Charity Stitching, Finishes

DMC on sale for Aussies

Anne S

Just a quick public announcement in case you’re interested (for my fellow Aussies) … I happened by chance to pop into my local “Riot” art & craft store near work while I killed time in my lunch break, and found they had DMC on sale until the end of July for 59c each – time to drag out the floss bags and see what I’m running short of 🙂

The other news is that as of 10 minutes ago, my latest charity quilt block was finished … I really didn’t enjoy the deadline for this one (my own fault, though) so I’ve decided once the next block is finished (which is due 15 August) I’m not signing up for any more deadlines months in advance. I’ve got a charity block rotation slot, and the week that I come to it, I’ll check the website to see what blocks are required, then I’ll sit and stitch it straightaway … that way I’m not governed by timeframes too much, but I still continue to contribute to the quilts. I’ve decided deadlines just don’t suit me. I may also pull out of the SBEBB for the same reason – I love the whole idea of exchanges etc, but I’ve found the deadlines too stressful … perhaps because I had so many things on the go at the same time. I’ll see how I feel after the redwork exchange is completed …

So, with no further do, here is my racing car block ready to jump in the mail.

SBQ

SBQ

Anne S

I’m hitting the floor running this morning … I’ve just fallen out of bed, checked my emails very briefly, and now I’m heading straight over to my stitching corner to get cracking on that 2nd NASCAR – won’t be moving much over the next 48 hours as the deadline is upon me and I only have 1 square inch stitched of the 2nd car yet hmmm. Lack of sleep severely threw out my stitching plans over the last couple of days … b*gger!

But before I do, here’s the latest SBQ which suggested by Carol and is:

“Since you started blogging, have you noticed any difference in your stitching habits? Tell us about them.”

The answer is “definitely” … I’ve bought more stitching items than I have in years (you enablers, you), and I’ve found my tastes changing in that I’ll drool over someone else’s finish then want to stitch it too – it’s definitely broadening my horizon stitching-wise. I also notice that I’m stitching more regularly, as it’s nice to see the WIP piccies in progress – it’s also nice to get encouragement from my fellow stitching bloggers when I hit the wall, as well as being nice to cheer them on too through their own blogs. Thanks ladies, you’re all an inspiration to me! 😀 It’s great to see some pieces getting finished for a change … blogging rocks!!

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Here Kitty Kitty!!!

Anne S

Did I do any stitching yesterday? Nope … nil … nada … zip … zilch! I kept active as long as I could – and as soon as I sat down my eyes drooped big time, so I just kept doing a few things around the place like putting my last load of washing away etc and general tidying around my computer area – I fell into bed early at 7pm, but had a really rough night’s sleep compliments of shocking high winds making a racket … I think tonight is the first night where I’m going to succumb to taking 1/2 a sleeping tablet, as I feel almost dizzy from the lack of sleep (aside from looking like Frankenstein’s bride!). I’m taking the risk tonight in taking a tablet, as I don’t start work until 9am, so it’s OK if I sleep in a bit. Then it’s my two days off (Thu/Fri), before working 7 days straight.

Anyway, I have to put the record straight with my latest spoils … the only things I went ‘off the wagon’ for was my Ebay win from Ashleigh – everything else was from previously … which is what prompted me to get back on the wagon haha. Admittedly, that money could have gone towards a new lounge suite, or my holiday, or a new feline companion, but I really enjoyed spending it that way, and have no guilty feelings this time whatsoever 😀

Talking of which, I think I’ve made a decision to go ahead with the feline companion … I just need to get a few items that are essential first, ie scratching post, litter tray, kitty litter, ping pong balls etc. I’ve also been checking out the RSPCA adoption website, and I absolutely adore these three critters … especially the black and white one, as he’s the spitting image of our last cat Rio 🙂 Second runner-up is the grey tabby, but I really love the look of all three of these … I can’t do anything about it until after we come back from Hong Kong, but I have to admit it would be perfect timing to get one then, as I’ll be at home for about another 1-2 weeks on holiday, so it would be a great chance to get a cat settled in and house trained etc then … I’ll take a trip out to Burwood when we get back, and have a look, I think … mind you, it depends if I still have any money left over, as the cat itself is $110 plus all of the essentials I’ll need. I really need to buy some glasses, which is probably more essential at the moment for me, so we’ll see … but the seed has definitely been set … 🙂
Age: 7 months; Sex: Male (N); Colour: Black Tabby & White
Name: “Molly”; Age: 4 years; Sex: Female (S); Colour: Grey Torti
Age: 4 years; Sex: Female; Colour: Tabby

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Go All Blacks!!!

