Author: Anne S

Brightening my life one stitch or one card at a time, and sharing my joy of needlework and card-making.
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Feeling a bit blue

Anne S

Normally it’s a colour I enjoy, but I don’t like it when it’s describing my feelings … how can it be that just overnight your emotions switch from one opposite end of the scale to another? Today I have had the dampener put on what is supposed to be a fun event, by my best mate … a text message received at 4am stating he’s not going. I don’t mind that so much, apart from the fact that I had to shell out the $65 for the ticket cost in advance – told him it had to be paid by 24 January, but I never got the money … my account ended up in overdraft, and I got hit with a $29 fee. Since then I’ve had to scrape the money together, but I figure I have that money coming today so I re-budgeted, yet again, around that … you’d think I would have learnt by now!!

I guess that’s why I feel so blue … my finances since I moved out are so tight, it’s not funny – I’ve been putting $20 away each payday so I can have some ‘fun money’, but has been spent on some sale threads/fabric lately, so I can’t even fall back on that today. I also have my official birthday dinner next Saturday, at which I am expected to provide wine etc … That $65 is the equivalent to my food and petrol costs for a week – that’s a huge amount of money for me to shell out for nothing, on top of the cost of my own ticket!

I’m sorry for venting … but I wanted to get it out of my system before I went out. Today was supposed to be a part-celebration for my birthday … it now looks like I’ll have to use the birthday money I got from Mum or work to have a day out today … so much for using it for framing – I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I feel today … but in this friendship, unfortunately, it’s nothing new. Hopefully, by the end of today, I will have gotten over it … but right now I feel like a 40-year-old doormat. The truth is I know him too well, and he doesn’t have the money to give to me, so the easiest way out is to bail and leave me with the bill.

OK, enough of me airing my dirty laundry to the world (especially as he and his new girlfriend read this blog apparently) … Carol, I think I need to come to you for a visit – I can stitch my heart out in that wonderful basement of yours, inbetween therapy sessions!

Rightio, off to get dressed, and try to get myself out of my funked-out mood … at least I know some of the others going from work today, so I won’t be totally on my own today … Mind you, just looking out the window there are serious black clouds out there, so the day might end up actually matching my mood LOL.

Blogging Memes, SBQ

SBQ’s and a Meme

Anne S

I’m soooo behind with the SBQ’s so here goes, with everything all at once! Most recent is first …

15 February – Today’s SBQ was suggested by Heather and is:

“Comment on your comments (giving and recieving): Do you love comments or hate them? Do you check them every day, never check them, or find them helpful? And finally, are you convinced no one is reading your blog if you don’t get any?”

I love this question, and it’s one that’s very easy to answer … I LOVE getting comments. That’s the way I’ve found some more wonderful blogs to read that I wasn’t already aware of. When I first started blogging last year I clicked on other peoples links and found new blogs that way, but when people started leaving comments I didn’t do it that way anymore (or rarely) – I always pop over to a new commenter’s blog to read it, and most of the time have found some real treasures that way. In fact, I know there are people out there who read my blog but don’t comment – I’d really love it if you left a quick comment – even just to say who/where you are – so I can return the favour 🙂 I’d love to know who reads it, and where you’re located!

I feel guilty at the moment because I haven’t been reading blogs much, and now have 410 unread posts, but I don’t want to miss anything and will still go back and read every single one, even if I don’t comment on each post (in fact I’m allocating 3 hours of today to get through at least some of them). I think leaving comments shows you care/support the other stitcher, and I like to give back the support and love that I’ve been given. If nobody comments on my post, I don’t feel as though no-one is reading, just that it’s not a post that generates a response – sometimes I’ll read a post and enjoy it, but it doesn’t drive me to respond because I have nothing to contribute, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed reading it.

As for reading them, I have it set up that I receive all my comments via email, and it automatically gets sent to a separate folder in my inbox – I read everything else, and leave my comments folder until last … ‘cos it always leaves me feeling positive at the end. So yeah, I love ’em!

