2009 Finishes

Fair Day

October 19, 2010 by Michelle 21 Comments

Not a lot of stitching going on around here lately. About the most I got accomplished this weekend that was stitching related was framing my At Plimoth piece I stitched at Thanksgiving last year. My intention had been to frame it and put it out this year, but I completely forgot about it. In fact, I wasn’t even going to decorate for fall really. But, then I was looking back at some old posts on the other blog, and came across a reference to this piece. So, on Saturday I went by the bookstore to pick up the next book for my book club and then I went to find a frame for this piece. I love how it looks framed and I’m so glad I finally have it done! Such a simple piece, but I just love it. And I loved stitching with the Simply Wool threads. (Pardon my reflection in the glass.)

So, that’s the extent of my craftiness of late. In lieu of some progress pics, I thought I’d share some photos from our trip to the State Fair. I love the textile building, and I always find such interesting things in there.

I loved this quilt – it looks like a Jo Morton to me.

This Christmas quilt was pretty. I love the “ribbon” border.

And I had to share this one for Missy. She and I both bought the kits to make this quilt. She’s at least started hers though. I just stare at mine longingly.

And this one is for Kim. Sailor Sock Monkey. How cute is he?

You may remember that I’ve actually started this piece – I started it on Christmas day last year. It’s the Marbek Nativity, and there are actually two more panels. Of course, I only stitched half a sheep before I set it aside for something else. Yet another project I should pick back up. This piece did reinforce how much I like it on the blue rather than on the white background.

And lookie – Paulette’s Hare’s Christmas…

This one is still on my to do list. I even have fabric picked out for it.

And finally, I just had to share… this is ALL BEADED. With little bitty seed beads. All of it. The whole thing. And then the main piece and the two cartouches are mounted onto the background. Amazing and sparkly in person.

I had fun looking around and still somehow missed this piece that Andrea pointed out.

I did also spend a few minutes trying to explain to Eric what quilling is. Then a stranger jumped in to help me with my explanation and had to show us photos of quilled pieces on her phone. Eric was not amused.

Hopefully the stitching mojo will return soon. First I have to recover from my latest adventure – a 10k trail run in the dark through the woods. That’s a story unto itself.

I am grateful for the fact that I am still alive.

Holiday Crafting

January 7, 2010 by Michelle 20 Comments

Raise your hand if you thought I could do two posts in one week. Anyone? Anyone? Pleasant surprise, no? Do you see those lovelies at the top of this post? Those are my Twilight mini-skeins from Sunshine Yarns I told you about (she also does some gorgeous Harry Potter colorways, I might add). I’m perfectly ok just leaving them as is and petting them, but methinks they really need to be made into a super awesome scarf for myself. From left to right I believe they are Edward, Bella, The Meadow, Esme Island, Vampire Baseball and Blood Red. Love them. So. Much.

Anyway, back to what I wanted to show you…I mentioned I did some crafting prior to Christmas. I decided to make these Christmas Tree earrings last year, but I just didn’t get my ass in gear to do it. So, I had all the stuff that I ordered, well…last year, and I decided to make them. My sister doesn’t wear gold, so hers were silver.

I love how they turned out. And they were so easy to make.

I worked on these after finishing Jenny Bean. I was having a hard time wanting to stitch on something else, so beading seemed like an excellent way to pass the time.

For many years, a friend and I have passed a friendship ornament back and forth. Each time I have it, it is a challenge to come up with a gift that will fit within the ornament, and yet be a gift from the heart. While working on my little Christmas trees, I came up with the idea to make a bracelet for her.

I found these little photo charms at Michael’s. Every year she sends me photos of her family and their traditional trips to the beach. I took one of the recent photos she sent of her three daughters, a photo of her husband, and a photo of the ocean and sized them down to fit inside the charms. (I’ve blurred out the photos of her family for privacy). I made some little drops with blue crystals in between each of the photo charms too for a little sparkle. I love how this turned out. It was fun to make and I thought she would really like it. You can see the friendship ornament in the background of the photo, it’s about the size of a good-sized orange.

It always makes me happy when I can make gifts, although stressing out about trying to do that does not make me happy. This year though, I was surprised at how calm and stress-free the holidays were for me. And I did more things like making these little crafty things just because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to. And I loved that feeling.

So, what else have I been up to (other than you know, work, school, gym, sleep)? I finished a book yesterday – my first of 2010. Of course, you knew I couldn’t stay away from the Black Dagger Brotherhood for long.

