PIF and other Bits and Pieces...

It's been a busy couple of weeks for us. My DH is traveling back and forth between Oklahoma and home almost every weekend. I will be glad when June is here and he doesn't have to go back and forth anymore. We decided he needed a break from flying here every Friday so I am going there later this week for a few days. I am planning on going to the Silver Needle since I've never been to the shop before. There are also a couple of shops in Oklahoma City that I may go visit while Jeff is at work.

My big news is I took a very part time bookkeeper position at our church. It's 10-16 hours a week, Mondays and Thursdays. I hate to admit it but I was a tiny bit bored being at home so much by myself. I was looking for a way get out of the house a couple days each week for a few hours. I offered to come in as a volunteer so I was pleasantly surprised when they wanted to make it official and pay me. I wasn't expecting it at all, but it's a little pocket money which will be fun and the job very low stress. The ladies that work in the office are all very sweet. I know most of them fairly well since we attend the same church. It will be a nice little interlude each week and it won't interfere with my stitching time :-).

My mom got her BBD Bluebird's Message back from the framer. I think it's beautiful, I love the moulding. It will go on her "wall" :-). I stitched while I was home for my Dad's bypass surgery so it seemed appropriate to leave it there and I am not sure I could have got out of the house with it, LOL. My Dad is doing great, he's going to rehab three times a week and his voice finally returned. I wanted to say thank you again, I so appreciate all the kind thoughts, notes and prayers from everyone.

I also sent my first PIF gift to Heather. It was so much fun doing this piece. I put a quarter next to it for scale. It came out very tiny which I love. The design is from BBD's new Needle and Thread book. I seem to be on a Blackbird Designs kick right now. I just love their pieces.

Hope you all are having a great week with lots of stitching time :-). I am off to work on fobs for my mom. I also need to do a bit of finishing on a couple of exchange gifts. Pictures to come later.

Ramblings and the Retirement

My DH had his retirement ceremony last week and started his new job on Monday. I changed the picture to one of my DH and DS in their uniforms. JD is just starting out and Jeff is finishing. It's funny how life goes full circle. It's a huge transition for us but we have a lot of peace about the decision to retire and we are looking forward to being civilians. I am not crazy about the weekly travels to Oklahoma, but he's home for the weekend which is nice. Fortunately it's only until June. It does give me lots of stitching time during the week, always a good thing. I am going to go visit OKC at least once and make a trip to the Silver Needle while I am there.

I spent this week sorting and stitching. I did finish a couple of things but they are secrets :-). I also kitted up a bunch of projects, the fobs for my mom, 14 in all, and the exchanges and gifts I need to do for the next several months. I thought I'd get those bits and pieces done and then I am going to concentrate on VoHRH and Mary Beale's Advent Sampler. I have a few other small projects kitted and ready to go so I have plenty to keep me busy, LOL.

Hope you all have a great weekend, we are going to relax and rent a couple of movies. Hopefully by Monday or Tuesday I can post pictures of what I've been working on :-).

Everything in Moderation

I've made a decision...the 10-25-50 challenge just isn't for me. I think it's a wonderful idea but I don't function well with an "all or nothing" mindset. I definitely still want to watch what I spend on stitching but there are a few things I'd like to have and I think that's okay :-). So my new philosophy for stash purchases is "everything in moderation". I don't think I am the first person to decide this challenge just isn't for me. I have to keep reminding myself it's okay to change my mind, LOL.

I did actually get a bit of stitching done last month and all things considered I am happy with what I accomplished:

1. Finished Blackbird Designs Bluebird's Message (I am anxiously waiting for the new Loose Feather to come out, should be any day now).

2. Finished Trilogy Cardiology fob for an exchange

3. Finished two Shepherd's Bush 2007 fobs

In March I am going to work on fobs for my mom, exchanges, PIFs and Mary Beale's Advent Sampler. I will have to wait and see if anything else takes my fancy :-).