8 February – today’s SBQ was suggested by Nancy and is:

“Describe your “perfect” project. (Include the designer or specific pattern, the fabric, the floss, and anything else that would make that project “perfect” for you.)”

OK, the ‘perfect’ design would be a stitching ‘small’ of some sort, incorporating bright turquoise and cobalt blue silk threads (Gloriana would have to be the ultimate brand), stitched on 32ct linen. In the ultimate fantasy, it’d be stitched on a balcony somewhere on a balmy day where the sun is just bright enough to give the perfect light, without being hot, and your fingers never getting ‘sticky’ – rainbow lorikeets would be chattering in full view, and ducks swimming around in the pond below the balcony. My floss wouldn’t tangle, and frogs would be non-existent …

Alternatively, I would be sat in a comfy recliner, with my favourite DVD’s on, and a daylight bulb giving the perfect light, and stitching whatever was on my scroll bar at the time – oh, hang on, that’s what I usually do … hmmm, maybe my normal stitching area isn’t too far from my own version of ‘perfect’ after all 🙂

1 February – Today’s SBQ was inspired by Renee’s visit with Dawn and is:

“With the exception of your online stitching friends, do you have any other stitching buddies?”

I’ve never had stitching buddies in real life – none of the people I know stitch, and the only way I’ve had interaction with other stitchers in the past is to sign up for classes. Since I’ve started blogging, though, I’ve met some amazingly talented and generous/kind natured stitchers online, and more recently met two of those face-to-face in my own fair city, so hopefully in the future I’ll be able to give a different answer as relationships get forged 🙂

18 January – Today’s SBQ is:

“Have you had a happy dance yet this year? If so, tell us about it! (Or just point to the entry that talks about it.) If not, when do you predict it will be?”

Yep, I had my first happy dance quite quickly … in fact I’ve had speedy needles for the early part of the year, but more recently had a bit of a stitching slump (just starting to make up for it again, though). My first happy dance was here – it was the Love needleroll ornament by Jeannette Douglas Designs, in the 2005 JCS Christmas Ornament issue.

* * * * * * * * * *

Also, I got the following from Jenna’s blog, which started in Melissa’s blog, and it seemed like a fun thing to do … so anyone who reads it, count yourself as being tagged 🙂 You have to list 5 things that make you happy, right at this moment.

Five things that make me happy today
1. Looking at my birthday scrapbook from Vicki, with the sentiments and colours – it’s giving me warm fuzzies.
2. Knowing I’m now living in a relatively stress-free environment after 2 1/2 years of mentally ‘surviving’ – I can do what I want, when I want, and enjoy doing it. I’m happy just enjoying the silence.
3. Sat at my computer watching the birds fly past outside my window, and having a dedicated stitching chair/area where I can stitch whenever I feel like it – I’m happy about where I live.
4. Happy about all the birthday well wishes I’ve had from near and far (mostly from afar).
5. And like Jenna, I’m happy about all the wonderful friends I’ve made online – it’s teaching me to open my heart again and be the ‘giving’ and happy person I always used to be.
All-in-all, today I just feel “happy”! 🙂

Food, Gifts TO BE FIXED, Home & Family TO BE FIXED, Stash

Gob-smacked again – I LOVE the 40’s :)

Anne S

Today was another good day in ‘my world’ … I’ll get to the part that had me gob-smacked earlier today right until the end … but I won’t keep you too long before you can get there (unless the curiosity has got the better of you already, and you’ve left me here on my own, and already jumped to the bottom! LOL). I’m pretty tired tonight, so my apologies if I’m not too coherent. Anyway, back to business …

Yesterday was a wonderful mail day in general – in addition to Barbara’s gorgeous gift, I also received an Ebay win in the post. I have to admit that after my huge financial blow-out last year, I’ve been avoiding Ebay like the plague so I’m not tempted, but Sharon and Gina told me there was a XS book called Allura’s Australia in XS at a reasonable price – after seeing Sharon’s copy first-hand, I decided I definitely had to check this one out … so I did, and managed to win it for a sum total of AU$2.24 – daylight robbery on my part, is all I can say! I can’t believe a hardback book of 192 pages and oodles of charts could go for such a paltry sum!! I honestly do feel as though I’ve robbed the seller – with postage included it came to a total of AU$10.64 – crikey!!! Am I grinning? You betcha! Thumbs Up

