Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New 2009

To hail in the coming new year, Nicole (of Nicole's Needlework...formerly Nicole's Island Breeze on my sidebar) and I met for some visiting time. We had a great time shopping at our favorite, half-way point, cross stitch shop, Golden Needle.
Nicole, as always, goes straight for the linens....I go for the charts, usually. This time I went with her to the linens, then we both did a quick flip through Shepherd's Bush. They are one of our mutual favorites. This time we chose "Pumpkin Hill," and I wonder who will actually stitch it this year?
At lunch later, we talked about all of YOU!!! LOL

Nicole did buy some scrumptious fabrics in the end. I ended up with one meager piece called "Chai Tea" to do Mirabilia's "Trick or Treat Fairy." It's just showing underneath all in the pic above.
Aside from our SB piece, I got the Jeannette Douglas "My Stitching Treasures" to go in a box I need to top. Nicole found a copy of "Quakers and Quilts" by Rosewood Manor...which I already have...but this one had the really awesome "Valdani" threads in the packet. I had contacted Valdani trying to get the threads, but with no luck, so I was jumpin' for these threads. Cathy, Golden's owner, was a dear to sell them to me out of the "Q & Q" packet. Nicole says we should just sit them on a shelf and look at them, not really stitch with them. I'm inclined that way myself. Don't know how well you can see them above.
I was fortuneate enough to have stitched my wreath and initials & date before the surgeries hit me, for our Quaker Friendship Sampler RR. I just wanted to show you the picture. I do get some things done! LOL

Won't it be fun in the new year to have a fresh start at stitching again?

Nicole and I can testify to the fact that getting together with good stitching friends is as good as it gets. I hope any of you who are coming my way, or who want to meet somewhere in FL in 2009, will get in touch.

Happy New Year!!! Hugs, Deb

Monday, December 29, 2008

Christmas Blessings

A gift from dear Harmien just after my last surgery! :) She knows when to hit 'em!!

Thank you each and every one who left comments on my blog, they were like Christmas cards to me over the holidays. Wow! I was overwhelmed when I read them tonight. I feel so lifted up and cheered up in my heart. Thank you so much for caring.
We had a good Christmas with Jessica, Kellan and K's dad, who made a beautiful and delicious Christmas Eve dinner for us. Jessica always likes to open presents on that night...so we opened Kellan's gifts. He played for about an hour with the little cars I got him. We couldn't believe it and just laughed at him. He is teething and now has 2 teeth that he loves to bite my finger with! :) He was truly our Christmas blessing this year. And, another thank you goes out to all of you friends who prayed for Jessica and Kellan last year. We believe your love and prayers made a difference.

Here he is in his Halloween dragon outfit! Christmas pics aren't out yet.

I was spoiled this year with several gifts and cards!! Harmien sent me not only the darling thread ring, and the Old World Santa ornament at the far right above. Thank you so much, Harmien, I'm sufficiently spoiled!! :)

Barbara sent a beautiful card and well wishes. Patti (Queenie) from England, sent me a gift certificate for Stitching Bits and Bobs! Clare of our Quaker Friendship RR sent a lovely card. Jenn (Jenn X), a dear reading friend as well as a stitcher, offered me a book for the down times!! LOL Deb of Cat Tails made a darling Christmas card! Giulia sent a gorgeous card via email that she had created. Juls from NV called and we had a great talk. My dear Neighborhood RR friend, Wendy...whom I just love to pieces, sent a card and note. And so did Anne of Feather Stitching..from Australia..we all love Anne! Not to mention so many that have written emails back and forth with me. Nicole of (Charleston...) and I are meeting tomorrow for some friendship time.

I'm one lucky lady in friendships. Thanks so much to you!

My latest purchases for stash are:

Mirabilias: New Mermaid and "Opulence" (thanks to Patti!) And, I had to have all of the C.Cricket Dickens collection. Jessica spotted me for Christmas by telling my DH that I just wanted money for cross stitch. And, the dear man came through, so Nicole and I will be shopping tomorrow at the Golden Needle in Port Charlotte.

