Photographs

The best thing about being sick but not too-sick-to-stitch is that you get a lot of stitching done. Evidence below.

Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin Designs Needlebook (freebie). This is one of the projects from Camp. I left Tulsa with the middle horizontal line and "Sew" stitched. I stitched the rest yesterday. Instead of doing the alphabet in the empty rectangles, they had stitched "Camp Wannasew Spring 2005." I need to rechart it because I was unhappy with the way it looked. 

Shepherd's Bush. "Wisemen came." Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue, 2004. Just need one floss color to complete. I've been granted the authority to rechart wise men. Praise be. 

Heart's Content. Williamsburg Doorway, Annual Ornament 1998. Over one. 

Sickie

I haven't been feeling well these past few days. Just well enough to stitch but not much more. I finished the Williamsburg doorway; pictures soon. I started my Just Cross Stitch Ornaments round robin. In a fit of irony, I was sent a choice of stitching a dragon or "Wisemen came." I'm stitching the latter, but I am asking permission to correct the typo. Since I've been living with the pattern, I read, perhaps for the first time, the little story one of the Sheperds Bush sisters included with her pattern. It was about how she handed in a paper replete with spelling errors and that her professor gave her an extension to clean it up. As a former professor, let me tell you how rare that is. Usually you let the students take their lumps. At any rate, she chose to handmake her family's gifts and not fix her paper. She ended up with a B instead of an A. This has me thinking is "Wisemen" supposed to be ironic? Does it tie in with her typo story? Or is there an even grander irony that she tells the story about her English class and she can't write wise men properly? You be the judge: joke or mistake.

Since I've been too ill to do my normal routine (gym, shower, take the computer to Wegman's), I finished nearly all of the ornament yesterday--just need to make a trip out eventually for one skein of floss. I've gone back to working on the needlebook from Camp Wannasew. Pictures when I'm back to the normal routine and on my own computer.

Down to the confetti

I've finished the door in Williamsburg Doorway, including the backstitching. I'm down to the leaves in the wreath. Then I'll have just a bit of backstitching and I'll have finished. Now I can shut up about not stitching my rotation.

I have no desire to pick up the knitting. I really have to find some. I know I am not going to want to do this in 80 degree heat with that blessed east coast humidity. I've got to get this done!

And Another Thing...

I finished the Heart in Hand Wee Ones RR. If I never see another one of those birds, it will be too soon. Sigh, I have a feeling there are more coming...

Enabling

You've got to take a peek: The Needlework Show. A new flip flop for Marmy, flip flop fashion. I like this one, potpourri from European Cross-stitch (a distributor)--a pattern I saw also at the Silver Needle. Forever in My Heart has a new breast cancer design that I like "Hope" that's a little charm. It might get done for one of my camp buddies, who recently found a lump. There's lovely blackwok by Graceful Lily and Leon Conrad. And if I liked my father-in-law a little better, I'd have to do this for him, "All Greek to me."

Sit on It and Rotate

Apparently, today, I'm showing my age...

You know I hate to read through misspellings, typos, and poorly-worded writing. I have revealed my pedantic leanings here before. But is it really terrible that I don't like to read the blogs of people whose stitching choices I can't respect? Am I the only one who looks at people's stitching and thinks, "Boy did she waste some serious time on that. It's hideous!"? I know that The Knitting Curmudgeon hates people who knit washcloths, and really, she does have a point, but do you tiny-needled women have these passionate dislikes? I hate cutesy teddy bears, dragons, and I'm not even keen on the "real" animal thing, "Sara" notwithstanding.

And for the rotate part:
I haven't posted a list of stitching goals since December. It's sort of pathetic. I raved about my stitching success in 2004 which I attributed to creating just such a list every month. No wonder I'm still trying to find time to work on sissy's poncho, the *ahem* Christmas present! Even though there are only a few days left in April, I'm cracking down. May I present to you, my list of stitching goals:

1. complete Ornament 4 RR
2. complete Heart in Hand Wee Ones RR
3. Sissy's poncho, ten hours (because every ten hours I have to unravel a skein or so)
4. Williamsburg Doorway, ten hours, which should just about do it on that one.

