Stash – Page 6 – Feather Stitching

Another RAK … and stash …

30 August, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

(Updated to apologise for the piccies – Blogger won’t upload photos for some reason for a change hmmm, so I’ve had to use Photobucket, so no chance of enlarging…)

Further to my post yesterday, I have another lovely piccie to share of some goodies that Missy sent to me – she was going through her charts and found this one that was just perfect for me … I knew the chart was coming, but I didn’t expect the other goodies – stitchers are such generous souls! I have to admit I literally laughed out loud when I opened the envelope and saw the chart title … I just love it! And I adore the dishcloth that Melissa crocheted herself, as well as the yummy thread – I feel very very spoiled. I don’t want to use the dishcloth … I just want it to sit in the kitchen and not get used/soiled – I just adore hand-made gifts. Thanks again Missy for an awesome treat 😀 {{hugs}}

And believe it or not, I had a 3rd arrival today as well … another expected parcel, with unexpected contents – this time from KarenV. I sent Karen the specialty threads for the Love needleroll ornament for her to stitch it, and had the threads returned with some added company across the oceans – not only did Karen send me some scrummy threads (unfortunately the Stef Francis thread is now unusable, as it’s totally covered in drool – that’s the prettiest colour I’ve ever seen in her threads … I almost don’t want to use it, but just to continue drooling over it for years to come), but there was also the sweetest little biscornu, all stitched by Karen … I was absolutely floored, and thrilled to have these little treats, and felt quite overcome by it all. Thanks Karen for your generous gift … and I will treasure the biscornu always 😀 {{hugs}}

As the title states the word “stash”, you can correctly conclude that squishy mail has also been arriving in my PO Box from a spending spree … thanks very much to a generous gesture from my employers, we got given a wee bonus last week at work – not as generous as past years, which is understandable, but sufficient for me to have a little stash splurge on scissors! Thanks to the kind offers made by Jenna and Erin to help me procure some lovely Gingher’s, I’ve been thinking about this for a wee while now … and when my ‘crappy’ old scissors started having problems cutting a simple DMC thread early last week, I jumped on the internet as soon as I heard about the bonus and filled a shopping cart with shiny metallic things of different shapes and sizes 😉 Seeing as I was paying all the money for postage, I added a couple of extra ‘cheapo’ pairs in there as well as a new pair of Gingher’s and Tres Claveles, so I can also make up a few small sewing kits that can sit with my WIP’s etc … I’ve already christened one of the el cheapo pair, but I’m waiting until I put a scissor fob onto my Gingher’s before they get christened, and they’re never going to leave the house again! Thanks again, ladies for your kind offer, but I ended up just biting the bullet and splurging (and thanks again to my lovely employers!!) 😀

Also, today saw the arrival of even more stash … the last remaining items from a very old backorder from SB&B, plus some other charts that we added on when we returned from Hong Kong. Now you may remember I went on the wagon and said I wouldn’t be buying any more charts until at least my birthday … well, I have actually been sticking to it so far – you see, all these new charts are actually for Mum, not me (she’s paying for them). We bought her some more #26 Piecemaker needles (she’s already worked out how great they are haha), some Floss-Away bags, and some Kreinik braid for us both as I’d run out, and a few charts. The M Designs needlerolls (Butterfly, Rose Mosaic and Snowmen ones) were from my backorder, as were the two Victoria Sampler kits (that’s what was holding the whole process up – Level 3 #1, Whipped Spider Web Rose, and Level 4 #1, Four Sided Pulled Stitch & Four Sided Hemstitch). Mum went mad on Prairie Schooler Santas (Starry Night … which is a gift for me from Mum yippee … Redwork Santas, A Christmas Visit, Santa Collection 1996-99, and Santa Collection 1988-91), plus Lizzie*Kate snippets (2001 Ready or Not, and 2004 A Good Night). The last little goodies were some 32ct cream Belfast that I needed as I miscalculated a biscornu I started stitching before the biscornu exchange earlier in the year, and needed another piece so I could actually stitch the back (pretty important in the scheme of things LOL), and the Silk Bella needed for the Lavender Rose Sewing Case SAL (which is no longer a SAL, as I think everyone’s almost finished … oops … never fear, I am still committed to stitching it, and will be doing this before I stitch anything else … I just have to get my exchanges in the post first, and I’m getting VERY close to the wire with that!! Next week should see me finally starting this gorgeous new project).