'nuff said...I'm off to bed. With love and warmest wishes for all, Deb

Sunday, December 21, 2008

I Survived The Resection Surgery!!!

Ha!!! I'm 3 weeks out from the horrid resection surgery and am feeling stronger every day. I'm so thankful for all of your notes and prayers and good thoughts over the past months as I've fought through this awful, and truly exhausting situation. As I get my strength back, it's unbelievable to me just how truly drained of energy I've been with the constant infection in my body!

Now I feel so grateful to be getting better. I'm also so grateful to Giulia, Harmien, Barbara, Annemarie, Jenn, Wendy, Marie, and Jinger who stayed particularly close as friends and kept my spirits up. Thank God they understood and were there for me in one of the lowest times of my life.

I feel so blessed by those friends who took the time to write a note of love and support to me on my last blog. What would I have done without your encouragement and friendship? Thank you so much for caring and sharing your experiences to let me know I could do it and stitching would go on!!

Truly, this is such a blessed Christmas holiday which you all have made for me. I hope you each receive every blessing and joy back 100 times for all you've meant and done for me.

Love, hugs and a wonderful winter holiday!
Deb

Monday, November 10, 2008

Note to Friends

Dear Friends,

If you've been wondering where I am....I've been in the hospital again!! A minor surgery on my colon again. After a little over a week, I'm home to heal for 3-4 weeks so I can go back in for a resection surgery. I'm so discouraged...and crying about this one! The timing is that surgery will be in 2 weeks.

My orthopedic surgeon has found after an MRI 3 wks ago, that I have a torn rotator cuff...shoulder of right side....that was killing me and affecting my arm, fingers and shoulder and neck. This cannot be operated on, however, until the other surgeries are healed.

All in all, I expect I'll be through with surgeries at the end of Dec., or first part of Jan. Then, I can start physical therapy for my right arm, etc.

My capacity for stitching is low, but I am doing some slow stuff!! LOL I'm reading alot and just resting as I just feel weak and not very energetic!

Latest book I'm really loving is, "The Seamstress." I just am captured by it. It's a new book, and doesn't sound wonderful on the jacket review, but it is. It's the story of two sisters who take very different paths in life, but still maintain a strong bond to eachother...it takes place in the 1930s in Brazil. Just a fascinating book, and a wonderful story.

Sending love and hugs to all. I think of you often. My stitching and friends keep me going....
Hugs,
Deb

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Stitching Girl correction

A correction for my Stitching Girl w/Dog chart: I've changed "c" symbols color (3024) to 841 light brown. The other color was too gray!

I'm working the chart and finding it tiny and just what I wanted. But, everyone should let me know if they have questions or things come up...

On her skirt, look carefully. There are several "." amongst the diamond shapes. I meant these as roses on her dress. You can either cross stitch them or make french knots. I've made them french knots.
Hugs,
Deb

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Stitching Completed!


Oh, boy, I don't know how, but I finished stitching this tonight even with my bum arm and all! :D I was thinking of lining it with a gorgeous Kaffe Fasset fabric that I have, but it just took the whole piece over and smothered the stitching!! LOL Thus, this quiet little cabbage green roses instead.
I added a little bee to the back, and some french knot rose buds. Wish the pictures would capture the true colors....alas I don't have a Nokia!! Can you see my matching purple metallic colors scissors? :)
Hugs, Deb

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Stitching Girl with Dog Chart & Instructions


Here's the "Stitching Girl with Dog" chart. Can you print it and enlarge it? Please let me know.
Although the instructions say the chart is for 14 ct., I'm using 36 ct. fabric..linen...Light Sand, Edinboro. I love a small size.
In addition to the colors named, I'm adding these:
DMC: 3045, 733, 3364 , 3045 I'm going to use these at random to sprinkle in with the vines and leaves.
Have fun! Hugs, Deb

