IHSW & TUSAL...Super Late!

Hmmm...I'm starting to wonder if I should just resign myself to the fact I will always be late and my grand goals for stitching will always come up short. Although, I shouldn't act so glum and upset about it. Fact is, I've been having a lot of fun and a fantastic summer so far. The days are long and the options are high.

I did manage to stitch a little bit on Friday night and Fairy Moon received a bit of attention. I finished the section of dress I was working on and have moved onto her hair. Doesn't look like much other than a dark brown blob but it's getting there.

And here's my TUSAL post for the month. Not very much has been added to it.

Last weekend was a flurry of activity. I saw To Rome With Love which was an enjoyable film. Classic Woody Allen...not fantastic but entertaining enough with some fantastic shots of Rome...a destination that happens to be on my bucket list. Afterwards, a group of us had a late dinner and hit the karaoke bar. It was a lot of fun. I wasn't brave enough to do my own song on the stage but I had a lot of fun singing along from my little perch at the bar. Sunday was a fun day starting off with brunch at my favorite spot along with lots of lounging around in the nearby park and then hitting a wonderful jazzy set at a local jazz club. It was a fantastic weekend. No surprise that I got very little stitching done...right?

This weekend is setting up to be just as busy...although plans aren't necessarily set in stone. I just know I won't be home much and things should be fun.

***

So I thought I would do a little recap on my little weight loss journey. I didn't start off with much to lose. The goal was 15 pounds. I just wanted my pants to fit better, feel better in general and tone up some. I haven't been able to get to the gym much since things have been quite busy and I found it really hard to find the time. I like to go after work since that's most convenient but things like alterations, chiropractor, shoe repair always gets in the way since the shops are only open until 530/6pm and I get off work at 5pm. If I stray from the work to gym journey, I am apt to forego it altogether. Shame, shame. 

Since February, I've lost 10 pounds and have managed to keep them off. Yay me!

**Ok, this is where it might be tmi for guys so I'll wait a bit for anyone who wants to hit the back button.**

I've noticed the 10 pound loss in certain areas. Areas, I'm not so happy about losing. Like my chest and bum. Hello...those are the nice parts. Why won't this weight drop off my tummy and thighs?! It's been noticeable in my face and neck (which are already skinny parts) also so I've been getting quite a few comments. Last week, I realized that my bras just weren't fitting right anymore. I was dreading having to go shopping. C'mon...how many women really like going bra shopping? Yea, I thought so. So this week, I got re-measured and tried on about a million bras to come out of it with 4 new ones in a whole new size. One in a band size I don't ever remember fitting into...ever. It's so strange. I also spent last night trying on every single bra I had and I managed to keep...drumroll...1 bra. 

Hmmm, I like seeing the weight loss on the scale but do not like spending the extra money to supplement my wardrobe. Bras are freaking expensive! I'm a little scared to lose the extra 5 pounds I want to lose because I wonder if that will mean I will need to go out and buy all new pants! Although, I do have some pairs that fit but a bit too snugly still. Perhaps, I'll be ok. 

5 more pounds...I can do it...right??

Well, time to begin the weekend. Happy Weekend to everyone! Go out, have fun and be safe. 

Until next time...

Catching Up!

Hi Lovelies...hope all is well.

I'm still struggling to catch up. Amazing how time flies. My next post was supposed to be on my trip but I really need to catch up on some stitchy things. I only have time to post because I had double-booked myself for this evening and can you believe it, both things fell through?! I think it's a good thing since I managed to cook for the week and catch up on the blogs that were quickly piling up in my reader. It was so busy today, I couldn't even sneak a peek at all today.

I've been feeling a little rattled with the move and the psychopath. But I'm happy to say that the psychopath has left me alone and I'm feeling a bit more settled at work. The downside is that the lunch options in the area are slim so I'm at a loss for yummy things to eat. I think I will have to pack my lunch or attempt to head home for lunch even though it's a little far to go. I haven't been able to find my gym routine and I am feeling it. I've either been feeling so drained by the end of the day or I have social events to go to. I am hoping to get my act together after the 4th of July. Too much going on for the next week! =)

During my trip, I stitched on Jane Pattison. Not much mind you. When I arrived in Dallas, I was confronted with the fact that the only working tv at my sister's house was in their bedroom since a good portion of the house is under renovation. So needless to say, I read a ton! And I stitched a bit when my eyes could hold out on the 40 count in not the best of lighting.