This book had me right up until the last few chapters. Then, eh. It’s too bad too, I’d been looking forward to this one. It won’t stop me from reading the next two that I have on loan. I have to take a break though and read the book for my next book club that’s in a couple of weeks. I’m not looking forward to that one either. Sigh. There may be lots of stitching going on rather than reading. But, anyway, I’m one closer to having read 30 books for 2010!

And since you know we’re “all vampires, all the time” here at the cozyegg blog…I had to share the envelope my Christmas card came in from my friend, Kim. She knows me well…

That’s all I’ve got to share today. I have a Secret Stitcher gift I need to get started stitching on, and I have a Valentine’s gift I need to get started on too (remember?). So, that’s a little of what I have on the horizon. I’m going to try to be better about blogging more often, but hey, no promises…you know where I am when I’m not here.

And I want to give a little shout out to you guys who have recently told me you’re reading. I love hearing that from people I know in person (although it is often quickly followed by an “oh crap, what crazy stuff have I been talking about?!”). Thanks to everyone who stops by and lets me know one way or another that you appreciate me for me…vampires and all.

I am grateful for letting things go.

Before the Ball Drops – Year in Review

December 31, 2009 by Michelle 20 Comments

Somehow it is December 31st. I am not sure where the year went, but I’m sure most of it was spent at school and work. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel though and 2010 promises some wonderful things. I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on 2009 and all the amazing things it brought.

In 2009, I joined a walking team and completed five 5Ks, decreasing my time with each one. I completed my certifications in Microsoft Office at school, and am now certified in all five applications. Eric and I celebrated our three year anniversary with a trip to Turner Falls, OK. I joined my stitching friends on Thursdays at Barnes & Noble when I was able to get away from school, which allowed us all to become closer throughout the year. I attended my first two stitching workshops this year through my guild, Catherine Theron and Jane Timmers. There are many many other things that I have to be grateful for and new experiences I had this year.

I feel like I definitely got a lot of reading in this year, which was remarkable, and very nice. I have missed reading as much as I used to. Here’s what I read in 2009…

The God of Small Things*
Two for the Dough
Giovanni and Lusanna*
Dead Until Dark
Pillars of the Earth
Three to Get Deadly
Old Masters: A Comedy*
Dark Lover
Bitter is the New Black
The Man Who Loved China*
Lover Eternal
The Elegance of the Hedgehog*
Vampire Diaries: The Awakening
Vampire Diaries: The Struggle
The Lovely Bones
The Host
Lover Awakened
Lover Revealed
Drums of Autumn
The Hunger Games

*Read for Artful Readings Book Club.

And although I didn’t have as many finishes this year as I would have liked, I’m lucky and grateful to have gotten any in at all. I’ve linked all these to the finished photos, if you’d like a peek.

The Red Thread
Twilight Floss Tag
At Home with Jane Austen
My Everything
Petites Lettres Rouge
Peacock Pinkeep
Earth Sampler
Monogram Pincushion
Happy Birthday Stocking
February’s Violet Stocking
Angel of Tulips

Madeira Tin & Sewing Set (mostly finished)
Sylvia’s Sampler
At Plimoth
Jenny Bean’s Halloween Sampler

I also did some crafting, which I still need to show you. And two quilts are on the horizon to be finished – they are just lacking their binding. So, I’m sure I’ll be adding to my 2010 finishes list pretty quickly once the New Year begins. Thanks to all of you who visit me here and touched my life in such an amazing way. Have a safe and wonderful end to 2009 and I’ll see you on the other side.

Happy New Year!

I am grateful for another great one!

Jenny and Jamie

December 13, 2009 by Michelle 34 Comments

So, I know you’ve been wondering what the heck happened to Jenny Bean and her little Halloween house, right? The last time I posted about her, was back in mid-November, when I was so restless.

Well, I finally got over my restlessness, and was anxious to get back to Miss Bean. But, stuff happened.

You know the kind of stuff I’m talking about, suddenly you have deadlines, holidays, places to go, tea to drink. I did finally get all those things done, and after Thanksgiving, I picked my new favorite piece back up.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this piece. It has been rare that a piece so completely captures my attention, so much so that I completely let go of all of my perfectionistic tendencies and just go with whatever flow Jenny saw fit to throw at me.

And, I think the reward is well worth every stitch.