Friday, October 3, 2008

Little Finish & Freebie

In the distress of my horrendous pain in my neck, right shoulder, arm and fingers :{ I took to designing this week. Here's part of the DMC color palette. I was just in too much pain to find the rest of the colors in my stash so far. The chart, which is called "Stitching Girl with Dog" is seen partially in the upper right corner. I wanted to give it to you here as a freebie. Alas, I'm computer challenged, and I can't get it scanned and transported to my blog!! Rats! Though I haven't proofed it yet by stitching it, if any of you want a copy of the chart and instruction sheet, please just comment here or email me, and I'll send you one. It's a medallion, and I plan to design more of this little stitching girl.
Here is Karen's finished block for her Neighborhood RR. I added a strange little hedggie who climbed up to the roof and got stuck between the chimneys!! A big pink & raspberry bird...and some rain showers under a happy blue cloud. Thanks for all of your suggestions. Hope Karen likes her block! Now it's flying off to Bine's house where she'll add the last block before it all returns home to Karen!!
Must get off the computer and save my arm! Have happy weekends, everyone. Love and hugs to you all, Deb

Monday, September 29, 2008

Beatrix Potter SAL

My new pink palette for "Beatrix Potter Sampler" Needleprint, SAL which Hazel has kindly organized to begin Jan. 2009. I completely failed to get going on the SAL last year, and just bailed on it, sadly. So, I'm giving myself this new start of hope!!!

Last year I had chosen Soy Luster thread in a sort of periwinkle blue dark color. I never was quite sure of it and couldn't really decide what I wanted. Maybe that held me back?? Anyway, I'm loving this pink palette for this year's attempt...finish. It makes me happier and I feel confident in it. I always felt the browns just didn't speak to the love of colors and joyful spirit of Beatrix Potter....so I've always wanted to change them, anyway.
I also kitted up Cricket Collection's "Sleepy Hollow" which came out last year, and which I never got to. This fabric is from Silkweavers and is called Stormy Skies or something...can't quite remember. Naturally, it's been in my stash since I owned the Cabbage Rose Needlework shop. It has sections of storm cloudiness. I really didn't want it to be so dark and gloomy a background that we lost the colors of witches houses, etc....:] in the whole piece as it continues to be a full Halloween neighborhood.
Otherwise, I'm nursing along my cervical spine herniated discs which are causing me horrendous pain down my right neck and arm!! Ouch!! This has not kept me from stitching and kitting...:) I've been seeing my massage therapist, but that's not really helping. Jessica has kindly gotten me an appt. to see a specialist in these things and acupuncture, too, on Wednesday. Hopefully, I'll be able to avoid the surgery like I had on my other shoulder 3 yrs ago!! Not fun!
Thank you so much for reading and leaving comments on my blog. Friends keep me going... Hugs, Deb

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Bits & Book

Here's my layout for my "Me,Myself&I, RR." I worried myself to death about what to do because I've had so many ideas of what I would like to do, but I finally decided on "A Celebration oc Christmas" past and present.

I've been collecting Praire Schooler santas, angels, winter scenes, woodland animals, etc...for years and I haven't stitched many of them because I just haven't wanted Christmas ornaments. My goal has been to make framed series' of them, and I figured this is my chance to incorporate them in a vast piece!

I'm using the Byzantine Angels (my name for them) like this one I stitched last year, as my corner images to start. I'll be revealing the other pieces as I go along just for the mystery and the fun of it. Going to have to create a fourth Byz. Angel of my own to make the last corner piece.

Has everyone seen that Dani (please see her link on my sidebar) is running a marathon for breast cancer? Go check it out! You can sponsor her for the race for just a few dollars to cheer her on. I'm so proud of her!! It's great to see one of our stitching friends do something so wonderful and so challenging! Way to go, Dani!! So proud of you!!!



New book finish: This is a very intriguing and strange "post-modernist" novel which very openly tells the story of the JonBenet Ramsey mystery from the perspective of the son. It's a page-turner of 400-plus pages which I found so engrossing I would stay up nearly all night. (Which really isn't unusual for me as many of my stitching friends well know, but nevertheless!!!) Allison, dear, I'm sending this one to you. You have to read it!! As you all know, Joyce Carol Oates is one of my very fav. authors of all time. I've been reading her since I was 19 yrs. old, and she never fails to deliver. I would, however, wait for the paperback...the hardback is expensive unless you are collecting her first editions like I am.