I've been slowly plugging along on the border. I really love this pine needle border and it's pretty easy to commit to memory although I am keeping track to make sure I don't catch a discrepancy in the pattern. Jane is my travel piece so it doesn't see a lot of love since I only stitch outside the house if I meet up with one of my stitchy groups or I stitch during lunch at work which hasn't been happening lately.

I was happy to get back home to finally devote some time on Fairy Moon. It's been so busy though that she doesn't look much different from before I left on vacation! I am eager to make some progress on her though. Every Sunday, I see Jill's updates on her blog and I kick myself for being such a slow stitcher when I have Fairy Moon (plus many others in queue) to send to her when I'm finished.

I am almost ready to head upwards so I can finally put a face and some hair on my fairy.

I can't believe I didn't even participate in IHSW last week. I think it's the first time I missed it since I discovered Joysze's blog! That in itself is a testement of how insane things in my little corner are at the moment. But I have my TUSAL photo. It's a week late but I've got it up!

A funky artistic shot with the bamboo that usually resides at work. It seems to be happier in the apartment though so I am letting it stay for a little while.

And I'll close with the pretty orchid I bought a couple of weeks ago. I am hoping that it is happy in it's new home and I am trying hard to keep it alive. I have had a terrible run with orchids in the past but being the stubborn girl that I am, I'm giving it another go.

Excuse the glare but isn't she pretty?!

I have so much to say and so many things to share but this is all I have time for today. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and has a smooth start to the week.

Until next time...

IHSW and TUSAL

Hello Lovelies...

What a busy weekend! Tons of shopping, stitch group, Maker's Faire, more shopping, Armory tour and a friend's birthday. I am pooped...and broke! I shouldn't have shopped so much but I finally found some new tanks, swimsuit and a cover up.

I hate shopping for a swimsuit but I needed a back up since my oldest one is a little too big in some parts. What is it with swimsuits though? You pay a fortune for something that contains very little fabric. Bikini bottoms are always too small which is frustrating when you're blessed with certain assets that you don't want pudging out all over the place. Two pieces are definitely made for skinny stick figures. But I finally managed to find something that was colorful, fun, fit properly and covered the stuff that needed covering.

But between this shopping trip, vacation and rent increase, I'm on a minimal spending ban til the Fall! Thank goodness I have enough stash to see me through.

So what have I been up to on the stitching front...

Fairy Moon is slowly growing. I've been enjoying the shading on her dress that I haven't moved upwards to stitch her face and hair yet.

I am fond of her and am sad that I have to leave her behind. Ten days away from her and not a stitch to be done?! How will I survive?

Maybe Jane Pattison will distract me enough. At stitching group on Saturday, I decided to start her. There are only a few stitches made but a start is a start no matter how small....right??

Jane Pattison isn't *that* small so in case I can't manage or the dogs are trying to sniff my stitching, I have some smalls I'll be taking along with me too. :)

And lastly, my TUSAL report! I found peonies at a local Trader Joe's. They are only of my favorite flowers!!

This is the last post before I leave on my trip. You all take care of yourselves and stitch lots. I'm sure I'll have lots to catch up on when I get back.

Until next time...

Catching Up...

Hello lovelies...

Hope you all had a lovely weekend whether you're a mom or not. Mine was nice, yet eventful. Life is feeling like a blur these days and most days, I barely have time to cook or stitch and it's just making me feel more worn out and crankified.

On Friday, a friend came into town and I had a nice early dinner with her and her daughter and another mutual friend. The weather was so nice, I actually wore a skirt! Dinner was nice and fab and I made it home early to stitch. And you know what?? I managed to finish Fairy Moon's wing! I thought it would take me much longer to get to that point but I did it. :) I have now progressed to some shading on the dress bodice and skirt.

Saturday was very busy with morning appointments, picking up special Mother's Day cake, lunch with a new friend, visiting with family and eating of the cake. I barely had a moment to myself.

As I was about to leave my folks...about 730pm...someone called the house. It was a friend of my little old lady friend...the one who lost everything in the fire. I was told that while shopping, my little old lady friend fell in a store and broke her femur and they had to go via ambulance to the hospital. I spent the rest of my evening in the emergency room checking in on her and helping with translation. Oh how terrible! Like losing your home wasn't enough...how she was facing surgery and rehabilitation. She had lots of visitors telling her it would all turn out ok and the surgery will go fine and trying to ease all her worries. I was back there Sunday morning to make sure there was someone with her when the doctor came around to explain the surgery. Everyone at the hospital was very friendly but who can help being nice to a sweet little old lady that keeps saying "thank you, dahling" and "you're so sweet, dahling" and "you are very nice to me, dahling". She's a riot. She says she doesn't care if she sounds like a crazy parrot as long as people know she is nice and thankful especially since her English is limited. If you can spare more good thoughts, that would be great. She will have to stay by herself in a rehabilitation center until she can get some physical therapy in and walk on her own. A local blog wrote a very nice article on her which you can read if you're so inclined.

