So neglected...

My little blog has been so badly neglected. I promise to come back soon and fill you in and what's been going on in my stitching world.

San Antonio

My husband, my daughter and I flew to San Antonio, Texas on September 1st to visit my son and his family. In spite of the heat, we had a great time together. We visited a few shops and sights and mostly caught up and reminisced about old times and had plenty of laughs.

While I was away we also celebrated my birthday on the 3rd and was taken quite by surprise. My daughter in law, Julie organized a nice get together at my favorite restaurant, Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery. I was serenaded by one of the strolling groups of musicians complete with a rendition of happy birthday and the anthem of Puerto Rico. Of course no birthday is complete without some cake...delicious!!

Here are a few of the photos we took...ENJOY Y'ALL!

Texas-bound

I am off tomorrow morning with my husband and daughter to visit our son in San Antonio, Texas. I've been looking forward to this trip for months and can't believe its finally here. To gaze upon the face of my grandson, Izaiah will be the ultimate joy for this grandma. So my motto today is, "let the spoiling begin?" Now what grandmother can't relate to that one? Will be in touch and posting many happy moments and photos. See ya'll!

Square Exchange

I participated in the Fair & Square exchange where I was partnered with Marcy in a Halloween theme round. Here are the squares I made for Marcy and the beautiful ones I received from her.

Quote of the week

RIP: Elvis Aaron Presely, who passed away on this day 35 years ago.

New finish

I have finally finished "Star Spangled Garden" by Country Cottage Needleworks. It's been a little warm lately and working under an OTT light sure wasn't fun but I love how it turned out. I am now waiting on a white frame so I can truly "finish" it and even have a spot on the wall all picked out for it.

Quote of the Week

I'm so proud

I'm so proud of my son who recently became an law enforcement officer in San Antonio.

Quote of the Week

WOCS finish

I stitched this heart for the World of Charity Stitching group (WOCS) on white aida using DMC 3705 to match my coordinating fabric.

Quote of the Week

LHN, CCN...and me

I realized today that I've been a model stitcher for Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks for five years. Happy Anniversary to us! Little did I know when I was asked by Diane Williams of LHN to stitch my first model that it would endure all this time. The funny part is I was terrified to do it but also extremely excited. Back then all my stitching had been done on Aida cloth and the first model I did for her, Fruit Gameboards, was on a large count fabric that was easy to handle. From that moment she had me, so when she talked me into trying a new model on linen I took the challenge and the rest is history. To date I've done almost 25 pieces (and even have one in progress...shhh!) I gather my work is pleasing since Diane also recommended me to her daughter, Nikki Leeman of Country Cottage Needleworks and I've done a few model pieces for her too. I was even lucky enough to met Diane and Nikki (and Sharon of Crescent Colors) in person when I made a trip to Arizona. We have forged a good friendship and partnership which I hope will last for many years to come.

My first model for LHN, Fruit Gameboards

WIP and stash

I had hoped to have this done by now but I been distracted by other projects. Eventually it will get done. LOL! Yesterday while at my LNS I picked up the 2012 Halloween magazine.

Star Spangled Garden by CCN

Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2012

Gift Exchange

I've participated in the summer exchange in the Prairie Schooler Yahoo Group and was partnered with Denise. This week I got this lovely package from her. To say I was overblown by the beautiful stitching and generous gifts is an understatement. I just love them all! Thanks so much Denise.

New WIP and Stash

I have finally gathered my materials to stitch all twelve of the Cottage of the Month designs by Country Cottage Needleworks. I chose a 28 ct. lugana in a new color called "ray of light." I will be using the DMC alternative and stitching them all on one piece of fabric. Going to be beautiful when it's all done, which of course may not be for awhile. LOL!

I also got some new stash. My collection wouldn't be complete without the yearly Santa from Prairie Schooler so the "2012 Santa" is in my hot little hands. I couldn't resist "Bunnies" so I also added that to my stash pile. Wish I were ready to retire to my little corner "of somewhere" so I could stitch my days away.

New finish

When I returned from Ohio I wanted to find something to stitch for my cousin Marjorie as a thank you gift. I did a search online knowing she was fond of skulls and found Bone Cheeks by Prairie Moon. Just knew this was the one for her! I wanted to do it on black fabric so I switched the dark floss called for on the chart for Ecru and a cross stitch piece was born. Must say that she was THRILLED when she received it yesterday. Little did I know when I started this that my cousin Gladys would fall in love with it too, so it looks like I will be stitching it again soon. Hope no more cousins like skulls. LOL!

