Stitching Obsession II

A Give Away

2012-01-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

My friend Linda is celebrating the anniversary of her blog and is having an awesome giveaway. Check out her blog at:

New Stash

2012-01-22T14:27:00.001-08:00

Been awhile since I've added to my stash so all these goodies sure made it feel like Christmas. I have all the latest designs by Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks and while I love them all, I just had to kit up "The Lady" and hopefully can start her soon. I took a short hiatus from model stitching but will soon have a new one to stitch for LHN and that will take priority till it's done. I can't wait...I so feel my stitching mojo coming back in full force. I also picked up these cute snowmen charts by Lizzie Kate that I actually hadn't heard of and seen before. Talk about being out of touch!! LOL!

The Lady by Little House Needleworks

Love Nest and March Cottage of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks

Snow House, Snowed In, Snow Fun, Snow Friends, Snow Day, and Let it Snow by Lizzie Kate

Quote of the week

2012-01-18T09:35:00.001-08:00

I've been your friend for a while.

I know you're hiding behind that smile,

And you're keeping inside tears that should have been cried,

You've been brave through this trail.

You're been strong as a stone,

Against the stormy winds that have blown.

But you have friends who care, more than willing to share,

Don't face those troubles alone.

-- Lyrics from "Pray for You"

Happy birthday Alanna!

2012-01-15T12:49:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to my gorgeous granddaughter Alanna Sarai who today turns 15. Seems like only yesterday she was our little bundle of joy and today she's a growing young lady, whose not only beautiful but smart. We're so proud.

Yo Yo Quilt

2012-01-15T12:26:00.001-08:00

I have slowly picked up my needle again and tackled my Patriotic Yo Yo Quilt. I haven't made much progress but I am enjoying the process and slowly seeing it come to life. I finally used up all the patriotic-themed and colored fabrics in my stash so I made a trip to the fabric store yesterday to pick up a few more.

A Moo-treat!

2012-01-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

I want to thank my dear friend Rita from Texas for the lovely ornament. She was in California visiting her daughter and we'd hope to get together but unfortunately it didn't work out and this cutie found it's way in the mail. THANK YOU!

Quote of the week

2012-01-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

"Be always at war with your vices,

at peace with your neighbors,

and let each New Year find you

a better person."

-- Benjamin Franklin

Fair and Square Exchange

2012-01-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

I participated in Round #27 of the Fair & Square Exchange and was partnered with Daniela from Finland. Here are the lovely squares I received from her (designer Barrick Samplers).

Here are the squares I stitched for her.

It's a Papillon Creatures freebie called Three Emblems.

RIP

2012-01-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

When I miss you, I don't have to go far... I just have to look inside my heart because that's where I'll find you.

Rita Yvonne Cortinas

March 23, 1974 - January 1, 2012

New Year, New Beginnings

2012-01-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year friends! I hope this holiday season was good to you and yours and that your wishes came true.

Looking back over 2011 I realized there were plenty of good moments to compensate for the bad ones. I was lucky enough to be in Texas when my grandson Izaiah turned one, hubby and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, Patrick also celebrated his 25th anniversary at Lockheed, and he also turned 50 this year, we were fortunate enough to attend my niece's wedding in Ohio and visited with family in Indiana and even made acquaintance with family we'd never met or seen in many years.

It's been sad and hard to see my younger brother Santos so ill and dealing with heart surgery, losing his leg, and his long stay in the hospital and rehab. But I'm thankful he is on the road to recovery and still with us. I've seen our precious Yvonne ravaged by cancer and while the outcome is not what we want, I have learned so much from her through this battle. It's the tough moments that bring out the best in people.

To happier times in 2012.

Quote of the week

2011-12-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

"Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."

-- Oren Arnold

And so continues the obsession...

2011-12-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

I'm having so much fun with my yo yo making I just can't seem to stop. I decided to tackle a new project which I'm sure is going to take a while; but heck that hasn't stopped me before. LOL!! Those who know me well know will not be surprised at my choice of theme. So off I went to see what fabrics I had in my stash.

