A Finish and A WIP

Below is my progress on Rene of ILCS our grand Hardagner original design of a Christmas Tree

"Hardanger Christmas Tree" by Rene la Frog

28 count Celeron Linen

DMC #5 Perle Cotton 368, Hand Dyed Fibers Chesnut, and Dinky Dyes Rasberry Ripple

And dut dut da daaaa we have a stitched finish!!!! I found a no sew cube tutorial by Hannah. I need to gather my supplies...I may have to go buy a backing material..not sure I have suitable in my stash. Hopefully a cube will be posted soon and even look like a cube since it is my first attempt.

"A Christmas Song" Ornament by Full Circle Designs-Lynda Watkins
Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2008

Stitched on 18 count Cream DMC Aidawith DMC Floss

GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY Mel from The Daily Mel is celebrating her 8-year/1000th post giveaway.

Picture below is her items! I hope I get "lucky" this time!!!

OH NO!!!

I had a bottle of water leak in my bag I carry back/forth to work today!!!!! It was only 3 oz but it sure seems like alot! Luckily Mary had sent my Carrie's Threads in the zipper bag or I would be crying right now!!! They are dry and fine...wish I could say the same for the JCS 2008 Christmas Ornaments Issue. I don't think it is going to dry and be usable the pages are just too wet!! I did make a working copy of the cardinal that is still usable. There were alot on 'unimportant' papers in there that soaked up a lot of the water..most of the important ones are ok. I hate that my magazine is ruined!!! At least I can still order it. My fabric the ornament is on is about 1/3 wet but the opposite side from what is stitched. I always but the water bottle in there but NEVER again!!! I am sooo lucky my Carries are ok!!!!

Exchange and WIPs

ILCS Carrie's Threads Exchange

From Mary B. in Sycamore, IL

Thank you so much Mary!!

Colors are: Autumn, Antique Gold, Lumiere de Cheryl, Violet, Surprise, Epiphany, Ocean Blue, Polar Bear, Navy Blues, Cherry, Foxfire, and Harvest Brew. I also received this nifty zip up bag to store them in. Now to find something to stitch with them!!!!

"Castles in the Air" SAL by Papillon Creations

28 ct Ivory Monoco Linen

DMC, Bead Tresures Glass Beads

This is the progress on Part 4 about half way done. I have made a little more progress since this pic (I just noticed). I have finished the right side and completed the green on the left.

"A Christmas Song" Ornament by Full Circle Designs-Lynda Watkins

Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2008
Stitched on 18 count Cream DMC Aida
with DMC Floss

I just had to start a new project....if we counted I may have the most started. I just do not show everythign I start lol

Clearance Baskets

I found these baskets outside JoAnns in a clearance bin. Buying both would have been over $20, but I snagged them for around $6!!

I have the large one on the shelf under the coffee table holding my fabric and supplies for the Castles in The Air SAL.

The small one is currently on the coffee table holding the 4 remotes to work the various electronics.

Ornaments

I stitched these ornaments last year. I finshed them off like the booklet showed, I'm not sure I am happy with them. The first one was for an ILCS ornament exchange but I don't think it is nice enough to send to anyone. Any suggestions on what could make them more attractive. I feel they look more "homemade" than "handmade".

"101 Ornaments for Christmad" by Leisure Arts
Stitched on 14 count White Perforated Plastic
with DMC floss, acid free paper and craft ribbon

TORNADO

A small tornado touched down in West End Beaumont, TX today. No warning or notice whatsoever!!! I work on the South end. A few people were injured nothing serious. Macy's, Channel 4 News, Books-A-Million, Kohl's and Walmart all received damage. The most damage was done in the packed Walmart parking lot where cars were overturned, some on top of others.

One woman was in her car (not sure which parking lot) and the car was lifted into the air and spun around several times!!!!

People wer in their vehicles and other vehicles landed on top of theirs.

Many cars were not drivable and taken away by wreckers.

Tornados are not comon here except in conjunction with hurricanes. Hurricane Ike had several tornados along with it.

Here is a link to photos of the storm and parking lots on the news site:
http://www.kfdm.com/sections/slideshow/?pic=1&id=608982

Giveaway

There is a Great Giveaway here!

