New From Market

I'm bonkers for the Quakers coming out of market. This is from Primitive Traditions and is called Abigail Colbys Workbasket Top. Oh, I just love it and all the pieces that follow below!
These are the Abigail Colby Workbasket Acessories. Yummy. I also love the new Quaker Seasons of Friends (I think that's what it's called) that Karen V. has on her blog. When will I get enough of the Quakers!!?? Then, Ink Circles does it again and I'm hooked for another season! I think this one may be my all-time favorite of theirs. It has a gentleness to it that the other designs don't have. Isn't the little nightingale on the lower left darling?

I ordered these pieces and a couple more charts from Stitching Bits and Bobs. If you are looking to get something within a reasonable time, this is not the shop for you. It always takes several weeks, and then I have to email her and push her to send my things. But, she does have the newest merchandise and I appreciate that.

Has anyone seen where to buy the new Kelmscott acorn needleminder? Bobbie of St. Bits & Bobs had it on her site one day, then it disappeared! It was so interesting and just perfect for the Abigail Colby accessories. Please let me know if you find it any place else. Note: I just found the acorn needleminder on ABC Stitch Therapy under New Items. They also have a darling acorn thread holder in the shell/mother of pearl!

One more thing, I'm weeding out my stash this week. I have all of the Victoria Sampler "Birthday Needlerolls," charts that have never been opened. I will do a drawing for those of you who want some and who want specific months. They are charted by months.

Here is an example of the needleroll...February.

Hugs and many thanks for my friends and their comments. Love ya! Deb

A No-Go on "Tom"

Nope. No catching PT last night. DH was home and in his study which faces right out front of the house, and he had his blinds up and his lights on. So, I'm sure PT wasn't going to take a chance in that case. We'll have to wait until DH is away working...

More sleuthing this week found this out: My BF, Elaine (who I mentioned in earlier entries has and is in remission from lung cancer...Yay!) told me there was a man during the day who walked in back of her house near her LR/great room side of the house. I asked her if she recognized him. "No," she said. I asked her why she thought the man was walking there. She had no idea except she thought he might be taking a "short cut to a neighbors house down the way." I reminded her there was no short cut. It's the same distance to walk down our sidewalks. Elaine said she leaves her blinds all open at night, too. And, there's very little grass to walk on because Elaine's house backs up to our pond!

So, now I'm wondering since we've caught on to him on this side of the street, if he's decided to go across the street! Elaine lives across the street and about 8 houses down from me. I warned her to close her blinds..particularly her bedroom ones because she is in the bed watching tv at night until late.

The story continues.....maybe I've just read too many Nancy Drews and murder mysteries in my life, but I'm determined to solve this mystery!!

It was good to hear how you all do your stitching! I know Nicole once told me she listens to books on tape and also stitches in the car when she's picking her boys up from school while she's waiting.

Speaking of books, here is what I'm nearly finished reading for this week. I'm just stuck on Patricia Cornwell for a binge reading time! I've read several of her books in the past, but I think she's gotten to be a better writer these days. I highly recommend this one. My next one is her new one, "Scarpetta." Then, I'm probably going back to my classics with some new award winners in between.

Did I tell you about this very unusual one? I was fascinated with it. It did win an award which one I can't remember at the moment. And, I don't want to fetch it while I'm blogging. But, it was a wonderful psychological and coming of age book. I really loved this one, though the title isn't the best seller, I think.

BTW, it's fun seeing several of you on Facebook! And, thanks to Juls for that darling little monster hug!! LOL Come and join us those of you who haven't already!

Off to check Facebook.... Hugs, Deb

5 Addictions Tag

Some time ago, Patti (Tapestry of Dreams), I call her "Queenie," tagged me to tell what my 5 addictions are and then to tag 5 other people. Here are mine not necesseserily in this order:

1. Needlework (Cross Stitch and Needlepoint)

2. My precious children and grands

3. Books of every genre

4. Jewelrymaking

5. Quilts and quilting

Here are my tagged stitching buddies:

1. Deb (Cattails)

2. Juls

3. Nicole

4. Martha

5. Glenna

I hope this doesn't bother them!

