GTK 9/Happy New Year

Almost got half the border done! Outlined the castle and some of the words while I was up there. Trying to make it a little easier for me when I scroll down, this way I don't have to go back and since it's not going to interfere with the work for the bottom it'll be a snap. I hope.

Just a bit of a fill in. The ribbon is almost done. and attempting to define the borders. Finally went back through the mags this pattern came from The world in Cross-stitching Christmas 2005.

Thank-you all for your wonderful comments and encouragement. It seems that alot of people out there like Robins....are we a bit anxious for spring? I know I am..

Barbara, I'll look into the Pilates, though because of limited space (both usage and storage) most excercises are out. But at the moment I'm not ready to rule out anything. lili it took a bit of doing on my part but I got the comments to match Karen's. I'm not very computer literate so it took some time for me to understand what the template wanted. But I did it!


I haven't been doing much except play on the computer, but even then it's only half-heartedly. Just don't feel like doing much, even though there's a lot of things around here that needs to be done.

In case I don't get to post again this weekend (it's going to be quite bad at work this weekend) so I'll wish you all a Happy New Year!

Guard This Keep Update

Okay, here goes, the top border is a little over half way, so this really makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. The border outline is in Rayon and the twists inside are all krienik. Fun, Fun, Fun.... (sarcasim in case you missed it)I also started the word harm, got all but the long line of the h. won't look like much till the backstitching though.

and this is my smallish project for when I'm watching TV. It's called Holly and Ivy. I'm not sure off the top of my head which British cross-stitch mag it came out of, but it was either the christmas or december issue. (ooo, forgot to let Carol know that I did get the mag with Santa flying over differant cities, had to go to NH to get it though, and ended up picking up two more mags)

Christmas itself went well. Got to my mother's a little early, but she didn't mind, and it gave me an oportunity to look at her new wall space (first time I've been in her effancy apartment) And found that the orginal presant (On Butterfly Wings) I had for her will fit and I can now give it to her on her birthday. Gram was asleep by the time we got to the nursing home, so I wasn't able to see her expression on the sweater DH and I got her. It's black with sequin snowflakes down both sides of the buttons. We figured it would give her some added attention, and that the sparkles and coloured variations would keep her amused for a little while. Though I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get to take a photo of her this christmas (actually I don't have an updated photo of her since i was in jr.high) Not so much to remember how much she's gone downhill, but since this may be her last christmas, it may not either, but only time will tell from here on in. At my MIL we had a nice small meal of ham, potatoes and carrots. She got me a giftcard for JoAnne's, since I do crafts as she calls it. Hey, it gives me the extra for fabrics (backings, etc) and those "hard to come by at the moment" flosses so I'll check here type. I actually visited my half brothers on Christmas Eve, but boy did they like their giftcards, not as much (money wise) as last year, but they still got enough to get a new video or cd or something, their ages just don't allow for me to pick them up anything, well that and not knowing what everyone else is gettting them.

Went to the hotel that DH works at and took over one of the hottubs, not there was many others there. Did a little good, can't say alot, the cold doesn't do my back or knees any good anyways. But the agony I put my back through a few weeks a go was alleviated more. (there was one spot that just wouldn't ease up, still don't know if it's from the "injury" or from my "it's cold so I'll sleep curled up tightly in a ball all night" stiffness. I'm opting for the second, I sleep fetal anyways but in winter it's worse. (I'm also very sensitive to changes in temperature)
Spent the rest of the evening playing Lineage 2.

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas everyone. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and if you have to travel, please take care. Enjoy the holiday. Hugs to all!

lili....yes I am a mean one.....I don't know what happened I used to love the holiday, but these past 5 years or so, I haven't enjoyed it very much and this is is the worst yet. I just want it gone and over. But then again, I've had a long happen this past year, that may have something to do with it, but not by much.

Becky, even though I haven't been able to use the blog roller since that first night (been ultra busy) but it does seem like it's a bit time saver.

I'm hoping that after the big rush of tomorrow of running here there and everywhere to drop off gifts, visit, a little christmas dinner with my MIL. I'm hoping to spend some time in a hot tub. The way my back has been these past two weeks I need it. Catch up with you all later!

Christmasy quizzes

Stole these from KiwiJo's blog

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Your Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled With a Puppy

Well - one cute, soft, cuddly puppy... And a very soiled Christmas stocking.

What Will Be In Your Christmas Stocking?

You Were Mostly Nice This Year!

Sure, you had your naughty moments... but guess what? Santa was probably sleeping when you were living it up. As far as he's concerned, you've been on your best behavior. So cross your fingers, and you might score good presents.

Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

You Are a Minimal Christmas Tree

You're not a total Scrooge, but you feel no need to go overboard at Christmas. Less is more, and your Christmas reflects refined quality.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Your Christmas is Most Like: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

You can't really get into the Christmas spirit... But it usually gets to you by the end of the holiday.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Your Elf Name Is...