The other wonderful thing to arrive is my black aida … finally!! It was supposed to arrive last week after being on backorder – but the supplier stuffed up and missed it off the back-ordered shipment, but it finally turned up yesterday. I was about to email off to the US organisers taking up an offer for them to send me some, as my Aussie supplier had fallen off the rails, but luckily it came through … and that means I can finally stitch up my block for the World Trade Center charity quilt … Cheerleader

So, that was my wonderful mail yesterday all sorted out … The other good news I had today is that I had an exam at work for another permanent Hotline role – it was supposed to be next week, but the Supervisor running it has finally got a surgery date to get her gallbladder out, in two weeks time, right when she was planning interviews … so we’ve been getting pulled in really quickly to sit the exam. And I passed, which means I’m at least over the first hurdle – 17 have applied for the job again, but I don’t know how many have got to the interview stage … but I’m now trying hard not to think about the outcome of the interview, as I’m appalling at interviews, and I wanted it too badly last time … this time I’m going to try to ‘go with the flow’ and not end up with a couple of weeks off with cluster migraines over the whole situation … what will be, will be!

OK, I’ve prattled on for long enough … on to the great mail day for today … oooh, no, before I do that, let me say I finally made the infamous Mars Bar slice today to take into work, and it went down a treat, with yet another two people wanting the recipe. Anyway, I figure it’s always such a winner with people, I’d share it here as well … if you decide to make it, your arteries will hate you for life, but your family, friends and loved ones that you share it with will love you for eternity LOL:

MARS BAR SLICE
Base:
3 x Mars Bars (approx 60g-65g each)
90g butter
3 cups rice bubbles
Topping:
200g milk chocolate
30g butter

Yup, that’s all there is in it – do you see why I said your arteries would hate you? haha.

Base: Melt together the Mars Bars and butter in a saucepan over a low heat, making sure not to let it burn – keep mixing until it’s a smooth creamy mixture (can take quite a bit of time). Mix in rice bubbles until they’re all coated, then press down into the base of a greased 19cm x 29cm lamington pan (or equivalent dish – I usually add baking paper as well, as it can be a pain to get out!). Spread with the topping, and devour! (I usually pop it in the fridge to set properly, especially when it’s roasting hot weather!)
Topping: Melt together the butter and milk chocolate over a pan of hot water (ie using a double-boiler).

Frazier heard I was making Mars Bar slice today and he put his orders in straightaway for me to save him some!

OK, now on to the best bit … you see, you always have to leave the best bits until last … Today I got an additional surprise in my PO Box (I really love my PO at the moment – they’ve left some wonderful surprises in that box!) – today I received a parcel from my very best friend of all time, Vicki, in New Zealand. Vicki and I have been best friends since we were 10 years old, so exactly 3/4 of my living days to date. Anyway, she is the most creative soul I’ve ever met – everything she touches creatively, she turns to gold … she works in the scientific realm for her work, and comes home and does all sorts of crafts … and every craft she has tried, she does it to perfection! If I didn’t adore her so much, I’d hate her for being so bl**dy perfect haha. She seriously is amazing, and I’m very very blessed to count her as my best friend. I would most definitely give her both my kidneys if she ever needed them! And she really out-did herself with this little creation!!

So, what did this gorgeous creature do for my birthday? She created the most amazing tribute to our friendship – she has gotten into scrapbooking in a big way I think, and has put together a concertina book with photos from our growing up years and memorable occasions … I’ll photograph and scan the images so I can share it with you …

Above is a photo of the other gifts as well, and I adore them all – another duck for my ever-growing collection (but I’ll never ever have enough LOL) (the little duck was chosen by little Orion – boy, did he choose well!), and a lovely hand-bound book by a bookmaker (Rhonda Niven) in Motueka, Nelson. For those of you who are non-Kiwis, that’s a fantail on the cover … and of course everything is in my absolutely favourite colours (yep, turquoise is definitely my all-time favourite of all the blues). OK, on to the details of the concertina book Vicki made me … here is a scan of the cover:
And the four inside ‘pages’:

And inside each of these ‘pages’ there is a little page that pulls out – this is the most amazing part of it … I just love the contents of these!

