Cabin Camping & Cross Stitch

     We had a great time “camping” with our camping buddies this weekend.

  We had two cabins for our families and they consisted of a kitchen with sink, 2 burners and a fridge, a bathroom, and a bedroom that had bunk beds and a double bed.  The only sitting area was the kitchen table with four chairs, but we also brought some.  The cabins were actually warmer than our own home, we weren’t used to it!  The 2nd night we ended up turning off the heat in the bedroom and cracking the window, much better. 

It drizzled on Saturday, but we went out on a pizza run for lunch and then back to the cabins for evening fun.  Sunday was beautiful and sunny, so the kids were able to hit the playground before we left.  Nathan wanted Paul to go on the see-saw with him so he could catch some air! 

I think it was a hit and we’ll be back again when it’s cold – otherwise, we’ll wait for the warmer weather and our tent. 

  

I was able to stitch in the cabin, even brought a little lamp for extra light.  I can’t really show it since I’m trying to finish it for the Valentine’s swap, it needs to be posted by tomorrow - yikes!  Then I still need to start my cat… among other things.  Garrett is still asking me about his Harry Potter bookmark, I'm starting to feel bad about not doing it yet!

New Moon TUSAL for February!

I couldn’t resist this one for February!

Not as much as I would like in there, so until next time…

Although I did finally finish a gift for my BFF, but can’t post it until it’s framed and given to her.

2011 New Moon Dates:  January 4th, February 3rd, March 4th, April 3rd, May 3rd, June 1st, July 1st, July 30th, August 29th, September 27th, October 26, November 25th, December 24th



No Time to Stitch... : (

Today was another crazy, busy day, and it was too late to stitch!  The day started off by taking Nathan to preschool and then heading over to Angie’s house so she could help me be creative for my Valentine’s swap.  Stayed until I had to pick Nathan up at 1pm and then headed back home.  Snuggled with Nathan (dozed just a little bit) and then it was time to pick up Garrett & Griffin for their orthodontist appointments.  Dropped them off there, then took Nathan to his karate class.  Stopped at the local mini market after his class to pick up currants & honey for the boys to use for a project for school.  Picked the boys up at the dentist and finally headed home!  Luckily, leftover night for dinner and Garrett even made Nathan his noodles. 

After dinner, we started making Ukrainian Christmas Honey Cookies for Garrett’s project.  Looked easy, but I tried to let him do most of it so he still needed help.  Didn’t check with him on one part and said it was okay to add the extra egg… wrong!  Ending up having to add more flour than I wanted, and it was still too goopy.  But we rolled, cut, brushed & sprinkled and here’s our end result.  Not too bad, kind of tasted like a gingerbread cookie, but I could taste the honey.  He had plenty for school and even some extra for us.

Next week, I'll be helping Griffin make Welsh Cakes, but that will be a breeze.  Being Welsh and having made them before gives us the advantage!

So after finishing up baking and cleaning up all that mess, I realized it was too late to start my new SAL for Margaret Sherry Lovers.  Tomorrow should be better for stitching, I need to get started!

Something for Sammy

A friend of mine since elementary school, lost his youngest daughter, Alexis, to cancer last March; she was only eight.  She loved Funshine Bear and the colour purple.  Her older sister is Sammy and she’s the one I’m trying to make something for. 

 Laps for Lexi was an event, in honour of Lexi, to raise money for childhood cancer.  The boys and I and some "old' friends from school went and it was very special.

     

Here’s my dilemma, I want to make something for Sammy and I’m not sure which one to do.  I like the first one, but would change it to the yellow Funshine Bear that’s shown in the other two pictures.  I also like the 3rd one, in the clouds.  I have one friend tell me I shouldn’t put Lexi’s name on it, and other one tell me I should – thoughts?  I’m not sure if I’m framing it or making it a hanging pillow/ornament, but I could put something on the back of it.

Let it Snow!

Well, we ended up with about 10 inches of snow yesterday/last night in my neck of the woods in Maryland, but nothing compared to last year!  I’ve heard we could be getting more next week – a “significant” winter storm.  Bring it on!

Our poor weeping cherry tree is really weeping.  I’m hoping we don’t lose it, but I’m not so sure.  We lost our first one during an ice storm about 12 years ago when we first moved into our house.

View of the front yard this morning, with the sun shining through the trees.  I love the snow, it makes the dead of winter sparkle.

Unfortunately, our neighbors’ pine trees lost quite a few limbs and one of them took out our basketball light.  But between the snow and the cold, we won’t need it until the spring.

I thought I should throw in a cross stitch related piece and this is the closest thing I have.  As much as I love snowmen and have a small collection of them, I haven’t stitched any yet.  I do have a pattern that’s on my “wishful thinking” list and I'm sure I can find more!

Two Treasures from Tuesday

treas·ure (trzhr)

n.   One considered especially precious or valuable.