Kellan's growing! He wants to thank all of you who prayed for him before, during and after he was born! Remember when he was a preemie? Now he's 16 lbs. and in the 95%ile for 3mos. olds. :)

Have a happy time stitching Halloween!!! Thank you for commenting, I need to hear from you! Hugs, Deb

PS: I am mourning Paul Newman, who was my favorite actor and humanitarian. What a dear man he was. I was fortunate to see him in person in 2007, and to see him on screen since I was a little girl. I know he will be remembered for all he did for children with cancer for so many years, as well as his generosity to untold others. Good-night, Sweet Prince.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

PIFs and Quaker Friendship RR

Jinger got several of us started on a Quaker Friendship RR, and we are all still at the baby stages, deciding upon fabrics and threads. I'm thinking of using DMC's new Color Variations in this pink and melon colored blend on 32 ct. linen called "French Lace." My other thought is to use all the new colors in this series... I have shown some of them above (in perle cotton). We are supposed to get started very soon!! Don't want to make this such a serious sampler...just a happy, friendship sampler.

NEWS: I am soooo delighted to have been pulled from the hat of Fate in Edgar's draw for his PIFs for the year!! I am one of three and am so excited to be on the receiving end of an Edgar stitchery.
This means that I am putting out the word to all of you that I'm opening up the possibility to three of you to sign up as my PIFs for the year. PIF= Pass It Forward...which entitles the PIFer to receive a surprise package of some stitching kind from me! If there are more than 3 who would like to be chosen, I will exercise my little feathered hat and pull out the 3 winners, myself! Please leave your requests in my comments section.
Thirdly, and really so importantly, I appreciate all of you who took the time to answer me about my loss of commentors on my blog. I didn't understand about this "rapid reading" thingie with Google. I still don't understand it. I know that I'm sort of resigned to sit at my computer for hours...literally 4-5 hours per week just to catch up and comment on friends' blogs. I, too, read many and don't always comment. So, I'm guilty of the same no commenting behavior. It's just nice to know there's someone out there who's a friend and cares, isn't it. Thank you, dear friends for taking the time to talk to me.


Here's my new progress on Karen's Neighborhood...it's coming along.

I only have 4 more days to mail this one on to Sabine! :) Got to think of something for the sky section. I have the ground area covered. Do you have any suggestions for the sky besides birds?

Hugs, and thanks again for being there....
Deb

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

New Stitching Start & Neighborhood RR Update

New from Market by Primitive Traditions....Sarah Elliot's Sewing Chest....: This may be a "Mom's request for Christmas" for me....unless one of you wants to share the $180 cost and split the chest with me!!! :}


These two pics above are my golden house as it's coming along on Karen's (Dragonfly Dreams) Neighborhood RR piece. I've also tried to give you and her a glimpse of her whole Neighborhood which is so pretty! After my block, we have only one more until our Neighborhoods all come home to us after the year of stitching. It's going to be bittersweet...an ending and a happy surprise at the same time. :]
Here's just a fun little needlecase I started this Monday. I was rooting through my fabrics looking for something to stitch Halloween things on, and found this kit. I don't care to stitch on aida anymore, so found a 32 ct. unidentifiable color-named linen and used that. Really enjoyed it and I expect I'll finish it in another day or so.

Were you all just delighted with the new charts from Market!!?? I loved so many though I have my favorites. I'm just going to share a couple which I've ordered already from Stitching Bits and Bobs. You know I had to have this one for my little grands!!! Isn't it beautiful?

I'm devoted to Quaker Samplers. This one is so soft and sweet.

This biscornu is gorgeous from Sweetheart Tree. I love beaded berries, don't you? I did order the new Indigo Rose biscorn, too, which I think is fabulous! And, I've never liked Boards particularly (except that cemetery one from Plum Street! :o), but I just think this one is fantastic. I also couldn't resist ordering "Creepy Crawly" by Blue Ribbon (I think it is)...that little casket needle tools set.
I couldn't believe Mosey n' Me's new Samplers, could you? Check out Shakespeare's Peddler where I saw them...Theresa always has a good eye for things.


