Author: Anne S

Brightening my life one stitch or one card at a time, and sharing my joy of needlework and card-making.
Cross Stitch, Finishes, JBW Designs, Needlerolls, Sweetheart Tree

Anne, the UFO Slayer

Anne S

Thanks to my dearest flatmate leaving me her entire collection of Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVD’s to watch, my eyes are now square, and I think I have almost OD’ed on Buffy over the last few days (I’m now up to Season 5 – not bad going in two weeks!).  For someone who’s lasted 40+ years without having Buffy in her life, I have to say I’ve rather enjoyed it! I’ve shed tears over the ‘Angel-thing’, and laughed out loud at poor old Spike, and slobbered a bit at good ol’ Giles (who I’ve always adored as the Prime Minister in Little Britain – had I known he was in Buffy, I would have started watching years ago haha). Anyway, watching all this slaying has been good for the soul, and good for the stitching – I’ve been doing a bit of slaying of my own today, and managed to finish two old UFO’s – I’m not quite feeling up to tackling the sewing machine just yet, so the needleroll will get finish-finished later.

Sweetheart Tree-Wildflower Needleroll
“Wildflower Needleroll” by The Sweetheart Tree
stitched on 32ct Lambswool linen by Wichelt
using recommended DMC threads and Mill Hill beads

This really, really old one just needed to have one heart bead attached for it to be finished (after unpicking and restitching some of the beads in the outer border), so within 1/2 an hour today this one is also finished.  Unfortunately it’s really hard to get a good photo of it, as it’s all pretty much monochrome.  I’m going to attempt to frame this one myself, I think 😀

JBW Designs-Love & Affection 1
“Love and Affection” by JBW Designs
stitched on 32ct antique white Lugana (I think)
using recommended threads and beads

JBW Designs-Love & Affection 2

JBW Designs-Love & Affection 3

JBW Designs-Love & Affection 4

JBW Designs-Love & Affection 5

This “rotation” business is really helping me to keep focused on my stitching goals – no more dithering between stitching sessions, I know exactly what I need to be stitching next … although right now I can’t decide whether to tackle the start of yet another UFO, as I have a few hours of my rotation left, or whether to just move on to my next slot, which is my Boo Club focus piece … ah, decisions decisions … 😀

Still not feeling 100% today, I asked my boss if I could reinstate the two days leave I’d just cancelled last week, so I have the next few days off to recuperate more fully … which means more stitching, yippee 😀

Cross Stitch, Works in Progress

A lot of illness and not much stitching…

Anne S

Unfortunately when I was finishing off my Acorn Needlebook on Saturday, I was also fighting off a viral infection/flu-bug that had been kicking me for a couple of days last week.  On Sunday it hit me full force on the side of the head, and I spent 3 full days in bed either in my bedroom or on the sofabed in the lounge – a high fever and blinding headaches as well as a beautifully phlegmy chest and nasal congestion have put paid to any major stitching on my days off work … I hate being so sick you can’t even stitch! 😦

Today, though, I finally managed to stay upright all day, albeit in my stitching chair and not wandering around.  Still feel pretty grotty, but certainly not as bad as I have over the last few days.  I did, however, manage to get a little bit of stitching in today.  I forgot to take an ‘in progress’ photo of this piece that I started weeks ago, so you can’t see the minimal stitching I’ve actually managed, but I’ve now stitched as far as I can until a skein of Crescent Colours Cocoa Bean turns up … sorry, but the photography is really bad as I had my stitching light directly over it and it’s washed the colours out really badly.

LHN-Home of a Needleworker

Then I started on my next rotation slot (WIPs/UFOs), and picked up an old UFO and added a few beads, as well as doing a spot of unstitching of the satin stitch band ‘cos I’d miscounted the last time I touched it – 1 3/4 years ago sitting on the floor of my empty flat here while I was waiting for the removalists from hell to deliver my furniture days later than planned.  This is the “before” picture, but I won’t bother taking the “after” picture yet as there’s really not much to show aside from a few beads – with luck it won’t be long before you see the finished product – the way I’m feeling, I think I won’t be doing a great deal over the weekend, just taking it easy and continuing to recuperate and recharge the batteries again …  Hopefully then I can get a better photo!

Sweetheart Tree-Wildflowers Needleroll UFO

Cross Stitch, Finishes, Finishing, Stitching Smalls

Acorn Needlebook all finished

Anne S

A very big happy dance today as I not only put the final stitches into my Acorn Needlebook, but I also spent the entire day curled up in my stitching chair doing the actual finishing – not 100% perfect by any stretch of the imagination, as this is my first attempt at this style of finishing, but I’m pretty pleased with the end result 😀

So, without any further ado, here is my Acorn Needlebook by Periwinkle Promises…

Periwinkle Promises-Acorn Needlebook 1

Periwinkle Promises-Acorn Needlebook 2

Periwinkle Promises-Acorn Needlebook 3

Periwinkle Promises-Acorn Needlebook 4

Periwinkle Promises-Acorn Needlebook 5

Periwinkle Promises-Acorn Needlebook 6

Blogging Memes, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

I am Castiel :D

Anne S

Yay baby 😀

And double YUM!!!!! 