Anne S


I may regret it tomorrow, but last night I stayed up to watch the first game of the All Blacks vs Wallabies (ie New Zealand vs Australia in Rugby Union for those of you not in the know) … and I’m pleased to say the ALL BLACKS WON!!! I have to admit to not being a sports fan, but the All Blacks are the only team I follow … I get a ribbing at work for being a Kiwi all the time, and today I intend wearing my All Black scarf and T-shirt just to wind one of the guys up 😉

I have to admit, I love living in Aussie, and the majority of the people I’ve met and dealt with are wonderful people, and I feel at home here … but sometimes the sports commentating here is very one-eyed and rude. I was really shocked to hear a commentator last night, while the camera was on a toddler being held up by its parents covered in All Blacks face paint – the commentator said “look at that poor kid – it’s amazing what parents will do to you these days … it’s unfortunate enough that it’s a New Zealander without doing that to it as well” – now is that really necessary??? I can take a joke as much as the next person, but that’s really inappropriate, and it really got my ire up last night for a short time hmmm. There is a friendly rivalry between the two nations, and a zillion of Kiwi vs Aussie jokes etc, and I can handle that easily … but that public comment made me angry 😦

So partly because of that attitude last night, I was SUPER happy that we trounced the Aussies 32-12 (sorry Aussie pals), and my neighbours got a taste of their own medicine after midnight as I was cheering my team on loudly (they did the same last week or so watching the soccer until the early hours haha). Of course, the game is still not over as such – there are still two games to be played for the Bledisloe Cup … go Kiwis!!! 😉

Stash

Huge stash fest!

Anne S

I have to admit, I went off the wagon once since my vowing not to buy stash … and it’s all Ashleigh’s fault – Ash put some of her stash up for sale on Ebay, and I fell in love with the Friendship Sampler by Aion Designs, plus a couple of other charts … they arrived today – so when I took photos of my stash haul over the last week or two that adds up to a HUGE stash haul … part of it was from a SB&B backorder, plus another Ebay win for Victoria Sampler kits I won previously but forgot to post about, as well as my order from Elegant Stitches. I’ve taken piccies of everything … it’s a good job I’m now on the wagon!!! (although I still have the one order I’m waiting for from SB&B) … it’s amazing what one extra pay packet can make – and one reason this is the last stash, as it’s back on my limited budget again … b*gger! 🙂

Dunno whether you’ll be able to blow up the piccie, so I’ll put the contents underneath each piccie.


Paradigm Lost – Long Dog Samplers; Vineyard Sampler – Periwinkle Promises; Joy – Lizzie*Kate; Friendship Sampler – Aion Designs; Red Lace Sewing Case – Drawn Thread; Attic Collection – Just a Thought; Buzz ‘n’ Round Glasses Case – Keepsake Stitches.


Summer Hearts – Wendy K C Designs; Bees’ Garden – Wendy K C Designs; The Lavender Rose Sewing Case – Fancy Work (plus fabric and silks I didn’t have); 4 Wishes – Just Nan; Snow Faces – Just Nan; High Hopes – Just Nan; 2005 Limited Edition Here Comes Santa Claus – Prairie Schooler


Who’s Hiding in the Garden? series – Patricia Ann Designs (originally for my RR, but it didn’t turn up in time to be considered); lambswool and lavender bliss linens and threads I needed; Thread rings – Kelmscott Designs; Lavender Sachet – The Victoria Sampler; September birthday needleroll – The Victoria Sampler (don’t want September, I just love the colours LOL); Happy Mothers Day – The Victoria Sampler (sent free with an Ebay win); Lisianthus Accessory Pocket (for a Clover cutter) – Periwinkle Promises; Simple Elegance – a Working Needle Book – Just a Thought

So, anyone want to come over and fondle? 😉 No more now (apart from my SB&B back order and the 2006 JCS ornie issue when it comes out) at least until my birthday in February!!! And if I break that rule, you’re welcome to come over personally and give me a public flogging … but I have to admit, I can’t wait to get stitching on this lot! … usually I receive my goodies and I get a ‘ho-hum’ feeling, but I just love everything I’ve been receiving recently! 😀