Too many great things to picture here. I loved the new CHS pieces, especially The Swan....have to have those. And, the Just Nans are great! And, Chessie and Me houses are to die for, too. I thought this was a good Market considering the state our country is in right now.....

Must go and eat the scrummy chocolate cake and Blue Bells Homemade Vanilla ice cream my DH has put together for me. I think I really like him!!

Hugs to all, and thanks so much for your comments...my faithful few friends.

BTW:I don't know why but not many visit me anymore and comment. Could it be my political views? Or, maybe I wax too long in my blog and don't show enough stitching??? Tell me why.....Here's your chance....I'm listening. I will send a surprise package to someone whose name I pull from a bag for all the comments on this..... Thanks so much. Deb

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Annabel Lee by Poe

Annabel Lee

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love-I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me-
Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide,
I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Edgar Allan Poe

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Cross Stitch Madness


I suspect you may have seen already this beautiful new "Christmas Sewing Set" from Guilia Punti Antichi. Isn't it wonderful?! I love the European look of it. Comes with finishing directions...$18. I'm thinking I would be perfectly happy starting this on Christmas morning! :] Oh, boy!! I'm so happy "Just Cross Stitch" is going to give us Halloween Issues of ornies...aren't you!!?? I love all of them, but here are my favorites to start stitching this week: La-D-Da's "Smell My Feet" which reminds me of the "Wizard of Oz" and the witch Dorothy smashed with her house! "Batty Jack" by Just Nan....Monster Bubbles "Batty".....and CHS "Tombstone Angel." Didn't you also just love that little "Harvet Moon Cottage"!! All in all, a great Halloween magazine for all of us.


When Halloween comes around, I always think of my favorite grotesque, gothic, and beautiful Southern male writer, Edgar Allan Poe. Here's a summary of his life story by James Southall Wilson of the Poe Museum in Richmond, VA.

Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19, 1809 in Boston, where his mother had been employed as an actress. Elizabeth Arnold Poe died in Richmond on December 8, 1811, (note from Deb: his father died shortly afterwards)and Edgar was taken into the family of John Allan, a member of the firm of Ellis and Allan, tobacco-merchants.

After attending schools in England and Richmond, young Poe registered at the University of Virginia on February 14, 1826, the second session of the University. He lived in Room 13, West Range. He became an active member of the Jefferson Literary Society, and passed his courses with good grades at the end of the session in December.
Mr. Allan failed to give him enough money for necessary expenses, and Poe made debts of which his so-called father did not approve. When Mr. Allan refused to let him return to the University, a quarrel ensued, and Poe was driven from the Allan home without money. Mr. Allan probably sent him a little money later, and Poe went to Boston. There he published a little volume of poetry, Tamerlane and Other Poems. It is such a rare book now that a single copy has sold for $200,000.00

Moldavia, Poe's last home in Richmond located at Fifth and Main Streets. John Allan bought the house in 1825, and Edgar lived there before entering the University of Virginia in 1826.

In Boston on May 26, 1827, Poe enlisted in The United States Army as a private using the name Edgar A. Perry. After two years of service, during which he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant-major, he secured, with Mr. Allan's aid, a discharge from the Army and went to Baltimore. He lived there with his aunt, Mrs. Maria Poe Clemm, on the small amounts of money sent by Mr. Allan until he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Meanwhile, Poe published a second book of poetry in 1829: Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems. After another quarrel with Allan (who had married a second wife in 1830), Poe no longer received aid from his foster father. Poe then took the only method of release from the Academy, and got himself dismissed on March 6, 1831. (note from Deb: drunken and disorderly behavior! :[)

Soon after Poe left West Point, a third volume appeared: Poems by Edgar Allan Poe, Second Edition. While living in Baltimore with his aunt, Mrs. Clemm, young Poe began writing prose tales. Five of these appeared in the Philadelphia Saturday Courier in 1832.

