Happy Halloween

It's officially Halloween!!
I got the blue crocheted baby blanket done in less than a week, given to the about to be new mom, and then closed on our new house. Surrounded in my current house by cross-stitch, I cannot wait to get moved, settled and have my stitching organized in it's own room so I can start stitching again.
Happy candy eating everyone!!!

Halloween Stitching???

Pictured at left is a treat bag that I made for a Legacy BB Halloween exchange back in 2002 with a little pudgy from SBs Baby Bug Ball. It was a hard one to give up once done as it's lined with some fun spiderweb print fabric and it turned out so much better than I imagined, but off to Canada it went.

Stitching something for Halloween was always one of my favorite things to do, but it won't happen this year. I have a blue baby blanket to crochet in the next couple weeks for a co-hort at work who is having boy #3, so I'll only be dreaming of fun Halloween things to stitch this year.

My framed Birds of a Feather Happy Halloween did go to work with me last week rather than getting packed in a box for the move and I have to say I am so enjoying it. Next year I can't wait to dig out a Halloween design by Birds of a Feather or one of the fun monsters by Frank (of Mosey n' Me) to work on.

Are you stitching anything with a Halloween Theme????

Stitching Update

I sit here surrounded by stitching supplies, charts, books, magazines, etc, and I am completely overwhelmed. Why you ask...because I'm supposed to be packing it all up for the move. I have not had the time or interest the past couple years to stitch as my mind has been other places. A new job in the cancer research department as of July 2008, the failing health of my father who had Alzheimers and passed away July 8, 2009, an ongoing federal investigation at work, and searching for a new house have consumed my time, energy and attention span. The new house has been found, we close in three weeks. Then comes painting, and moving and then working on our current house and selling it, so the attention span thing will continue for a bit longer. Anyway, I have enjoyed sifting and sorting some of my completed needlework and accoutraments and will continue to as the process goes on. I did stitch one item this year (Little Lamb Sleeping by Drawn Thread) for another coworker who was having a baby. The sad part was she just didn't "get it" and was not the least impressed. In fact I think she was quite disappointed when she opened the gift. I'd gladly show you my endeavor, if I could find pictures, which I can't. I've moved everything on my hard drive over to MY BOOK and plan to clean files once we get moved as it's quite a mess. I also plan to get back to work on the stockings I have in the works and get them done for my lovies before they graduate from college. Once moved, I plan to organize and get rid of a LOT of my cross stitch that I know I will never get stitched. I also want to start a stitch group and have friends over to share what they are working on. And most important, I hope this finds you stitching along.

Where does the time go????

I'm thinking it's a waste of time and money to even buy calendars anymore since the pages just fly off of them right by my face. I always loved the saying "CAUTION: Dates on calendar may be closer than they appear". Nothing could be more true these days.
I've changed many things about my life since I was last here. I have a new job and with it new surroundings, new learning curve, new boss, new cohorts. I have a few new interests, have gotten back into some older interests, but for now I still have the same address and forever the same last name.
As for stitching, I haven't done any of that in over a year. I'm thinking it's time to be realistic and seriously weed the collection. I do have a few things I plan to keep and finish or that I may want when I'm in the home. (Not that I'm even close to ready, but who can think about retiring in this economy?) I did crochet a couple of baby capes for newborns whose parents I work with (if that counts), but the crochet bug is about gone and I need to eek out another gift or two before it completely disappears.
I didn't attend the SB retreat last fall, in fact I hadn't even given it serious consideration at sign up time. I did miss seeing old friends and have some good laughs. Backing away from all the negative aspects about stitching for a while was really good for me, gave me new perspective on life. But on the flip side, I've missed so many of my friends who I connect with thru stitching. And I want to reconnect with those people again. I did enjoy concentrating on things locally; home, family, work, organizing my life, and playing with my iTouch and Creative Zen. But now that I'm wireless, I hope to keep up with personal email a little better.