FROM "STAMPIN UP"!!!!
1.A BRAND NEW BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE
grand prize to one winner!
2.A BRAND NEW DOCTORS DIE-CUT BAG
added to the grand prize when we hit 300 comments!
3.TWO TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDERS
will be added as a bonus prize only if the “Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Logo” is posted on the winners blog's side bar. Note: you are NOT required to play in the challenges…this is a non Midnight Madness GIVE AWAY

Go ahead, sign up NOW!!!

Birthday Gifts, WIPs and a Finish

I bought this Biscornu kit with a gift certificate from Kim in the ILCS B-day Club.




This is what I've stitched so far. It is quite hard! The blackberries are made by grouping several beads together.



WIP Hardanger Project for the ILCS Hardanger Club this is Lesson 1 & 2.



I've had this leaflet entitled Heart of My Heart. I've had this leaflet since 1997 and never finished anything out of it because I needed several Kreinik Blending Filaments and Mill Hill beads in order to stitch anything in it.



With Gift Certificates from Vicki and Linda in the ILCS Birthday Club I was able to get the blending filaments and beads I needed!!



I finished "Victorian Heart" from the above leaflet.



Here is a pic after I cut it out.



This is a WIP entitled Forget Me Not Heart also from the above leaflet. It is going to barealy fit on the canvas as I moved too far over to start with. OOPS!!

Papillon Creations SAL--WIP 2

Part 3 of the Papillon Creations SAL is now complete. If you click on the pics you should be able to see the detail and beading more clearly.

Papillon Creations SAL--WIP

I am stitching a Stitch A Long from Papillon Creations that is for 2 years entitles Castles in the Air! I have been having so much fun stitching this and learning all sorts of speciality stitches!!


Items that I choose for my version of the SAL:

Fabric 28 ct Ivory Monoco Linen
Dark Green: DMC 367
Medium Green: DMC 368
Pale green: DMC 369
Floral colour1: DMC 604
Floral colour 2: DMC 150
Floral colour 3: DMC 309
Floral colour 4: DMC 154
Floral colour 5: DMC 155
Floral colour 6: DMC 341
Floral colour 7: DMC 725
Floral colour 8: DMC 727
Metallic thread: DMC Precious Metal Effects E168 (5283) Silver
Bead 1: Bead Treasures Glass Ceylon Seed Beads-Lavender
Bead 2: Bead Treasures Glass Ceylon Seed Beads-Lt Blue

Here is a pic of Part 1 with the beads added. I took them off because I did not like the way they were stitched every which way.

Here is a pic of Part 2. Not exactly straight but you get the idea.

I think I will be able to finish Part 3 tonight. I will upload a pic when it is complete.

Tomorrow I will be getting the sewing machine out and trying to finish Anthony's pj pants....hard task for me LOL

My Birthday

My birthday was June 10th. I hit the jackpot this year when I joined the I Love Cross Stitch Birthday Club!! Finally others that know how to buy for a stitcher!!



This afghan was crochet by my dear friend Amanda, who is like a mother to me. I will cherish it always!!! She also bought the Paula vaughn book and already had it so I inherited it as well :)

I have been rak'd by Deborah. She is such a dear to think of me. She gave me the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Preview magazine and a small tea time kit.

Rhonda gave me Cupcakes! Glorious Cupcakes. It was on my wishlist and I can't wait to have time to stitch one!!

Debbie Jo gave me a card she made what was full of good wishes, Bobbie G's Design 'Mom's Shed' and a 14 ct ivory aida.

Debra gave me a crown card--so me :), Country Cottage Needleworks "Pretty In Pink, DMC flosses 3347/963/3716/961/3348, and John James 26 needles.

Ethel gave me a Bucilla kit 'Gardening Duo', DMC Light Effects, Hand dyed Fibers Chestnut/Quern Stones/Liquid Gold, Thread Worx 01005/01128

Kelly gave me Cross My Heart 'Victorian Bellpull', Weeks Dye Works Blue Spruce and Bordeaux and Crescent Colors Cerise. I love Cross My Heart I have another leaflet that I realize I've never made anything out of..I never knew where to find the specialty things needed--do now thanx to all my online friends who enable!!!

