I've been busy

Really!! I have finished a couple of the blocks on the Ink Circle Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long. I also finished the September 2007 block from the Seasons Club at Fireside Stitchery. I will have pictures to post soon. The reason I don't have any right now is that the dogs got the camera out of the car during the 4th of July holidays and carried it off. We found it in the rain. My sister Bridget took it home to dry it out. Now, I need to get the photos from her.

I also received my ornament from my sister from our ornament exchange and my PIF from her also. They are beautiful. Pictures to come when I get the camera back.

I've also joined a book swapping club. I have so many paperbacks that I need to read or have read. I have mailed off 4 so far and am waiting on another.

On top of all this I need to find a full time job. I found a posting for a job for which I would be PERFECT. I have filed my application and am waiting for a call. I really would like this job even though it is an hour and a half away.

Well my nephew Leif is crying and I've got to go.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Summer Exchange

Well, my partner received her ornament, so here are our ornament. She stitched me this one below. I have it hanging on my bulletin board with all my other ornaments. I am very happy. Here is the one I stitched for her. It is a Lizzie Kate pattern. I loved the pattern but I should probably have stuffed it more. As I look at it now I really should have stuffed it more. I was thinking that it would look good thin but I don't know now. But it is a cute pattern.



I'm going to bed so thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

My Birthday

Saturday, my family took me and my brother Ricky out to Red Lobster for our birthdays. Well, mine was in May and his was early June. We had a great time eating and visiting. My sister-in-law, Mari bought a ready-made cake and put the numbers 37 and 40 (near of which are my real ages but we celebrated my "40th'").

My sister Bridget paid for me to attend a scrapbook convention as my gift. As for my sister Jennifer, well she made this beautiful bag. I love it. I have been admiring the two that she made for herself, the one made for Momma, and the one she made for Bridget (CORRECTION: Our friend Lisha made one for Bridget). I am so happy that she made it for me. She also gave me a beaded scissor fob (pink). I feel very special.

The Bag

The inside of the bag (2 pockets)

On top of all of these gifts, I received in the mail last week my Secret Santa Christmas gift from one of my exchange groups. I was so happy and surprised. The gift included threads, kits, and tools for stitching.


Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Round Robin ABRR

Well I have finished the last two round for my Round Robin. The first was a Lizzie Kate Christmas pattern for Merriwether. I had fun stitching it and had to outline the cup. The color of the cup was the same as the color of the fabric.


The last one, which I mailed today, was for Georgena. The patterns were the DMC hearts. I stitched on the Hearts of flowers pattern. It was an easy and quick stitch.

Now I am waiting for my RR to come home. I can't wait to see it. I think it will be beautiful.

Sharon

Update - Not stitching

I am trying to get my life in order. I am suppose to be cleaning my house at the moment, the time when there is a lull in my activities. I have to be at work at 3:00 today. I've been hanging out with my friend/cousin Liz for the last few month instead of stitching, but I have several projects due this month. Right now I am working on a round robin and an ornament exchange. I'm about 3/4 of the way through the round robin and only a 1/4 of the way through the ornament but I plan on mailing both of them this weekend.

I received in the mail a wonderful surprise. I was in a Christmas gift exchange this last Christmas but did not receive a gift. Well, the person who was my Secret Santa found my gift wrapped and packaged waiting to be mailed. So, the wonderful woman went ahead and mailed it. It was a great Christmas gift with a couple of kits, some stitching tools, a notepad, and some specialty thread. I really like the gift.

I'm waiting on my round robin to come home. When it arrives I will have to do the back stitching and then put in beads (instead of french knots). It is a Christmas stocking kit that I have had for a while but haven't had time to work on it. I think it will be beautiful.

As far as a job or school, I'm still working part time this summer but I will be able to survive. I have enough money saved to make ends meet. I hope to have a full time job in the fall. School, on the other hand, is moving slowly as usual. I emailed my major professors, one is sick and the other is really busy. But, they said that I needed to send my proposal to them by July 1. Hopefully I will be able to defend the proposal in July or August. My goal is to graduate in December. If I do then it will be 20 years since I graduated with my Bachelors. Keep your fingers crossed that I finish because I am tired of being in school.

Well I have procrastinated long enough, I've got to go clean my house. Until next time...

Thanks for stopping by,
Sharon

Happy Birthday - - - - to me

Well today is my birthday. What am I doing? I'm about to silk corn and snap green beans. Then this afternoon I have to go to work for a couple of hours. I hope to spend the afternoon stitching but I'll probably clean house.

I haven't really been stitching this last week but I want to get back to stitching and finish my present rotation. I want to start something new. Maybe the winter snapperland or the Hearts in Hand monthly sampler. I don't know but I want to start something new. But, I promised myself that I would not start anything new until I finished a couple of projects that are over a year in the making.