Pre-Halloween Stitching

It's been a week since I stitched this little sign from the Salem Witch chart (Primitive Needle), and I've got another one kitted up to take along to Salem with me. This came in the mail last Thursday (more than a week ago) and I couldn't stop looking at it or resist the urge to just put needle to fabric and stitch the darn thing. So on Saturday evening I found out just how quick a stitch this piece is.

The trouble with organizing and sifting stash is that things get lost or buried in a hurry. That's what happened to my Happy Haunting (Shepherd's Bush) this past couple weeks. I was determined to find it this weekend because I knew it was in my house, my car or at the office. Well I finally found it just a few minutes ago typically buried. I'm posting this to inspire Cindy, since she inspired me with her Halloween Fairy. Working on this is quite relaxing. I did all the little things in the hill and then went back and did the fill, which went way too fast. As you can see I'm basting the left edge so I can skip down a bit when next I pick it up.

This week I think it's going to be a combination of Random Thoughts (Drawn Thread) and the Jane Austin Sampler from The March 2007 issue of The Gift of Stitching. Random Thoughts is an old WIP that I enjoy working on, but Jane has been calling to me to start it. I think she may be a good travel piece.

Stash Sale

The weeding has begun.
All from a smoke-free, pet-free home.
Proceeds go to a local charity.
Please email me at adana69 (at) yahoo.com and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Easter Egg Sampler kit by Drawn Thread ($15.00)
My Son by Indigo Rose ($45) complete with silks on 32 ct light sand linen
Stitching Chair Necessaire by Hillside Samplings ($50) kit has SAL instructions included
Americana Sampling by Little House Needleworks ($25) complete limited edition kit from 2005
My Tuckaway Shoulder Bag by Colonial Designs ($20) chart, bag and sampler charm included
From the Heart Sewing Pocket kit ($25) Elegant Stitch Kit
Believe in a Cure Needleroll ($25) Elegant Stitch kit
Children with Fur Needleroll by Puddin Designs ($12) complete kit
Ring of Stitches by Earth Threads ($20) adorable fabric and linen bag and threads
Mermaid by Lanarte (fabric, fibers and chart) (15)
My Heart is True by Gail Bussi (9 Krienik silks included) ($10)

ADDED:
Be Not Afraid kit and large tin by Praiseworthy Stitches ($25.00)

Happy Hauntings (Shepherd's Bush style)

I guess at the rate I'm going I should wish you all a Happy Halloween as I won't get back here before that happens I'm sure. No pictures right now, just no time, I seem to be a hit and run blogger at the moment.

Right now I am very disenchanted with stitching as a whole and am bored to death with some of the projects and charts I own that are taking up space I would like to use for other things and hope to do something about that very soon. I have way too much here to stitch in several lifetimes and just need to clear out charts, kits (class pieces and things I have kitted up). I have three rooms where major stash deposits can be found and it has to end.

I've been busy with a research and writing project and just don't find the time or interest in surfing the stitch sites, albums, blogs, bulletin boards, shops, etc like I once did. Anytime I find for stitching I spend doing it, not talking about it!!!! I haven't even been to stitch group for over a year and really need to get back with that great bunch of ladies even if they don't stitch my style of designs. A work friend and I will be organizing another stitch group this winter and have several people interested in joining in.

I have enjoyed working on my Happy Haunting piece from the Shepherd's Bush spooky retreat last fall in Utah and it's coming right along. The top hill section is now completed and a few of the bands under it are done and I'll skip to the bottom of the piece shortly to do the other hill. My ornament completion sucks right about now, but oh well. I plan to dig out some of the other kits from the SB retreat and work on those as well.

In a few weeks I'm off to Boston and Salem again and this time I've found the perfect piece to work on during the trip and especially during my stay in Salem.....Salem Witch by the Primitive Needle. The little hat with SALEM and 1692 could not be more perfect.
Stitch on!