Jenny Bean’s Halloween Sampler
Shakepeare’s Peddler
Limited Edition GAST Threads on 40 ct Pearled Barley
Begun 10/4/09 and Finished 12/12/09

Ignore the wonkiness of my border, etc. I still had this in my q-snaps when I took the photo, but I was too excited to share to even take her out and iron her. Jenny will be sorely missed. I had way too much fun stitching on her. I definitely think I’ll have to get the Christmas Sampler as well, because Halloween Jenny definitely needs Christmas Jenny as a companion.

Also this weekend, I had another finish.

I finally finished re-reading Drums of Autumn. I may have mentioned previously that I decided to re-read this series, and Drums of Autumn is the last book in the series that I have previously read. Everything from this point forward will be all new territory for me. I picked this book up and set it down several times over the past few months. But, after finishing my last read, I picked this one back up. I was attempting to read ahead of my mom, before lending these to her, but she informed me recently she’s about to finish Voyager, which is the book before this one. I figured I’d better get my butt in gear. So, I picked this back up and somehow read the last 300+ pages in a week or so. Not sure how that happened, but it did. After finishing this book this morning, I realized why it is that this series is one of my absolute favorites. I own all of these in hardback, as they are most definitely staying in my library. The story of Jamie and Claire is not something you can easily forget, and their story stays with you long after the cover is closed. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and the next, and the one after that. If you haven’t read these books, drop everything you are doing and go directly to the bookstore to buy Outlander, the first in the series. Do nothing until you read that book. Then we’ll talk. Och, Jamie, you are one fine man.

Oh, and P.S. – the gorgeous red and white tree in my last post is not mine, but that of our hostess for the party, Ava. Don’t you love that tree?

I am grateful for a decorated home.

Beginning of the Season

December 8, 2009 by Michelle 21 Comments

I guess it’s that time of year when my blogging becomes a little sparse – too much to do at home, school and work, and not nearly enough time to do it in. But, I have lots to share! Last week, goodness was it only last week?, I attended my first Christmas party of the season. My guild held its annual holiday party, and it was my second year to attend. Of course the home it was held in is magnificent. We had a good turnout, even with bad weather. Everyone brought food to share, and we had a veritable feast. I may still be recovering from the chocolate Amaretto cake. It is always so fun to visit with fellow stitchers, particularly those you don’t get to visit with at the guild meetings. Last year I remember having so much fun and getting to know a few sweet people that I now call my friends. I brought a super yummy spinach and artichoke dip, that had a little kick to it and was oh-so-good.

After all the eating, we settled in to do the ornament exchange. Everyone who brought a stitched ornament drew numbers, and then each person got to select an ornament to open or one to steal. It was great fun, and you can see below all the amazing ornaments that made an appearance this year. If you look closely, you can see the little ornament underneath the framed one, the one that says “Merry Christmas”. One of my fellow stitchers (whose work I am always enamored with) stitched this one, on 50 count. Yes, you read that right. And she added the sweetest little beaded edging around the ornament. If it hadn’t already been stolen too many times before I got my chance, that baby would have been coming home with me!!

As it was, I was very happy with the ornament I did go home with. I loved that this had our guild’s name abbreviated on it. And the bargello was just too pretty to resist.

You may remember last year, the pretty ornament I received? I can’t wait to get it out for my tree this year. I’d love to have a little sampler tree full of ornaments. Oh and let me tell you, I am still kicking myself for not having my camera with me at last year’s party. What a duh moment that was.

And look at this pretty one…I think this is from that new BBD book. Now, I have to have that book!!

And here’s what I stitched for the exchange. This was my very first time finishing an ornament with board and cording and everything. I have Jane Timmers to thank for that – her workshop was completely instrumental in the skills needed to do this finishing myself. I also learned how to make cording that same weekend from Laurie (she of the 50-count fame). So, thanks to Jane, Laurie and Eric (who held the other end of my cord), this ornament turned out pretty darn good for a first attempt. You may remember I stitched this one a little while back, it’s Angel of Tulips by Goode Huswife. I stitched two – one for me and one for the exchange. Mine isn’t finished yet though.

So, it was a wonderful evening and I had so much fun. I wish there had been more time to visit with everyone, but there is always next year’s party!

And, really quick, I wanted to update you on my reading escapades. I finished another Black Dagger Brotherhood book – I think it may have taken me all of a week. I’ve had to ground myself from reading anymore of these until I get caught back up at school. How sad is that? True though.

So, after finishing this, I picked up Drums of Autumn again, as you can see. I only lack about 200 pages to finish it. So, after a long hiatus (well, a couple of months anyway), I think I’ll finish it.

I have more to show you, but it will probably have to wait for another day – hopefully not too long though!

I am grateful for good friends.

In Thankfulness of Heart

November 30, 2009 by Michelle 17 Comments

At Plimoth
The Sampler Girl
Gentle Arts Simply Wool threads on 28ct Silkweaver FOTM Exclusive
Stitched November 26 and 27, 2009

Hello, my lovelies! I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving holiday if you are here in the states. I was lucky enough to take all of last week off from work, so my vacation started with a bang by going to see New Moon. Loved it. Want to see it again. And it worked out so perfectly, I think the stars must have been aligned. We got tickets on Thursday for the Friday 8:15pm showing, I met Sherri after work and we went to dinner (mmmm…margaritas) and then went over to stand in line at the theatre. We actually were pretty close to the front of the line for seating, and when the doors opened, we got the best seats in the whole theatre – the middle middle, just where I like to be. And the screaming was really at a minimum, so it was a perfect night! So fun to get to see it on opening night too.

So, what have I been doing for the past nine days? Well, Eric and I did some stuff around the house – cataloging records (yes, actual records, not CDs), etc. I had some super secret stitching I was doing for my guild’s ornament exchange that will take place tomorrow night at our annual holiday party.

And, you can see at the top of this post what else I’ve been stitching (well, what I can show you). Last year before Thanksgiving, The Sampler Girl offered this At Plimoth freebie. I was dying to stitch it for Thanksgiving last year, but for whatever reason my LNS could not get in the Simply Wool threads I needed to stitch it. After waiting three or four months for the threads, another stitcher took pity on me and sent me three of the four (I was able to get one of them) as a wonderful act of kindness. So, as the holiday approached this year, I came across the threads and the freebie in my stash and decided to stitch it up. My only dilemma was what fabric to stitch it on. I really wanted to try to use something I already had on hand. Well, in my digging, I found that I still had some of my favorite piece of fabric. This fabric was a Silkweaver FOTM Exclusive. No name, can’t get any more. Sigh. And I love this fabric. I first used it to stitch my ornament for the guild exchange last year. Then, I used it to stitch Petites Lettres Rouges. And so, when I came across it and did a floss toss, I knew I had to use it for this. All the stars aligned. I started this on Thanksgiving Day during the Macy’s parade, and finished it up on Friday. It was a fun little stitch, and oh how I love the Simply Wool threads. I will definitely be using them again!!! Oh, and those little wool acorns were made by a fellow guild member last year. I think I need some more of them.

I also did some reading…

So, since I promised to give you reviews of my books for my end of year book challenge, here goes. The Leopard was chosen for my most recent Artful Readings book club. I tried. I really did. Just when you thought it was going to get interesting and do something, it failed miserably. This book was published in 1968, I believe, and has to do with Italian politics around the time of the unification of Italy. At least, that’s what I think it’s about. I really gave this a gung-ho effort, but when my bookmark accidentally fell out of the book I took it as a sign that life is too short for bad books. So, I set this one aside unfinished. And that kind of irks me, but not enough to try to finish it.

As a reward for bad taste The Leopard left in my mouth, I rewarded myself with a little vampire reading. These books are a series called the Black Dagger Brotherhood. As one of my friends says, they are like eating kettlecorn – guilty pleasure and you just can’t stop, once you take the first bite. This is the third book in the series, and I like each one better and better. In fact, I was so face first in this book that Eric had to take it away from me so that I could get some stuff done. I did finally get it back, and finished it quickly. As you can see on my sidebar, I’ve now picked up the next book in the series and am quickly moving through it as well.

So, that’s what I’ve been reading. I also picked Jenny Bean back up after finishing my little Plimoth piece. I had hoped to have her done already, but she had to be set aside while some other pressing things got attention. But, she’s back and I am almost done with the right hand border, which leaves just the bottom border to go. Not long now before she is finished. Rather than take a progress pic of her, I thought I’d just surprise you when she’s finished. Soon!!!

And, I did want to take a moment and mention that giving thanks is an important thing to do any time of year. For those that have been with me since I started this blog, you know that at the end of each post I mention something I’m grateful for. Sometimes it’s something small, or funny. Sometimes, it’s something really big and important. But, I try to always do it, as a little way of sending my gratitude out into the universe. So, especially at this time of year, take a moment to appreciate all the blessings in your life. You’d be amazed how those blessings seem to multiply when you start acknowledging them. Thanks to all of you who stop in to visit me and leave your sweet comments. I appreciate each and every one of you. This blog has truly been a gift and has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people. Thank you!

I am grateful for some much-needed time at home with my husband and the cats. I couldn’t ask for more.