Nancy gave me Carries Creations Sage Grass, Dinky Dyes Argyle Cloudy Sky/Dungenong/Cabernet/Raspberry Ripple, and John James 26 needles. I love all the colors! I have tried the needles and wonder how I ever stitch with larger needles. I think I am addicted!!

Shelley gave me a handmade card and floss tag that are the prettiest!!!, photo album, fabric quarter, Victorian Pearls 2 'Sew to Be Seen', Weeks Dye Works Artichoke and Raspberry

Meari gave me a Victorian Rose Sampler, John James 26 needles, DMC Floss Number Stickers, Mill Hill Needle Threader with Cutter, Humor is a Virtue Ornament flier. Hopefully I will learn hardanger easily so I can stitch this ;) I am starting a hardanger class taught be Rene of ILCS on July 1st.

Kim gave me a 123 Stitch Gift Certificate. I still have 2 more gifts to arrive and then I will decide what to get with the certificate.

I just learned how to have a name be a link!!! Yea for me :)

Kathy's Giveaway

My friend Kathy is having a giveaway on here blog: http://kathystitchcomments.blogspot.com/ She is celebrtatign her birthday as well as her puppy turning 3 months old!! Leave a comment on the June 5th post to enter. I will draw the winning name on the 26th.

She will include in the giveaway at least one doggie related pattern and two more patterns of her choosing. (don't you love surprises?) Shewill also include one of the pieces of hand-dyed fabric that Mare and she dyed. (see June 4th posting.) That is the minimum to be included in the giveaway package.

Update

I have little stitching to update on as I keep messing up and having to rip out. :( I will attempt more this weekend.

I have a right hurting shoulder and a numb off and on left arm...they think it is a pinched nerve. Of course, this started happening the worse Wednesday night which was also my birthday. I kept thinking I am only 36 I should not feel like I am dying!!!!!

I have a lot of catching up to do this weekend...first and foremost is to take pics of my b-day presents and post them! The ILCS Club Members were very good to me!! Deborah Markham is the sweetest!!! She rak'd me the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Preview magazine!!!! I have to also get an email to her.

Anthony was in RTC in San Antonio for 5 weeks...came home May 26th with 7 days of school left. They put him on a different medication and he is now able to control himself. He is not hitting me or throwing things which is GREAT of course.

Dr. James David Wood is a world renouned psychologist from Houston who has agreed to evaluate Anthony this summer....NISD is footing the bill. Anthony has been diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome AND Bi-Polar....Dr. Groves has came up with a "mixed mood disorder"...whatever that is. So, it will be interesting to see what Dr. Wood has to say. I am told he not only comes up with a diagnosis he states why and why he ruled out other diagnosis. So some time this summer, we will be going to Houston for this.

I have also discovered a group here ASSET (Autism Society of Southeast Texas). There are quite a few people in the group which was surprising. They have all sorts of events planned for the summer which we will be involved in.

My Recent Happenings

I have not been able to get any stitching done in the last week. I am barely reading the posts in the digest from the groups I am in, much less being able to take time to respond. I am reading the ones withe Papillion Creations SAL. I am waiting on my fabric to arrive which should be any day! I am working on a 'model stitch' that is needing to be completed quickly, I am contacting the designer and having to return it. I hate to do so, but it will unfair to her if I keep it and do not complete it in time.

My 14 year old son, Anthony, has been in the hospital for a week now. He was also there for 2 weeks in February. He is not doing well at all. His official diagnosis has been changed to 'mixed mood disorder not otherwise defined'. This is the hardest type to treat since it is bits and pieces of a few disorders and all can not be treated. I took him because he punched me his fist, threw his shoes at me and told me he was going to kill me. He is most likely going to a residential treatment facility in San Antonio some time this week. That does not mean that he will live their permanently...it means he will be there until his behavior shows he can come home. He was in a similar facility 2 years ago for 2 months.