Only a "few" squares to go to complete my Patriotic Yo Yo Quilt.

Yo Yo Mania

2011-12-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I became quite addicted to making Yo Yos. After seeing the lovely projects created by my aunts I just had to go for it. Once I returned home from Ohio I went through my stash and picked a few more fabrics for my first project. I am quite thrilled with how it turned out. My daughter is quite the Halloween fan so this first piece is for her. Here is my Halloween tablerunner.

Yo Yos before assembly

Completed table runner

Quote of the Week

2011-12-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."

- Buddha

Quote of the week

2011-12-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

"For a long time it has seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obtacles were my life."

-- Fr. Alfred D'Souza

An old, new hobby

2011-12-05T15:01:00.001-08:00

A few years ago I was on a stitching retreat with friends when we visited a quilting store. I'm not a quilter so I walked around looking at all the different fabrics and accessories when I stumbled upon something that was very familiar to me. I had no idea there was a tool to make them!! I had to have it and figure out how it worked. You see when I was a little girl, my grandmother made Yo Yos by hand. I totally forgot I had the Yo Yo Maker till I visited my mother back in September and saw a table cloth made of these Yo Yos. She told me my Aunt Lucy had picked up the old craft and had made the cloth for her the same way my grandmother made them.

Bedspread made by my Aunt Lucy

Pillow by my Aunt Vinnie

In my recent visit to Ohio I discovered that my Aunt Vinnie had too picked up Yo Yo fever. She had no idea a tool existed for making the Yo Yos so I picked up two of them for her and just couldn't resist starting a project myself. I too now have Yo Yo fever.

My first batch of Yo Yos.

Long, long overdue update...

2011-12-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, November 22nd I flew to Ohio to be with my younger brother, Santos who was scheduled for surgery. Due to an infection he was battling, the surgery was postponed and didn't happen till Thursday, December 1st. Santos was in the ICU at the Cleveland Clinic being treated for a C. diff bacteria and faced a few challenges. He needed a temporary pacemaker installed as well as continuous dialysis.

Santos and my sister in law Teresa the day before surgery

Surgery was 11 hours long and the waiting was just excruciating. I'm glad I was there to provide some support to my mother and my sister in law Teresa. Santos had a double bypass, a heart valve replaced, some "cleaning" of the heart due to an abscess and a pacemaker installed. Thankfully he was intubated the morning of 12/5/11 and is breathing on this own. We are more than optimistic of his recovery. I can't thank enough the family and friends who called, said prayers and were just there for my family.

I returned home to California on December 3rd and will appreciate your continued good wishes, good thoughts, and prayers as Santos faces a challenging recovery.

Latest stitching update...

2011-11-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

Still working on Fairy Grandmother by Lavendar and Lace. I had quite the stitch-a-thon early in the weekend and then had to stop to give my elbow and wrist a rest.

Quote of the Day

2011-11-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

-- Oprah Winfrey

Celebrating a milestone...

2011-11-06T16:15:00.001-08:00

We recently attended a dinner in honor of my husband's 25th anniversary with Lockheed Martin. It was fun getting all dressed up for a night on the town. The food was good, the company at our table was wonderful, and the dancing was phenomenal. The night had a Paris theme complete with the Moulin Rouge and Eiffel Tower. Love the commemorative wine glasses and Murano glass winestopper we received.

Quote of the week

2011-11-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too can become great."

-- Mark Twain

Countdown to Turkey Day

2011-11-01T10:47:00.001-07:00

Quote of the week

2011-10-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change."

-- Barbara de Angelis

Weekend update

2011-10-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm still working diligently on Fairy Grandmother and making great progress. I sure pray I don't lose steam on this one anytime soon cause it sure would be a treat to actually finish it before the year is out. I'm so neglecting my other projects but this one really has me captivated at the moment. Can't wait to get to those colorful wings!

