Gratitude and Stitching

" At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. " - Albert Schweitzer.

Well friends, I have been in a bit of a slump of late. Seeming to muddle through my days and nights. A general funk, I guess, because when I take an accounting I realize I have done quite a lot in spite of my malaise. I shall blame this all on taxes!

I have neglected to journalize my Gratitude. It's not that I've not spent considerable time thinking on the subject. I have so much to be grateful for. This has been an extremely lucky year for me. Matter-of-fact, I should rush out and buy a lotto ticket.

To date, I have won three giveaways this year. Becky's Be Of Good Cheer tin. Cheryl's Oak Basket. And today, Deb's Springtime Contest. I love my stitchy friends! Your teach me, encourage me, share openly, make me laugh, and occasionally, make me cry. You are my connection to the world from this "Oregon Outback".

In spite of my physical disabilities I am getting healthier. I am better today than I've been in twenty years! I am grateful for the help of my class leaders, support group, on-line group and especially my doctors. This past year has been an amazing journey!

Well... for today, that's enough! Lets get on to my stitching update. I'm kind of stuck on LHN's 'The Library'. The brick work was extremely boring as are the book backs. Only one to go. Whew! I really want ot finish this piece. I keep chanting "this will not become a UFO". So many other projects are calling to me.

Friday Night Sew-in

Friday, as it turns out, was a very very productive day! A little incentive was the Friday Night Sew-in and the drawing this week-end for the participants.

Started early by working on my QOV for a few hours. I'm ready to put on the first border. My back was aching pretty bad and I didn't think it would help to keep working in the sewing room. (sorry, photos looked awful so I will not post them)

In the evening I chose to cross stitch & watch TV. I'm making good time in my LHN SAL "The Library". The center portion, the door, is another quite boring section. Lots of solid spaces. It makes for easy stitching while watching the Olympics.

In todays mail I received a package from Anita's. The 3rd ornament in the LHN Ornament SAL "Snowy Pines" and the design #1 of the SYHO SAL "A Life Lived For Others" by Glendon Place.

We had our taxes DONE today. Words cannot say what I feel. We must pay again. I thought I had really figured our deductions close enough that we should break even. Not even close! I'm about to pull my hair out!!! I hate to end on a downer, sorry.

Stitching Updates!

Finished stitching LHN's "He's A Flake" this past week-end. He was such fun to stitch! I left the pattern with one of the stitching sisters in Portland as she is a snowman lover. Still have to decide how to finish him tho. I used a piece of
16ct aida called Sage and a brighter red, otherwise he is stitched as the pattern suggests. My next LHN ornament is in the mail, hoping to have it in my greedy little hands by week's end.

This is also my second and final piece I committed to stitch for the 2muchxs 2010 Olympics SAL Challenge.

I'm plugging along on LHN's "The Library". This SAL is lovely but I will be so pleased to finish it. All the solid stitched areas have been quite mindless and boring to work on. I'm much farther on with the door now as this photo was taken last night.

Postage Stamp Quilt SAL

I have just run into the most wonderful SAL at Hand Made By Heidi! I've just joined, so check it out. I have posted a button in the right column. Have always wanted to make a Postage Stam Quilt! I am soooo jazzed about this project!!!

Ornaments And Updates...

Finished stitching 'Pear Tree' Thursday night. Just plain lazy at photographing & posting. Really enjoyed this second in the series of ornaments by Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks. Had started it over one on linen. That was a major mistake! So, here it is on a miscellaneous piece of 16ct off-white aida.

Yesterday the mailman brought me the third of Diane's ornaments, 'He's A Flake'. Last night I waded through my fabrics to find an appropriate green. I hadn't really wanted to start purchasing more fabrics when I decided to stitch both the LHN Ornament SAL and the Bride's Tree Ornament SAL. So far the only one that looks good is an aida again. I really don't mind stitching on aida, particularly the higher counts. I am also searching for an appropriate chart to stitch for the second Bride's Tree ornament. February's theme is "Heart, true love, love of family".

A little update on my LHN "The Library". It's been a bit ignored while I've stitched ornaments.

Several quilting magazines have arrived in my mailbox lately. I read them, drooling over the new fabrics that have come out and it makes me itch to start a new project. Like cross stitching, I must resist the new while I try to finish my WIPs and UFOs. I envy those with boundless energy and ability.

Complimentary LHN Chart & Bride's Tree SAL Finish

Yesterday Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks released a complimentary chart to the members of the Little House Yahoo group. I took many liberties with her design but, here's my finished piece. It will become a Christmas ornament. I'm using it as my "House" ornament for the Bride's Tree SAL

Who Knows Where The Time Goes...

Believe me, it's been a very dull week around here! I've been mostly stitching on my LHN "The Library". You know, the one I started stitching over one and really mucked up. Well, I'm stitching it on the same fabric, 32 ct Jobelyn Lambswool, but over two this time and it's soooo much better. Someday I may try over one stitching again, but not too soon.


Had a wee scare with a breast lump, again! All is well, thank God! So I spend a fair amount of time at doctor's offices etc..

It's begun snowing again. Just when I thought Spring was showing her lovely face (yesterday). And, I still had one Honey-do on my list (darn!). ;)

Another Finish!

Lookie, lookie!! I finished a SAL! The main chart of the Traveling Stitcher is completed. There's a small chart included and I'll probably stitch it up to use on a needlebook. I don't have the pattern to make the travel pouch shown in the photo on the chart. I could easily make one up myself but I'm not sure that's how I want to complete this piece. The pouch is cute and all, it's just that I don't think I would ever use it. It would get stuck in a drawer or given away, and since I really like this pattern I want it out where I can see it. Maybe a pillow or frame it! Any ideas?

Oopsie!

Today's mail brought my 2nd ornament, "Pear Tree", in the LHN Monthly Ornament SAL. Then it struck me that I hadn't even posted the first one here. I did remember to post my finish of "Fa-La-La", the first ornament, on the SAL site. Here it is:
I finished stitching my Fa La La yesterday. Well, except, I may pull the googly eyes out & redo them. I hate French knots! No two ever look the same. Hence the googly eyes! Haven't decided on how to finish it yet. Try something new maybe? (Now, don't look too close or you'll see that I miscounted and the right side is taller than the left. Oops! My bad!)

Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pattern

Daffycat has finished Ms. Sisterhood and she's ready to travel again! Check it out! I love this idea! If you want to, you can read about it at Lizzy's blog.