Well got to get back to silking corn. Have a great day

Sharon

Whoo Hoo! I Finished

As of 1:00 am Mothers' Day, I finished the Rainbow Birds for my Mom. Now she is going to make it into a pillow. I gave her the stitched project and the 3rd season of "Barney Miller", one of her favorite tv shows.

Right now I am working to complete my parts of a round robin. I have one and a half more projects to finish. Then I will start on my stitching rotation.

Well got to go this getting up at 5:30 am is killing me.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sharon

Spring Ornament Exchange

Yeah, I had a wonderful exchange this time for All Seasons Ornament Exchange with Karen from Australia. She stitched "Hello Spring" from Lizzie Kate on one side and "Spring" by Helga Mandl. I love the ornament. I have stitched the "Hello Spring" from Lizzie Kate twice for others.


As for the ornament that I stitched, I stitched, it was from The Cross-Eyed Cricket's The Cricket Collection - "Rabbits' Garden". I really enjoyed stitching this one for Karen. I whipped stitched it together on the sides like in other ornaments.

Violets

Sunnyside Up

Thanks for checking out my blog.
Sharon

Biscornu Exchange

For my Biscornu Exchange, I had a hard time deciding on what I wanted to stitched. I finally settled on the following.

Pattern: Wichelt Imports Freebie
Stitched on Linen
Thread: DMC
Stitched for: Lynn B

I received a biscornu that I have been wanting for a long time. I am very happy with it. Thank you Ellen.

Pattern: Easter Biscornu
by Barbara Anna Designs
Stitched by: Ellen Sharp

Valentine Exchange

Hey! You know what good intentions get you.... Well I have been trying to post pictures of my Valentine's Day Exchange for a while. Right now I am working 3 jobs (mind you one is only a couple of hours a day) and am exhausted every evening especially since I have to get up at five for the first one. Note: I am not an early riser by nature but rather a night owl. So, here we go.

Pattern: Be Mine Valentine by Lizzie Kate
Threads: DMC and "Love"
Fabric: Silkweaver's Pink Champagne
28 Count Opalescent Lugana

The person I sent to was Rita. I stitched it up and made it into a pinkeep. I used "Love" to stitch the heart. I sent some goodies and a pattern from her wish list. I really enjoyed stitching and gathering this exchange.

Pattern: French Country Love
by JEW Designs
Stitched by: Margie

Margie finished it as a beautiful box filled with lots of goodies. My nephews appreciated the Sweet Hearts. This was my first box and I love it. I have plans for the charms, buttons, and ribbons.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon

Knitting Projects completed since January

So here are the projects that I have knitted. I knitted the same baby afghan twice for the two new nephews. Tyler got a baby green one while Leif got the Sunshine Print one. I will edit this post and put a picture of the green one when I find it.












For my friend, Vercher, I knitted a dish towel and crocheted a wash cloth. I really enjoyed doing this and plan to knit all the girls in the family at least one. Next, I want to knit everyone a pair of socks but I have to find yarn that is stretch but does not have any wool in it.

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Sorry I Haven't Posted

As you know, the satellite modem was down at my house. Well my brother Pete got the part and put it in the machine. Then..... nothing happened. So now we are waiting on a technician to come out to the country and check out the satellite link and everything. Right now I am using a friends computer to post.

So what is new? I found a temporary job teaching math in a high school (the one I posted about in my last post but it is only 1 hour away). I'm teaching 9th and 10th graders Algebra I. At present we are preparing for the state test (which they need!) I now remember why I went to work at a community college. But, the students are cute, somewhat well behaved (they love to talk), and are generally easy to work with (when they aren't whining). I like working with them. I am continuing to teach one night class at the community college, and working for Sylvan. I am still looking for and praying for a permenant job at one of the local universities.

Oh, Oh, Oh! I almost forgot----my sister-in-law had her baby boy 8 days after my sister had her little boy. The new nephew was 8lbs 110z and 21 inches long. The babies are so cute. Leif is so laid back and calm while Tyler provides his opinion whenever he wants. That makes 6 nephews. Too many boys!!! Another set to play trains, swords, and video games with.

As for stitching, I have completed several things. I don't have any pictures right now but I will tell you what I have completed:
Knitted: dishtowel and two baby blankets
crocheted: an afghan (almost finished) and a dishcloth
cross stitched: finished my portion of a round robin (waiting on the next installment) and a biscornu
needlepoint: Finished a geometric square from the club I joined a couple of years ago.

I finished listening to the Left Behind Series on CD and am now listening to DaVinci Code on CD. I finished reading the Hobbit and am reading The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Well I got to go. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have internet access soon and will post pictures of all the things on which I have been working.

Bad Modem, Bad, Bad Modem!