Happy birthday to my son Mizraim who turned 35 on Saturday, October 22nd. Considering I barely feel that much older myself...where have the years gone? Seems like yesterday he was just my little 10 pound bundle. (Photo taken back in May of 2011 during my trip to San Antonio for grandson's first birthday)

Quote of the week

2011-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."

--Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Fair & Square Exchange

2011-10-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I participated in the Fair & Square Exchange so it was fun to get back to it. I was partnered with Jennifer and here are the squares she made for me. As you can see she dedicated them to my 20th wedding anniversary which hubby and I celebrated 3 months ago. I just love them.

Here are the squares I made for Jennifer. Autumn is my favorite season so it was really fun stitching this JBW design for her.

Quote of the week

2011-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

In truth, relationships just show us to ourselves.

We give people clues on how to love us

as they see us loving ourselves.

It is truly about us and our relationship with us

that then gets reflected back.

We attract the people who will allow us to grow,

who will invite us to grow,

who will ask us to step up and into

our highest self-expression.

This doesn't always happen consciously

or pleasantly...it just happens.

Enjoy the opportunities to let others know

how much you love yourself.

--Eddie Rodriguez

Fundraiser

2011-10-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

SYC TEAM FUNDRAISER

$10 a ticket for a chance to win:

1st prize - iPad2

2nd prize - Coach handbag

3rd prize - iPod Nano

If you want a ticket please let me know. Proceeds are to assist our Rita who is battling renal cell carcinoma.

Winners to be announced October 29, 2011

WIP: Fairy Grandmother

2011-10-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of no stitching, it was fun to get back to my current WIP. Fairy Grandmother by Lavender and Lace is coming along much quicker than I anticipated. Even after a small break this week to finish a piece for an exchange, I can see the progress. Even all that brown didn't bother me. LOL! I'm going to continue working on it and alternate it with my Wild Roses piece.

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

-- Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Quote of the week

2011-10-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."

-- Maya Angelou

New Stash

2011-10-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

I did a little shopping while at Cross My Heart in Columbus, Ohio.

The Wedding

2011-10-02T11:40:00.001-07:00

Wedding of my niece Kris Marie Claudio to Khaled Williams on September 17, 2011.

Long Overdue Update...

2011-09-29T14:50:00.001-07:00

I'm slowly getting back to the routine of everyday life after spending two weeks visiting with my family in Ohio and Indiana. It was a very emotional and gratifying journey in so many ways. It was great to spend time with my mother and siblings in Cleveland and attend the wedding of my niece, Kris. The wedding was gorgeous, the bride spectacular, the groom handsome, and the weather totally cooperated (considering it was raining quite a bit the evening we arrived). It was nice to spend time with my younger brother who underwent surgery last month and I ask for your continued prayers for his recovery.

We arrived in Columbus, Ohio on September 15th to some heavy rains. It was dark by the time we picked up our luggage, car, and headed for Cleveland. Barely 2 or 3 miles from the airport I look in my rear view mirror to see twirling lights...yep, a policeman. I stopped at the side of the road to discover I was driving with only my daylights on. I had to explain to him that it was a rental and it took all 3 of us to figure out the lights...LOL! The following day on the way back to our hotel I turn on my signal light to make a left into the parking and discover that yet again there are twirlings lights behind me. YES...it was an Ohio State Trooper!! When he asked if I knew why he had pulled me over I said "please don't tell me I forgot my lights again?" He said, "again?" I had to explain to him it was a rental which I'm sure look suspicious considering I was in Ohio and the rental had Illinois plates and I have a California driver's license. Turns out the rental had automatic lights and I could have saved myself the "run-in with the law", as my husband put it. As I said to him, "well it won't be a trip we'll forget anytime soon."

In addition to our time in Cleveland, we visited my brother in law in Harrison, my husband's cousin in Cincinnati, and his sister in Connversville, IN. We also took time to visit cousins in Indianapolis we'd never met and my husband hadn't seen since he was a boy. We had a great time with the Dunaway clan at the home of his Uncle Eddie and a great dinner at Olive Garden.