Today was a blog-visiting day. It really takes a whole day, doesn't it?! I still didn't make it all the way through, so I have more to visit tomorrow or Monday. I love to do that, but, as you know, I've been out of touch lately.

Hope to stitch up a storm tonight!! I've tevoed/saved several tv programs and movies so I'll be watching them and stitching until early into the morning, I guess. I like to stay up very late so I can read and stitch. I'm lucky that I can sleep in until 10-11AM, though, so I can catch up! Don't like to stitch during the day for some reason.

Are you a day or night stitcher? Where do you stitch? When you stitch, how long do you usually stitch at one sitting? Do you watch tv, listen to music or listen to books on tape...or sit quietly? Just wondering....

I stitch in my recliner with my Dazor magnifer light in the evening. I usually stitch 2 hrs. or more at a time. Then, I have a snack break and start stitching again for about another 1/2 an hour or an hour. I watch/listen to tv. Or, in recent time, I'll be trying to capture a peeping tom! The wretch...

Have a good Sunday! Hugs, Deb

Thank Yous

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement about the Peeper! Jessica and I met at Barnes & Noble bookstore the other night and closed it down about 10:00PM. By the time I got home it was about 10:30, so I decided to take a drive around our little community to see if I could see anyone walking and smoking..... No luck.

However, I did notice that another of my girl friends, Nancy, who is alone (widowed), and is 3 houses down from me had her blinds/shutters opened and her lights on, too! You could see right through her house. It really gave me a good idea of how exposed I had been!! I called Nancy and gave her the news about the Peeping JTom and she is now on the same page with closing up at night. She had been leaving her lanai doors/windows uncovered at night just like I was in the habit of doing. And, of course, we couldn't see a thing outside in the dark from our perspective!

Tomorrow is Saturday night...the night he likes to be scary.... We'll see what happens.... In answer to a question: it is a gated community, so we think it's somebody who lives in the community, or is new to the community who is doing this. We've been safe for years until now.

I think Anthony has to work again, but maybe I can set a trap by pretending to go to bed at 10PM and peeking out my bedroom blinds in the dark. BTW, the police told me anyone could cut the wires to our phones, so I should keep my cell phone battery up and the phone near me at all times at night.

I've decided the best place to hide is my closed because it's full of stash and clothes and nobody could find me in there! I'll be back later.... Deb

The Peeping Tom

First of all let me thank all of you dear friends who left comments on my last entry. I was so happy to read all you said. You make me feel wonderful! :)

Now for the Tom story: About 5 weeks ago, I was in my bed sleeping soundly with my little Yorkie, Clara, snug in her bed underneath our bed. I'm a light sleeper, and Clara is too. I was awakened by something, then heard a man's voice...angry...saying, "Shit!" This was outside my window just by my head...fortunately my blinds were drawn. Clara started barking and I didn't hear anything else. I was afraid to look outside. The clock said about 10:30 PM. My DH was not home...he was working. I went back to sleep because I'd taken a sleeping pill.

Then, a week ago, Clara started barking at the front door. I was lying on the sofa watching tv. Again, my DH wasn't home...he was working late. I heard the door rattle and then 2 knocks on the glass of the door. All of my blinds were up and my lights were on. I called my DH's name...no answer. Then, about a minute later, there were 2 taps on the window just behind my head.

I didn't look around, naturally. But, I knew there was someone there because the taps had been the same 2 counts. About 4 minutes later, my DH pulled up in the drive and came in.

I told him what had happened and he went immediately outside, but saw nothing, of course. He called the police who came and said that this guy was now uping the situation by getting closer to me. And, that it was a dangerous situation. Each time it's been 10:30-11:00 PM and on a Sat. or Sun. night.

The police told us to keep all the draperies and blinds closed at night, and to get lights that come on if anyone or anything walks near them. We've done that. They are going to patrol my neighborhood more now.

We have a gated community which has been so safe and there has been no trouble like this in all the 4 years I've been here. So, it's a bit scary. I told my next door neighbor on Sunday after the taps and she asked me if my handyman smoked. I told her I didn't have a handyman.... She said she smelled smoke outside of her tv room the night before and found a cigarette butt outside the window!! They also leave their blinds open, and she was watching tv alone about 10:30 PM, with the window open! We bagged the cigarette for the police.