A Model Stitcher

Renee over at Stitched with Love and Cat Hair has asked: Have you ever been asked to do model stitching? Did you do it? If so, what was your compensation? (money, stash, etc.) If not, why not? If you haven't done it, if you were asked would you? Why or why not?

I don't hang around many stores or designers, so I've never been asked to be a model stitcher. But once, Kate and I were at CATS and a vendor--the woman who sold broken pottery jewelry who didn't stitch--asked if one of us would stitch a Liz Turner Diehl stumpwork piece for her in exchange for merchandise. I was just not interested. I had just taken the class, so it wasn't that I didn't know how or couldn't. I just have to be moved to stitch for others. I am often moved to stitch for others, but it nearly always for people I know personally. An offer of money just doesn't do it for me. Not even to get a preview of a designer's new work. I've got plenty to do for myself.

On the other hand, the reason Renee was asking this question is that she's often thought of designing for herself. Now that appeals to me. I have a little notebook of ideas, and a name for my hypothetical future design company. My first piece is from the film version of Mansfield Park (I haven't read the Austen in a long time, so I don't remember if this quote is in the original): "Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint." All right, I'm running off at the mouth, sharing too much as usual. Don't steal it! ;)

Trivial

Did you know that if you direct your browser to www.stitchbitch.blogpot.com (that's without the "s" in blogspot) you get some religious site? It just seems so wrong. I hope you don't land there as often as I do. (I once input that accidentally into my cousin's computer, now it pops up all the time.)

Where Have You Been?

I picked this up a while back on someone's blog, and for shame, I can't remember whose it was.

Bold the states you've visited; underline the states you've lived in; and italicize where you are living now.

Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho /Indiana / Iowa /Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada /New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah /Vermont / Virginia / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington, D.C.

You can tell I drove cross-country twice.

Puppy!

One of the few words my niece can say is puppy. She always says it with great enthusiasm: "PUPPY!" I'm no neurologist, but I suspect the two wire-haired fox terriers her mommy has play a part. So for my cousin's birthday, I made her this piece, "Sara" by Lavender Wings. I started on April 10th and I finished it today. Because my cousin is a whiz with the sewing machine, I'm giving it to her as is, so she can decide how she wants to finish it. I'll give her a coupon for babysitting so that she can have some free-time to sew too.

Sara, wire haired fox terrier. 

SBQ: Seasons

I haven't really answered many of the stitching bloggers questions that Renee has posted, because I've already discussed some of the answers. Recently, Renee asked: "Do you 'stitch with the seasons'?" And my answer is a definite maybe! I have stitched seasonal items in season, like doing the Sandy Cozzolino perforated paper santas in November and December, and when I go to stitching camp, they always have a seasonal item, like the carrot/bunny in March 2004 for Easter and the patriotic design for July 4th this year. But other than those examples, I can't really say that I do. I try to avoid stitching afghans in the summer and there's a lot to be said for avoiding black fabric in the winter, but otherwise, I stitch what grabs me (or has a deadline).

I have been trying to stitch (and especially finish) more items that have a seasonal bent so that I can change my displays, in the hypothetical future where I have a house (and a job).

Well, off to Joanns. I need some fabric for an rr I'm late on (d'oh) and to replace the plastic needle from my niece's cross-stitch kit that I broke when I was trying to attach the thong-y bit to the flip flop piece. (Oops.) I also need a neat button for my grandmother's felted purse. It is black with purple eyelash yarn around the top. I'd like a black and purple fimo clay button, but I'm not willing to make it myself or to shell out the outrageous $$ knitting stores get for buttons. I'll have her pose when it's finished.

Little Lost Sheep

I forgot to put two patterns on yesterday's list:
Chessie and Me, "A Happy Few" ("Tis only a happy few, whom friendship's bands unite")
Homespun Elegance, Wee Fancy Sheep kit

Apparently, my sheep have gone astray. . .

Shopping List

So you know there was lots of sex at camp. Not that kind. Stash enhancement. Here's what I got:
Threads of Gold, 1742 MH Sampler
Moira Blackburn, Keep Me Sampler
Moira Blackburn, Peaceful Garden
Shepherd's Bush, Elizabeth's Stocking
Blackbird Designs, Peppermint and Holly
Blackbird Designs, Moon Garden

I could have bought more. I loved Full Circle Designs Sheepish Seasons, but I am currently unemployed... (Not that it's any of your business, but I mostly used a gift certificate.) I thought my aunt would be crestfallen had I come home with the 1742 Sampler and the silk flosses which would have cost me $97. "See what I got with the gift certificate?" It's not like I'm going to do it right now anyway. Okay. My cousin is off to Italy, so I've got to go cook. Ciao!

Camp Wannasew project: glitzy patriotic design. My grandmother will love it.

Camp Wannasew project: Indigo Rose's pin cushion. Lots of fun specialty stitches!

Angelica, Wool Whimsy--Heart in Hand Needlework. 

Flower Arch Angel. Complete. 

And embellished. Boy, howdy, did she love it! 

Here is the flip-flop stitching complete. 

This is a very difficult to see photo of Drawn Thread's Baby Band Sampler. 

Didja miss me?

I forgot to tell you that I was going off to Tulsa for stitching camp. Totally forgot. Here are some photos to make up for my other shortcomings.

Taking the Unity out of Community

How come e-mail messages get so horribly misconstrued? There was a big debate in the rr group over how we should rectify the fact that so many people are behind and holding things up. I said that it seemed to me that the main problem was a few people were in too many--and signing up like round robins were going out of style--and the next thing I know, the woman I send to quit. Now, my problem is that I haven't received rrs to work on. Doesn't it follow that f I were directing my comments at anyone it would be the people who preceded rather than those who ensued? And she was as petulant as a thirteen year old (in one woman's words) in her response. In the end, she cut her rrs way back and rejoined, so the upshot is good. I only wish more people would follow her laudable example.

Three finishes!

Well the flip flop, designed by A Whimsical Element, went off to my mother on Saturday. It went via fed ex afternoon delivery, so I should hear from her soon, telling me how much she loves it.

This morning I finished two projects before I even got out of bed. First, I put the charms and a couple of stitches on Flower Arch Angel. Then I put four stitches on Angelica: Wool Whimsy. I almost finished both of these on the road trip, but I ran out of a couple of flosses.

I'll have pictures for you soon when the wireless capability returns with the dude. Who I'll be happy to see, but mostly because he's bringing the good computer home. Naw, really, I miss him too.

I like it.

I like this new designer, Midsummer Night. I like this for my mom's beach house, and this one for the dude. C'mon, it's got monkeys.

I have finally realized why I enjoy blogging more than being on lists and other organized online groups: it's the people. First, there's the inability of people to distinguish your from you're. There's a very entertaining book to help you with this: Eats Shoots and Leaves. But my friend KL put it into words for me the other day: "do these people ever have a thought they don't share?" Now, I'm pretty sure you've thought that about what I've written sometimes. But you choose to read the blog. When I'm subscribed to a listserve, how can I possibly tell the important posts from the drivel? I've got to read it. I'm also driven insane by people who don't decide what to quote when they post: the ones who just keep all the previous messages attached so that their "me too" posts, or the "please care, my husband's dead" posts are pages and pages and pages long. Don't even get me started on the nitwits who are on digest and include whole digests in their responses. Can we go back to 1994? Or the days when AOL was an intranet? (Or was that Compuserve?) Oh yes, I'm feeling smug today.