10th Anniversary

2011-09-11T17:56:00.001-07:00

Weekly update

2011-09-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

I concentrated most of my stitching this week on Fairy Grandmother and thrilled with the progress I'm making. I hate to stop working on her but it's a large project to carry so I will leave her behind while I'm on vacation and devote what little stitching time I have to Wild Roses.

Fairy Grandmother

by Lavender and Lace

Wild Roses

by Carriage House Samplings

Quote of the week

2011-09-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

"Don't live in the past, thinking about mistakes or changes you made. Think of your life as a book, move forward, close one chapter and open another. Learn from your mistakes, but focus on your future, not on your past."

-- Unknown

Lady of the Flag (UFO)

2011-09-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

I mentioned last week that I had Lady of the Flag by Mirabilia stashed away where she became a UFO and languished in a tube for over two years. Well I finally took her out to let her breathe. Though I think the surprise was on me when I realized I was much further along than I remember. I knew I had most of the stitching done but I actually started the beading too. She's going back in my rotation and I WILL FINISH HER!

Fairy Grandmother, Week 2

2011-09-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so enjoying this one and I hope my enthusiasm keeps up and I have finish her before the year ends. WHAT!?! I can do it. LOL! Gee what stitcher hasn't uttered that phrase more than once.

Happy birthday to me!

2011-09-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yep, another birthday crept up on me. I had such a great day thanks to my husband. I got some books, some iTunes cards, some stitching goodies but most of all the love, support, and MANY well wishes from friends and family. Even had a new arrival on my birthday when my niece gave birth to Julianna Lissette, born at 4:30pm weighing in at 7 lbs., 6 oz. and 20" long. Another memorable birthday! THANK YOU ALL!

Quote of the week

2011-08-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;

It never between you and them anyway.

-- Mother Teresa

Fairy Grandmother

2011-08-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

My progress so far on Fairy Grandmother by Lavender and Lace.

New Project and History of an old one...

2011-08-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

I started Lady of the Flag by Mirabilia back in 2003 and while I did most of the stitching in about 6 months I stopped when it was time to add the beads. Why I didn't add the beads as I went along still eludes me. All I can say in my defense is that it was my first such project and at the time it seemed a good idea to leave them for last. And now she sits just waiting for those beads. I'll have to find her and post a picture. Maybe I can be bullied, cheered, or coerced into finishing her. LOL!

I've had this chart, Fairy Grandmother by Lavender and Lace in my stash for years. Recently I've seen a few completed Mirabilia and L&L pieces and I decided it was time to dig into my stash and tackle another. I even had this one kitted (except for the beads)! I started it on 8/24/11 and will post an updated photo this weekend.

Hopefully I will do better the second time around.

Quote of the week

2011-08-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

"You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise."

-- Maya Angelou

Hubby's milestone

2011-08-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

This weekend my husband Patrick turned 50. My daughter and I threw him a Hawaii FIVE-O theme party and we had a blast. The food, courtesy of THE TACO LADY was awesome! The kids had a jumpy to play in and goodie bags and the adults had plenty to eat and drink. We saw friends we hadn't seen in awhile so it was wonderful catching up.

Stitching update...

2011-08-21T15:10:00.001-07:00

I've made a bit more progress on Wild Roses by Carriage House Samplings. Think this is going to stitch up quicker than I thought.

Quote of the week

2011-08-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

"When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile."

-- Unknown

A finish and new WIP

2011-08-13T15:33:00.001-07:00

Earlier this week I finished Chocolate Shoppe by Little House Needleworks as my project for the Cake SAL on the LHN/CCN Yahoo Group. This was done on 18 count Tan Marble aida by Sassy's Fabbys with regular DMC floss. Should fit quite nicely into a 6"x8" frame and make a lovely gift for a special gal I know.