Rightio, enough putting off the inevitable … I have to put a few stitches in this racing car block … if nothing else, I might try to finish the backstitching in the one car tonight – have to admit, I’m really tired tonight after work, so that’s probably why I’m taking the time to blog my stash haul … but I can’t put it off any longer! (I didn’t actually realise this design was based on actual cars – I’ve learnt something new overnight! LOL)

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The pressure’s on! (Updated)

Anne S

I nearly wrote “the heat is on” as my title, but that was too close to yesterday’s happy post 😉 The fact is I was getting very organised yesterday and getting my rotation in order, to set up the new few upcoming rotation slots, making sure everything was all kitted up and ready to go … when I spied something at the top of my list … Racing Cars charity block due for mailing 15 July … my little mouse rushed off to the corner of my screen to see the date … aaarghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! So last night I went into total panic mode – today was my final catch-up day for the last 5 blogs outstanding, but they’re going to have to wait a couple of days again now … in fact all blog reading is back on the backburner again for a few days – seeing as I hadn’t started this project yet, and it’s got a LOT of stitching in it (I’ve had to cut a few things out just to get it to fit on the fabric hmmm), so as it is I’m going to be struggling to get this one finished ready for post …

So, with no more ado, I’m off to pick up a needle, as I’m going to try for a full 8-10 hours stitching on it today yikes! Then I have a dragon one due on 15 August, so I’d better start doing some stitching on that too afterwards so I’m not in the same predicament next month!

Here’s my progress for 3 hours yesterday – which is why I’m panicking … this is only about 1/8 of the total stitching for this block, with loads of backstitching (excuse the crappy photo, as it’s not in focus – but I figure there’s no point taking another one, as there’s not much to see yet! LOL). OK, enough yapping … off to my stitching corner I go!

(Updated) Well, I managed to stitch for a solid total of 11 1/2 hours today … and oh boy am I feeling it now! But I managed to get almost one of the cars finished. I wish I took more time to think about the project yesterday – if I was really clever, I would have just used one of the cars, and added a chequered flag border to fill it out … I thought about that when I was about 1/3 through the first car – a bit late by then! Would have made the deadline a lot easier though. Oh well, c’est la vie … here’s my progress to date anyway – I’m back at work tomorrow and not on great stitching hours, so there probably won’t be much progress over the next couple of days. Thanks for your supportive comments … it’s much appreciated 🙂
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

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I have the power!!

Anne S

Well, actually I have the “heat”! Woohoo!! My landlord has just been in – I now have the vent reinstalled in the toilet ceiling, and the ducted heating has been re-lit. He’s very impressed with my tenancy, and has said it’s OK to add a couple of picture hooks in the lounge … AND it’s OK for me to have a cat!! Now I have to make the decision whether to go ahead or not … it would be so lovely to have the company – I really miss having a cat around, as I adored Rio, but I also have to weigh up the extra costs etc too. He’s also asked me if I intend staying here long term, as he’s thinking of getting rid of the real estate agent, and I can deal with him directly – which is fine by me, as the landlord seems really nice, and very fair and easy to deal with. I have his email addy and mobile number so it’s easy to contact him, and he only lives just around the corner, so it’s very handy. He’s most impressed that I’m putting up curtains too haha.

So, that’s all my news from this morning – not very exciting to anyone but me, but I’m rapt! Now I’m off to The Warehouse to check out cheapo glasses, if they have them – and tonight I’m off to a Hotline team dinner at The Curry Club in Richmond … which will be fun 🙂

SBQ

SBQ – on time! LOL

Anne S

Yep, the weather will be changing all around the globe, because today I’m answering the SBQ on the actual day it has been received in my inbox!! Will miracles never cease?!!!

Today’s SBQ was suggested by Vash and is:

“What is the biggest mishap you have had with your stitching material (ie spillages)?”