With the December issue of 1835, Poe began editing the Southern Literary Messenger for Thomas W. White in Richmond; he held this position until January, 1837. During this time, Poe married his young cousin, Virginia Clemm in Richmond on May 16, 1836. (Note from Deb: Thought to be his famous "Annabel Lee" in his poem)

Poe's slashing reviews and sensational tales made him widely known as an author; however, he failed to find a publisher for a volume of burlesque tales, Tales of the Folio Club. Harpers did, however, print his book-length narrative, Arthur Gordon Pym in July of 1838.

Little is known about Poe's life after he left the Messenger; however, in 1838 he went to Philadelphia where he lived for six years. He was an editor of Burton's Gentleman's Magazine from July, 1839 to June, 1840, and of Graham's Magazine from April, 1841 to May, 1842. In April, 1844, with barely car fare for his family of three, [including his aunt, Virginia's mother, who lived with them], Poe went to New York where he found work on the New York Evening Mirror.

In 1840, Poe's "Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque" was published in two volumes in Philadelphia. In 1845, Poe became famous with the spectacular success of his poem "The Raven," and in March of that year, he joined C. F. Briggs in an effort to publish The Broadway Journal. Also in 1845,Wiley and Putnam issued Tales by Edgar A. Poe and The Raven and Other Poems.

The year 1846 was a tragic one. Poe rented the little cottage at Fordham, where he lived the last three years of his life. The Broadway Journal failed, and Virginia became very ill and died on January 30, 1847. After his wife's death, Poe perhaps yielded more often to a weakness for drink, which had beset him at intervals since early manhood. He was unable to take even a little alcohol without a change of personality, and any excess was accompanied by physical prostration. Throughout his life those illnesses had interferred with his success as an editor, and had given him a reputation for intemperateness that he scarcely deserved.

In his latter years, Poe was interested in several women. They included the poetess, Mrs. Sarah Helen Whitman, Mrs. Charles Richmond, and the widow, Mrs. Sarah Elmira Shelton, whom he had known in his boyhood as Miss Royster.

The circumstances of Poe's death remain a mystery. After a visit to Norfolk and Richmond for lectures, he was found in Baltimore in a pitiable condition and taken unconscious to a hospital where he died on Sunday, October 7, 1849. He was buried in the yard of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. ( Note from Deb: Some say he was on his way to Boston to prepare for his wedding...met up with old friends in Baltimore...went on a drunk and died there before he could get to Boston.)

In personal appearance, Poe was a quiet, shy-looking but handsome man; he was slightly built, and was five feet, eight inches in height. His mouth was considered beautiful. His eyes, with long dark lashes, were hazel-gray.
The most remarkable of his tales are “The Gold Bug,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Murders of the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined Letter,” “A Descent into Maelstrom,” and “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.” “The Raven” and “The Bells” alone would make the name of Poe immortal. The teachers of Baltimore placed a monument over his grave in 1875.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I personally love his poetry. His books of murder and investigation were precursers of our modern mystery novels. Every year pilgrims go to his grave to pay homage to the great writer. Can you even see a raven without thinking of Poe?? I can't.
What are all of you stitching for Halloween? I saw Annemarie's gift from Harmien and went green! It was darling!! And, it's inspired me to stitch some things this year.... along with Neighborhood RR, MeMyself&IRR, Fair&Square, Cirque des Cercles, Buckles & Bows, my Marie Antoinette Sampler, some Chatelaine Designs, CHS designs, etc.... :) Happy me!!!
Thank you all for visiting and commenting on my bloggish blog. Sometimes...maybe lots of times...I'm long-winded. Never a dull moment...
Hugs, Deb
Thanks for your very interesting comments on Poe! See my favorite poem above in my next blog. It's unsettling, isn't it? :]

Friday, September 19, 2008

New Stash and Braggin'


These are pics of my granddaughter, Hadley, above & on the right as she's about to begin her first Baby Ballerinas class. And, you can see her dancing below. I think she's adorable! She's 2 yrs. old. :]
Hadley, as you probably remember from her previous pics, lives in MA on the Cape. She's my son, Jason and wife, Adrien's only child. I could just squeeze her!!!
Here's a picture of Hadley's daddy, Jason (2nd row, 2nd from right in red and navy w/hat) with his team mates after running a marathon relay for charity called Reach the Beach last weekend. They each ran 28 miles along villages, mountain roads and beach. I'm a very proud mom. He's happy and running his part of the relay....
Jas nearing the end of his 1st run, and it's hot! His second run was in the rain, and his 3rd was in darkest night with reflective tape all over him!