I did say, though, that I’m glad I went to my PO Box before work and opened the gifts at work, ‘cos if I’d done it at home I would have bawled my eyes out, I am so touched and honoured by this wonderful gift. The sentiment behind this gift makes it a treasure beyond compare, and it’s something I’ll continue to treasure throughout my lifetime … Vicki, I love this gift with all my heart and then some … if someone today offered me a million dollars for it, I would turn them down. I’ve always longed to own something that Vicki’s created, and this exceeds all expectations … yep, definitely “gob-smacked” and feeling well and truly blessed! As stitchers we all know how much time and effort goes into making something, so this is truly a labour of love … and worth more than gold itself to me!

Gifts TO BE FIXED

What a wonderful day!

Anne S

Thank you all for leaving such wonderful birthday wishes today – what a lovely inbox to come home to! {{hugs}}

Have to admit, the day went really well – my lollies/choccies went down a treat, and I got out of work for an entire hour walking around the two floors to hand them out and make sure everyone got one … see, there was a method behind my madness! LOL. As soon as I walked in the door I got ushered over to the ‘Hotline’ area where we sit when I’m on Supervisor Hotline relieving duty, and got given a big bunch of beautiful pink tulips, and a birthday card, and an envelope containing the collection money – so I now have another $95 to spend (wow), and I’ve told them I’m going to put it towards framing costs too, which means I can get both my fave stitched pieces framed – it will also be a long-term reminder of my 40th, and all the people in my life at that time. I’ve had a day full of ‘physical’ hugs from my colleagues and well wishes, and loads of ‘cyber’ hugs from you all, and I feel as though I am absolutely glowing from the good vibes 🙂

But the gifts didn’t end there at work, I also got yet another gorgeous gift from the other side of the world in my PO Box today … Barbara sent me some of the most wonderful, glorious threads in my absolute fave colour – blue!! Barbara, thank you too for your very generous gift … I am blown away by your generosity as well – thank you so, so much {{big hugs}}. And I get to see some of that that infamous silk thread up close and personal – it’s no wonder you love it so much … it’s “yummo”!

I’ve decided that the United Nations should start a campaign and get everyone in the world blogging – because I reckon world peace would be created within a couple of months 😀 Everyone I’ve met through blogging so far has been the most generous and loving in nature and spirit – OK, admittedly we’re all stitchers too, so maybe we have an edge there … LOL.

So thank you, thank you one and all once again … I’m now off to crack open a bottle of bubbly as my final end to a wonderful day … so I guess that means no baking happening tonight LOL.

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No longer 39 …

Anne S

Yup, that time has come that I hit the new age bracket … no longer can I tick the “30-39” age bracket in surveys etc – I’m now in the “40-49” bracket as from today. Have to admit, the day has started off eventfully in two different ways … I don’t know why, but I’ve been having a serious lapse of memory this week (and I’d better hurry up and snap out of it, ‘cos I’ve got an exam next week for work, then hopefully an interview again … but I don’t have my hopes up this time – but that’s another story). Anyway, where was I? See, I think early senility has kicked in! That’s what happens when you jump up a decade – that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it!!