Minty Ho-Ho-Ho

What's Your Elf Name?

Okay, now I'm scared. I should've listened when friends and family kept telling me to be good or behave yourself....

As you can see if you scrolldown far enough (I'm hoping it will move back to where it should be when the month archives) that I've put together a blogroll. Hopefully this will help alot.

Santa-Corn

Here is the latest update on Guard This Keep by Dragon Dreams. I was getting bored with the dragon and deceided to start the border.
Sorry for the poor quality of Santa-Corn, this is such a small desgin. Santa only took a couple of hours to stitch. I'm thinking of outling his beard, but will hold off the decision till I figure out just what I'm going to do with him. For now he'll be joining the pile of yet to be finished off. Also, his eyes are french knots, I hate french knots, but for some reason, these two came out wonderfully and with no snags. I doubt I could do this again any time soon.
O Christmas Tree. It looks lovely, it caught my eye when I skimmed through the JCS Ornament magazine, but I'll tell you, I never wanted to toss a project more than this one, the green tree was driving me batty!

Thank-you all for your wonderful comments! Dani, pear shaped beads sound like a nice change of pace for the chart. Does using wet rayon affect the fabric at all if you have to frog? Like Barbara I also have a hard time getting it to stay put and behave itself when I go on to more stitching.

Barbara, you could never get me to work at the mall. It's bad enough I work at a hotel and deal with a bit of hostility, don't want to think of what it'd be like at the mall. Too many people for my tastes. As for the no-see-ums, luckily for me I live too intown for them to bother me too much unless I go visiting. Boy do they latch on. I hope this winter is cold enough to limit the egg laying. And stays dry as well. My problem are the skeeters. One finds me and invites all his friends and relations. Lili, got to see your twisted oak, post a picture sometime, please? I've only seen it once before on someone's blog, but can't remember who's.

Anneke, I've seen cardinals a few times. Both the male and a few months ago a female. Both by chance. They are native to the United States, but I am unsure exactly what regions. Also I have no idea why the cardinal is considered a christmasy bird, nor do I know of any songs with them in it.

I'm thinking of looking into one of those blog rollers I've seen on some blogs, it might help me keep track of who's updated and who hasn't. When I started this blog, I never expected to find so many kind people out there. Now there's a ton of blogs I love to read, but is difficult with so many.

Phew! I think that covered just about everyone. If not, i'm sorry. There were alot of nice comments for the last post and few more for some of the earlier ones. I've tried to remember who asked what or mention this to reply.

Outside My Window2

Got called off from work today, so I went out with a friend of mine and his son to help with Christmas shopping. I knew there was a reason I didn't like the mall around this time of year. Packed is an understatement. The one true highlight was having a chillata at Cinnabon. Mmmm good.

Okay, onto what I did do for crafting. I decieded(sp) to finish off Outside My Window by Lynn's Prints. Found out that cutting Aida is much easier. (this was done on Silkweaver's Spring Breeze linen) Actually didn't realize this was slightly crooked until I saved it to the computer...Oh well, live and learn. As before I took a scrap of the material I used for the backing to "highlight" the white cording. Was looking for a window frame type effect.

Catch up

No progress photo tonight, didn't get much stitching time in, it still looks like a "disembodied tail" but a little longer. I'd forgotten how frustrating working with Rayon can be. I had orginally decided to keep it rayon to give the scales the shine they deserved, now..I'm just trying to keep from pulling too tightly. lili, I was going through the comments and noticed you'd mentioned not seeing my sig very well on the Shiny and Bright. All the sig is are my initals: AJH. Wished I'd been signing my projects a few years ago since some have traveled to the west coast.

Barbara, the family member is question has been having problems the last few years and something went amiss recently. So of course set the person back a little. But things are in good hands and it's being dealt with. It just makes things seem a little worse when it happens around Christmas time.

I'm not sure about everyone else, (I rarely watch live tv)but when I went to work this morning it was snowing to beat the band. Sometime during the day it turned to a downpour, flooding the streets and the sidewalks. The front of my building looked like it was starting a swimming pool for the birds and expanding. Now it's icing over. This will be fun when I leave for work tomorrow....As of this posting it's already 32 degrees. Does anyone know if it's possible to hibernate and still get paid? I hate the cold, you'd never know by my reactions to this weather that I was born and raised in snow country. Is it spring yet? (sorry, Maine doesn't have spring really, we have mud season) Thank-you Carol. I just got the Christmas Card. I love it. :)

Guard This Keep 6

I knew I was tired last night when I posted, but I didn't realize until I read some of your comments and went back to figure out a few things, just how tired I really was. Sorry about that. Sometimes the mind and fingers don't quite follow each other too well....