And, here's my newest passion to start!! I just kitted this one up. It's from "Mary Hickmott's NEW STITCHES" magazine out of the UK. I get mine from my bookstore magazine stand. This particular piece is called: "Buckles and Bows" and features shoes from the 1600's showing richly embroidered designs, pointed toes, ribbons and fabulous colors! I can't resist stitching it! I've chosen a light seafoam green fabric--28 ct. You can see a bit of it from the pictures.
Pictures inside the magazine. There are about 60 DMC or Anchor colors. I decided to use DMC, though I think the model was done in Anchor.
Have to run off to Jessica's to fetch my mother, who's visiting for the week. I'll show my start on this one in my next blog.

Hugs, Deb

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Book Benders and Stash!

This darling little project is the new Buttons and Blooms stitch for a cure from Elegant Stitch! It's created by Blackbird Designs...and includes the ready-made ditty bag, the fabbie, threads and fabric backing....AND the little wax piece! All for $30. to charity. Go see Lois while they last!

I was in such a reading, craving mode this week, I stacked up paperbacks for a reading hibernation, bought a coconut lemon sponge cake, and dug out my most luxurious and comfy pjs....changed my bed into a cushy, gorgeous Princess bed, too!! It was decadent. :P

Here are the books I read:

"The Great Man" by Kate Christensen - Winner of the Pen/Faulkner Award
A truly fabulous novel that kept me reading from 4PM to 3AM to the finish! This was a strange thing, because I really wasn't drawn in by the title of the book, nor the summaries on the cover. It said it was about an artist in NYC who had died, whose biography was being written by two men, and who left behind a wife and son, a sister, and a mistress and two daughters. Yawn.... I really bought the book because it was given the Pen/Faulkner Award, and that alone made me curious enough to buy it! I'm so glad I did!! What a wonderful and spellbinding author Christensen is! I was completely captivated from page one! Couldn't put the book down...fell madly in love with the women characters...and could have read 300 more pages after the book ended!! Treat yourself to this all-nighter book in paperback.

Next, I read "Summer Reading," by Hilma Wolitzer. Not a beachy paperback, though the title might seem like it is. This book is well written with characters of interest and depth, and a recommended booklist for you, too. The story takes place in the Hamptons mostly at the home of a seasonal, wealthy young woman who hosts her friends/acquaintances' Summer book group "The Page Turner's." The focus of the story is on the year-round leader of the group, the hostess of Page Turner's, her housemaid....how the books change their lives. One of the main premises of the book is that "novels are supposed to change the way we live," and to help us see and live more "authentic lives." It makes you think, and wonder..... A great book to start the school year out....

I've also been stashing some other goodies!!
Shepherds Bush: Sail Away Can't resist this pretty one!
Shepherds Bush: Into the Night Nothing better than SB for Halloween

Rosewood Manor: Quakers and Quilts Reminds me of an old Presidential Campaign board or grandstand. I may trade the alphabet for this year's candidate's names. Rosewood Manor: Family Reunion Not sure I'd ever do this whole piece, but I do like bits of it, especially the frame and tag ideas for pincushions and fobs.

