby Wine on the right, also a 32ct lugana, for a Christmas project... There's an antique white 28ct lugana which I was planning on using for the advent calendar but now it's here, I'm not so sure. A 25ct jobelan that will be for Train of Dreams at New Year and a piece of black belfast ready for my conversion of Celtic Christmas.

Charts... Oh how I love new patterns. I've been waiting on these for what seems forever! *big cheesy grin* Celtic Christmas, Winter and Spring and Passione Ricamo, Once Upon a Time. At the last minute I decided I wanted Lizzie Kate's kit for "ABC's of Parenting." I've just recently discovered a love for Lizzie Kate. I'm going to buy myself the Christmas ABC as a Chrissy Pressie in December - shh, don't tell Guy! LOL.

Finally... I had a bit of a play around with fabric for the ABC - I found this on my last trip to the (not so local) LNS - you know, the one that tends to bring on a bad attack of basketitis... it's apparently a stamped fabric. 28ct Cashel. I like it a lot. It'll be my first "fancy fabric". Here's my floss toss - I LOVE the Crescent Colours combination. The fabric is nice and light. I don't think anything will be lost on it...     Opinions?

I almost spent some money in the Polstitches sale this weekend. I have to admit I chickened out a the last minute. I really wanted to buy some fabric but I know I've got so much lined up already and I couldn't make a decision... *sigh*

Well, night night everyone. I've just finished watching the F1 race at Spa - Woo Hoo! Another Red Bull 1-2, just a shame it wasn't MW at the top of the podium. I've got to get some sleep though - the MotoGP is on in another three hours or so and it's already after midnight.

See you in the morning :)

Happy Stitching

xxx

K

Belated IHSW Update

Whoops, forgot to post the weekend's photos!

Spent several hours on the mystery scissor fob and case exchange piece.  Almost done and only another couple of weeks until I can show and tell!  Yay!!!

Also managed to get more done on the advent pieces - only one to go and I made a start on that at work today - woo hoo!  I feel like I'm getting somewhere.

Here they are, two more pieces:  Even got the backstitching done...  Loving the fact I get a mini happy dance after each one.

I'm thinking tonight (once the kids are in bed) I'll indulge myself - Fast Five was released on DVD today, so cross stitch and fast cars.  What more could a girl ask for on a Wednesday night.  LOL.  I might even get the scissor case finished...

Happy Stitching Everyone.  I'm off to explore all the blogs of this months IHSW participants...

Ooo - and a big "Hi and Welcome" to my new followers!  I've just realised we're up to 42!  Wow!  Thank you all so much for following along with my stitching journey.  If you have blogs of your own and I'm not one of your followers, please post a link and I'll hop on over for a visit.

See you in the Blogosphere!

xxx K

Found it!

My mojo, I mean!

I've been stitching every night on the scissor case - it must be finished and ready to post in less than a month.  Can't show a photo of that yet, although I really, really want to!

BUT I can show you  photo of what I've managed to achieve in between students on days I'm at school...  I'm pretty happy with these little pieces. Backstitched in the last couple of days.  This was yesterday...










Now today...




...and with only three to go of the 25...

By the way... it's IHSW again - yes, already! So get yourself over to Random Ramblings and sign up.

Happy stitching everyone.

x K

Anyone for a Stitch-Along?

If you're keen, then you need to pop over to the new yuku board run by Mel.

There's a SAL to suit everyone...

I'm going to join in the Mira/Nora sal in the middle of the month 'cause I've got to get the L finished for Lily - her birthday was back in May after all. *hanging head in shame* I'm such a bad Mama.

...and the HAED sal at the end of the month.

I really do need to get at least page one of Queenie finished! At the rate I'm going it'll be Guy's 75th birthday present! ... LOL, at least that gives me 30 years to finish I suppose!

So, run on over to Love 4 Stitching and find a SAL to suit you!

See you there!

xxx K

Got a Little Stitchy!

Picked up my needle and put in a few stitches - Yay!

One cute wee angel, just needs a little backstitch...

Lost.. If found, Please Return...

...to Kirstin.

One stitchy mojo.

*sigh*

I've put it down somewhere and I just can't remember where I left it...

A bit like my car keys or my wallet or, occasionally, the Lilybug's glasses - she's a monkey for taking them off and then forgetting where she put 'em.

So, if anyone knows where I've left my mojo, please let me know...

I think it was the frog infestation a couple of weeks back.  I hate frogging.  I almost never do it.

I'd really like to start something new but if I do that, I know I'll never finish my other WIP's.

So, I'll just keep looking.  That mojo's got to be around here somewhere... maybe under the cushions on the couch with a couple of stray needles...

Another Giveaway and a Half Dozen Stitches...

Head over to Nicola's "Stitch Works" blog, this time and see the lovely bits and pieces she's got for her giveaway!


Oh yeah - the half dozen stitches?  Actually, it's nearer a whole dozen and that was about it!  LOL.  Started one of the last pieces for my advent calendar.  I'll show you a photo when I get five spare minutes tomorrow - I might even get to put in another few stitches!

Work is crazy busy but hey, it's paying the bills - gotta be happy with that.

Not a Stitch in Sight... but the Smell of Fuel is in the Air!

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!

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:

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!).