Now I’m going to finish my stash report with a hug for both Gina and Sharon, who always make such wonderful company to visit with. They kindly drove all the way to my little flat and spent their time fondling my stash and finished pieces/WIP’s, as well as sharing other items of interest – Gina brought some great books to flip through (and I seriously will have to get a copy of the Why am I tired? book … Sharon, if you see me coming in saying cheekily “I’ve seen a book, I think it’s blue, and it’s something to do with being tired”, you’ll know which one I mean, ‘cos I know nobody else that does such daft things teehee), and Sharon brought some wonderful CQ blocks to examine … I have to admit I harbour no desires to try a CQ myself, but I really do love to see them in real life – perhaps when I turn 80 I should be about 1/4 through my stash by then, I might consider it LOL. We had a lovely lunch, with much chatting, and then a great afternoon tea of goodies that they brought with them. I feel like I’ve known these lovely ladies for so much longer than I really have, and you’re welcome to visit at any time {{hugs}}.

I’ll leave you with a photo of one of three bulbs in flower – this is a hyacinth that Sharon brought with her as a gift for me, and it’s just stunning (every time I tried to get the whole pot in, they came out blurry, so it’s just one of three bulbs in the piccie) … thanks heaps Sharon, it’s gorgeous! Who would believe on Saturday it was all in bud!! (My blog will start having an identity crisis now … it’ll be thinking it’s actually Carol’s blog, with the flower piccie at the bottom … the photography’s not as good as Mike’s though LOL.)

My apologies to anyone I’m owing an email to … I hope to catch up next week – I don’t tend to spend much time online while Mum’s here, after her making a comment about me “wasting” so much time on the computer during the last visit, which means that I get even further behind than I normally do … and I’ve been bad enough on my own just lately! LOL.

Stash, Works in Progress

Bordeaux Sampler

20 July, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

I’m supposed to post my update piccie on Fridays, along with Carol, but I’ve decided to cheat and put it up a day early, as I may be busy tomorrow. I managed to get a good night’s stitching (4 whole hours) into this last night, and I just have the over-one lettering and bottom band plus the rhodes grapes in the side borders to do, then part one is all finished yippee! 😀 I’m soooooo tempted to sit and do some more tonight, which would probably see part one finished, but I’m going to resist the temptation. For our SAL I said I’d stitch for one day/night or a total of 3 hours each week, depending what my shifts were like, so I guess I’ve already stitched my quota on it for this week … I have to admit, though, I really enjoyed stitching on it and I’m looking forward to finishing part one next week some time 😀 (mind you, I’m not a huge fan of over-one stitching, so that lettering band might be slow going).

I also have more stash to report – this is yet again from an order that was made a number of weeks ago, in a 30-75% off sale from Margaret Lee’s website … I never had confirmation of the final cost, or that the order was complete, so I totally forgot all about it … I was surprised to come home to a LARGE box with a postage cost of US$29 (ahem!!), just for a few charts, fabric and two pairs of scrollbar side frames – there was a long piece of ‘plastic bag’ stuff filled with air to fill out the box … would it not have been better to just parcel the damn stuff into a flatter box to save postage? It’s not as if a couple of charts etc are breakable! Oh well, the main reason I placed an order was because they had selected aida fabric on sale at 50-75% off, and I wanted to order some for Mum’s stitching stash, seeing as she’s still on a mad Christmas ornie stitching spree (go Mum!!). Still, that extra US$20 spent on postage costs has really marred the savings on the other items … oh well, c’est la vie! At least you have some more fabric, Mum 🙂

The charts in this haul were The Gathering Room by Little House Needleworks (not in the photo); Those Darn Accessories by Hillside Samplings; A Little Blackwork by Drawn Thread; Sitting Pretty by Valerie Pfeiffer; Birdie Holiday by Lizzie*Kate; Stitching Friends by Lizzie*Kate; Honey Bee by Elizabeth’s Designs; Life’s a Stitch by Lizzie*Kate; Bluebells and Violets by Shepherd’s Bush; and Teenie Hardanger III by The Sweetheart Tree.

For Mum … I also got the following aida for you – 14ct lambswool, 16ct antique ivory, and 16ct navy. This lot was all pre-Wagon spending 😉

Now it’s time to get the washing out of the machine and hang it out before settling down for the night – it’s day 6 of work today, and I feel pretty wrecked (especially as I was stitching until midnight last night oops haha), so I thought I’d give myself a good start to the weekend, by getting some housework out of the way quickly … now I’m going to be self-indulgent while watching Big Brother (sad, but true, I do enjoy it!), followed by Medium and Lost … ah, bliss! 😀

Stash

Huge stash fest!

8 July, 200625 February, 2012 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)

Stash

More enabling …

19 June, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

After this week, my flat is an “enabling-free zone” … thanks to KarenV, I’ve fallen in love with yet another chart, and have had to place an order … for the Lavender Rose Sewing Case by Fancy Works. I have to admit I was umm-ing and ahh-ing until I saw these two latest releases today by Wendy Causer, of Wendy K C Designs – Bee’s Garden and Summer Hearts … well, that was the deciding factor, as I can now justify the postage cost. That means I’m officially back on the stash wagon again … unless I need a specific fabric or thread to complete a “must do” design, I’m not buying any more charts until my birthday … that’s right, no more charts until at least February. I’m getting the Mystery Bits each month now from SB&B, which are only for threads on my wishlist, so that’ll keep me in stash heaven every month until then 🙂

Thanks to Nicki’s generosity, and a top up from myself (due to an extra fortnight’s pay yippee), I had a major Drawn Thread stash fest in the last SB&B back order, as well as receiving my Designing Ladies finishing instructions for the Stitching Leporello (thanks again Nicki!), TW’s Tropical Dream and Just Nan’s Beach Roses – lucky last, I also received LHN’s Coffee House Menu … not my usual style, but I just love this one stitched up 🙂 So, finally two weeks after returning home, here’s the last stash photo, seeing as there are no stitching piccies again today (a whole lot of basting isn’t too exciting to show you, and that’s all I got done yesterday). The Drawn Thread charts are For the Birds, Sunflower Bellpull, Little Learning Band – The Acorn Sampler, Autumn Arbor, and It’s Halloween … now you can see why it’s easy to go on a stash diet! 😀

Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Gifts TO BE FIXED, Stash, Works in Progress

Stitching update

15 June, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

I had to take a day off work yesterday just to get some stitching in … well, actually it was because I felt like cr*p, and couldn’t face work – my sore throat turned into a bit of laryngitis on Tuesday night, and I hardly slept at all. When I woke up yesterday morning I felt really groggy and as though I’d been run over. This morning I still feel pretty rough – I’m more blocked up in the nose, and my throat is sore again, but my voice isn’t quite as laryngitis-like. Fingers crossed I’ll be OK to get back to work again tomorrow. It does mean, though, that I managed to get a bit of stitching done – and a bit of frogging too ;P I still have two stitches to fix up in the vines that I noticed I managed to miss yesterday, and they’re easily added in – but I’m slowly catching up to you, Carol 😀 I’ll continue to get this panel finished (the whole of part 1), then I have to get my ducks RR done to get in the mail by 1 July … then it’s “Dratteds, here I come!!!” 😀

Just a quick post today, as my concentration at the computer isn’t great – I tried catching up on some more blog reading yesterday, but I ended up reading most things three times, and gave up. Off to have another Lemsip Cold & Flu, then cuddle up under my blanket again in my not-so-glamorous PJ’s for the day …

(Updated) Crikey, I just realised that I hadn’t posted piccies of my previous stash arrivals … for some reason I thought I’d already done it, but just checked back in my blog posts, and lo and behold nothing was there! Oops – I’d forget my head these days if it wasn’t permanently attached!! Anyway, here are the piccies of stash I received as gifts from some very generous ladies – thanks so much again Cathy and Nancy – your generosity is amazing, and I love everything (I know I’ve sent personal emails already, but just wanted to reiterate it now) 😀 Unfortunately blogger is, just for a change, having a hissy fit about adding more photos, so I’ve had to use Photobucket, which of course means you can’t click for a bigger piccie, sorry 😦

Here are my wonderful spoils from Cathy:

And my wonderful spoils from Nancy:

Cross Stitch, Exchanges, Stash

My boot runneth over …

2 June, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

… and so does my lounge room now, as my freight is home (well actually, four boxes are still in the boot of my car – I could only face bringing 5 of them up 3 floors today – the rest can wait)! My car is still living so far … the RACV man jump-started my car yesterday, and the run to the Post Office charged the battery up enough to keep it going … if it was dead again this morning I had to get a new battery, but luckily it’s managed to last the distance and I got to the airport without any problems. The freight guys all had a good laugh at my car, and even made a special trip out of the building to see it … hmmm. You see, my car is parked underneath a tree that has possums in it – and they must have had a field day while I was away, inviting all the possums in the neighbourhood over to play … you see my car is now covered in possum poo and heaven knows what else haha. The motorway trip managed to dislodge a lot of it, but it still looks a disgrace – it will have to wait until I can get to a valet … I think in this case it’ll definitely be worth the expense to have someone else wash it haha. Now, on to stitchy stuff …

My poor postman had a bit of a workout yesterday when I went to the Post Office – he had to carry my parcels out with both arms … and it totally filled one of my shopping bags. There were a few items that I was expecting, but there were also some surprises in there – all I can say is “WOW!!” I won’t overpower today’s post with oodles of piccies, but I’ll post a couple, with more to follow later. Here’s the list of goodies that came:

Options in Hardanger Group Correspondence Course (through CyberStitchers branch of the EGA)
Melanie’s Exchange from Jenna
Biscornu Exchange from Melissa and Danielle
Goodie parcel from Nancy
Goodie parcel from Cathy
Monthly Mystery Bits from SB&B
Parcels from SB&B
Eventide needleroll chart from Ebay win
Threads from Village Mountain Stitchery sale
Finishing kits from Jackie du Plessis (Strawberries So Faire and Quaker needleroll)

The piccies I’ll share today are of my exchanges that I received from the SBEBB – then tomorrow I’ll post the piccies of my goodies from Nancy and Cathy.

The first one is my Melanie’s Exchange from Jenna … it’s a freebie design by Martina Weber of Chatelaine fame, and it’s absolutely exquisite – the finishing and stitching is amazing, and I totally adore it! It’s currently sitting on a ‘plate stand’ I’d had sitting around just waiting for something to go in it … and it’s sitting by my blue vase with sunflowers, right opposite where I sit and stitch, so I can see it every night 🙂 And along with the exchange piece I also got spoilt rotten with a couple of pieces of fabbie (what a scrummy blue!), some makeup and nail clippers (also in yummy blue – you know me very well, Jenna! haha), and a lovely card, as well as the exchange leftovers … I just love everything!

Blogger is giving me the “proverbials”, because it won’t upload the piccies, so I’ve had to resort to Photobucket, and can’t work out how to add links to the photos for the main photos – if you want to see the larger piccie of the photos click on the links … photo 1 here, and photo 2 here.

The next photos are of my Biscornu Exchange – unfortunately my exchange partner wasn’t able to stitch something for me so Melissa and Danielle came to the rescue and kindly sent some exchange pieces. Melissa stitched a beautiful biscornu – isn’t it adorable? I just love the design used, and the buttons are the most perfect finishing touch – you did a great job, Melissa – thanks so much for stitching a biscornu for me, that was really sweet 🙂 And Danielle sent me a parcel of goodies too – full of amazing little treats! There is the new chart by Just Nan called Mermaid Heart, along with the embellishments and charm for it (and it’s going to be a great companion piece to Beach Roses, that I just received from SB&B!) – that would have been plenty all on its own, but there is also a packet of needles, some Needle Necessities flosses, and some gorgeous little stationery pads (I adore stationery!) … I just love everything in there. Thanks also to you, Danielle, for putting a little goodie parcel together on top of your own exchange commitments – it was very sweet of you, and the thought is much appreciated 🙂

And again, the photo links are following – photo 1 here, photo 2 here, and photo 3 here.

Both the exchanges were great fun – and it definitely won’t be the last time I participate … in fact, I’m about to commit myself to the Redwork one on the SBEBB, and waiting for the Hardanger one (hopefully much later haha), plus I’m already signed up for the Needleroll exchange on Renee’s Robin’s Nest BB.

Talking of Hardanger … one of the other parcels I received is for a hardanger correspondence course (Options in Hardanger – click on the link for the piccie) by Dale Sokolow – but first I want to complete the Beginner’s Hardanger (and click again) class by Marion Scoular. I signed up for the Beginner’s one just before I moved to Melbourne, but my less-than-perfect living conditions when I got here meant no stitching done for almost 8 months, so it got put to one side … I had the opportunity to take one class for reduced costs through CyberStitchers branch of the EGA this year, so I chose the Options in Hardanger class – I won’t have time to stitch it for evaluation, but it will be something to pick up in the future and stitch, and will hopefully be a good resource.

OK, I suppose I’ve waffled on enough for now, so I’ll just quickly answer a couple of questions that have been asked in the comments recently, then I’ll post again tomorrow with an update of the postal goodies 🙂

For Margaret and Andie – funnily enough, I nearly got to the South Island … I had staff tickets for Mum and I to fly down to then drive to Nelson to see my best friend, but we ran out of time to fit it in – maybe on the next trip over I’ll have to make it a compulsory stop 🙂

For Carin – the Pacific Pohutukawa chart is by Jen’s Jems (Jennifer Griffin), a New Zealand designer. You can buy her designs from Nancy’s Embroidery Shop in Wellington 🙂 They don’t have a great deal on display on their website, but you could always email them to see what designs they have in stock. Hope that helps 🙂

For moomoo – unfortunately the design for the biscornu is one that I put together myself. The blackwork part is from an Indigo Rose online freebie that is still on the Caron Collection website – the mosaic border I just made up myself – and the beaded border is from an old Stitcher’s World magazine. I can help you with the thread colour, though – it’s an Anchor variegated thread, number 1349 … just love those colours! Sorry I can’t be more help with that one.

One quick last comment … I ate myself silly with a big plate of feijoas every couple of days at home, but now I have my own version here so I don’t have to miss them too much – I bought a bottle of Feijoa Vodka in duty free teehee … it really really smells like the real thing, and is divine with ‘lemon, lime & bitters’ … yummo – doesn’t go too well with stitching though ;P

Back to work tomorrow – civilised hours, though … 8am starts for 3 days – then 4 days of 5am starts yuk! ;P

Stash

I’m still alive …

22 April, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

Just haven’t been in a blogging mood for the rest of the week … and today this is just a quick post before I go sit down in front of a DVD with my stitching – my mission today is to get the majority of the stitching done on one of my exchange pieces, ‘cos I realised I’m seriously running out of time – next week is a really busy one, as Fraze is coming to stay on Wed night, and I have close friends coming over on Fri morning from New Zealand to stay the night, and I’m then heading up the coast to Seaford for the rest of the weekend with a couple of girls from work. So, I’m not allowing myself to be sidetracked with anything else today … that means, of course, I’m behind on blog reading yet again – but only by a few days, so it shouldn’t be too hard to catch up … that’s my job on Monday, if I don’t manage it before then.

Before I go, though, I’ll quickly post my Ebay spoils piccie … here is a HUGE display of my daylight robbery last week – I’m almost embarrassed at the price I got some of it at, although they were through businesses not individuals. The funny thing is that the business I bought the Shepherd’s Bush needlerolls from (as well as all those VS charts very cheaply), is where I’d seen the SB needlerolls here in the flesh … and in the store they were AU$42 each – ridiculous, for what’s actually in the kits! Anyway, I’m very happy I could get my hands on a couple for a reasonable price, to help satiate my current needleroll obsession 🙂 Some of the VS samplers I’ll never stitch in their entirety, but I thought of using parts of them to make up needlerolls … see, totally obsessed!! Most of the other little kits were for use in my charity stitching.

Right, off I trot to my stitching chair – I think the weather is even going to cooperate today and give us a bit of blue sky and sunshine, so I might drag my chair back into the sunlight for a while to save me having to use my daylight lamp at 10am!

I’m tossing up whether to go to the Guild tomorrow, as it’s the guidance group for my favourite technique – Counted Thread … I figure if I haven’t managed to get my exchange piece finished, I could take it with me tomorrow and finish it off … plus pop into Spotlight (sort of like Hobby Lobby, I think) which is nearby, and hopefully get the ribbon I need to finish off my pinkeep … then I can finally post a piccie of it yippee 🙂 Of course, I’ve never managed to get to any Guild guidance groups since I became a member, and it’s a huge undertaking for my psychologically, due to my shyness in ‘social’ situations … but we’ll see if I muster up the courage or not tomorrow …

OK, enough gabbing, off I go … hope you all have a wonderful weekend 😀

Stash

Squishy mail and Happy Easter to all!

14 April, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

My red wine celebration saw me in bed by 6.30pm last night haha … perhaps a little too much reflection and celebration, coupled with still getting over my virus and too little food LOL. Oh well, if nothing else, I got a great nights sleep!

A quick note for Nicki – have to admit, my parapenting was getting me ready for a parachute jump (the photo is us almost ready to start running to the ‘cliff’ edge to jump off). It was a really rough day weather/wind-wise, and when we first got airborne, my stomach was flip-flopping really badly and I absolutely hated it (I get travel sick, and it was an awful sensation) … eventually my guide spun us round is a 360deg circle, then it felt OK, and I enjoyed it immensely from then on … when we landed it was a big hairy, and we hit a pocket of air and plummeted then got dragged a bit when we hit the ground as a wind gust grabbed the chute – the main worry was when the ground crew came over, and said “that was a bit scary, wasn’t it?” … “what was” I asked? … “When the ‘chute collapsed” came the reply. So now I know what free-falling feels like, and parachute jumping is definitely out of my list of things to do ;P Bungy jumping is also on my ‘never’ list. As for the Auckland visit, I’ve already told Mum I’m going to try to catch up with you, so she knows one night I won’t be at home – might even try a get-together from StitchNZ ‘generally’ as well. I’d offer our house, but the lounge is tiny – if it’s OK it’d be safer if I come visit you, as I’ll have Dad’s car … but I’ll chat more about that via email. As soon as I work out which days I can take off work as annual leave, I’ll be able to plan a bit more – looking forward to catching up 😀

Rightio, here’s my squishy mail photo I promised last night – all fabrics from Silkweaver … from the top, and each line from left to right, there is – 40ct Meadow Rue Lakeside Linens (for Quaker Bulb ornie), 40ct Summer Khaki Newcastle linen (for Perfect Gifts ornie), 2 x pieces Cream Belfast linen (for my Stitching Leporello), 32ct Raw Opalescent Belfast linen (for Sweetheart Tree bellpull ornie plus some other SW ones), 36ct Sand Edinborough linen (for Drawn Thread Halloween scissor pocket and fob), 40ct Autumn Gold Lakeside Linen (originally a gift for someone, but it didn’t turn up on time, and has been on backorder for a few months now), and my last Silkweaver FOTM (I cancelled my membership at the end of the last month ready for living in the ‘extreme’ poor house) a 28ct Parkland Cashel linen – I have no plans for the Parkland linen, but thought the shade might come in handy ‘one day’ ;P It means I can now continue kitting up some more projects for the upcoming months (especially my Xmas ornies).