My new work in progress is a chart I've had in my stash for quite a while. While I have a few other projects to complete this one was just calling out to me so I went ahead and started it. This is Wild Roses by Carriage House Samplings. I chose a 20 count Golden Sand lugana and using the DMC recommended. The picture doesn't to justice to how well the threads pop on the fabric.

Quote of the week

2011-08-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

"Burning desire to be or do something gives us staying power - a reason to get up every morning or to pick ourselves up and start in again after a disappointment."

-- Marsha Sinetar

An adventure in framing...

2011-08-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

I decided to do my own lacing and framing for Liberty-1776 by Little House Needleworks. It was my first attempt and I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. The lacing took me awhile and I was afraid I ruin my piece but I'm sure with a bit more progress it will become easier. I even got the frame pieces at Michael's and put it together myself. I can see doing others in the future and it sure is a savings.

The Chocolate Shoppe

2011-08-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

I made a little more progress on my piece for the Cake SAL on the LHN/CCN Yahoo group.

Isn't this sweet?

2011-08-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

Written for me by a very dear friend.

Milly, Milly, she's a dilly
Stitcher exemplar we all know
In a chair or in bed
With needle and thread
Her stitches all neat in a row.
-- Theresa Awe

Quote of the week..

2011-08-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Life it too short to wake up in

the morning with regrets.

So love the people who treat

you right, and forget about the

ones who don't and believe

that everything happens for a

reason. If you get a chance;

take it. Nobody said that it

would be easy, they just

promised it would be worth it.

A good stitching week...

2011-07-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

I have finally finished Liberty - 1776 by Little House Needleworks and I love how it turned out. I used the over dyed floss called for on the chart and a 28 count lugana fabric.

I also started my piece for the "cake" stitch-a-long we're having at the LHN/CCN Yahoo group and this is my progress so far. I'm stitching Chocolate Shoppe by LHN and for this piece I decided to go with an 18 count aida in Tan Marble by Sassy's Fabbys with DMC floss. This will be a gift for a special little baker in my life.

Quote of the week..

2011-07-27T11:49:00.001-07:00

"Sometimes you have to let people go live their lives, and if it's meant to be your paths will cross again."

--Unknown

Weekend Update

2011-07-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

The weekends sure do go quickly but we did our best to make the most of it. Saturday, after a nice breakfast out, we hit two used booksales in the cities of Sunnyvale and Cupertino. I now have my "Frankenstein" series by Dean Koontz complete and can't wait to start reading them. Wasn't till I got home that I realized that the book by Bertrice Small was #4 of 5 books in the Border Chronicles and Janette Oke/Davis Bunn book is #2 of a trilogy, so now I'm on the hunt to complete these as well. Sometimes the hunt can be just as fun as the read.

Once I got home I was looking for a chart for our Cake stitch-a-long (SAL) and before I knew it I had all my Little House Needleworks and Country Cottage Needleworks designs spread out on the floor. I finally got them in number order and in bags. My husband took this picture to show my "obsession" as he puts it.

Sunday I got to spend the day at Madonna Needle Works in Morgan Hill with a few of my stitching buddies. A very dear friend of ours is moving to the Midwest so we met up with her to chat, eat, shop, and stitch. I worked on my Liberty - 1776 and I'm really close to having it done. I was determined to finish it when I got home but I was tired and after dinner fell asleep.

My lastest stash enhancement are Baked Goods, Summer Splendor and 1785 Samplings by Little House Needleworks and Sunflowers in Summer by Country Cottage Needleworks. I also picked up Remember Me and Bird in Hand by Blackbird Designs.

Quote of the week

2011-07-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

"Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional."

-- Roger Crawford

Stitching update...

2011-07-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

My latest progress on Liberty - 1776 by Little House Needleworks.

The celebration continued...

2011-07-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 16th we had a group of friends over to the house to celebrate our anniversary. My daughter who served as our hostess did a phenomenal job with the food, appetizers, decorations, cake, etc. We had so much fun and we're to happy to have shared this milestone with our family and friends.