That about sums up my Tuesday!  I got to finally meet a fellow cross stitcher, we’ve been emailing each other and finally got together.  We met at The Stitching Post, where I got to learn about Crescent Colors and different fabrics.  There were so many things I wanted to buy, but contained myself since I already have so much I should finish first.  Both of us would like to learn hardanger, so that should be fun if we get to do it together somehow.  From there we went to have some lunch and before we knew it, it was time to go!  I can’t believe I had a camera with me and totally forgot to snap a picture of us together.  Well, she’s definitely a keeper and I look forward to getting together again, hopefully in the near future.  Hugs to you, DJ!!!

We got lucky yesterday, it didn’t snow like it was predicted, but waited until overnight.  Here’s our local forecast for the rest of today -

Rest of This Afternoon - Snow with possible sleet and thunderstorms. Snow may be heavy at times. Snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Highs in the lower 30s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Tonight - Snow...mainly in the evening. Snow may be heavy at times in the evening. Total snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.

Of course this is nothing to what we got last year, I’m hoping this one will make up for the teasers we’ve gotten so far!

My other treasure was my husband fixing my laptop.  The cord hasn’t been working properly and I’ve had to pull at it to get it to charge.  But I’m sure it wasn’t really my fault!  It finally died and didn’t even have enough juice to even attempt to get it to work.  He came home after working late and being at Scout’s with the boys, after 9pm or so; sort of got something to eat and then took the cord away to do “surgery”.  Figured out the inside had also been messing up from the cord being twisted – or something like that – I’m sure it still wasn’t my fault! ; )   So after taking it apart, misplacing screws, trying to reattach it, spilling his drink (luckily on the carpet), and using colourful words just a little bit, he got it working again!  So here I am, back online and being very careful with the cord until I get a new one.  Thanks, Honey!

Something to remember, “Strangers are just friends waiting to happen”  ~Rod McKuen

Gingerbread Creations

I found this one while going through my box of old cross stitch magazines.  I started it for my friend, Purshina, my gingerbread house partner.  I must have gotten sidetracked along the way and then forgot about it.  Thankfully, December is a long way away so I’m hoping to finish it THIS year so I can give it to her as a surprise!

We used to make gingerbread houses together, but it’s been a long time since we’ve done it.  Of course, that was before I had the boys and my carefree days were still carefree!  Now there are new gingerbread houses to be made, with three eager boys to help create new memories.

And here is Nathan’s masterpiece he made in preschool.

      Before – decorated  /  After – all the good bits eaten!

Wishful Thinking?

These are just some of the pieces I would like to complete this year.  I think I should start with the Twins Announcement - I mean, the boys will only be 13 in April!  Not that this will be going in their room, especially since they have their own now.  But maybe they’ll want their own announcement… then again, maybe not!

Griffin/Garrett

 Here they are at about eight months old,

  and just this fall, at twelve years old.
Garrett/Griffin

 Of course, I still need to finish a few things I’m working on now and a little something I’m thinking about making for my Valentine’s Swap.  Or, I might do something else besides cross stitch for the swap – can’t say what it might be though… you never know who’s  !

Wedding Sampler

I made this for my brother and sister-in-law when they got married, oh so long ago.  They were married in New Orleans and what a great time we had!  They lived in Metairie until Katrina hit, then they moved to Baton Rouge.  We don’t get to visit them as often as we’d like, but we try!

I also started a wedding sampler for a friend of mine, about 17 years ago… but haven’t finished it yet!  I think all I have to do is some backstitching and sewing in their names, but that would mean I'd have to find it in my stash somewhere.  I just tell her I want to make sure their marriage is going to last!    Sorry if you’re reading this Kim, but you are on my list of projects to finish.

And who knows, maybe I’ll even start one for myself this year… I’ll have to put it on my to do list. 

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Happy Birthday to my Mom, the only woman I know who would run up to Dudley Moore yelling, "Cuddly Dudley, cuddly Dudley! Paul, take a picture!" She also cornered Alan Alda in the men's bathroom in her office building and embarrassed me by pulling Dr. Ruth out of dinner so I could meet her!

Way to go, Mom! Happy, happy 72nd Birthday!  Here she is with her “baby” Tennessee.  And hey, I knitted the scarf she’s wearing!

New Moon TUSAL for January!

Oops, not that kind of New Moon!

          New moon Jan 4th, 0% lit – new again Feb 3rd

This Totally Useless Stitch ALong is being hosted by Daffycat and I’m going to do my best to keep filling mine up!

Couldn’t resist putting it in my dragon glass on my dragon shelf – I hope it’s not too hard to see.

2011 New Moon Dates:  January 4th, February 3rd, March 4th, April 3rd, May 3rd, June 1st, July 1st, July 30th, August 29th, September 27th, October 26, November 25th, December 24th

Angie's ornaments... so far

I have so many ornaments I could make for this girl!  Always good intentions and every year I think it’s going to be different, but I never seen to have enough time.  Or rather, I just can’t seem to manage my time very well!  Maybe next year will be different – if I start now, maybe I’ll be ready!

Christmas Siamese

Siamese kitty!!!

Another one found on my parents wall. Totally forgot about this one, but saw it while sleeping in Dad’s study over the weekend.  My parents celebrated their Golden Anniversary – quite an accomplishment!