The Day in Photos

Well, I missed doing my photos on the 25th due to an all-day meeting. I thought the attorneys might frown on me whipping out my camera while we were discussing privileged and confidential information. So, you get photos from the 26th.

Here's the view from my new office. My window looks out onto a courtyard, so I get to watch the squirrels and birds during the day.

Working hard.

Time to leave work!

Heading to the gym.

Heading off to school.

I took my week 2 test for Excel and did very well.

I finished up my book of the week while I ate dinner (at school). Yes, can you believe I am reading a book a week!? That is crazy!

Left school a little early, because Eric let me know our Air Conditioner had quit working. It was 95 degrees in the house. It had cooled off a little bit by the time we headed to his parents' house to stay the night.

No TV in the guest room, so we read through some of his sister's old books. This one was about Miss Nosy.

I sort of crashed after that...it was a long week!

I'm working on the Neighborhood RR I have this weekend, so I hope to have some stitching to show you soon!

I am grateful for cool air.

Oh Look, Stitching!

Red Thread: Maypole
Bent Creek
Weeks & GAST on 32ct Light Mocha

Embellished with a snap
Finished 6/21/08

If you can possibly believe it, I actually found some time to stitch this weekend!! I went out to lunch with a girlfriend yesterday and then came home, put a DVD in and stitched all afternoon. I was able to finish my May Red Thread block, which I was really happy about. It doesn't look like I get my June block done in June, but I'll get back to it soon. I just love stitching on this piece though!



After I finished it up, Eric and I sat down to dinner. He had made fabulous Ropa Vieja with cumin-scented black beans and rice. We had mojitos too, of course!



For dessert, we had Cuban-style coffee with Key Lime Rum Cake. MMMmmmm!



Last night, I managed to get a little more stitching in while we watched National Treasure: Book of Secrets. I started stitching on one of the Neighborhood RRs I have, the one that is due to go out on July 15th. I hope to get it done in time!! I just made a very small start on it, so not much to show. I hope to get more stitching in tonight, so maybe I'll have something to show on that soon.

But, I do have a little stash to share...



I decided to go ahead and get the Country Cottage Sweet Treat packs, and here you can see block 5 as well as my Vintage Lentil fabric for it. I also got my new Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers chart with the fabric and threads for it.

That's it for me tonight. Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!

I am grateful for stitching time!

Monday, Monday!

As you may have guessed, there is still no stitching to speak of going on around here. In fact, there is very little free time at all. But, I am trying to post at least once a week, even if I have nothing to show you. I am hoping that those few readers I still have left won't leave if I just keep posting something mildly interesting (thanks to those of you still here!). So, first things first...the job is going well, but I am getting to that point that I'm beginning to wonder how long I can keep up this schedule of work, gym, school every day during the week. By Fridays I am pretty much done for. But, work itself is going well. School is going well too, I passed my Microsoft Certification exam with a 915 out of 1000. I've started on my coursework for Excel, which is going well so far. First exam was a 985 out of 1000. And, with regard to the gym, I would say that is going well too. I've finally hit the 40 pounds lost mark, which I am excited about!! Plus, the panrs I put on to wear today wear definitely too big, so into the giveaway pile they go!! I've updated my ticker down there at the bottom of the page too, which is exciting in itself. Yay!

Now, for the stitching. I thought I'd show you my itty bitty progress on my ornament. As I said, I've restitched that left palm tree after ripping it all out, and now I've moved onto stitch the palm fronds. One day, this will be so cute!

I actually looked at my May goals yesterday, and realized that not only did I completely forget about them, but I didn't set any goals for June either. So, for May, my goals were...

Stitch Red Thread block for SAL

Stitch and mail Carol's RR by the 15th

Stitch and finish PS Bookmark for Mother's Day

Continue with Barnabee's Quest for Just Nan Sundays

Finish one block on Tesori

Stitch on Mystery 9

Ok, most of these I have to laugh at...but I did get the RR done and mailed and I did get my mom's gift finished. I'm still working on my May Red Thread block, I'm a little over halfway with it. I haven't really touched Barnabee since I started work though, unfortunately, or it would be done by now. And, obviously Tesori and M9 haven't seen the light of day in awhile. So, no goals for June. I'll just wing it and hope that I get a little stitching time in soon. I have an RR that needs to go out July 15th, so that is my priority whenever I get some stitching time. Hopefully by July I'll have been able to set some time aside for stitching and blogging. That would be nice!

But, since I don't have any stitching to show, I thought I'd show you a few other interesting things. I just received my new JCS issue, and they've done an ornament preview. Of course, I love the Country Cottage Needleworks piece called Silver & Blue.

Also in this issue is a fabulous Memorial Sampler by Midsummer Night Designs that I just love! Isn't this beautiful?

And the Hoffman update came on Friday with some notable new releases.

Shepherd's Bush has released the last four of the 2000 Years Ago ornaments in a leaflet.

Rosewood Manor has released a new beauty called And a Garden Grew.

Finally, there was this one by Willow Hill Samplings (who I've never heard of), called Cinderella Sampler. So cute!

Well, that's all I have for today! Enjoy your week, and I promise to try to have more updates and get around to more blogs soon!!

I am grateful for my new job!

Another Day, Another Dollar

Well, as you may have guessed I am still busy with the new job, school, etc. I apologize for the lack of posts from me lately, but there are only so many hours in the day. I finished up my first course in school and passed at Mastery level, which I am really ecstatic about. I've already started in on the next course.

I only did the tiniest bit of stitching last week (none at all over the weekend even). I finished restitching my palm tree on Mele Kalikimaka and started stitching the palm fronds, which I am glad to begin. Unfortunately, I didn't take a progress photo, so you'll just have to take my word for it.


I did want to show a photo though of how my Neighborhood RR is coming along. Cathy posted up these photos on the group blog, and I am just thrilled with how my piece is growing. Cathy chose to stitch a Drawn Thread design that I had included in my package as a possibility. Isn't it looking fantastic?! Thank you, Cathy!

I just received Cathy's and Erin's to stitch on (Erin's isn't due to go back out for a few months, so I have extra time on it). I'll have to set aside some time this weekend to start looking at these. I don't want to fall behind, especially since my stitching time has been so limited.


I also wanted to share the new Just Nan Limited Edition piece that is being released. It is called the Gilded Dragonfly Scissor Purse & Fob.

Here's the description from Nan's site...

This little jewel of a purse replaces our original Dragonfly Scissor Purse. It would be a stunning addition to any stitcher's collection. Beads, pearls and Swarovski crystals embellish the design, along with the beautifully embossed dragonfly.

Nan has created a 3-dimensional pink rose for the back. Her instructions make it a joy to recreate using overdyed wool and silk braid.

The purse and fob are stitched entirely in Au Ver A Soie silk (no conversions). The feature thread is Gilt Sylke Twist, a gorgeous thread made by wrapping the thinnest of gold wires around a silk base. No stitcher has had such a silk in her hands since the time of Elizabeth I. You will love the subtle shimmer it adds to the design. The silk kit, which includes the gold twisted cord, will be available to shops from Access Commodities.

Fabric for both purse and fob is 28 CT Zweigart Flax Cashel Linen. The finished purse measures 4 ½" by 2 ½", and the fob is 1 ½" square.

The Just Nan kit will include: leaflet, embellishments, overdyed wool, silk braid, snap, interfacing and complete finishing instructions from Pamela's Final Touch. Stitchers must furnish their own lining material.

There are1000 kits available, beginning at the end of June.

As you may well imagine, I've already reserved mine. Such a beautiful piece!!

Well, that's all for me today. You may notice (if you're interested), that I have been updating my other blog a bit recently. It's been keeping me from going stir-crazy with not being able to stitch. Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by!

I am grateful for movie day with a friend!

First Week at Work

Whew!!! It has been one crazy week. Thank you all so much for your sweet comments and well wishes on my first week at work. It was a good week and everyone seems really nice and friendly. The building I work in is huge, and its like a gigantic maze...so I spent most of the week lost and wishing I had a GPS to carry around with me. I currently have an office to myself, which is nice, but they may be moving someone else in there soon. I love my new boss, and I think this position is going to be fabulous. I am just exhausted after working, then going to the gym, then going to school everyday. I didn't even get a chance to check my email until yesterday really. I am hoping this next week will be a little calmer, although I will still be going from work to the gym to school (and thus having 14 and a half hour days basicall all week). I hope everyone can bear with me though that my posting and emailing may be few and far between for a little while. I haven't even stitched all week! Yikes!!! But, on Monday (Memorial Day) I did do a little stitching on Barnabee's Quest, as you can see. I got started on the specialty stitches that surround the gazing ball in the middle. I hope to make a little more progress on it soon.


I've also had the day today to relax a little and do some stitching. I chose to stitch a little on my May block for Red Thread, since I am behind. I had hoped to get this done before the end of the month, but that didn't really happen. I am close to being finished with it though.



Eric went to a photography workshop for the day today, so I've just been stitching and watching Style Network and doing a bit of laundry today. It has been lovely! He should be home in a little while and he'll be making our Sunday Night Burgers - no idea what sort of twist he'll put on them tonight! And, yes, to answer the question, he does grill them.

Hope you've all had a great weekend, and you're ready to start a new month and a new week!

I am grateful for a day of rest.