Quote of the week

2011-07-13T14:29:00.001-07:00

"If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today."

-- Lou Holtz

A gift

2011-07-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

I got this beautiful little glass cow, complete with glass rose and tray from my sister. She sure knows me. I just love it! Thanks sis.

Stitching update...

2011-07-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

My new WIP is Liberty-1776 by Little House Needleworks.

Weekly update

2011-07-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier, Patrick and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this week. On Wednesday we took the day off from work to spend the day in San Francisco, which is where we went on our first date. We started at Ghirardelli Square and walked all the way down to Pier 39 casually walking through the shops, people watching, and taking photographs.

Around 4:15 p.m. or so we started our walk back towards our car in hopes of avoiding the commute traffic and working our way across town to our favorite pizza place. We come around the corner on Bay Street to find all cars were gone...including ours! Turns out we could NOT park there after 4PM and our car was towed. We then had to walk back the way we came to a hotel on Van Ness to find a taxi cab to take us to the impound lot. I don't think I said a word from the moment I discovered my car missing till I had to pay the fine to retrieve my car. Can't say our time in SF was priceless since it cost us, $20 to get across town in a cab and $392.75 to get my car back. I so wanted to just come home but hubby insisted we keep on our celebration so off we went to have our pizza.

The next morning as I was getting into my car I noticed there was something under the windshield wipers...oh yes, a parking ticket!! $75 for parking after 4PM! LOL!!!! Yes, I can laugh about it now. Lesson learned!! BE CAREFUL where you park in the city and read ALL SIGNS posted!

20 years!

2011-07-06T00:07:00.001-07:00

Our official anniversary portrait.

Our Anniversary

2011-07-05T21:08:00.001-07:00

This year Patrick and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. So I thought I'd share a few photos of our years together. We met on July 6, 1990 and married exactly one year later.

Patriotic finish...

2011-07-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

I got this little freebie by Aury done just in time to honor our holiday here in the USA. You can obtain the chart at:

Memorial Day - Free Chart | AuryTM

Quote of the week

2011-06-29T11:54:00.001-07:00

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."

-- Abraham Lincoln

Stashing is fun...

2011-06-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

Nothing to show as far as my stitching since I was working on a model for LHN, which I recently finished. I hurt my wrist a few weeks ago when I fell, so my stitching has been a bit slow. I spent much time on my computer reading blogs and exploring new cross stitching charts. Here's my stash enhancement this week.

Where has Milly been?

2011-06-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

So where have I been for the past two weeks? During the week of June 12th to 18th we took some vacation days and spent the time in South Lake Tahoe, CA just a few blocks from the Nevada state line.

We left for Tahoe on Sunday after Patrick took part in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure Ride in Palo Alto, CA. Thanks to our friends and family we were able to met our goal and raised over $1000. Patrick rode as part of the Lockheed-Martin team who overall raised $140K for the cause. THANKS to those who were so generous with their donations.

We had a great time in Tahoe and got plenty of walking, hiking, cycling, reading, shopping, sightseeing and even a little gambling. The highlight of our trip was taking a steam engine from Carson City, NV into Virginia City, NV. The train was wonderful with a docent who told a colorful history of the steam engines and Virginia City. We explored the small town with plenty of saloons and LOTS of history. Loved it all, down to the prospector walking down the road leading his mule (or jackass).

This weekend I will post pictures to our photo blog. I've spent most of this week just trying to catch up at home and work.

Quote of the week

2011-06-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

"Grandmothers are just antique little girls."

-- Author Unknown

"Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting."

-- Author Unkown

My quotes this week are dedicated to my grandmother Antonia born on June 8, 1917.

Tour de Cure

2011-06-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 43 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

On Sunday, June 12, 2011 my husband Patrick will be participating in the Palo Alto Tour de Cure as part of the Lockheed-Martin team. As a company their goal is to raise $130K and as of today they have raised $104,804.34. Our personal goal was to raise $1000 and thanks to our friends and family our goal was easily met. Now we really want to challenge our friends and have raised that goal to $1500.