I have been without internet for two weeks. TWO WEEKS! No googling (or yahoo ing), no posting or reading blogs. I have been crazy without the internet. Right now I am using my sister's computer while waiting for my nephews to get home from school. By the way, we had a new addition to our family this week. My younger sister had her baby on Wednesday. They are getting ready to go home today. He was born at 1:02 pm. 7 lbs 11oz and 20.5 inches long. (He is so small with really long fingers and toes). He is cute. Back on topic, my brother Pete should be fixing the modem this weekend. I will have internet really soon.

As for work, I have been offered a teaching position for the rest of the school year. (The teacher is taking maternity leave). The only problem is that the job is an hour and half away with class starting at 7:30 am. I am not a morning person at all. But, I think I will take it so that I can have some steady income for a few months. I also got hired at Sylvan which I think I will enjoy and continue through the summer (if they need me).

Well the boys have arrived and want to go to MawMaw's and PawPaw's house. They are loading their bikes on the truck and rushing me. So, when I get internet again I will post pictures of the afghan that I have finished and the books that I have read.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Last night

So, last night I started on my stitching rotation. Monday and Tuesday I was working on my exchanges and round robins. I spent two hours on Miriabilia's Christmas Fairy. All I finished were her boots. I have her wings, face, hands, and the Christmas Tree to go. Oh, and a little on her skirt. I really should be ashamed of myself that this is still a WIP. I started it March 30, 2007. It has been almost two years, but I have trouble seeing 32-count. And am refusing to by the magnifier (as of right now). I hope to finish this one soon.

I knitted on the baby blanket for Bridget, also. I completed one set of blocks and have 11 more sets to go. That is 110 stitches by 10 for each set of blocks. I hope to have it done by her C-section date of the 4th of February. I will be cutting it close. Then I have to work on the one for Mari, whose due date is the 21st of February, along with a round robin, my rotation schedule, and an exchange. When it comes to stitching, I will be busy for the next month.

As for my reading, I have read 3 of the 19 chapters of the Hobbit. I have been very bad and not reading. My sister Jen decide to read along with me. She started on January 1st or 2nd like we were suppose to be and is almost through with the book. I need to hurry up because we are reading The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings.

Well got to go. My nephew needs help with Mario Party for the DS.

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Stitching Rotation

Well, I decided today to set up a stitching rotation. I have several projects that I need to get complete. Why? Because I have been working on them for y-e-a-r-s. Also, I am not letting myself start a new project until I finish at least one of them. I plan on knitting everyday, especially since one of the babies will be born on the 4th of February. Also, weekends will be for ornaments and whatever else I want to stitch. Also, I decided to join in with a group doing art and journaling to answer a question each week. This weekend I plan on getting caught up on everything.

Still haven't found a job but am optimistic. I applied for several full-time positions but also applied with Kelly Temporary Services. I think I will be working soon.

Well got to go finish a project. Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Knit or crochet?

As you know, I am knitting on two different baby blankets. Well, I decided to work on a quick lap afghan in the middle. I found a free pattern from Red Heart at Micheal's or Hobby Lobby. It called for 16 oz. of Claret. The funny thing was that I pulled my yarn from my shelf before I read the direction. The yarn that I pulled was the yarn recommended. Actually, you are suppose to use a jumbo pack of 16 oz. so that you only tie off at the end. I used 2 8-oz skeins instead. (That shows you how old the yarn is, they now come in 7-oz skeins). Well it took me two evening to finish it but it is beautiful.

Now I have two exchanges, a round robin, and two afghans left to do by February. Actually the two exchanges are due next week. I'm going to work on them this weekend.

Also, I finished reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. It was an easy read with an interesting topic. Now I want to go see the movie (if it is still at the theater). Next, The Hobbitt by J.R. Tolken. I have started it, but have only read the first chapter.

Well, thanks for dropping by. I hope to post more often.

Sharon

What's going on?

Well, I took up knitting again. My sister and sister-in-law are both due in February. So, I decided to knit a baby blanket for each. Since it had been a while since I knitted the last blanket, I decided to knit a dishcloth. It was a good thing that I did it first. Got all the oops! out of the way (for the most part). Right now I have knitted the first 26 rows for both blankets. I have to repeat the last 20 rows until the blanket reaches 36 inches then 6 rows later of the knit stitch only and I will be finished. One is in honeydew green and the other is in sunshine print. I also started an crocheted lap throw that will be finished today (I'll post it tomorrow.) At the same time I have two exchanges due out next week: HoE Lizzie Kate and HoE Valentines.