The police told me they will catch him even if they have to dress in camoflage and hide out for him. But, meanwhile, I'm closed in at night like a tomb!! Especially on Sat. and Sunday nights when DH works!!

Will let you know if anything further develops.... PS: Clara needs to go to her groomer, I know!!! :p But, doesn't she look scary??

Hugs, Deb

Quakers & New Stuff to Show You

*Bumps in the Night has to wait until next blog entry!!!! I mean it!!!

I love this Crown & Thistle chart "Quaker Seasons!" I'm thinking I'll use this opalescent fabric with Gloriana "Winter Brook," and DMCs Variations in 4070 and 4045. Not sure, but if I make the purse, it will definately be an evening purse. I'm going to start with the beeskeep first as a needlebook.

From our Quaker Friendship Sampler RR, this is my work on Martha's (Gone Stitchin' Instead of Just a Wishin') piece. She has chosen to use simply DMC 310 black on an antique beige ground. It's very strong and quaker looking, actually. I'm enjoying working on this one.Here is the Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler SAL piece I'm working with our group, formed by Hazel. I've had fits with getting a fabric that can make me happy! This is just a temporary one...I'm waiting for a shipment from Silkweaver's which is backordered from Wichert!! UGH! I'm noticing that this fabric looks lavenderish, but it's actually white.

Now some stashing and gift pictures! French designs just slay me! I couldn't resist the "Ballade aux fraises" in particular by Tournic Ot On. It has most of my favorite elements: a little person of the girl persuasion, strawberries, a house of yellow and blue, pinks and reds..... It's just about perfect! :) And, isn't the flimsy little Christmas tree adorable, too?

I got such a health boost to find I had won on Barbara's (Mainely Stitching) site a few weeks ago in her verrrry well attended/participated draw. Lookie, lookie at my preeties from her. She sent some of the DMC linen floss which is so delicate and yummy in pinks and lavenders, don't you think? Thank you so much, Barbara. It all made me feel so good at heart....and your sweet note meant a great deal to me. I cherish our friendship. Kisses..

Patti (Tapestry of Dreams) is another long-time friend, and such a constant one to me. She sent me a gift certificate and I got the 2 above Mirabilia beauties in her honor. Thank you so much, Patti!! I just love them and you! Your notes and everything has been a big part of my recovery. It's like "As the World Turns" with us!!! LOL

PS: The necklace is one of my new designs using Swavarski crystals, crystal baqettes, faceted glass beads, Chinese cultured pearls, and Mother of Pearl with delica beads.

More new stash in these Dickens charts which I couldn't resist. If I ever get a chance, I want to stitch all of the "mitten" series from Cricket. I just don't want to make ornaments of them. If anyone has an idea of how we could stitch some piece out of them, please let me know. There are so many going back years! They're adorable.
Giulia of GPA has this amazing sewing set out with a Halloween motif and it's so special and different I had to have it. When I placed an order for it and her "Adam and Eve Etui" she spoiled me with more gifts. She is always spoiling me!! Thank you again, dear Giulia. :] In the center is Giulia's "Adam & Eve Etui" chart which is so beautifully charted. She also sent these other two as gifts. Aren't they great? I think the Santa looks very Italian with his bargello base and medallion sides.

Oh....I have more pictures and more stories to tell you, but not tonight. Please do stay tuned because I have a MYSTERY to share with you about a stalker !!! Hereby giving notice to all stitching Nancy Drews!!

Hugs, Deb

First Surprise of the New Yesr

My eldest son, Frank, and his special girl, Coco, decided to elope on Christmas! We were delighted for them as they are so sweet together. Coco is a really wonderful young woman.

Here they are with my little grandgirls at Halloween 2008. My Amelia, whom you have seen other times in my blog decided to be Supergirl! And, Frank and Coco's new babygirl, Ella, was a butterfly! They live in NYC so the surroundings are a little strange. LOL

Here they are having a swim last Summer. Amelia loves to swim and it's good for her learning to control her movements. The cerebral palsy gets more manageable with her therapies and school every year. She's 7 yrs. old now. I adore my grandgirls!

Did you have any holiday surprises????

Hugs, Deb