If I’m technically Dean, then that means I have the hots for myself!!! 😛
And there endeth a great night – started with a flying visit from my lovely flatmate and close friend Katie on her way between travelling destinations … a girly night in with a bottle of Jansz bubbly, an exquisite Angus Steak pizza from Crust pizzeria, the first episode of Amazing Race, followed by the latest downloaded episode of Supernatural – not to mention Season 4 of Supernatural arriving on the doorstop compliments of the Bay of Evil …
Life just doesn’t get much better than this … 😀
Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Great day at work

Anne S

Today’s been the third day in a row where things have been “mental busy”, and I’ve been pulled in a million directions … the project leader of a massive project we’re working on has been sick the last couple of days and not in the office so I’ve taken over a lot of the work and providing input to making big decisions etc … and I’ve thrived on it!  I got some incredible comments and feedback from the project manager saying that I’ve stepped up to the plate and exceeded all expectations, and the next project he gets he’s going to sit back and let me drive it and just have a weekly catch-up or provide help when I need it … feels pretty darned good!

I had a wee chat to this particular manager when I came back from holiday, as he’d (unbeknownst to me) been attending project meetings without me, so I was out of the loop – then when he needed me to step into the breach to assist I didn’t have the background knowledge to be able to assist.  I pulled him to one side and told him that I needed to be more involved, so that I can help take some work off his shoulders and to provide me with more enjoyment in my role … that little chat has really paid off, and I’ve certainly been thrown in amongst the pigeons over the last few days … and loved it!

It’s been so busy I’ve hardly had any time to ponder over “the feral one” – while the hours have been really long again the last two days, my enjoyment levels are through the roof – I work so much better under pressure … and being put into the position of having to make snap decisions and handle crises as they arise is probably one of my fortes.  That’s why I really loved the overnight shifts when I worked on the Hotline in Melbourne – many times it was just “you” on the desk when the “proverbial” hit the fan in, say, Frankfurt airport for a customer and you had to find a solution right then and there so the customer could board the aircraft … I really do miss that part of my old job 😦

Unfortunately, since a bit of restructuring happened about 6 months ago, nowadays the pressure is just from being overworked – but it’s more a challenge of the amount of work which is just draining and mind-sapping, it’s not a challenge where you are learning anything new or building your skills in any way, you’re just at the beck and call of the other sites and follow their instructions like a little lamb … gone are the days when we used to have a major input into decisions that are made, even though we are 3 levels higher in pay scale!  Probably one of the main reasons I’ve been so unhappy at work recently … I’m bored sh*tless because I’m not getting any mental challenges.

Even at home Mum used to comment all the time that I’m always having to try something new, be it crafts or whatever, ‘cos my mind always needs to be challenged – she still has the remnants of those many challenges in her garage at home ‘cos there are many craft supplies in there that didn’t make the cut once I got bored … silk fabric painting, fabric dyeing, basketweaving, glass painting etc … after a few sessions it was a case of “I’m bored now, what can I do next?……” – I’m not quite sure why I stuck to XS, but it’s the only craft that I picked up and never put down again – perhaps because I also did a number of classes in the early days as well, so I dabbled a little bit in hardanger, silk ribbon embroidery, stumpwork etc … and now XS is my little sanctuary of peace and quiet where I actually don’t have to challenge myself, but the fact that every design I stitch is different there is a separate challenge in itself …

Anyway, this week has been a blessing – it’s been mentally challenging, and I’m learning so much … I’m enjoying it so much that I’m thinking of cancelling two days annual leave I have booked at the end of next week, so I don’t miss the final stages of the project (it’s being pushed back by a week) …

I’m too knackered to stitch … but it’s OK … it’s a rewarding and fulfilling type of knackered … 😛

It’s also probably got a lot to do with why I’ve been waffling on and on here on the blog too – perhaps I also chat more when I’m happy 🙂  With any luck the bliss will last a while longer … although fingers crossed this raging sore throat I’ve had all day will stay at bay and let the bliss continue! 🙂

Beading, Gifts TO BE FIXED

Prize Draw offering

Anne S

4th Blogaversary

Prize Draw !!!

As I briefly mentioned earlier, I am offering a (slightly belated) prize draw for my home-made beaded scissor fobs to celebrate four years of blogging and waffling online. 

I’m offering four prize fobs – one for every year I’ve been blogging.  The way it will work is that winner #1 gets first choice from the below selections, winner #2 gets the next choice, winner #3 gets the 3rd choice, with winner #4 getting the final choice.  Of course if winner #4 really hates the remaining choices, I may be able to whip something up in a preferred colour scheme, depending on what beads I have to hand at that time 🙂

How do you enter for the prize draw? 