But the worst part of the whole week was..... I have to find a job. Where I was working (a community college) they cut me back to one class this semester. I have been working as an instructor at community colleges and universities for the past 13-1/2 years. It is very hard to find a job outside of education. I have put in applications at the local hospitals and clinics, hobby shops, bookstores, temporary worker services, and banks. I have to go be fingerprinted to be considered for substitute at the local area schools. I am a little worried but the lord will provide. (In church this week the pastor's wife read a story about Mr. Buzzard and Mr. Hawk discussing breakfast and religion. And Mr. Buzzard's comment was the Lord will provide.) So I am trying to be optimistic.

Also I registered for classes at UNO. I hope to finish my degree this semester. I really need to finish it this semester. The amount of money that I have put out for this will never be recomped once I finished. I really don't know if it was financially worth it. I know for my self it has value but moneywise not really.

This week has been a rough week. After tomorrow night, I think I will just let it all go and stitch until I can't stitch anymore.

Well, sorry for complaining. I am going to be optimistic. Like Mr. Buzzard said "The Lord will provide." I must have patience.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon

First Finish of the Year

Yeah, I finished one!!! This is Bent Creek's Thankful from the Red Thread Series. I started it before the new year but I had to get some thread from Bridget (the owner of this one) to finish it. As of the 1st of January I had stitched the box and the word thankful. On the 1st I finished the tablecloth and turkey plate. Last night, the 2nd, I finished stitching the turkey. Now all I have to do on my Red Thread is the border and the words. I will post a picture when I finish it (some time later).

Today I am going to work on the Rainbow Birds for my mother. I have been working on this one for about 3 years. I plan on finishing it next. My goal this year is to finish all started projects first. Then only work on 2 cross stitch projects and 1 needlepoint at a time.

Also, since my sister and my sister-in-law are pregnant and due at the beginning of February, I need to knit two baby blankets. I think I will go get the yarn today and start on them.

Well, thanks for stopping by

Sharon

2009 Goals

Okay, so my family loves to pick on me about being a data collector (well I am a mathematician). I wrote down my 10 Goals for 2009. I also decided that I was going to read a book a month from the list of "100 books you must read before you die". So here are my goals for 2009

1. Defend dissertation proposal.
2. Defend dissertation.
3. Drop 2 dress sizes.
4. Get a full time job.
5. Be more sociable/ Go out more.
6. Bring lunch to work and eat healthy.
7. Start & stick to an exercise routine.
8. Clean and organize my house.
9. Stick to a budget & pay off debt.
10. Complete all started stitching projects.

As for the books I plan to read The Hobbit, and the Lord of the Ring Series during January through April.

I counted the number of patterns that I stitched last year (38). So my goal this year will be 40.

Well thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your interest.

Sharon

Finishes in More Ways than One

Well, let's see, what has happened in the last month? Well..... We had Thanksgiving dinner at my Mom and Dad's. As usual, the food was totally edible, the company was comforting. Then the semester ended with a flurry of snow. We had finals from Tuesday through Friday but had to continue on Monday due to snow. On Thursday it snowed until noon and laid on the ground for two days (very unusual). My nephew Theron and I played in the snow and made a snowman, then went in to eat breakfast. When we came back out you could not tell that we had been in the snow. We had a great time.

During final exam week, I wanted to finish a project a day. Well, I did good for the first two days but the rest of the week I crocheted on an afghan but ran out of yarn. Mind you, it is yarn you can no longer buy in the store, Plum Heather by Red Heart. I need about two skeins to finish and make the fringe. Well, I will keep looking for it. As for the project they are:

The Wreath from Red Thread. I stitched it on Mari's fabric. She changed the colors to go with her fabric, of course. She is very good at choosing colors. Now I have to finish the Thanksgiving one on Bridget's. I plan on working on it tomorrow when I go to Jennifer's to stitch at 2:30. As for my Red Thread, the boxes are complete but I still have to stitch the border and words.



The second thing that I finished last week was the ABRR Group 10 Round 3. It was for Casey Carroll. Her round robin was Valerie Pfeiffer's Chorus Line. I stitched the last little birdie on the right side. It was so quick and so cute. I hope she likes it.





Today, Jennifer and I finished stockings. Actually, Jennifer finished both stockings. For my stocking she stitched the liner to the stocking at the top first. She then stitched the stocking and liners together leaving a hole at the toe in the liner section. She turned the stocking inside out and instead of hand stitching the liner toe shut, she stitched the toe shut. I really thought it was a good idea since no one would be looking at the toe of the liner. I really didn't want to hand stitch the toe shut. I am very happy with my stocking that has been in the stitching phase for at least 14 years. As soon as I got home, I hung my wonderful stocking. I am so happy.


Right now I have 3 round robins to work on, One is the Red Thread, the other is a horse and rider, and the last one is Woodland Babes. The last two are both for Rhonda. I hope to finish the horses soon. The Woodland Babes aren't due to be finished until January.

Well, I'm off to stitch. I hope to post a completed project soon. Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon