February 2009Monthly Archives

Stitching Saturday

Well, at least that’s what it was supposed to be. I went to my LNS for an all-day open stitching class. I seemed to do a LOT more socializing than stitching though. I did have a great time though, so I guess that’s all that matters.

I did treat myself to one little splurge while at the shop. I bought myself a new pair of Dovo scissors that I’ve been wanting for the past couple of years. The handles are silver and the forged steel blades are blue. They are such a beautiful pair of scissors, I think!

On the scissors is a pretty little fob I bought from my local stitching friend, Cindi. I thought since my birthstone is amethyst that the purple quartz crystal would sort of pass for being a birthstone fob for myself. Since it’s silver, it also matches my new scissors quite nicely.

Another of my stitching buddies, Lindsay, started pulling fibers to stitch the Sophie Stocking from Shepherd’s Bush. I’ve had that chart in my stash for several years with the intentions of stitching it for myself, but never got around to it. After seeing her pulling the fibers, I decided it would be something fun that we could do as a SAL (stitch-a-long) to help keep each other inspired/motivated. She agreed, so I pulled the fibers for it as well.

I’m thinking this might actually stitch up fairly quickly as well. It’s done on 18-count Natural linen using a single strand of #5 pearl cotton. I started on the little pudgie last night, but I don’t really have enough done for a progress photo yet. I’ll be working on it more over the next couple of days and will post a progress photo after that.

I just want to close by thanking those of you either commented or sent an email about my video in yesterday’s post. I really appreciate all the support! It’s nice to know I’m not alone and that others can relate to how I’m feeling.

15 February 2009

Cross Stitch

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Warning: Long Vlog Post

When I started recording this new video yesterday, I really didn’t think I had much to say. Well, clearly I was wrong. I ended up rambling on for just over 14 minutes. So, consider that your fair warning.

I actually started recording before I really even knew what I was going to talk about other than my lack of motivation. It quickly turned in to a real stream of consciousness conversation. I started to make some major edits on it, but I ended up deciding that I really need to remember how I was feeling when I recorded this so I ended up just leaving it all intact. If you are inclined to watch all of it, wow, you must be really bored.

Part 1:

Part 2:

14 February 2009

Thoughts

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Goodbye Sweet Bandit

My heart is hurting right now for my dear friend Terri. I found out last night that she lost her beloved pup Bandit on Tuesday. Here’s a photo I took of him a couple of years ago sitting on the back of her stitching chair.

Terribelle’s Heartbandit ~~ August 26, 2003 – February 11, 2009

You simply could not have asked for a sweeter dog than Bandit. Every time I would drive down to visit, Bandit would greet me at the door with a plethora of puppy kisses. He would occasionally curl up next to me when I was stitching, but he generally would head over to keep his Mom company just like he was in the photo above.

I’ll miss him so much when I go down to visit. I know it will be nothing compared to how Terri, her DH, and their other pup Harley will be missing him though. You guys are in my thoughts!

12 February 2009

Stitching

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Gratitude

India.Arie

I heard a song today on the new release from India.Arie that immediately brought tears to my eyes as I thought of someone very dear to me. So today’s blog entry is just the lyrics to the song as a dedication to that person whom I am so grateful to have in my life. In fact, a photo of this person was the first thing that went on the new gratitude board that I’m creating.

If you like, you can also listen to the song here.

He Heals Me

I told him my biggest secret
And he told me four
He smiled at me and said
that makes me love more
And then he made me laugh
And I knew it was a sign
That he was a man
That I wanted in my life
And with every passing day
I feel more and more of that way

He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
he never hurts me
He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
he never hurts me
He heals me
He heals me

I can play him songs
all through the night
And he will listen to every line
And even when I’m wrong he is still kind
He chooses his words wisely
when he tells me I’m not right
Yes he is a beautiful man
But he’s also a beautiful friend

He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
he never hurts me, no
He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
he never hurts me
He heals me
He heals me

The moment that we met
he made me smile
He has so much compassion in his eyes
I have no idea
how long he’ll be here
A season or a lifetime
forever or a year
But for the first time in my life I’m not worried about the future
Because we have such a wonderful time when we’re together
However things turn out it’s all right
Cause he’s already changed my life.

He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
he never hurts me, no
He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
he never hurts me
He heals me
He knows the real me
And he accepts me
He never hurts me
He heals me
He heals me
He never hurts me
He heals me

10 February 2009

Misc.

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Home again, home again …

It’s late so I’m not going to take time to write a long post. I had a wonderful time on my weekend cruise. There was lots of socializing, but lots of stitching time, too.

We had an option of two class pieces. One was a cross stitch needlebook and the other was a counted canvas piece. I decided to start the needlebook piece while I was on the ship and do the canvas piece at a future date. I was pretty shocked that I was actually able to get the stitching on the needlebook completely finished by lunch on Sunday. My focus this weekend will be on assembling it. Here’s a photo of the finished stitching:

After I finished stitching on the needlebook, I decided to start another new project that has been calling my name since I picked up the charts a couple of weeks ago. It’s Boo Club from Lizzie Kate. I’m loving it so far!

I do have a lot more photos of the cruise up in my online photo albums. If you’re interested in seeing those, you can find them here:

Ensenada Cruise Photos

That’s it for now. I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed my pre-published posts that popped up as I was away.

9 February 2009

Cross Stitch, Travel

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True Delight

I recently discovered these new granola bars from the folks over at Quaker. They are called True Delights, and boy are they! They are currently available in the following flavors:

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond
Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia Nut
Honey Roasted Cashew Mixed Berry

I haven’t tried the cashew mixed berry bar yet, but I have tried the other two flavors. I thought they were both amazingly good, but I think the coconut macadamia nut flavor won the flavor test (for me) by a nose. These really do seem more like a candy bar almost, yet coming in at only 140 calories each, it’s a nice sweet treat that won’t blow your calorie budget. Each flavor also provides 3g of total dietary fiber.

For those of you on Weight Watchers, these bars come in at 3 points each. That makes them a bit higher in points than some other granola bars, but I really think it’s worth it now and again for a really nice treat. These are way better than the typical granola bar, in my opinion.

Oh, by the way, if you click the True Delights link mentioned earlier in this entry, you can actually get a free sample. Just fill out their online request form and they’ll send you one of their Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond bars.