After my stop at the hospital, I went outlet shopping to look for some warm weather clothes. I didn't find everything I was looking for but I managed to find some good deals. That took all day and boy were my feet barking after that. At least I got my exercise in!

***

More stitching stuff...a few weeks back, I asked Faye if she could make me a couple of large project bags and they finally winged their way to the left coast and they are fantastic!

I am in love with my blue paisley one and I am a big paisley fan so I am fond of the red one too. I can't wait to break one in and I think I will be stuffing one soon with this project...

What do you think??

I am not a big fan of samplers. Sure...I like looking at them but I can't picture very many in my place but there's something about Jane Pattison that keeps pulling me in. I do think it will look perfect in my living room and look how well the colors blend with my rug! My plan is to stitch it on 40count with the cottons. Here, the threads are lying on Lakeside Linens Porcelain. I am trying to match my color combo to the photo more where the colors seem to pop off the linen a bit. My cut of Navy Bean seems darker than the norm and created a more muted color scheme. Not really what I wanted. This is the lightest linen I have in my stash besides Magnolia which is too yellow. 

I haven't decided when I'll start Jane but I think she's ready...

Well, I have a quiet evening planned today so I need to maximize by cooking and stitching time. Hope you all have a nice week....oh, and don't forget this coming weekend is IHSW. Go sign up!

Until next time...

Off the Grid

This past week, I decided that I needed to take back my weekend. I was starting to feel burnt out and exhausted. The result of being social too many weekends in a row and not allowing enough quality "me" time to decompress. By Thursday, I felt super rundown and exhausted which prompted me to go home sick and  sleep the rest of the afternoon. It was just what I needed. Sleep and quiet.

I had already taken Friday off because I had plans to do an Anchor Brewery tour and tasting and they only do them during the day and during the workweek. It was a ton of fun! And then I had dinner plans at a fun place I hadn't been to in a while. Dinner was delicious, the company was fun...it was the perfect social fun day!

Saturday was stay home and stitch day so I assplanted in the recliner most of the day and stitched on Fairy Moon. I do have to say...I stitched and stitched and stitched. I stitched a lot! More than I have in months and yet...

...it doesn't really look like I stitched that much. Although I did. I have a lot of fill-in left to do in the wing. It's moving right along. I'll get excited once I get her really shaping up to look like the fairy she is supposed to be. I am not excited about tackling her monstrous white dress though so I'll need lots of cheering once I get to that point.

I was so focused on getting as far as I could with Fairy Moon that I didn't work on any finishing and did minimal winding of bobbins. That's ok though. It'll all get done...eventually. Just hopefully sooner than later.

Things aside from stitching are good. I'm holding steady with my weight loss. These next five pounds seem harder than the last seven. I'm hoping to lose them by the end of May but we'll see what happens. I know it's dependant on how many workouts I manage at the gym and I've only been able to fit in 1-2 gym visits a week. I still get lazy...although I consider it more tiredness from the crazy go, go, go schedule I've set for myself. But I'm devoted to yoga for the week and need to get back on my cooking schedule.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Until next time...

Fairy Moon - Week 3 and IHSW

Hi Everyone!

I hope that a nice weekend was had by all. I have to say that some of my plans fell apart but it was a blessing in disguise. From Friday night to Sunday morning, I hermitted at home in my jammies. I think I just needed quiet time to myself after a busy week of family. I caught up on shows, stitched, snacked, relaxed and enjoyed the solitude. It was bliss!

IHSW was a total success! I had a finish, a start and more progress on Fairy Moon. Yay!

First, the finish! I finished my ornie! It's Primrose Needleworks Windows of Faith, Hope and Peace from the JCS 2010 Ornie issue. I love it. I have no idea why it took me over a year to finally finish.

Secondly, the start. I made a start on the Shepherd's Bush Little Eggs Pincushion. It's such a soft Easter design. And it looks like it will be a quick stitch!