In actual fact I’ve been really lucky so far and have had no major spillages – the worst thing is not having quite enough fabric to have the borders as wide as I’d like them, but I still haven’t actually run out of fabric at all, and it’s all been workable … so nope, no major disasters to date (… touch wood!). Actually, I take that back … I just thought of one … when I was first learning to stitch I had Graham Ross’ Tiger chart on a tapestry frame for ages, and went overseas for a while, and when I finally moved it off the frame I noticed there were not-so-lovely stripes on it … Dad had been smoking in the lounge back in those days, and it was covered in nicotine stains … then to top it off when it was off the frame I left a needle in it, and it all rusted – that piece was a testament very early on to learning what “not to do” with your projects! 😉 I never did get all the rust marks off – it will always serve as a reminder of those learning days …

I was just reading online last night, that you can buy cheap optical goods (ie glasses) in Hong Kong, so I might wait a month to see what I could buy some from over there … it looks like we’re off on holiday! This is Mum’s 70th birthday treat from me – I’m paying for the airfare (using my staff discount) for us both (compliments of my debt consolidation), and we’re sharing the cost of the hotel. Probably heading off for 4 nights, which should be plenty of time to wander around and see the sights. Neither of us have money to burn, so we’ll just be walking around everywhere and soaking up the cultural differences – but I’ll definitely check out some optical places over there, as it says most can grind the glass for the lenses in approx 24 hours, so it could be do-able at the right price 🙂

Home & Family TO BE FIXED

Amendment to 101 Things

Anne S

OK, I think I was perhaps a little over-enthusiastic with my list, and to be honest a little bit unrealistic about my travel plans … so I’ve removed three items that are the least likely to be met – there’s still a lot of travel in there, though, but at least they’re more ‘possible’ within the timeframe … maybe if I win Lotto anyway (although my odds would be highly improved if I ever bought a ticket) 😉 I’ve removed the travel to Bangkok/Phuket, Greek Islands, and Paris – and replaced them with the following:

  • Attend a Stitch & Craft needlework show in Melbourne
  • Try a SuDoku puzzle
  • Put curtains up in the lounge and fix those in the main bedroom

I’ve also created an new 101 Things blog so I can keep a track of my progress in one place. So far I’ve met the last two days of my daily goals – drinking water, and taking my multivitamin tablets (which I’ve had for months, but keep forgetting to take them!) … drinking water makes me ‘gip’ (there’s a pommie/Yorkshire saying for ya!), and I’ve struggled with it, but I know it’s for my own good {shaking head with horror – I HATE plain water}.

The GREAT news this week is that my landlord is coming on Thursday morning to finally screw in the vent in my toilet (it fell down months ago, and still hasn’t been fixed – I’ve got a piece of cardboard shoved up there to try and stop 8-legged visitors, but it keeps moving with the breeze hmmm) … and best of all, I’m hoping he’ll be able to relight the ducted heating pilot light for me, so I can have HEAT once again in this icy flat woohoo!! I also asked if it’s possible to have extra hooks put up on the lounge and dining room walls, as I’d dearly love to have more of my embroidery and pictures on the walls (especially some Greek prints I have) … and lucky last, if it’s possible to have a cat here, if I make the decision to go down that track. I figure there’s no point in considering it more if it’s not allowed … (and Nicki, I forgot to mention, Sheree doesn’t like cats ‘cos they leave hair everywhere … another reason/”con” for flatting with her).

Which reminds me, there were a couple of comments I need to reply to …

Tannia – would love to go to the footy one day … I have to admit I’ve been to two Hawks games before I moved to Melbourne, but it’d be nice to see another game, and I think you definitely have to go with someone for it! Another friend is a HUGE Hawthorn fan and suggested I go with Dawn when they play in Launceston, so I can see a bit more of the country (actually, that would cross another state off my list too, just thought about that haha). If you let me know what team you barrack for, I can check the footy listings and see when my shifts would work against the game times 🙂

Ally – an “ice bar” is literally that … everything is made of ice – literally! The bar itself, the glasses (!!) … everything! You have to wear big fleecy coats and boots etc to go in, and you’re limited to the amount of time you can stay in there because it’s so cold, and it affects the way alcohol hits you – I’d love to do it just for the novelty of trying it. There’s an ice bar in Auckland (and I have a funny feeling one was opening here somewhere, but I’m not entirely sure on that) – Fraze and I tried to get in last time he came with me for Dad’s 70th, but we didn’t realise you had to make a booking, so missed out. All I have to do now is find someone who’s daft enough to come do it with me! LOL.

And because there are no piccies to share, here’s a photo sent by my best friend in NZ … welcome to the world Jayden Ross! He was born 17 June at 8lb 5oz … I’m not a baby person, but he is cute … and will be even better in two years time LOL (those who really know me, know me well enough to know how I feel on that score LOL).