Last month during Spring Break he threw a skateboard at his dad's house and put a hole in his bedroom door. His dad locked himself in his bedroom fearing for his life (Dad's exact words). He states that Anthony is not welcome in his house anymore. The facility will most likely require weekly therapy sessions in person--the burden will entirely be on me. His dad states he will go visit him. I am thinking "For what?" he is not willing to attend the therapy sessions, so I am not sure I want him to be able to visit. If he is to going to have him go to his house, why visit him in a facility? If he is not going to be a parent, why show up? I will be sending him an email shortly saying so, unless my friend talks me out of it (good luck to her). I have also thought that I could talk to therapist at the facility and make it a requirement that his dad attend therapy sessions in order to be allowed visitation. It may already be a requirement, I am not sure.

I am hanging on as usual. I absolutely wish that God would stop trying to make me a stronger person and move onto someone else already---I am sick of hearing things like 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. I do not wish to be any freakin stronger!!! A normal life without this many issues would be wonderful and gratefully appreciated!!! lol

PIF #2

I won one PIF and am working on the crossstitch pieces to mail to the three winners.

I won a second PIF posted by Debra Hall http://xsnut.blogspot.com/ so here is my second offering:
PIF #2 will be a Fat Quarter PIF. Everyone loves a FQ! Quilters and stitchers use them all the time! Sometime within the next 365 days, I will send out 2 FQs to 2 people.

If you are interested, leave a comment on this post until February 1st and I will draw 2 names that evening then post the winning names on my February 2nd blog. Please be sure to leave your email address or a link to your blog so that I can get in touch with you if you are a winner!

If you win, you must be willing to post this PIF on your blog and do the same for 2 people.

Cross Stitching items, Exchanges and SALs

I in a Stitch A Long (SAL) and I can't recall which group....need to look that up. I was working good on it, but had to put it aside to work on some Christmas presents.

This is the latest picture: Well I can't seem to make the picture go the right way..I've also stitched more not I realize so a new pic needs to be taken.

This is the box of goodies that was sent to my Chatty Stitching Exchagers Adevent Exchange Partner, Joy Wortham in Newnan, GA.

These are my goodies under the tree from Joy Wortham in Newnan, GA in the CSE Advent Exchange. I love the snowflake wrapping paper and look at the cute tin and boxes!!! My gifts have been great too!! I will be posting pics of these soon also.

And here we have the 12 Days of Christmas items in the I Love Cross Stitch Yahoo Group. These items were sent to Val Stocker in Oakhurst, CA. I wanted to send myself to CA along wth the items but the post office wouldn't take me! lol

This is a close up of the Day 12 revealing item that should be opened today!

This is a Thanksgiving Sampler piece...it has been filed in the WIP drawer to be finished for next year. This isn't the latest memory card because there are leaves above the Let Us Give Thanks that I've stitched.

I also have been working on a stitched Christmas card that I hope to finish and mail very soon, a few ornaments that are to be given away as gifts so I cna't post these yet, but will.

SNOW DAY Dec 11, 2008

Yes in Southeast Texas we had SNOW!!! Not just a few flurries like in the past..actual snow!

This is the view from my front door.

This is from the street.

Anthony loved the snow!!

This is how much snow was on my car--a good few inches for this far south.

I do believe it was a once in a lifetime experience in Southeast Texas!!

PIF Receivers

Ok I have picked the names but can not recall how to link them in this posting. (input welcome)

The winners are:
Linda in TX http://linda-bits.blogspot.com/
Penny http://penny-mindwanderings.blogspot.com/
Shannon http://ourlifepicturebypicture.blogspot.com/

I have not recevied my prize yet so still no pictures.

I will be making your surprises very soon....now it's ur turn to post the PIF Offer and fulfill it.

~~Melinda

PIF Offer

I signed up for my first PIF from EvalinaMaria and got so lucky. She picked my name and I will be making a PIF gift for 3 people...

Thank you so much EvalinaMaria!!!

This is how it works:
If you would like to receive something made by me within the next 365 days, please comment on this post to say that you are interested. I will send a handmade gift to 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don't know what that gift will be yet (other than it will be a stitched gift) and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week... LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, I promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog (or - in your life - if you happen to be blog-less). I will take 3 people...and if there are more than 3, then I will do a drawing. In return, you must offer to do the same :)I will be taking sign ups until Friday, October 31 and winners will be announced November 1. Thanks for signing up!

What's a PIF? It stands for Pass It Forward or Pay It Forward, meaning pass forward a bit of kindness to make the world a better place.