And lastly, my progress on Fairy Moon. I'm torn between feeling like I accomplished a lot this weekend and that I didn't do enough...because the wings are massive! There is so much blue stitching to go!

That's it for the stitching news today. I did have a couple of questions and was wondering if anyone had any input.

1. Has anyone ever done a dietary cleanse before? I realize this sounds a tad hippy granola but the idea of doing a food cleanse has appealed to me for the last couple of years since I hear it restores energy and helps with digestive issues a person may have. I think the one thing that may kill me is to give up coffee for a week. I can handle anything in life...except maybe that. I've been drinking coffee since I was five. I also wonder if coffee is why my brother and I are spazs and my sister is more mellow and even keeled since she switched to decaf eons ago. Although, the lack of coffee is a huge explanation of how she can nap anytime and anywhere. I don't have that gift. I don't want to nap. I just want more energy and less digestive issues. Feel free to email me (sidebar) if you'd like.

2. Is anyone thinking of going to a stitching retreat this year and if so, which one(s)? I am doing my little bit of research and trying to figure out where I want to go should finances allow. I'm sure I don't know about all of them. The sad thing is most retreats are midwest or East Coast so it's a journey for me to go but I'm willing to make a vacation out of it.

Well, time to get a few stitches in before hitting the hay. Hope you all have a nice start to the week. I'll be back for my TUSAL report in a couple of days!

Until next time...

Fairy Moon - Week 2 and a Finish!

Hi all...hope you are having a wonderful week. I can't believe it's half over already. It's been busy in my little corner of fogland...which should be renamed super rainy and windy land. Wow has it been pouring buckets the last couple of days.

My sister and her family have been visiting and it's been nice to spend some time with them. I haven't really been able to stitch on Fairy Moon this past week since I haven't been home very much.

On Saturday, a friend invited me to her house since she was hosting an all day stitching get together. I was thrilled to be invited and it was fun to hang out and stitch with other fun ladies. I managed a small finish that night and finally completed Shepherds Bush Merry Be.

A heads up to those who prefer 2 threads over 2 on 30 count...you will run out of two colors...Ruby and Olive Grove. I was lucky to have Ruby in my stash and a kind lady answered my plea on a message board for enough Olive Grove to complete 75 stitches and some backstitching. I just love it when stitchers come to the rescue so a finish can be had! Now to finish-finish it.

Since I still had time to spare, I pulled out my Faith-Hope-Peace ornament that I started in February 2011. I can't believe I forgot about it! At least I am getting closer to finishing it!

Thank you Liz for hosting such a fun, fun time!

And here is my Week 2 progress photo for Fairy Moon. It's a slightly bigger purple blob to signify the shawl. Since this photo was taken, I managed to finish the purples and have now moved onto the wing which is various shades of light/silvery blue. I think the wings will take me a while. They seem massive! We won't even discuss the dress yet...

This weekend is IHSW! Woot! Go and sign up! I do have quite the weekend planned so I won't have too much time to stitch although that may be all dependent on this crappy weather. If it's rainy, I may just bail on everything and hibernate. It's no fun taking the bus throughout the city to celebrate St. Patty's Day Irish-style in the rain. I'd love to see more progress made on Fairy Moon or even get to some finishing that's piling up. I haven't forgotten about you Catherine!

Well, better get going, Final night of family visiting but I wanted to post before the week got totally away from me.

Happy (almost) Friday!

Until next time...

Fairy Moon, Week 1

Hello My Lovelies...

Hope you all had a nice weekend. I had a nice time. Lots of stitching on Friday night and I spent most of Saturday and Sunday exploring this city of mine.

I'm not feeling all that great today. I think I am coming down with a cold or something. My throat is all scratchy and sore. I can deal with anything except a sore throat. I can't stand having one so I will be heading straight into bed after this post.

I thought it would be a good idea to post weekly updates on Fairy Moon to gauge how long it will take me to complete. I can't keep track of hours because I have stitching ADHD and get easily distracted by food, tv, the computer and tv. Oh yea, I already said that. But I can keep track of weeks. Well, most of the time. How is it March?!

As you can see, the purple blob has grown! I am still working on the shawl and will probably break out to the wings soon just to throw another color into the mix.

I've been enjoying Fairy Moon and am so happy I just got on with it already. I'm not sure how much I'll get done in the next week or so. I have a stitching get together on Saturday and Fairy Moon is on 30" rods. Definitely too big for me to take around with me so I'll have to switch to smalls that day. My sister and family are also coming into town this weekend for a weeklong visit so I'll be a tad distracted...more than usual. But I'll try to get a few minutes here and there so I can get closer to a finish in the long run.