I was just talking to Mum for a couple of hours today (again), and I’ve been planning the whole coming weekend out with her – it’s amazing how uncluttered my mind feels at the moment … mind you, that’s not to say the fog won’t return in a day or two teehee. I feel like I’ve got the head space and energy ready to get back to my routines again … feels good 🙂 Talking of which, I’d better hurry up and post this, as I have housework to tend to before I’m allowing myself to sit down and stitch. I had a bit more of a think a night or two ago about my Melanie’s Exchange piece, and I just have to put it down on paper to see if it will work, but it’s a step closer to getting it actually done …

I’ll close by wishing everyone a safe and Happy Easter, and hope that wherever you spend it, you’re surrounded by love 🙂

Stash

Awesome stash haul !!!

12 April, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

And the best part is that it didn’t cost me a cent! Well, OK, it did if I include the cost of the postage … I mentioned that I wanted to do some more charity stitching, but a lot of my old charts were still in NZ, so I gave Mum some of the themes from the Quilts4Kids site, and she hunted through my charts for some options for me … as well as sending some duck charts I asked for. Unfortunately the actual duck ones I wanted were missing in action, so Mum has been sent on another hunting mission into the garage … a place that lesser women would quake in fear of! It’s not a mission that Mum’s looking forward to, but I really really wanted those specific charts for an upcoming round robin (my first one ever) … if they don’t turn up soon, I guess I’ll have to choose another theme, and goodness knows what that will be. I have to have my piece ready to ship by at least 1 July, so my decision will have to be made soon. There are a few charts among this pile that won’t be used for charity blocks, but it’s nice to have them here ‘in case they’re ever needed’ 🙂

This is just a short post, as I’m pretty wrecked tonight … dunno why, but I just feel a bit run-down still. I survived my first day shift today, every last 24 minutes of it LOL – wasn’t too bad, I guess … the job is the same as I’ve been doing for months anyway, so the 24 minutes extra is the only difference really. Haven’t heard from my friends that are supposed to be arriving this weekend – in fact, haven’t heard from them since early February … who knows if the visit is still happening! To be honest, I’m hoping it isn’t, as I could really enjoy the 4 days of Easter off all to myself so I can concentrate on some stitching etc … ah, bliss indeed! I guess time will tell whether I get a surprise phone call saying they’re 5 minutes away from my doorstep …

And in keeping with the Greek theme this week, here’s my final photo for the week (you’re probably grateful just about all my photos are still in NZ haha). Do you get the feeling I love the blues of Greece? LOL.

Stash

Stash splurge and ‘stuff’

11 April, 200625 February, 2012 Anne S

Thanks for the supportive and caring comments over the last few days – they’ve all been very well received 🙂 Sounds like we all have some horror stories to share with GP visits over the years! I have to admit, I’ve kept going back to this GP/Medical Centre ever since I went to her with high blood pressure about 1 1/2 years ago, as she had a really professional and efficient manner, and she was the one who diagnosed my gallstones after a few years of pains and no-one ever diagnosing it … so I try to go back and see her. It means I have to drive 1/2 hour to get there, but for ‘important’ visits I’d rather have her treat me, with a good knowledge of my medical history, than some quack like I had on the weekend – she doesn’t have bulk billing, so we have to pay for our visits with her, but I haven’t found a decent bulk billing GP since I moved here … I’d rather pay the money myself and get a decent diagnosis. All the GP’s I’ve had there have been really good, until this last one – I guess I should look locally for a Dr in my area for those ‘quick’ visits.

I have to admit, my day back at work on Sunday was a bit rough in the morning, as I still felt a bit ‘crook’ … but it was such a hectic and full-on day with unusual and time-consuming scenarios to fix, the day flew by and after lunchtime I felt a bit more ‘normal’. I’m now on my final day of my ‘weekend’ and can’t say I have much to show for it … I went back into work yesterday for a free ‘flu shot, then called into a LNS to pick up some extra threads as options for my exchange – I especially loved a Silk ‘n Colors thread, but put it back again when I found out it was going to cost $12.95 for one skein! Still struggling with what to make for these exchanges, but I can’t post ‘why’ as it will give the recipients away … oh well, still plenty of time to go yet 🙂

Even though I’m on a tight budget, I have had a bit of a stash splurge this week, though, thanks to Nicki’s generosity, plus the generosity of my last two houseguests … I was going to hold their money as ’emergency money’, but I ended up splurging on some stash (you can start getting the lecture ready now, Mum haha). I ended up using some of the money to order the Stitching Leporella kit of threads and beads from European XS (I already have the fabric coming from Jenna’s gift certificate), which still gave me some money left over. So, thanks to Nicki, I’ve managed to have a wee stash splurge on some other items that I really wanted from SB&B … the Judy Odell finishing book for the Stitching Leporello, some small Q-snaps, some Drawn Thread charts, Floss-away bags, LHN Coffee Menu chart, and Quaker Friendship Sampler by Samplers & Such … phew! And boy, oh boy, it felt good!! My clicky finger has been suffering from serious un-use, but it finally got a good workout haha. I’ll post piccies when it all arrives. I decided to get in quick with my order, as there is a 25% sale off at the moment.

I have to admit, I also did spend some of my own money too, as I had 9 hours of overtime coming in last payday, so I treated myself (that was before I had the option for a big splurge-fest) … after seeing them on other blogs, I ordered some thread keepers from Jodi … they’re just magical!! I’m sure no-one will be surprised when they find I ordered one in the shape of a bird! haha. It’s not a duck, but I’ve already told Jodi if a duck one ever becomes available, I’ll be first in line! LOL. I was originally going to post some of my fave piccies of past holidays overseas, seeing as I can’t post piccies of my stitching progress for a while – but then the thread keepers arrived, so at least I can post something stitchy-related 🙂 My fabric also arrived from my FOTM with Country Stitch – this is the only regular shipment I didn’t cancel, as the benefits are too good (all existing customers got automatic 20% off any fabric purchases, without having to work up to that level of loyalty – too good to resist!). This month’s shipment is a 32ct linen “blue ice” … pictured with last month’s shipment I forgot to post about, a 28ct linen “haystack” (I think this could be perfect for my Coffee Menu sampler).

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to start the needleroll SAL with Katrina et al this last weekend due to total lethargy, then work, but I’ve been scouring the internet for different designs, as it’s starting to become an obsession to find new ones … since I made my first needlerolls last year, I’m dying to have a basket set aside just for needlerolls … I just have to find some more charts first – I have a few sitting in my future wishlist now for a splurge some time in the far future, and in the meantime I’ve managed to find some Sweetheart Tree ones to start working my way through. So, next month, I’ll be able to join in properly, and I’m getting my first two all kitted up ready for starting 🙂 My first three candidates are Summer at the Ocean by Jeannette Douglas Designs, Strawberry needleroll by The Sweetheart Tree, and Sun needleroll by M Designs.

OK, time to sign off and get some errands done – it’s finally a beautiful day outside with blue skies (had started to forget what that looks like!), so I might take a walk up the bay to get some fresh air after getting some mail in the post. It’s my first official day as a day-shift worker tomorrow, so I have to work an extra 24 minutes each day, and fight the peak-hour traffic, so I think I might have use of public transport if it’s fine weather – it means I get extra exercise to/from the train station (about 10-15 mins walk each way), plus I get chance to read a book on the train (it’s only a short trip, so my travel sickness is relatively safe – but it’s not long enough to try stitching, plus the train is sometimes standing room only) … I want to make sure I make the most of my last day as a shift worker haha (fingers crossed it won’t be for long, as the Supervisor job is being announced either today/tomorrow, and I can hopefully moved into their spot if it’s a shift Hotliner that’s chosen for the job).

Geez, I’ve waffled on in this post – so much for ‘not much to say’ … or so I thought! I’ll finish with a fave piccie of mine from Santorini, Greece from about 7 years ago 🙂