A good weekend

Hubby and I took a day off from work on Friday, July 6th to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. We had a lovely day in one of our favorite cities, San Francisco, which is also where we went on our first date. We started off at Pier 39 just taking in the sights, people watching, and enjoying the pleasant weather. We then drove to the Palace of Fine Arts and took some photographs as we strolled around the man-made lake and among gorgeous flowers in bloom. Our last stop was the Golden Gate National Park, of course home to our maginifient Golden Gate Bridge. We capped off our evening with dinner at our favorite pizza place in the city, Giorgio's Pizzeria on 3rd and Clement. Patrick took me to dinner at this same restaurant 22 years ago on our first date...a few changes to the building but still the same wonderful pizza. I'm truly blessed.

Quote of the week

RIP Nora Ephron, American filmaker, director, produce, screenwriter, novelist, playwright, journalist, author, and blogger.

"I could never be with someone who likes Joni Mitchell. 'It's clouds illusions I recall/I really don't know clouds at all.' What does that mean? Is she a pilot? Is she taking flying lessons? It must be a metaphor for something but I don't know what it is." (Tom Hanks, Sleepless in Seattle)

Quote of the week

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” 

Framed!

I finally got my frame for My Lady by Little House Needleworks so she is all done and already hanging on my living room wall along with my other LHN pieces. She is just the perfect addition. I'm anxious to start Star Spangled Garden by Country Cottage Needleworks but first I've committed to stitching a new model for LHN.

Quote of the Week

"Your absence has gone through me like thread through a needle. 

Everything I do is stitched with its color."

- W.S. Merwin

New stitching project...

My next cross stitch project will be Star Spangled Garden by Country Cottage Needleworks. I'm really looking forward to starting this one, as soon as I finished a "secret" project I'm working on. Sorry can't share more but there are eyes everywhere.

ADA Tour de Cure 2012

As he has for the past 10 years, my husband Patrick took part in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure here in Silicon Valley. Our personal goal was to raise $1K and thanks to your family and friends we raised a little over $1300. Hubby was part of the Lockheed Martin team which overall raised over $125K..and very close to their goal of $150K. I'm so proud of him for riding for me and others who live with diabetes.

Quote of the Week

"In times of grief and sorrow I will hold  you and rock you and take your grief and make it my own. When you cry I cry and when you hurt I hurt. And together we will try to hold back the floods to tears and despair and make it through the potholed street of life"
- Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

New finishes

Last week I finished Mildred's Garden House by Blackbird Designs. Today I laced it and framed it and love how it turned out. My cross stitch finish for the week was My Lady by Little House Needleworks. I laced that one too, added the charm, and now waiting on the frame. I've been quite bitten by the stitching bug and now ready to tackle a new project and pick up my long forgotten Fairy Grandmother.

Quote of the Week

"I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone. You just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence."
-- Alyson Noel

RIP Bro

On May 14, 2012 my baby brother Santos passed away. He fought a brave fight with diabetes and heart disease till the very end. I remember so clearly the day Mom bought him home from the hospital back in 1959. Little did I know how much that moment would impact my life. Santos had such a great sense of humor and never seem to run out of jokes and was great at imitating many celebrities. He was quite the prankster and loved making calls to pronounce winners of lotteries, etc. Still recall the message he left me about some outstanding bill he claimed I had and the fear it evoked. What a card!

He will be missed by us his family. My mom, my sister, and my brother, his sons, his daughter, his nieces and nephews, his aunties and uncles. Rest in peace now little brother, till we meet again on the other side.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and grandmothers out there. My life wouldn't be the same without these special ladies in my life, my mother Luz, my daughter Sarai, and my daughter in law Julie. A special shout out to my sisters Lucy and Teresita and my sister in law, Janet.

Yo Yo Quilt

Finally got back to my Patriotic Yo Yo Quilt and made a bit of progress on the "edging" of it. Considering this is my first such quilt I'm kinda going with the flow and seeing where it takes me. Hope to have another update soon.

I'm back!

We're back from our awesome two week vacation in Washington, DC. We took TONS of photos and it will take me awhile to sort through them but I promise to post some here and to our photo blog as soon as I can.

Time moves...

This week I celebrated my 24th year with Apple. In the midst of the congratulations, well wishes and even jokes, I found myself remembering things from the past and how much technology has improved and grown during my career. One coworker even said to me, "wow, you joined the company before I was even born." Well don't imagine she will even know what this stuff is. So here is a brief stroll down memory lane.

My first go into "technology" was an Underwood typewriter in the 6th grade like this one.