Why is this important to us? I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 1990 so this is really personal to me. I didn't ask for diabetes and to quote a friend "it sucks." My biggest supporter in living with diabetes is my husband Patrick. It's not just my disease it's OUR disease. He rides because he enjoys it, but every year he does this ride FOR ME and the countless others who live with Type I and Type II diabetes.

Please consider making a donation. Any amount is appreciated because every dollar goes towards programs to educate and for a cure. Below is the link to Patrick's Tour de Cure page.

Tour de Cure

2011-06-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

"An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind."

-- Buddha

Quote of the week

2011-05-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in our lives

We all have pain

We all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow

-- Lyrics from "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers

Update...

2011-05-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Not much to report on the stitching front I'm afraid. I'm currently working on a new model for Little House Needleworks and I'm making good progress on it. (Another winner, trust me!)

I do have some new charts to add to my ever increasing stash. Bee Joyful is one of the models I stitched for Country Cottage Needleworks and I had so much fun with it. I teased Nikki about the fact that she actually made me like pink...hehehe! It was hard to put down and I actually stitched it in less than a week. Good thing huh since I'll have to stitch it (and its companion) for myself.

Button, Button and Bee Joyful

by Country Cottage Needleworks

Speaking of pink...I got this adorable little sign from my grandkids, Victoria and Izaiah on my last day in San Antonio. Man, they sure know how to pull at Grandma's heart strings.

Almost there

2011-05-20T12:26:00.001-07:00

Anniversary Tickers

Izaiah turns 1!

2011-05-18T15:26:00.001-07:00

My grandson Izaiah turned a year old on May 14th and I flew down to San Antonio to share in the festivities. As you can see he had quite the good time. And while he may be too young to remember it we have these photos to share with him when he's older.

Baby Sampler

2011-05-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

My baby sampler for Izaiah arrived safe and sound in San Antonio a few days before I did. The "kids" (my son and DIL) were quite anxious to open it.

Quote of the Week

2011-05-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Many can argue that reality is as it is, but my experience is that the opposite is exactly true, reality is ours for the making."

-- Asara Lovejoy

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T19:03:00.001-07:00

I feel very blessed to have spent the day with my daughter. We had breakfast at my house before heading out to do a bit of shopping where my daughter treated me to my first manicure. What an experience! I love how my nails turned out.

As I mentioned in my previous post I'm leaving for San Antonio on Thursday for my grandson's first birthday so my Mother's Day will be extended to time with my son and his family. No mom could ask for more.

Happy Mother's Day to all moms and extra special hugs for my own mother (pictured here).

This week...

2011-05-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

One of the things we did this week was hit the going-out-of-business sales at Borders where books were down to 50-70% off. I hit the jackpot when it came to The Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini and got 7 of her books for less than $5 a piece.

Stitching wise I'm happy to say that I finished Time for God by Lizzie Kate. I have a new model to do for Little House Needleworks so after I return from Texas I will devote my time to that. I won't be taking any stitching along with me since I want to devote my short visit entirely to my grandson and enjoy his first birthday.

Quote of the week

2011-05-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

"God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers."

-- Jewish proverb

Lost and Forgotten

2011-05-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

I started America, Land That We Love by Jean Farish about 6 years ago or was it 7? Needless to say it's been sitting in my stash for a looooooong time. Recently the ALTWL group revived this long lost project and I decided its time has come. Here is what I have so far. I got "stuck" in Hawaii but hope to move on to the next state soon.

Stitching update...

2011-05-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

I picked up For This Child from the framers and I'm thrilled with the results. Hope my son and daughter in law love it half as much I do and my grandson has it for a very long time. I also picked up Sailing Sailing by Little House Needleworks.