Simply leave a comment in this post only, stating that you would like to be entered into the draw.  Please ensure that your email address is provided, along with the fobs that you prefer, in order of preference, eg 1st choice = #1, 2nd = #5, 3rd = #2.  If you only like 1 of the fobs, feel free to just put your name down for that one – if you are one of the winners and your preferred choice has already been taken, I might be able to whip one up in your preferred colour choice if I have suitable beads available at the time – no guarantees though! 🙂

I will leave the draw open until the end of the month – so you can leave a comment throughout the month of October – at the start of November I’ll draw four lucky winners out of the proverbial hat and get them out in the mail to you.

So, which fobs can you choose from?  I’ve tried to have a reasonable selection of colours, so fingers crossed you’ll find something you’d like to win.  Here goes (all are numbered to make it easier to request a specific selection in your preferences):

Note:  The prize is NOT for the scissors in the photos, it is ONLY for the beaded scissor fob 😀

If you are having difficulties viewing the fobs due to the high number of piccies, please go to my Webshots folder and view them all there 😀

 1. Fob 0014

 2. Fob 0023

 3. Fob 0045

 4. Fob 0052

 5. fob 04

 6. P1020780

 7. P1020790

 8. P1020802

 9. P1020826

10. P1020842

Beading, Cross Stitch, Works in Progress

Updated pic of Acorn Needlebook

Anne S

Here’s a better view of the finished section of Periwinkle Promises’ Acorn Needlebook:

P1020815

You may/may not be able to tell, but the different green is in the final leaf on the top right of the centre acorn section, along with the backstitching on the top half of the same stem.

So far no more stitching done tonight as I ended up taking photos of my scissors fobs (I’d actually made more over the weekend than I remembered) – and I made another two identical copies of one of them tonight as I love the blend of the beads together … unfortunately I’ve now run out of those beads, which is a shame 😦

And I’ve also run out of camera battery … now all I have to do is find my battery charger … LOL – I feel like I’m living in the Bermuda Triangle right about now!!! 😛

Before my battery ran out, though, I did manage to grab a really quick of two pairs of earrings I made for myself recently too … there just may be a few more pairs in the making soon too – I’d forgotten just how much fun making jewellery can be! 😀

P1020814

Cross Stitch, Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Nearly Hump Day already!

Anne S

happy_hump_day_camel

I still laugh when I think of that term … “Hump Day” – I’d never heard of it before moving to Aussie, and remember the first time I ever saw it … sitting at my desk in the call centre, a ‘flasher’ went up on the wall advising it was Hump Day today … bearing in mind, a Flasher isn’t some pervert in a raincoat (well, not in this situation anyway!) – in the call centres many have a neon display on the walls on which messages flash up during the day.  Mostly it is in relation to the number of calls on hold etc, so you can time your rise in blood pressure according to the colour of the wall display – green static text means all is good in the world and customers aren’t getting hot under the collar (aside from those that awake in a whingeing state and continue like that 24/7 regardless of the situation) … when the text turns to red, wait times are starting to build up somewhat … then when the red text starts to flash, it’s time to reach for the blood pressure medication (which is probably what the customers are doing at the same time!).

Anyway, I digress … I remember sitting at my desk watching that little neon board glowing green with “Welcome to Hump Day” text, and smiling to myself while raising one eyebrow (I’m so multi talented doing two things at once), thinking how cool it is that Aussies are so organised that they have an entire day devoted to … um … humping.  It also means that everyone has a fair chance at it LOL.  It was days later before I finally had to cave in and ask someone what it actually meant – giving them no end of amusement at my expense!!

For enquiring minds, according to Wikipedia they have the following to say about Hump Day:

An American English idiom for Wednesday is “hump day”, a reference to making it through to the middle of the work week as getting “over the hump.”

Quite boring when I found out the true meaning … I much preferred my version (even though I did realise there was not a day dedicated to humping – just my perverse sense of humour interpreting it that way) 😉

Anyway, enough of the waffle and twaddle – and on to MUCH more important things!  Tonight I managed to find my temporarily misplaced Lumix camera (perfection-plus for those stitching macro shots – I’ve missed it heartily!) … which means I can finally take some decent photos of recent scissor fobs and stitching … aaaaand I’ve decided to offer a little giveaway just for the hell of it (well, kind of a mini blogaversary, seeing as I actually missed my anniversary a couple of weeks ago!) of one (or maybe a couple) of my scissor fobs.  I’m going to create a separate post just for the prize draw comments, so watch this space very very soon …

In the meantime, I’m off to find a glass of Chardy and put my final stitches into my Acorn Needlebook pincushion – might even squeeze in another episode or two of Season One of Buffy 😀