Right, back to the story (I’m starting to feel like Billy Connolly!!) … Last night I went supermarket shopping after work (didn’t finish work until 8pm) – bought some lollies (aka candies for my US readers; aka sweets for my UK readers LOL) to hand out at work today, as well as buying the ingredients to bake a birthday cake to take to work, and the ingredients to make Mars Bar Slice … or so I thought! What did I do? Managed to remember I needed 7 eggs for the cake (tick), cooking chocolate for the cake (tick), rice bubbles for the Mars bar slice (tick), milk chocolate for the Mars bar slice (tick), butter for both (tick) … and off to the checkout I went and came home. Put the oven on at 10pm to start baking … started getting the ingredients out for the cake … first one – 1/2 cup of cocoa … um, cocoa … cocoa … Bugger!!! – hmm, that’s right Anne, you threw out what was left when you moved flats in August and didn’t replace it … Never mind, I can make the Mars bar slice in the morning … Yeah, right! I get ready to start ‘cooking’ my Mars bar slice this morning – the one thing missing from my shopping list … yup, MARS BARS!!!!! Duh and yet again, a double Bugger . Luckily I bought the lollies to hand out, or I would be going in empty-handed! Oh well, looks like my cake and slice will be going in a day late – at least I’m on a 2pm start tomorrow, so I’ll have more time to get it ready as well. What a blonde!!!

An interesting start to the day … but before I realised the Mars Bars were AWOL, I checked my emails – and what did I find? A comment in my blog saying Silkweaver had sent me a postcard and ‘click on this link’ to get it – I have to admit, I originally thought it was spam and nearly deleted it, then realised that I have word verification on, and Silkweaver was reputable … so I crossed my fingers it wasn’t a virus or something awful and clicked on the link … WOW, was I surprised?!!! Shocked I was truly spoilt by my great online pal, Jenna, for my birthday – with a $40 gift voucher from Silkweaver … I’m truly speechless at the awesome generosity – and have to admit to shedding a tear or two this morning. Thank you Jenna from the bottom of my heart – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you’re a true sweetheart and I feel blessed to call you ‘my friend’.

In fact I want to say a huge heart-felt thanks to all my online pals – I feel truly blessed to have met you all (thanks Blogger!!). I have appreciated every comment left, and the support given at times when I’ve needed it, and have been humbled by the gifts that have been sent. I really do feel blessed today … {{{Hugs}}} to you all Big Hug

And my pals have been so generous with their gifts with charts, and now fabric, I’ve decided not to spend Mum & Dad’s birthday money on stash – I discussed it with her, and we agree it’s a good idea … I’m going to use the money towards getting one of my XS pieces framed (either my Graham Ross Tiger, or Thea Dueck’s Gold) – it’s something I never have spare cash for anymore, and I’d dearly love those two pieces framed up and on the walls somewhere … Thanks to Mum & Dad for your generous gift as well – love you both!

Right, off to work I go … I think I’d better go to work early today and buy Mars Bars before I forget!! It’s the one thing I make that always gets someone asking for the recipe – it’s disgusting just how much fat content is in it (it’s pretty much just chocolate, butter and rice bubbles), but crikey it’s delicious!! Fraze isn’t a huge ‘sweet’ fan, but even he goes mad for Mars Bar slice … I made him some last year as his birthday ‘cake’.

And three more birthdays coming up over the next week – tomorrow it’s Karen’s, followed on the 18th by Becky’s, then last but not least it’s Jenn’s on the 23rd … Happy Birthday to all in advance!! (but I’ll try to pop over in ‘person’ on the actual day)

Finishes

Happy dance

Anne S

Thankfully the full-on migraine only lasted 24 hours … I picked up my needle at about 9.30pm last night, and stitched my little heart out for a few hours, finally putting everything down at 1am – just stitching for a short while helped me feel a bit more relaxed. And today I put the last stitches into my Thistle Treasure Bag by M Designs – not very often I get to finish an entire design in 24 hours, but the last few days has seen two done! My thistle just has to have it’s little bee charm attached to the top right of the thistle head, and then made up into a bag … but I think I’ll leave that until a bit later 🙂 Thanks Tobie for a project that was real fun to stitch! 😀

Image hosting by Photobucket

I’m finding that even just a short time spent on the computer today is straining my head a bit, so I’m keeping my PC time very very short to try and keep the migraine at bay a bit longer. Not sure what I’ll attack next …

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A bit of melancholy

Anne S

Thanks for everyone’s comments on my scrapbook page – I have to admit, Jenna, this really was my very first attempt … and I can’t say it’s something I’ll be continuing – I think it could be a very expensive hobby, and stitching’s enough for me for the time being. It was fun putting that page together, though – and it was nice to be ‘creative’ for a change :))