I'm behind on blog reading, commenting and emailing and my computer just hiccupped and lost all the blogs I had open to comment on! OMG! Everyone's stitching looks great and I love all your finishes! That's the best I can do at the moment.

I'm headed to bed. You all have a wonderful week!

Until next time...

I Did It...I Finally Did It!

I started Fairy Moon!

If you've been a longtime reader, you've probably seen me mention Fairy Moon a few times. Then I go comment on every blog I find who's worked on it and say how much I love it and how I'm going to start it soon. Ha!

And then I tell everyone about my Mirabilia/Nora Corbett "to stitch" list and Fairy Moon is always number 1 on that list. And, uh, my Mira list if getting obscene. So much to stitch!

For years...I've been saying I'm starting it "soon".

For years, it's been kitted up and languishing in a jumbo ziploc in the stash closet. Waiting to be started. For the day to come when I would get over the BAP cold feet and just get on with it already. Valerie...get the heck over it!

And Friday was that day. All irritated with my Christmas stitching with running out of threads and weird colors, I rushed home...slapped that fabric on scroll rods and just started stitching!

And here is what I managed to stitch on Friday and Saturday nights. Not much but its a good start! I started in the middle because I get too nervous starting at the top on projects that don't have a border. This purply part is the fairy's shawl. The fabric is a piece of SMF Dragon Moon which is long discontinued. I think it will really pop and create a night-time illusion of the fairy chasing the moon.

***

I'm having a quiet weekend. Yesterday, I slept in til 11am and just relaxed and caught up on The Voice. I love that show! I ran my errands in the neighborhood and headed to my parents to do laundry and had a nice visit with my mom. She planted a bee in my bonnet a couple of weeks ago about how I should try to find a small condo/apartment to buy. Something about it being a buyer's market with low interest rates. My budget for such a thing is quite low but out of curiousity, I looked on the real estate sites. I found the one of my dreams! Gorgeous. And only $500K for a one bedroom. (!!!) Needless to say, I can't afford that but I think it put things in perspective for my mom that I'd rather rent my lovely apartment than buy something I don't love but can afford. I guess I just have expensive taste or San Francisco is just too darn pricey.

Today is the Oscars!! I've been pretty lax the last 3 weeks or so in my movie viewing so I didn't see everything I had hoped to but I saw a lot of the nominated films. This year, I bought tickets to see a live telecast of the Oscars in a movie theater and they will have an emcee do skits and drawings and such during the commercials. I've always wanted to do this so I hope it's as fun as it sounds! So excited!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Until next time...

Fairy Moon - Challenge of '08

Lookie here...Mirabilia Fairy Moon by Nora Corbett!

This is my huge challenge of '08. I can do it...there's no question about me being able to do this piece. The challenge lies in whether or not I can actually finish it in 2008. Another challenge may be whether or not I will go berserk by the sheer size and monstrosity of the piece, by the amount of white I will have to stitch because of her dress or by the amount of beading I will have to do. What whole moon is stitched out of beads! But I love her...she is beautiful and I already know I will have to go get her professionally framed and she will have a prime spot in my bedroom over my dresser. I have been drooling over this piece for at least 5 years. Wow, I can't believe the chart has been in my stash that long. I finally became active about trying to work on this piece last year. Fairy Moon is a great example of how my stash grew. I bought the fabric and threads as indicated on the chart and then I realized that stitching a fairy that is looking at a moon on brown fabric is ridiculous! Since when has the sky ever been brown when the moon's been out?! Nora? What were you thinking suggesting that? So, I began a search for appropriate fabric and I chose Tumult by Sugar Maple Fabrics. Beautiful fabric...Mindy knows how to hand dye some fab fabric but Tumult wasn't quite right. It came out lighter than the picture on the website and the lighter blue-gray threads and beading would have gotten lost in the fabric which was a mottled blue and white like blue sky with white clouds. Very pretty...but not quite right.

Third try is always the charm. In the picture is my final color choice. Fairy Moon will be stitched on Dragon Moon by Sugar Maple Fabrics. Its a beautiful navy blue color with white and purply-gray splotches. It kind of looks like a stormy blue sky. Perfect! May the moon in the sky guide the fairy to her dreamy destination.

I'm hoping to have a start on Fairy Moon this holiday weekend but probably won't post a progress picture for a couple of weeks as I'm sure I won't have anything decent to share before then!