Did I tell you I'm in Vonna's "Me, Myself and I, RR" group? So many of you are, too. It's going to be great fun this year! I'm thinking a "His eye is on the sparrow" type village for my piece with lots of birds... It's still in the cranium. :)

Hugs, Deb

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Midnight Stitchers

Martha took this one of me and my table mates! I couldn't figure out which shelf to rest my magnifier on..the first or the second shelf !!
Last night was our "Midnighter's Meeting" for our EGA group. We had such fun. These pics were taken by me at about midnight so we were a bit wilted, but still stitching and having fun! These happy campers above are my dear friends whom you've seen before in my blog, Julia (r) and Patti (l). They are needlepointing. Above are Melissa (r) and her mom. Melissa is well on her way to finishing a gorgeous knitted afghan worked in assorted (at least 60 different!) fingering weight (or sock weight) wools in the connected diamond pattern. It's just an amazingly beautiful thing to behold. I asked her how large it will be, and she said, "Just enough to cover me and go over my head!" LOL Actually, it would have made more sense for me to have had her hold it up so you could see all the colors in it....Deborah not thinking at midnight, it seems! :p Her mom was hand-quilting a mini-quilt in the bowtie pattern for her grandson in sort of Civil War colored fabbies. It was a treat just to sit and watch her. I was sitting with them some of the evening, working on my Cirque des Cercles (bearly) as we were talking and I was watching them! This is interesting about Martha (Gone A Stitchin'....) she's stitching ornies for her children and grandchildren for Christmas. She always trys to give them the same thing...so she was trying out this darling little Santa man. We were laughing because it's her first one, she's less than 1/2 way through it, and she was saying she's already sick and tired of it!!! LOL Notice Martha's great new floor lamp/magnifier, too! I just love it. It's so easily portable and light weight. Martha says it's only about $100. You'll have to go to her blog and email her to find out what the brand is. See my sidebar for her blog addy.

Along with Martha above, is Malinda showing off her absolutely fabulous beading. She one of several in our EGA group who love to bead. If you look closely you can see she's made a beaded hood for a Christmas ornament. It's amazing irl. Actually, beading is big in our group. Patti brought in a beading teacher and nearly everyone learned how to peyote stitch, etc., this Summer....except me! ;] I've decided I can't take up one more handcraft!!! I can only admire this one.

Just lovely cross stitching from one of our sweetly, quiet stitchers! :)Isn't this pretty from one of our stitchers who's been stitching more years than some of are old!!??? An example of needlepoint using Gumnuts threads from Austrailia. This is so beautiful irl. It's done on congress cloth, I think.


And, a frightfully, happy ending with me in the middle...it's midnight and we've passed our expiration dates! Everyone else is close to home...I have to drive an hour. But, I was well reinforced with coconut lemon creme cake, a small slice of chocolate mousseish cake on the side, and a cuppa about 30 mins. before departure. Yummy!

We had our meeting at the Ronald McDonald's House near the local hospital. It's where all the meetings are held, and we are so grateful they allow us to use the house. We collect items for them; such as bedding and towels. When we have buffet or bring a dish suppers like on Midnighter's, we always make enough to leave for the families who stay there. And, on this night we played Stitcher's Bingo with pennies that were donated to their penny drive to buy something for the House.


Stitcher's Bingo was hilarious!! Everyone got a chance to win, of course. We'd all brought $1 items as prizes for the pot. It was lots of fun. A great game if you want to have fun at your next stitcher's group. We just filled in our bingo cards with our choices of Designers, Fabrics, Fibers, Stitching Tools, and Accessories from the same list passed out to each of us. Then, Martha pulled the names of those things from a hat for the bingo spaces covered by our pennies.


We also played "CLR" for flosses. I'd never heard of this game.... We were told to bring flosses for the game. We had no idea what was going on! Martha brought 3 dice... one with a "C" on it, an "L", an "R", and a "." We each put down 3 skeins of any kind of floss or thread in front of ourselves on the table. One person begins by rolling the 3 dice. "C" stands for "Center," so if it turns up with that you put one floss in the center of the table. "L" stands for "Left" so if you have that, you pass one floss to your left. "R" stands for "Right", you pass one floss to your right. And, "." means you can keep your floss. Once your turn is over you pass the dice to your left. It goes on this way until it comes to the last person still holding a floss. That person wins the center pot! Everybody loved this game, too. Couldn't believe how many gamblers there were amongst us!!! :O

Hope you're stitching happy this week! Hugs, Deb


PS: Yes, Carol, our group does meet at the Ronald McDonald House in Ft. Myers, FL. What a small world! :]