Thank-you all for your wonderful comments. Becky, I may have to wander down the asile next time I'm at the store and see what I can find...handmade cording didn't do well for me when I had to use it for On Butterfly Wings. lili, the ornaments I make this year and into next will eventually find homes elsewhere since I don't put up a tree anymore. Not worth it for just me,DH and two felines. Since the elderly of the family can no longer make it up the steps to the apartment, I've not decorated. Except for the christmas cards I get. Barbara, Kim...Thanks for giving me another way of looking at the white on white.

Didn't get as much stitching in as planned tonight, got a phone call about a family member (won't discuss it here)that just couldn't wait and had to be dealt with. Below you will see what progress I've made with Guard This Keep by Dragon Dreams. I've found the dragon's tail. I'm too lazy at the moment to try and remember how to put links in. I have a picture towards the end of the blog what that chart looks like done up.

2nd Ornie Trimmed

I know white o white usually isn't that great, but hey I didn't feel like wandering the aisle all afternoon, so I just chose a few things to fiddle with, This cording was easier to work with than the gold one was. But then I didn't stuff this one...


Finished the cliff and started on some more clouds. Not much in the long run, but enough to keep me happy for now.

first trim attempt

Here's my first ever ornament with trim. Not the greatest, but not bad for a start. It looks better in the photo, things hide well....



And here's what it looks like on the back.

Outside My Window Ornie

I tried posting last night, but for some reason the photos refused to show up on the dashboard even though the load thingy said they'd been loaded. So here's the promised pictures.


Here is another update on Guard This Keep. You'll probably get sick of it by the end of the week, but I figure if I'm going to try and get back into working on the big projects, it's best not to try and juggle them. This is actually the easiest of the large projects.


And as promised, Outside my Window.

The meeting went well and the pile of toys for the kids was a good sized one. We did good. The head of the center was there and was moved to tears due to the kindness shown. Even our 50/50 winner gave over his winnings to her to help out even more. Wish we could've done more, but we can only do what we can.

Last night I went out with a friend to see The Lion,Witch and the wardrobe. Late showing of course. Today was a long day at work, so I'm extremely tired. I did finsh another ornament, Outside My Window. But I'm almost nodding into the keyboard so the picture will have to wait till tomorrow. Especially since I can't sleep in, got a Rolling Thunder meeting to go to and before I do that I need to stop into the Walmart on the way to pick up a few presents for the veterans children's charity. Liked the movie. Of course it was quite a bit differant than the one BBC put out ages ago. I so do love Aslan.... Okay, I'm off to bed, getting a bit loopey and I'm almost afraid of what I may end up typing...Night folks!

Finished the Castle!

I finally sat down last night and worked on Guard This Keep by Dragon Dreams. Didn't get much done but I did finally finish the castle!

Another small design finish and a strange green thing

I decided to try my hand at stuffy making again. And this is my first attempt with a dragon pattern. I may make another one sometime in the near future, but I will not be going by the directions. I've learned from my mistakes. and yes I know I didn't add any eyes to the poor thing, Let's just leave it at I don't put eyes on stuffies that often, it's usually not pretty. DH didn't like the fact that this dragon has short wings, he can't fly. It wasn't until he went to work this evening that I finally thought of a retort. This is a WatchDragon, pure and simple.



I got another design stitched up from the JCS ornament magazine. and started on another. This one is Christmas Tree by Twisted Oaks Designs.

Ornie complete

I have a few ideas on how I want to finish it, but I'm not sure if I have the fabric, and it's too late now to mess with anything. Must be on a roll..oops maybe that was a jinx....

Men See You As Understated

You are an intreguing mix of girl and woman. You're feminine, quiet, and a total mystery to most men. Yet they often feel the urge to protect you, even if they don't know you. You *are* a flirt, but you usually only flirt with those you know well

How Do Men See You?

Some of this I know is true, others would explain a few things...

Picture updates Finally!

Yea!! Some of the folders have been moved back and the computer is now accepting that I have a digital camera when I plug it in. So here's the update photos I promised!


This is the little progress on Guard this Keep. I just don't feel like working on the larger projects at the moment and it's making me a bit upset since I really want to get some of them going and gone to start others.


And here is my Happy Dance! This is Shiny&Bright by Pat&Gloria Inc, all stitched up and waiting for me to decide how I'm going to finish it.
I started O Holy Night from The JCS mag last night and I'm almost finished it! Took some liberties (only since I didn't read the instructions first) all I have left is to put the red mill hill in and it will be ready to go into the when will it be finished off pile. So hopefully I'll have another update for you all in a couple of days! *dances around room, happy that comp is starting to work the way she wants it to*

Finish and a let down

I'm still not able to post pictures, we ended up having to put the comp back to factory specs, and DH can't seem to be able to move the files back from the spare computer. I do have a happy dance though! I've finally finished Shiny and Bright by Gloria and Pat inc. Just as soon as I find the cd for my camera I'll post a pic, promise!

Does anyone have any ideas why my sidebar ended up down at the end of the posts? It was like that when I logged on a few days ago, and no I didn't delete anything.


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