Well, this is very very brief, as I’ve been laid up with a throw-up migraine most of the day. I’ve only been out of bed for 4 hours today, and thought I’d try to catch up on blogs, but managed to get through about 4 of them, and gave up. So, I’m about to switch the PC off again, and have a quiet night – I’m hoping to start stitching a small project, but not sure how my head is going to take it just yet …

Anyway, I’m going to stitch the Thistle Treasure Bag by M Designs – those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while may recognise the design … it’s what the lovely angel Tobie sent me for a gift. You may also not know, but Tobie has apparently been very ill, and it felt appropriate for me to stitch this piece while I’m thinking of her at the moment – I know you won’t be reading this, Tobie, but my thoughts are with you at this time, and hope your recovery is a quick one {{hugs}}. If anyone has some prayers spare, I’m sure they’d be appreciated 🙂

Fingers crossed I’ll be fighting fit again tomorrow, so I can clear that backlog of blog posts … I thought there were only about 200 to read, but I was wrong – as at this afternoon there were 318! Yikes!!

Charity Stitching, Finishes, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

A day of mixed blessings

Anne S

Today started off quite sadly – by saying goodbye to Mum at the airport. I felt fine until she said goodbye at the departure gate, and I was teary-eyed all the way home. As much as it’s nice to get back to my routines, the flat feels very very quiet after having her company here for 2 months. Love you loads, Ma – and miss you already! Miss You

I was originally going to attend the Guild’s general meeting today after going to the airport, but I didn’t feel in the mood. Instead I came home and finished my second quilt block for Quilts4Kids – this is my second block for wee Emily T, stitched in its recommended colours, except I replaced the gold metallic thread with a plain yellow DMC … the next one will be the Batman theme for Jordan B.

I also finally managed to put together (well, it’s almost finished anyway) my first ever scrapbook page for Doreen (my best friend’s Mum). I don’t think it turned out too badly, but I still have one more page to complete. I cut up 3 different colours of paper to make up an alpine setting reminiscent of the Desert Road and Mt Ruapehu in the North Island of NZ – I have so many happy memories of our skiing days there, so I thought that would be an appropriate theme for me. I just need to add some words to the page, which I’m going to add along the snowline at the top of the ‘mountain’.

Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up on blogs this weekend – last time I looked I had over 200 unread posts again … you guys have been busy!! LOL. Look forward to seeing what you’ve all been up to while I’ve been ‘away’ :))

Gifts TO BE FIXED

And the spoiling continues …

Anne S


… Yup, the mail man is getting overworked this week – I have yet another wonderful surprise gift from a blogging pal, KarenV … a most wonderful chart from my wishlist, “Accessoires l’oiseau bleu” by Au Fil des Reves. This chart is even nicer in person than it looks on their website. I do love my birdies at the moment 😀 And the great thing is that the finishing instructions are in English, but I can have fun deciphering the rest of the chart in my minimal french. Karen, I really love it – thank you so very very much. I’m just gob-smacked by the friendship and generosity of my blogging friends – you’re awesome! And it’s turning this birthday milestone into one of the best I’ve had 🙂

And thanks for all the supportive comments everyone leaves – it really is lovely to receive feedback from everyone … it’s the bright highlight of my day. Hugs to you all :))

A couple of people have asked when the ‘official’ day of my birthday is – so here goes … The day I officially turn the corner to the naughty-40’s is the 16th of February (so I’m only dragging my birthday celebrations out for a week heehee). And I finally heard back from Ben so we can go ahead and start organising our combined birthday bash, since Dracula’s got cancelled. We’re off to dinner at a venue yet to be decided on the 25th of February … OK, looks like I’m going to be dragging my birthday celebrations out a bit longer … hahaha.

Anyway, time to head off as I need to do a couple of errands for Mum before she finishes packing, as it’s her last night here tonight. As much as it will be nice to get my routines etc back to normal, I’m gonna miss her like heck – but I’ll be seeing her in May when I fly over for her 70th birthday celebrations 🙂