I continued working on Time for God by Lizzie Kate and made a bit more progress. I'm afraid it's one of those designs I'll have to stitch twice. This one I plan to give to my mom and I think I will try a one-color-variegated for mine. Just an idea at the moment since I have more stitching to get done and first on the agenda is a new model for Little House Needleworks.

Quote of the week

2011-04-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

-- Maria Robinson

Stitching update...

2011-04-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

Flying on the buzz of my last finish, I decided to tackle another long neglected piece that I started back in November of 2010. This is The Family Sampler by Little House Needleworks which I am stitching on 28 ct potato lugana using the floss recommended by the designer.

Progress as November, 2010

Progress as of April 22, 2011

I also started a new project, Time for God by Lizzie Kate. This will be a nice break between the larger piece and a great gift for my mother, who I hope to see in September when I attend my niece's wedding in Ohio.

Quote of the week

2011-04-21T16:01:00.001-07:00

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."

- S.D. Gordon

F-I-N-I-S-H-E-D!

2011-04-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Wooohooooooo! Yep, that was me yelling with joy. I have finished the baby sampler for my grandson. I love how it turned out and can't wait to see it framed.

For This Child

by My Big Toe

16 ct. Heritage Aida

DMC colors: 3808, 3811 and 745

Izaiah

11 months old

Quote of the week

2011-04-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."

-- Oprah Winfrey

Happy birthday Sis

2011-04-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my sister Luz who today turns 53 years young. Love you girl!

Stitching progress...

2011-04-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

This past week I worked on the baby sampler for my grandson and I'm quite happy with the progress I'ved made. If I can keep up this pace I should be able to have it completed and ready for framing before the end of the month. This is what I have as of today:

For This Child

by My Big Toe Designs

Quote of the week

2011-04-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

"There's an important difference between giving up and letting go."

-- Jessica Hatchigan

Update

2011-04-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

I don't have any pictures of my stitching to share since all my efforts were concentrated on a new model for CCN. It was such a fun piece that once I started it I couldn't put it down and finished it in no time.

This week I am back to working on the baby sampler for my grandson. I must finish this before I leave for San Antonio next month to celebrate his first birthday. Will post pictures of my progress soon.

QOTW

2011-03-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

"One craft project, like one cookie, is never enough!"

-Unknown

QOTW - R.I.P Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

"It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting."

-- Elizabeth Taylor

February 27, 1932 - March 23, 2011

Updates of WIPs

2011-03-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

I might have made more progress on For This Child by My Big Toe had I not run out of DMC 3808 and having to embark on a trip to various Michael's to find what I needed. For some reason (that no one is willing to admit to) the DMC floss bins at their stores have been pretty neglected lately. I finally found three skeins at my local JoAnn's.

Yesterday my local stitch group spent the day at Madonna's Needleworks in Morgan Hill and I did a little work on Mildred's Garden House by Blackbird Designs. As you can see this one is pretty close to being done too.

This upcoming week all my stitching will be set aside for a new model I'll be stitching for Country Cottage Needleworks and I'm anxious to start it. Have a good week!

Prairie Schooler finish...

2011-03-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

I finished B is for Blackbird by Prairie Schooler and plan to add C is for Cow to this piece before finishing it into a pillow. All three designs are from Book No. 98, A*B*C.

Stash Enhancement

2011-03-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

I got Liberty and Thirteen Colonies by Little House Needleworks added to my stash so while at the LNS yesterday I picked up the threads they had and ordered the rest. Can't wait to start on these two.

Quote of the week

2011-03-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

-- Irish blessing

A stitch-filled week...

2011-03-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say that I made quite a bit of progress on two of my WIPs.

I'm hoping to have this baby sampler done for my grandson Izaiah before his first birthday in May and at the moment I think I can pull it off.

For this Child by My Big Toe

As of 5/31/10

As of 3/14/11

I might have finished the Prairie Schooler but after a few nights of DMC 3371 on those blackbirds, I just had to move on and work on something else.

Quote of the week

2011-03-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situtation might be, you can survive it.

-- Bill Cosby